Jetsettersblog

Steps-away proximity, custom-made picnics, bicycle rides through the park, and entrance to Buckingham Palace and Clarence House in the historic heart of St. James’s

(London) – “When a man is tired of London,” observed Samuel Johnson to James Boswell, “he is tired of life.” Come alive exploring the most renowned attractions in the heart of the city with the NEW Royal Palaces and Parks Package from DUKES LONDON. The historic hotel overlooking Green Park in St. James’s Place offers entrée to Royal addresses Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, both located just a stone’s throw from the hotel, as well as a custom-made DUKES LONDON picnic hamper and new bicycles available at the hotel to explore the city.

Experience how the other half reigns with ticketed entrance to the city’s regal attractions with the Royal Palaces & Parks Package from DUKES LONDON, including:

• Overnight accommodation in a luxurious King Room

• Admission for two to Buckingham Palace

• Admission for two to Clarence House

• A DUKES LONDON picnic hamper to enjoy in the peaceful Green Park

• Complimentary DUKES LONDON bicycles available to borrow for pedal- powered access throughout the city

• English breakfast for two

The Royal Palaces & Parks package is available starting at £435 (approx. $712 U.S.). Additional nights are available from £240 (approx. $393 U.S.). Rates are based on double occupancy and do not include VAT. Available August 6 to September 4, 2011.

Guests can also choose to upgrade their picnic hamper to a Champagne Hamper, which includes a bottle of limited edition Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Blanc de Blanc, in honor of the hotel’s newly opened Champagne Lounge, PJ Lounge at DUKES LONDON. The Champagne hamper is available for an additional £600 (approx. $975 U.S.).

There’s nothing quite like touring the Royal Palaces of London. The primary residence of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace was built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 and become the official royal palace with the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The changing of the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the iconic highlights of the city. Clarence House, meanwhile, is the official London residence of HRH Princes Charles, and was the location for the Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement announcement in 2010.

About DUKES LONDON

DUKES LONDON is an independent luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of London, in a private courtyard near Green Park and Buckingham Palace. The intimate and exclusive hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 100 years and features 90 rooms, including 11 suites and one Penthouse Suite. The hotel’s design offers a mix of classic and contemporary features, including an impressive art collection. The historic Dukes Bar is home to some of the world’s best martinis, and is the birthplace of the famous “shaken, not stirred” line from James Bond creator Ian Fleming, while the recently unveiled Cognac and Cigar Garden serves the finest cognac and Cuban cigars in a heated outdoor area, open year-round. DUKES LONDON serves classic British dishes at its Dining Room, and also features a Drawing Room and Conservatory, gym and health spa, as well as three well-appointed meeting rooms and elegant wedding facilities. DUKES LONDON is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World.

For more information or reservations, please visit www.dukeshotel.com

Singapore Airlines plans to establish a new no-frills, low-fare airline operating widebody aircraft on medium and long-haul routes.

The new airline, SIA says, is being established following extensive review and analysis.

The decision to launch a low-cost airlines comes as Qantas works on plans to operate a subsidiary carrier out of either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

SIA said the new airline will “serve a largely untapped new market and cater to the growing demand among consumers for low-fare travel”.

Operations are expected to begin within one year. The airline will be wholly owned by Singapore Airlines, but will be operated independently and managed separately from SIA.

“We are very excited about what our new low-fare subsidiary will offer to consumers. We are seeing a new market segment being created and this will provide another growth opportunity for the SIA Group,” said CEO Goh Choon Phong.

“As we have observed on short-haul routes within Asia, low-fare airlines help stimulate demand for travel, and we expect this will also prove true for longer flights.”

More details will be announced later this year by the new airline’s management team, including its branding, products and services, and route network.

At Just Over $4,000 per Person Double

QUITO, ECUADOR – Ecuador’s leading hospitality company for active adventure, Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges http://www.redmangrove.com/, announces a 15 day / 14 night program combining Galapagos and Machu Picchu that begins and ends in Quito with a full-day tour here before flying to Galapagos for five days and then on to Lima and an immersion in Machu Picchu.

This adventure is $4,348 per person double, $5,880 single and $3,988 triple inclusive of accommodations, English-speaking naturalist guides, use of bicycles and snorkeling gear, and most of the meals. Not included are intra-destination air tickets and the $100 per international visitor entrance fee to Galapagos National Park.

Hernan Rodas, visionary founder and owner, recognizes that a trip to South America is a long way to go.

“So why not combine two of the continent’s foremost visitor attractions,” says Rodas. “We’ve put these two magical destinations into one unforgettable adventure tour in order to offer the very best of South America. Combining these programs under one umbrella always makes it easier for our clients to plan their adventure.”

