Jetsettersblog

Appian Line For Med Tours

Appian Line was started in 1943 by Lido Galli, after having returned from Ethiopia and Libya, as a cargo company that mainly transported raw materials within Italy. After a successful launch, Galli established the operation of tour busses in 1946. Business grew by 1950, which was declared as a “Holy Year” by the Catholic Church, putting Appian Line at a great advantage because of the many activities that took place that year in Rome that needed Appian Line’s services.

In 1969, with the dynamic management of Lido’s sons, Paolo and Piero, the Galli family bought Appian Line. At the Galli brothers’ helm are highly professional staff guaranteeing clients the best service at the right price.

There is a strong sense of family with Appian Line. Galli said, “First of all, it is tradition. My father comes from a region called Emilia Romagna, which is known for its very hardworking people. My father started to work at a young age, and he has instilled a legacy of hard work to his children. Forty years later, the company that he built is still around and we are hoping to be around for a long time.”

Appian Line today offers a wide array of tour programs, with rates beginning at 689 euros (US$1083) for an all-inclusive four-day tour. For a complete listing of the company’s very diverse products, log onto www.appianline.it.

Appian Line probably owns an 80 percent share of the market, according to Piero Galli, Appian Line’s executive vice president. Tour operators can trust in the Appian Line brand, which is one of the many reasons why the Rome-headquartered company has succeeded over the years.

Key markets for Appian Line include the United States, Canada, Australia, England and the Middle East. However, “We are trying to lure more China-, India- and Spanish-speaking countries,” the Appian Line executive vice president said.

He acknowledged that the general situation is affecting most of the market. “The North American market, especially the US, is not doing too well,” he said. “We are trying to be steady in our numbers.”

Appian Line has taken steps to address climate change. For one thing, the Rome-headquartered company is now encouraging walking tours to minimize the use of their tour buses. “By walking, we are allowing our clients to see the city [Rome] in the right way and that way the use of the coach bus is much less,” said Galli.

According to him, Appian Line has also taken the necessary step to meet the national regulation for standard emission called Euro 2-3-4, whereby a level 4 emits the lowest carbon dioxide, level 3 being the middle, and 2 being the highest level of CO2 emission. “We now have 50 percent Euro 4 buses and 50 percent Euro 3 buses,” Galli said. “We are buying two new buses every year to eliminate Euro 3 buses.”

Not afraid to adapt to the current conditions of the industry, Appian Line over the last 40 years has developed into one of leaders in the Italian market industry.

Appian can be found online at www.appianline.it

Appian Line is represented in the United States by an Illinois-based company called TourCrafters ( www.tourcrafters.com  Logon on now.

Twelve new UK routes by Ryanair

This winter as part of a package of 40 new European services.

Luton will gain flights to Beziers, Derry, Kaunas, Rzeszow, Szczecin (Poland) and Trapani (Sicily) while Madrdwill be served from Stansted.

Bristol to Gdansk, Marrakesh and Szczecin; Birmingham-Frankfurt and Manchester-Brussels are new regional services, in addition to new routes announced last week from Bournemouth and Glasgow (Prestwick).

The new flights start on the week starting October 27.

The no-frills carrier is putting 250,000 one-way tickets on sale for £10.

Ryanair’s Bridget Dowling said: “While other airlines are busy increasing fuel surcharges, Ryanair is busy guaranteeing the lowest fares and no fuel surcharges ever on forty new European routes.

“Passengers at 12 European bases are set to benefit from our biggest-ever single expansion, and these 40 new routes will ensure passenger savings of £150 million compared to the high fares levied by Europe’s fuel-surcharging flag-carriers.”

New routes:

Bremen-Fuerteventura, Gothenburg, Marrakesh, Tenerife.

Bournemouth-Milan, Paris

Bristol-Gdansk, Marrakesh, Szczecin

Brussels-Fez, Gdansk, Manchester, Marrakesh, Riga, Tangier, Wroclaw

Frankfurt-Birmingham, Klagenfurt, Prague

Glasgow Prestwick-Faro, Malaga, Tenerife

Luton-Beziers, Derry, Kaunas, Rzeszow, Szczecin and Trapani.

Madrid-Stansted, Milan

Marseille-Agadir, Brest, Lille, Nador, Tangier

Milan-Berlin, Bournemouth, Brindisi, Fez, Ibiza, Madrid

Rome-Alghero

Crew Wanted For 600 BC Sailing Expedition

Phoenicia Fact Sheet The search is on for keen sailors to take part in an ambitious expedition which aims to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa believed to have been completed by Phoenician mariners almost 3,000 years ago.

