Jetsettersblog

The Modern Honolulu has partnered with Stash Hotel Rewards, the largest loyalty program for independent hotels in the United States. Stash members will soon be able to earn and redeem points for free nights at the hotel, which opened in 2010 after a $200 million renovation and rebranding.

Stash members earn five points for each dollar spent on eligible room rates and can redeem them at independent hotels across North America, including the Caribbean and now Hawaii. Stash points never expire, and there are no black-out dates or category restrictions. Stash partner hotels also provide members with exclusive travel deals. To join Stash, visit www.stashrewards.com

For hotel information, call 866-970-4131 or visit www.themodernhonolulu.com

Cox & Kings, The Americas released its 2012 catalogs for Africa and Indian Ocean and Arabia and North Africa regions with programs in a range of price points, including the budget-oriented Discovery Private Journeys, the five-star Luxury Private Journeys and Escorted Luxury Group Journeys. A newly launched selection of Escorted Private Group Journeys, known as the Cox & Kings Dream Trips, features favorite experiences of the company’s destination managers.

Experiences made possible within the itineraries include taking a dip in the Dead Sea, soaring above the Valley of the Kings in a hot air balloon, swimming with penguins in South Africa, walking amidst the surreal Tsingy pillars in the Montagne d’Ambre National Park, or exploring an ancient city carved out of rock in Petra, recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

New programs include the 10-night Egypt and Jordan — Kingdoms Lost, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, Temples of Ramses, flying over the Valley of the Kings in a hot air balloon in Luxor and a luxury yacht ride on the Nile River, priced from $6,935 per person double occupancy; the eight-night Israel — The Ancient Land from $7,655; the 13-night South Africa Family Discovery from $9,995; and the 11-night Mysteries of Madagascar, from $4,840 per person, based on double occupancy.

Founded in 1758, Cox & Kings is the world’s oldest existing travel brand, operating in the Indian subcontinent even before the British Raj, serving thousands traveling from Britain to India, Africa and other destinations. Today, Cox & Kings is a premium global brand offering cultural and wildlife adventures designed for small groups, families, friends, couples and individuals who are seeking to experience the grandeur of the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Middle East, the Indian Ocean islands, Asia and Pacific, and Latin America. For more information, call 800-999-1758 or visit www.coxandkingsusa.com

The Villa Experience by Travel Impressions is offering a 10 percent early booking discount on select Tuscany vacations (minimum of seven nights) booked through Dec. 31 for travel anytime in 2012. The Villa Experience by Travel Impressions offers 106 villas in Tuscany which include one-bedroom to 99-bedroom options.

Sample savings, based on a seven-night stay, at participating Tuscany villas include Borgo Bernadini, 12 bedrooms and four bathrooms with a savings up to $4,200; Bosciglia Estate, six bedrooms and six bathrooms with a savings up to $1,575; Santa Virigina, six bedrooms and six bathrooms with a savings up to $1,390; Casale Sodini, seven bedrooms and six bathrooms with a savings up to $1,100; and La Tabaccaia, three bedrooms and three bathrooms with a savings up to $700.

Travel Impressions’ team of villa consultants will assist agents in finding the ideal vacation for their clients. Travel Impressions introduced The Villa Experience by Travel Impressions, a collection of more than 800 villa rental properties in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe and Mexico, in November 2010.

For reservations or more information, call 888-284-3786 or visit http://villas.travimp.com

Far and Away Adventures scheduled 12 launch dates from late May through mid September 2012 of its six-day/five night Middle Fork of the Salmon River American Safari rafting adventures. Any two families (at least one adult and one child per family) booking together on the same departure by Dec. 31 will get 2011 rates and a savings of $160 per adult and $150 per child 18 and under.

Families who would like to arrange an exclusively tailored, private charter also receive the booking discount (if reserved by Dec. 31) plus a complimentary spot for the group organizer when securing 21 paid spaces. Set departures for 2012 are May 28, June 6, June 15, June 24, July 2, July 10, Aug. 3, Aug. 11, Aug. 19, Aug. 27, Sept. 6, and Sept. 14. Pricing at 2011 rates is $2,590 adult, $2,300 child; and at 2012 rates $2,750 adult, $2450 child.

