Jetsettersblog

Air New Zealand is launching an online airport taxi booking service that promises to save customers time and money.

Air New Zealand Taxis is offering fixed price transport to and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports with the guarantee of the lowest available rate from the participating transport provider.

The fixed price means travellers no longer have to pay extra to travel at peak times. Air New Zealand GM Australasia Bruce Parton says, “Its one low fixed price, booked and paid for in advance, regardless of what time of day you’re travelling. So if you travel at peak time you don’t end up paying extra to sit in traffic.

“Along with the lowest available rate, there’s also an on-time guarantee. If you’ve booked transport to the airport and it’s not at the specified pick up point within 15 minutes of the booked time the whole trip is free.

“Not only is this great value, it comes with a full meet and greet service at your arrival airport to make your journey quick and seamless.”

Bookings can be made now at www.airnz.co.nz/taxi. Just enter the airport you’re travelling to or from, your pick up or drop off location, and the number of people travelling to receive a fixed price quote for a range of transport options including a standard taxi, shuttle, executive cab or limousine. Make your selection and receive an E-ticket confirmation.

Air New Zealand has teamed up with Alert Taxis to develop the booking service, although the transport brands on offer will differ according to airport location.

Qantas today welcomed a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft into service and announced it would be named in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer and explorer.

A further two new aircraft will join the fleet this month and will be officially named in honour of Abel Tasman, who was the first European to discover the south island of New Zealand, and William Pickering, a New Zealander who made a significant contribution to space exploration.

Qantas Regional General Manager New Zealand, Mr Grant Lilly said the new aircraft would operate on the Wellington – Australia route, providing a new level of comfort for customers.

“Wellington is an important market for Qantas for both business and leisure travellers and we are delighted to bring our 737-800 product here.

“These new aircraft will join our 737-800 flagship fleet on trans-Tasman flights and it is a privilege to name this aircraft after such an iconic history maker as Sir Edmund Hillary who pushed the boundaries of human endurance and achievement.

“I’m delighted that Sir Hillary’s son Peter Hillary and first great grandchild Felix have joined us to celebrate and represent the late explorer.

Mr Lilly said the new aircraft would showcase the best of modern onboard technology and design with Marc Newson-designed seating and a state-of-the-art on-demand Panasonic in-flight entertainment.

Wellington International Airport, CEO, Mr Steven Fitzgerald said, “We are thrilled about the arrival of Qantas’ new 737-800. Qantas has had a long relationship with Wellington dating back to 1961 bringing both tourists and business travellers across the Tasman, and it is great to see the airline continue to improve the service they provide.

“Wellingtonians are choosing to fly direct from their airport in greater numbers than ever before and the availability of services on some of the most modern and advanced aircraft in the world can only add to the attractiveness,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“We wish Qantas every success and are looking forward to working with them to grow the services offered to the Wellington region.” Features of the new 737-800 aircraft include:

• A 12 seat business class and 156 seat economy class configuration • New seating design styled by Marc Newson • On-demand Panasonic inflight entertainment in both cabins with over 300 entertainment options • Seat-to-seat “chat” messaging • Wide seat-back design with a 37 inch seat pitch and 22 inch width between arms in Business and a 17 inch width and 30 inch seat pitch in economy, ergonomic cushions and adjustable headrest • 10.6 inch in arm touch screen in business • Nine inch seatback touch screen in economy • PC and USB ports in both business and economy to facilitate computers, MP3 players and other technology.

The Qantas B737-800 fleet will fly Auckland-Sydney, Auckland-Melbourne, Wellington-Sydney and Wellington Melbourne. From March the aircraft will fly on the Christchurch-Sydney route.

Qantas also announced today extra capacity across the trans-Taman to meet demand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Lilly said the arrival of these new aircraft had come at an ideal time as Qantas added extra flights and seats from 6 September- 24 October to manage the increased number of visitors.

“Qantas will offer an additional six flights as well as upgrading 737-800 services to A330-200 services between Sydney and New Zealand,” he said.

The New Zealand 2011 Rugby World Cup is held throughout New Zealand from 9 September – 23 October.

