Jetsettersblog

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.

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.

Trek to Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar for excellent views of Everest.

Visit the Base Camp of beautiful Ama Dablam

For nine nights on trek, stay in luxury lodges with excellent facilities, food and service

Stay in lodges for four nights above Dingboche

Excellent acclimatisation and first rate leaders

Stay in Dwarika’s superb heritage hotel in Kathmandu

Staying in the same lodges as our two Luxury Lodges treks in the Everest region, this trip goes a few days further (and higher!) to reach Everest Base Camp itself.

From Kathmandu and the charms of Dwarika’s Hotel, we fly to Lukla and trek up through the Khumbu, stopping off in Namche Bazaar and the village of Mende to gain valuable acclimatisation to the rarefied mountain air.

Trekking on, we’ll visit Thyangboche Monastery in the tradition of countless past mountaineers, and make a day trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp to further aid our adjustment to altitude.

There are no luxury lodges beyond Pangboche, 3,985m/13,150ft, but we’ll stay at lodges offering the very best facilities on the four days it will take us to reach and return from Kala Pattar, 5,545m/18,188ft, and Base Camp.

Trekking back via the lively Saturday market in Namche, we end our trip with time to relax and explore Kathmandu.

About the Everest Luxury Lodges – these lodges surpass anything else that exists in the region. Built in an eco-friendly style they offer bedrooms with en suite facilities, excellent food and service, comfortable lounges and delightful landscaped gardens. They are situated to make the most of the wonderful surrounding scenery and allow relaxation in relative comfort at the end of each walking day.

Trails of Buddha’s Island, Sri Lanka

A comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka, combining cultural highlights with gentle walking

Travel into the hill country by train to hilltop tea plantations

Wildlife activities including jeep safaris to look for leopards in Yala National Park, and blue-whale watching trips offshore (in season)

A relaxing beach stay at the end of your travels

From the coast our exploration begins in the cultural heartland, visiting the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, and the remarkable temples in Dambulla and Kandy.

We’ll also enjoy short, easy-paced walks to see life amidst the rural villages and to stand atop the impressive Lion Rock at Sigiriya.

Boarding a train signals a change of scenery as we climb to the cooler air of Nuwara Eliya, tea plantations, and Horton Plains. Descending to the coast we’ll see the wildlife of Uda Walawe and Yala National Parks, and in winter and spring, go Blue Whale watching in the Indian Ocean.

tel: 01453 844400
email: steve@mountainkingdoms.com  / jude@mountainkingdoms.com

Leading Asia specialist, Travel Indochina, has launched its brand new Small Group Journeys brochure for 2012/2013, featuring 70 unique itineraries and 1,000 departures to destinations across Asia including the latest addition of Burma and various new Specialist Collection Journeys to Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Bhutan.

Created by an award-winning designer, Travel Indochina’s new-look brochure is the company’s best and most user-friendly yet. It offers a simple way of digesting Travel Indochina’s great range of quality escorted small group tours, including the largest diversity of holidays to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos of any UK tour operator, together with a large variety of journeys to Thailand, China and Tibet, India, and Japan – for groups of up to 16 people.

The new catalogue perfectly enables the specialist tour operator to share its experience of the “real” Asia with interested customers. Every journey page now features top “Insider Experiences” detailing unique encounters that are exclusively available to guests of Travel Indochina, such as the opportunity to avoid the crowds at Angkor Wat by entering the temple through a lesser-used entrance.

In addition, most journey pages highlight Travel Indochina’s fantastic array of online travel videos to give customers a real taste of Asia. Each online video enables the expert operator to share information on their destinations, top Insider Experiences and unique style of travel whilst providing a great opportunity for interested travellers to hear from – and be inspired by – expert Western tour leaders and professional local guides, as well as past clients.

New for 2012, travellers can enjoy some very special experiences on Travel Indochina’s new 9-day and 13-day tours to Burma, which will operate every month from January 2012 onwards. Whilst covering the highlights of this unspoilt destination, guests of Travel Indochina can take a horse and carriage ride through the Bagan plains at sunset, share lunch with the resident nuns at a local nunnery in Mandalay, and meet the locals at a little-visited village on the banks of the Irrawaddy river.

Further good news is that journeys to Indochina and beyond can be booked in conjunction with Vietnam Airlines, which is launching the UK’s first ever non-stop flights to Vietnam from 9th December 2011. This new service will shave up to seven hours off the flight time and offer convenient onward connections to Cambodia, Laos and Burma.

Lesley Wright at Travel Indochina comments: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Small Group Journeys brochure, which we believe is our best ever design. The content really highlights the breadth and depth of our company’s offering, whilst also developing our philosophy of sharing the experience through our “Insider Experiences”, which delve deeper into the destinations and provide our customers with insights and experiences that many travellers miss. We very much hope our new revamped brochure will inspire them to share the real Asia with us in 2012 and beyond.”