The scene is set with stories of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, Lewis and Clark and cowboy poetry told around the campfire with live music. Families will roast marshmallows, stargaze and experience a world where electronic devices won’t work. (Emergency and pertinent business contact is always possible via satellite phone).

To make sure that texting-deprived youngsters stay engaged, Far and Away Adventures’ “eco-tainment” staff provides opportunities for experiences that immerse and empower in the natural environment.

On the first night of each journey, each guest receives a safari journal listing the wildlife and flora and fauna to be discovered along the river route.

Far and Away Adventures has been sharing the excitement of paddling with adventuresome guests since 1980. Simply, the wonders of nature and those created by Far and Away Adventures for guests plying these and other privileged waters create a new category for those who seek experiences above and beyond the ordinary.

Far and Away Adventures’ guests are moved beyond world-class into a universe where luxury and wilderness blend marvelously together.

For more information, call 800-232-8588 or visit www.far-away.com

Idaho-based Sea Kayak Adventures is offering an all-inclusive eight-day trip on which participants can spend three days helping researchers monitor and tag endangered sea turtles at their nesting beach in Magdalena Bay, and three days paddling a sea kayak alongside dolphins and sea lions inthe clear waters of Loreto Bay in the Sea of Cortez.

The itinerary offers opportunities for novices to paddle and explore uninhabited desert islands by stable sea kayak, snorkel with colorful fish along isolated coves in clear turquoise waters and learn all about sea turtles.

All activities are led by naturalist guides.

Sea Kayak Adventures is partnering with RED Sustainable Tourism to offer the conservation tour package along the Baja California peninsula, Mexico. For ecology minded travelers, the trip has the positive impact of directly supporting community-based conservation of endangered green sea turtles.

Recognized around the world as a model for community-based sea turtle conservation, the Grupo Tortuguero’s Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtle Monitoring Program has helped to turn the tide for this once critically endangered species.

Local communities seek alternatives to fishing as their sole source of income, and strive to train local community members in ecotourism and other low-impact cottage industries.

The tour is scheduled for March 25 to April 1, 2012, including the air arrival and departure days. Forty percent of the price of $1,650 per adult ($1,485 for youth 12 to 17) goes to the local sea turtle conservation efforts.

The price includes three hotel nights in Loreto (with pool); all meals at camp; all camping, sleeping and kayaking equipment; airport transfer; ground transportation; instruction and guides; and taxes. Not included is air fare from Los Angeles, gratuities, $25 national park fee, meals in town, snorkeling gear and personal items. Alaska Air flies once daily LAX-LTO. For more information, call 800-616-1943 or visit www.seakayakadventures.com

Rezidor is opening its first Radisson Blu in Greece. Opening mid-December, Radisson Blu Athens will mark the brand’s 65th country across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Formerly known as the Athens Park Hotel, the property will open as a Radisson Blu by mid December 2011. The 152-key property was fully renovated in 2009-10 and further renovations are planned for 2012.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Athens features the Gallo Nero restaurant, the Oak Room bar, St’Astra rooftop restaurant, and two conference rooms. The hotel also features a rooftop swimming pool with stunning views across Athens and its famous Acropolis.

Situated in the northern part of city center, the hotel is opposite Pedion Areos, Athens’ largest park, and is next to the National Archaeological Museum. Athens’ old center, the Acropolis, and numerous museums and shops are all within walking distance of the hotel.

The surrounding neighborhood was redeveloped for the 2004 Olympics and is home to many offices and embassies.

For more information, visit www.beachbooker.com

The Esperanza Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is offering a “Whale’s Journey” package featuring 25 percent savings on stays between Jan. 2 to March 31, 2012. Under the offer, guests receive three nights in an ocean-view garden casita, including a two and a half-hour Zodiac whale-watching excursion with transfers to and from the marina, complimentary private roundtrip airport transfers, complimentary book on the Gray Whales of Baja and a pair of binoculars, a lunch for two at La Palapa Bar & Grill, complimentary daily breakfast for two at El Restaurante, complimentary yoga classes daily and use of the fitness facility. The package is available from Jan. 2 to March 31, 2012, with rates starting at $2,959 for three nights.

