Jetsettersblog

Small ship and yachting specialist Seafarer has announced some early booking discounts with savings of up to £720 per cabin on the unique Rivers of West Africa cruise, operated by Variety Cruises on the 46 passenger MY Pegasus.

This unique cruise combines African coastal cruising along the coast of Senegal and Gambia, with exploration of the Saloun Delta and the Gambia River.

The very reasonably priced optional excursion programme gives passengers the opportunity to discover the diverse flora and fauna of this wonderful area as well as the fascinating culture and history of the local inhabitants.

Seafarer Managing Director, Chris Lorenzo said “This superb and quite unique cruise is a repeat of the very successful cruise series operated here last winter, whilst the 23 cabin mega yacht Pegasus, is the only European owned and crewed cruises vessel operating in this area”.

Facilities on board the Pegasus include ample sun decks, a spacious and comfortable lounge and bar, a restaurant and well appointed outside cabins with air conditioning and en suite facilities. Pegasus is fully SOLAS compliant, and cruises the Mediterranean and Black Sea during the summer months.

Early booking prices for a 7 night cruise from Senegal start at £1225pp cruise only, or from £1,888 with flights and transfers. A 2 night extension in Dakar, Senegal with excursions costs £395

For More info Contact Chris Lorenzo at
Seafarer Cruising & Sailing Holidays
On 0208 324 3117 or email on info@seafarercruises.com

Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat Khaki, L – With no-see-um netting to hold off the bugs, the Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat is an ideal choice for mosquito protection when you’re camping in buggy environments. The netting on the Bug Bucket Hat seals around your neck with a drawcord and stuffs into the crown when not in use. Made with UPF 30+ SolarSheild fabric, this Outdoor Research hat also keeps the sun from burning your head and neck. The Bug Bucket hat stuffs into a hidden pocket, allowing it to stow easily when not in use.

Seafarer Cruising & Sailing Holidays

Small ship and yachting specialist Seafarer has announced some early booking discounts with savings of up to £720 per cabin on the unique Rivers of West Africa cruise, operated by Variety Cruises on the 46 passenger MY Pegasus.

This unique cruise combines African coastal cruising along the coast of Senegal and Gambia, with exploration of the Saloun Delta and the Gambia River.

The very reasonably priced optional excursion programme gives passengers the opportunity to discover the diverse flora and fauna of this wonderful area as well as the fascinating culture and history of the local inhabitants.

Seafarer Managing Director, Chris Lorenzo said “This superb and quite unique cruise is a repeat of the very successful cruise series operated here last winter, whilst the 23 cabin mega yacht Pegasus, is the only European owned and crewed cruises vessel operating in this area”.

Facilities on board the Pegasus include ample sun decks, a spacious and comfortable lounge and bar, a restaurant and well appointed outside cabins with air conditioning and en suite facilities. Pegasus is fully SOLAS compliant, and cruises the Mediterranean and Black Sea during the summer months.

Early booking prices for a 7 night cruise from Senegal start at £1225pp cruise only, or from £1,888 with flights and transfers. A 2 night extension in Dakar, Senegal with excursions costs £395

For More info Contact Chris Lorenzo at
Seafarer Cruising & Sailing Holidays
On 0208 324 3117 or email on info@seafarercruises.com

Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat Khaki, L – With no-see-um netting to hold off the bugs, the Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat is an ideal choice for mosquito protection when you’re camping in buggy environments. The netting on the Bug Bucket Hat seals around your neck with a drawcord and stuffs into the crown when not in use. Made with UPF 30+ SolarSheild fabric, this Outdoor Research hat also keeps the sun from burning your head and neck. The Bug Bucket hat stuffs into a hidden pocket, allowing it to stow easily when not in use.

Variety Cruises is offering Christmas and New Year’s sailings of its seven-night “Rivers of West Africa” with reduced fares starting at $1,790 per person. The cruises depart Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 from Dakar, Senegal. The cruise traverses the Gambia and Saloun rivers, visiting nature reserves and villages, including a school near Janjangbureh supported by Variety Cruises through corporate and passenger donations. Also on the itinerary is James Island on the Gambia River, which was featured in Alex Haley’s saga “Roots.” For more information, call 800-319-7776 or visit www.varietycruises.com

Lindblad Expeditions has introduced four new itineraries for 2012, each planned to take advantage of the best times to travel for wildlife sightings and local conditions. The new expeditions also offer insight into ancient cultures.

