Jetsettersblog

More than 450,000 guests are expected this year.

BERLIN, GERMANY  – The Lesbian and Gay City Festival will take place in Berlin on June 18th and 19th, boasting a varied and fun programme of entertainment.

It is the 19th year this annual event has taken place and attendees can expect to be treated to the usual combination of celebration and reflection.

The motto of the 2011 edition is ‘Equal rights for the unequal’.

As well as concerts by top international rock, pop and electronic acts, there will be culinary treats and comedy to enjoy in the festival area, which is bounded by Motzstrasse, Eisenacher Strasse, Fuggerstrasse and Kalckreuthstrasse.

In a statement, the organisers said: “With more than 450,000 guests expected over the weekend, the festival’s beer gardens, cocktail bars, stages and dance floors will turn the area around Nollendorfplatz into Berlin’s favourite party quarter.”

One anticipated highlight is The Wild Sofa, which sees famous faces from the world of politics and culture interviewed by Gerhard Hoffmann and Biggy van Blond at 15:00 local time on both days.

Guests who agree to appear on the sofa can expect to be given a fairly hard time for the amusement of the crowd.

Rock and pop music will dominate the sound systems until 23:00, after which the focus will switch to dance tunes until the small hours of the morning.

The fun kicks off at 11:00 each morning.

However, it is not all fun and games, as there will be plenty of educational and awareness-raising stands on show in the festival area, covering subjects such as politics and sexual health.

An important moment will be on the Saturday, when the Rainbow award is handed out. Last year, it was given to lawyer Dirk Siegfried.

BELLE MEAD, N.J. — Mattawang Golf Club, the celebrated daily fee club situated in New Jersey’s prestigious Montgomery Township, is now offering the “Morning Drive Nine” special back nine rate for golfers on-the-go. The back nine fee for Wednesday through Friday is $29 and $39 for Saturday and Sunday.

“Morning Drive Nine” is offered Wednesday-Friday between 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and on the weekend from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. “Morning Drive” is a first-come playing opportunity with no reservations needed.

“Mattawang has a mix of players who work, plus a core group of retired golfers. I added the ‘Morning Drive Nine’ special to cater to our busy customers who juggle work, family and commitments by giving them the opportunity to play a speedy nine holes,” said Mahlon Dow, manager and head professional. “Many of our golfers commute to New York City and Staten Island for work,” adds Dow. “As the weather becomes warmer, people want to be outdoors. We are guaranteeing and insuring our ‘Morning Drive’ golfers a fast and enjoyable nine holes prior to putting in a full work day or before Saturday chores.”

For more information, call (908) 281-0778

Mattawang Golf Club

Mattawang Golf Club was awarded “Best Value Public Course” in New Jersey by GolfStyles Magazine. Mahlon Dow, the club’s head professional, was voted as one of the “Top 50 Kids Teachers of 2010″ by U.S. Kids Golf, and Golf, Inc. recognized Dow in 2008 as one of 20 “Most Admired Operators” in the world. Mattawang is where Jack Nicklaus continues to hold the course record of 66. Mattawang is located an hour from Manhattan and Philadelphia, under an hour’s drive from Newark, and just an hour and twenty minutes from Westchester County.

Directions and club details may be found at www.mattawang-golf.com

Ditch Your Travel Planner And Use The Travel With Carnet Fashion And Style Directory For A Complete City Guide To Shopping In Boutiques Of New York, London, Rome, Paris, Milan Or Los Angeles

TravelWithCarnet.com is an online or mobile guide to shopping in London, Rome, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and New York that lets you tailor your shopping itinerary to your style.

NEW YORK, NY, — This summer travelers and city shoppers in London, Rome, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and New York can print single page, customized shopping maps and relieve themselves of carrying around countless books and guides.

Travel with Carnet.com now offers their users a free account to browse, store and print their favorite stores from contemporary up-and-coming boutiques, to hidden treasures and luxury flagships. This site feature is called the “travel carnet” and resembles a personal agenda or as the French would say, a “carnet”.

