Jetsettersblog

Ferry Crossings From £162 (Car Plus 4 One Way)
Drive onboard to cruise overnight with DFDS Seaways with a choice of crossings from either Newcastle to Amsterdam or Harwich to Esbjerg and get ready to relax while the children have fun in the kids club. Sit back with a glass of wine, enjoy some delicious food or watch a family film in your cabin. After a peaceful night’s sleep you’ll arrive refreshed and ready for the scenic drive to your onward destination.

Novasol Cottage holidays, departures from Newcastle and Harwich.

Whether you stay in a log cabin by a pine fringed German lake, in a traditional cottage in the Dutch countryside, or in a modern apartment on a white sandy Danish beach, a Novasol cottage holiday is perfect for families who like something a bit different. Choose from locations across Europe, and a cottage to suit your perfect requirements.

How to Book:

1. Book your accommodation
Book your Novasol Cottage via the DFDS Seaways’ website – www.dfds.co.uk/novasol

2. Book your ferry crossing with DFDS Seaways – save 10%
Sail from Newcastle to Amsterdam or Harwich to Esbjerg from £162 (usually £179) for a car plus 4 people one way. Book via the DFDS Seaways’ website – www.dfds.co.uk

For more information visit www.dfds.co.uk  or call 0871 882 0885

1st August will see the opening of Leora Beach, a brand new luxury oceanfront private property in Tamarin for rent on the west coast of Mauritius.

The property comprises of 12 x 3 bedroom apartments and 2 x 3 bedroom penthouses decorated in fresh contemporary style with all home comforts. Pool area beachside with large pool and eco-friendly pool decking, umbrellas and sun loungers as well as beach area with thatched beach umbrellas.

The west coast of Mauritius enjoys an all year round hot climate and the apartments are within a short distance of the golf courses of Tamarina, Le Paradis and Domaine de Bel Ombre. Local activities include snorkelling and whale watching from the apartments as well as water-sports and diving.

Ideal for families, golfers and corporate clients.

Accommodation

๏ 4 Beachfront (3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) 151m2
๏ 8 Premium (3 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) 130 m2
๏ 2 Penthouses (3 bedrooms all en-suite) 203 m2

Highlights

- generous sea facing bedrooms
- luxurious bathrooms
- free WIFI
- close to shops, bars and restaurants
- well positioned between 3x 18 hole golf courses
- fully equipped and professionally managed

“We are very excited at the opening of Leora Beach Apartments as the Tamarin and Black River area offers an excellent all year round climate, marvellous sunsets and so much to explore along the coast.” says co-founder Julie Gauthier

Special launch offer -40% from 01 August to 31 October 2011.

Website link:

http://www.villasdemaitre.com/hotelinfo.asp?SupplierID=1766

About Villas De Maitre

Villas De Maitre is a leading luxury private villa company providing access to some of the most beautiful and exceptional villas in Mauritius and Seychelles. Villas De Maitre directors personally inspect and evaluate each villa guaranteeing that passion for excellence and quality expected by their clients. As well as providing accommodation and destination information, Villas De Maitre can organise extra services to suit every client’s needs, whether these are chefs, nannies, catamaran trips or excursions.

Villas De Maitre, market leader in Mauritius luxury private villa rental, has over 17 years experience of representing some of the most exclusive private luxury villas on the islands.

A cruise through Provence with European Waterways aboard luxury 8-passenger hotel barge ‘Enchanté’ is like no other. After some Spring cruises along the 300-year-old Canal du Midi, she embarks in June on a series of delightful cruises throughProvence, known for its gorgeous climate and fine cuisine.

Passengers joining Enchanté for any of these 6 night cruises along the Canal du Rhône à Sete can be sure of a fascinating voyage of discovery, whichever itinerary they choose.

On theBeziersand Aigues Mortes cruise, they will visit Pezenas, home of the playwright Moliere and cruise through theCamargueNational Parkwith its wild horses and pink flamingoes.

On the Agde toAvignonroute, highlights will include a cruise across theThauBasin, an inland seawater lagoon full of oyster beds, and a tour of the impressive Palais des Papes inAvignonitself.

And on theAvignonto Marseillan voyage, there will be an excursion to see the amazing three-tiered Pont du Gard aqueduct built by the Romans, and a private wine tasting in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

To really make it a special cruise, throughout the week passengers will enjoy gourmet Provencale cuisine prepared by their onboard chef and fine local wines served by the attentive hostesses.