Great Hotels of the World will unveil a completely new genre of hotel directory at this year’s ITB Berlin. The 2011 directory, featuring over 350 pages has been restyled both visually and editorially to create a publication that will make a striking addition to any coffee table or bookshelf. The directory includes stories of real experiences at the hotels written in a unique personal editorial style. Each page has been individually crafted with bespoke design and stunning photography.

The directory has been renamed — “Pure Hotels presented by Great Hotels of the World” — reflecting the group’s recent introduction of Pure Lifestyle Collections (www.purehotelscollection.com), a series of niche-specific leisure travel collections. It has also taken on a new size — it is vertical in shape and has more pages packed full of useful information about each hotel. Pure Hotels presented by Great Hotels of the World will be on sale through the Great Hotels website, as well as at key travel points and bookstores from April 2011. For more information, visit www.ghotw.com

Here’s an idea. Pack your bags and hide away at Swissôtel Sydney. Back by popular demand, the hotel is offering its popular Pack Your Bags
accommodation package available until 31 May 2011.

Priced from AUD249 a night, the Pack Your Bags accommodation package offer guests a stay in one of our elegant guestrooms inclusive of buffet breakfast and complimentary use of our heated outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium and heat & aqua facilities.

Swissôtel Sydney is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the city centre but towering levels about bustling Market Street. With neighbours such the newly opened Westfield Sydney shopping centre and the Queen Victoria Building just a short stroll away, and walking distance to The Rocks precinct and Darling Harbour, guests will discover a business and leisure destination that epitomizes convenience, exclusivity and sophistication. Easily accessible yet a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the CBD, the hotel is Sydney’s best kept secret only those in the know talk about.

Available until 31 May 2011; Swissôtel Sydney’s Pack Your Bags accommodation package room bookings are subject to availability. For reservations or inquiries, please call +612 9238
8888 or email res.sydney@swissotel.com

About Swissôtel Sydney
Swissôtel Sydney is a located in the heart of the city. All of Sydney’s famous landmarks are within walking distance of the hotel, including the newly opened Westfield Sydney, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks precinct, Sydney Opera House and the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

“SUP” is Among Fastest Growing Sports in the World

The Hula Kai now offers SUP while moored in remote locations along rugged Kona coast.

Keauhou, Hawaii Island- 03.24.11 – Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides’ Hula Kai remains Hawaii Island’s newest snorkel and diving vessel.

Now guests aboard the sleek Hydrofoil, known for its faster speeds and smooth ride, may add Stand-up Paddle Boarding, or “SUP,” to their ocean adventure.

“The Hula Kai already offers the ultimate in snorkel and dive adventures,” explains Fair Wind’s Director of Sales and Marketing Penn Henderson. “The option to learn Stand-up Paddle Boarding adds exponentially to the fun.”

SUP instruction and expert guided tours are led by accomplished professional surfer Jeff Silva for groups up to six. Silva has been a professional longboard surfer for nine years. Raised on the Big Island off the grid in the Hawaiian fishing village of Milolii, Silva is also an expert skin diver and overall waterman.

SUP, called Hoe he’e nalu in the Hawaiian language, is emerging as one of the fastest growing sports in the world but its roots remain firmly Hawaiian.

It can be enjoyed by all ages and ability levels.

SUP is relaxing, invigorating, provides a strong core workout, and it is a unique way to appreciate the rugged Kona coast, particularly aboard the Hula Kai which can access many of the coast’s remote and exotic destinations.

Hula Kai, a 55-foot Teknicraft power catamaran built in 2005, boasts an experienced lifeguard-certified crew, two staircases for easy water access, restrooms and fresh water showers, comfortable “theater-style” seating with arm and head rests, snorkel gear and instruction, floatation devices and now Stand-up Paddle Boarding.

On the boat’s morning snorkel and dive cruise guests also enjoy continental breakfast, hot BBQ lunch and no-host bar.

Hula Kai’s morning cruise departs Keauhou Bay at 9:30 a.m. daily and returns at 2:30 pm.