In Vietnam and Cambodia, Lindblad is offering a cruise along the Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon, aboard the new, 48-passenger Jahan.

The 14-day itinerary takes in the temples of Angkor; the floating villages, markets and small communities along the Mekong; and the cities of Phnom Penh and Saigon.

Rates start at $7,980 per person, double.

In Turkey and Greece, Lindblad is offering a new itinerary and a new expedition environment aboard the 58-passenger, four-masted Sea Cloud. “Exploring Turkey & Greece: A Sailing Odyssey” is a journey to the home of Western civilization along the Turkish coast and the Greek isles.

The 10-day itinerary includes visits to Istanbul, a bridge between East and West; Ephesus, one of the great centers of the Greek world; Didyma, home to one of Apollo’s oracles; and Greece’s Cycladic islands of Santorini, Folégandros and sacred Delos, home to some of the greatest works created by the ancients. Rates start at $7,990 per person, double.

The “West African Odyssey: Exploring from South Africa to Morocco” cruise spans 16 countries.

The 37-day itinerary explores the entire west coast of Africa from Cape Town, South Africa, to Morocco, offering an array of cultures, scenery and wildlife. Guests will experience daily life in Africa through its markets and music and encounter a great sweep of geography, including the maritime climate of South Africa, the deserts of Namibia, the tropics and savannas of the coast, the desert of the Western Sahara and the city of Marrakech.

The adventure takes place aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer with rates from $28,480 per person, double.

“Exploring the Cultures and Wildlife of Papua New Guinea” is a 16-day itinerary that explores the country’s natural splendor and cultures aboard the 68-guest Oceanic Discoverer.

Guests will observe the active volcano Tavurvur; visit the villagers’ traditional homes and yam huts in the Trobriands, whose cultures were famously studied by anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski; and view art along the Sepik River and the remains of a ship stored in a cave by the Japanese during World War II at Rabaul.

Throughout the voyage, guests can beach comb, swim and snorkel on some of the finest coral reefs in the world. Rates start at $14,790 per person, double.

For more information, call 800-397-3348 or visit www.expeditions.com

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines announced details of an 80-night voyage around Africa. Black Watch’s Indian Ocean cruise, departing Jan. 10, 2013, from Southampton, visits several African countries, rounds the Cape of Good Hope, and takes in Mauritius and the Maldives en route to India. The cruise then travels to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt, with a transit of the Suez Canal, returning via Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, and Libya.

Key ports of call include Banjul, Gambia; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Cape Town, South Africa, for two nights; Port Louis, Mauritius; Dubai for an overnight; Abu Dhabi; Muscat, Oman; Alexandria, Egypt; Piraeus, for Athens, Greece; and Valletta, Malta.

“On the itinerary planning front, cruises featuring ports of call across North Africa and the Middle East have come under scrutiny,” said Nigel Lingard, Fred Olsen’s marketing director. “Despite these constraints, we continue to expand our horizons, offering new destinations wherever possible.”

Prices start at $12,043 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin-bed cabin. Up to $600 onboard spending per person is available, depending on cabin grade. Those who book before May 31 receive early booking savings. For more information, call 800-843-0602, email info@bortonoverseas.com  or visit www.bortonoverseas.com

Rainforest Festival in Borneo, Baia das Gatas Festival in Cape Verde and many more..

Songlines Music Travel is delighted to announce 14 exclusive trips this year with new trips to Malaysia for the Rainforest Festival in Borneo; Cape Verde for the Baia das Gatas Festival; India for the Jodhpur RIFF Festival and Malawi for the Lake of Stars Festival.

Each trip has been developed by the experts behind the leading world music magazine, Songlines, and the Tailor-Made Groups Company and will be led by a Songlines Travel Leader – creating the ultimate way to soak up the musical vibes of the country. The tours, for groups of 10 to 20 people, go beneath the surface to offer intimate and memorable musical experiences – be it private concerts, jam sessions or meetings with musicians and instrument-makers. Of course, our trips aren’t exclusively about the music and there are also historic, cultural and culinary highlights along the way. But nothing beats experiencing music where it belongs – with the food, the ambience and the local audience.

Borneo Rainforest Festival
July 4-11 2011
Tour price per person is £649
Flights per person from £500

In July, Kuching plays host to the annual Rainforest World Music Festival, the best in the region. It’s a great place to hear local artists as well as big international names. It takes place in the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum featuring traditional longhouses and dwellings of the various ethnic groups. Listen to the gorgeous sound of the plucked sapé, the most beautiful of the indigenous instruments.