The Phoenician Ship Expedition will set sail this summer from the ancient Syrian port of Arwad, which is where the 70 ft replica vessel is being built.

Led by Philip Beale who successfully headed the Borobudur expedition in 2003-04 sailing a replica 8th century Indonesian trading vessel from Indonesia to West Africa, this latest venture is more ambitious and will see the ship cover 17,000 miles over 12 months before she arrives in London.

“You don’t have to be Ellen MacArthur to take part in this project, although she’d be most welcome. We’re looking for people who have a sense of adventure and curiosity to be part of a small team in what will inevitably be challenging circumstances. We want a multination crew and obviously not everyone can take so long away from work and family commitments so we’d welcome applications from people who could come for part of the voyage” said Beale.

The Phoenicia team are in need of specialist skills such as medical, culinary, IT and photographic expertise as well as experienced and novice sailors. Applications forms are available to down load from the projects website www.phoenicia.org.uk

Deilmann Spring 2009 Mediterranean Cruises

Peter Deilmann Cruises is introducing two new 2009 Mediterranean itineraries aboard its flagship, the Deutschland, with calls at such perennial favorites as Rome and Venice as well as lesser-known medieval cities. The seven-night Venice-to-Rome cruise departs March 29 and calls at ports in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Italy.

Fares range from $3,950 to $9,150 per person, double occupancy. A 12-night roundtrip from Rome, departing on April 5, explores destinations in Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Greece and Italy. Prices range from $5,100 to $13,970.

Peter Deilmann continues to offer a $99 air and shore excursion package that provides roundtrip air from 73 North American gateways, a package of pre-arranged shore excursions and free transfers to the ship, representing a value of up to $600. Groups of five couples or more save an additional 10 percent off the published cruise fares. The seven-night itinerary spotlights the Dalmatian Coast, with visits to the medieval cities of Kotor, Montenegro, and Zadar, Croatia.

Also on the itinerary are the Greek ports of Katakolon and Corfu. In Italy, the cruise will visit Naples, Venice and Rome. The 12-night itinerary includes an overnight in Rome and calls at Lipari and Messina, Sicily; La Goulette, Tunisia; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Malta; and Patras, Greece.

For travelers arranging their own air, an allowance of $750 per person is deductible from the cruise fare. Deilmann also offers business-class fares for an additional supplement on selected itineraries.

For more information, call 800-348-8287 or visit www.deilmann-cruises.com

Stop Dreaming About That Mediterranean Cruise

Stop dreaming about that Mediterranean Cruise and take one this summer with Small Families, the UK’s leading operator for single parent holidays!

It is offering three separate itineraries in August; all start and finish in Palma, Majorca.

They give the opportunity to visit some of Southern Europe’s most famous cities such as Genoa, Marseilles, Barcelona, Messina, Valencia, Palermo and Naples.

All cabins have sea views, air conditioning, TV, telephone and radio.

The ship has three restaurants, four bars, bathing pool, kids club, theatre, beauty salon and you will be in the company of other single parent families.

Departures are available from 18 airports across the UK.

Prices for a seven night cruise, inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks, most drinks and the services of a Small Families host throughout the holiday are £2,000 for an adult and one child sharing a cabin, additional children under 12, £650 and £785 over 12.

For more information call 01763 226567 or visit

www.smallfamilies.co.uk
www.singleparent.travel

Try Something Different This Bank Holiday

Embark on an exciting mini adventure with Travelsphere

This Bank Holiday weekend take the bull by the horns and head off on a mini adventure! Leading tour operator, Travelsphere, still has a few places remaining on some great ideas for the Bank Holiday weekend. See the Sahara and Souks of Tunisia, bask in the sights and scenery of Lake Garda, Croatia and Venice on a three centre trip, discover the undiscovered in Ukraine, travel by train across Russia, or simply relax on the stunning shores of the Seychelles.

Bank Holiday ideas include:

Discover Tunisia

Embark on an enchanting eight-day tour of Tunisia. Visit some of the country’s most famous historic sites and landscapes, whilst enjoying four relaxing nights at the modern beach resort of Yasmine Hammamet.

Travel through the dramatic Selja Canyon by Red Lizard train, before taking a jeep trip to the mountain oasis of Tamerza, which boasts views of the Atlas Mountains and the famous underground houses. See the great sand dunes of Nefta and Ong Jemel, which were used as a backdrop in the Star Wars movies, watch the sunrise over the salt lake of Chott el Jerid and take a camel ride through the Sahara desert.

Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk  offer an eight-day tour of Tunisia on May 2 from just £679pp. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick to Tunis, transfers, seven nights’ accommodation on a full board basis, all excursions and the services of a Travelsphere tour manager.

Guernsey

Just a short flight from the UK, Guernsey is the ideal haven for a scenic short break. The island boasts over 100 miles of stunning coastline, spectacular coastal walks, bountiful bird and wildlife and glorious sandy beaches. Guernsey’s main town, St. Peter Port features a lovely assortment of shops, bars and quaint boutiques. The break includes a tour of the island and there will also be the opportunity to visit the beautiful woodlands of Les Talbots Valley.

Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk) offer a five-day break to Guernsey on May 23 from just £524 per person. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Guernsey, four nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis, an island tour and the services of a local representative.

Yalta & Kiev

The Ukraine is still a relatively undiscovered jewel. Expect to find stunning landscapes and a fascinating history which had associations with the Crimean War, the Charge of the Light Brigade, Florence Nightingale and the Battle of Balaklava. Highlights include city tours in Kiev and Yalta, wine tasting at Massandra, the naval base of Sebastopol, the Nikitskiy Botanical Gardens and a visit to the remains of the ancient city of Chersonesus.

 Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk)  offer an eight-day tour of Yalta & Kiev on May 22 from £924 per person. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Simferopol returning from Kiev, transfers, seven nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis, lunch on days three and seven, city tours, several excursions and the services of a Travelsphere tour manager.

Lake Garda, Croatia & Venice

This charming three-centre tour features the stunning scenery of Lake Garda – the largest of the Italian Lakes. It then continues east to enjoy the glorious coastline of Croatia, before returning once again to Italy to marvel at the breathtaking sights of Venice - one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Take a scenic boat trip around Lake Garda, visit the home of Romeo and Juliet in Verona, visit Rovinj – one of the most picturesque towns along the Istrian Peninsula or perhaps enjoy a gondola ride on Venice’s Grand Canal.

Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk) offer an eight-day tour of Lake Garda, Croatia and Venice on May 1 from just £554pp. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick or Manchester to Verona or Milan, transfers, seven nights’ accommodation – three nights each in Lake Garda and Croatia on a half-board basis, overnight in the Venice area on a bed and breakfast basis, city tour of Venice and the services of a Travelsphere tour manager.

 Moscow and St. Petersburg

Enjoy a fascinating journey of contrasts on a classic two-centre holiday to Russia. The first three nights will be spent in the former capital, St. Petersburg - a city filled with beautiful baroque buildings, elaborate cathedrals, picturesque canals and home to one of the world’s greatest art collections, the Hermitage. The journey continues by overnight train on day four to Moscow, where there will be plenty of time to explore the sights of this fascinating city including the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedrals, plus enjoy a night at the opera or ballet.

Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk) offer an eight day tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg on May 2 from just £954pp. The price includes return flights from London Heathrow to St. Petersburg returning from Moscow, transfers, six nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis – three nights’ each in Moscow and St Petersburg, overnight train in four berth compartments (upgrades available), city tours, the services of a Travelsphere tour manager and English speaking local guide.

Islands of the Seychelles

The Seychelles lie 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Like tiny jewels the 92 islands that make up this splendid archipelago are a sparkling collection of white beaches, azure waters and lush rainforests.

 The 10-day break starts in Praslin – the second largest island of the Seychelles and often referred to as the original ‘Garden of Eden’. From here you can enjoy a day trip to the stunning island of La Digue, where ox carts are the main form of transport. Day six, it’s a transfer by catamaran to the island of Mahé, which boasts an abundance of flora, fragrant cinnamon plantations, emerald green rainforests and powdery white beaches. Highlights include the World Heritage Site of Vallee de Mai – home to the rare black parrot and exotic coco-de-mer, the islands of Curieuse and Cousin – home to over 200 giant tortoises and a trip to the world’s smallest capital – Victoria.

Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk)  offer a 10-day ‘Islands of the Seychelles’ tour on May 2 from £2,020pp. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham airports to Mahé, eight nights’ accommodation - four nights’ each in Praslin and Mahé on a B&B and half-board basis, transfers, tour of Mahé and a visit to La Digue.

ALICIA KEYS AFRICA DOCUMENTARY online

AVAILABLE FOR EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOAD ON SPIRALFROG

SpiralFrog was selected by the non-profit organization, Keep a Child Alive (KCA), to be the exclusive download partner for the documentary of Alicia Keys’ month-long journey through Africa.