Prices for an all inclusive 6 night cruise aboard ‘Enchanté’ start from £3,300pp in an air-conditioned, en suite cabin, and from £23,500 for a full boat charter. The price includes gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, all excursions and local transfers.

European Waterways is the largest all-inclusive hotel barging company in Europe, offering 6-night/7-day cruises on its fleet of luxury hotel barges in France, Italy the UK and other countries.

The hotel barges accommodate between 4 and 20 passengers and are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those wanting a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

All the vessels are fully crewed with a Captain, gourmet chef, hostess and tour guide, with a private air-conditioned mini-bus taking passengers on excursions. There are well-planned and interesting daily itineraries that give passengers the opportunity to visit cultural and historical places of interest, vineyards and markets in each region.

Also available are tandem cruises for larger parties and a wide selection of themed cruises, such as wine appreciation, golf and even honeymoon charters.

Walking is now established as one of the main leisure pursuits for British holidaymakers visiting the Isle of Wight. Acknowledging this, the leading cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink (0871 376 1000* www.wightlink.co.uk ) reveals how visitors can find walks in wild areas of the Island in a new walking booklet, Wight Safaris, launched in advance of National Ferry Fortnight, which get underway.

Wight Safaris showcases eight adventure walks that provide leisure walkers with new ideas for exploring the Island’s unspoiled landscape of high downs, ancient woodland, interest-filled beaches and river estuaries using its extensive footpath network.

Each walk has a theme and a purpose. On the Wildlife Safari around Alverstone Mead nature reserve walkers are likely to see red squirrels and may spot the even rarer water vole. The Tree Safari traces a route to discover some of the Island’s best oak specimens and the Heritage Safari leads past the homes of celebrated Victorian writers and artists as well as unexpected prehistoric sites.

Explaining why the booklet has been called Wight Safaris, Wightlink’s Kerry Jackson said: “Although the word is most often associated with African game drives, the literal meaning of safari is ‘an overland expedition for exploring’. This makes it a particularly apt description for the new booklet, which focuses on the discoveries to be made in some of the Isle of Wight’s most attractive rural locations.

“Wight Safaris is about more than walking. It is all about what you see along the route – and what you see on one of our safaris is genuinely exciting, whether it’s the virtually extinct dormouse, a giant Californian redwood tree or a huge monolith.”

Wight Safaris provides an illustrated map together with detailed route instructions for each expedition and highlights discoveries to be made along the way – including short detours to points of interest. It also includes a selection of interesting places to visit en route in a ‘Time Out’ section and suggests ‘Pitstop’ pubs and picnic points along the way for light refreshments.

Wight Safaris is available free by calling 0871 376 1000 or to download from the Isle of Wight Guide & Events section of the Wightlink website at www.wightlink.co.uk/wightsafaris

Staying over:

Stay two nights on the Isle of Wight for the chance to try out two or three Wight Safaris walks. Departing on 30 May, a two night B&B break at Gotten Manor costs £116 per person (based on two sharing) including car ferry crossings from either Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington to Yarmouth.

In a day:
Hop across to the Isle of Wight on a money-saving Wightlink day return ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington to Yarmouth. Covering a car and up to four passengers, the Wightlink deal costs from £35.50 and is valid for travel after 9.25am on weekdays and any time at weekends.

We all need a Lads Night Out every now and again so why not do something different this time round and visit our beautiful Wales. This really is a night out with a difference with lots of real adventure, lots of fun and some great war stories to tell your mates.

This overnight package is based in a large forest in Mid Wales. Your instructors who are all ex British Soldiers will get the experience under way with a Tactical night Exercise.
The scenario involves you and your team navigating your way to an agent whilst avoiding capture from the enemy. To succeed in your mission you must work as a team and stay alert.
When the night exercise ends everyone will get together at base camp to enjoy a few beers and share stories from the nights adventures.

After a good nights sleep, a light breakfast will be laid on to energise you for the mornings activities of abseiling, orienteering and a raft race. Then everyone will get together again for the ‘Full Monty’ brunch before setting off for home.

1 night camping accommodation, tactical night exercise, orienteering, abseiling, raft race, evening meal and breakfast from £185 per person.

Are you looking for something to do with your family this summer that is off the beaten track and just a bit different from the usual beach holidays packed with thousands of people? Do you want stunning surroundings, good food and good fun?

The Dordogne Experience offer a fantastic (and unique) week rafting holiday on the Dordogne river for only £129 per person. You pick up a raft, tent and map from Argentat, the most northern town of the Dordogne that can be accessed by boats, and the rest of the holiday is up to you. There are no deadlines or to do lists, you can simply put up your feet and enjoy the natural beauty of the area whilst following the natural speed of the river.

