Jetsettersblog

The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has enhanced the weddings section of www.AmeliaIsland.com, adding valuable information and functionality. Brides can easily find up-to-date information on venues, flowers, wedding planners, catering and more, and can submit a request for information from vendors directly through the CVB site.

In addition to the new planning tools, several Amelia Island accommodations, including The Addison on Amelia; Amelia by Sea; the Amelia Hampton Inn at the Beach; Amelia Hotel at the Beach; Amelia Island Williams House; Fairbanks House Bed and Breakfast; the Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach; the newly re-opened Hoyt House; Omni Amelia Island Plantation; The Residence Inn by Marriott; and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island are offering wedding packages.

For more information, including a full list of wedding accommodations and venues on Amelia Island, visit www.ameliaisland.com/weddings

VIA Rail Canada is offering a series of summer packages that include a number of destinations and adventures, including viewing the thousands of beluga whales that swim up Churchill River in Northern Manitoba or watching the rise and fall of the tides of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.

A Thousand Islands Cruises, from May through October, features Kingston and the Thousand Islands, from $264, double occupancy.

For information, contact International Weekend Tours at 800-422-2294 or visit VIA’s train package website at www.trainpackages.ca

The Churchill Summer Explorer is a seven-day, six-night tour offered in July or August departing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and traveling by VIA Rail Canada to the shores of Hudson Bay and the Town of Churchill.

The package includes roundtrip rail journey in a private cabin/room; two nights at a hotel in Churchill; transfers from the train station to the hotel; and, the highlight, a beluga whale watching and historic Fort Prince of Wales tour.

The package also includes a guided tour of the Hudson Bay Coast and the town of Churchill, viewing wildlife, the flora and fauna of the Tundra and learning about the area’s history.

Starting rate for this package is $1,643, double occupancy.

For more information, call Rail Travel Tours at 866-704-3528 or visit www.railtraveltours.com.

By Rail and Road: Quebec City, Nova Scotia & PEI is a comprehensive seven-night tour of Halifax where traveling by rail and car adds to the sense of relaxing, unhurried travel.

The package begins with a stay in historic Québec City, followed by a journey on board VIA Rail’s Ocean, where travelers can enjoy the stunning vista in the comfort of a private bedroom.

Stay two nights in Halifax and explore the city and travel along the coast to Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg. The price starts at $1,989, double occupancy. For more information, contact Cartan Tours at 800-422-7826 or visit www.cartantours.com .

For more information on VIA Rail Canada’s services and promotions, or to take advantage of hot summer deals and book a trip with VIA Rail, call 888-VIA-RAIL (888-842-7245) or visit www.viarail.ca

JetBlue Airways has begun daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International (LAX) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) airports.

To celebrate the new service, JetBlue is offering a special $149 fare each way, for travel before June 25.

“We love the Hollywood-to-Hollywood connection,” said Hollywood, Fla., Mayor Peter Bober.

Customers traveling into Fort Lauderdale can find seamless connecting service onwards to Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Why this trip: First and only orca preserve in the world; best single time and place in the world to paddle with salmon-eating orcas; sheltered waters and quick tour perfect for novice paddlers; orcas guaranteed in August – or you get a free orca watching day cruise!

TELEGRAPH COVE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA –

Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc.invites outdoor-minded folks to join its new four-day guided paddling trips Aug 15-18 and Sept 4-7, 2011 through the wilds of British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait off northern Vancouver Island.

The company is now rounding its offerings to novice kayakers by adding this new “Orca Quick Adventure” four-day tour to its repertoire of six-day kayak tours in the area. This narrow sheltered orca freeway is world renowned for its summer congregations of hundreds of “killer whales” following the salmon runs funneled from the sea into this specific area.

In fact, Canada is the first and only country in the world to establish and maintain an orca preserve there.

The Michael Biggs Robson Bight Orca Preserve is set aside specifically for this unique species called “northern resident orcas”.

Participants will paddle two-person sea kayaks through the glacier-carved waterways between Vancouver Island and the rugged mountains of mainland British Columbia.

Along the way, they’ll get close to wild orcas, as the strait is a traditional gathering place for these whales. Guides scan the calm waters for spouts and point out whale behavior.

Bald eagles dot the towering trees along the shore, feasting as do the orcas on the prolific salmon runs here.

The group will also explore the area’s rainforest on foot, visit the ancient First Nations sites, visit orca researchers and hopefully glimpse a black bear from their kayaks.

Each night, they’ll camp on secluded island beaches where they can watch orcas from their tents.

