Jetsettersblog

If you couldn’t get to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, then considerably closer to home is Bermuda’s World Rugby Classic.

This year the tournament will be celebrating its 24th year with teams from New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, Canada and the United States of America. There’s also a Classic Lions team featuring a slew of former long-serving rugby internationals.

Between the 06 and 12 November they’ll battle for a place in the final, on this tiny dot of an island perhaps more famous for its colonial heritage, shorts and pink beaches. The Classic Lions were last victorious in 2008 but New Zealand has taken and retained the title since.

With spectators able to mix freely with some of the most widely respected names of international rugby in a great social environment, the World Rugby Classic is an event unique in the world of sport.

Add in the ambience of Bermuda with its magnificent beaches, golf courses and an impressive and moving Remembrance Day Parade on the 11 November and you’ve got the makings of a must-see annual sporting fixture .

Join the team players and international press by staying at the official World Rugby Classic hotel, the Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda where Classic Collection Holidays (www.classic-collection.co.uk 0800 294 9318) is offering 7 nights from £1698 per person. Price based on 2 adults sharing on a room only basis and includes return flights with BA from Gatwick to Bermuda and private transfers.

Enjoy the magic atmosphere of Florence whilst acquiring the sculpting techniques of the masters at the Galleria Romanelli sculpture studio.

This splendid Florentine building, completely refurbished in 2007, is both art gallery and sculpture atelier and houses an archive of more than 1500 plaster casts, remnants of commissions that have been accumulated through the years, and which can be reproduced and customized to individual tastes. Folca and Raffaello Romanelli continue the family tradition, stretching back some five generations, fulfilling commissions of actors, politicians and prominent personalities.

This two day course, (one three hour lesson per day), will involve sculpture by modeling and sculpturing on clay. Lessons with a master sculptor, can be taken in the morning or the afternoon. You are free to bring your own masterpiece home.

Accommodation for a minimum of 2 nights is at the Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy, Florence. It’s a short stroll from the Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery and close to the Duomo. The hotel’s chic style is unmistakably designer sophistication at its Italian best. As a tribute to the fashion houses of Florence, quirky images of shoes are found throughout the hotel. Each stylish guest bedroom is decorated in cool, modern colours complemented by beautiful ceramics, artworks and fabrics, and the marble and mosaic bathrooms feature Rocco Forte’s exclusive products.

Italian specialist Classic Collection Holidays (0800 294 9318 www.classic-collection.co.uk) offers a 2 nights Sculpture Package at Hotel Savoy, Florence from £1085 per person. Price based on 2 adults sharing a Classic double room with breakfast served at the hotel’s L’Incontro Restaurant, two days sculpture lessons and one Renaissance drink per person at L’Incontro Bar, and includes return flights Gatwick Florence with British Airways and private transfers.

Martin Randall Travel’s Great Houses of the South West tour reads like a run-through of some of Britain’s best-loved film and period drama locations.

Setting off in Berkshire with Highclere, the grandest of houses and now known to millions as the setting for Downton Abbey, the tour also includes Wilton House and Montacute House, of Sense and Sensibility fame, Stourhead’s landscaped gardens, the setting for Pride and Prejudice, and Tyntesfield, the location for the BBC’s Dracula series.

This 8-day tour, running in September 2012, is accompanied by an architectural historian and author, who’s written extensively on English country houses, and features out-of-hours visits and special appointments to view these houses, which also boast some outstanding picture collections and exceptional furniture.

The tour’s based at three leading hotels in the South West, in Bishopstrow, Taunton and Colerne, all well-known for their very high standards of accommodation, excellent service and high quality food.

The price per person, based on two sharing, is £2,820 which includes all accommodation, travel by private coach throughout the tour, most meals with wine, water and coffee, admission to the houses and gardens, and the talks by the lecturer.

For any more information please contact Liz Brown at Martin Randall Travel on 020 8742 3355 or email liz.brown@martinrandall.co.uk

Burton upon Trent is famous throughout the world for the production of beer, with a brewing heritage stretching back to the middle ages. Now visitors can get the brewery experience while staying in luxury at the grade II listed, 18th century Ramada Burton upon Trent Newton Park Hotel, former home of Staffordshire brewer William Worthington.

The town of Burton upon Trent and the surrounding area lie within the growing National Forest, so visitors can combine their weekend with a leafy walk around some of the Forest’s hundreds of woodlands.