The maps provided contain information of all the campsites along the river and you stop wherever you like. Visit the beautiful old river side towns of Argentat, Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne and Carennac. Eat out in an area famous for its gastronomic delights or buy fresh bread from a patisserie and picnic next to the river.

At the end of the week, you will be picked up from wherever you have got to and brought back to your car or dropped off at a bus or train station.

If you are not the camping type then there is also a hotel option for £649 per person.

For additional information or to book see http://www.dordogneexperience.com/rafting.htm for contact Jon and Rowena at earneys@hotmail.com  tel. 0033 555290885

Following its sell out season last year Faulty Towers The Dining Experience will be returning to the Restaurant Ship Hispaniola for a month long residency in October 2011.

The ship, permanently moored on Victoria Embankment, opposite the EDF Energy London Eye, offers a unique setting which allows guests to enter the legendary world of Faulty Towers.

Featuring all the best gags and a great meal, The Faulty Towers Dining Experience is a loosely-scripted, pitch-perfect tribute to the iconic TV series. Diners will be part of an interactive theatre experience, which will be performed in the restaurant itself with the audience as the diners and the cast their warring waiters.

The fun starts as guests wait to be seated, and it hurtles along for the next two hours as Sybil, Basil and Manuel serve a three-course dinner… Basil is completely neurotic, Sybil’s a domineering madam, and Manuel – of course – is hopelessly language-challenged. Everything that can go wrong, does, in some beautifully controlled chaos. Just don’t mention the war!

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has been touring Australia since 1997 and premiered in Europe in 2008 to huge public and critical acclaim. The London 2011 cast features: Alison Pollard-Mansergh as Sybil, Michael Davoren as Basil, and Andy Foreman as Manuel.

The show will run Tuesdays through to Sundays from the 4th to the 30th October 2011. Tickets cost £75 per person for the two hour show, which includes a three course meal.

For further information and to make a booking call 0207 839 3011 or email info@hispaniola.co.uk  A 20% discount is available if bookings are made online and via the Facebook page*.

Indus Tours, specialist tailor made tour operator to India with unsurpassed knowledge of Kashmir, has teamed up with the luxury hotel group Taj Hotels and Palaces to offer discerning travellers the ultimate Kashmir experience with their own taste of ‘Heaven on Earth’.

Cradled by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas with rich scented pine forests, wild flower strewn valleys and tranquil expansive stretches of lakes, Kashmir has captured the imagination of passing travellers, from Mughal emperors to ‘Days of the Raj’ British holidaymakers, with its entrancing natural beauty and temperate summer climate. Historically coined India’s ‘Heaven on Earth’, it still remains relatively untouched by mass tourism with diverse pockets of wildlife, impressive Mughal gardens, ancient monuments and a rich local culture just waiting to be explored.

Combining the best of tailor made touring and expert firsthand knowledge of the area with accommodation in Taj Hotels and Palaces’ newly opened ‘Vivanta By Taj – Dal View’, Indus Tours new programme sets the benchmark for travellers wanting to explore the hidden backwaters of this ancient land in complete comfort, style and luxury.

Opened on 17 April 2011 with breathtaking views over the Srinagar valley, stretching across Lake Dal to impressive mountain ranges, Yasin Zargar, Managing Director Indus Tours commented on Vivanta By Taj – Dal View: “Capturing the spirit of this magnificent setting with a contemporary design which makes use of local timber carvings and warm earthy colours, Vivanta By Taj provides the perfect new retreat for guests to immerse themselves in the allure of Kashmir.

“With the option to spend the day silently gliding across Lake Dal in a beautifully crafted Shikara*; scouting for Himalayan bears, leopard, marmots and the unique Hungal deer in the nearby Dachigam National Park; exploring the treasures of ancient historical sites and temples; teeing-off on one of the highest golf courses in the world or skiing untouched powder on the majestic Aparawat mountains, any excursion will be equally well rewarded back at Vivanta by Taj lazing with a traditional kahwa tea on the terrace, indulging in a relaxing Jiva spa treatment or savouring some exquisitely prepared authentic Kashmiri cuisine.”

With numerous attractions and activities to cover all the seasons – ranging from bird and wildlife watching, fishing, trekking, horse riding, water sports, golf, skiing and heli-skiing to spiritual tours, Indus Tours new programme has been designed to be completely flexible to cater for every individual customer’s needs no matter what time of year.

