Jetsettersblog

HOOD RIVER, OR. – Northwest Rafting Company’s Sundance Kayak School is introducing a whole new way to paddle down the Rogue River – The Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP).

The SUP is an oversized surfboard coupled with a long outrigger-style paddle that originated in Hawaii, and has recently gained popularity on surf beaches around the world and is now making its way upstream into the whitewater of the American West.

This season Sundance Kayak School is offering a one day introductory SUP course that will have beginners ‘walking on water’. Students will spend the morning getting their feet wet (literally) as they learn the basics of SUPing from Sundance’s experienced guides.

After lunch they’ll get to test their new skills in the warm waters and fun rapids of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.

Sundance instructors have the experience and perseverance to get any student over the relatively steep learning curve, and once they are on their feet they all agree that the feeling of walking on water and ‘surfing’ rapids is a river experience like no other.

Sundance Kayak School provides all stand-up paddle boarding gear, safe and experienced SUP instruction with a personal guide, and a delicious lunch.

This single day lesson costs $125 and is offered everyday throughout the summer season.

http://www.sundanceriver.com/sup

Several Aruba hotels and resorts are offering special summer travel packages. The Bucuti Beach Resort is featuring an “Experience Aruba” green vacation package that includes a guided hike in Aruba’s Arikok National Park, a tour of the Aruba Aloe Factory, an authentic Aruban dinner for two at the oceanfront Pirates’ Nest Restaurant, a garden-view room for five nights, full American breakfast buffet daily, and all tax and service charges.

Rates start at $1,575 per couple (additional nights are priced at $295). The offer is valid through Dec. 22, 2011.

For more information, call 888-4-BUCUTI or visit www.bucuti.com

Divi Resorts is offering special discounts at its three properties in Aruba (Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort; Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort; and Divi Dutch Village, Aruba). Travalers who book any of the resorts can lock in discounted nightly rates ranging from $139 per night to $175 per night for travel now through Dec. 23, 2011.

The Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort is offering an all-suite, all-inclusive package starting at $526 per night for two guests for travel through Dec. 16, 2011.

For more information, visit www.diviresorts.com.

The Hyatt Regency Aruba is offering a “Balance with Aloe” package available for $330 per night with a minimum of four nights’ stay.

The package includes a Green Spa Aloe welcome basket, Aruba Aloe Factory tour for two, two complimentary aloe cocktails, a box of aloe-filled chocolate, $100 resort credit, complimentary breakfast for two and a 2 p.m. late check-out.

For more information, call 800-55-HYATT or visit www.aruba.hyatt.com.

The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is offering a special package with savings of up to 30 percent for travel through Dec. 22, 2011. Rates begin at $176.40 per night.

For more information, visit www.renaissancearuba.com  and use promotional code LLF.

The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba is offering Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members 35 percent off nightly rates and complimentary breakfast daily, plus 15 percent off all meals and drinks.

Enrolling in the SPG program can be done by signing up online at www.SPG.com

Travelers can book the SPG35 offer online at www.westinaruba.com  or call 866-716-8147 and reference rate plan SPG35B.

For general destination information, call 800-TO-ARUBA

or visit www.aruba.com

The Nile River is the heart of the Egyptian civilization, and has been for thousands of years. Great Safaris’ Land of the Pharaohs trip features a 4 day luxury river cruise on the Nile, considered the best way to experience the temples and ruins that were built along the river’s holy shores.

After two days spent in Cairo touring ancient marvels like the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Cairo Museum, and the Great Bazaar, travelers will depart for Luxor and 4 magical days spent floating down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan in a luxury river cruiser.

Travelers will disembark for tours of the Temples at Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the ruins at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and the Temple of Sobek.

Upon arrival in Aswan, tours include the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam, and a boat ride to the island of Agilika to see the Philae Temple of Isis.

Great Safaris’ Land of the Pharoahs itinerary is offered on select small group departure dates throughout the year and individual departures every Friday year round.

Land pricing ranges from $15755 to $3725 per person, double occupancy, depending on season of travel and desired level of accommodations.

Full itinerary and details can be found at

http://www.greatsafaris.com/egypt-land-of-the-pharaohs.html

http://www.greatsafaris.com

The Condominium Connection is offering every fourth night free at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk for travel through Dec. 16.

Black-out dates are in effect Nov. 7 to 18.

Sample pricing for four nights for a party of two staying in a studio city view unit is $1,125, including tax, which represents a savings of 25 percent. Similar savings are available in a one-bedroom city view suite at $1,535 for up to four people, and two-bedroom ocean view accommodations at $2,834 for up to six people staying together for four nights.

For more information, call 800-423-2976 or visit www.condoconnection.com

The Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau along with Palace Resorts will welcome international superstar and Grammy-winning singer Shakira as she makes Cancun part of her world tour, “Sale el Sol.”

The Colombian star will perform at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort on Friday, July 15, 2011. The “Waka Waka” singer will be performing at the resort’s golf course, one of only two Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf courses in Cancun.

In an effort to further promote the event, the Cancun CVB will send two lucky winners to see Shakira, via its social media channels. Two winners will have the opportunity to fly to Cancun for three nights and four days to see the two-time Grammy-winning and seven-time Latin Grammy-winning artist.

For more information, visit www.palaceresorts.com  or www.cancun.travel.

ANGELS CAMP, CA – The Dory – hardwood hulled, sleek, and as elegant as it is capable – is the ultimate vessel for experiencing the American West’s greatest rivers.

