Jetsettersblog

Enjoy the great sights along the River Thames with City Cruises, as you make your way to the outdoor skating rinks, for some winter fun with friends, family or colleagues.

A frequent sightseeing service operates between the four major destination piers on the River Thames (Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich), offering a novel way of travelling to three of the ice rinks that will be open this winter.

Passengers can alight at Westminster Pier for Somerset House Ice Rink, which is located in the romantic 18th century courtyard. London Eye Pier will drop you right on the doorstep of the EDF Energy London Eye Ice Rink. Finally Tower Pier is the stop of choice for the Tower of London Ice Rink, which is situated in the moat beneath the grand outer wall of Her Majesty’s Fortress, on the banks of the River Thames.

Travelling in comfort to the skating rinks is possible onboard modern boats with panoramic windows and open deck areas, which offer access to the mobility impaired. Light refreshments and bar services are available onboard and these can be enjoyed whilst discovering the sights of London along the Thames.

Alternatively, the Restaurant Ship Hispaniola, located on Victoria Embankment opposite the EDF Energy London Eye, provides a quiet haven where people can enjoy a special Christmas Champagne Afternoon Tea, after the ice skating.

For further information on the sightseeing service and to make a booking the public can telephone 020 77 400 400 or visit www.citycruises.com. For further information on the Restaurant Ship Hispaniola and to make a booking the public can telephone 020 7839 3011 or visit www.hispaniola.co.uk

Following a major refurbishment, Robin Paterson and Phil Stephenson, owners of Caribbean private island Petit St. Vincent, are delighted to unveil the new lightened, brightened and extended cottages of this unplugged hideaway.

Perched on the hillside, nestled within lush foliage or just steps away from the stunning white sand beach, the 22 luxurious cottages offer absolute privacy within enchanting surroundings. Solidly built of native bluebitch stone quarried from the island itself, the cottages are spacious and open with terracotta and limestone tile floors and new peaked ceilings made from purpleheart hardwood.

With an added spacious cedar wood pavilion complete with comfortable lounge chairs, brand new day beds and large hammocks; a living room; double bedroom; newly built bathroom and dressing room, guests will find it hard to leave. For comfort, Petit St. Vincent cottages have also been fitted with air conditioning units for those who wish to use it. New furniture has been handcrafted out of teak and driftwood to compliment the natural marine colours of the cottages’ soft furnishings creating an overall lighter effect.

Designed using fresh and clean tones, luxury amenities and exposed stone work, the cottages and the island provide the perfect hideaway retreat, offering guests ultimate privacy, peace and quiet.

With the island’s original and well loved flag system still in place to attract the attention of staff, Petit St. Vincent will continue to be a ‘tech-free’ hide away delivering barefoot elegance and tranquillity.

When the island re-opens on 1st November there will be a new, casual bare foot beach bar where visitors and guests alike can enjoy lunch or meet over cocktails.

Constructed with a mix of driftwood and natural local woods, the bar pavilion is located on a promontory with views across the East and West of the island.

Adjoining the bar pavilion, is a relaxed lounge style seating area within the shade of palm trees. For a more private experience, scattered between the bar pavilion and the beach are dining tables cut from hardwood trees and covered by individual thatched roofs where guests can sample an extensive menu of Caribbean and Mediterranean dishes.

The Spa at Petit St. Vincent will also offer a fantastic new addition to the island with 4 treatment rooms and an imposing central reception, nestled on the hillside over looking the beach restaurant.

This too is built from local driftwood, coconut trees and other natural woods with a local grass for thatching. Shell curtains in the reception area and also on the relaxation deck offer privacy whilst complimenting the naturalistic appearance of the islands architecture and interiors. Open to the trade winds or closed with air conditioning depending on guest preference, the timber treatment rooms have private outdoor showers and are discreetly located within the trees either side of the reception.

Nightly rates start at US$1,050 per cottage, including 3 meals per day, all non-alcoholic beverages, early morning coffee and tea and use of all non-motorized water sports and facilities on Petit St. Vincent, based on double occupancy.

