Jetsettersblog

General Tours World Traveler introduced a new program in its Small Group Journey series for travel to India. The 13-day Visions of India features stays in Taj Hotels. Groups have a maximum of 16 guests and are structured to provide cultural encounters, excursions and fine dining experiences that would be impossible with the large groups of traditional escorted tours.

The program includes sightseeing in Delhi; dinner at Cibo; a trip to Varanasi, with an encounter with ancient rituals that take place on the Ganges River at dusk and dawn; an elephant-back safari in Jaipur and time with a master elephant trainer; and a stay at the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, built in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur.

General Tours is giving $300 per person on bookings that are paid in full at time of booking. The program is priced from $2,999 per person after the discount. Celebrating its 65th anniversary, General Tours operates small group, privately guided and small ship journeys to Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East with never more than 16 guests traveling together. For more information, call 800-221-2216.

Goway Travel published its Asia 2012 brochure, a travel planner featuring 25 countries and 225 model itineraries, including 12 adventure ideas, 14 boutique cruises, 10 rail ideas, 22 luxury ideas and 365 hotels. Programs range from adventure to seven-star luxury.

“This year we’re introducing Russia to our Asian line up, featuring a Moscow-to-St. Petersburg cruise, along with some new Korea World Expo tours; eco jungle lodges in Northern Thailand; three newly selected Stays of Distinction in Shanghai, Ubud and Taipei; and more group touring options than ever before,” said Diane Molzan, general manager, Asia.

The selection includes a two-day Pushkar Extension in India from $149 per person, a Cebu and Chocolate Hills program in the Philippines from $239 per person, an 11-day Boutique River Cruise in Myanmar for $3,185 per person, and two new Nepal treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions. The company is continuing popular programs in South East Asia, India, Nepal, Thailand and China. For more information, call 888-469-2988.

Vivanta by Taj, the five-star brand from Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, launched its 22nd property in Surya, Coimbatore, making it the third property in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on Race Course Road, Vivanta by Taj — Surya, Coimbatore is a cutting-edge hotel that caters to all guests, whether they arrive for business or for pleasure, with 180 rooms and suites.

From a high-energy bar to fine dining, the Vivanta by Taj — Surya, Coimbatore’s signature restaurants offer tapas and entrees for all gastronauts and gourmands. Vivanta by Taj — Surya, Coimbatore has five well-defined meeting spaces to offer business guests the convenience of conferencing with modern technology. The grand ballroom is sub-divisible into a variety of configurations and features the latest in lighting technology with multiple dimming presets for a variety of moods. With sophisticated sound and audio systems, the space can be custom-tailored for events ranging from elaborate weddings to large business gatherings. Recreational facilities include the Jiva Spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and swimming pool.

Guests may also choose to explore the local culture of Coimbatore by visiting renowned temples that date back to 1500 AD. Coimbatore is the second-largest city of Tamil Nadu and borders the state of Kerala. It is surrounded by the Western Ghats mountain range on the west and north, with reserve forests and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve on the northern side. Its proximity to the hill stations of Ooty, Coonoor and Valparai and the Noyyal River makes it an attractive tourist destination throughout the year.

Vivanta by Taj incorporates hotels in key metropolitan areas as well as popular holiday destinations like Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Greaves’ private plane itinerary in India offers clients savings of up to $4,300 per person, now through April 30. Greaves has partnered with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts to present exclusive curated travel experiences. The week-long Ultimate Tiger Safari adventure with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, flying on the Greaves private plane, and touring provided by Greaves India, is priced from $5,400 per person, based on four people traveling together (two per room) — a savings of $4,300 per person.

The eight-day Soaring The Golden Triangle program in conjunction with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, features flights on the Greaves plane, and private touring by Greaves India, priced from $5,100 per person, based on four people traveling together (two per room), yielding savings of $3,600 per person.

The use of Greaves’ own plane (a Super King Air B200) means guests may avoid lengthy waits for scheduled flights and long train and car trips, saving time and journeying in comfort. Plus, the plane offers accessibility to numerous places around India where jets are unable to land. The Greaves plane has a capacity of eight passengers (plus two pilots). Greaves is the only tour operator in India with its own plane.

