Jetsettersblog

Leading Asia specialist, Travel Indochina, is offering an incredible £250 discount per person on all its Small Group Journeys running for 10 days and more in May and June this year. This sizzling summer special is available across the specialist tour operator’s entire range of destinations, including its key areas of focus – Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos – as well as Thailand, China and Tibet, India and Japan; and is ideally suited for those looking to kick-start their summer with sunshine and excitement in some of Asia’s most fascinating locations.

With tours ranging from 10 to 26 days in length, this special deal is available to all travellers with a little more time on their hands – whether travelling on their own, in a group, as a couple or with their families. The offer applies to new bookings made before 31st March 2011, for departures between 1st May and 30th June 2011.

Further great news is that this amazing offer applies not only to some of the Asia specialist’s most popular and well-established journeys, but also to its brand new tours for 2011. These include the chance to tour Cambodia on two wheels with the new 10-day “Cycling Cambodia” journey (departing 11th June 2011), as well as a wonderful opportunity to experience the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia on Travel Indochina’s brand new 15-day “Vietnam & Temples of Angkor” cross-border journey (departing 14th/28th May and 11th/25th June 2011), which has been launched in response to the growing consumer trend of combining two or more countries on a single trip to this breathtaking part of the world.

Other quality Small Group Journeys included in this great offer are the 10-day “Thailand Discovery” (departing 18th June 2011), the 11-day “Darjeeling & Himalayan Kingdoms” (departing 3rd May 2011), the 11-day “Tibet Experience” (departing 8th May and 12th June 2011), the 15-day “Secrets of Japan” (departing 7th May 2011), the 15-day “China Panorama” (departing 7th/21st May and 4th June 2011), the 18-day “Vietnam Revealed” (departing 7th/21st May and 4th/18th June 2011) and much more!

So why delay? Book now to take advantage of these extraordinarily low prices and experience the history, diversity and local colour of Travel Indochina’s range of stunning destinations, under the expert guidance of the operator’s very own fantastic and well-informed local guides and Western tour leaders.

All bookings should be made directly with Travel Indochina’s UK office and are subject to availability. Not valid for existing bookings or in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

For us commoners who’ve not received an invite to the Royal nuptials in April, the team at LaSource is ensuring guests get an altogether sunnier front row seat. The wedding of the year will be shown live at the resort, so guests can see the “I do” action before returning to the beach. The resort’s April 29th afternoon tea menu will reflect celebrations with guests able to tuck into eats served at the annual Buckingham Palace tea party. Think finger sandwiches, bridge rolls, butter drop scones, fruit tartlets, butter cake fingers, chocolate cake, lemon cake, Dundee cake, Majorca cake and jam Swiss roll, all washed down with a cup of Earl Grey or Assam tea.

Paula Whitehead, UK Director, Resorts Marketing International “We think a screening in the sun with a traditional English tea is the best way to join in the celebrations, and the team at LaSource are looking forward to sharing it with guests on the day”

Health and Fitness Travel is offering seven nights for the price of six on selected dates including the Royal Wedding date:

•Stay seven nights for the price of six costs from £1680 per person including flights and all-inclusive accommodation in a luxury room (based on two sharing). Book by 30th April 2011 for travel 9th April – 31st October 2011(subject to availability).
Health and Fitness Travel (0845 5441936, www.healthandfitnesstravel.com).

LaSource is the Caribbean’s leading holistic resort and the only resort in the region to include dives, spa, yoga, tai chi and a master class schedule in the guest experience. LaSource offers guests a world-class luxury all-inclusive resort and spa experience. It is perched on the southern tip of Grenada, on secluded Pink Gin Beach. The resort provides exclusive holidays of rejuvenation with the featured Oasis Spa and its 17 treatment rooms. Its 100 guest rooms, among the best in the Caribbean, are set in tropical gardens and surrounded by the sea on three sides. The 4 restaurants and 3 bars serve a great variety of sumptuous creations from an award winning chef and staff.

Further information: karen@tippettpr.com, Tel: 0208 771 2033

Further information on LaSource resort’s holistic stays: www.theamazingholiday.com

LaSource Resort is part of the Elite Island Resorts Group whose members are: Galley Bay, St James’s Club & Villas, The Verandah Resort & Spa (Antigua), The Village Inn & Spa (St Lucia), Palm Island (The Grenadines), Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas (Tortola), Nelson Spring Beach Villas & Spa (Nevis) and Settler’s Beach (Barbados). Further information on these properties: rachel@rorcomms.co.uk   Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about La Source.

Movie-goers inspired by new British movie Patagonia (opens 4 March) can enjoy a South American adventure of their own with boutique wilderness tour operator, Travel In Depth.

