Jetsettersblog

IN TRAVEL+LEISURE 2011 READERS’ POLL
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, a Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List five-star hotel in Cape Town, is proud to announce its Number Three ranking in Travel + Leisure’s Readers’ Poll highlighting World’s Best Service, 2011, in hotels around the world. The Twelve Apostles earned a stellar score of 97.5, placing it third (top score was 97.69) in the category for Africa and the Middle East – Resorts and Lodges.

Every year Travel & Leisure spotlights the top properties in nine regions that excel in service, as rated by readers in the World’s Best Awards survey. For 2011, T&L divided the lists into city and resort categories so they could highlight more winners with a range of service styles from formal to casual. The Twelve Apostles upholds the impeccable service standards of all Red Carnation Hotels, where no request is too large or detail too small. The staff provides truly superior service and is honored to be recognized by the readers of Travel + Leisure.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is a peaceful sanctuary, which stands in a class of its own, showcasing splendid luxury, passionate service, generous hospitality and exceptional value.

Nestled at the edge of the world, amongst indigenous flora and mountain trails, with staggering views of the majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, this five star hotel in Cape Town is recognized and awarded as the No. 1 Hotel in Cape Town (Travel + Leisure magazine World’s Best hotels 2010) and voted No. 1 Hotel in South Africa (Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Family Hotels Awards 2010).

Only five minutes from Camps Bay and 15 minutes from the City Centre and Waterfront, guests can experience the best of both worlds – vibrant Cape Town and a haven of natural beauty. Facilities include 70 sea- and mountain-facing bedrooms and suites including the Presidential Suite, one sea- and one mountain-facing pool, the award-winning Spa, Azure restaurant, The Café Grill, the Leopard Bar, a 16-seater private cinema, helipad, complimentary shuttle transfers to and from the V&A Waterfront. Its exceptional setting is ideal for special occasions, corporate events and spectacular weddings.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is a part of the international Red Carnation Hotel Collection, one of the most celebrated family-run boutique hotel collections for service excellence in the world, and a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World.

For information or to make a reservation contact Tel: +27 (0) 21 437 9000, email bookta@12apostles.co.za  or visit www.12apostleshotel.com   African Travel Inc. can arrange all aspects of your Capetown visit, including the Twelve Apostles Hotel.  Visit www.africantravelinc.com  or your proessional travel agent.

Israel will host a wide range of musical performances this summer, including veteran British rockstars Duran Duran at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds, July 30. Additional performances will include legendary folk rock singer Bob Dylan at Ramat Gan Stadium near Tel Aviv, June 20; and the annual Pic.Nic Music Festival featuring one-off performances by renowned artists Moby (July 12) and Janes Addiction (September 1) at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds.

The all-new West Resort opened earlier this year on Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean coastline in Israel. The hotel features 65 suites, as well as a business center, outdoor pool, gym and spa, and offers complimentary bicycle use for guests to explore the area. www.tamareshotels.co.il

Many business travelers, homeowners who are renovating their homes and executives relocating to New York may be anxiously looking for a place to stay in June at a reasonable price. Sutton Court Hotel Residences (www.suttoncourt.com), an elegant extended stay property located in New York City’s exclusive enclave of Sutton Place, is introducing its first “flash sale” offering a 10 percent discount off bookings occurring in June with a 30-day minimum stay for a fully equipped studio or one bedroom apartment.

Rates for a 625 square foot one bedroom suite usually start from $6,700 per month plus applicable taxes; the 10% discount in June would lower the cost to about $6,030 plus tax (saving approximately $670). At such a value, guests receive both the comfort of a home with upscale hotel amenities in a prestigious neighborhood that is full of chic nearby attractions ranging from fine dining, arts, culture, entertainment and shopping. To get this special 10% discount, book starting at 12 p.m. on June 1 through 12 p.m. on June 3 for a one month stay starting any date in the month of June, subject to availability. When booking, use promotional code “FLASH.”

Amenities at Sutton Court Hotel Residences include beautifully decorated and spacious studio or one bedroom suites each with a fully equipped kitchen, 24-hour doormen, dedicated front desk team, complimentary high-speed Internet access, fitness center plus a beautiful lounge and garden for guests.

A comparable NYC hotel would cost over $12,000 a month for a room, not a suite. That’s over twice the cost at Sutton Court and without considering the 10 percent discount being offered in June.

For more of these deals click here for the Sutton Court Hotel Residences Facebook page. To book a suite, visit www.suttoncourt.com  or call (212) 935-3300.

