Jetsettersblog

If you’re planning a trip to Chicago and are looking to keep the costs down why not include a day or two in the city of Rockford. Located just 90 minutes from the cosmopolitan area of Chicago lies the hidden gem of Rockford with a host of free activities available for ages.

Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park is set in 3,092 acres containing two lakes; Pierce Lake, with 162 acres ideal for fishing, ice fishing and ice skating; and Olson Lake, with 50 acres ideal for swimming. The park is open all year round and as such has activities available whatever the weather.

There is an array of fauna and flora perfect for photographers, with the opportunity of seeing an array of birds; deer; fox; muskrat; woodchuck and beavers, to name but a few.

Rock Cut State Park also offers an extensive trail system with 40 miles of hiking; 23 miles of mountain biking and 14 miles of equestrian trails. With so much on offer follow the link to find out more http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r1/rockcut.htm

Rockford Art Museum
Every Tuesday Rockford Art Museum is open for free to the public. As one of the largest gallery spaces in the state, Rockford Art Museum will provide hours of interest with its numerous galleries including Funderburg and Kuller galleries featuring mainly regional and national artwork and Anderson Gallery featuring the changing displays of the museum’s permanent collection. For further information visit http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens
Tinker Siwss Cottage Museum is a treasure trove of the 1800′s. Robert Hall Tinker built the home in 1865 and it is one of only a handful of these Swiss-style homes remaining in the country. The house and its belongings are all, as they were, when they were left to the Rockford Park District after 75 years of residence. Tuesday is donation day, which means that there is no fixed admission price, but you can leave a donation if you like. http://www.tinkercottage.com

Kegel Harley-Davidson® Motor Cycles
Pay a visit to Kegel Harley-Davidson®, the world’s oldest family owned dealership, which is coming up to 100 years of business with Harley-Davidson®. The shop sells a wide range of motorcycles; motorclothes and parts. For those in need of a break there is Kegel’s motorcycle themed diner, which offers a range of favourites including pizzas; porketta (layers of pork stuffed and then rolled before being slow cooked) and pasties. http://www.kegelmotorcycles.com

Severson Dells Nature Center
The Severson Dells Nature Center is situated within a converted Deer Lodge on a 369 acre county forest preserve. It is free to walk around the preserve, which features two and a half miles of self-guided nature trails and a 2/3 of a mile hard-surfaced trail. A booklet is available at the trailhead, which explains points of particular interest and guided walks are held frequently throughout the year.

For further information on the activities in Rockford visit www.gorockford.co.uk  or like Rockford on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RockfordIllinoisUK

For a free Rockford visitors guide contact Cellet Travel Services Ltd on 08456 020 574 or email info@cellet.co.uk

To celebrate the launch of a new multi-faceted campaign* highlighting the winter activities and products available within the Province of Alberta in Western Canada, Crystal Ski has some great packages for ski, board and snow enthusiasts. The forthcoming winter season, sees a number of new lifts, upgrades, refurbishments and activities available across the world class ski resorts of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies.

Marmot Basin in Jasper has continued its commitment to sustainable growth and for 2011/ 12 this has introduced two new lifts. The new Paradise High Speed Quad will service the upper area of the mountain and the new School House Triple Chair will be a great improvement to the learning area and so ensure Marmot is ideal for beginners and powder hounds alike. Combine the skiing and boarding in Jasper with Canyon Crawling in Maligne Canyon or snowshoeing across Medicine Lake and not forgetting some fantastic après ski in Jasper town site and the new spa at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Marmot Basin is due to open on Friday 11th November.

A week’s stay at the Astoria Hotel in Jasper costs from £835 per person including flights from Heathrow to Calgary and airport transfers departing on 18 January 2012.

For visitors looking for the great drive and adventure, Jasper’s ski area Marmot Basin can easily be combined with a trip to Banff with a trip down one of the world’s most beautiful drives, the Icefields Parkway.

Banff National Park is home to the three ski hills of Mount Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village, commonly combined as SkiBig3.

Renowned for champagne powder surrounded by breathtaking scenery, the three hills encompass 8,000 acres of skiable terrain suitable for any sort of skier, from gentle groomed runs perfect for beginners to some of the world’s most extreme in-bounds challenges.

