Jetsettersblog

Official Precursor To the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

DOWNLOAD: Free VANS LIVE App for iPad & iPhone to follow
www.vans.com/HICPro
www.VansTripleCrownOfSurfing.com

HONOLULU — Winter waves are pulsing onto Oahu’s North Shore with regularity, signaling that the world renowned big wave Hawaiian surf season is upon us.

The HIC Pro at Sunset Beach – the precursor to the annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink – will kick-start the season, running October 28 through November 10 on the best three days of surf.

The HIC Pro is an $85,000 4-Star ASP men’s event that will decide the 2011 ASP Hawaii regional champion and reward him with one highly coveted berth into the first two events of the Vans Triple Crown series: the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa (Nov. 12-23), and the Vans World Cup of Suring at Sunset Beach (Nov. 25-Dec. 6). More than 100 surfers, mostly from Hawaii, will be on hand to take on the powerful and challenging surf on offer at Sunset Beach. (Continued below…)

While visiting international and North American surfers will focus on gaining water time and experience at the complex and shifty break, Billy Kemper, the defending HIC Pro Champion, is part of a cadre of ultra-competitive Hawaii locals, for whom a win at Sunset is all-important.

“This contest has a lot of pressure for the Hawaii surfers to do battle to get into the Triple Crown,” says Kemper. “I put in a lot of time out at Sunset and have been training really hard with Kahea Hart in preparation for this event and the winter.”

Given the competitive nature of Hawaii surfers and the lure of a golden ticket into the Vans Triple Crown, the HIC Pro will deliver a hot mix of power surfing, critical fins-free maneuvers and barrel riding to each heat.

“Sunset can change so much that you need everything in your arsenal,” Kemper explains. “I always feel like raising the bar is needed.

“At Sunset, you always have to push yourself to the top if you want to make it. Hard work and dedication is what it takes!”

Contest days of the 2011 HIC Pro will stream live on the Internet at vans.com/HICPro. The HIC Pro will also broadcast live on Oceanic Time Warner Cable channels 250 and 1250HD, contingent on the ASP World Tour event in San Francisco.

If the two ASP events happen to run on same day, the ASP World Tour event will take broadcast precedence. The HIC Pro will also stream live on the iPad and iPhone via the free VANS LIVE app.

On the final day of competition, between the semis and final, a “Champions” heat is slated to go down, featuring six legendary former HIC Pro champions.

The HIC Pro (Oct. 28-Nov.10) and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (Nov. 12-Dec. 20) round out the 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour, crowning the regional and world champions respectively. The 2011 ASP tour then commences in Hawaii with events in January and February to close out the Hawaiian winter.

Rates Offer 50% savings and start at $99.50

STOWE, VT– After the fall leaf peeper crowds leave and before skiers and snowboarders arrive in Vermont, the state enjoys an off-season serenity, which locals call serene season.

With serene season comes the year’s best rates and a great time to escape and relax before the busy holiday season kicks off. Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa www.stoweflake.com, offers Serene Season rates with 50 percent savings, starting at $99.50* per room, per night for a deluxe room. Luxury rooms with a fireplace start at only $119.50; a spa luxury room with fireplace from $194.50; and a luxury suite with fireplace as well as a two-bedroom townhouse for $199.50.

Plus, save 20% on dining and spa.

Rates are available October 31 – December 16, 2011.

The resort’s 50,000-square-foot destination spa is an ideal hideout to relax and revive. The award-winning Spa at Stoweflake, features 120 spa treatments including massages, facials, wraps, body masks, and energy work. Its sports and wellness center offers approximately 40 different classes, ranging from Nordic Walking and Ashtanga Yoga to Balletone.

Restrictions do apply. For more information or reservations, visit http://www.stoweflake.com/special_offers.aspx  or call 1.800.253.2232

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (www.stoweflake.com ) is a AAA Four-Diamond resort with one of the country’s top destination spas, a AAA Four-Diamond award-winning restaurant and endless activities for couples, friends and families alike.