Directed by Marc Evans and introducing Welsh singer Duffy in her acting debut, Patagonia is set to bring the breath-taking scenery of the region’s wild landscapes to the big screen. With the wilderness backdrop used to depict one of the lead character’s life journey, the cinematography is sure to inspire viewers to take a Patagonian adventure of their own.

Remote, varied and stunningly beautiful, Patagonia is rich in unexplored natural wonders. The film follows the journey of Welsh settlers as the two main characters set out to discover their future and past. This contemporary road movie, which also stars Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, is described by the director as “as much about travelling as arriving”. Set-jetters can take a ‘location vacation’ and see where the film was shot.

The 12 night Secrets of South America’s Far South itinerary costs from £3,650 per person and showcases the amazing wildlife – penguins, seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales – remote wilderness and traditional cultures (Welsh immigrant and indigenous Yámana or Yagan people) of this fascinating part of the world.

Featuring the spectacular wilderness of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, in which a rich diversity of bird, marine and wildlife thrive, this trip also affords an insight into the lives of early indigenous Yámana people as well as those of more recent Welsh settlers. A stop in Buenos Aires on the way adds another taste of Latin American culture.

The tour includes: Hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires, Trelew and Ushuaia on a bed and breakfast basis; All inclusive hotel accommodation at Cape Horn; Return international flights from UK to Buenos Aires in economy class; Domestic flights within Argentina; Transfers to and from airports.

For more information and to book, visit www.travel-indepth.com  or call 01298 73780.

The Four Seasons Maldives Collection has turned spa time into family time with a new series of treatments and rituals designed for both parents and little ones. With offerings including mother/daughter days, father/son treatments, yoga classes, and of specific note, the Aailaa Ritual (a series of treatments experienced by the entire family together), a day at the spa can now be a family bonding experience.

For families who want to enjoy a spa experience together, the Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat at Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has created a treatment that celebrates the communal family structure of the Maldivian people. The Aailaa (meaning “family” in Dhivehi) Ritual is a relaxing journey for up to four people, in which families are taken through a nurturing sequence of body therapies designed to form a deeper bond between the group.

At The Island Spa at Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa, parents no longer have to worry about leaving little ones behind when they book their treatments. The spa now offers the Kuda (meaning “little” in Dhivehi) Spa Menu for children ages 6 and above, when accompanied by an adult. The menu is full of treatments designed for young bodies and minds including a Magic Shell Massage and Miracle Mud Mask. Moms and daughters can also enjoy a Mummy and Me experience, while fathers and sons can opt for a Surfer’s Scrub.

The Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat at Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has expanded its yoga experiences, offering another way for families to connect. While parents take part in more advanced classes, children can enjoy yoga instruction as well. Kids will learn basic poses and be encouraged to explore the unfamiliar, strengthening the body-mind-spirit connection and improving awareness and coordination. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com

Gurgaon, India’s Kingdom of Dreams, a live entertainment destination spread across six acres, has introduced a multi-language translation system. The Kingdom features India’s art, cuisine, culture, heritage, crafts, and performing arts, integrated at one location while incorporating technological wizardry comparable to the best in the world. Located at the apex of the golden triangle of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi where many American tourists in India are traveling.

Within the Kingdom of Dreams are three distinct domains — Culture Gully, Nautanki Mahal and Showshaa theater, each offering live entertainment. The Nautanki Mahal is an 839-seat auditorium sporting cutting-edge technology and visual effects. It is the world’s biggest Bollywood long-playing musical show is staged daily (except on Mondays). Famous names from the Indian film industry collaborate to create the on-stage magnum opus spectacle. “Zangoora: The Gypsy Prince” is the world’s first Bollywood-style live musical. You can watch the magic of Bollywood come alive on stage, which is sure to leave you breathless. “Zangoora” is a musical with special effects, magic, aerial action sequences, sound, lights and video that have never been done live in any theater. For more information, visit www.kingdomofdreams.co.in

The beauty and culture of Scotland, Wales and England are on display on a “Grand Tour” aboard The Royal Scotsman train. Guests travel through an ever-changing landscape of rolling countryside, forested mountains and dramatic seascapes and head off on such excursions as a whisky tasting at Strathisla Distillery, a trip aboard the Ffestiniog Railway, dinner at Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and walking tours in such historic cities as Bath and Durham.

The train, which combines Edwardian style with every modern amenity, features morning tea, elegant formal dining followed by nightly entertainment, an Observation Car with panoramic views, well-appointed sleeping cars and an attentive staff. The seven-night journey, departing July 8, is priced at $13,180 per person, double and includes all table d’hôte meals, all alcoholic and other beverages, sightseeing excursions and accommodations; an optional pre- or post-trip extension in Edinburgh is available.