Minimum age requirement is seven years. Rate for the five-hour cruise is $165 plus tax.

There is an additional fee of $31 for certified divers (equipment is extra) and a fee of $30 for one-half hour of Stand-up Paddleboard instruction.

About Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides

Since 1971, Fair Wind has offered snorkeling and scuba diving excursions to pristine locations along the Kona Coast.

Fair Wind’s award-winning tradition of excellence and aloha has earned the company a reputation as the first choice among residents and visitors for ocean adventure.

The Fair Wind II, with capacity for 100 guests, is a custom-built, 60-foot aluminum catamaran with covered deck, trademark tri-colored striped sail, two 15-foot water slides, high jump platform, on-board restrooms, grill area, freshwater showers, and a staircase descending directly into the water for easy water access.

The more exclusive and intimate Hula Kai, with capacity for just 42, caters to snorkel and dive enthusiasts, going where others can’t.

This 55-foot Technicraft hydrofoil catamaran is packed with first-class amenities such as individual theater-style seats for panoramic views during every excursion. Hula Kai also has two fresh-water showers, two rest-rooms and a large commercial grill used to prepare gourmet meals.

Visit www.Fair-Wind.com

Receive 20% Discount on Amtrak Tickets to San Luis Obispo with SLO Car-Free

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — With prices at the pump pushing $4 per gallon, San Luis Obispo’s 2011 car-free discounts couldn’t come at a better time.

Skip the gas station this spring and head to the train station for a convenient, adventure-packed getaway that’s easier on the environment and the wallet, thanks to SLO Car Free’s 20% discounts on Amtrak® tickets.

San Luis Obispo, CA, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the scenic coast of California, is just an easy, worry-free ride from San Diego or other coastal cities with Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stations, or from Central California cities along the San Joaquin line.

Boasting more than 6,500 acres of scenic, protected open space in and around the charming city, as well as miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, pristine beaches, lakes and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, San Luis Obispo, CA offers the ideal outdoor-oriented vacation for the whole family—no car necessary.

Bring or rent a bike (or borrow one for free from the Petit Soleil B&B, below) and explore the charming downtown of San Luis Obispo, taking advantage of convenient public bike paths such as the new, paved three-quarter-mile Madonna Inn Bike Path, dedicated in February 2011, which offers a scenic, safe alternative to riding from the heart of downtown to the entrance of the Madonna Inn by steering clear of car traffic.

All of San Luis Obispo’s numerous downtown hotels offer an ideal home base for car-free visitors, since they are centrally located near outdoor excursions to parks, Mission San Luis Obispo, the Thursday Evening Farmer’s Market, and more. To keep the car-free bliss rolling, individual hotels also offer shuttles for tours of Hearst Castle or wine country.

Book a Car-Free Hotel Package at one of these San Luis Obispo Vacations hotels through 2011 (see website for details and terms):

Apple Farm – 15% off standard rates and a free slice of pie with the purchase of any regular priced dinner entreé

Courtyard by Marriott –10% off standard room rates

Downtown Travelodge – 10% off standard room rates

Embassy Suites – 10% off standard rates and free shuttle service

Holiday Inn Express – 15% off standard room rates

Hostel Obispo – 10% off Hearst Castle tickets

La Cuesta Inn – $10 off standard room rates

Los Padres Inn – 15% off standard room rates (restrictions apply)

Petit Soleil – Complimentary bike rental with stay

Quality Suites – 30% off standard rates

Villa Motel – 10% off standard room rates

SLO Car Free is a cooperative partnership initiated and led by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District.

To receive discounts on train fares as well as on dining, lodging and other car-free activities in San Luis Obispo, CA, simply register for a free SLO Car-Free membership. Read more about the train ticket discount details at http://slocarfree.org/amtrak/#more-849.

Read more about all San Luis Obispo area attractions and accommodations at

www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com

Costa Rica is the reigning capital of green travel and Parador Resort & Spa in Punta Quepos is one of its brightest stars. Nature lovers need look no further for the ultimate vacation spot. Located minutes from Manuel Antonio Park, world-famous for its bio-diversity, the luxury resort is on a mission to showcase and shelter Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast.