The 50,000-square-foot Stoweflake Spa features 120 spa treatments including massages, facials, wraps, body masks, and energy work. Its sports and wellness center offers approximately 40 different classes, ranging from Nordic Walking and Ashtanga Yoga to Balletone. Stoweflake is located approximately 2.5 miles from the slopes at Mt. Mansfield, VT’s highest peak, and 2.5 miles from charming downtown Stowe Village which features a picturesque main street, complete with quaint boutiques, a general store, restaurants and white church steeple marking its center.

A shuttle bus runs all day from the resort to the mountain and village.

Get ready for our craziest systemwide fare sale ever – up to 50% off when you book and ticket your clients this Wednesday or Thursday on LOT.

Sale period: October 26 & 27, 2011 instant purchase
Travel period: November 1 – December 15, 2011 all travel completed by Dec. 15, 2011
Minimum stay: Saturday night or 3 days
Cancellation: non-refundable
Changes: not permitted
Fare basis: LCRAZY

All fares are point-to-point and are combinable. Find great fares to most LOT destinations.

The Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives is offering Festive Season rates start from $2,600 for a Beach Pool Villa that are valid from Dec. 24 through Jan. 9 for a minimum seven-night stay. Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and based on single or double occupancy, per villa per night, inclusive of daily breakfast for two guests and subject to 10 percent service charge, 3.5 percent GST up to Dec. 31 and 6 percent thereafter, and Maldivian Government Bed Tax of $8 per person per night. Mandatory Christmas Eve Dinner and New Year’s Eve Celebration supplements apply for accommodation dates that include Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. For more information, call 011 960 660 1020, email kihavahmaldives@anantara.com  or visit www.anantara.com

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Jumeirah Group’s first property on the Maldives and an exclusive all-suite resort, announced the opening of the Ocean Pearls, a cluster of water villas located 800 meters from the main island, suspended on platforms above the sea and entirely self-dependent.

The Ocean Pearls offer an over-water concept where guests feel as though they are in the middle of the ocean. Each Ocean Revive (270 square meters) and Ocean Sanctuary (340 square meters) villa has a living room with unobstructed views out over the ocean. Guests can relax outdoors in their sunken bathtub on the deck with direct access to their private pool, or bask on their own sun deck with a few steps leading them directly into the Indian Ocean.

The Ocean Pearls offer a shared infinity pool, bar, restaurant, in-house dining, library and spa treatment rooms. Guests who wish to explore the main island and the region have also full access to the facilities and a 24/7 boat limousine service at their disposal.

Johara, the Ocean Pearls’ restaurant, offers guests a culinary journey with award-winning chefs and menus created using the world’s finest ingredients. The contemporary cuisine features Japanese, Southeast Asian and Maldivian influences. Guests can opt for full-size dishes or choose a selection and dine tapas-style. For information, visit www.jumeirah.com

A frightfully good stay

Experience the inspiration behind one of the scariest films ever produced and reserve a stay at the Stanley Hotel at Estes Park, to make your trip to Colorado truly unforgettable.

The author, Stephen King, stayed in the Presidential suite, room 217, where he is said to have been inspired by the room’s paranormal activity.

While filming Dumb and Dumber, Jim Carrey is reported to have requested room 217 but left at 11pm that night to stay in a nearby Holiday Inn with no explanation.

Stephen King’s room is now one of the hotel’s Superior Rooms and features all of his books and DVDs.

The hotel offers 90 minute tours of the hotel, with talks about the history and hauntings and among the staff are a paranormal investigator and a medium that present readings and take guests ghost hunting.

Be quick to reserve a stay as King’s Room 217 gets booked out at least six months in advance.

For more information, visit www.stanleyhotel.com.

