Jetsettersblog

ST. MORITZ SPECIAL GETAWAYS

The Swiss Alps’ most sophisticated address turns up the heat on seasonal activities and events with great rates on summer packages -

(St. Moritz, Switzerland) – Enjoy Special Summer Getaway packages with savings up to 56% from the Swiss Alps’ most sophisticated address: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz. The historic grand palace hotel is just the spot for taking in a wide array of seasonal happenings, from bountiful on-site dining options and gourmet events to sporting and cultural highlights throughout the village all summer long.

Special Getaways – and great savings – from Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in summer 2008:

Alpine Summer Feeling: Two-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability, welcome amenity from the Pastisserie upon arrival; daily buffet breakfast, one set dinner at “Chesa Veglia” and one set dinner at a Palace Restaurant (excluding drinks); complimentary mini-bar, movie channels, internet service and daily newspaper; and free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz From 640 CHF for single and 1040 CHF for double occupancy – a 56% discount on rack rates.

Go Green in St. Moritz: Three-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability, daily buffet breakfast; complimentary mini-bar, movie channels and internet, daily newspaper; hiking map of the region; daily set-dinners with regional specialties in “Chesa Veglia” or a Palace Restaurant (excluding beverages); horse drawn carriage ride to Roseg Glacier with return transfer to Pontresina; one organic Palace picnic basket per person; tickets to the self-guided Clean Energy Tour around St. Moritz; guided tour of the new ecologically sensitive heating system within Badrutt’s Palace Hotel; free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz. From 1,440 CHF for single and 2,200 CHF for double occupancy – a 22.5% discount on rack rates.

Family Summer Indulgence: Seven-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability, welcome amenity from the Pastisserie upon arrival; complimentary mini-bar, movie channels, internet and daily newspaper; daily buffet breakfast, daily set dinner in “Chesa Veglia” or a Palace Restaurant (excluding drinks); one Palace Picnic basket per adult; one boat trip on Lake Sils including return transfer to Sils; horse drawn carriage trip into Fex Valley including return transfer to Sils; complimentary childcare services at the Kids’ Club “Palazzino” (excluding lunch & dinner); free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz; Additional room for the children at a 50% discount on standard daily rate (bed & breakfast). From 4,490 CHF for double occupancy – a 41% discount on rack rates.

Golf Delight: Three-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability; Palace golf present at arrival; complimentary mini-bar, movie channels, internet and daily newspaper; daily buffet breakfast, daily set dinner in Chesa Veglia or Le Restaurant (excluding drinks); two greens fees at golf courses Zouz Madulain or Samedan, with return transfer from hotel to golf course; free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz. From CHF 1,320 for single and 2,040 for double occupancy – a 30% discount on rack rates.

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a celebration of style, sports, cuisine and fashion, with discreet service and traditional elegance evoking an atmosphere of pampered luxury for all. An ideal destination in both winter and summer, the hotel is located in one of the most challenging ski areas in the world and offers a host of summer alpine activities. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has 159 guestrooms, including 47 suites and junior suites, is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Swiss Deluxe Hotels and Swiss Historic Hotels.

10TH CENTURY MONASTERY TURNED PARADOR

GALICIA, Spain,– A state-of-the-art spa opened recently in a 10th century monastery in Galicia, part of Green Spain. Nestled in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra, or Sacred River Bank, a major monastic center, the 4-star Parador de Santo Estevo lies in an area of lush forests and mountains. A former Benedictine monastery, the Romanesque-Baroque building contains 77 rooms and several restaurants along with three striking cloisters in Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The parador, with its charming gardens, overlooks a chestnut forest and the valley where the Rivers Sil and Miño meet.

While the former monastery dates back 1000 years, its new spa offers the latest modern facilities. About $2.2 million (1.4 million euros) was invested in this 9,600-square-foot spa which includes: a heated indoor pool, cold plunge pool, saunas and steam rooms, an outdoor hydromassage bath and a relaxation zone. The spa offers the following treatments: showers (Vichy, bi-thermal Scottish), massages (Celtic with hot stones and essential oils, Flotation Massage in a warm waterbed), wraps (mud or seaweed) and a variety of facials.