Watch this space… www.psvresort.com  +1 (800) 654-9326

Fifteen extra-ordinary peace gardens by the world’s best designers from Australia, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia are on show this month at Huis Ten Bosch theme park in the South East of Japan.

The gardens are the legacy of Japan’s second Gardening World Cup and its theme of ‘gardens for world peace and a prayer for Japanese recovery’. This year it is being held in aid of the victims of the Japanese Tsunami.

A hand-folded paper garden, inspired by a Japanese legend promising those who fold a thousand origami cranes will be granted a peace wish; sunflowers representing those planted in Fukushima to rid the soil of radioactivity; the figure eight, the Japanese Hachi symbol for happiness and good fortune; the story of the Black Saturday fires of Australia; a faith, hope and peace garden with an invisible path; a ‘tearful eye’; and European motifs of peace are amongst the many gardens that can be seen by the public.

Visitors voted for their favourite gardens last week, its first week of opening, (8 October) choosing a Lake District cottage garden, based on one of Beatrix Potter’s tales and a garden designed by Japan’s equivalent of Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh rolled into one (Kazuyuki Ishihara).

The Gardening World Cup takes place in a large 17th century Dutch replica theme park, Huis Ten Bosch. 100,000 people visited it in its first week last year and its opening was extended by a further three months. This year’s show is on until the end of October and possibly longer.

Jim Fogarty’s Australian entry was overall winner. For full details of medal and award winners please visit: www.gardeningworldcup.com

MSC Cruises’ acclaimed spa and wellbeing offering is to be further enhanced by the launch of its stunning new Aurea Suites. This deluxe accommodation will be available on board MSC Fantasia from 5th November and on MSC Splendida from 13th November. Aurea Suites will also be found on MSC Divina, the company’s newest flagship that will join the fleet from next May.

Named after the ships’ state-of-the-art Aurea Spa and located on the prestigious upper decks, the Aurea Suites comprise 28 luxuriously appointed cabins, each formerly part of the deluxe MSC Yacht Club offering.

Guests who book an Aurea Suite will receive a superb wellness and spa package which includes a welcome cocktail at the spa bar, unlimited access to the Thermal Suite (Turkish bath, spa bath, sauna and relaxation room), a personal appointment with an Aurea Spa doctor, a 30 minute relaxing facial treatment and last but not least, a solarium session.

A stay in an MSC Cruises’ Aurea Suite will be a one-of-a-kind experience. Passengers can relax their mind and revitalise their body whilst discovering some of the jewels the Mediterranean has to offer.

MSC Cruises’ groundbreaking spa and fitness facilities have already made the company a market leader, so much so that at the recent Cruise International Awards, MSC Splendida’s Aurea Spa beat off stiff competition to win Best for Well-Being. Now the company raises the bar still further with the launch of this initiative.

Aurea Suite prices start from £1779 per person on MSC Fantasia for an 11-night cruise including flights and from £1229 per person on MSC Splendida for an 11-night cruise including flights.

Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s no. 1 cruise company, announces big news for its 2012 itineraries, with several brand new and unique programs that will allow Guests to choose additional different alternatives for their holidays with Costa in Spring, Summer, Autumn 2012. New programs, that will be included in a new release of Costa 2012 brochure ready from September 2011, are aimed to respond to changing customer holiday behaviours, driven by the increasing appeal of some destinations and the persisting negative perception of Egypt and Tunisia as a consequence of the recent difficult political and economical situation.

COSTA FASCINOSA DOUBLES HER DEBUT

The new Costa flagship (114,500 gross tonnage and 3,800 total Guests), which is being built by Fincantieri at Marghera (Venice) yards, will make her debut in Spring 2012. In order to satisfy the big demand to discover new Costa flagships immediately after their delivery, coming especially from Costa most loyal Guests, the company introduces 2 new vernissage cruises before the already scheduled inaugural cruise. The first mini vernissage cruise, departing from Venice on 2nd May 2012, will be calling at Dubrovnik (Croatia), Capri (Italy), Savona (Italy); the second one will depart from Savona on 7th May 2012, calling at Corfu (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), Venice.