For more information on Colorado and some of its fantastic locations, visit: www.colorado.com

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 11 ships will mark Halloween with decorations and activities such as masquerade balls, costume contests, scavenger hunts and scary movie trivia. Murder Mystery lunches will be performed by The Second City Comedy Troupe on Norwegian Dawn, Epic, Gem, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Pride of America. Themed desserts in the action-station restaurants might include pecan caramel spiders or Halloween cupcakes. Adults can order themed cocktail specialties such as a Blackbeard’s Ghost.

MPG Car Rental is brining turbocharged direct injection (TDI) to the U.S. market. Direct fuel injection involves spraying atomized fuel directly into the main combustion chamber, while a turbocharger (often in conjunction with an intercooler) increases the amount of fuel that is injected and combusted at any given time. As a result, the TDI system reduces heat loss, increases fuel efficiency and torque, and lower emissions.

This advanced engine design is available in several models, including the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, available from a few select providers like MPG Car Rental. The company has announced that it will soon be adding the 2012 Volkswagen Passat to its fleet of hybrid car rentals. For more information, visit www.mpgcarrental.com

Globus is promoting a series of nearly 50 tours within North America in response to the current market trend of consumers staying near the home front. The move comes less than a week after Globus partnered with National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, to provide tour experiences in the national parks.

The new Backyard Getaways are another set of programs focused specifically on North America. Globus’ top six outdoor itineraries include: Parks and Canyon Spectacular (14 days), priced from $2,979; Grand Hawaii Vacation (13 days), priced from $3,249; Eastern U.S. and Canada Discovery (13 days), priced from $2,819; Spectacular Alaska (10 days), priced from $2,729; California Classics (nine days), priced from $2,149; and Grand Western Canada Vacation (12 days), priced from $3,189.

“Many of the world’s awe-inspiring destinations sit in our own backyard,” said Scott Nisbet, president and CEO of the Globus family of brands. “Our robust offering of authentic and enriching vacations for 2012 range from Special Event itineraries like San Francisco and California Wine Country, Calgary Stampede and Polar Bears of Churchill to tours through the Old West, Historic East and Cruise and Tour vacations (in Alaska and Hawaii) to Regional Discoveries in America’s national parks.”

Under the new Backyard Getaways, Globus customers can travel by four-wheel drive through the Monument Valley tribal park with a Navajo guide who will share facts about the valley as well as stories about their heritage and culture, according to Nisbet. They also can stand in RCA’s Studio B, the recording home of Elvis Presley in Nashville, and make their own recording where countless legends have performed. For information, travel agents can call 800-221-0090 or visit www.globusfamilypartner.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in a move to develop its own hotel customer rating system beyond such websites as TripAdvisor, unveiled a new place for travelers to get unbiased hotel ratings and reviews – its own websites. Starwood is one of the first major hotel companies to invite guests to contribute ratings and reviews directly on its hotel websites.

In a recent survey, nearly 85 percent of Starwood Preferred Guest members said they find value in consumer ratings and reviews on travel sites. Starwood said it is making it easier for consumers to find the information they want with reviews displayed directly on the hotel page they are viewing. The open forum gives travelers a place to share and search for genuine hotel reviews — both the positive and the negative — so they can plan their ideal hotel stay.

Starwood also said it is making sure all comments are from guests who actually stayed at the hotel, an issue that some have had with TripAdvisor, whose “reviewers” sometimes may have not stayed at the property. Reviews are verified by a hotel reservation confirmation. Guests can now post ratings and reviews based on a variety of criteria including: Overall Rating, Room Comfort, Staff Met My Needs, Room Cleanliness and SPG Recognition.

Helping to create a more personalized experience, guests also can filter review content to see the information that is most relevant to them including: Star Rating, Purpose of Travel, Frequency of Travel, SPG Level, Above/Met Expectations and Below Expectations. Reviews also can be shared through social media channels, including both personal and hotel property Facebook pages. Starwood’s ratings and reviews are powered by Bazaarvoice. For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest, visit www.SPG.com