Jetsettersblog

Redding, CALIF – No passport is needed to walk across the world’s largest sundial, to visit the world’s largest fly fishing retailer, to see all four types of the world’s volcanoes, to be astounded by a waterfall Teddy Roosevelt called the eighth wonder of the world and to fish in what anglers have rated the third-best tail waters (coming from a dam) on Earth. These wonders are all found in or near Redding, in northeast California.

Redding has long been a place travelers stopped on their way north and south along Interstate 5. For many years, it supplied the region’s mining, ranching and timber industries, though increasingly it has become a recreational base from which to enjoy the vast Shasta Cascade region.

Redding’s iconic landmark is Sundial Bridge. Designed by world-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava, Sundial Bridge provides a crossing for walkers and cyclists over the Sacramento River in midtown Redding. At 217 feet in height and facing due north, the bridge’s spire serves as the gnomon of an actual working sundial, which curiously provides accurate time on only one day of the year. But of course, time keeping isn’t the bridge’s main attraction. On balmy summer evenings, locals and visitors gather to stroll across the bridge’s glass deck, which is illuminated and glows aqua blue. The experience is magical.

Surrounding Sundial Bridge is Turtle Bay Exploration Park, a complex of art, history and nature museums, a children’s discovery museum and the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens which features plantings from the world’s Mediterranean climates. Sundial Bridge connects the Sacramento River Trail, one of America’s newest national recreation trails, across the surging Sacramento River.

The Sacramento River Trail is easily walked or cycled from Turtle Bay to Shasta Dam along 16 miles of paved bike path. Many cyclists choose to begin with a free tour of Shasta Dam, then ride downhill along the river to Redding. Either way, it’s an easy ride. Of course, once at Shasta Lake, you may wish to take in its impressive views of snowcapped Mt. Shasta or go fishing or play on its clear blue waters.

Considered to be the Houseboating Capital of the World, Shasta Lake has more houseboats on it than any other body of water. The houseboats at Shasta range in size from small boats perfect for a couple or small family, to the cruise ships of inland waters, carrying its passengers in private staterooms with satellite TV, wine bars, rooftop hot tubs, two galleys, even a tube styled water slide for play on the lake.

A slower pace is experienced at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, minutes west of Redding, where kayaking, sailing and fishing are popular. Hikes through green forests to hidden waterfalls make for popular outings. East of Redding is Burney Falls, once described as the eighth wonder of the world by President Teddy Roosevelt. A river of water emerges in thousands of waterfalls from its basalt cliffs from which ferns sprout.

A bit south of MacArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is Lassen Volcanic National Park, one of four national parks in the region. All four of the world’s types of volcanoes can be seen at Lassen Volcanic. The park’s most popular hike is to the top of a volcano, Lassen Peak, though easier hikes lead to steaming fumeroles, bubbling mud pots, spurting geysers and other geologic wonders.

Did we mention fishing? There’s a reason the world’s largest fly retailer, The Fly Shop is located in Redding. The fishing here is world class. The Sacramento River running through Redding is considered by anglers to be the third best tail water (coming from a dam) on Earth and lakes and streams across the region are legendary for their rainbow trout, steelhead trout, salmon and bass.

If you were to travel the world to find similar adventures, you’d need a passport, but not here. It’s all near Redding, the second sunniest city in America. Find more online at www.visitredding.com

Festival sARTée, Ringling International Arts Festival, and Anna Maria Island’s ArtsHOP Entertain

BRADENTON, Fla. – The second annual Festival sARTée (sar-tay) 2011, running concurrently with the Ringling International Arts Festival 2011 (RIAF), delivers a vibrant lineup of spectacular local, national and international arts and cultural acts to the Bradenton and Sarasota areas in October 2011. Rounding out the area’s impressive fall arts season is Anna Maria Island’s fifth annual ArtsHOP cultural weekend, November 11-13.