Around 2,500 years ago, the Celts settled in Galicia. Today, throughout this misty green land, Celtic influences remain from the playing of the gaita, bagpipes, to the consumption of sidra, a fermented cider. When the Romans colonized most of the country in the first century B.C., they brought with them their culture of bathing. Ourense was known for its thermal springs and the fountains in the main square still spout 150° F water. Throughout Spain there are 2000 thermal springs and about 120 spa resorts.

This is the fourth spa to open in Spain’s network of 93 paradors. The parador system was born 100 years ago this year, when King Alfonso XIII inaugurated a former royal hunting lodge in the Gredos Mountains. Since then, the Spanish government has identified and converted many of its historic buildings, castles, convents and monasteries to lodgings, to preserve them as well as to encourage travel to less-visited parts of the country.

Declared a Historical Artistic Monument in 1923, the Parador of Santo Estevo is located in Nogueira de Ramuín near Ourense. Double rooms range from about $235 to $270 (148-170 euros). Through December 31, there is a package that includes accommodations, breakfast, the spa circuit and VAT that starts at $143 per person, double occupancy, in low season (April through June and October to December, except holidays) to $175 per person, double in high season (July through September.) For more information or to book one of the paradors, call: 011-34-902-54-79-79 or go to www.parador.es  

For further information about Spain, contact your travel provider or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7195) or go to www.spain.info

Austin-Lehman Adventures Offers Discounts

BILLINGS, MT,– Recession weary, gas-crunched Americans are telling one active travel company that they want high value and shorter escapes they can get to in a few hours by car or plane. Once they get there they don’t mind expending some energy – as long as it is of the human-powered kind.

Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) Director Dan Austin says because of these concerns, bookings on their all-inclusive, multisport vacations into Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are up 15 percent over this time last year.

But even with this increase, the company isn’t taking any chances that the skittish economy will slow their business. While unusual for the 23-year old company to do any discounting, ALA is offering a special savings on one of its most popular US national park family trips.

For active travelers booking its 6-day/5-night Yellowstone/Teton Family - Bull Moose to Bucking Broncos adventure, there’s a 10 percent discount being offered on the July 27 and Aug. 10 departures.

“One of the great values ALA itineraries offer is the diversity of experiences rolled out in just a few days. Folks can put the car keys aside and use their own renewable energy hiking, biking, paddling and horseback riding in destinations that are as remarkable for scenic beauty as anywhere in the world,” Austin says. Visit this link.

He also reports that there is no apparent reduction in shoppers looking to buy. Visits to Austin-Lehman Adventures’ website are up 35 percent over last year.

“Folks are looking for deals. The fact that we set our 2008 travel prices last year, and that we’re not raising them even with increasing costs to us, is just one of many compelling reasons to choose ALA as your vacation partner,” Austin explains. He also notes “a rash of last-minute custom trips” with families and friends requesting private domestic trips tailored just for them.

Austin also reports that more guests than ever are planning to forgo air travel and airport hassles and drive the family car to their trip gateway city. “Distances for many are a lot closer than you might think,” he says. For example in dive time:

• ALA’s Yosemite Adventure is just 3 hrs from San Francisco, 4 hrs from LA

• Jackson Hole, WY is just 6 hrs from Salt Lake City, 8 hrs from Denver

• Crater Lake (Medford, OR) is 4½ hrs from Portland, 7 hrs from Seattle

• The Grand Canyon trips meet in Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

• The Cascades “Best of the Northwest” trip meets in Seattle

ALA, the multi-sport travel company that specializes in immersive travel experiences, manages all of the arrangements in its selected destinations. Small groups are held at 12 guests (18 on family departures) with a ratio of one guide to every six participants. Rates include first-class accommodations, most meals, expert guides, park entry fees, multisport activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding and more, ground transportation and luggage service. Not included is round trip travel to the host city.