The new 2012/13 Mountain Kingdoms brochure is out now – call 01453 844400 for a copy or email info@mountainkingdoms.com

Packed with 120 exciting holidays, there are 23 fabulous new treks and tours in addition to lots of old favourites.

Highlights include four new trips to the must see destination of 2012, Burma, some wild and remote treks in Nepal, and the southernmost trek in the world in Tierra del Fuego.

Once again the Mountain Kingdoms Early Bird booking incentive will reward those keen to book, and this year applies to all 2012 flight inclusive holidays featured in the new brochure.
Clients booking before the 30th November 2011 will receive a £50 discount – visit www.mountainkingdoms.com  for details and conditions.

NEW TREKS & TOURS

Bhutan

Birding in Bhutan – an exceptional specialist tour created for true birding enthusiasts in a paradise of rare and endemic birds.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.
Mount Chomolhari & the Bonte La – magnificent high mountain trekking beneath snowy peaks, through remote valleys and across high passes.

Nepal

Village Trails of Nepal – the perfect gentle walking holiday combining relaxed day walks, comfortable hotels and the spectacular Himalaya.

Annapurna & Everest Panorama Trek – two short tea house treks amidst the breathtaking scenery of Nepal’s two most famous mountain ranges.

Everest Base Camp in Style – exhilarating strenuous trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar, staying in the Khumbu’s best lodges.

Rolwaling & Bigu Gompa – a glorious trek to one of Nepal’s best ‘off the beaten track’ mountain valleys, next to the Tibetan border.

Api Base Camp with Tashi Tenzing – a reconnaissance trek led by Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, in a remote, little visited, corner of Nepal.

The Kagmara La Pass to Dolpo – a thrilling trek in ‘Wild Nepal’, from the calm waters of Rara Lake, over the Kagmara La to isolated Upper Dolpo.

India & Sri Lanka

Incredible India & Brahmaputra River Cruise – an enthralling tour encompassing both the frenetic energy and serene beauty of India.
Leh & Indus Valley Trails – a delightful short summer walking holiday to the mountains and monasteries of ‘Little Tibet’.
Trails of Buddha’s Island, Sri Lanka – a gentle walking holiday visiting the island’s main historical, cultural, wildlife and scenic highlights.

Mongolia & Central Asia

Genghis Khan Trails & Naadam Festival – take the Trans-Mongolian train from Beijing to experience ancient cities, desert travels, mountain walks and traditional festivities.

Nomads & Ibex Trek – a two week magical, mountain adventure in the remote northwest corner of Mongolia.
K2 & Gasherbrum Base Camps – a sensational trek through wild, dramatic and unspoiled scenery into the heart of the Karakoram mountains.

Burma

First Class Tour of Burma – a relaxed exploration of the cultural and scenic highlights of the Golden Land, staying in quality hotels throughout.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.

Golden Trails of Burma – gentle walks, cultural highlights and comfortable accommodation – the best way to explore this remarkable country.
Mount Phongun & the Burmese Himalaya – trekking in the remote highlands of northern Burma, with an ascent of Phongun Razi (3,635m/11,920ft).

Other destinations

Northern Lights & Husky Sledding, Norway – an action-packed winter adventure in Norway’s icy north, aiming to see the dazzling Northern Lights and taking in a thrilling sledding experience.

Tierra del Fuego – the Ultimate Adventure – from the southernmost trek in the world to Patagonia, via a voyage through the Beagle Channel.

Bedouin Trails of Jordan – easy walking and sightseeing in Jordan, from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea.

Serengeti Walking Safari – unspoiled landscapes, impressive wildlife and luxury camping – the best way to experience wild Africa.

Ngorongoro Highlands & Serengeti Wilderness – a fabulous walking safari in style in two of Africa’s most pristine wildlife areas.

For those seeking sunshine on a shoestring this winter, long-haul specialist Tropical Sky is offering fantastically-priced packages to a selection of far-flung destinations from January 2012. So, with hot holidays to destinations including Sri Lanka, Thailand and Mauritius starting from just £889 per person and savings of up to £260 up for grabs, there’s no need to wait until the January sales to bag a bargain!

Suggestions include:

Sri Lanka – On A Shoestring
Nestled in a vast coconut grove along the picturesque golden sands of Kalutara beach, the Mermaid Hotel & Club combines the perfect balance of relaxation and leisure activities and represents excellent value for money. Facilities include a tennis court, two swimming pools, a spa and a choice of restaurants and bars.

A seven-night package to the Mermaid Hotel & Club starts from £889 per person (saving £230 per person). Available for selected departures from 11 January until 29 February, the price includes scheduled flights from Heathrow, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, taxes, transfers and surcharges.