Historically he has observed that up to 30 percent of his clients already combine both attractions.

“Perhaps the number is higher; sometimes we never get to know if our clients are going or coming from Peru before or after our Galapagos portion. Sometimes we find out just by coincidence when we get information about their international flight arrangements. So, we are confident that we will gain good numbers of enquiries on this one, as it is much easier to deal with only one operator,” says Rodas.

About Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges

Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges in 2007 introduced a land-based alternative to exploring the Galapagos that heretofore was a cruise-only destination. While it may be best known for its upscale lodging and dive operations in the Galapagos, recent expansion has made it a leader in mainland Ecuador hospitality as well. With upscale waterfront lodges strategically situated on Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana, it is the only company offering high quality, branded accommodations and services on multiple islands in the Galapagos and across mainland Ecuador. Because it is land-based, Red Mangrove can offer a more extensive roster of activities and more flexibility than traditional cruise options.

The customary way to experience Red Mangrove’s Galapagos hospitality is to spend a number of nights on each island accessed by small boat and/or aircraft. With 14 guest rooms, Aventura Lodge on Santa Cruz is distinguished by its architectural design which blends its mangrove forest and seafront environments tastefully and responsibly. Separated from the ocean by a white sand, palm-lined beach, Isabela Lodge offers eight rooms outside the fisherman’s village of Puerto Villamil on one of the most volcanically active islands on Earth. Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge is a gathering of 10 private pine cottages just a five minute walk from the village of Puerto Velasco Ibarra (population 150). Red Mangrove Divers Lodge Santa Cruz has 11 rooms near the Red Mangrove Dive Academy. Red Mangrove Isabela Divers Lodge features 5-rooms adjacent to scenic Puerto Villamil. On the mainland coast of Ecuador Samai Lodge with 11 rooms is an inn-and-spa suited for recollection, relaxation and wellness surrounded by the sounds of the jungle and crashing surf.

The company recently announced an extensive dive program embracing novices to experts with over 45 dive sites and multi-island dive packages for varying length vacations and interests.

Contact Information:

Phone: 1.888.254.3190 or 1.402.953.0261

Email Form: http://www.redmangrove.com/contact-us/

Website: http://www.redmangrove.com

• Explore Mt. Everest base camp and the world’s highest monastery,
• View gorillas in the wild,
• Learn about erotic pre-Columbian pottery
• Go on an eastern European scavenger hunt.

These are just some of the unique experiences offered by members of the U.S. Tour Operators Association.

From short trips that can be added to a longer itinerary, to vacations of a week or more, USTOA members offer a full array of enriching and one-of-a-kind activities to destinations worldwide. Since each tour operator takes care of the arrangements, travelers are assured a hassle-free vacation that would be harder to arrange, and in many cases more costly, than doing it on your own.

Below are four selections ranging from one- to 10 nights.

Pre-Columbian Erotica in Lima, Peru: 1 night/1 day

If you’re visiting Machu Picchu or the Amazon, start out with an overnight pre-trip to Lima, including a guided morning visit to the Larco Herrera Museum to view the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian art.

Representing 3,000 years of pre-Columbian history, the museum’s artifacts include a huge collection of erotic pottery and statuary crafted by ancient Peruvian cultures. This excursion from International Expeditions is available as part of a custom itinerary or a pre-extension in combination with a longer tour. The $178 per person price includes private airport transfer, overnight hotel accommodations, local guide and museum tour, and is available with Thursday departures throughout the year. For more information phone 205-633-4734 or visit www.IETravel.com

Gorilla Trek in Rwanda, 4 days/3 nights

Take a once-in-a-lifetime guided trek from Kilgali to Volcanoes National Park to view gorillas in their natural habitat. Recommended for those in good health, the 4 day/3 night package from Great Safaris includes accommodations and all meals.

The package, which can be added on to a longer Africa itinerary, is available for booking through November 1 with travel through December 15. Per person cost is $2,655, which the company estimates saves travelers 10 – 15% over making the same arrangements on their own. For more information phone 800-409-7755 or visit www.GreatSafaris.com

Family Scavenger Hunt in : Bratislava, Slovakia, 8 days, 7 nights

Compete in a fast-paced scavenger hunt with the whole family in Bratislava, Slovakia, as part of Tauck Bridges’ “Blue Danube: Riverboat Adventure.” The 8-day/7 night river cruise, is priced from $2,990 per person, including virtually everything. Beginning in Budapest, Hungary the cruise ends in Regensburg, Germany. Tauck estimates that travelers save 30 – 40% over arranging the same itinerary on their own. Air fare is additional. For more information, phone 800-468-2825 or visit www.Tauck.com