Parador Resort & Spa, the area’s top eco-friendly property, explores a charming combination of preserved rainforest and beaches with its six-night Eco-Friendly Package.

Enjoy horseback riding, a mangrove boat excursion and walking tour of Manuel Antonio Park, with the respite of an amenity-packed Superior Room.

Package starts at $283 per room, per night and is valid for travel through December 20, 2011.

Exotic wildlife who call this abundant tropical forest home include white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, poison dart frogs, sloths, toucans, hawks, parrots, owls and eagles.

Parador Resort & Spa’s experienced bilingual guides lead the way through this diverse eco-system.

Mangrove tours explore the swamps filled with crocodiles, boa constrictors and our ever-present monkey population.

Ride on horseback through the jungles and hills to nearby waterfalls, discovering the secrets of the forest and the history of the preserve and medicinal plants.

After your walking excursion through the wildlife-laden Manuel Antonio National Park, relax on the park’s silky stretch of beaches that border the lush jungle. www.hotelparador.com

Celebrate the Royal Wedding with the Royal Princess Experience in April

LAS VEGAS – In celebration of the highly-anticipated Royal Wedding, Rio Spa & Salon will offer the Royal Princess Experience, available throughout the month of April.

The lavish treatment, available inside Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino’s relaxing oasis, will rejuvenate and pamper, leaving guests feeling like royalty.

Awaken the inner-princess with this indulgent ritual, beginning with a soothing cup of English tea. A sweet Rose Body Scrub will revitalize the skin, while hands and feet experience the pampering benefits of Rosa Petal Paraffin.

This decadent treatment will also include a relaxing eye treatment designed to uplift and brighten, and a calming aromatherapy massage featuring the healing benefits of warm, lily-infused botanical oils.

Guests receive a complimentary gift with purchase of the treatment. 100 minutes of bliss is available for $240.

Las Vegas locals receive a 20% discount on all services, seven days a week.

For more information or to book the Royal Princess Experience, call 702-777-7779 or visit www.riolasvegas.com

Rio Spa & Salon is open daily from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Introduce Inside Passage Legends, Including Mysteriously Disappearing Pole of the Kitlope

Maple Leaf Adventures announces new private tours of the protected 140-year-old G’psgolox pole – one benefit of the local companies’ connections

Victoria, BC – This summer, it will be possible for a visitor to the Inside Passage to see a historic monument that has memorialized the dead, as well as inspired a mysterious theft, a quest, and a triumphant 10,000-mile journey from Europe to the Pacific Northwest rainforest.

The Canadian adventure cruise company Maple Leaf Adventures has arranged special visits for its guests to the historic, 140-year-old G’psgolox pole on its summer Great Bear Rainforest trips, June 5-12 and June 12-21. The storied pole is not yet accessible to the general public.

Authentic and unique experiences like this are what differentiate the trips of boutique adventure companies like Maple Leaf from other trips through the Inside Passage. Local companies’ passion for the coast and personal relationships there provide interest at every turn on their tours.

Despite being small they are well regarded: Maple Leaf is rated one of the best adventure travel companies on earth by National Geographic Adventure editors.

At the site where the pole is kept, a Henaaksiala guide will tell Maple Leaf guests its epic story, one that was made into a movie by the National Film Board of Canada.

Also on Maple Leaf’s adventure cruises, aboard a 92-foot, classic schooner, guests will sail the coastal fjords, walk the rainforest with an expert naturalist, view wildlife, including bears, and soak in natural hot springs. Gourmet food and camaraderie between guests and crew round out the trips.

“The Inside Passage is full of incredible stories from millennia of human inhabitance,” said Kevin Smith, president of Maple Leaf Adventures.

“We have been fortunate that Henaaksiala friends of ours have for years taken us and our guests down the longest fjord on the coast to the place where the replica G’psgolox pole stands. So we are thrilled to now be able to bring our guests to see the original pole – the original, that had mysteriously disappeared almost a hundred years ago.”