“With Kashmir formerly coined ‘Heaven on Earth’, our aim was to capture this sentiment in our new programme and pass it on to the customer for them to discover themselves.” Yasin added.

Recognising that travellers to Kashmir may also want to explore other areas of India, Indus Tours have also incorporated a selection of sample itineraries into their brochure combining Kashmir with excursions to other regions. These include:

In the Footsteps of the Mughals, an 11 day journey examining the magnificent legacy of the Mughal Emperors covering the Golden Triangle and Kashmir. Staying in Taj Hotels luxury properties in Delhi, Agra Jaipur and Srinagar, highlights include the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri built by the greatest of Mughal Emperors, Akbar; the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; Jaipur’s Amber Fort, Palace of the Winds, Astronomical Observatory and City Place Museum; and three nights in Kashmir visiting the Emperor Jehangir’s Shalimar Gardens, Nishat Bagh and the former hill station outpost of Gulmarg. From £1845.00 per person.

Vale of Kashmir and Little Tibet Ladakh, a 15 day journey through Kashmir and into the ancient Buddhist stronghold of Ladakh. The trip includes a night in Delhi’s luxurious Taj Palace Hotel; 5 nights at Vivanta by Taj – Dal View with excursions to Char Chinar Island and the floating gardens by ‘Shikara’ – a Kashmiri styled gondola, the ancient Mughal Gardens ‘the Shalimar’ and a full day’s excursion to the former hill station post of Gulmarg; 2 days travelling through the spectacular Sonamarg Valley and narrow high altitude mountain passes to ancient Buddhist monasteries; and 4 days in Leh visiting the Shankhar Gompa with it’s countless gold statues, imposing Thiksey Monastery and Leh’s colourful bazaar with a day excursion along the Nubra Road – the highest motorable road in the world. From £1980.00 per person.

Snow, Sun and Sea, a 14 day trip incorporating some of the best powder skiing in Kashmir’s Himalayan mountain resort of Gulmarg with the golden shores of Goa. Following 5 nights conquering the off-piste slopes on the Apaharwat mountains either by what was formerly the world’s highest gondola or a spot of heliskiing, return to Vivanta by Taj – Dal View for 3 nights of indulgence before heading the the sister property Vivanta by Taj – Holiday Village Goa for some sun, sand and surf. From £1780.00 per person.

In addition to organising individual itineraries for the Leisure Traveller, Indus Tours also specialises in organising Corporate and Group trips to the area.

For more details on Indus Tours, Kashmir and Vivanta by Taj – Dal View, please call
020 8901 7320, www.industours.co.uk

Reykjavik’s new and long-awaited Harpa Concert and Conference Centre will officially open on May 13. With its ideal geographical location between continental Europe and the United States, the centre has been developed to host international business, music and cultural events.

Harpa is made up of four main conference halls and several meeting rooms, the largest of which accommodates over 1,800 guests. These are all equipped with the most technologically advanced equipment and spacious exhibition and reception areas.

The centre is already proving to be popular with forward bookings until 2015 and among its first events are Reykjavik Arts Festival and a concert from English jazz pop sensation, Jamie Cullum.

With an impressive multi-faceted glass façade, Harpa mirrors Reykjavik city and Iceland’s dramatic mountainous landscape. This sleek, modern appearance was designed by renowned Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Henning Larsen.

Additional amenities include restaurants and bars overlooking Reykjavik harbour, a ground-floor bistro, catering services and parking facilities.

www.harpa.is

For a limited time ONLY, book a minimum five night stay on one of Australia’s most luxurious properties – Lizard Island – and receive complimentary return flights to Lizard Island from Cairns for two adults valued at £720*(A$1,100.00) per couple. Bookings must be made by 30 June for travel up until 18 December 2011.

Great Barrier reef’s most northern island resort, Lizard Island’s divine turquoise bays, with its 24 powdery white sand beaches surrounded by fringing reefs, are renowned for their clarity and amazing variety of coral species and marine life. Award-winning, luxurious and a constant favourite in the world’s ‘best’ lists, the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island offers a spectacular start to any stay with breathtaking views of colourful coral heads and azure seas including frequent sightings of migrating whales at different times throughout the year.

Lizard Island starts from £553.57/person/night in an Anchor Bay Suite based on twin share including all meals, French Champagne and Premium Australian Wines and the use of non-motorised watersports & motorised dinghies.

Bookable through Tailor Made Travel on 0845 – 456 8050, www.tailor-made.co.uk  

www.lizardisland.com.au