Festival sARTée is a 16-day festival held October 8-23, featuring more than 50 theater, opera, cultural, visual arts, film and dance events. Highlights include “The Sound of Music” performances at the award-winning Manatee Players in Bradenton, October 8 and 9; ArtSlam 2011, a juried public outdoor art competition in Downtown Bradenton, October 15; and the Enviro-Art Competition Dinner at Ortygia Ristorante in the Village of the Arts, where attendees decide the results of a five-month long natural/recycled art competition on October 21. For a complete listing of events, visit www.sartee.com.

Presented by festival organizers the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Baryshnikov Arts Center, the Ringling International Arts Festival 2011 is in its third year, and will be held at the Ringling Center for the Arts in Sarasota. Held October 11-16, this festival features contemporary and innovative dance, musical and theatrical works by established and emerging artists, including headlining acts from Europe, and North and South America. The opening night kicks off with the energizing sights and sounds of New York City’s Asphalt Orchestra, followed by more than 45 festival stage productions over the course of the festival. Highlights include Doug Elkins & Friends’ “Fräulein Maria”, a dance production based on “The Sound of Music”, “HAMLET” performed by The Wooster Group, and a performance by Meklit Hadero, an Ethiopian-born singer likened to Norah Jones. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ringlingartsfestival.org.

Anna Maria Island Cultural Connection’s fifth annual arts and cultural weekend, ArtsHOP, kicks off November 11 with an Island-Wide Gallery Walk featuring local island-style art, live demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Running through November 13, ArtsHOP activities include a performance of “Charles Lindberg – The Lone Eagle” from the Island Players Friday and Saturday evenings; a Traditional Small Maritime Craft Show on historic Pine Avenue in Anna Maria; A Little Autumn B&B classical music performance by the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra; and weekend-long Anna Maria Island Butterfly Garden Arts and Crafts Fair in Holmes Beach. For more information, visit www.islandartshop.com.

About Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key
Located between Sarasota and Tampa Bay on Florida’s southwest coast, Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key, and their coastal companions, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, are treasured for their authentic Old Florida charm, breath-taking scenery, funky dining and shopping districts, and miles of sugar-white sands. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Manatee County, Florida. Tourism is Manatee County’s leading industry, employing nearly 18,000 residents, generating a direct annual economic impact of more than $470 million in the local economy and producing more than $6 million in bed-tax collections in 2010. For more information, call (941) 729-9177, ext. 243 or visit www.AMILBK.com . We also invite you to follow us on Facebook at “Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key” and Twitter @VisitBradenton.

14 Days Spent Exploring Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland
Tweet: @AdventureCenter Promotes Award-Winning Arctic Adventure – 14 Days Exploring Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland; www.adventurecenter.com

New York, NY – Combining three of the Arctic’s remote islands into a single expedition has garnered “Three Arctic Islands: Triple the Adventure” worthy attention from National Geographic Traveler – naming it as one of 2011′s “50 Tours of a Lifetime.” The 14-day exploration cruise, promoted by Adventure Center, offers a rare view of one of the world’s remaining unspoiled regions as it journeys between Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland. Center stage is an expansive array of stunning scenery, from glaciers to icebergs to flower-covered tundra, as well as wildlife that begs to be photographed — polar bears, walrus, arctic fox, ringed and harp seals, beluga and bowhead whales and thousands of sea birds. Fares for the Aug. 9 and 21, 2012, departures range from $6,390 to $11,990 per person, double.

To land on National Geographic Traveler’s prestigious list, an expedition must be designed for experience, immersion, sustainability and a cultural connection. Each of these three islands fit that possibility on their own – combined in a single package makes it truly impressive. In Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, located above the Arctic Circle, the population of more than 4,500 polar bears makes it one of the best places in the world for sightings. Two days are spent exploring the west coast with its glacier fronts, steep-walled fjords and midnight sun as well as a visit to Ny-Alesund, the world’s northernmost settlement. Greenland is the center of the climate change discussion – with lengthening summers and glaciers that are sending out icebergs at an ever-increasing rate. Visits to the ancient Thule settlements are capped with a sailing through the stunning Scoresbysund, considered one of the world’s most beautiful fjord systems. After traversing the Denmark Strait, the ship stops in Iceland’s Westman Islands, named for the Irishmen enslaved by the medieval Norse-Gaels. Its storied history serves as a polar opposite to the next stop, the cosmopolitan city of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, where the many museums and shops within the city, and the numerous glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and hot spring spas just outside the city’s boundaries, make an extended stay, either before or after cruise, time well spent.