The 11 days ‘Alberta experience ski package’ combines four nights the Fairmont Banff Springs, three nights in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, three nights in the Fairmont Jasper and costs from £1259 per person (based on four sharing). It also includes flights from Heathrow to Calgary departing on 11 January and fully inclusive car hire.

In 2011/12, visitors can enjoy the $2 million CDN upgrades which have taken place at Sunshine Village and include a new lift, a facelift for Rogers Terrain Park and the development of the Creekside Restaurant and Bar at the base of the gondola.

Over at Mount Norquay, the famous Mt. Norquay Teahouse has been reopened. Located at an elevation of 6,900 ft and a Marilyn Monroe favourite, the Teahouse can be reached by skiers and non-skiers on a chairlift-gondola hybrid known as the American and so provides a perfect meeting off point amidst spectacular views.

Lake Louise will once again be hosting one of the first World Cup Races of the season (26th November – 4th December 2011), thanks to the guaranteed quality of the snow and with the purchase of additional grooming machines, visitors will experience even more freshly groomed runs on a regular basis.

Lake Louise was also the chosen destination of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for some rest and relaxation during their recent visit to Canada.

All three ski hills are due to open early November** and visitors to the area can take advantage of the Tri-Area ski pass of SkiBig3. The Tri-Area pass allows skiing / snowboarding on all three hills and NEW for this season includes snow-shoeing, snow-tubing and sight-seeing on Mount Norquay as part of the pass. The Tri-Area pass also includes the new and improved ski bus shuttle service for the 2011/12 season.

A week’s stay at the Banff Inn in Banff costs from £795 per person including flights from Heathrow to Calgary and airport transfers departing on 21 January 2012 (based on four sharing).

For those less interested in ski and board, this season there are some fantastic new developments, festivals and season long activities for winter enthusiasts to love in Banff and Lake Louise.

Spend the day dog-sledding, ice-skating on Lake Louise, or spotting wildlife whilst snow-shoeing or from the Lake Louise Gondola.

If high adrenalin is required, ice-climbing is increasingly popular throughout te Park and is available for all abilities.

After a day of winter activities, the Upper Hot Springs offer fantastic relaxation and Rocky Mountain Cuisine is a must to be savoured in restaurants across Banff. The Ice Magic Festival in January (20th – 22nd) in Lake Louise offers visitors the chance to watch internationally renowned teams compete in the Ice Sculpture competition.

Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile offers a package to coincide with the Shedd Aquarium’s new “Jellies” exhibit about jellyfish. The package includes nightly room rates from $129, two VIP non-timed/non-dated Shedd tickets that allow guests to skip the lines, and complimentary breakfast buffet and evening snacks.

Use the promotional code EB5. For more information, call 866-596-7890 or visit www.residenceinnchicagodowntown.com

Those wanting to visit New York for some serious retail therapy this winter should choose to stay at nyma, the new york manhattan hotel over Black Friday weekend in November. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and kicks off the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

It’s the busiest shopping day of the year – so the story goes, it’s the only day where retailers are in the black not the red – with shops opening from as early as 4am offering fantastic sales and bargains.

Known in NYC as an unofficial bank holiday with many non-retail employers giving their staff the day off and with serious shoppers even camping outside their favourite stores, it pays to be in the know when it comes to what special deals each store is providing. Some of the biggest Black Friday discounts are found on hot electronic purchases such as video game systems, MP3 players and DVD players. Indeed, last year the numerous Apple Stores dotted around Manhattan were offering shoppers 30 per cent off iPods and 25 per cent off Macs!

Re-launched earlier this year with upgrades to its lobby and mezzanine areas, nyma, the new york manhattan hotel has availability on Black Friday weekend (24 – 26 November) – to include Thanksgiving Thursday.

Conveniently situated on 32nd Street between the bright lights of Broadway and the shops of Fifth Avenue, with Macy’s on its doorstep, nyma, the 171-room new york manhattan hotel is ideal for die-hard shopping fans.