Travel Tibet to Katmandu: 10 days/9 nights

Join experienced mountain guides on a small-group journey across the “Roof of the World,” from Tibet to Katmandu. En route travelers see spectacular high-mountain passes, visit Ronguk Monastery, world’s highest, and the Mt. Everest Base Camp. General Tours World Traveler’s 10 day/9 night “Across the Himalayas” tour spends two nights each in Lhasa, and Tingri, Tibet, with an overnight in Shigatse, and a final three nights in Nepal at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Hotel. The overland adventure takes travelers along the Kanabala Pass and the 17,000 ft. Gyatsola Pass, and includes 20 meals, small group sightseeing, services of mountain guides and drivers, and all on-tour transportation. Priced from $2,699 per person, the tour is available for booking until April 13, 2012, for travel valid through May 15, 2012.

International air fare is additional. For details phone 800-221-2216 or visit www.GeneralTours.com

More Information

All prices are based on double occupancy. International airfare is additional. Restrictions and additional security fees, departure and local taxes and fees may apply. Prices may vary based on departure date.

For more information on domestic or international vacation arrangements with culinary or wine interest visit: www.USTOA.com , or www.USTOA.travel . USTOA member companies have met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the association’s Travelers Assistance Program, which among other things protects consumer payments up to $1 million in case the company goes out of business.

USTOA is the premier association of companies providing vacation packages, tours, and custom travel itineraries for more than 11 million people yearly.

Opening on October 1, 2011, Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980 will unite more than 60 cultural institutions throughout Southern California. This simultaneous collaboration, the largest ever undertaken by cultural institutions anywhere, will tell the story of the rise of the Los Angeles art scene and how it became a new force in the art world.

Initiated by the Getty Foundation, the program explores and celebrates the significance of the crucial years after World War II through the tumultuous period of the 1960s and 70s. Pacific Standard Time encompasses developments from L.A. Pop to post-minimalism; from modernist architecture and design to multi-media installations; from the films of the African-American L.A. Rebellion to the feminist activities of the Woman’s Building; from ceramics to Chicano performance art; and from Japanese-American design to the pioneering work of artists’ collectives.

Presenting the artistic evolution of Los Angeles through an unprecedented array of exhibitions and programs, Pacific Standard Time involves institutions of every size and character: from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Hammer Museum and the Getty Museum, to the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, Japanese American National Museum, Watts Towers Arts Center and many others. Pacific Standard Time continues through April 2012.

www.pacificstandardtime.org

Fourth of July is right around the corner, and to celebrate America’s independence, Los Angeles is rolling out a non-stop line-up of beach parties, barbecues and amazing fireworks shows. The Hollywood Bowl rolls out its annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular from July 2-4 at 7:30 p.m.

This year, country favorite Vince Gill lights up the stage with the LA Philharmonic. Still the best deal in town, tickets start at just $15. In Pasadena, the Rose Bowl Stadium celebrates its 84th Annual 4th of July Celebration.

The day-long festival includes live performances from marching bands across the country and culminates at 9 p.m. with a huge fireworks show. In Marina del Rey, the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza shoots right over the main channel.

Visitors can gather at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village for front-row seats to the festivities. In the San Fernando Valley, the Annual Independence Day Celebration at Hansen Dam, which repeats on July 3 and 4, is the biggest Fourth of July event in the Valley. Picnics are popular, as is the 1.5-acre swimming lake, while live entertainment and food booths create a carnival-esque atmosphere.

discoverLosAngeles.com

FIRST IN NEVADA, FIRST IN THE WORLD: LEED®-REGISTERED FLOATING GREEN BUILDING PROJECT TO BE DEDICATED MONDAY, JUNE 6

AT COTTONWOOD COVE MARINA, LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

SEARCHLIGHT, NEV.– The National Park Service and Forever Resorts, LLC are dedicating the first floating building project in the world to be registered for LEED® certification on Monday, June 6, at 1 p.m. at Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Mohave. The building, which will serve as the marina’s operations office, is expected to be certified at the LEED® Gold rating. The public is invited.

“It was a visionary team made up of private industry and government led by our partner Forever Resorts that transformed this idea into action,” said Superintendent Bill Dickinson. “We’re setting the standard for eco-friendly floating buildings. There is no better place than in a national park to do that.”

The floating eco-friendly structure features sustainable modular construction and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and environmentally responsible materials and fixtures. Decking is made of a composite of rice hulls and recycled plastic and the exterior stucco is made of recycled tires. Use of low or no volatile organic compound materials, paints and adhesives will rid the building of the typical “new building” smell improving the overall indoor air quality.

