Jetsettersblog

Sea Kayak Adventures is offering four- to six-day guided kayak trips in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez from Oct. 25 through May 2, 2012.

The packages enable clients to explore the Baja peninsula in two-person kayaks in the winter gathering place of blue whales, and among pods of dolphins guided by marine biologist guides, occasionally paddling alongside bus-size whales as they surface and sink mere yards from the kayak.

Guests also explore the area’s islands on foot, snorkel in Mexico’s newest national marine park (Loreto Bay National Marine Park), also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend nights under the stars camping on secluded beaches in personal dome tents. Loreto is the site of the first mission in all the Californias, built by Jesuits in 1697, still in use today as a Catholic cathedral open to visitors. Sleepy Loreto is truly the Un-Cabo of Baja.

These all-inclusive tours include kayaks and instruction, all gear, sleeping bags, camping supplies, all meals at camp, two nights at a Loreto hotel and airport transfer for prices starting at $895, featuring an outdoor island happy hour, complete with hors d’oeuvres and margaritas each day at sunset. Air fare is extra.

Excursions are limited to 13 guests.

No prior kayaking experience is necessary; all gear is provided. The company offers an extra one- to three-day gray whale adventure in Magdalena Bay on Baja’s Pacific coast each February and March.

Participants will get the chance to get eyeball to eyeball to gray whales in quiet lagoons. Cost is $150 for full-day tour including snacks and lunch, to $995 for five-day tour. Air fare is not included. Also not included are gratuities, meals in town, and $25 national park fee. Travelers aged 8 to 17 receive a 10 percent discount.

For more information or reservations, call 800-616-1943 or visit www.seakayakadventures.com

The Thinking Traveller’s Think Sicily is a source for four- and five-star luxury villas in Sicily, including aristocratic homes and family villas. The Thinking Traveller started in 2002 with Think Sicily, and over the past decade has gained the reputation in the luxury rental villa market, expanding their reach with Think Puglia in 2009.

Think Sicily looks after 90 exclusive villas across the region. Think Puglia specializes in the most desirable villas in Puglia, in the heel of Italy on the Salento peninsula. Readers of Condé Nast Traveller voted Think Sicily their favorite villa rental company in the world. For more information, call 800-490-1107 or visit www.thinksicily.com 

Unique On-Board Experiences to Include Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo’s Book Reading, Scott Shriner Renewing Couples’ Wedding Vows, Brian Bell’s Movie Night, Pat Wilson’s Shuffleboard Tournament, and Jam Room
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Music Festival-at-Sea to Feature Performances from Weezer, Dinosaur Jr. and special guests Sebadoh, Gene Ween, Wavves, and Many More

The Weezer Cruise, curated by Grammy® Award-winning group Weezer sets sail this January 19-23, 2012 from Miami to an “island in the sun,” Cozumel, Mexico. The music festival-at-sea, which features Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Gene Ween and Dave Dreiwitz, Wavves, The Antlers, Yuck, Free Energy, Boom Bip, J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, Keepaway, Ozma, The Nervous Wreckords, The Knocks, Sleeper Agent, and Yacht Rock Revue, has announced the first batch of onboard activities and more special pricing options.

To celebrate the upcoming Cruise, Weezer created this Love Boat parody video.

Besides checking out the performances on four stages through the day and night aboard the Carnival Destiny, cruisers will also get a rare chance to see their favorite musicians off-stage as well. Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo is set to do a reading from the Pinkerton Diaries. Brian Bell will host p.j.s and robes “Movie Night,” Pat Wilson will host a shuffleboard tournament, and Scott Shriner will lead couples through wedding vow renewals. Attendees can also participate in fun themed activities such as an “Ugly Sweater Night,” “Weezer Karaoke,” and more.

For those feeling a little more competitive, there will be bingo, “Weezer Team Trivia,” a cannonball and belly-flop contest, plus a flip cup tournament. Weezer will also hold a Q&A session.

A continually updated list of cruise activities can be found at

www.theweezercruise.com/event/onboard

Between the many shows taking place on the four stages around the ship, Weezer fans will have the opportunity to see the band play both The Blue Album and Pinkerton in their entirety.

If that’s not enough, attendees will be able to vote on songs they will hear. Already appearing in the rarities set, Weezer will for the first time ever play the song “Tragic Girl” and, for the first time since 1997, play “Mykel and Carli.”

As a thank you for all those onboard for coming, all attendees will get their photos taken with Weezer during the cruise.

When not rocking out, enjoying one of the myriad of themed events, or going on “pub crawls,” fans can take in the ship’s amenities like a massage in the spa, riding the water slide, or ordering from the 24-hour free room service menu.