Dorchester Collection property cooks up something for every palate with Milan’s Top Chef, Italy’s Best Sommelier and truffle-hunting excursions

(Milan) – Hotel Principe di Savoia is the only spot to consider in Milan this year for gourmands, oenophiles and Italian culinary enthusiasts. The iconic Dorchester Collection address in Italy’s fashion capital will be dishing up a menu of culinary-focused seasonal offerings, including a new cooking class under the direction of Executive Chef Fabrizio Cadel, new wine pairing classes, the return of the annual Fall truffle hunting package and more.

Cooking Class with a Chef from Acanto Restaurant

Experience the culinary philosophy behind Executive Chef Fabrizio Cadel’s classic Milanese cuisine, with new cooking classes highlighting dishes prepared hands-on from the freshest seasonal ingredients. Participants can enjoy post-class dinner at Acanto, featuring the class menu that will be accompanied by wines selected by the Sommelier. Every student earns a Certificate of Participation and apron emblazoned with the Acanto logo, as well as a chef’s toque and keepsake photograph in the kitchen. Priced at €245 per person; available daily through December 31, 2011. Classes need to be booked 15 days before arrival. Four to eight participants required.

Wine Pairing Classes
Choose among a variety of new wine pairing classes to satiate the palate, under the direction of Principe di Savoia’s Sommelier and with special guest appearances. Participants will also learn new ways of savoring Italy’s best wines, paired with fresh canapés made from local ingredients. Each class is priced at €55 per person for 1.5 hours and guests can choose from the following:

Food and Wine Tour of Italy – Taste six wines from native grapes and six combined grapes from select regions with the Sommelier.
Wine and Friends – Taste three wine-based cocktails, including a “Principe di Savoia,” complete with Champagne, amaretto, blue curacao and lemon juice, accompanied by exquisite canapés. Cocktails prepared with fresh and local ingredients.

Sparkles! – Learn the distinctions and history of Champagne and sparkling wines of Italy and France in the company of Beverage Manager Michele Garbuio, named the “Best Sommelier of Italy” in 2006 by the Italian Sommelier Association. A dry aperitif and snacks are followed by the tasting of two Jeroboam.
Truffle Hunting Package

Timed to the Alba International White Truffle Fair in Centro Storico, Principe di Savoia’s Truffle Hunting adventure takes guests into the woods of Piedmont with well-trained dogs to sniff out delicacies below ground. Participants also have the opportunity to tour the Alba Truffle Fair, visit shops of the best truffle hunters in Alba, savor a four-course lunch and much more. The complete package includes:

Minimum of three-night accommodations

Tour of the Alba Truffle Fair (open weekends, October 8-November 13) and visits to the premier truffle hunters of Alba
Four-course lunch with black truffles (or white truffles via separate purchase)
Transfer to Alba and Roddi, with chauffeur-driven Class E Mercedes (available for 5 hours)
Morning truffle hunt with dogs in Roddi
Complimentary use of Club 10 Fitness & Beauty Center
Limousine service to and from city center

The truffle hunting package price begins from €581 per person and is available October 1 to November 30, 2011.

Summer rates at Hotel Principe di Savoia begin at €325. For more information or reservations, please call (39) 02-6230-5555 or visit www.hotelprincipedisavoia.com

- Select USA & Canada, Ireland & Europe Family Tours for Summer 2011 -

With today’s hectic lifestyles, it can be very difficult for families to find time to spend together. Brendan Vacations’ Escorted Family Vacations allow you to take a break and enjoy some quality time with your kids at a great value and price and with a wide array of destinations, including the USA, Europe and Ireland. Now is the ideal time to take a family vacation to share unforgettable moments and experiences. And, when you book a qualifying 2011 Escorted Family Vacation before August 31, 2011, you will receive a $200 American Express gift card!* More details on www.brendanvacations.com/familytravel.

“Traveling with parents or grandparents on these guided tours offers a unique multigenerational opportunity to not just bond, but also to experience the best of cultures, cuisines, sights and sounds of the USA – and the world,” says Brendan Vacations President, Nico Zenner. “Brendan’s $200 gift card will help in securing quality time with family members in a fantastic new setting, all while enjoying a break away from the daily routine at home.”

These enriching experiences have been carefully planned to include fun, multi-generational and kid-friendly activities that will entertain and educate children of all ages. You might find yourself decorating your own colorful Carnival mask in Venice, making paella in Valencia, riding on the London Eye, visiting a dude ranch in Wyoming, enjoying a poolside pizza party, or playing an exciting round of miniature golf.