In addition to the Rainforest Festival, our eight-day tour offers the chance to get a taste of the interior with an overnight trip to Bako National Park. However, for those who really want to experience the rainforest, our 13-day trip provides another five nights in Sarawak, offering time to take a couple of trips into the interior. Options include trekking in Mulu National Park, a river cruise, a caving trip or an overnight stay in a longhouse, a very warm and sociable experience.

Cape Verde
Baia das Gatas Festival
August 9-16 2011
Tour price per person is £995
Flights per person from £625

Home to the world famous ‘barefoot diva’ Cesaria Evora, this festival takes place on one of West Africa’s little-known island nations. On this eight day trip we visit two islands: – Sal (named for its salt flats), where we enjoy magnificent sandy beaches and São Vicente, where the capital Mindelo is Cape Verde’s liveliest town. The Baia das Gatas is a short journey away with a long beach, a lagoon and a handful of Portuguese restaurants, and is usually a quiet spot. All that changes however in August when the festival starts. We’ll spend the evenings at the beach where it becomes an open-air concert with music not just from Cape Verde but also from Brazil, the Caribbean, Africa and America.

India The Jodhpur RIFF and Rajasthan
October 7-18, 2011
Tour price per person is £1,095
Flights per person from £560

This 12 day trip departs on 7th October to Rajasthan, India’s most colourful and spectacular destination. This trip enables you to experience spectacular sights and, through the music, get a deep insight into the heart and culture of this larger-than-life destination. There will be hands-on opportunities to try out musical instruments for those that wish to, although you can also enjoy being a spectator. The trip takes in two of Rajasthan’s most important cities – the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and the dramatic ‘blue city’ of Jodhpur, with its rocky fortress. After time learning about the music of Rajasthan in Jaipur , as well as meeting the hereditary Manganiyar musicians, we will move on to Jodhpur for five days to experience the Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival). This is one of the great music festivals in India with international names rubbing shoulders with outstanding local folk musicians in the unbeatable setting of the Mehrangarh Fort. The price of the tour includes tickets to all music events at the Jodhpur RIFF.

Serbia Gucaa Brass Band Festival
August 11-16 2011
Tour price per person is £495
Flights per person from £275

Balkan madness and brass bands as you’ve never known them. Each year 300,000 people descend on the village of Guca, home to just 3,000 inhabitants for the Golden Trumpet competition. It’s one of the wildest festivals in Europe. Songlines’ six day trip includes three evenings at the festival with accommodation arranged in the heart of the village. There’s also a chance to get a taste of Belgrade nightlife. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to experience the biggest, brassiest and Balkanist festival in Europe.

Cuba The Musical Island
May 8-May 22 2011
Sept 18-Oct 2 2011
Tour price per person is £1,439
Flights per person from £575

Led by Phil Sweeney, author of the Rough Guide to Cuban Music, this 8 or 15 day trip starts in Baracoa in the east of Cuba, where son and the Cuban revolution began in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra. Driving first to Guantánamo Bay and then onto Santiago de Cuba, our first major stop, where we’ll visit the Casa de la Trova in the evening, one of the best venues in Cuba. Then on to Trinidad for two days where we’ve arranged a walking tour of the old town and we’ll also take in plenty of music in the evenings. Continuing west, the trip ends with two full days in Havana, with a city tour and time to delve into the music of the capital where the popular sound of mambo emerged and where reggaeton holds sway today.

Other trips for 2011 include:

Marrakech and the Desert The Pulse of Morocco
September 22-30, 2011
Relish real Gnawa music as we head south into the Sahara. Meet musicians at a desert camp and learn more than you could ever imagine about this fascinating music scene, where traditional and popular styles collide.
Tour price per person is £939
Flights per person from £230

Morocco Gnawa Music Festival, Essaouira and Marrakech
June 23-27 2011
Tour price per person is £395
Flights per person from £135

Each June the Moroccan Atlantic coastal town of Essaouira hosts the extraordinary Gnawa and World Music Festival. Our tour offers a long weekend trip with two full days to enjoy the full range of the music and the opportunity to explore the narrow lanes of the old walled medina and the wonderful long beaches beyond.

Portugal
Lisbon – the Home of Fado
June 2-5 2011
Sept 1-4 2011
Tour price per person is £439
Flights per person from £140

For fans of Mariza and all things fado, see where Portugal’s most distinctive music was born less than 200 years ago and sample lively Brazilian and Cape Verdean scenes.