The budget-friendly hotel boasts a host of complimentary amenities, including continental breakfast, wi-fi, national phone calls, a fitness centre and bar.

In addition, children aged 12 and under stay free of charge. Rates at nyma start from US$224.99 per room, per night over Black Friday weekend (under £73 per person based on two sharing).

To book please call freephone 0808 178 6363 or visit www.thenewyorkmanhattanhotel.com

Flights and accommodation taxes excluded.

Britishairways.com offers return flights from Heathrow to New York from £380 per person including taxes in November.

Sea Kayak Adventures is offering weekly four- to six-day guided kayak trips in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, from Oct. 25 to May 2, 2012, with gray whale tours in February and March 2012.

Guests explore the area’s islands on foot; snorkel in Mexico’s newest national marine park (Loreto Bay National Marine Park), 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.

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. Airfare is extra. Excursions are limited to 13 guests. No prior kayaking experience is necessary.

The company also 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 a full-day tour including snacks and lunch, to $995 for a five-day tour.

Not included are air fare from Los Angeles on Alaska Air (www.alaskaair.com), gratuities, meals in town, $25 national park fee.

A 10 percent discount is offered for ages 8 to 17.

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

American Safari Cruises began its inaugural season in Hawaii on Oct. 26 when the 36-guest Safari Explorer departed on its first inter-island voyage.

The upscale yacht will sail 24 voyages through May. The vessel operates seven- and 10-night active cruises that sail between Maui/Lanai and the Big Island.

A ferry ride connects guests between Maui and the yacht on Lanai.

A Hawaiian blessing for the yacht and crew took place on Oct. 25 on Molokai.

Hawaiian cultural advisors from Maui, Lanai, Molokai and the Big Island were invited to attend.

The blessing celebrated the beginning of operations in Hawaii. Traditional Hawaiian protocols are also being arranged at each island to ask permission for entry.

Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands.

Guests can explore by foot, kayak, paddle board, sailboat, mountain bike and motorized skiff excursions.

Naturalists provide interpretation on guided excursions ashore and at sea.

The unstructured itinerary allows time for viewing wildlife such as humpback whales.

Fares start at $4,995 per person, double occupancy, for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night cruise.

Fares include excursions; all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees.

An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents with personal knowledge of the islands. Pre- and post-cruise packages are available on Maui at Hotel Wailea and the Big Island at Mauna Lani.

For more information, call 888-862-8881, email sales@americansafaricruises.com  or visit www.americansafaricruises.com

Royal Caribbean International is bringing Independence of the Seas back to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale for the winter 2012-13 season.

The ship will depart on its trans-Atlantic voyage from Southampton, U.K., on Nov. 22, 2012, and homeport at Port Everglades from December 2012 through March 2013. The ship will sail a three-night Bahamas cruise, before alternating eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

The Eastern Caribbean itinerary visits San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination on the northern coast of Haiti.

In the Western Caribbean, Independence of the Seas will call at Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Labadee.

Additionally, a six-night Western Caribbean itinerary, calling at Grand Cayman, and Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, will sail on Jan. 13, 2013.

Independence of the Seas will then return to the U.K. in April 2013 to offer Mediterranean and Europe cruises throughout the summer.

The Makena Beach & Golf Resort at Wailea-Makena is offering value rates as part of its “Fall into ’12” promotion that will last throughout 2012.

This is an extension of the resort’s “Fall into Spring” promotion and offers the resort’s newly renovated rooms and suites at value pricing.

For bookings of three nights or more and with rates starting at $199 per night, the “Fall into ’12” promotion is valid for stays through Dec. 22, 2012, and includes free breakfast for two daily, daily resort fee waived and free parking.

For more information, call 800-321-MAUI or visit www.makenaresortmaui.com

EcoAmerica Tours unveiled its 2012 brochure showcasing value-pricedE Experiential Journeys to exotic desinations in Peru, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Nazca, Paracas and the Amazon, with choice of tourist, first class and deluxe properties.

In Galapagos Islands EcoAmerica offers a choice of four cruising vessels.

On mainland Ecuador it offers a choice of tourist, first or deluxe hotels in three guided itineraries visiting the colonial cities of Quito, Otavalo and Cuenca, the city of Baños, the gateway to the Upper Amazon Region of Tena.