To get a copy of the 2008 catalog as well as information on ALA’s 40 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com  To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto http://www.austinlehman.com

Boundless Journeys 2008 Summer Vacations

Plenty of Adventure to be had in North America and Abroad

STOWE, Vt—Adventure tour company Boundless Journeys has announced its summer adventure schedule for 2008. From classic North American hiking and sea kayaking adventures, to authentic cultural walking and hiking tours in Europe and beyond, Boundless Journeys’ active trips offer something for everyone:

Classic North American Adventures:

Alaska: Kenai Explorer

June 22-28, July 13-19, August 17-23; 7 days; $2995 per person

This Alaskan adventure includes scenic hiking, cruising the magnificent Kenai Fjords National Park, witnessing calving glaciers, and sea kayaking in Kachemak Bay in search of orcas and bald eagles.

Canadian Rockies: Mountain Paths of Banff & Yoho

July 6-10, August 3-7, August 30-September 3; 5 days; $2195 per person

Guests hike on trails that lead to classic Rocky Mountain vistas and offer glimpses of the diverse resident wildlife, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and bear. Each day, expert local guides uncover the secrets of this inspiring natural realm. In the evenings, return to scenic accommodations and relive the day’s adventures over well-earned meals.

Other destinations available in North America: Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver Island, and Utah & Arizona.

Cultural walking and hiking in Europe:

Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice

July 13-20, August 17-24; 8 days; $5395 per person

Iceland is a land of contrasts ? vast lava fields are interrupted by lush moss-carpeted valleys. Giant waterfalls give way to vibrant rhyolite mountains in the highlands. For the past 1,000 years, descendants of the Norse settlers have carved a tough existence from this unforgiving but beautiful land. Boundless Journeys’ guests spend days exploring the dramatic and other-worldly southern coast and beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula, home to Iceland’s most captivating glacier.

Ireland: Gems of the Emerald Isle

June 8-15, July 13-20, August 16-23; 8 days; $3495 per person

For hundreds of years, the countryside of Ireland has inspired bards, musicians, and artists. You too will be swept away by the beauty of the landscape and the warmth and wit of the Irish people. Boundless Journeys’ guests spend their days walking and hiking the lush, forested valleys of the Ring of Kerry, the wild green hills of the Dingle Peninsula, and the surreal limestone paths of the Burren.

France, Italy, Switzerland: Tour du Mont Blanc

July 19-27; 9 days; $3295 per person

The classic Tour du Mont Blanc, around western Europe’s highest mountain, is the perfect mix of awe-inspiring mountain views and the vibrant influence of three distinct European countries — France, Italy and Switzerland. Expert guides lead the way from the French resort town of Chamonix, to the medieval city of Courmayeur, Italy, to quaint alpine villages in Switzerland.

Other destinations available in Europe: Tuscany & Umbria, Spain’s Rioja Region, and Sicily.

Bike the Whites - NH inn to inn bike tour

BIKE THE WHITES TOPS THE LIST AS THE MOST AFFORDABLE INN TO INN BIKE TOUR IN NEW ENGLAND

Mt. Washington Valley, NH – This summer or fall, Bike The Whites is New England’s best find for value-conscious travelers looking for an exceptional inn-to-inn biking tour experience. This three-day getaway offers customized route planning for cyclists of all abilities, the scenic beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and award-winning fine dining, accommodations and hospitality from three premier New Hampshire inns, all starting at $299 per person, the lowest inn to inn biking tour in New England..

Bike The Whites package rates start at $299 during May, $379 during June, $429 from July 1st through September 15th and $499 from September 16th through November 2, 2008. Rates are per person, double occupancy (Tuesday through Friday) for three nights of luxury accommodations and friendly one-on-one attention from award winning innkeepers. With gas prices continuing to climb out of sight, Bike The Whites allows you to park your car upon arrival. Packages include lodging, gourmet dining, maps, luggage transfer, roadside assistance, bike storage and complimentary water bottle.