Optional extensions allow guests to add their own flair to the trip. A three-night “Reykjavik Highlights” option shows off some of the city’s best sights; while “Iceland Adventure” adds time beyond the city on a four-night extension. The two-night “Oslo Highlights” includes a three-hour private tour of the city. A three-night option combines stays in both Oslo and Bergen with a first class seat on the Bergen Railway and a ride through the countryside on the famous Flam Railway. “Essential Extras” puts travelers in touch with the company’s Travel Advisors to set up flights, hotel stays, trip extensions, even sea-kayaking opportunities while on the cruise.

Included in the fare are all shipboard meals, shore landings, professional expedition guides, educational presentations by the Expedition Team, the loan of waterproof boots and an official Expeditions parka to keep, baggage handling, service taxes and port charges, and one-night hotel accommodation for the Reykjavik departure. Airfare and gratuities are extra.

Adventure Center offers several Polar departures in the Arctic as well as Antarctic regions for the 2011 and 2012 season. Booking information, brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Adventure Center’s visitor-friendly web site, www.adventurecenter.com; or by phone: U.S. (800) 228-8747; Canada (866) 338-8735. Canadian travel agents needing bulk orders of brochures can order them at www.hippoexpress.com  in Canada while U.S. agents should call Adventure Center.

Adventure Center has provided world-class, affordably priced adventure travel experiences with one-on-one advice for more than 35 years. Adventure Center’s Travel Specialists have personally traveled to more than 130 countries and offer knowledgeable guidance to guests in selecting an “adventure of a lifetime.”

Windstar Cruises is offering special fares on the two new “Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras” voyages. The six-day “Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras I” departs April 22 and Sept. 14 from Barcelona and visit St. Tropez, France (overnight); Cannes, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portovenere and Portoferraio, Italy. Special fares start at $1,999 per person, double occupancy, when booked by Oct. 31.

The six-day “Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras II” on Wind Surf sails from Rome to Barcelona, visiting Portoferraio, Portovenere, Monte Carlo overnight, Cannes, and St. Tropez overnight. Special fares start at $1,999 on the July 2 departure and $1,799 on the Oct. 29, 2012, departure, when booked by Oct. 31.

Travel Impressions introduced a new 10-night itinerary called Discover New Zealand and Australia, a sampler of the region that includes visits to Queenstown and Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney and Cairns, Australia. Prices start at $3,270 per person double occupancy, including coach airfare on Qantas within and between New Zealand and Australia, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations for 10 nights, tours per the itinerary and hotel tax.

The itinerary uses Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa for three nights, Mercure Auckland Windsor for two nights, InterContinental Sydney for three nights, and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns for two nights. As an incentive for booking the itinerary, Travel Impressions is paying travel agents 1 percent bonus commission for bookings made through Travel Impressions’ reservations department at 800-284-0044.

Founded in 1974, Travel Impressions is one of the nation’s largest leisure tour operators and a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express. The company offers FIT vacations to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the islands of Tahiti, Canada, Hawaii and the continental U.S., featuring more than 2,800 resorts, hotels and luxury villas. For more information, call 800-284-0044 or visit www.travelimpressions.com

Barceló Hotels & Resorts’ new advertising campaign touting the benefits of early booking recently debuted nationwide. Starring actor and comedian Henry Cho, the campaign will focus on the custom-created character Earl Lee, Barceló VIP. Earl Lee will serve as spokesman for the multimedia early-booking promotion campaign in TV, print and online advertising. He’s also slated to make appearances at travel industry events including the Golden Apple Awards trade show in Chicago on Sept. 13 and at MLT University in Minneapolis on Oct. 2 to 3.

Ypartnership Worldwide Advertising & Public Relations, Barceló Hotels & Resorts’ marketing agency of record, developed the character of Earl Lee based on the Barceló’s book early promotion concept. Ypartnership’s creative team was keen on building a personality that was likeable, believable and most-importantly captured the fun and vibrant livelihood of Barceló Resorts. Unlike typical “book by this date” promotions that limit the discount to a particular booking window, Barceló is giving guests the freedom to make reservations on their own schedule.