MEDITERRANEAN: BEACH, FUN, CULTURE AND RELIGION ON THE TOP OF THE LIST

On top of the list of Costa 2012 news in the Mediterranean Sea there are new Summer itineraries dedicated to different holiday preferences: beach, fun, culture and religion.

The first one is a fly&cruise program, homeporting in Rhodes. An exciting beach oriented 7-night itinerary in the Aegean Sea, with 6 different Greek islands. From the end of June to Mid September 2012 Costa Atlantica will be departing from Rhodes every Friday to Kos, Samos, Izmir (Turkey), Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion/Crete Island.

From Sepember 14th 2012 to November the ship will continue her 7-night cruises from Rhodes with a more cultural itinerary, including Cyprus, Turkey, Israel and Greece.

Another brand new summer itinerary is dedicated to trendy beaches and fun. From June to September 2012 Costa Serena will be offering 7-night cruises including Savona, Rome (Civitavecchia-Italy), Costa Smeralda (Olbia-Italy), an overnight call in Ibiza (Balearic islands) – where it is possible to reach also the beautiful island of Formentera – Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands), Marseilles (France) – with shore excursions to Provence.

A new itinerary is scheduled also in the Eastern Mediterranean to discover the beautiful Dalmatian coast. During the whole summer season Costa Classica will be offering a 7-night itinerary including a full day in Dubrovnik that will allow excursions to Medjugorje, which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world and represents a absolute highlight. These are the calls of Costa Classica new itinerary: Trieste, Ancona, Dubrovnik/ Medjugorje, Cefalonia (Greece), Corfu (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), Split (Croatia).

Last but not least, the new 7-night Western Med Summer itinerary of Costa Concordia, for holidays always in the sun: Savona (Italy), Barcellona (Spain), Malta, Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands), Catania (Italy), Naples (Italy).

MEDITERRANEAN: MORE ITINERARIES IN THE BLACK SEA, PORTUGAL, ISRAEL

Egypt will be replaced with a growth of the offer in some destinations with an increasing appeal: Israel, Black Sea and Portugal. In April 2012 and for the departures between September through to November 2012, Costa Pacifica 11-night cruises including Egypt will be replaced by a Greece/Israel/Turkey itinerary with 2 days in Israel, at Ashod and Haifa to visit Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Costa Mediterranea will also be offering 2 additional 13-night Black Sea cruises as well 4 new 10- night cruises to Lisbon and Casablanca with overnight in Lisbon.

In autumn 2012 Costa Fortuna will be replacing 10-night cruises to Egypt with the already existing 9-night cruises to Lisbon and Casablanca.

MEDITERRANEAN: CAGLIARI REPLACES TUNIS

The Italian port of Cagliari will be replacing Tunis for the 7-night Western Mediterranean Summer cruises of Costa Allegra, for the 7-night Western Mediterranean Winter cruises of Costa Concordia and for all Costa Deliziosa mini cruises in December 2011 and April 2012.

NORTH EUROPE: MORE CRUISES IN THE FJORDS

In order to satisfy the stronger demand for this area, in Summer 2012 Costa Luminosa and Costa Fortuna will be offering additional 7-night cruises to the Fjords, that will substitute the Baltic ones.

Furthermore, on Costa Deliziosa, North Cape cruises will replace Baltic on 2 departures.

NORTH EUROPE: NEW ITINERARIES FOR THE NEW “COSTA neoROMANTICA”

During next Winter Costa Romantica will be completely refurbished to become a brand new ship: Costa neoRomantica. After initial 11-night Canary Island cruises, from the end of March until mid September 2012 the ship will be dedicated to different new programs of 14-night cruises, with exclusive itineraries covering North Europe: 4 cruises to discover the most interesting destination on the Atlantic Sea, such as Amsterdam, Bruges, Le Havre, St. Malo, Bordeaux, Oporto, Lisbon; 6 unique cruises that for the first time will bring together the best destinations of the Fjords and Baltic Capitals; 2 cruises to Spietzbergen Islands.