The Ultimate Tiger Safari with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces includes accommodations for two nights at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi, one night at the Nadesar Palace Hotel in Varanasi, and three nights at the Taj Mahua Kothi luxury lodge; Greaves’ plane charter for all internal India segments, including Delhi, Varanasi, Bandhavgarh National Park and Delhi; early morning and late afternoon game drives (a total of five) in Bandhavgarh National Park with &Beyond naturalists for chance viewings of tigers, leopards, deer, monkeys, exotic native birds and more; a tour of Varanasi including two boat rides on the River Ganges and observation of the Aarti ceremony; transfers, sightseeing and excursions per the specific program using private air-conditioned vehicles with driver in a Toyota Innova or similar superior car; and English-speaking local guides in each destination and &Beyond trained naturalists at Mahua Kothi. The program is priced from $5,400 per person, based on four people traveling together (two per room), through April 30.

Soaring the Golden Triangle with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is an eight-day program to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur by private plane with accommodations at The Oberoi Hotel in Delhi, The Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel in Agra and The Oberoi Rajvilas Hotel in Jaipur; Greaves’ plane charter for all internal India segments, including Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Delhi; sightseeing at the Taj Mahal by decorated horse carriage; visit to Amber Fort in Jaipur by elephant-back up the hill and descent by jeep; 25 percent discount on spa therapies at each hotel; credit of $75 per person for laundry at The Oberoi Rajvilas; transfers, sightseeing and excursions per the specific program using an air-conditioned Mercedes Viano at all places (and mineral water in the vehicles); and English-speaking local guides in each destination. The package is priced from $5,100 per person, based on four people traveling together (two per room), through April 30.

The Ultimate Tiger Safari and Soaring the Golden Triangle itineraries can be expanded to include additional hotel nights and more destinations for an enhanced travel experience in India. Both programs are commissionable to travel agents. Prices exclude international airfare to/from India; Indian visa fee; meals except where noted on the itinerary; alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages at any of the meals; and personal items such as telephone, laundry, gratuities, travel insurance and any changes travelers may choose to make during the trip. Prices are based on Greaves’ Super King Air B200 private plane, which is subject to availability. For more information, call 800-318-7801 or email sales@greavesindia.com

The Rajputana Hotel in Jaipur, formerly a member of the ITC Sheraton brand group, has joined the ITC Hotels group of Luxury Collection hotels. The ITC Rajputana is the 10th member of the ITC Hotels, which integrate world-class luxury with stringent environmental policies for sustainable excellence.

The hotel’s 218 rooms and suites come equipped with modern conveniences, as do its business and conference facilities. Located nine miles from the airport and half a mile from the city center, the ITC Rajputana is Rajasthan’s first and only LEED Platinum Certified hotel, and personifies the ITC Hotels’ brand of Responsible Luxury. The hotel features a collection of restaurants and bars, serving Indian, International, Oriental and Rajasthani delicacies. Specialty restaurants include the ITC Hotels signature culinary brand Peshawri, which features tandoori cuisine of the North West Frontier, and the multi-cuisine Jal Mahal, one of the finest restaurants in Jaipur. Another signature ITC Hotels facility, The Kaya Kalp, ITC Hotels’ chain of luxury spas, pays tribute to India’s cultural traditions in its treatment menus.

Jaipur, “the Pink City,” is the capital of the province of Rajasthan. Steeped in history and culture, the city’s attractions range from forts and palaces to bazaars filled with Rajasthani jewelry, fabrics, rugs and handmade shoes.

SITA World Tours introduced a new product line called Affordable India, designed to attract a growing budget-oriented segment of the travel market. The new collection of India itineraries is the result of an increased demand for more affordable India travel options at the same time that India is providing better quality accommodations in the three- and four-star hotel range.

SITA is targeting well-traveled clients seeking an authentic, culturally enriched experience, without the higher cost of luxury-oriented programs. The new itineraries incorporate SITA’s experience in India touring and offer varied itineraries. The list of accommodations includes hotels such as Radisson, Crowne Plaza and Le Meridien.

Hardeep Sidhu, SITA’s product manager for India, will oversee operations for the new concept along with the SITA team. The tours offer some of India’s most popular sights and experiences along with special people-to-people opportunities such as dining in the homes of local families, learning turban tying and henna, and joining in on a yoga session from a local yogi.

The initial offering will include eight different itineraries including Temples & Palaces of North India (11 days); Land of Maharajah (16 days); South India Sojourn (nine days plus four-day extension to Karnataka); Glimpses of India (12 days); Golden Triangle (six days); and Essence of India (nine days). SITA has almost eight decades of experience arranging programs to destinations worldwide, including Africa and the Middle East, Asia, India, South and Central America.

Boost your immune system and beat the winter blues with some of the best detox holidays around the world. Health and Fitness Travel (www.healthandfitnesstravel.com), who provides tailor-made active and wellness holidays worldwide share their top five detox holidays to get your new year off to a healthy start.