The special two-night treat package includes tickets to the National Brewery Centre along with a three-course dinner for two in the oak-panelled Folly Restaurant with its vast 18th century fireplace and large windows overlooking landscaped gardens, and full English breakfast on both mornings. The total price for the package to stay in this grand Italianate-style country manor, set in eight acres of private grounds, is £174 per couple (just £87 per person). The offer is available until the end of December.

Visitors can find out more through the website www.visitnationalforest.co.uk  or through the hotel’s website http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/hotels/newtonpark.aspx

Formerly the Bass Museum, the National Brewery Centre is a world-class museum and visitor centre that celebrates Burton upon Trent’s proud brewing heritage. Brilliant holograms and costumed characters from the breweries’ past stroll around the centre and truly bring the history of brewing, beer and Burton itself to life. The brewing experience includes beer tasting, guided tours and a brand new micro-brewery.

General Manager of Ramada Burton upon Trent Newton Park Hotel, Tom Keaveny, said: ‘This is such a beautiful area and with so much to do! The special break gives guests the chance to experience the fascinating heritage of the area, while exploring some of the lovely countryside.’

The monks of Burton Abbey from around AD1002 were the first to discover how the local water, which is rich in minerals, made excellent ale. Beer was important because the brewing process made it safer to drink than water, which was unlikely to be pure. The first commercial brewery in the town was not founded until 1708 with premises close to Burton Bridge. At its peak the town produced one quarter of all beer sold in Britain with over 30 breweries recorded in 1880. Today, only two remain – Molson Coors and Marston’s. Burton Bridge Brewery is the only remaining independent brewer although Burton upon Trent is now home to a number of high quality micro-breweries.

Europe’s leading consumer reviews site launches daily deals across UK

Qype, Europe’s leading consumer reviews site, today unveiled its new quality daily deals website, QypeDeals.co.uk.

QypeDeals handpicks the best offers from across the UK, every day, from massages and manicures to cocktails and car washes, and delivers them directly to your inbox.

Launching nationally as well as with city-specific deals for London, the exclusive online offers will go live for between one and three days and provide savings of up to 77 per cent.

Customers can expect to see some fantastic deals, kicking off with a huge 70 per cent discount on all posterXXL products.

Qype boasts over 2 million independent, trusted reviews of shops and services spanning 166,000 towns and cities worldwide, meaning QypeDeals’ partners are already tried and tested by real reviewers.

For each deal, customers can see star ratings and reviews for the seller before they decide to buy. QypeDeals will also tap in to views and recommendations on the site, to offer deals and discounts from Qype’s favourite places.

Customers can find deals by checking QypeDeals.co.uk or by signing up for a daily newsletter, which will only feature the offers in their location. Once customers have purchased a deal, they will be sent their voucher as a PDF which can then be printed out.

Once the voucher has been used, customers can add their own reviews to Qype, helping others with their buying decisions and ensuring QypeDeals continues to offer only the best deals.

“Quality is the focus for QypeDeals; we’ve got a good idea of the quality of a business even before we strike a deal with them, thanks to the huge number of reviews we have on Qype,” says Richard Dennys, Qype’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“QypeDeals has already been a huge hit in Germany, saving consumers an average of 60 per cent on everything from coffee to clothes since it launched in April. We’re very excited to be launching across the UK and look forward to extending our reach into more towns and cities in the near future,” continues Dennys.

COX & KINGS’ NEW 2012 AFRICA BROCHURE EMBRACES THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR FLEXIBLE TRAVEL

The world’s longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Africa brochure for 2012, featuring escorted group tours, private journeys and many new suggestions for tailor-made itineraries throughout Africa.

2011 has seen Cox & Kings’ passenger numbers to Africa increase by 25% compared to 2010 and tailor-made holidays to Africa now account for 55% of all Africa bookings, which has risen from 30% in 2007. Cox & Kings’ Africa product manager, Louise Stanion, explains: “People are feeling more confident about devising their own itineraries in Africa with input from our experts, and tend to have a greater knowledge of the destinations they want to visit. Clients still want our recommendations and value our feedback and input but are increasingly venturing away from the traditional tourist trails to see lesser-known sights.”

SOUTH AFRICA: Both Cox & Kings’ group tours have increases on 2010 passenger numbers, showing that demand for tours to South Africa is returning to pre-World Cup levels. For 2012, Cox & Kings has introduced luxury departures on both Taste of South Africa and Splendours of South Africa, which upgrades accommodation to some of the country’s finest hotels.