GRAND CRUISES TO INDIAN OCEAN, FAR EAST & AUSTRALIA

Costa Cruises also introduced new long cruises on ancient navigators’ Routes, especially dedicated to “cruise fans”. From 19 September 2012 Costa neoRomantica will be offering new 21-night “Grand Cruises” from Italy towards the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Far East and Australia and return. There are several wonderful destination included in these grand cruises, such as Israel, Jordan, Oman, India, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Indonesia , Australia, New Zealand.

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways marks its tenth anniversary in 2012 with the introduction of the company’s twelfth ship, the m/s AmaCerto, with new culinary escorted tours in Europe, new wine route cruises on the Rhone and four cruises featuring the Floriade World Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands.

AmaWaterways Executive Vice President and Co-Owner, Kristin Karst, said “This is a year which promises to be our most successful on record in terms of new ships, itineraries and innovative onboard and on shore programmes.”

New programmes in Europe for 2012 include “Culinary Delights — Bites and Sights” shore excursions. These specially-crafted complimentary guided walking tours present an exciting option for passengers interested in the story of Europe through the ages, as told from a culinary perspective. The tours will include wine tastings, visits to local markets, tapas bars and other culinary-themed locations. An expanded programme of complimentary guided bike tours can help ward off any guilt from “overindulging” in local delights.

AmaWaterways will once again offer its “Jewish Heritage” tours on select sailings in 2012. The popular “In Celebration of Wine” theme cruises will expand to include select Rhone River cruises from Lyon to Arles. And the Floriade World Horticultural Expo, which takes place every ten years in the Netherlands, will be featured on four different AmaWaterways itineraries in 2012.

Having been the industry leader in Europe for the past decade, AmaWaterways will feature its most impressive fleet yet for 2012. The line’s intimate, custom-designed vessels include the “Sensational Six” on the Danube, Rhine, Main, Mosel and Rhone: the MS AmaDagio, MS AmaLegro, MS AmaDante, MS AmaCello, MS AmaLyra and MS AmaDolce. These luxurious ships accommodate 148-150 passengers, with French balcony staterooms ranging from 170-255 sq. ft.

The two newest AmaWaterways vessels, the 161-passenger MS AmaBella (2010) and MS AmaVerde (2011) have exclusive “Twin Balconies,” (ie. a step-out balcony and a French balcony) in the majority of staterooms; the largest average stateroom size (214 sq. ft.) in Europe, plus suites up to 350 sq. ft. in size. The ships also feature two main dining rooms, a casual wine bar and intimate Chef’s Table restaurant.

The 164-passenger MS AmaCerto, launching in the spring of 2012, will have additional distinctive features, such as a glass elevator and al fresco café. As with every AmaWaterways vessel in Europe, membership in the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs ensures a fine gastronomic experience, with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner.

All AmaWaterways vessels in Europe offer complimentary in-stateroom Internet and first-run Hollywood movies, ship-wide Wi-Fi, complimentary daily shore excursions and a fleet of bicycles for guests’ free use. In addition to spacious, comfortable lounges, the ships also include a fitness area, massage, hair and beauty salon, a whirlpool and walking track on the Sun Deck and heated swimming pool on the MS AmaBella, MS AmaVerde and MS AmaCerto.

In Russia, guests can enjoy the “Russian Waterways” itinerary between Moscow and St. Petersburg on the newly-redesigned 212-passenger MS AmaKatarina.

In Vietnam and Cambodia, the magnificent new 124-passenger MS AmaLotus has joined MS La Marguerite in offering unforgettable 7-night cruises on the Mekong River from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

AMAWATERWAYS UK reservations: Freephone 0808 223 5009, and visit www.amawaterways.co.uk

The Courthouse DoubleTree Hotel in London went pyjama crazy on Tuesday evening to celebrate the start of the Hilton HHonors Fast Ways To Free Stays global promotion.

Revelers who arrived at the party in their PJ’s won a free night’s stay at any global Hilton Worldwide hotel, which includes the Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and DoubleTree brands.