Detox yourself through good nutrition, carefully chosen treatments and holistic activities to achieve mental clarity, body detoxification and stress reduction with guidance from health professionals. Detoxing is a great way to increase energy levels, clear our skin, boost our immune system and improve overall health. With a carefully tailored programme that suits our body and mindset, a detox holiday can be the first step to a fresh outlook and change of lifestyle.

If you want to re-energise and awaken your senses, take a look at our top five detox destinations. Banish those winter blues and say hello to a new, healthier you! These holidays allow you to relax and enjoy your detox in beautiful surroundings.

SHA Detox
Spain

The world’s first macrobiotic wellness resort focuses its detox programme on the removal of toxins by actively purifying the body, and educating guests on how to maintain their new healthy habits. Experiment with juice fasting, macrobiotic detox specific foods, acupuncture and lymphatic drainage after consulting with a doctor and nutritionist to ascertain your specific needs. Guests are supported post-stay with a personalized post treatment health plan and receive follow up email consultations for two months.

Health and Fitness Travel offers 7 nights at SHA Wellness Clinic from £2,790pp including the detox programme, return flights and transfers

Ananda Detox
India

This secluded Himalayan retreat offers a serene space to free yourself from negative thoughts. Guests are shown how to control and improve their diet, speed up their metabolism, and revitalise their body and mind. The programme begins with wellness and culinary consultations, a fitness test and a body composition analysis. A range of detoxifying baths, massages, showers, salt scrubs, aroma cocoons and a personalised yoga session will follow. You are also invited to participate in scheduled wellness activities, such as meditation, cooking demonstrations, workshops and lectures.

Health and Fitness Travel offers 7 nights at Ananda from £2,859pp including the detox programme, return flights and transfers

Kamalaya Detox
Thailand

Thailand’s award-winning Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa Resort is the perfect location for cleansing and detoxing beginners. After an initial consultation, you will experience a range of low intensity holistic therapies such as massage, meditation, sauna, yoga, and Shakti fitness. Through these you will learn how to improve your health and increase your energy, leading to rejuvenation, personal growth and optimum wellbeing.

Health and Fitness Travel offers 7 nights at Kamalaya from £2,929pp including the detox programme, return flights and transfers

Longevity Essential Detox
Portugal

This luxurious mountain resort overlooking the Algarve coastline offers seasonal detoxing by cleansing the organs and returning harmony to your system. Enjoy massages, wraps, deep skin cleansing and personal training sessions. Through highly personalized evaluations and consultations, guests can expect improved mental clarity, inner balance, a lessening of tension and a complete re-energisation of body and mind. Expert to experience improved health on all levels including internal balance and increased vitality.

Health and Fitness Travel offers 7 nights at Longevity Wellness Resort from £1,990pp, including the detox programme, return flights and transfers

Kempinski Detox
Turkey

The seven day detox programme at this stunning wellness resort over the Aegean Sea above Barbaros Bay in Turkey, is designed to treat your entire body. Aiming to filter out and reduce your bodily toxins, the Sense of Detox programme uses an integrated mix of Anika detox treatments, delicious healthy cuisine and the option of wellness activities to cleanse your body and mind. With improved mental clarity and focus, increased energy levels and firmer skin, you will feel relaxed and refreshed.

Health and Fitness Travel offers 7 nights at Kempinski from £1,695pp, including the detox programme, return flights and transfers

For more information visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/detox-holidays or call 0845 5441936

PlanetWildlife.com, a leading provider of diverse wildlife travel and tours around the world, presents Wildlife’s Hot Spots for 2012 – a month-by-month directory of what’s happening and when – and itinerary suggestions to inspire nature lovers to experience some of the seminal seasonal events of the natural world. To explore all the ideas and options available, visit PlanetWildlife’s Calendar presented on the website under ‘Travel’…..itineraries are all-inclusive from point of departure but do not include international flights.

January – India
January is the breeding season for the green sea turtles around the Galapagos Islands – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour – is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594 per person (pp)
This is also an excellent time of year to go tiger spotting in India when the clement weather facilitates close study of these rare and endangered big cats – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-kanha-and-bandhavagarh – a six day safari itinerary including elephant rides in Central India priced at £756/US$1,180pp

February – Nepal
February is a good time to go trekking in Nepal with better than usual odds of spotting the famed Bengal Tiger – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/chitwan-explorer  is a nine-day itinerary in Chitwan National Park priced at £1,465/US$2,287pp. This is also an ideal month for tracking the rare and beautiful snow
leopard in nearby Ladakh, India – visit www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/snow-leopard-experience  for a 13-day trekking adventure priced at £2,163/US$3,377pp.