After a day-and-a-half at sea, guests have the option of spending their Saturday soaking up the sun on Cozumel’s beaches before returning to sailing the Caribbean for more music and fun.

Based on fan feedback, Weezer and their cruise partner, Sixthman, have set up special 4-pack pricing. Now, fans and their three closest friends (or family members) can jump onboard for a price of just $499 per person. Click here for more detailed pricing information. All that is needed is $299, at the time of booking, to join the biggest Weezer party the seven seas have ever seen. Due to popular demand for single rooms, Sixthman has introduced the “Independent Traveler Program.” For more details, visit http://www.sixthman.net/about/itp

NAIROBI, Kenya– Kenya is the ideal setting for a romantic, pull-out-all-the-stops honeymoon for couples that dream of experiencing Kenya’s wildlife, luxury wilderness accommodation, and fascinating culture.

Bush and Beyond offers customized, luxury honeymoon and romantic itineraries for newlyweds or couples who want to take a once in a lifetime Kenya vacation and offers a selection of accommodation options thoughout Kenya, from the otherworldly Chyulu Hills in Southern Kenya and stunning Northern Kenya, as well as the famed Masai Mara.

For something extra special, the luxurious ol Donyo Lodge lies in the foothills of the Chyulu Range, halfway between Tsavo and Amboseli 300,000 acres of communal, Maasai-owned land, which is also part of the Amboseli eco-system.

The open plains, rolling Chyulu Hills, and snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro invoke images of Africa as it was in the earlier part of the last century–abundant game and Masaai herdsmen living as nature intended in this unspoiled corner of Kenya.

The lodge consists of eight luxurious cottages, five of which have their own pools and a beautiful, centrally positioned dining room.

All rooms have their own rooftop “star-beds” spot where guests can enjoy dramatic views over the plains and onto Kilimanjaro.

More adventurous guests have the option to sleep on the star beds to enjoy a night sleeping under the stars. http://www.bush-and-beyond.com/olDonyoLodge.htm

Boutique Caymanian Hotel Offers a Complimentary Dinner Prepared By a Personal Chef With a Four-Night Reservation

Grand Cayman – Stay four nights at boutique Cotton Tree, November 23-26, 2011, and say thanks for a bounty of luxurious blessings—and a taste of traditional Caymanian hospitality. The resort’s “Thanksgiving Special” invites holiday travelers to relish indulgent sanctuary in a charming, pastel-hued cottage, and an equally sumptuous complimentary dinner, specially prepared by the resort’s personal chef.

Cotton Tree is the Cayman Islands’ first cottage hotel, where authentic Caribbean character also comes with a full spate of modern comforts and covetable proximity to the very best of a world-class port of call. Romantically situated amid lush grounds, and located just steps from shimmering Caribbean seas, Cotton Tree is minutes removed but world’s away from the crowds of Grand Cayman and its world-famous Seven Mile Beach.

Amenities of the “Thanksgiving Special” at this inspired outpost include:

- Upscale accommodation in a Caymanian-inspired beach cottage, featuring comfortable living spaces, a spa bathroom and fully equipped kitchen, a plasma TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi, local calls, and daily housekeeping services;

- The option of booking a soothing spa treatment in an open-air pavilion surrounded by seagrape trees and perfumed with a fragrant infusion of island scents and wafts of calming ocean breezes;

- A pre-stocked selection of regular and decaffeinated coffee, bottled water, tea, milk, sugar, orange juice, and assorted cereals);

- Access to and the use of a swimming pool; fitness center, yoga, and bicycles; a media library of books, music and DVDs; recreational activities including water sports, hiking, biking, and bird-watching; cultural diversions, on-site art and culinary classes; and

- One-way airport transfers.

Concierge, in-cottage catering, sommelier, and wedding and business services all are available to those seeking to further customize a personalized holiday.

Rates for the “Thanksgiving Special,” which is valid for a November 23-26, 2012 reservation, start at $890.00 US per night (excluding 10% government tax). Cotton Tree is available for property takeovers but closes in September of every year. Smoking is not permitted in cottages or near pool area.

For more information about Cotton Tree or to make a reservation, visit www.caymancottontree.com  When booking the Thanksgiving Special, please mention code CT375.