“Forever Resorts is dedicated to conservation and environmentally sustainable practices and we couldn’t be more excited to make history by developing a building that embraces the eco-friendly principles we support,” said John Schoppmann, executive vice president, Forever Resorts. “We will use this building not only to welcome our customers, but also to educate them about sustainable building practices.”

To commemorate the building’s dedication, the National Park Service and Forever Resorts are conducting an art contest. Submissions should be inspired by the environment, wildlife, landscape and history of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and will be accepted through August 15, 2011. The winner in each category will receive Black Canyon River Adventure rafting excursions for a family of four and will have their artwork displayed in the new marina building. Additionally, one grand prize winner will receive a houseboat vacation departing from any Forever Resorts marina in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Full details and rules are available on Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina’s Facebook page.

The project’s key earth-minded elements and commitments include the Forever Resorts Forever Earth Environmental Management System and a mix of new and existing programs:

Green Cleaning Program throughout the resort (currently in place)
Green Purchasing Program (currently in place)
Energy and Environmental Education Programs for boaters and community members (currently in place)
Extensive energy saving materials and systems, including high-performance insulated glass
High-efficient HVAC equipment and delivery systems
Extensive use of recycled and regionally extracted and/or manufactured materials, such as concrete, steel, drywall, metal studs, carpet, etc.
Finish materials, paints, adhesives, caulks and sealants that contain low or no volatile organic compounds to ensure healthy indoor air quality
Extensive natural daylight and views to the outdoors throughout, maximizing east/west orientation
Recycled and recyclable building and landscape materials
Prevention of night sky pollution

ABOUT LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the fifth most visited national park in the country and is located adjacent to Las Vegas, the nation’s top tourist destination. Its 1.5 million acres, which includes Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, hosts over 7 million visitors each year. The park offers an unparalleled variety of outdoor experiences, a surprising contrast that complements a Las Vegas or Laughlin, Nev., visit. ( http://www.nps.gov/lakemead)

ABOUT FOREVER RESORTS
Forever Resorts, LLC is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service dedicated to providing a collection of destinations that provide hospitality services throughout the world. Forever Resorts focuses on properties with access to nature and one-of-a-kind surroundings for vacations. ( http://www.foreverresorts.com and http://www.foreverearth.net)

ABOUT COTTONWOOD COVE RESORT & MARINA
Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina is located 90 minutes from Las Vegas and offers lakeside accommodations, houseboat and powerboat rentals, the Cottonwood Cove Cafe and a full-service RV park. It is situated on beautiful Lake Mohave, part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which features miles of unspoiled shoreline, plenty of secluded, sandy beaches, crystal-clear water and consistently high lake levels ( http://e2ma.net/go/6379121319/207204314/217817961/1360749/goto:http://www.cottonwoodcoveresort.com

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. ( http://www.usgbc.org/)

The inaugural Cooly Rocks On event kicks off at the beginning of June.

The first ever Cooly Rocks On event is being held on the Gold Coast this year, showcasing rock’n'roll music and classic cars.

Running from June 3rd to 13th, the festival will give attendees the chance to take part in a variety of workshops and competitions in a range of disciplines, such as surfing and dancing.

But the main draw of the event is likely to be the retro cars displayed in various locations.

People are invited to register their classic vehicle with organisers if they want it to be a part of the exhibition; it must feature a production date prior to December 1973.

For fans of more quirky activities, there will be a poodle parade, street parades and a talent contest, with action taking place in various locations in Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.

Cooly Rocks On has been put together by a community-based not-for-profit organisation.

Each event on the programme is individually priced, with plenty of activities available free of charge.

However, sessions such as The Sugarshakers show on June 5th are ticketed.

Rock’n'roll fans can browse a wide array of last minute accommodation in Gold Coast on LateRooms.com.au

Find out more information about the festival at http://www.coolyrockson.com

The modern circus production incorporates elements of burlesque and vaudeville.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – A stunning circus show called Wunderkammer will be performed in Brisbane, delivering a beautiful and impressive display of athleticism and grace.

The performance, presented by Circa, will take place at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts from June 14th to 18th.

A seven-strong troupe will take the stage and use music, song and lighting to transform the venue into a modern mixture of vaudeville, burlesque, sideshow and circus show.

In a statement, the organisers of the tour explained: “A diva squeezes through a tiny ring, balloons strangely disappear, muscle-bound gents stand precariously on each other while ropes are climbed, hoops spin and bodies fly, splat, tumble and balance.”

They claimed that Wunderkammer was a critical hit at last year’s Brisbane Festival, prompting the group to return.