NEW YORK, NY, - SpiralFrog, Inc., (www.spiralfrog.com) the free and legal, ad-supported web-based music service, today announced it was selected by the non-profit organization, Keep a Child Alive (KCA), to be the exclusive download partner for “Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland,” the documentary of Grammy Award-winning musician and Keep a Child Alive (KCA) Co-Founder, Alicia Keys’, month-long trip to Africa to visit communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

Keep a Child Alive is the non-profit organization that engages the public for a-dollar-a-day to buy the life-saving anti-retroviral drugs that keep children and their families alive in Africa. Alicia’s commitment to the fight against AIDS is contagious and she is leading the effort to spread the message of KCA, “Start a Virus to Stop a Virus,” virally, so she has selected a number of prestigious interactive media partners to help get the message out. Running April 9 - May 19, the full-length film will be available for download exclusively at SpiralFrog.com with information provided and donations accepted at www.AliciainAfrica.com

“We are proud to support the efforts of Keep a Child Alive and Alicia Keys,” said Matthew Stern, vice president of marketing for SpiralFrog. “This is a powerful and important story to tell. We hope to help make a difference in the lives of the African children affected by AIDS by driving donations to AliciainAfrica.com.”

“We have received extraordinary support from the music and entertainment industries,” says Leigh Blake, founder of Keep a Child Alive. “We are incredibly grateful to those organizations and celebrities who demonstrate their support by helping us generate awareness and donations for the families and children battling this disease everyday.”

SpiralFrog is enlisting the help of its advertisers in further spreading awareness by creating turn-key, cross-platform sponsorship packages. The exclusive availability of ‘Alicia in Africa’ on SpiralFrog will include promotion on American Idol on April 9th, advance screenings of the documentary on college campuses, viral marketing and an email marketing campaign that will reach over 20 million people. Additionally, Alicia Keys will also be embarking on her US tour in more than 30 cities to let Americans know where to find the film and how they can help. SpiralFrog will be promoting the exclusive availability to download the film on the ground at each of these events.

“Supporting artist initiatives and organizations like Keep a Child Alive is important to us,” said Joe Mohen, chairman and founder of SpiralFrog. “Our members are active and aware and want to know what is happening in the world. This is a serious issue and we are proud to play a part in spreading the word and opening the eyes of many who may not know how devastating the impact of AIDS is in Africa.”

“Keep a Child Alive is an amazing charity and we applaud every effort they make in helping to change the world,” said Mel Schrieberg, CEO of SpiralFrog. “Alicia Keys’ efforts with the organization are noble and extraordinary. We hope to help their efforts by offering this film to watch again and again, and motivate active support.”

When downloaded from SpiralFrog, “Alicia in Africa” will play on multiple formats, including PCs and Macs.

About SpiralFrog

Headquartered in New York, SpiralFrog (www.spiralfrog.com) is a Web-based advertising-supported music experience that combines music discovery tools with free and legal downloads of audio and video content licensed directly from the catalogs of the world’s leading music owners. With more than 2.6 million monthly uniques, over 900,000 registered users, 1.1 million songs and 4,000 music videos, SpiralFrog offers music-lovers a compelling alternative to illicit file-sharing and pirate sites, with a secure environment for them to satisfy their unyielding passion and thirst for music and entertainment information at no cost.

About Keep a Child Alive

Keep a Child Alive is a charitable and educational foundation committed to accelerating action to combat the global AIDS pandemic. With more than 28 million dead and 15 million orphaned, the disease continues, wiping out whole societies, threatening economic infrastructures and creating tragic family devastation. KCA provides life-saving medication, social support, and orphan care, to keep these children and families alive. KCA also develops global awareness campaigns targeted at boosting funding for the fight against HIV/AIDS. For just a dollar a day, you can help save the life of a child or a parent who cannot afford essential treatment and care in some of the world’s poorest countries. http://www.keepachildalive.org

Escape To Tunisia This May

You can enjoy the delights of Tunisia this May with Small Families, the UK’s leading operator for single parent holidays.

Although the smallest country in North Africa, Tunisia offers plenty to see and do, all set against a background of palms, jasmine bushes and orange trees.

You will stay at the recently refurbished Hotel Mediterranee which is located on a safe sandy beach and set in tropical gardens. Facilities include four swimming pools, mini-golf, archery, tennis and table tennis and you will be in the company of other single parent families.

There are departures on 3 & 24 May from Heathrow by scheduled Tunisair flights.

Prices for a seven night stay, inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner, wines, beers and soft drinks with meals, half day excursion to wildlife park and unlimited use of non-motorised water sports equipment and the services of a Small Families host throughout the holiday are £540 per adult and £399 for the first child on 3 May departure and £578 and £425 for the first child on 24 May departure.