Taste of South Africa is a 10-day / 7-night escorted tour priced from £1,895 per person for the superior tour and £2,245 per person for the luxury option, which includes flights, transfers, excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily. Clients can also choose to take the tour with private guides and transfers, or as a self-drive.

As more clients are booking itineraries off-the-beaten track, Cox & Kings has introduced two new private itineraries in the 2012 brochure. The Three Kingdoms is a 14-day / 11-night private journey priced from £5,995 per person that combines the highlights of the mountain kingdoms of Lesotho, Swaziland and Zululand with their fascinating history and beautiful mountain scenery. South African Safari is a 15-day / 12-night itinerary showcasing the great diversity of South African wildlife on a safari to three of the country’s best wildlife parks while staying in small owner-run lodges.

ETHIOPIA: The escorted tour to Ethiopia has established itself as the bestselling group tour in the Africa brochure with a 50% increase in passenger numbers since 2010. Stanion says, “Clients want to experience authentic destinations with culture and history. As the only African country never to have been colonised, Ethiopia has a rich heritage with fascinating rock churches, endemic wildlife and stunning scenery” The brochure includes two new private tours. Ethiopia’s Tribal Kingdom visits the fascinating and colourful tribes in the Omo Valley and is priced from £4,095 per person for a 13-day tour. The Road to Lalibela uses the newly tarmacked roads in the north of the country to explore some of Ethiopia’s most spectacular scenery with a private driver / guide and is priced from £3,975 per person for 14 days.

New for the group tour is a visit to the lesser known rock-churches of Wukro Cherkos and Abraha Atsbeha near Mekelle in the north of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Odyssey is priced from £2,845 per person for a 14-day tour and includes flights from London with Ethiopian Airlines, transfers, excursions and full board accommodation. Several of the departures have been adapted to coincide with the most celebrated of Ethiopia’s festivals: Timkat, Meskal and Tsion Mariam.

MADAGASCAR: The Madagascar Adventure group tour has seen a 30% increase in passenger numbers compared to 2010 and due to high demand, the tour is now four days longer but at a similar price. Madagascar Adventure is now a 14-day / 11-night tour priced from £2,645 per person including flights, transfers, excursions and full board accommodation. There are also two new suggested itineraries: Marvels of Madagascar explores national parks known for superb lemur sightings and is priced from £3,995 per person; and Island Hopping, priced from £3,895 per person, explores some of Madagascar’s tropical islands.

NAMIBIA: The group tour to Namibia, The Untouched Wilderness, has seen a steady increase in passenger numbers compared to 2010 and the 13-day / 10-night tour is priced from £3,335 per person for 2012, compared to £3,895 per person in 2011. A new private tour for 2012, Namibia’s Natural Wonders, travels overland with a private driver/guide throughout, which allows clients to travel at their own pace and explore Namibia’s magnificent dune fields, lunar landscapes, salt pans and wildlife. Priced from £7,795 per person for a 15-day / 12-night trip, the cost can be reduced to £5,795 per person if there are four people sharing a vehicle, rather than two.

Please see www.coxandkings.co.uk/africa for the full programme to Africa, which also includes Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

For more information or images, or to request a copy of the brochure, please contact Katie Parsons on 020 7808 5694 or email katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk

The archipelago of the Azores – situated in the Atlantic Ocean – has, for the first time, been introduced into HF Holidays’ European guided walking programme.

With a mix of part and full day walks of between two and eight miles, highlights of this 14-night island hopping holiday include the island of Sâo Miguel taking in the crater rim of the blue and green lagoons of Sete Cidades, the botanical gardens of Furnas and a full day’s sightseeing as well as exploring the unspoilt island of Terceira with its geological features, green landscapes and historic towns.

In addition, walks on Sâo Jorge take in its fajâs nestled beneath dramatic cliffs and superb views from the spine of the island; on Faial island guests discover the dormant craters and volcanic ‘capelinhos’ and there’s the option to climb Mt Pico – the highest mountain of the Atlantic – on a visit to the island of Pico.

Available with three departures in 2012 – May, September and October – the cost is from £1899 per person, land-only or from £2399 inclusive of return Heathrow or Manchester flights and transfers.

These twin-share prices also include 14 nights’ half-board en-suite accommodation, a full programme of guided walks and sightseeing with expert local guides, travel between the islands, plus travel by minibus, taxi or coach around the islands.