The online or mobile guide to shopping in London, Rome, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and New York lets you tailor your shopping itinerary to your style. It makes cities like Los Angeles easy to navigate by choosing neighborhoods that are easy to walk around in. The shop information includes the store specialty, address, phone, website, and hours of operation. Users who log into their travel carnet account are in control of what they pick to be printed onto their personal city shopping map, or accessed from their iphone, ipad or other smart mobile device.

With quick and easy registration, users can surf over 1000 pages of places to visit, and then save their favorites on a colored map with a legend key that includes the address and specialty of the store.

Every traveler who likes fashion, art and design now has a place to turn when they hit the streets of the Worlds cosmopolitan capitals whether it be local shopping or a European vacation. With the TravelwithCarnet.com guide, shoppers now have a reliable source they can trust.

June is “Great Outdoors Month” and a great time to take a family holiday/vacation! Get outdoors, get back to nature, and celebrate in the most spectacular natural place on earth – the Grand Canyon! See what a whitewater trip can do for you.

PHOENIX, AZ, May 27, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ — It’s official. Studies show that Americans are suffering from “nature-deficit disorder” and the cure is to enjoy the great outdoors. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children between the ages of 8 and 18 are spending seven and a half hours a day using electronic media indoors. Adults find themselves moving from the computer screen at work to their smart phone to laptop to television throughout the course of their waking hours. The sedentary lifestyle Americans have adopted, increasingly more connected to electronics and less connected to the natural world, has been the focus of a number of health-related studies in recent years, and the news isn’t good.

These habits have been linked to obesity in children and adults, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma and diabetes, as well as stress, attention deficit disorder and vitamin D deficiency. Studies also show that Americans’ participation in nature-based activities such as camping and fishing has dropped 18 to 25 percent since peak levels in the late 1980s. The health consequences of our environmental disconnect seem to have reached epidemic proportions, prompting President Obama to create The Great Outdoors Initiative, which names June as “Great Outdoors Month”.

Nearly five million people will venture outdoors to view the Grand Canyon this summer; only 5 percent of visitors experience it from a vantage point below the rim. This is one of the reasons a Colorado River rafting trip through the Grand Canyon is such a unique experience. Arizona River Runners’ guides have seen firsthand the restorative effects of being out in nature on Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips. They are pros at helping trip participants get the most out of their journey and reconnect with the outdoors in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world.

As one river guest put it, “This is the best vacation I’ve ever had. Even my 12 year old daughter came back saying she felt different – she realized that much of what concerned her in life was really insignificant. I loved having no contact with the outside world, no electricity, nothing to do but enjoy the beauty and relate with others – the best of what life has to offer that we so often overlook.”

Being outdoors isn’t merely overlooked, according to the National Wildlife Federation. Their “Be Out There” campaign is designed to “return to the nation’s children what they don’t even know they’ve lost; their connection to the natural world.” The Federation has built the program on findings from studies that show that children who spend time outdoors have enhanced fitness levels, higher levels of vitamin D, reduced stress, higher scores on standardized tests and improved critical thinking skills.

This summer, acknowledge “Great Outdoors Month” in a truly memorable way and do something great for your kids and yourself – take a whitewater rafting trip in the Grand Canyon and reconnect with nature and each other. Arizona River Runners offers exceptional family rafting trips and group celebrations, with special pricing on 6, 7, and 8 day motorized trips for groups of 10 or more. Days on the river allow you to reconnect as you share excitement, adventure and relaxation with your family and friends. Besides whitewater rafting trips being just plain fun and a great adventure, they provide compelling learning experiences that children build on, along with a cure for “nature-deficit disorder”.