The Royal Scotsman rolls out of Edinburgh and through Perthshire countryside and forested Cairngorm Mountains, stopping for a spell in the village of Boat of Garten, and then heading on to the Rothiemurchus Estate, where activities ranging from clay pigeon shooting to wildlife walks await. After a whisky tasting at the beautiful Strathisla Distillery, guests travel on to Chester for a private choir presentation and tea in the cloisters and then to Gwydir Castle. A stop in the Welsh village of Portmeirion precedes a journey on the Ffestiniog Railway — a steam locomotive with chimneys at both ends, a favorite of train enthusiasts — and a return to England through the Herefordshire countryside. After a champagne reception and dinner at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, the train makes stops in Cambridge and York, home to the National Railway Museum, before arriving in Durham. The journey culminates in an evening that includes a champagne reception accompanied by a piper and harpist and dinner in the great hall dining room of Alnwick Castle.

The optional Edinburgh extension includes a transfer from Edinburgh airport to The Balmoral Hotel for a two-night stay with breakfast daily; a morning walking tour of Edinburgh on the second day; and transfer to the train station for departure on the third day. A reverse itinerary is available for those wishing to take the extension after their trip.

Connoisseurs Scotland’s 24 members include four of the world’s finest golf resorts, Gleneagles, Turnberry, Cameron House and Old Course; Inverlochy Castle, recently voted the best hotel in Europe; several city centre properties including Prestonfield, Edinburgh’s only 5 Red Star hotel, and recently refurbished Sheraton Grand; a 19th-century castle health spa; a collection of intimate country house hotels; the ultimate luxury train; the finest hotel afloat and an exclusive use property. Five of the members boast Michelin-starred restaurants. For more information, visit www.luxuryscotland.co.uk

Oceania Cruises is introducing two new seven-night voyages timed for fall foliage scenery in Tuscany and the French Riviera. Based on the strong response it received to its new seven-day itineraries for 2012, the upper-premium cruise line has created two week-long Saturday departures this fall.

“Tuscan Charms” sails from Barcelona on Oct. 29 to Rome, visiting Provence (Marseille), Monte Carlo, Portofino, Florence/Pisa/Tuscany (Livorno) and Sorrento/Capri en route. Two-for-one cruise fares start at $2,999 per guest, with free roundtrip economy class air transportation and an overnight aboard ship in Livorno.

“Italian Treasures,” from Rome to Venice, departs Nov. 5 and calls at Amalfi/Positano, Taormina, Corfu, Bari and Dubrovnik. Guests enjoy an overnight aboard ship in Venice at the end of the cruise. Two-for-one cruise fares start at $2,799 per guest, with free round-trip economy class air transportation.

“These two cruises depart on Saturdays so that our working guests can enjoy a week in Europe,” said Oceania President Bob Binder. “Fall is one of the best times to visit the destination because there are no crowds and the weather is pleasant.” The cruises are operated by the 684-guest Insignia. For more information, call 800-531-5658 or visit www.OceaniaCruises.com

The first Kimberley Heritage Cattle Drive will run from June 10 to July 12, and offers travelers the chance to saddle up on a five-day muster (cattle drive), herding cattle and experiencing some of the Kimberley National Landscape’s most spectacular scenery. The muster, which is being organized by Home Valley Station, a working cattle station, involves helping to clear wild scrub bulls from the 1.3 million hectare property. The ride, which is suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced riders, will cover approximately nine miles per day, travels along the Barclay Stock route which links the Kimberley to Wyndham. Packages include transfers from Kununurra, three days in the saddle, three nights’ camping and two nights at the station, all meals, beverages, and of course, a horse. For more information, visit www.hvstation.com.au

Windstar Cruises has announced two new nine-day cruise-tours this fall. Hidden Treasures of the Ionian features sailings between Athens and Malta and includes a seven-day cruise aboard the Wind Star, hotel accommodations for two nights in Athens, transfers, and an invitation to Windstar’s Yacht Club Party. The cruises depart Oct. 15 and Oct, 22. Ports of call include Gozo, Malta; Gythion and Cephalonia, Greece; Butrint National Park in Saranda, Albania; and Siracusa, Sicily, Italy. Fares start at $2,999 per person, double. For more information, call 800-258-7245 or visit www.windstarcruises.com

Sixthman has announced the second annual VH1 Best Cruise Ever, a shipboard music festival featuring top artists including Train, Lifehouse, Colbie Caillat and The Script. Additional festivities will include late-night dance parties, VH1-themed activities and contests. The cruise will take place aboard the Carnival Inspiration from Tampa to Cozumel from April 28 through May 2. Fares start at $799 per person, double, and only a few cabins are still available. For more information, call 877-379-9180 or visit www.vh1bestcruiseever.com