Jetsettersblog

Kipling & Clark unveiled its 2009 Luxury Family Travel Itineraries: Cambodia-Laos-Thailand for Families, 17 Days; Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Family Tour, 16 Days; Cambodia-Thailand Family Expedition, 13 Days; Japan Spring Break Family Tour-Tokyo-Takayama-Kyoto, seven Days;

Thailand and Laos Travel for Families, 12 Days; Cambodia and Vietnam for Families, 16 Days; India Travel for Families-India Highlights, 11 Days; China Summer Luxury Adventure for Families, 17 Days;

China Summer Tour for Families-Hong-Kong-Yunnan, 17 Days; Chengdu-Yangzi River Cruise-Beijing-Shanghai, 17 Days; China-Hong Kong Summer for Families, 14 Days; and China & Japan Cultural Contrasts for Families, 16 Days.

Kipling & Clark provides high-touch, private, luxury travel arrangements to greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Long-standing, intimate relationships and extensive experience with the finest hotels, resorts, restaurants and guides enables Kipling & Clark to create custom, unique journeys for discriminating travelers who want to immerse themselves in the culture, food, art and architecture of the beautiful and exotic Pacific Rim.

For more information, call 312-836-9071 or see www.kiplingandclark.com

Travel Indochina’s Handmade Holidays Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos NEW brochure for 2009/2010!

Travel Indochina is excited to announce the launch of its new Handmade Holidays for Travellers: Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos brochure.

The brochure is currently being distributed to travel agencies across Australia.

The Travel Indochina Handmade Holidays range provides travellers with a specially-selected range of travel products from across the Indochina region. “Our designers have again produced a brochure that is both stylish and informative – the clear layout means our travel agents and passengers alike can see information about our destinations at a glance, which is great when they are trying to design their own itinerary.” says Katrina Cameron, Communications Manager at Travel Indochina.

This brochure is part of Travel Indochina’s successful Handmade Holidays range including Travel Indochina’s other favourite destinations – India, China, Thailand and Borneo.

You will find an enticing range of options for travelling to Indochina – to help you tailormake the ideal holiday.

The best of our hand-picked hotels and resorts are featured, as well as Travel Indochina’s impressive range of independent journeys. ‘City Stays’, hotel and honeymoon packages, family experiences and unique, local adventures – these itineraries have been designed by our expert staff, who have lived and worked across this region for many years. There is also a wide choice, from half a day to 10 days/9 nights duration, from Budget to Superior and Deluxe accommodations.

NEW! for this year….
As well as some fantastic new hotels (from affordable, boutique guesthouses and home-stays to opulent, once-in-a-lifetime retreat destinations) and independent journeys, this brochure also features more of Travel Indochina’s most popular Small Group Journeys for 2009/2010.

This makes it easier than ever to combine your own hotel stay, City tour or family adventure with the amazing quality and value of a Travel Indochina Small Group Journey. With genuinely small groups of 15 or less like-minded travellers, expert Western tour leaders and local English-speaking guides, unique itineraries, superior boutique accommodation, a genuine commitment to responsible travel, and local offices offering 24/7 support – this is the way to travel in Asia

Crystal Cruises has launched a Save Now, Save Later promotion. When guests sail on any 2009 Europe, Trans-Atlantic or Crystal Symphony Asia cruise, they’ll be guaranteed 20 percent savings on almost every cruise in every category in 2010.

 The 2009 cruise must be booked by March 31, and the 2010 cruise must be booked by Nov. 30, 2009. Eligible 2009 Save Now cruises include all Crystal Symphony cruises departing March 27 through Sept. 3 and/or all Crystal Serenity cruises departing May 23 through Nov. 12. Included are itineraries through China, Southeast Asia, Dubai, the Middle East, Western Europe, the Baltic, the North Cape, the British Isles and the Black Sea, as well as Trans-Atlantic voyages and more than a dozen seven-, 11- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises.

The 20 percent Save Later offer extends to every 2010 cruise aboard the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity, except the World Cruise and its segments and the December holiday cruises, for a choice of more than 50 2010 itineraries.