About Cotton Tree:

The Cayman Islands’ new luxury hideaway, Cotton Tree, on the northernmost point of Grand Cayman (just 10 minutes from the famed Seven Mile Beach), beautifully evokes the spirit of the Cayman Islands with its pastel-hued, plantation-style cottages just steps from the Caribbean Sea and lush garden setting of tropical flowers and avocado, guava, mango and cotton trees for which the hotel was named. Owner Heather Lockington, a global traveler who was born in the Cayman Islands, built her dream property in West Bay, creating an authentic haven where guests could embrace Caymanian heritage. Four 1,600 square foot two-bedroom beachfront cottages resemble fully equipped houses featuring “Caribbean chic” décor, classic contemporary furnishings, French doors overlooking the sea, plasma TVs, state-of-the-art Kitchen Aid appliances, and more. Additional amenities include a freshwater swimming pool, fitness center and yoga and spa pavilions nestled among seagrape trees, perfect for a sunset massage. A personal chef can whip up gourmet meals accompanied by wines chosen by a sommelier, or Cotton Tree is a quick drive to Grand Cayman’s best restaurants. Hotel services such as a reception/concierge, bellhop, housekeeping and turndown on request are also featured.

BOZEMAN, Mont.–This Montana Downhill Ski Clinic , offered by veteran women’s adventure travel company, AdventureWomen, Inc., gives women the chance to learn the ins and outs of downhill skiing while basking in Montana’s stunning beauty. Highlights include expert women ski instructors leading small group lessons as well as guided afternoon skiing runs. Video critiques are also included and constructively help you improve your day to day downhill skiing skills while building confidence. From beginner to advanced skier, women learn to ski or improve their skiing skills in a non-competitive atmosphere with top-notch instructors, luxury single room accommodations, and more. www.adventurewomen.com 

Jan 29-Feb 4, 2012. $2595 ($600 Deposit) .

The Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif., has joined Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The hotel, once an ocean liner that is now docked permanently, is one of more than 235 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

Built in Clydebank, Scotland, the Queen Mary set sail on its maiden voyage in May 1936.

The ship was drafted into service for the Allied Forces during World War II and was restored as a passenger ship after the war. In October 1967, the ship set sail on its last voyage to its new permanent home in Long Beach.

For more information, call 800-437-2934 or visit www.queenmary.com

Travoca is offering four- to 10-day cruise extensions that can be tacked on to cruises on Seabourn, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Cunard and other lines.

The tours use private guides, private air-conditioned cars and luxury hotels.

Travcoa’s cruise extensions are available at the ports of Barcelona, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Rome, Venice, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Buenos Aires and Sydney.

These four- to 10-day land packages are priced from $1,095 per person and can be combined with virtually any cruise date and embarkation or disembarkation port.

To learn more, Travcoa is operating a webinar on Oct. 5.

To register, visit

www.travcoa.com/travel-agents.

For more information, call 800-992-2003 or visit

www.travcoa.com/ports

BAR HARBOR, Maine- Ever wonder why there are fewer stars in the night sky?

The cause of our changing skies is light pollution due to the rapid development of urban centers. On the coast of Maine the town of Bar Harbor is working to protect this magnificent natural resource and showcases their stunning night skies during the 3rd Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival.

This year’s festival will run from September 22-26 officially kicking off with a lecture from Dr. H John Wood titled “Fifteen years of astounding images from Hubble.”.

The festival blends science and art through a variety of events. Families will love learning about our galaxy at Picnic with the Planets, an outdoor showing of Wall-E, and at Star Parties at Seawell and Cadillac Mountain.

Other events around the festival include sidewalk telescoping with volunteer astronomers, night sky photography workshops, celestial navigation aboard a special night-time marine cruise, piano concerts, guest lectures, and sunrise at Cadillac Mountain.

This year the Acadia Night Sky Festival will also celebrate our the Milky Way’s biggest star with Celebrations of the Sun and roof top solar gazing.

The skies are our gateways to the universe and the town of Bar Harbor is working to protect these gateways for future generations.

For more information about Bar Harbor and the Acadia Night Sky Festival visit www.barharborinfo.com.
www.acadianightskyfestival.com

Beautiful but deadly,

HOPKINS, Belize- The Caribbean and Atlantic are being overtaken by the invasive lionfish due to introduction by the aquarium industry, their lack of natural predators and voracious appetites.

To protect the reefs and ecosystems in these waters, Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort in central Belize has begun offering a Lionfish Spear fishing Adventure.

After a briefing describing the issue and how to hunt lionfish, scuba divers are taken out for a two-tank trip to the Southern Barrier Reef with a private Dive master.

The first dive focuses on locating the fish and identifying its habitat.

The Dive master demonstrates how to safely spear and capture the lionfish. At the surface divers learn to clean the fish which is later used on the dinner table; lionfish are considered delicacies.

During the second dive participants deemed ready will be allowed to try to spear a lionfish. Divers must be careful to avoid the poisonous spines jutting out of the lionfish.

After a day of diving, guests return to Hamanasi to enjoy the fruits of the day’s labor and relax by the pool or in private tree houses.

www.hamanasi.com