Since 1970 Arizona River Runners has provided complete white water rafting trips. Arizona River Runners has a wide variety of trip offerings from their 3-day Escape, 6, 7 and 8-day motorized adventures to 6, 8, 13-day oar powered trips. Arizona River Runners is very serious about protecting the environment of one of the most beautiful and unique places in world. Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon offers a unique view of one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. Arizona River Runners has grown to be one of the most innovative, progressive and well-respected outfitters operating in the Grand Canyon. They operate with customized state-of-the-art rafts, provide all the camping and rafting gear you will need for your Colorado River trip. Take a fun and wild family rafting trip with Arizona River Runners; rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

Through impossibly daring feats, magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) captivated audiences worldwide.

More than 80 years after his death, Houdini’s feats of escape still fascinate even the most casual fans of magic and mystery. Celebrating the magic of Harry Houdini, Los Angeles’ Skirball Cultural Center is paying homage with an exhibit that runs through Sept. 4. Houdini: Art and Magic examines the life of the man born Ehrich Weisz with more than 150 objects, including original props such as a straitjacket and trunk as well as posters and film clips.

Organized by The Jewish Museum, New York, this is the first major art museum exhibition to explore the life and legacy of the celebrated American showman. In conjunction with Houdini: Art and Magic, the Skirball Cultural Center has also organized an original companion exhibition, Masters of Illusion: Jewish Magicians of the Golden Age, which spotlights magicians who were once celebrated innovators in America and Europe but whose rich stories have largely been forgotten.

www.skirball.org

Largest, most prestigious suites in L.A. are “homes away from home,” with nearly 5,000 square feet indoors and out at the Dorchester Collection’s iconic “Pink Palace”

The Beverly Hills Hotel is set to open two ultra-luxe “Presidential Bungalows” in early June 2011 and they are now available for booking. The ultimate in accommodation at the Dorchester Collection’s “Pink Palace,” the new Presidential Bungalows are carefully nestled within 12 lush, landscaped acres of banana leaves, palm trees and perfectly manicured gardens. They are the largest, most prestigious suites in Los Angeles with nearly 5,000 square feet of living space indoors and out. Rates start from $13,610 to $15,380 per night.

The first additions to the landmark hotel grounds since renowned architect Paul Williams added the Crescent Wing over half a century ago, the Presidential Bungalows are the work of Rottet Studio of Los Angeles. The firm drew inspiration from the hotel’s sought-after original Bungalows, casting a modern eye on traditional design to create a “new Beverly Hills experience” that updates the historic Mediterranean character of the hotel and its grounds. The Bungalows resemble individual homes set in the most prestigious residential neighborhood of Beverly Hills, with indoor living opening to the outdoors while assuring absolute privacy.

Each Presidential Bungalow is a “home away from home” in classic pink stucco with its own private entrance; a Great Room with dining room and chicly furnished living room; a professional kitchen; custom-designed furnishings and beautifully collected pieces from the 1920s to modern day; three bedrooms with luxurious baths featuring free-standing tubs, steam showers and vanities; and, in the timeless Hollywood tradition, a limestone fireplace – five per Bungalow – in every room. Beautiful gardens surround each Bungalow with outdoor spaces with private pool, fireplace, dining area with nighttime illumination, entertainment systems, exercise areas, courtyards, and the only private outdoor showers in Los Angeles.

For more information or to make reservations at The Beverly Hills Hotel, please contact (310) 276-2251 or (800) 283-8885 or visit www.beverlyhillshotel.com

K Hotels’ Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites Brings Summer Fun with Cool Concert Series

Humphreys Concerts by the Bay Presents All-Star Lineup for Warm Memorable Nights

LOS ANGELES, CA, – To kick off the summer, K Hotels member Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites presents Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, an outdoor concert series held May through October in San Diego, California. Showcasing a collection of the greatest entertainers in comedy, jazz and rock, attendees can soak in the summer weather while enjoying their favorite tunes and acts.

With an outdoor amphitheatre located on Shelter Island, this 1,400 seat venue has an all-star lineup for every liking, including performances by Adele, Goo Goo Dolls, Bill Maher, Steve Martin, George Lopez and Diana Ross. Guests can purchase concert tickets, dinner show packages to Humphreys Restaurant and premiere suite combos that include hotel room accommodation and premier tickets in rows 1-4. Humphreys Concerts by the Bay will give attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and refreshments while dancing, singing and enjoying the gorgeous weather and lush surroundings.

“Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn & Suites is offering visitors a fun and interactive summer activity in Southern California,” said Lara Weiss, Global Director of Sales at K Hotels. “Humphreys Concerts by the Bay is ideal for guests to relax and enjoy entertainment in San Diego. Whether a night out or a weekend getaway with the package deal, the concert offers a show for all audiences.”

Humphreys Concerts by the Bay tickets range from $35-$115 with concert packages starting at $100. The amphitheatre is located 2241 Shelter Island Dr. San Diego, CA 92106. For more information on Humphreys Concert, please visit http://www.humphreysconcerts.com. For more information on K Hotels, please visit http://www.k-hotels.com

ABOUT K HOTELS

K Hotels represents a worldwide collection of independent hotels. K Hotels approaches each member (and traveler) with an exclusive relationship supported by professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm. K Hotels distinguishes itself from its competitors by applying direct sales strategies, personalized marketing campaigns and customized services. With the mission of growing consumer awareness and strategically defining the independent hotels’ position in each market around the world, K Hotels has succeeded in becoming a leader in its category, and providing unforgettable experiences for its members and travelers alike.

ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours cyclists can shift gears in four of the world’s top wine regions this year with stops for sampling vintages and partaking of regional gastronomy.

The regions are France’s Alsace, Italy’s Piedmont and Tuscany, and Chile’s Central Valley.

Alsace – France’s Hidden Wine Country is a 10-day, up to 375-mile cycling journey through the crossroads of French-German culture, departing Strasbourg and after three days in wine country including an exclusive tasting before concluding after more cycling days in Colmar, a wine center in France. The per person double rate is $3950. This region labels its wines by their grapes, so you’ll find some of the world’s best Rieslings as well as Muscat and Pinot Gris.

http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/itinerary.html?tid=942

Italy: Bicycling Piedmont is an 8 or 10-day up to 300 -mile ride through fertile valleys of the Po River, by castles and fortified cities built by the kings of Savoy to protect wine merchants from marauding pirates. This is also the locale where Count Camillo Cavour first introduced the idea of a unified Italian state. This tour combines the best of Italian and French cuisine and, among others, samplings of Barolo, Asti and Dolcetto d’Alba to name a few plus a visit to the regional wine museum. A September tour coincides with a cheese festival in Pollenzo, home of the University of Gastronomic Sciences and to the Slow Food movement. The trip begins near Turin and concludes on Lago Maggiore. The per person double rate for the 8-day tour is $3455, 10-day tour: $4350

8 day itinerary http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/tours.html?tid=925
10 Day itinerary: http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/tours.html?tid=501
http://www.deliciousitaly.com/guide/north-italy-regions/piemonte-guide/piemonte-food-and-wine/item/667-bra-cheese-festival.html

Maria Elena Price, co-owner and spokesperson, notes that while all ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours emphasize sampling regional products, in Italy the Piedmont’s fantastic wines make it an especially interesting destination for Italian wine and food aficionados.

Italy: Cycling Assisi and the Best of Southern Tuscany is an 8-day or 10-day up to 340-mile adventure that begins in Umbria, traverses southern Tuscany and concludes with a spectacular ride into Florence. This tour visits Assisi, home to St. Francis; Deruta, famous for ceramics; Cortona, made famous by Frances Mayes in her book, Under the Tuscan Sun; and Pienza in the beautiful Val d’Orcia, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Landscape for its unique blend of human and natural environments. The journey also includes the famous wine towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano. The extended trip loops north from Siena and takes cyclists through the heart of the Chianti wine region including a tasting at the famous Macelleria Falorni vineyards. The per person double rate for the 8-day trip: $3550 and the 10-day trip: $4295. Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico are of course kings in this region as well as the “noble” wines of Montepulciano.