Mali – the Beating Heart of the Mande Empire
October 15-24, 2011
Tour price per person is £1,299
Flights per person from £690

This trip explores the music scene of Bamako, one of the liveliest in Africa, as well as visiting the Sikasso region and spending time in Ségou. A genuine insight into local culture and traditions.

Malawi Lake of Stars festival
Oct 2011 (Festival dates TBC)
Tour price per person is £1,039
Flights per person from £645

Enjoy beats on the beach at this award-winning festival on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Senegal
Never Mind the Mbalax
Nov 25-Dec 4 2011
Tour price per person is £1,065
Flights per person from £570

Senegal’s capital, Dakar, is renowned for its mbalax and hip-hop. We also visit the historically important Gorée island and
St Louis, West Africa’s first French settlement.

Cuba National Day and the Music of Cuba
Dec 29 2011-Jan 12 2012
For a New Year with a difference, celebrating in Havana before heading east.
Tour price per person is £1,649
Flights per person from £615

And looking into 2012 we have trips to Mali for the Festival on the Niger, Zanzibar for The Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) Festival, Brazil for the Salvador & Sao Paulo carnivals and Spain for the Jerez Flamenco Festival:

Simon Broughton, Songlines’ editor-in-chief, says “Music is a great way into other cultures and an ideal way of meeting people, which is why we have created these trips”. He continues, “There is so much fantastic music out there, but the problem is it’s not always so easy to find. Who would guess that some of the best djembés in West Africa are made on a patch of wasteland beside a roundabout in Bamako? The key to these trips is our knowledge at Songlines, which is the basis of all the itineraries.”

For information and reservations, call Songlines Music Travel on 020 8505 2582 or visit www.songlinesmusictravel.com

British Airways unveiled their new First class seat to the Hong Kong market at an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the airline flying London to Hong Kong.

At the same event the company launched a competition for residents offering a grand prize of a First Class holiday to London, during the Royal Wedding Weekend this April.

The lucky winner and their chosen companion will enjoy flights to London and back in First class on British Airways on Wednesday 27 April 2011, just in time to experience all the excitement of the Royal Wedding on Friday 29 April 2011.

“We are delighted to announce this competition to celebrate 75 years of flying between London and Hong Kong. The winner will be lucky enough to experience British Airways’ First class, enjoy springtime in the city staying in one of top hotels in London, and possibly catch a glimpse of the Royal Bride – it will undoubtedly be one of Britain’s most exciting weekends this year,” said Kevin McQuillan, British Airways Regional General Manager, East Asia.

The dream trip includes staying in a Grand Junior Suite for 3 nights in Europe’s first “Grand Hotel”. The Langham, London opened in 1865. Located in the heart of the West End, The Langham has one of London’s most enviable addresses commanding a position at the top of the elegant boulevard of Regent Street. The guests will also be able to enjoy Tea Royale in the Palm Court, a celebratory afternoon tea to commemorate the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William to Kate Middleton.

After enjoying a long weekend of dining, shopping and culture, taking in the sights of one of the best cities in the world, the winners will enjoy their flights to Hong Kong in First class luxury on Sunday 1 May 2011.

Jamie Cassidy, British Airways Area General Manager, Asia and the Pacific, said: “This milestone anniversary recognises the importance of this route for British Airways. We have worked together with Hong Kong, growing businesses and building relationships since 1936, and we are proud to be connected to such an incredibly energetic city.”

The competition launched on Friday 18 March 2011, and is open for three weeks until Friday 8 April 2011, when it will close at 11:59 p.m.

Jamie Cassidy also unveiled the new First class seat at the event to celebrate the 75th anniversary. He commented: “The new First class cabin will create an exclusive experience based on classic design and understated luxury. It echoes our commitment and confidence in global premium travel.” The airline has just invested GBP100 million in its new First class cabin.

British Airways is pleased to continue the tradition of flying between Hong Kong and London in its 75th anniversary year, and remains committed to providing superior service to leisure, business and luxury customers travelling between Europe and Asia.

Follow the footsteps of famous Africa Explorers and explore West Africa. Journey to the past, rich in deep rooted history, artistic abundance and the beauty of the human spirit. Travelers immerse into the culture of ancient cities, desert nomads and voodoo priests in this mysterious and exotic land. Born Free Safaris West African Mosaic is offered in segments which may be taken individually or used to create a custom itinerary. The complete West African Mosaic’s scheduled departure is to Senegal, the Gambia and Ghana with optional extensions to Benin and Mali.