Normally trips depart from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island BC Canada – weekly July through mid Sept (four or six days paddling; USD $1195 or $1450/person). The prices includes camping and kayaking equipment, meals, kayaking instruction and guide services. Youth get 10% of the above prices. HST tax and airfare not included.

For further information contact Sea Kayak Adventures, tel. (800) 616-1943, or access their web site at www.seakayakadventures.com

LARAMIE, Wyo.;–Nestled in the shadows of the Snowy Range Mountains along the banks of the Little Laramie River, the Vee Bar Guest Ranch has a rich history that stretches back over a hundred years, and travelers who want to celebrate the 4th of July with a little slice of classic Americana can do it “Old West style” while visiting the Vee Bar for their annual Independence Day Jubilee.

The fun begins with trail riding, river tubing, fishing, and hiking early in the week.

Later in the week, guests will be able to team-pen cattle, move some 400 cows and calves from one pasture to another, campout, and ride in the mountains, just like the cowboys of the Old West.

On the first evening, local musicians perform music to dance to, while the celebration continues. Dance until dark and celebrate the Fourth with an assortment of fireworks right on the ranch.

Fire in the Sky begins on the Fourth with a concert in the evening and a great fireworks display afterwards.

The event kicks off Jubilee Days, Laramie’s hometown rodeo, and a week of festivities.

The highlight of the week for many, however, is the Vee Bar’s legendary horseback riding program.

Horseback riding is the quintessential cowboy activity and by far the best way to see new country.

What sets the Vee Bar’s horseback riding program apart is that guests are assigned one horse for the week so they have the opportunity to bond with their horse. Their horseback riding program is diverse to suit the needs of everybody in the group, and riders are not asked to ride head to tail in an uninspiring line and loping rides are offered.

Dates: July 3rd-July 9th, 2011.

www.veebar.com

KAMPALA, Uganda— Volcanoes Safaris, a company that specializes in gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda recently announced special offers on 2011 gorilla safaris.

Having a close encounter with gorillas in the wild is truly a life-changing, once in a lifetime experience.

Staying at one of Volcanoes Safaris’ own ecolodges near Africa’s gorilla national parks gives travelers the opportunity to enjoy this awe-inspiring journey at a lower price with these special offers:

25% Discount at Volcanoes Safaris’ Mount Gahinga Lodge

This cozy lodge tucked underneath Uganda’s volcanoes is the ideal base for some of the most stunning hiking trails in Africa.

Climb a volcano, track the golden monkey, or take the Batwa Trail into the forest, in the evenings relax by the fireside and enjoy the peace of this beautiful lodge.

Guests who book travel to Mount Gahinga Lodge between November 1st through December 15th will receive a 25% discount.

Offer available through July 1st, 2011.

25% Discount At Volcanoes Safari’s Bwindi Lodge

Bwindi Lodge overlooks the lush Bwindi “Impenetrable” Forest, and often plays host to the Rushegura group of gorillas who often come to feed in the gardens, making it an ideal place for gorilla encounters.

Other highlights include waterfall hikes, guided nature walks, community walks and involvement, and more.

Guests who book travel to Bwindi Lodge between March 1st –May 31st and November 1st through December 15th will receive a 25% discount.

Offer available through July 1st, 2011.

For more information, visit

www.volcanoessafaris.com

Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat Khaki, L – With no-see-um netting to hold off the bugs, the Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat is an ideal choice for mosquito protection when you’re camping in buggy environments. The netting on the Bug Bucket Hat seals around your neck with a drawcord and stuffs into the crown when not in use. Made with UPF 30+ SolarSheild fabric, this Outdoor Research hat also keeps the sun from burning your head and neck. The Bug Bucket hat stuffs into a hidden pocket, allowing it to stow easily when not in use.

PORTLAND, ME.–On this new bike tour by Summer Feet Cycling, travelers spend three days exploring the seaside towns of Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Arundel, and Cape Porpoise – collectively known as The Kennebunks.

These towns are saturated in maritime history, from times of salty sea captains, to a thriving ship building industry, and the fisherman who for centuries have made a living off the coast’s rich marine resources.

Today, the stately homes of the sea captains are welcoming B&Bs; boat building is still present, including a boat building school just four miles from town; and many a locals make their living on the sea as lobstermen and fishermen.

Highlights of this tour include enjoying culinary delights like feasting on lobster caught by one of Kennebunkport’s own lobstermen, exploring Maine’s rocky coastline from the comfort of a bike, taking an evening sailing trip aboard the Schooner Eleanor, getting an up close and personal experience with the history and culture of this area, and much more.