The show begins at 19:30 local time each day and lasts around two hours including a 20-minute interval.

Standard tickets start from AU$30, although there are special offers and concessions available.

The venue is near the Brunswick Street Mall, within five minutes walking distance of Fortitude Valley train station. Several city buses also serve the location.

Fans of performance art can use LateRooms.com.au to browse a wide variety of last minute accommodation in Brisbane.

For more information, visit http://judithwrightcentre.com

BnBFinder.com has hundreds of gas saving getaway ideas, including: Staycations, One Tank Trips, and Gas Free Getaways. Also find specials, packages, and rebates.

NEW YORK, NY With gas prices averaging around four dollars a gallon, recent articles on gas saving road trips have referenced BnBFinder.com and there is no question why. BnBFinder.com has been highlighting one tank trips and gas saving getaways since 2006 and currently offers hundreds of vacation ideas for the gas conscious.

“Listing thousands of inns, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels, gives us access to some amazing and unique vacation options,” says Mary White, Founder and CEO of BnBFinder.com and bed and breakfast guru. “Compiling special packages, one tank trips, and gas free getaways was just a natural extension for our comprehensive listing site.”

The getaway ideas can be organized into three groups:

1. Staycations:

You don’t have to travel far, you’re already there – your town can be the perfect vacation destination. The travel costs will be negligible and you’ll end up learning a lot about the place you call home. Use our advanced search feature (www.BnBFinder.com/advancedsearch) to find a special place in your hometown. Every bed and breakfast is a unique experience, so staying at one definitely won’t be a cookie cutter vacation. Leave your cares and worries at home and experience your area from a different perspective. You’ll be surprised by what the innkeepers know about the history and attractions in town, giving you the kind of concierge service usually associated with high-end hotels.

2. One Tank Trips:

Your next adventure could be closer than you think. So close, in fact, that you can get there and back on less than one tank of gas. Here are some examples from either coast, and our advanced search tool can be your guide in between:

If you live in Boston, MA, there are a plethora of summer getaways one tank away. Just 18 miles away is picturesque Marblehead, MA – home of a wildlife sanctuary, beautiful beaches, and a light house. Visitors to Marblehead can stay at A Lady Winette Cottage B&B (www.BnBFinder.com/LadyWinette). With beautiful ocean and harbor views, a charming front porch, and an elegant garden, Lady Winette is a perfect New England inn.

One tank from San Francisco, CA, travelers can find Wine Country, beaches, and hiking. Travel to Nice, CA and stay in one of nine themed railroad cabooses overlooking Clear Lake at the Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast (www.BnBFinder.com/FeatherbedRR). Or go right across the bay and spend the night in an active Victorian light station. The East Brother Light Station
(www.BnBFinder.com/EastBrother) is reachable by ferry and features gourmet meals in an incredibly romantic setting.

3. Gas Free Getaways

Some places don’t need a car at all; some don’t even allow them. Take a train or plane and leave your car behind. Montreal and New York are two cities that have such good public transportation systems, cars are completely superfluous. In Montreal, the metro stations themselves are attractions, each one designed by a different architect. Just blocks away from “Station Sherbrooke,” stay at the Gingerbread Manor Bed & Breakfast (www.BnBFinder.com/GingerbreadManor). In New York, the subway runs all night and will take you to every site from Coney Island to Yankee Stadium. Near to six different trains at three different stations, stay at The Inn on 23rd (www.BnBFinder.com/Inn23rd).

You won’t miss you car on Monhegan Island, ME. The Island is home to a lighthouse, a museum, an artists’ community, a beach, a wilderness preserve, but no paved roads. The fabulous Island Inn (www.BnBFinder.com/IslandInn) sits atop a bluff overlooking the harbor, offering panoramic views of the dramatic sunsets.

Visit http://www.BnBFinder.com/SaveGas  and find inns offering special gas savings packages like 25% off to guests who don’t use their cars for the entire length of their stay and rebates for guests driving hybrids. Don’t stay home due to high gas prices, let BnBFinder.com help you plan a gas savings getaway.

BnBFinder.com is the world’s most comprehensive independently owned bed and breakfast directory. Founded in 1998 by author and B&B guru Mary White, BnBFinder.com was the first bed and breakfast directory to offer RSS Feeds, a blog, downloadable content for handheld devices, and guest reviews. In 2011, BnBFinder-Mobile was launched – the first mobile bed and breakfast directory to offer location based searches (LBS). BnBFinder.com is a top-rated directory with thousands of B&B, inn, and boutique hotel listings from all over the world. Featuring the most extensive advanced search function of any B&B directory, visitors can modify results using over 130 search options.