The Hilton HHonors Fast Ways to Free Stays promotion offers members either double HHonors points or a free night certificate after four stays or 10 nights for hotel stays completed between October 1 and December 31, 2011. Members can book their hotel beginning September 19 through December 31, 2011.

Hilton HHonors is the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s ten distinct hotel brands – including the world renowned Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands – and honors its 28 million members by allowing them to turn earned points into experiences worth sharing.

HHonors members can register for the Fast Ways to Free Stays promotion, select bonus offering or review full terms and conditions at HHonors.com/FastWays. Bonus selection cannot be changed during the promotional period. There is no limit to the number of bonus points or free night certificates that can be awarded.

For more information or to become a Hilton HHonors member, visit HHonors.com

Nepal Family Adventure 12 days

This low altitude trek in the Annapurna foothills is specifically devised for families. There will be time spent in the traditional Hindu villages where children regard the Himalaya as their playground. At each campsite you will join the crew and the villagers in dancing, singing and games of volleyball and cricket. There is also time to visit schools and markets for a real local flavour. During the trek you will see the magnificent oak and rhododendron forests as you ascend to alpine meadows that boast spectacular views of the Annapurna Range. After completing the trek you travel to the Chitwan National Park and ride atop elephants in search of rhino and the Bengal tiger.
Price: £990 per adult, £850 per child
Departures in 2011: 18 December, 29 December; further departures throughout 2012

Cuba On foot 15 days

Explore Cuba from Vinales in the west to Sierra Maestra in the east is a natural paradise for walkers. From the vibrant Havana, you head to Vinales, home to the Mogotes limestone karst scenery and to the hill station of Soroa for wonderfully varied walking through a diverse environment. Cool off in the natural pools in Topes de Collantes and explore caves, waterfalls and grottos. In the Sierra Maestra National Park you can visit Castro’s revolutionary base, La Comandancia, and climb Cuba’s highest peak. The enchanting colonial towns of Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santiago break up the walks where you can indulge in a Cuba Libre and hearty local cuisine.
Price: £1,890 per person
Departures in 2011: 19 November, 17 December; further departures throughout 2012

Bike, Hike and Kayak Northern Vietnam 11 days
This compact itinerary provides a real opportunity to interact and stay with Vietnam’s northern ethnic minorities, explore national parks and kayak in the dramatic Halong Bay. From the vibrant centre of Hanoi you travel deep into the valleys of Mai Chau, where you cycle and walk between the traditional stilted villages of the White Thai minority. Avoiding the main highways is crucial to enjoying Vietnam at by bike, and much safer for the family. You will explore towering limestone karst scenery at Ninh Binh by bike, boat and on foot before heading to the tranquillity of Halong Bay for 2 nights aboard a well-appointed junk. Here you will kayak, swim and relax in the turquoise waters of this truly special place.
Price: £1,090 per person
Departures in 2011: 7 November, 17 November, 21 November, 5 December, 19 December, 26 December; further departures in 2012

Backroads of Japan 15 days
Ascend mountain trails and take valley hikes to get a measure of the landscape and its centuries-long history of hermitage and pilgrimage. The itinerary includes an ascent of one of the mountains close to Mt Fuji and a sojourn in a rural town in the southern Alps. You will also walk along Japan’s oldest forest trail, winding through rice paddies and bamboo groves, past ancient tombs following an early pilgrim route through cherry and cedar forests. The ‘backroads’ theme continues even in the cities as we explore the heart of teeming Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Price: £2,890 per person
Departures in 2011: 12 November; further departures in 2012

Best of Peru 16 days
From colonial Lima, you fly across the Andes to an Amazon jungle lodge before reaching Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Here you will see some of South America’s best markets and discover a variety of Spanish and Inca heritage. The discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911 revealed an incredible Inca architectural masterpiece, and this startling find provides a grand finale to the trek along the Inca Trail. On the trail, you will avoid the busier campsites, and ascend from the jungle to the snow capped Andean peaks to complete this spectacular approach to Machu Picchu. Travelling onto Lake Titicaca, you will visit the Uros Indians who live on floating reed islands and enjoy a night in a homestay on an island before returning to Lima.
Price: £1,750 per person
Departures in 2011: 6 November, 18 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.