Whether it is parents traveling with children, grandparents traveling with grandchildren, or traveling with members of your extended family, Brendan Vacations makes it easy and affordable to create memories that will last a lifetime. Along with the exclusive gift card offer, Brendan Vacations offers ways for families to save:

Young Travelers save 5%
Families of 5 – 8 save 5% each
Share a room with 3 people and save
Book 2 vacations and save 5% – or book 3 and save on 2
Brendan Vacations Featured Tours full listing available on www.brendanvacations.com/familytravel

USA & Canada

“Trails of Liberty” – 8 Days. Experience the heart of America like never before on this exploration into the history of the United States of America….Priced from $1,650 land only, based on double occupancy.

Ireland

“Castles, Lighthouses & Pots of Gold” – 8 Days. Experience the majesty of Ireland on an 8-day Small Boutique Escorted Vacation, providing small group discoveries of Dublin, historic lighthouses and other sights all while on a luxury motorcoach with no more than 24 passengers…. Prices starting from $1850 land only, based on double occupancy.

Europe

“Castles and Kilts” – 10 Days. In London, join a city tour and see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. On to see the location of the red telephone box where Harry and Mr. Weasley descended into the secret Ministry of Magic from the Order of the Phoenix, plus the magical platform 9 3/4 sign where Harry caught the Hogwarts Express… Priced from $2350 land only, based on double occupancy.

To book, call 800 421 8446 or www.brendanvacations.com/familytravel for complete tour descriptions and a full listing of eligible itineraries.

Terms & Conditions for Gift Card Offer
*Prices are per person, land only. Receive one $200 American Express gift card per booking on qualifying 2011 Escorted Family Vacations booked and deposited by August 31, 2011. Offer valid on any new 2011 Escorted Family Vacation in the USA & Canada brochure, Europe brochure and Small Group Discoveries in Ireland brochure. Must be a family (min. of 4; max. of traveling together to qualify. American Express gift card, one per booking, will be mailed to the consumer directly or to the agent with final documents. Please mention promo code BVFAMLI when booking. Offer is valid for new bookings only. Not valid for groups larger than 8 people. Promo is subject to availability and other conditions. Once payment is received, cancellation penalties apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Offer is combinable with brochure discounts (except Early Payment) and Brendan Vacations discount vouchers.

Customers Now Have Convenience of In-Store Pick-up or Home Delivery Options and Added Benefit of Online Price Promise

NEW YORK,– Travelex, the world’s largest non-bank foreign exchange currency provider, recently revolutionized the way Americans carry foreign currency abroad through the introduction of the chip and PIN-enabled MasterCard® Cash PassportÔ prepaid currency card. Now, Travelex is making it easier for international travelers to purchase Cash Passport with chip and PIN technology through its website below.

Enhanced Convenience and Value

By making the card available for purchase online, Travelex has provided consumers with the added convenience of choosing either home delivery or a new in-store pick-up option at more than 100 convenient US Travelex locations, including most major airports. Pick-up fees range from $0 to $9.99, depending on the location.

Value is another important benefit of the new online purchase option. Customers purchasing Cash Passport online can take advantage of Travelex’s Online Price Promise. The Online Price Promise will honor a lower published price on complete online foreign currency orders. If a customer locates a lower price on another website that was offered on the same business day as their purchase at www.us.travelex.com, they can contact a Travelex foreign exchange specialist within 14 days to receive the difference between the prices.

Supporting International Travel Needs

Travelex first introduced this latest version of the Cash Passport in December 2010. The card, which can be loaded or reloaded in Euro or British Pound Sterling, was designed to meet the growing consumer demand for currency cards that are technologically compatible with overseas merchants that now utilize chip-based transactions.

“We’ve had outstanding feedback from our customers on the new chip and PIN Cash Passport and think it is important for consumers to have access to the value and convenience we offer through online purchase as well,” said Jon Dario, president of Travelex Currency Services Inc. “It is smart for American travelers to have the same level of technical compatibility that many other international travelers currently enjoy. By ordering from our website, they can also be sure they are getting the most out of their foreign currency orders through our Online Price Promise and the options of home delivery or in-store pickup.”

How It Works

A smart and convenient alternative to carrying currency, Cash Passport allows leisure travelers to pre-load travel money onto a reloadable card online or in-store prior to traveling for convenient use in the 31.7 million ATMs, shops and restaurants worldwide where MasterCard Debit is accepted. In addition, the Cash Passport comes with 24/7 Global Emergency Assistance, and funds can be replaced within 24 hours if the card is lost or stolen.