0845 470 7558, www.hfholidays.co.uk

The Upper House has recently launched The Lawn, an urban retreat offering a peaceful and stylish escape, a real treat in Hong Kong. The hotel’s outdoor secret garden on level 6 now welcomes guests for cocktails and snacks from its Michelin star rated restaurant Café Gray Deluxe.

With service from the barista in the morning to the late evening cocktail barman, the all day snack menu includes all-time favourites such as Polenta Fries; Tarte Flambée, Seared Chicken Fillets; Turkey Club Sandwich; Foie Gras Bruschetta and the Café Gray Cheese Board. A minimal indoor bar crafted entirely in beige perlato svevo limestone animates the casual lounging experience.

Chef Sommelier, Yvonne Cheung, has selected choices of Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé and Pinot Noir from the old and new world. Guests can recharge with picnic-cocktails including Sauvignon Cooler, Bloody Mary, Pimms Cup and Elderflower Collins.

General Manager, Dean Winter, said: “Outdoor space in Hong Kong has always been a novelty. The Lawn is well placed to offer something special for our guests, who enjoy the atmosphere which The Upper House provides”.

The Lawn is open throughout the day from 10am to 10pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 12am midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Kenya & Tanzania Migration Safari 12 days

While on this captivating safari you will have the possibility of seeing a variety of magnificent wildlife and birdlife, including the ‘big 5′: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. With such intense beauty, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. Explore the wonder of the Great Rift Valley and visit some of the most famous wildlife areas in the world including the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and learn about the intriguing culture of the Masai. With comfortable tented camps, enjoy a true outdoor experience where you will marvel in the sights and sounds of the vast African wilderness.
Price: £2,290 per person
Departures in 2011: 7 November; further departures throughout 2012

Best of East Africa 17 days

This journey follows a relaxed itinerary with vehicle-based excursions that return each night to permanent tented camps and lodges. From Nairobi you have the opportunity to explore Nakuru National Park known for its myriads of pink flamingos, among other wildlife, and make your way to the renowned Masai Mara. You then journey to Tanzania and enjoy Lake Manyara National Park, famed for tree climbing lions, then onto the world famous Serengeti National Park to view the vast herds of grazing animals and the magnificent predators that follow them. You will visit the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park, with the undoubted highlight of the journey being the Virunga Mountains, following the footsteps of Dian Fossey in search of the famous mountain gorillas.
Price: £3,790 per person
Departures in 2011:1 October, 17 December; further departures in 2012

Namibian Explorer 10 days

An ideal short trip exploring the highlights of stunning Namibia – this encompassing itinerary commences in Windhoek and includes game viewing in Etosha National Park, cultural interaction with a Himba Tribe, rock art at Twyfelfontien, spiritual Brandberg Mountain, the coastal town of Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert at Sossussvlei.
Price: £990 per person
Departures in 2011: weekly until 31 March 2012

Botswana Elephant Trail 15 days

The diverse and beautiful wilderness of southern Africa is showcased on this itinerary across Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. You can experience the legendary Okavango Delta with its burgeoning wildlife filled channels and islands. The big game haunts of Moremi and Chobe are home to lions and cheetahs, but provide an opportunity to see large herds of elephants in their natural environment. This itinerary allows for walks amongst World Heritage rock art sites, created by the diminutive bushmen of southern Africa. You complete this journey in Zambia at the Victoria Falls, observing the Zambezi River fall over one hundred breathtaking metres.
Price: £1,890 per person
Departures in 2011:  29 October, 12 November, 26 November; further departures in 2012

Ethiopia Explorer 16 days
Ethiopia is an African enigma, combining a rich history, mosaic of cultures and incredible geographic diversity. From the colourful chaotic sprawl of the capital Addis Ababa, medieval castles of Gondar, to the tranquil island monasteries of Lake Tana, it’s a land of contrasts. This itinerary includes visits to local tribes and villages to experience their fascinating culture and a walk in the Simien Mountains. There’s plenty of time to take in the greatest of the ancient churches and monasteries home to art and religious icons, including the amazing 12th-century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Price: £2,190 per person
Departures in 2011: 18 November, 16 December; further departures in 2012