Thailand – Treat Yourself For Less
Located a stone’s throw from Ao Nang Beach in Krabi Province and boasting views of Nopparat Thana National Park, the boutique Red Ginger Chic Resort is a tropical paradise, offering a wealth of activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, ocean kayaking and even rock climbing. Facilities include a swimming pool, adjacent children’s pool and Jacuzzi and a restaurant and bar.

A seven-night package to the Red Ginger Chic Resort starts from £899 per person (saving £260 per person). Available for selected departures from 11 January until 31 March, the price includes scheduled flights from Heathrow, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, taxes, transfers and surcharges.

Mauritius: Enjoy More On All-Inclusive
Situated on a beautiful sandy beach in the coastal village of Trou Aux Biches, Le Palmiste Resort & Spa is ideal for families and couples wanting plenty of facilities and activities to keep them entertained. Facilities include three swimming pools, a spa, a restaurant and even a nightclub.

A seven-night package to Le Palmiste Resort & Spa starts from £1,139 per person (saving £75 per person). Available for selected departures from 5 January until 14 April, the price includes scheduled flights from Gatwick, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, taxes, transfers and surcharges.

To book any of these offers visit www.tropicalsky.co.uk/deals  or telephone 0844 332 9349

In the beginning was the word, and the word was Hotel. Then it changed to Five-Star Hotel.Then Boutique Hotel. And then in a quantum leap it metamorphosed to Villa .

For the first time ever, The Asia Villa Guide provides the holidaymaker with a comprehensive and independent review of the leading luxury private villas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka andThailand.

Produced and launched by The Villa Guide, the online independent villa experts, this first edition takes searching for that perfect villa to a whole new level.

Listed by country anddestination, over 230 villas ranging from heritage properties in Sri Lanka, billionaire’s pads in Phuket, spa retreats in Bali, to beach hangouts in Lombok have been given a rating andplaced in a one of four collections.The book is built on the belief that once you try a villa you will never look at a hotel again, akin to moving from economy to business class but without the price tag!

To discover a taste of villa luxury and to celebrate the launch of The Asia Villa Guide,100 free nights are being given away.

The competition opens on 1 October 2011, with two stays drawn each week over a fifteen week period from 28 October 2011.To enter the competition all you have to do is visit www.thevillaguide.com/100nights.

The Asia Villa Guide is retailing at S$27.95 (US$23.00) and can be found at most bookstores or online at www.theasiavillaguide.com.

About The Villa Guide

The Villa Guide, previously known as Private Homes & Villas, inspects and reviews over 200 villas ayear across Asia from Sri Lanka, Thailand to Indonesia (specifically Bali and Lombok).

Founded by Jon Stonham, (who originally co-founded asiahotels.com), it is a completely independent websitewhich helps guests select the right villa to meet their needs, tried and tested by seasoned villa expertswho have slept in the beds, sampled the food and been served by the staff. It tells it as it sees it sothat customers get exactly what they are expecting with no hidden surprises. Behind the words, TheVilla Guide has developed a sophisticated customer service booking platform to show which villa isavailable and when.

For more information visit: www.thevillaguide.com

The acquisition of a leading Australian hotel company, Constellation Hotels, marks the first step of the SilverNeedle Hospitality growth and expansion plans.

SilverNeedle Hospitality is an integrated management, development and investment company focusing on mid-upper scale properties in key destinations across Asia. This recognizes an opportunity to capitalize on the rising number of newly affluent, middle-class travelers.

The company initiated its growth and expansion plan with the acquisition of Australia-based Touraust Corporation’s Constellation Hotels business. The acquisition portfolio includes over 60 hotels, resorts and apartment in Australia and New Zealand under the Grand Chifley Hotels, Chifley Hotels, Australis Hotels and Resorts, Country Comfort Hotels and Motels and Sundowner Motor Inns brands.

Says Bill Black, President of SilverNeedle Hospitality,

“Having a vision to be a leader in Asian Hospitality with substantial scale, the opportunity to acquire Constellation Hotels has given us a great platform to launch our own new brand, Next Hotels and Resorts. Constellation with its operating expertise, know-how and insights gained in the mature tourism market of Australia will be of great benefit to our new company.”
SilverNeedle Hospitality will be launching a new portfolio of hotels and resorts through strategic investment, development and management, focusing on mid-upper scale properties in key destinations across Asia. This recognizes an opportunity to capitalize on the rising number of newly affluent, middle-class travelers. Business and leisure travelers will soon be able to look forward to unique levels of Asian hospitality in key destinations in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.