Pacific Delight Tours released its “2009-2010 China & Asia Experience” brochure in tandem with the news of a new preferred partnership with Ritz-Carlton that affords Luxury Gold Experience and Luxury Gold Exclusive tour participants accommodations at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Beijing and Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai. Additionally, all Gold Exclusive travelers are now upgraded to higher room categories in hotels and on Yangtze River cruises aboard Victoria Cruises Premier Series Fleet.

The new 84-page brochure details many of Pacific Delight’s Asia products, including both categories of the fully-escorted Gold tours, offering the very best in accommodations, sightseeing and cultural experiences: the Luxury Gold Exclusive program, limited to just 16 participants; and Luxury Gold Experience, designed for 26 travelers.

The brochure also details the company’s extensive Yangtze River cruising program, a tour component that is available on most programs: China & Asia SuperValue tours, offering some of Asia’s most popular destinations and sightseeing opportunities, at affordable prices; China & Asia Escapades packages, combining classic Asian cities with culturally-wealthy destinations such as Tibet and Japan; pre- and post options to Tokyo, Tibet, Vietnam and Bangkok among others; and City Highlights packages, allowing travelers to custom design vacations, choosing from among numerous leading Asian cities.

For the 2009-2010 season, Pacific Delight’s Luxury Gold Exclusive and Luxury Gold Experience packages call at China’s most intriguing cities, including Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong, combined with luxury cruises on the Yangtze River. The 15-day Grand Yangtze River & Huangshan Mountain Gold Experience package actually traverses the river’s longest navigable length, providing guests the opportunity to embark on an excursion to Huangshan Mountain, celebrated for its spectacular rock formations, unusually shaped pines, hot springs and sea of clouds.

The programs also emphasize culinary experiences that blend Chinese and Western meals, including a Beijing Duck dinner party, a feast in Xi’an featuring the Empress Dowager’s favorite dumpling and a Tang Dynasty dinner banquet with traditional music and dance performances. Gold Exclusive guests enjoy junior suites with private balconies aboard Victoria Cruises’ Victoria Anna and Victoria Jenna, a la carte dining and small group shore excursions. Escorted throughout by knowledgeable, bi-lingual Pacific Delight tour guides, these top-shelf offerings range from 13 to 16 days, with prices for Gold Exclusive tours at $4,990 to $6,590 per person, double, and Gold Experience packages from $2,999 to $4,999.

China & Asia SuperValue programs boast deluxe hotels throughout; outside cabins on Victoria Cruises ships; daily breakfast and most lunches and dinners. In addition to eight, 11-, 12-, 16- and 18-day programs to China, some with the Yangtze River, there is the six-day Tokyo & Kyoto program; 11-day Japan In-Depth package; 17-day Thailand & the Golden Triangle; 14-day Visions of Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia trip; and 11-day Hong Kong, Singapore & Bangkok vacation — all with sightseeing, special cultural activities and performances. Land and land/cruise packages range from $1,299 to $4,499.

The China and Asia Escapade packages — the company’s mid-range product level — comprise a 14-day Japan & China package; a 15-day Tibet and Yangtze River itinerary; and a 17-day Asian Escapade program combining Hong Kong, Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai and Bangkok. Land and land/cruise packages are $3,199 to $3,899. City Highlight packages, where guests mix and match destinations, include upstream and downstream Yangtze River cruises; and cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yangshuo, Xi’an and Lhasa (Tibet). Other Asian possibilities are Tokyo and Vietnam; Cambodia’s Angkor Wat; and Thailand’s Bangkok, Chang Mai, Chang Rai and Phuket.

 Prices depend on the choices made for the personally designed vacations.

All programs feature pre-confirmed hotels; Asia domestic air/land transportation, most meals, sightseeing, local tour escort, fuel surcharges, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling. Pacific Delight offers special airfare to China and Asia from the U.S. on United Airlines, Delta/Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Air China. Pacific Delight Tours is the market leader in escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia.

For information, call 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com

Launching Its First Asia Dedicated Brochure

NOVEMBER 2008: QANTAS HOLIDAYS (Tel 020 8222 9124 www.qantasholidays.co.uk) to date most closely identified for its comprehensive holiday options to Australia and New Zealand supported by an extensive range of stopovers, has produced its first Asia dedicated brochure featuring Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia, Singapore, Bali & Lombok, Malaysia, Hong Kong & China, Japan and India.