For more information call 01763 226567 or visit http://www.smallfamilies.co.uk/ or http://www.singleparent.travel/

MSC Cruises Adds Portofino as Port of Call

MSC Cruises has introduced Portofino as a port of call this year, with the first call made by the MSC Rhapsody. Through Oct. 18, MSC Rhapsody will depart from Genoa every Saturday at 4 p.m. and, in two hours, reach Portofino. MSC Rhapsody will then call into Livorno (where excursions include a visit to Florence), Salerno to sail toward Taormina (with her archaeological site), Malta’s La Valletta, Tunisia and back to Italy into the Olbia port. MSC Cruises officially inaugurated the new port of call on March 29, with a Crest Exchange Ceremony attended by the Naval Command and local authorities.

MSC Cruises will call into Portofino 31 times in 2008, bringing 25,000 guests. For more information, visit http://www.msccruises.com/

Sixty Years Of Sailing With Costa Cruises

Europe’s leading cruise line marks its diamond anniversary with discounts of up to 20% on selected 2008 sailings

On March 31, 1948 the Anna C, Costa’s first passenger ship set sail from Genoa bound for South America. The maiden voyage marked the beginning of Costa Cruises’ sparkling story.

60 years on, the cruise giant is celebrating its diamond anniversary by offering customers a special discount of up to 20% on a selection of cruises throughout 2008.

Itineraries being offered with the special anniversary discount include an 11-night cruise around the Baltic Sea on Costa Marina, departing 28 July 2008; a seven-night sailing to Sweden, Finland, Russia and Estonia on Costa Victoria, departing 3 August 2008; and a nine-day cruise to Italy, Malta and Tunisia onboard Costa Marina, departing 24 September 2008.

Guests booking cabins on these cruises will be treated to a special Captain’s cocktail reception with fascinating archive footage covering the highlights of the Costa Cruises story. There is also a gala dinner featuring a traditional dish from the past and commemorative cake. Each guest will also be presented with a “60th anniversary cruise” certificate to take home with them.

COSTA MARINA – POLAND, SWEDEN, FINLAND, RUSSIA, ESTONIA AND DENMARK

11 NIGHTS – FROM ONLY £1,007.20 PER PERSON, WAS £1,489

Represents a saving of £481 per person including ‘Pronto Price’ saving and ‘60th Anniversary’ discount

The Costa Marina sets sail around the Baltic Sea on this action-packed itinerary, ideal for holiday-makers who embrace variety. Ports of call include Gdynia in Poland, Visby and Stockholm in Sweden, Helsinki in Finland, St. Petersburg in Russia and Tallinn in Estonia. Guests will also enjoy the historical highlights and picturesque parks of Copenhagen in Denmark, before returning to cosmopolitan Amsterdam. Prices start from £1,007.20* per person, cruise-only for 11 nights, including all meals. Departs Amsterdam 28 July 2008.

COSTA VICTORIA – SWEDEN, FINLAND, RUSSIA AND ESTONIA

SEVEN NIGHTS - FROM ONLY £899.20 PER PERSON, WAS £1,089

Represents a saving of £375 per person including ‘Pronto Price’ saving and ‘60th Anniversary’ discount

The magnificent Costa Victoria takes guests on a thrilling tour of four Baltic countries. The first stop is the charming city of Tallin in Estonia, followed by St. Petersburg in Russia, a symbol of Czarist Russian grandeur. Next is Helsinki in Finland and Stockholm in Sweden, cities where modern styles and the splendour of a great past live in harmony.

Prices start from £623.20* per person, cruise-only for seven nights for a category seven, out-side cabin, including all meals. Departs Kiel 3 August 2008.

COSTA MARINA - ITALY, MALTA & TUNISIA

NINE NIGHTS - FROM ONLY £631.20 PER PERSON, WAS £1,169

Represents a saving of £537 per person including ‘Pronto Price’ saving and ‘60th Anniversary’ discount

This itinerary begins in Savona, before heading off to Portoferraio, Capri and Corigliano Calabro in Italy. The next port of call is La Valletta Malta, a colourful capital with plenty to see, followed by Monastir and Tunis in Tunisia where guests can revel in the fabulous markets. Finally, the ship sets sail for Olbia in Sardinia, a city surrounded by beautiful beaches and clear emerald green sea, before returning to Savona. Prices start from £631* per person, cruise-only for nine nights, including all meals. Departs Savona 24 September 2008.