The Cash Passport requires a PIN to complete chip-based transactions overseas. Additionally, the card is not connected to the cardholders’ bank account, thereby minimizing the risk of identity theft in the event the card is lost or stolen. The card also still includes a traditional magnetic stripe for those merchants not yet using chip and PIN technology.

For more information on Travelex or to locate a Travelex retail store to purchase the Cash Passport, visit www.us.travelex.com. For client press releases and downloadable photography, media may access www.louhammond.com. Media can also visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/louhammondpr or follow on Twitter @LouHammondPR for the latest client news.

About Travelex:

Travelex is the world leader in the foreign currency business, with more stores, more airport relationships, and more annual transactions than any competitor. Recently voted “Best Passenger Services” by major North American airports, Travelex has more than 700 retail stores across 30 countries at key airport, seaport, rail and tourist locations.

Travelex is also one of the world’s leading providers of outsourced travel money to banks, credit unions and travel agents. Among the innovative services the company offers is Cash Passport, which allows users to pre-load their travel budget onto a convenient card for safe and convenient use in millions of ATMs, shops, and restaurants worldwide. Cash Passport is PIN and signature protected and is not connected to the user’s bank account, thereby minimizing the risk of identity theft due to the loss or theft of a Cash Passport.

Cash Passport™ is a trademark of Access Prepaid Solutions, a MasterCard Worldwide company.

The Euro and British Pound Cash Passport is issued by West Suburban Bank®, pursuant to licenses by MasterCard Worldwide.

The beat of drums, the thrust of oars, one team spirit…

Mumbai,– The annual Sabah Dragon Boat Race is back for its 26th edition at Likas Bay on 18th and 19th June, 2011. The thump of drums and the roar of oarsmen unite with sounds of the waves, as the Dragon Boats steadily make their way across River Milo.

The men search desperately for the body of Qu Yuan, their beloved poet and countryman who is known to have thrown himself into the river, in protest over the degradation of the ideals of his country. Maidens throw dumpling after dumpling into the river in the hope that the fish will not find Qu Yuan. To stand spectator to this scene, one is certain to feel their grief and pain and yet, also feel the strength in the voices of the men and the power of their united spirit.

Held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, the Chinese celebrate the Duanwu Festival not only to remember Qu Yuan, but also to continue the tradition to honour “the spirit of the dragon”, which is the spirit of uniting and working together as a team for one common purpose.

The New Honeycombs will take people down memory lane for a night.
Music fans can step back in time with the Rock Around the 60s show at Gorleston Pavilion Theatre in Norfolk next month.

The concert takes place on Friday June 3rd and will feature a set by The New Honeycombs, who will play a varied programme of tracks from the decade, including a selection of songs by the band they are named after.

In a statement, the venue explained: “The New Honeycombs toured the UK with one of the original founder members of The Honeycombs and are now on tour in their own right, recreating the sounds of the 60s and reflecting The Honeycombs’ hits.”

Attendees can expect to hear tunes like Have I the Right by the original group, as well as various other songs guaranteed to take people down memory lane.

Admission costs GBP16.50, with tickets available to buy online. The music will get started at 19:30 BST on the night.

Fans can use LateRooms.com to browse a huge variety of Norfolk hotels, with the website recommending options such as the George Hotel Norfolk.

Visit http://www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk / or call the box office on 01493 662832 to find out more about the concert.

The show explores the role of railways during the war.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – The South Australia’s Railways and the World War Years Exhibition will be on display at the National Railway Museum in Adelaide until the end of the month.

Visitors will be able to see how the region’s tracks were used during the global conflict to allow men and women to support the troops.

In a statement, a representative from the museum said: “The exhibition showcases photographs and artefacts from the collection and a self-guided tour takes you around the locomotives and carriages associated with the wars.”

While the display is on show until May 31st, the weekend of May 28th and 29th will be extra special as the narrow gauge steam engine Peronne will be in action.

The machine will haul a symbolic ‘troop train’ around from 11:00 to 16:00 local time on both days.

It is free to visit the exhibition with standard tickets to the venue, which cost AU$12 for adults and AU$6 for children, but a ride on Peronne will cost attendees AU$3 per person.

If railway enthusiasts are thinking of booking last minute accommodation in Adelaide, they can use LateRooms.com.au to browse a variety of options.

Visit http://www.natrailmuseum.org.au/ to find out more information about the show.