The Asia brochure opens with several multi-centre holiday ideas, demonstrating the colourful options this continent has to offer. This section is ideal for the independent traveller seeking ideas and inspiration as each itinerary is totally flexible and has been designed as a template that can be changed depending on individual requirements.

The brochure, which is also available to download on-line from the website, offers something for everyone – beach getaways, cultural experiences, action & adventure and sheer pampering & indulgence – all within a wide range of budget options, from best value to luxury.

Commenting on the new brochure, Esther Ward, Qantas Holidays’ market development manager, says:” Historically we have promoted Asia only as a stopover destination for our Australia and New Zealand itineraries, but over the years our product range has increased to such an extent that an individual brochure was the natural next step allowing us to present our customers with an extensive range of exciting options, considerable availability, great prices and special offers.

“With over 30 years experience, and being one of the world’s largest tour operators, we are able to use our knowledge and buying power to great effect, passing on great savings to our customers, offering them not only an excellent service and great choice, but also value for money.”

MULTI-CENTRE HOLIDAY IDEAS INCLUDE:

SINGAPORE & MALAYSIA DISCOVERY – 11-night Singapore/Langkawi itinerary from £769.
Highlights include a one day “Footsteps of Raffles” tour tracing Singapore’s development as an international trading centre and Langkawi island hopping, whilst activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, wildlife spotting and shopping.

DISCOVER THE CHARMS OF THAILAND & VIETNAM – 14-night Bangkok/Hua Hin/Hanoi / Halong Bay itinerary from £965.
Highlights include a tour of the Bangkok Grand Palace home to one of the Wonders of the World - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s residence; a wide range of pampering spa and world class golfing options; a water puppet performance and an overnight cruise on a wooden junk.

For travellers wishing to create a totally bespoke itinerary, the brochure goes on to provide detailed information, country by country, providing touring and accommodation options for cities and regions alike.

THAILAND is comprehensively covered in this programme with 26 pages devoted to must see destinations as well as off the beaten track options located within the “Hidden Gems of Thailand” section. Accommodation highlights include:

KAMALAYA, KOH SAMUI: a deluxe, yet affordable luxury resort located on a secluded part of the island offering an impressive selection of wellness packages.
THE ALEENTA RESORT, PHANG NGA: this stylish hideaway is the ideal choice for travellers seeking a romantic escape option.
DE NAGA, CHIANG MAI: this new, contemporary hotel in northern Thailand provides excellent value for money.
CHANDRARA RESORT & SPA, PHUKET: an intimate, secluded boutique resort overlooking the waters of Por Bay on the north east coast.
MERLIN BEACH RESORT: ideal for families, facilities include a kids’ club and a small secluded beach close to Patong.

The 12-night SPIRIT OF THAILAND itinerary is priced from£579 and features Bangkok, Chang Mai and Koh Samui.

BALI & LOMBOK offers visitors an extensive range of hotel and resort options whilst activities include white water rafting, volcano tours, reef cruising and pure pampering. Accommodation highlights include:

CONRAD BALI RESORT & SPA: set in secluded gardens on a lagoon, this contemporary retreat boasts amazing spa facilities.
PITA MAHA RESORT & SPA: this hideaway haven located in the hills of Ubud is ideal for travellers wanting an authentic Balinese experience.

VIETNAM is showcased in the 21-day VIETNAM GRAND EXPERIENCE itinerary priced from £1,413 which starts in Ho Chi Minh City and ends three weeks later in Hanoi. Meanwhile for travellers wishing to go further covering VIETNAM & CAMBODIA one option is the small, personally escorted 14-day two-centre group tour highlighting the best of both countries. This trip starts in Phnom Penh and ends in Hanoi and is priced from £1,755.

MALAYSIA - all the country’s key destinations are featured including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Borneo. A holiday suggestion of note is the three-night, four-star LAZE IN LANGKAWI package featuring the Berjaya Beach Resort & Spa from £159.