SilverNeedle Hospitality’s flagship brand will be called NEXT Hotels and Resorts. NEXT Hotels are tailored for the modern ‘Road Warrior’ and purposely designed to optimize the guest’s use of time on their business travel while NEXT Resorts will be a more family-centric offering for those travelers who seek out a time to relax as well as enjoy authentic cultural experiences. NEXT Hotels and Resorts are designed to deliver the next generation of Asian hospitality; that guarantee an effortless stay, all the time, anytime, every time.

SilverNeedle Hospitality will continue to add to their current portfolio by searching out hotels that fit its growth and expansion plans of over 10,000 rooms by 2015. The group plans to invest in sub-optimal hotel real estate, in order to reposition the property by improving the operational efficiency through contemporary hotel management practices. SilverNeedle Hospitality has already set up its headquarters in Singapore as well as regional offices in Bangkok, Mumbai and Sydney and plans to open an office in China in early 2012.

About SilverNeedle Hospitality

SilverNeedle Hospitality is a solely owned subsidy of Nadathur Group, which is a family-backed private investment firm of N.S.Raghavan, co-founder Infosys Technologies, a US$35 billion market cap NASDAQ listed company (INFY). The Nadathur Group manages around US$750 million in capital and has invested in over 25 start-ups in a range of industries from life sciences, IT, hospitality and engineering services, funded an investment bank, and has made long‐term investments in philanthropic and social ventures.

As part of Minor Hotel Group’s global expansion of diverse quality brands, the launch of Avani Hotels & Resorts, an upscale hotel concept, will consolidate Minor’s presence in city and resort locations across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. Avani is opening a beach-front resort in Sri Lanka, Avani Bentota Resort & Spa, that will be fully completed by late 2011, and is located along Sri Lanka’s southern shores.

Avani will also launch a second Sri Lankan resort in 2012. Avani Kalutara Resort is situated at the tip of the Kalu Ganga river mouth in Kalutara and will feature 105 rooms.

Minor’s new hotel venture stems from an understanding of a gap for a niche brand that delivers innovative guest experiences that are fresh and grounded and focuses on the details that truly count. “Avani” stems from the Sanskrit word for “earth,” a meaning which is expressed through a grounded personality and simple sense of style. Offering relaxed contemporary inspired comfort to guests who value the details that matter, each location exhibits a passion for design that is evident in the quality of the décor, alongside an emphasis on carefully tailoring details to deliver complete guest satisfaction.

Minor Hotel Group (MHG) is a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 37 hotels and 36 serviced suites under the Anantara, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana, Oaks and Minor International brands in Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, the UAE, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Avani was created to complement MHG’s five-star Anantara brand, which offers enriching destination experiences in 15 locations with a pipeline of 50 properties by 2015. For more information, visit www.minornet.com

Exotissimo has unveiled an alluring selection of new and exotic destinations in their portfolio of places to visit. Meeting a demand for adventurous and exploratory retreats, the latest tours in Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar offer a relaxing break with hints of exciting activity.

Leading Destination Management Company, Exotissimo Travel, has faced a recent challenge to supply tours in response to an increased demand for exotic, unfamiliar destinations. Working with their in house teams and building new tours from extensive ‘on the ground’ research, they have supplied a selection of mysterious and appealing vacation options. Exo recently announced 3 fantastic emerging destinations. These are Phong Nha Caves in Vietnam, Viengaxay in Northern Laos and the Myeik archipelago in Myanmar.

Phong Nha Caves are a truly fascinating find and need to be seen to be believed. They are still a largely undiscovered area and Exo can now offer the opportunity to take guests into the mouth of these mystical tunnels. Come face to face with giant stalactites and stalagmites, then stare into the entrance of a cave that still nobody knows how far it reaches.

Maeve Nolan, Product Manager for Exotissimo Vietnam said, “The Phong Nha Cave region is an area of both outstanding beauty and intrigue. The cave system is largely unexplored and so far the British Cave Research Association’s two research trips have uncovered some startling discoveries. I believe the area, located just north of the former DMZ and Hue, will only find increased popularity as transportation links and hotel availability improves.”
Viengxay in Northern Laos is a town that oozes historical fascination. Caught up in the Vietnam War during the 1960s, it houses a hidden underground city connected by tunnels that housed during its peak, over 20,000 people. Exo now offers audio tours and an in depth 10 Day/9 Night action packed cycling adventure that takes in the remarkable town of Viengxay.
The Myeik archipelago in Myanmar is a magical destination that cries out to be explored both above and below the waves. Peppered with islands, it’s difficult not to find a beach that boasts pristine white sand. There are an abundance of diving sites offering a visibility range of up to 30m. An attractive alternative to the crowded beaches and islands of nearby Southern Thailand.

About Exotissimo Travel

Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. Established in 1993, the company is now a network of 16 locally-based offices staffing over 500 travel professionals, with sales offices in San Francisco, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Melbourne. For more information, please visit www.traveltrade.exotissimo.com