Accommodations are provided by three of New Hampshire’s finest country inns, the Tamworth Inn, The 1785 Inn and Snowvillage Inn, each renowned for pampered luxury and exquisite cuisine. Each inn has been featured as a Yankee Travel Guide Editor’s Pick. As avid cyclists themselves, this group of innkeepers’ mission is to make the comfort of a fine country inn, along with the exhilaration of biking in New Hampshire’s scenic White Mountains, affordable for everyone.

You’ll start each morning by planning a route for your own pace and ability levels as you enjoy a hearty country breakfast to fuel your day. There is plenty of sightseeing and attractions on the routes from inn-to-inn, and you’ll learn some of the local secrets for scenic picnic spots and other diversions along the way. Your trip will be no more than 20 or up to 50 miles a day from inn-to-inn (depending upon your ability and energy level), featuring rolling terrain, back roads and covered bridges – all surrounded by New Hampshire’s White Mountains. With the winter snow melting in spring; make sure to take in some of the beautiful waterfalls found between inns. You might even wish to take a dip in a mountain stream or natural mountain pools during the summer and fall months, when the water temps become comfortable. For the more adventurous, off road and single track biking is also available. You’ll arrive at the end of the day having earned your evening of relaxation in a comfortable premier country inn, with a gourmet meal and the coziest of rooms waiting.

Bike The Whites maintains a fleet of Trek 24 speed hybrid all-terrain bicycle – along with a helmet to use during your trip - should you wish to rent a bike and not bring your own bicycle. Rentals are just $75 for the tour.

For more information, visit Bike The Whites at www.bikethewhites.com  or call 800-421-1785 to learn about availability and to make your reservation.

Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Biking Weekend

Breckenridge Resort Chamber
TEL: 970-453-5064
cgrimes@gobreck.com
http://www.gobreck.com

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—An action packed weekend full of good fun, great trails and spirited riding partners is being offered to women mountain bikers July 18-20, 2008 in Breckenridge, Colorado. The Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Bike Getaway hosted by Babes in the Backcountry offers skills and bike maintenance clinics, instructional guided daily tours, training, nutrition and a little pampering at the end of the day. The women’s mountain bike weekend is geared towards amateurs wanting to get a taste of the sport to advanced fat-tire enthusiasts looking for a challenge with fellow lady riders.

The town of Breckenridge is continually expanding and improving its recreational territory, opening up miles of dirt roads and trails to mountain bikers and hikers, connecting the mountain town with seemingly endless Rocky Mountain wilderness.

Breckenridge boasts countless miles of bikeable trails and world-class mountain biking events such as the Firecracker 50, Breck 100 and Montezuma’s Revenge. Breckenridge and the surrounding area have been praised as an up-and-coming fat-tire destination.

The Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Bike Getaway includes two days of skills and guided rides, two morning yoga sessions, two nutritious lunches, Saturday night dinner and wine tasting, a spa treatment and a Babes in the Backcountry gift bag. The cost of the trip is $425 and lodging and bike rentals are not included. To register or for more information, visit www.babesinthebackcountry.com

For more details see www.gobreck.com  call 877-593-5260

June Legacy of the Arts,in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
TEL: 207-288-5103
E-MAIL: cfogg@barharborinfo.com
WEB: www.barharborinfo.com

BAR HARBOR, Maine— Each June for almost a decade now, soft summer breezes have swept the sweet sounds of music across the paved streets and rocky shoreline of Bar Harbor. This year marks the tenth anniversary of “Legacy of The Arts,” sponsored by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. It’s a jam-packed festival celebrating the colorful heritage of this American seaside resort community. The line-up of events featured on the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce website continues to grow for the milestone affair taking place June 15-22, 2008.