February also sees the gathering of hundreds of thousands of spectacular pink flamingos on Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Africa – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp.

March – the Arctic
When the days start to lengthen and become milder in the Arctic region, this is an ideal time to spot Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights – and a cruise is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this natural wonder – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/lofoten-aurora-borealis through Norway is an eight-day journey on the schooner ‘Noorderlicht’ priced at £1,979/US$3,090pp.

April – Galapagos
April presents another excellent opportunity to go bird-watching in Galapagos where enthusiasts can spot blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gullies, frigate birds and red-billed tropic birds amongst others. www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594pp).

May – India – Ladhak and Karnataka
In India, the weather is perfect for an extensive trek around Ladhak in the Himalayas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/amazing-leh-community-service-trek – presents an unusual 13-day itinerary and the opportunity to become involved in local community service in the villages of Spango Valley while learning about and tracking the elusive snow leopard – priced at just £569/US$888pp.

This is also an opportune month to visit Karnataka in India and the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, the natural habitat of Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants and hyenas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-karnataka  is a five-day itinerary including the fascinating cities of Bangalore and Mysore and priced at £1,330/US$2,076pp.

June – Rwanda
Head to Rwanda this month to witness a unique baby gorilla naming ceremony, “KwitaIzina” – an annual ceremony attended by hundreds of local villagers but international visitors are also welcome – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/gorillas-wildlife-and-chimpanzees is a comprehensive seven-day adventure through some of Uganda’s best national parks of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and is priced at £4,457/US$6,958pp.

July – Costa Rica and Brazil
Latin America is the destination to head for this month to spot the endangered green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beautiful Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The park is also home to manatees, crocodiles, tropical gar, jaguars, sloths and basilisks, amongst other exotic wildlife – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/forests-and-volcanoes-costa-rica  is a 15-day excursion round Costa Rica and the Caribbean priced at £3,662/US$5,717pp.

Alternatively, in Brazil’s Pantanal area this is the best time of year for jaguar sightings and for close study of many other endangered species including the hyacinth macaw and the maned wolf – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/voyage-heart-amazon  is an eight-day voyage to the heart of the Amazon and is priced at £2,940/US$4,590pp

August – Kenya
Head to Kenya this month to be amongst the first to witness one of nature’s greatest shows – the annual Great Migration sees thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make a dash across the Mara River risking death from predators such as the crocodile – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp

September – Botswana
This is an ideal time to ravel to Botswana and explore the wilderness of Chobe National Park and the Okavango delta and take in the full majesty of the famed Victoria Falls – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/best-botswana-chobe-and-okavango  is an eight-day itinerary commencing in Maun and finishing at the Victoria Falls prices at £2,664/US$4,159pp

October – Madagascar
During this dry month off the coast of Africa, lemurs are particularly active and playful on the island of Madagascar – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/magical-madagascar  is an exciting eight-day adventure combining lemurs and bird-watching as well as interaction with tribal villagers and is priced at £1,713/US$2,674pp.

November – the Falkland Islands

Head to the bottom of the world to the Falkland Islands (classified under the Antarctic zone) to watch five different species of penguins breed at this special time: the King, Rockhopper, Gentoo, Magallanic and Macaroni penguins – the islands also present a chance to spot the rare black-browed albatross – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/antarctic-peninsula-weddell-see-falkland-islands  is a 14-day cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falklands priced at £8,995/US$14,041pp

December – Sri Lanka
In southern Sri Lanka, this is the best time of year to spot one of the natural wonders of the world – the Blue Whale….nowhere else do they come as close to the land as they do near the coast of Sri Lanka. The www.planetwildlife.com/trave/itineraries/blue-whale-and-leopard-experience  is a nine-day itinerary commencing in Colombo which combines blue whale and dolphin spotting with safaris in Yala, home to elephants and leopards – priced at £2,520/US$3,934pp.

For further information, please visit www.planetwildlife.com  or contact a PlanetWildlife office (listed on the website). PlanetWildlife is as a leading international provider of diverse wildlife and safari tours with over 300 creative itineraries in 26 countries around the world catering to a wide range of interests and budgets.