Grand Canyon Dories, part of the O.A.R.S. family of adventure companies, has been guiding adventurous souls down the Grand Canyon, Utah’s Cataract Canyon, and Idaho’s Salmon River in dories since 1964.

The dory is a hardwood hulled, ultra-buoyant boat piloted by a single guide with two large oars, with room for 4 passengers and hundreds of pounds of gear below deck. The dory is a classic river vessel design that harkens back to the days of John Wesley Powell’s first decent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

It provides a raw, thrilling experience, made possible by a classic shape providing unsurpassed speed, maneuverability, and grace. The dory is a fine tuned craft, designed to slice through walls of waves, buck rapids, and land the largest drops with ease.

The dory experience is the ultimate river trip, perfect for those that have rafted the world’s iconic rivers and are looking the pure emotional river experience that only a dory trip can offer.

O.A.R.S./Grand Canyon Dories offer everything from short 3 day floats to expedition-length 19 day dory trips on the American West’s most iconic rivers – the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon in Utah, and the Salmon River in Idaho. O.A.R.S. offers world-class multiday river trips throughout the American West, Canada, Alaska, Fiji and Latin America.

More info at http://www.oars.com
www.oars.com

JetBlue Airways plans add a fifth destination in the Dominican Republic with the addition of La Romana, subject to receipt of government approval. Effective Nov. 16, 2011, the value carrier will launch between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to La Romana International Airport (LRM), twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flights are on now start at $99 each way until Wednesday, June 1, for travel between Nov. 16 and Dec. 14. For more information, visit www.jetblue.com/new

KOSRAE, Micronesia- Kosrae Island is a diver and snorkeler’s paradise.

Just below the Pacific’s cerulean surface, tropical fish, pristine hard coral reefs, turtles, rays, even friendly sharks are ready to show their colors.

Novice divers can watch for octopi, shrimp, and reef fish amongst the Walung Coral Gardens.

Nearby the Walung Drop Off showcases resident schools of rainbow runners and barracuda with surprises hidden between the coral heads.

World class snorkeling is to the east at Hiroshi Point where schools of parrotfish and eagle rays swim amidst the large hard corals. Technical divers are invited to help with a 150 ft. deep island circumnavigation goal and discover new wonders. Divers interested in a bit of history can explore plane, whaler, and pirate ship wrecks in Utwe and Lelu Harbors.

On the island Kosrae Village, a local eco-lodge and dive shop, offers a Divers Delight package.

The package includes 6-nights, 7-days accommodations, 4 days diving- including 1 night day, and Nitrox (training included if needed) for under $1000! For those new to diving, the dive shop also provides PADI certification.

This fall experience the colors and adventures of the South Pacific and Kosrae Village.

www.kosraevillage.com   Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about diving in Kosrae.

CELESTUN, Mexico —On the quiet side of the Yucatan lies a pristine 3-mile sandy beach filled with myriads of shells perfect for children, nature lovers and beachcombers.

And on this beach sits Hotel Eco Paraiso Xixim located within the Special Biosphere Reserve of Celestun on the remote northern Gulf of Mexico.

With every feature a young family could wish for on and off the beach, the property itself is secluded and safe, far from crowds and noisy nightlife. Multiple water sports offer guests of all ages a chance to kayak, fish from beach or boat or take a gentle sail.

The elegant, comfortable hotel, which features 24 individual cabanas all with private terraces, is complete with hammocks and each unit provides expansive views of the Gulf of Mexico.

The area is a main feeding ground for the Pink Flamingo and many other sea birds as well as a breeding ground for sea turtles.

The newly constructed Restaurant Xixim serves local seafood specialties, the hotel includes the bar El Santuario plus a fresh water pool overlooking the Gulf.

A wellness center includes a juice bar offering many local fruit drinks with healthy properties.

The resort offers multiple choices of local tours to allow guests to explore the Mayan ruins at Uxmal as well as the archaeological wealth and unique ecosystem of the remote northern Yucatan Peninsula. Hotel Eco Paraiso is best accessed through the international airport in Merida, which has flights direct from the U.S. as well as through Mexico City with arranged transfers.

www.ecoparaiso.com

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Canyoneering is one of the quintessential Southern Utah experiences, though the classic canyoneering routes like The Narrows and The Subway in Zion National Park can be dangerous and intimidating for beginners or families. Many of the classic routes also require a permit which can be tricky to obtain, and the technical nature of many of the routes makes this amazing experience out of reach for many Southern Utah Visitors.

Enter Kanarra Creek Canyon. Kanarra Falls, as it’s also known, is located just outside the boundaries of Zion National Park, making it easily accessible from I-15 and a more affordable canyoneering spot that doesn’t require permits or park entry fees. At 3.5 miles round trip, Kanarra Creek’s slot canyon is much shorter than most canyoneering routes, and logs, ladders and ropes placed throughout the canyon allow even beginners and adventurous children to easily traverse the canyon’s most technical spots.

Kannara Creek Canyon offers spectacular slot canyon scenery, including two gorgeous waterfalls, the year round flows of Kannara Creek, and smooth red rock canyon walls.

Kannara Creek Canyon is an ideal spot for aspiring canyoneers to get their feet wet before tackling Zion’s classic routes, and it’s a fantastic option for families and less ambitious visitors to experience a taste of Southern Utah canyoneering.

Kannara Creek Canyon in located just outside of Zion-Kolob Canyon National Park in Dixie National Forest, and can be accessed from 100 N Street in Kannaraville Utah, a short 12 mile drive south of Cedar City along Interstate-15.

More information on the Kanarra Falls hike can be found at http://www.utah.com/thingtodo24427.htm
www.scenicsouthernutah.com