10 Day itinerary http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/itinerary.html?tid=2017
8 day itinerary: http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/tours.html?tid=2024

Chile: Bicycling Chile’s Wine Country is an 11-day, up to 388-mile cycle beginning and ending in Santiago that traverses the Maule and Colchagua wine valleys of central Chile to look at historic vineyards, colonial cities and secluded beaches. For those on a tighter timeline, there’s an 8-day, 360-mile version. Highlights of both include Santiago, Santa Cruz, the Central Valley and a stay at a vineyard in the Colchagua valley. The per person rate is $4395 for 11 days and $3400 for eight days. Wines here include Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and of course the prized Carmenere – a grape one of the oldest European varietals and once thought to be lost when all the vineyards in France died from the Phylloxera plague. It was then “re-discovered” in Chile where it had been brought over by French vintners and was never affected by the Phylloxera plague.

8 day itinerary http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/itinerary.html?tid=1624
10 day itinerary http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/tours.html?tid=1625

About ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

No North American company has been running European cycling tours longer than ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours (http://www.experienceplus.com/). Launched in Italy in 1972 the Colorado-based company now offers global cycling tours immersed in local character to 20 countries on five continents. Throughout the years as the business and industry have evolved, ExperiencePlus!’ roots as a family business have remained strong. Authentic, experienced, self-paced and engaging were the ethos of parents Rick and Paola Malpezzi Price which have now been passed down to their daughters and current directors Monica Price and Maria Elena Price.

Standing behind their beliefs, ExperiencePlus! is the only adventure cycling company that issues a 10-point Customer’s Bill of Rights outlining what clients can and should expect while pedaling on a company tour. Their cultural cycling programs engage tour leaders who are expert cyclists and trained cultural interpreters, guiding guests on innovative routes and immersing them in off-the-beaten-path experiences. Tours in 2011 go to Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam.

ExperiencePlus! is a 2011 and a 2010 recipient of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime. The 2011 issue also featured Maria Elena Price and Monica Price, co-owners, among its Top 10 Tour Guides. Recognized for her visionary work within the industry, Monica Price has been named to the Adventure Travel Trade Association Advisory Committee for the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit to be held October 17-20 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, announced this week that it will re-deploy long-haul Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its Mumbai-Newark route, beginning in September 2011. The wide-body Boeing 777-300ER features a three-class configuration, including Jet Airways’ world-renowned First Class service and private closed-door suites.

Operating twice a week (on Fridays and Sundays), Jet Airways’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will offer passengers the exclusive opportunity to travel in the comfort of the airline’s eight First Class suites, featuring the world’s longest airline beds, private closets, dining tables for two and 23″ flat-screen TVs.

Jet Airways’ guests aboard the Newark-Mumbai route will also have the option of 30 seats in the airline’s Première Class (Business Class), which boasts the most comfortable Business Class seats in the sky that convert to 73″-long totally flat beds. Guests in all three classes of service on Jet Airways will have access to the state-of-the-art Panasonic eX2 entertainment system, complete with 200+ movies, games and endless music choices.

For more information about Jet Airways, please visit: www.jetairways.com

Pure alpine air, open spaces, lush greenery and glorious French sunshine. The Alps are just as spectacular a playground in the summer as they are in the winter, with plenty of outdoor fun to be had on and off the mountains. Luxury ski specialist VIP SKI will be running its Alaska Lodge and Chalet Berger in Morzine and Le Village chalets in Alpe d’Huez as boutique summer rentals this year. Time your visit right and you could be there as the Tour de France rolls into town (22nd July)! Prices start from just £55 per room per night.

Alaska Lodge, Morzine

Alaska Lodge is the perfect choice for a summer chalet; beautifully decorated, situated at the heart of the village and close to the lifts. The lodge features seven bedrooms, all with state of the art en suite bathrooms and a full wet suite with sauna and hot tub. The chalet comes complete with WiFi, Freeview TV, DVD, music system and wall mounted plasma TV screen. Staffed by some of VIP SKI’s most experienced staff, service at Alaska Lodge will remain professional and personal whether you simply want bed and breakfast, or would prefer to add on additional services such as picnics, evening meals, guided walks or babysitting.