Commissioned by chief G’psgolox in 1872 as a memorial to the people in his village who had died of introduced smallpox, the pole stood for decades until early one year, while the people still lived at their winter village, a Swedish consul living in Prince Rupert had the pole cut down and questionably exported.

The Kitlope people were devastated and had no idea where it had gone. They passed down the story and encouraged family members to be vigilant about finding it. Then, in the 1980s, they found it. The only problem? It was a centerpiece of Sweden’s Museum of Ethnography in Stockholm.

The rest of the story, and how the pole came to be returned to the village in 2006, is the subject of two films by the National Film Board of Canada. The pole is currently in storage while the descendents of chief G’psgolox plan for its future.

“We feel that the return of the pole has created a relationship not just with Sweden, but also possibly a tool to bring back our culture, and to forge new relationships within our own country, with non-native people,” said Gerald Amos, councillor of the Haisla Nation at Kitamaat, who helped facilitate the pole’s return.

Maple Leaf Adventures has been operating eco-adventure cruises in BC and Alaska since 1986. A local company, they donate to coastal conservation and inject virtually all of the money the cruises earn into the coastal economy.

Great Bear Rainforest (Inside Passage) dates and prices:
- Featuring the G’psgolox pole:

Kitlope Summer (Great Bear Rainforest) June 5-12 (7 nights, 8 days) $3880

Great Bear Rainforest Summer, June 12-21 (9 nights, 10 days) $4990

- Other Great Bear Rainforest trips:

Spring & Summer: Apr. 26-May 4 (8 nights, 9 days) $3600; Jun. 23-Jul. 1 (8 nights, 9 days) $4470

Autumn: Sep. 4-11 (7 nights, 8 days) $4300; Sep 12-20 & Sep 22-30 (8 nights, 9 days) $4900

These per-person (d.o.) prices are in Canadian dollars and include all accommodations, meals beverages, shore excursions and use of gear on board including optional kayaks.

For other dates and destinations, or for further info and to book, visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com or call 250-386-7245 or 1-888-599-5323 (toll free).

“Mud & Maple Getaway” Offers 30% Savings; Plus Mud- & Maple-Inspired Spa Treatments

STOWE, VT – For a fun spring trip to one of the New England’s top spa resorts, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (www.stoweflake.com ), offers a “Mud & Maple Getaway” package in honor of maple sugaring and mud season. Early spring is when maple sugaring occurs and Vermont’s famous maple syrup is made. Meanwhile, while skiers get in their last runs down the slopes through mid April, the area slowly begins to embrace “mud season” as the snow melts.

Stoweflake’s “Mud & Maple Getaway” offers a value-added savings of up to 30 percent, with package rates starting at $197, per person, per room, based on double occupancy.

Available April 3 – May 27, 2011, the package includes:

§ Two night accommodations for two people

§ Breakfast daily for two

§ $50 Mud & Maple Bucks per person toward Mountain Man Mud Massage or Vermont Maple Sugar Body Polish

§ Sports & Wellness Center access

§ Fitness class access

For information or reservations, readers can visit www.stoweflake.com  or call 1-802-253-7355.

For spa reservations, call the Stoweflake Spa: 802-760-1083.

To enjoy mud & maple season outside the resort, guests can take a tour of one of the local sugaring houses, or hit the rivers for adventurous kayaking and canoeing, when the waters are high.

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (www.stoweflake.com ) is a AAA Four-Diamond resort with one of the country’s top destination spas, a AAA Four-Diamond award-winning restaurant and endless activities for couples, friends and families alike. The 50,000-square-foot Stoweflake Spa features 120 spa treatments including massages, facials, wraps, body masks, and energy work.

Its sports and wellness center offers approximately 40 different classes, ranging from Pilates for Ski classes to Nordic Walking, Ashtanga Yoga and Balletone.

Stoweflake is located approximately 2.5 miles from the slopes at Mt. Mansfield, VT’s highest peak, and 2.5 miles from charming downtown Stowe Village which features a picturesque main street, complete with quaint boutiques, a general store, restaurants and white church steeple marking its center. A shuttle bus runs all day from the resort to the mountain and village.