HOLIDAY home owners wishing to swap the Mediterranean for the Alps or rural France for the Caribbean can join an innovative new club.

The Platinum Circle Club allows members to enjoy holidays in stunning destinations across the world.

Members earn points for allowing a fellow club member to take a holiday at their property, which they can then use to stay at any other club member’s home anytime and anywhere they like – for FREE.

Club founder, Nick Jordan, said: “The club is aimed at owners who want to spread their wings and explore new destinations all over the world while having the security of inviting fellow club members into their home.

“Membership is free and we’ve already attracted members with holiday homes in 16 different countries.

Nick added: “I came up with the idea when I was thinking of letting out my own holiday home in the Caribbean. I enjoy going skiing and thought it would be great if I could exchange my home for a mountain chalet.”

Members can upload their holiday home details onto the website – www.platinumcircle.com – and the club’s innovative points system is easy to understand.

If members own a home in, for example, Majorca with a rental price of 700 Euros per week and they accept a request from a fellow member to holiday there for a week, they will earn 700 Euro points to spend on a holiday at any other property.

Members can then find their next holiday on the website. If they would like to book somewhere costing 800 Euro points per week, they can use their points and pay the 100 Euros difference to the owner to top up and secure the booking.

Alternatively, if they book somewhere at 600 Euro points, they will retain a 100 Euro point credit in their account for next time.

Points can be collected in either pound, Euro or dollar points.

The Platinum Circle Club is based in Macclesfield, Cheshire. For more information, call Steve Dennis on 01625 869198 or email Steve.Dennis@platinumcircle.com

Alternatively, contact Teresa Green at Chris Green Media on 01905 453908/07985 322142 or email teresa@chrisgreenmedia.co.uk

All types of holiday homes in popular locations are acceptable but timeshare properties are not suitable for membership due to inflexibility on dates.

Lyon has been a long time favourite hub for food lovers combining high-end gourmet restaurants with rustic French je ne sais quoi! In early December the city comes to life as the “Festival of Lights” combines with the ‘Salon du Chocolat’ and the Lyon Christmas Market making it a real pre-Christmas weekend treat.

Traditionally a religious celebration, the Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights) is a celebration that has been taking place in Lyon on the same weekend for over 150 years. Candles and lamps line each of the streets of the city, brightly illuminated works of art light up public spaces, and monuments are lit-up with dazzling displays and special effects.

Over the same weekend, Lyon’s Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate Exhibition) opens its doors to chocolate lovers from around the world. Visitors can indulge in rows and rows of artisan chocolate makers encouraging tastings of their delectable wares as well as chocolate fashion shows and chocolate cooking demos. Chocolate heaven!

To top off this event-filled weekend away, a visit to the Christmas Market is perfect for mooching. Think rows of wooden chalets, lip-smacking local food, a wide selection of arts and crafts, entertainment throughout the Christmas period all topped off with a glass or two of vin chaud.

Throughout their stay visitors can dine in the traditional bouchon restaurants indigenous to Lyon that provide a cheeky peek of life as a food loving Lyonnais, or enjoy some of the world’s best cuisine at Lyon’s fine-dining establishments.

Rebecca Wilson, Director of food festival specialist, Seasoned Travel said, “We have known for a long time that Lyon is the gastro capital of Europe with more Michelin stars than you can shake a stick at. We are delighted to offer the perfect Christmassy weekend with a difference, combining the best of Lyon with these three great events.”

Prices: Three nights in 4* Lyon Metropole and Spa with return flights from London to Lyon, entrance to the Chocolate Exhibition, personalised restaurant recommendations and reservations from £395 per person based on two people sharing, departing 8th December 2011, subject to availability.

For more information on tailor made breaks to the above event see www.seasonedtravel.co.uk  or call 0844 809 2599.