Travelers can now book vacations to any all-inclusive resort in Mexico and the Dominican Republic for travel between Nov. 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012, or Costa Rica for travel between Dec. 24, 2011 and April 30, 2012, and receive a percentage off based on how early it’s booked. The earlier the reservation is made, the greater the value.

Guests will receive the following discounts when reservations are made: more than 120 days in advance, 35 percent off; between 90 and 119 days in advance , 30 percent off; between 60 and 89 days in advance, 20 percent off; and between 31 and 59 days in advance, 15 percent off. For more information, visit www.barcelovip.com

Roatan’s Pristine Bay Resort is offering travelers a “Golf in Paradise” package featuring villa accommodations and rounds on the resort’s Perry and Pete Dye-designed Black Pearl course.

The package starts at $775 per person and includes four rounds of golf, four nights’ accommodations in a villa with a private pool, plus daily breakfast. Pristine Bay’s luxury hotel will open later this year with 30 standard guest rooms, 11 two-bedroom villas and beachfront infinity pools. For more information, call 713-489-2554 or visit www.pristinebayresort.com

Goway Travel unveiled a new Passport to Chile program with savings of up to 5 percent. “Discovering Chile is to enter a new world of attractions; deserts, lakes and volcanoes, vineyards, glaciers and an incredibly varied gastronomic choice,” said Don Forster, product manager for Goway’s Latin America and Antarctica division.

“It is the perfect combination of undiscovered landscapes, ancient cultures and modern metropolis. All this is found in a safe and well developed environment.”

According to Forster, most visitors only focus on Santiago and the Lakes district, while Atacama Desert in the north, Easter Island in the far west and Patagonia in the south are often ignored. Goway is offering unusual and eco-focused accommodations and programs for all three areas. The information can be found in Goway’s Latin America travel planner along with a range of choice of travel ideas throughout Central and South America.

To order your copy, call 888-469-2955, email info@goway.com  or visit www.goway.com

Tucan Travel is promoting its packages for Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, which according to Tucan Travel, is “the mother of all street parties.” The pre-Lent celebration takes place in Feb. 17 to 22, 2012.

Rio is always lively, but during Carnival the streets become seas of sequins and brightly colored feathers on body-painted dancers moving to the rhythms of incessant drums and samba beats.

Impromptu street parties erupt spontaneously throughout the city each night and in the daytime thousands flock to the city’s famous beaches to recharge for the night ahead.

Tucan Travel has been taking clients to Rio Carnival for a quarter century, during which time it has discovered the most convenient places to stay and the best peripheral balls and parties to take its clients to. Along with transportation and accommodation, Tucan Travel’s Rio Carnival packages include opportunities to get up close to the action at Carnival with special access. Tucan offers specially allocated tickets to enter the Sambadrome, where the competing samba schools perform to judges and crowds, as well as inside information from our tour leaders about the best of the many periphery parties taking place in Rio that weekend.

Tucan Travel Rio Carnival packages include accommodation, the services of tour leaders and guides and tickets to the Sambadrome’s Sector 13.

Clients can add on Carnival packages to any of more than 20 different tours from different travel styles that will be in Rio to coincide with Carnival. Clients who book a Carnival package as part of a longer tour will get a $100 travel voucher to apply to another tour departing by October 2012.

Tucan Travel is a specialist adventure tour operator offering a selection of 470 group tours, independent travel packages and expedition cruises to Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Russia, East and Southern Africa, Latin America and Antarctica. For more information, visit www.tucantravel.com

AirTran Airways is holding a “Change of Scenery Sale” through Sept. 29 for travel beginning Oct. 7, 2011, through Dec. 14. A 10-day advance purchase is required. Lowest sale fares are valid for domestic travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, with additional sale fares available on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Sample fares are Baltimore-Washington to New Orleans, $70, and Chicago Midway to Raleigh Durham, $99. For more information, visit www.airtran.com