Chalet Berger, Morzine

Located in the heart of Morzine, Chalet Berger is a simple chalet with a light and spacious living area and large en suite bedrooms. Step from the living room into the outside hot tub, a perfect place to relax after a day on the mountains. Perfect for families or friends who want a whole chalet on a self catered basis.

When only the snow capped peaks remain and the sun shines high in the sky, Morzine and the Portes du Soleil is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Summer here is hot, spectacular, outdoor and fun. It’s a most remarkable adventure park for adults and kids alike.

Morzine is a magnet for touring cyclists, bikers, classic car enthusiasts, walkers, climbers, adrenalin seekers and scenic tourists. The ski lifts spread to every point of the compass and give effortless access to hundreds of kilometres of high mountain footpaths and mountain bike trails. The town bustles with excitement, activities, weekly markets, festivals and celebrations. In addition to the many cafés and bars, there are a wide variety of lovely shops, restaurants and boutiques.

The sporting facilities are amazing, from world renowned mountain biking, incredible road biking, an Olympic outdoor swimming pool, 10 outdoor tennis courts, an ice rink, two golf courses, an adventure park, summer luge, horseriding, parapenting, trampolines, children’s playgrounds and a whole variety of sports and alpine activities. The area has something to offer every age and interest, and is the ideal destination for individuals, couples, families and groups.

Should you wish to venture further afield the spectacular beaches of Lake Geneva are only 30 minutes away, Annecy and Chamonix a little over an hour away and Italy 20 minutes further.

Getting to Morzine couldn’t be easier. It’s a little over an hour from Geneva Airport which is served by a number of airlines during the summer, including British Airways and Swiss. Alternatively, car enthusiasts may not be able to resist the chance to open up the throttle on the fast French motorways and challenging mountain roads. Morzine is 570 miles from Calais and takes approximately 9 hours by car.

Prices at Alaska Lodge start from £55 per room per night and include a delicious and hearty breakfast in the morning. Book 6 nights and receive the 7th night free. Prices at Chalet Berger start from £800 for the chalet per week on a self catering basis. Alaska Lodge and Chalet Berger will be open June to August 2011, inclusive. For further information and reservations please contact VIP SKI on 0844 557 3119 or visit www.vip-chalets.com/summer

Le Village, Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez lives up to its nickname “The Island in the Sunshine”, enjoying hot summers and spectacular scenery. Only an hour from Grenoble, it is the perfect summer destination for those looking to relax or get an adrenaline fix. Built around an atmospheric cobbled courtyard at a dizzy height of 2,000m, Le Village has got to be the perfect location for a summer holiday in the Alps.

The four VIP SKI chalets in Alpe d’Huez can sleep between 8 and 15 guests in absolute comfort, ticking every box on your list. Think thick, cool stone walls, slate roofs, vaulted ceilings, solid timber floors, high-tech entertainment features and snappy chic en-suite bathrooms. Chalet La Ferme also includes use of the hot tub and sauna.

Chalet La Ferme – 10 guests, 5 bedrooms

Chalet La Manoir – 12 guests, 6 bedrooms

Chalet La Chapelle – 14 guests, 7 bedrooms

Chalet Chateau – 15 guests, 8 bedrooms

Alpe d’Huez provides an exhilarating playground for adults and children alike – cycling, walking, climbing, swimming, horse riding and ice skating are just a few of the activities available to keep you occupied in the summer. Endless footpaths and mountain bike trails just wait to be explored and the two, originally a 14th century mining town, bustles with excitement, a-buzz with cafes, bars, shops, restaurants and French boutiques.

The world famous Tour de France will be in Alpe d’Huez on the 22nd July 2011 so time your visit right and you could be a part of the action.

Prices at Le Village start from £60 per room per night, on a serviced self catering basis. Le Village will be open June to August 2011, inclusive. For further information and reservations please contact VIP SKI on 0844 557 3119 or visit www.vip-chalets.com/summer-alpe-dhuez