About PlanetWildlife:

PlanetWildlife is an international travel company based in India with sales offices in UK, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden. It is backed by highly successful entrepreneurs and managed by a professional team who are passionate about wildlife and have been involved in a variety of nature conservation activities over the years. The www.PlanetWildlife.com website features over 300 itineraries to Africa, India, and South America comprising a diverse range of photography safaris, hiking expeditions and bird-watching adventures, including ocean cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Most tours offer daily departure dates and each is well-organised, competitively priced, environmentally responsible and tailored to suit the requirements of group or individual travellers. In all instances they are led by highly qualified and experienced leaders. Respected travel industry professionals and wildlife experts work in consultation with PlanetWildlife and are instrumental in designing each themed itinerary Via the website, a comprehensive and continuously expanding reference library on species and destinations is readily accessible and is regularly updated to ensure its usefulness to travellers, students, wildlife enthusiasts and bloggers.

PlanetWildlife is committed to responsible tourism, and in particular: minimising negative environmental impact; contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritages and embracing diversity; providing rewarding experiences for visitors through meaningful interaction with local communities to the economic benefit of those communities; and promoting a greater understanding and respect for local cultural, social and environmental issues. It is part of PlanetWildlife’s corporate policy to fund selected awareness drives and wildlife conservation programmes and welcomes suggestions from the public in this regard.

Experiential tour operator Myths and Mountains is proud to announce a host of new tours for 2012, which will give travelers a chance to experience remote cultures across the globe in a way rarely available through commercial tours.

Rooted in the ethics of adventure and exploration, Myths and Mountains staff work closely with the communities and cultures of the countries they operate within. This local connection allows them to create tours that veer far off the beaten path, leaving clients with memories of places few tourists ever get to experience.

Openings are available on each of these tours for writers or editors interested in a story featuring Myths and Mountains

Eat your heart out on a culinary tour of India

Throughout this 20-day whirlwind tour, travelers will visit bustling cities like Calcutta, Chennai, and will tour cultural and historical sites like the towering Sri Meenakshi Temple, which is one of the most impressive in Asia. They will tour the spice plantations of Thekkady, and explore the region’s transportation waterways by houseboat. In Cochin, they will experience the foods and traditions of India’s Jewish and Christian minorities.

Each night’s meals are prepared by some of the best chefs in India, many of whom are the descendants of the very chefs that first discovered the country’s best flavors generations ago.

Experience the beauty of Patagonia

This 13-day tour gives travelers a chance to experience one of the world’s last great wild places in every way imaginable. Over the course of the tour, clients will soak in the scenery of the Southern Andes from canoes, four wheel drive vehicles, motor boats, and on foot. The tour explores some of the best sights in Argentina and Chile, and will spend full days exploring Torres Del Paine National Park, Tierra Del Fuego, Perito Moreno Glacier, and the many fjords that dot the Austral coasts.

Travelers will stay each night in the very best accommodations available and, while in Buenos Aires, will even be treated to a “tango dinner,” where they can watch and even learn the region’s most famous dance.

Learn the crafts of Lao culture

On this nine-day tour of Southeast Asia, travelers will have the opportunity to learn the arts and crafts locals have spent centuries perfecting. Clients will be taught skills like papermaking, dying, weaving, and cooking local dishes from local experts in their villages.
Travelers will hunt of orchids and learn the medicinal value of local plants in Pha Xay, explore the museums and temples of Bangkok, and practice traditional Lao meditation in Wat Nakhoun.

Vivanta by Taj, the five-star hospitality brand from Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, launched its 22nd property in Surya, Coimbatore, the third property in the state of Tamil Nadu. Vivanta by Taj offers an imaginative, vivacious and stylish take on “cool luxury” featuring innovative cuisine, energetic spaces, unique motifs, the smart use of technology and experiences that seek to constantly engage, invigorate and relax.

Located on the elite Race Course Road, Vivanta by Taj-Surya, Coimbatore is the preferred spot for stylish and contemporary hospitality. The hotel caters to all guests, whether they arrive for business or for pleasure with 180 rooms and suites.

Vivanta by Taj – Surya, Coimbatore has five meeting spaces to offer business guests the convenience of conferencing with state-of-the-art technology. The grand ballroom is sub-divisible into a variety of configurations and features the latest in lighting technology with multiple dimming presets for a variety of moods. With sophisticated sound and audio systems, the space can be custom-tailored for events ranging from elaborate weddings to large business gatherings.

Recreational facilities include the Jiva Spa, a 24-hour fitness center and a swimming pool. Guests can also choose to explore the local culture Coimbatore by visiting renowned temples that date back to 1500 AD. Coimbatore is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and border the state of Kerala.