African Wilderness In Comfort 21 days
This itinerary traverses the greatest parks, rivers and landscapes that Africa’s south has to offer with the added luxury of 3-4 star hotels, chalets and lodges to rest your head. From Cape Town, you head north passing through the Namaqualand region, and witness the Orange River plummet at Augrabies Falls (56m) into the Kalahari, and spend two nights in Kgalagadi National Park, before heading to the boundless Namib Desert. Travelling through the Caprivi Strip and via the Okavango River onto Botswana you can go in search of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences along the Chobe River. Victoria Falls are an inspiring backdrop to a multitude of adventurous options and a fitting end to this amazing journey through southern Africa.
Price: £2,350 per person
Departures in 2011: November, 14 November 12 December; further departures in 2012

For more information on World Expeditions’ trips please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or call 0800 0744 135. World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

Diving: Diving in Dominica presents some of the most beautiful opportunities to witness thriving healthy reefs covered in colourful sponges. Seahorses, frogfish, flying gurnards and scorpion fish are commonly spotted in Dominica’s waters but are rarely seen around other Caribbean islands. Its coast is varied in terms of diving, with steep 6,000ft drop-off walls, beautifully coloured coral, Champagne snorkelling and craters. Fans of the underwater world are able to experience the Caribbean’s longest running diving festival at the annual Dive Fest in July.
www.dominicawatersports.com
www.discoverdominica.com

Whale Watching: Dominica stakes a claim to being the ‘whale-watching capital of the Caribbean’ with all whale watching tours having an almost guaranteed sighting success rate. Its temperate seas and underwater contours provide the ideal environment for whales and dolphins year-round and two thirds of the 33 known species in the Caribbean have been seen in the island’s waters, primarily in the south around Scott’s Head, where waters plunge to 6,000ft. Dive Dominica and Anchorage Dive Centre both operate boat trips where passengers can get closer to some of these magnificent mammals. The most commonly sighted are sperm whales, which grow to a length of 70ft.

Just announced: The UK will host WhaleFest for the first on 5 November in Brighton. A great opportunity to meet and speak to whale and dolphin experts from around the world, it will feature Mark Brownlow, producer of the BBC1 Ocean Giants series, which was partly filmed in Dominica, and Andrew Armour from the island, known as ‘the Whale Whisperer’ after forming a special bond with a colossal sperm whale.

www.divedominica.com
www.anchoragehotel.dm
www.planetwhale.com  (for WhaleFest)

Hiking: The best way to fully experience the varied terrain and outstanding natural beauty of Dominica is to explore the island on foot. Dominica has walking trails to suit all from the novice to the most experienced of hikers. Launching in early 2012 is a network of trails that allows you to traverse the island completely. A first for the Caribbean, this mega-trail is called the Waitukubuli National Trail, after the Carib Indian name for the island. The trail will be around 115 miles (184km) long and divided into 14 sections, with walkers expected to take up to two weeks to cover the entire route.
www.waitukubulitrail.com

Bird watching: Dominica’s rugged but lush high mountain terrain gives way to tropical forest, gently sloping downward to bush and drier savannas, before dropping to the shoreline. This great variety of habitats provides a wide diversity of birds within a relatively short distance. The most famous birds of Dominica are the parrots – the Sisserou (Imperial), the National Bird, which proudly adorns Dominica’s flag, and the Jaco (Red Necked). In total, Dominica has more than 170-recorded species of birds. The best times of day for bird watching are in the first three hours after dawn and the last two or three hours before dusk. For those who want to learn more about Dominica’s birds through guided field trips, bird-watching tours are offered by a number of hotels and tour guides.
www.khattstours.com

Sea Turtle Watching: Ever imagined watching the endangered sea turtle, one of the world’s longest-living marine creatures, crawling onto the beach to perform a fascinating nesting ritual? This is typical in Dominica between March and August each year and for those with some luck who brave the nocturnal challenge it can be a lifetime experience. Four of the seven species of sea turtles visit Dominica’s shores: loggerheads; hawksbills; green sea turtles; and leatherbacks. Sea turtle watching is done only under strict standards to ensure preservation of the species. Community groups along Dominica’s coasts monitor nested beaches daily, to ensure that everyone follows these standards and that the turtles and their eggs are protected.
www.widecast.org

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, lying south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique.

For more information about Dominica please call 0800 0121 467 or visit www.discoverdominica.com and www.youtube.com/discoverdominica

A selection of short video guides about the island can be downloaded for free on www.iTunes.comand you can keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook www.facebook.com/discoverdominica  and Twitter www.twitter.com/nature_island