In two of the programs, clients will receive a one-hour massage at the Papallacta Thermal Springs.

The Costa Rica section includes eight locally hosted opportunities for guests to enjoy the National Parks and partake in their choice of adventures, from zip-lining to river rafting to ocean kayaking. In Belize, EcoAmerica is offering three Experiential Journeys — one of them is a nine-day combo with four days in the Inland Jungle of the Cayo District with all meals and adventure activities included, plus four nights at a choice of two beach resorts in Ambergris Caye.

The Belize Beach Adventure Holidays feature stay-put active vacations at the clients’ choice of destination, either Ambergris Caye Island with a choice of two beach-front resorts and a full-day visit to the Lamanai Maya Ruins and Wildlife Sanctuary in the mainland jungle and a snorkeling trip to the Hol Chan Marine Park, or the Placencia Peninsula with beach-view accommodations at the Robert’s Grove Resort and two adventures, a one-day expedition to the Jaguar Reserve and the Waterfall Jungle at the Cockscomb Rainforest and a day cruise to the nearby Cays for a snorkel adventure and beach picnic.

In Guatemala, EcoAmerica Tours’ Glimpses of Guatemala features first class or deluxe accommodations with overnights and visits to Lake Atitlan and Chichicastenango Open Air Indian Market, the Colonial city of Antigua and the Tikal Archeological Park. The Guatemala Discovery offers clients the opportunity to explore the sites from Antigua and Guatemala City with an additional overnight in Lake Atitlan and a visit to Chichicastenango.

Tikal is visited on a one-day expedition from Guatemala City. EcoAmerica pays 12 percent pre-paid commission on all programs and FITs. Groups are priced net and free tour escort benefits are usually offered with 15 paid guests. For more information, call 887-836-3006 or visit www.ecoamericatours.com

Collette Vacations is marking the one-year anniversary of Collette Family Vacations with the release of its 2012-13 brochure and savings of $100 per person on any family tour. The print brochure has been mailed to select travel agents; an e-brochure can be found online at www.collettevacations.com/ebrochure.

The brand, which launched last December, now includes a new Panama Family Adventure. The Family Vacations brand is one of Collette’s subbrands, which also includes the Explorations line of small group tours.

The Family Vacations brochure offers 10 specially crafted itineraries that bring travelers of all ages together to experience destinations ranging from U.S. National Parks and the Canadian Rockies to the Islands of Galapagos and the streets of Paris. Also offered are a zip-line canopy tour in Costa Rica, stargazing in the Galapagos, and traversing the Panama Canal through two locks.

“To my knowledge, Collette is the only major tour operator offering a family tour to Panama, a great destination for all ages,” said Dan Sullivan Jr., president of Collette.

“Here you have rainforests and luxury resorts, and experiences like traveling by dugout canoe to visit an Emberá Indian village and a hands-on discovery of stingrays and sea cucumbers at a nature center will be a hit kids and parents.

The best part is Panama is just three hours from Miami but feels like a world away.”

Collette Family Vacations offers the ease and convenience of an escorted tour but is geared toward parents and grandparents traveling with children.

Components of the new brand include child rates up to 45 percent off adult rates for children (14 and under), child rates that apply even with only one accompanying adult, family-friendly hotels and activities, and itineraries designed to keep all generations engaged.

While Family Vacations is its own distinct brand within the Collette family of brands, the advantage for travelers is that they can take advantage of shared services such as complimentary roundtrip home to airport transfer service on all air-inclusive tours, guaranteed departure dates, and the No Worries Cancellation Waiver that allows for a full cash refund for cancellation right up to the day prior to departure.

Collette Vacations is a tour operator based in Pawtucket, R.I., with more than 90 years in the business. The company offers 125 programs to destinations on all seven continents, including small group tours, family vacations, educational travel, train journeys, river cruises and vacations that feature a Collette Foundation site visit. For more information, call 800-611-3361 or visit www.collettevacations.com

For more information on family vacations, call 888-621-8687 or visit www.collettefamilyvacations.com