Extensions are run by The Rivers of West Africa program, which operates from Dakar-Senegal. Small vessels sail upstream, at a leisurely pace, with stops in fishing villages or commercial towns along the Atlantic Ocean or as much as 240 miles upstream the Gambia River. Daily excursions will bring in the heart of this fascinating land with its colourful fauna and flora.

With comfort and safety always in mind, Born Free offers groups as well as custom trips designed to offer additional dimensions not found on standard journeys. For more information about rates and trip options, contact Born Free Safaris & Tours at (800) 4-SAFARI,or visit www.bornfreesafaris.com

South African Airways is holding a “Travel2Africa” two-for-one airfare sale, with fares starting at $1,479, including fuel surcharges for both passengers, for flights from New York or Washington, D.C. to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Dakar.

The “Travel2Africa” sale is also available to 16 other cities throughout Africa, including Nairobi, Kenya; Windhoek, Namibia; and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Fares must be purchased by Jan. 21 for travel between Jan. 20 and March 31 on SAA flights between New York or Washington, D.C., to selected points throughout Africa.

For more information, call 800-722-9675 or visit www.flysaaspecials.com

Emirates has strengthened its links to West Africa with the launch of a new direct service to Dakar.

EK 797 took off this morning for the airline’s 105th destination, creating the only non-stop, scheduled passenger link between Dubai and Senegal.

The new route will cut current journey times to Dakar by around the equivalent of an eight hour working day, creating an easy, fast and convenient service for business and leisure travellers.

Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Africa & the Americas said:

“Today marks a new chapter in air travel between the Middle East and West Africa. No more will passengers travelling to and from Senegal face long detours to Europe or other parts of Africa to reach their final destination.

“Instead, they can enjoy the convenience of a non-stop air link with Dubai, seamless connections to key centres in the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East through our state-of-the-art Terminal 3, a very competitive baggage allowance and the award-winning in-flight service for which Emirates is renowned.”

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Bangkok, EK 419 leaves from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 0240hrs and arrives in Dubai at 0545. The connecting flight, EK 797, departs Dubai at 0955hrs and arrives in Dakar at 1600hrs.

On the return flight, EK 798 leaves the Senegalese capital at 1740hrs and gets into Dubai at 0715hrs the following day. The connecting flight to Bangkok, EK 418, takes off at 0850hrs and lands in Bangkok at 1810hrs.

On the cargo side, Emirates will be transporting 65 tonnes of goods a week from various points on its global network, including oil industry equipment from the UAE; textiles from Asia, electronics from the East Asia and Europe; and a number of products and garments from India.

One of the key imports from Senegal will be seafood, with Emirates SkyCargo expecting to transport up to 3,500 tonnes of seafood a year in the belly-hold of the A340-300. Fresh produce – such as lobster, shrimp and sea bream – will be landing in supermarkets and restaurants throughout the UAE and the rest of the GCC, as well as various destinations across the Emirates network, including Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Paris and Beirut.

The new Dakar route caps an exceptionally busy few months for the airline.

Since the start of the summer, Emirates has announced orders for an additional 30 Boeing 777-300ER and 32 A380 aircraft; and placed a US$2.0 billion order for GE90-115B Engines to power the new 777s.

With 12 A380 aircraft now in service, Emirates has instated its flagship A380s on its Beijing and Manchester routes, with the latter also commencing today, 1st September.

Mr Page added: “Our new Dakar service is a further demonstration of Emirates’ commitment to investing in and supporting the development of its pan-African footprint. Not only is the service already paying dividends through the creation of new jobs, such as our first Senegalese cabin crew and sales staff, but it will provide a significant long-term boost to trade and commerce in both the Middle East and West Africa.”

Trade between the UAE and Senegal has climbed from USD 14.2 million (AED 52.1 million) in 2003 to USD 184 million (AED 676 million) in 2009, according to figures from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Khalid Bardan, Emirates’ Area Manager for Thailand and Indochina, said “The new Dakar destination opens up new markets for traders, exporters and importers – especially those in the fabric and clothes business.”

Dakar is the fifth new route to be launched by Emirates this year. The others are Tokyo, which launched on 28th March, Amsterdam on 1st May, Prague on 1st July and Madrid, on 1st August.