HONG KONG – great offers include “pay for three, stay for four nights” at the Hotel Jen; buy one get one free Hong Kong Island tour and from the renowned Peninsula hotel a HK$300 gift certificate for spa
treatment between May and September.

CHINA can best be explored on a 10-day BEST OF CHINA tour that travels from Beijing to Shanghai and covering all the key sights. Prices start from £1,368.

JAPAN can best be explored on a eight-day JAPANESE JOURNEY tour which includes Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone and Kyoto and is priced from £1,250.

INDIA – touring highlights include the 16-day FORTS & PALACES OF RAJASTHAN tour which includes 10 different cities incorporating the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and lakes of Udaipur and costs £1,575.

PRICES above include accommodation, meals as specified in each itinerary and transfers. They are exclusive of international flights.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Meet East package is available at all 11 of the group’s Asian properties from Jan. 1 to May 31, 2009. The package offers:

for 15 or more rooms, special group room rates for each hotel and an upgrade for one room plus VIP recognition and amenities; for 30 or more rooms, an upgrade for one room to a suite; for a meeting of 15 or more people, a special daily meeting package rate, inclusive of the meeting venue, one lunch and two coffee breaks per day with healthy menu options, meeting amenities and technical equipment, benefits including complimentary one-hour daily Internet usage in designated venue and special site inspection rates.

 www.mandarinoriental.com/at_your_service/meetings_and_conferences/meet_east.aspx

or contact the hotels’ meeting consultants directly.

For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Meet East package is available at all 11 of the group’s Asian properties from Jan. 1 to May 31, 2009.

The package offers great value, including complimentary upgrades for delegates. Creative solutions to meeting requirements include complete technological support, gourmet menus with healthy options, innovative meeting spaces and world-class spas for unwinding at the end of the day. Each hotel provides dedicated and knowledgeable event planners to offer support and organizational assistance.

For 15 or more rooms: Special group room rates for each hotel, an upgrade for one room plus VIP recognition and amenities. For 30 or more rooms: An upgrade for one room to a suite (subject to availability). For a meeting of 15 or more people: Special daily meeting package rate inclusive of meeting venue with one lunch and two coffee breaks per day with healthy menu options; meeting amenities and technical equipment; exclusive benefits including complimentary one-hour daily Internet usage in designated venue; and special site inspection rates.

 For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com/at_your_service/meetings_and_conferences/meet_east.aspx

 or contact individual hotel meeting consultants directly. For more information on Mandarin Oriental, visit www.mandarinoriental.com

EOA 2008 Australian press release - agent.doc A stylish and eye-catching new brochure from Travel Indochina – showcasing the delights of luxury resorts, Small Group Journeys and bespoke, independent itineraries for the discerning traveller.

“We are responding to the very strong demand from a growing number of travellers looking for a holiday that allows them to experience the culture, the history, the cuisine and the people, while staying in the finest and most atmospheric accommodation in Asia,” said Managing Director, Paul Hole.

The new Essence of Asia brochure is designed to inspire, with stunning photographs and magazine-style articles to pique the interest of your customers. Just a sample, a taste, of the best in accommodation, small group and private itineraries are presented – Travel Indochina’s expert staff can tailor-make your client’s dream holiday to Asia.

“The Essence of Asia, for us, means experiencing the history and grandeur of Indochina by spending the night onboard a Chinese-style junk in Halong Bay, or at one of our glamorous, French-colonial hotels. Whether your passenger is looking for the unrivalled luxury and seclusion of a resort in Thailand, Vietnam or the Maldives, a stay in a maharajah’s palace in India – our range of deluxe accommodation will inspire them,” says Katrina Cameron, Communications Manager.

With offices in Asia and over 15 years experience in the region, Travel Indochina’s local knowledge makes them uniquely positioned to discover and offer the latest in travel experiences.

Bangkok – Best Western International (BWI), the world’s largest hotel chain, celebrates its hotel grand openings in Asia with the “Great Grand Opening” promotion, offering travelers different options to enjoy the new Best Western hotels in Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.