For more information, visit www.esperanzaresort.com

Guests who book three nights at Jamaica’s recently reopened Strawberry Hill Hotel will receive a complimentary de-stress spa treatment per person.

The offer applies to travel completed before Dec. 19, 2011. Nightly rates start at $235. Strawberry Hill is located 3,100 feet above sea level and features inspiring views of the Blue Mountains and the capital city of Kingston.

Accommodations feature fully restored, original antique furnishings including romantic canopied four-poster beds and solid mahogany desks with ornate hand-carved fretwork. New soft furnishings with exquisite, hand-dyed linens complete the offerings. DJ and Quango label founder Bruno Guez produced new musical playlists for the resort’s public spaces to match the vibe of this high-altitude escape. Guests can check out iPods pre-loaded Bruno Guez playlists during their stay.

For more information, call 800-OUTPOST or visit www.islandoutpost.com/strawberry_hill.

Grenada’s Mount Cinnamon resort is offering holiday rates starting at $399 per night on bookings through Nov. 30, 2011, for travel through April 14, 2012. Children ages 16 and under stay free when sharing accommodations with one or more adults. Families can also opt for Mount Cinnamon’s SAVVY Inclusive option, which offers five nights of dining on property and two nights at local restaurant partners for an additional supplement of $175 per adult. Also, family-friendly festivities will include a lobster and rum punch cruise, a half-day of island hopping, a snorkeling excursion and a lobster lunch on Christmas Eve.

For more information, call 800-858-4618 or visit www.mountcinnamongrenadahotel.com  or www.eliteislandresorts.com

The Motivational Way To Get Fit in 2012

The renowned Champneys spa resorts are delighted to announce the dates for their upcoming Fit Camps in 2012. If you’re bored of slogging it out on the treadmill at the gym, and are looking for something to inspire your fitness routine, then why not book into one of the Champneys Fit Camps where you will enjoy a mix of group activities and exercise, fantastic cuisine and of course a little pampering. With an average weight loss of 6.3 lbs and an average inch loss of 4.5 inches, these Fit Camps are a great way to get fit, have fun and see great results!

Guests will take part in the new itineraries with fun, challenging, fitness regimes for four to six hours a day and it is hoped will leave Champneys feeling energised and motivated to continue with their new level of fitness. Each guest will receive one-to-one advice with the resident nutritionists and a food plan to follow when back at home. The Fit Camps are a great way of making a positive lifestyle change that will stay with you forever.

With invigorating activities and great camaraderie, there’s also time for important rest and relaxation in the spa where guests can indulge in the latest spa therapies, take a dip in the pool or relax in the warm, bubbling Thalassotherapy pool – ideal for soothing tired and aching limbs.

At the end of the day, catch up with the group over a healthy and delicious three course evening meal before retreating to the comfort of your room, where you’re guaranteed to fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow!

The Champneys Fit Camps are for a minimum of eight people so whether you get a group of friends together or go it alone – you’re sure to have one of the most rewarding fitness experiences out there. The team at Champneys is also happy to talk through ideas and tailor the Fit Camp to your personal requirements.

Champneys week long Fit Camps take place on the below dates and are available from £995 per person for Henlow and Springs and £1195 per person for Forest Mere and Tring. To book visit www.champneys.com or call 0843 316 2222. This includes accommodation, food and beverages as well as the above mentioned fit camp activity.

2012 Dates
Week Long Fit Camps
v January 14th – 21st Champneys Tring
v January 28th – 4th February Champneys Forest Mere
v February 18th – 25th Champneys Tring
v March 3rd – 10th Champneys Forest Mere
v March 30th – 6th April Champneys Tring
v April 21st – 28th Champneys Springs
v May 5th – 12th Champneys Henlow
v May 26th – 2nd June Champneys Forest Mere

Further dates are available from June to October 2012. Champneys also offers 2 night and 4 night Fit Camps for those that want to get fit but have little time on their hands. The 2 night Fit Camps are £349.95 per person and the 4 night Fit Camps are £599.95 per person.

For further information on Champneys Fit Camps visit www.champneys.com