Dates: September 16-18, 2011.

Cost: $975 per person ($200 single supplement).

Hybrid Bike Rental: $60. Road Bike Rental: $80. Two mileage options are available.

www.summerfeet.net

Join a Trip with Other Families and Enjoy the Savings

Spend valuable time together and create lasting memories while traveling as a family this summer.

The leader in family travel, Thomson Family Adventures, offers the unique experience of traveling with another family that can be closely matched to your own, giving travelers the opportunity to create lasting friendships and travel companions.

The value of being able to travel with other families just like you and save money is unbeatable! How does it work?

First, many families like to select trips with kids of similar ages and sexes, pick a trip that interests you and has children of a similar age.

Second, if the number of people listed joins the trip then everyone gets the large group discount mentioned.

Thomson Family Adventures knows that in these times every bit helps and that is why they want to pass along the savings to valued clients when the groups get larger. Why does it work?

The shared costs of guides, drivers, vehicles etc. go down on a per person basis as the group gets larger. This isn’t a sales gimmick. It is for real.

The large group discounts go into effect when signing up for one of the departure dates that already have families on board.

Join one of these family adventures and enjoy the savings!

China: Great Wall, Guilin & Giant Pandas

June 25th – Save $500 per person

There are 7 boys – 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14 (yes 2 sets of twins)

Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure

July 23rd – a family of 2 would save $75 per person, a family of 3 or more would save $150 per person.

Boys 13 & 15; Girls 10 & 13

China: Great Wall, Guilin & Giant Pandas

July 23rd – Save $250 per person

Girls 11 & 13

Turkey: Secrets of Turkey

July 23rd – Save $300 per person

Boy 12, Girls 10 & 11

For over 10 years, Thomson Family Adventures has worked with families to develop truly unique experiences that engage, entertain and educate young and old alike.

With adventures ranging from learning photography lessons in Ecuador to trips designed specifically for parents and teens, Thomson understands what brings families together.

To learn more about adventure opportunities and rates, contact Thomson Family Adventures at 800-262-6255, or visit www.familyadventures.com

FRANKFORT, KY–The Land Between the Lakes, a National Recreation Area, offers adventure travelers ample of summer fun with activities like hiking, more than 100 miles of horseback riding trails, wildlife viewing areas of the buffalo herds, tours of historic sites, and much more. Discover the best that the Land Between the Lakes has to offer with these adventures:

Wildlife Viewing: Wildlife enthusiasts will love seeing Kentucky wildlife in their natural habitat. Learn more about Kentucky’s wildlife at Elk and Bison Prairie, Woodlands Nature Station, South Bison Range, Hematite Lake, Honker Bay, and Long Creek Trail

The Homeplace: Visit a working history farm with interpreters where families can watch typical chores and learn how they were done back in the early 1800’s.

Water Sports: Water sports abound around the two great lakes of Kentucky. Take your family fishing, boating, skiing, or learn how to sail as a family:

Grand Rivers Lighthouse Landing Sailing School : Take sailing lessons as a family, receive ASA American Sailing Association certification and your children will become certified as a crew.

A great bonding experience on Kentucky Lake.

Horseback riding horse rentals at Kentucky Dam Village and Wranglers Camp at LBL where families enjoy the hitting the trail early morning or late afternoon wildlife viewing.

For more information about The Land Between The Lakes, visit www.lbl.org  For Kentucky fishing tournaments visit www.fishshootouts.net

JUNEAU, Alaska -Juneau is set to host an exciting inaugural event this summer — the 1st Annual Taste of Juneau Food and Music Festival — taking place June 11-12, 2011.

Experience this exciting new event which will transform Savikko Park into a village of tents and stages, each presenting something different that captures the unique talents of this Alaskan community.

With several local acts, dance groups, eating contests, chefs, artists and activities, there will be plenty of entertainment to last the entire weekend.

The festival will also feature a nationally known musical artist (soon to be announced), Seattle rock band “Hairmageddon,” as well as the Seattle pop band “Shoreline Drive,” whose lead singer Devin Damitio is from Juneau.

Back-to-back performances will beguile your eyes and ears while local chefs tickle your taste buds and compete grilling Iron Chef-style for the winning dish.

This culinary and music festival has something for everyone and is certain to create a long-standing tradition in Juneau.

Tickets are FREE for 18 and under, and $20 for adults.

This will include 5 tickets for free “Tastes” from various food vendors.

Additional Taste coupons can be purchased for $1.

For more information and a free Juneau vacation guide online at www.traveljuneau.com  or call 888-581-2201.