First choice is a 40 % discount for every two nights stay at Best Western Hotel New City Hirosaki in Japan and Best Western Mayfair Suites Hotel in Bangkok. In Japan, the special offering includes 10% off on laundry service while in Bangkok, the package includes: 40% discount on rooms and 15% discount on dining, spa and massage service.
Another option in the “Great Grand Opening” promotion is that, for every paid one-night stay, one can have his second night for free, available at Best Western Hotel Sendai, Japan and Best Western Pearl River Hotel, Haiphong in Vietnam.

For those booking the promotion at Best Western Pearl River Hotel, the offer includes: 5% discount on hotel dining; 10% discount on business center access; and 15% discount on hotel spa, massage and laundry service.

The “Great Grand Opening” promotion is valid until March 31, 2009. Reservations can be made online at www.bestwestern.com and select “Rate Plan” – “Grand Opening.”

For more information, one may visit www.bwrewardsasia.com/grand08  or call + 66 2 656 1260.

Banyan Tree, the pioneer of the tropical garden spa concept, has, for the last 14 years, introduced the world to the finest in Asian hospitality. In the spirit of sharing this festive season, Banyan Tree is introducing a new take on gift giving, the Banyan Tree Art of Gifting, where the key is in experiencing the gift. Surprise loved ones with the possibility of a Signature Lifestyle or an escape with the Signature Experience, and if pampering is yours to give, the Signature Indulgence will be theirs to receive. After all, why give just a gift when you can give a lifestyle?

Signature Lifestyle
A Banyan Tree-infused life is bound only by creativity with the Signature Lifestyle. Presented in an optional elegant floral display, the Signature Lifestyle allows your loved ones to recreate an urban escape, whilst being socially responsible, with SGD250 worth of Banyan Tree Gallery vouchers.

Offering traditional handicraft, signature spa products and accessories, unique travel mementos and resort-style home furnishings and apparel, Banyan Tree Gallery acts as a global marketing platform, helping sustain village crafts and creating employment for numerous communities.

Signature Experience
Give your nearest and dearest a gift to remember, the gift of memories made. Presented in a stylish, optional floral arrangement, the Signature Experience involves a one-night stay at one of Banyan Tree Bintan’s private villas offering unobstructed views of the South China Sea, priced at SGD888. Surrounded by lush foliage, Banyan Tree Bintan is set in a tranquil environment of unparalleled comfort and the highest measure of privacy while also taking environmental conservation into consideration. The Signature Experience is complemented by a 90-minute spa treatment for two, breakfast for two and return transfers from Bintan Ferry Terminal to the resort.

Signature Indulgence
For the epitome of a Banyan Tree retreat, there is the Signature Indulgence, introduced to reignite passion and romance in a holiday. Guests are transported to the magical world of Banyan Tree Phuket’s DoublePool Villa, where every element, from the ambience to the design lends itself to creating the perfect embodiment of sensuality.

Presented in a chic floral arrangement and priced at SGD3,888, the Signature Indulgence comes with daily breakfast for two, evening cocktails, a traditional Loy Krathong Thai candle ceremony and Thai Lantern ceremony, a Golden Silk Turndown with embroidered “His” and “Her” silk pajamas, daily visits by the Thai Coffee Man as well as return transfers from Phuket International Airport to the resort.

Banyan Tree Art of Gifting is valid from 1 November 2008 to 31 March 2009. For enquiries on gifting, please call Banyan Tree Main Reservations at +65 6849 5800. One–stop reservations at the best rates can be made on the award-winning website, banyantree.com.

About Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
The leading international operator in the boutique resort, residences and spa industry, Banyan Tree offers a signature blend of romance and travel with a green conscience. The philosophy behind the hotels, resorts, residences, spas, retail galleries and destination club is based on rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul – a Sanctuary for the Senses. Angsana Resorts & Spa is the ideal complement to Banyan Tree, comprising contemporary, chic and ecologically sensitive retreats. Based in areas of outstanding natural beauty and exciting city hubs, Angsana hotels, resorts, residences, spas and retail galleries reflect the spirit and communities of its environment.

To date, the Banyan Tree Group manages and/or has ownership interests in over 20 resorts and hotels, over 60 spas, in excess of 60 retail galleries; as well as two golf courses.