The largest dance floor in Bar Harbor is the Village Green, the site of several free open-air concerts throughout the week including the event’s kick-off performance, a moving tribute to Dad by Fletcher’s Landing Philharmonic Orchestra on June 15. Bogie Monday-Thursday evening on The Green to classic jazz, current hits, and the lively notes of fiddles and banjos. On Friday, harpist and singer-songwriter, Liza Rey, with Phil Kell on Bass and Mike Bennett on Percussion energize the crowd at the Criterion Theatre and Arts Center. The opulent 877-seat theatre opened its doors in 1932 as a local movie palace. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s best known for it’s floating balcony. The theatre is just one site showcasing the artful history of the village. A tour of “The Kedge,” Bar Harbor’s oldest surviving summer cottage and a garden stroll concluding with punch on the terrace of the Victorian Mira Monte Inn is also on the schedule.

For seven days, galleries, restaurants, and other retail spaces host a colorful menagerie of arts related programs. These include exhibits of new paintings of native birds and seascapes, a magic show, watercolor workshop and hilarious entertainment by an improv comedy troupe.

The grand finale is always a crowd favorite- Sunday’s 58th annual Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Art Show on the Village Green, a delightful display of original works by more then thirty artists in a variety of media. Check back often to see added events, most of which are free. For more information, check out the Chamber’s website or call 207-288-5103

Madawaska Kanu Centre Family Weekends

BARRY’S BAY, Ontario - The Madawaska Kanu Centre in Barry’s Bay, Ontario offers four family weeks as well as four parent/family weekends during their 2008 summer season, which begins May 10-11. Madawaska Kanu Centre has been the premier whitewater canoeing and kayaking facility in Canada since its inception in 1972. Started by Olympic skiers and patterned after a European ski school,

Madawaska features national and world champion kayakers as instructors, world class cuisine, a safe environment on the Madawaska River. Family Weekends are structured so parents also learn to become paddlers. If the family chooses to learn whitewater canoeing, parents and children becoming paddling partners. If the kids would rather kayak, they will spend time apart from their parents learning kayaking skills, safety and do so in a class that features fun and games especially geared towards their age group. While they work in their own age groups, parents learn paddling - a sport the entire family can enjoy long after they leave Barry’s Bay - at their own skill level.

Price for the week, which includes all meals and lodging is $390 (Canadian) per person with children between the ages of 10-16 getting a 20 percent discount.

Branson Tourism Family Vacation Promotion

Branson Tourism Center (BTC), a provider of discount vacation packages to Branson, Mo., announced a campaign to counter the nation’s current economic woes by offering activity-rich, affordable vacation experiences to families this summer. BTC and its lodging, entertainment, attraction and restaurant partners have made a concerted effort to design reasonably priced vacations for families.

“We have created a group of affordably priced family packages that offer a combination of lodging, shows, restaurant vouchers, gift baskets and tickets to attractions that many families will be able to take advantage of in 2008, despite the tough economic times,” said Lianne Milton, owner of Branson Tourism Center.

For example, the “Affordable Family Summer Fun Package” includes five nights’ lodging, tickets for two adults and two children under 17 to attend three shows, tickets for laser tag and miniature golf, $60 in meal vouchers, a VIP Savings Book with coupons valued at more than $1,500, a Snack Basket in your room and a double BTC gas discount — all for $599. “Branson has always been a reliable choice for budget-conscious travelers, and 2008 will be no different,” Milton said. “This small town of several thousand citizens welcomes several million annual visitors. Branson offers a variety of world-class amenities for families.”

For more information, visit www.bransontourismcenter.com

Preferred Hotel Group Giving Room Program

Preferred Hotel Group, in cooperation with participating member hotels and resorts, announced that 58 member hotels worldwide will participate in this year’s “The Giving Room,” more than triple that from last year.

Through August 31, for every night a hotel’s designated “Giving Room” is occupied, 10 percent of the selected room or suite’s revenue will be donated to the hotel’s charity of choice.

At the conclusion of the program, donations will be matched by funds from the Ueberroth Family Foundation. “The Giving Room” is an outgrowth of Preferred Hotel Group’s GIFTTS program which stands for Great Initiatives for Today’s (Tomorrow’s) Society, a recognition initiative launched in August 2006.

Designed to acknowledge and encourage socially responsible actions by member hotels and employees in the areas of philanthropy, environment and community service. In its inaugural year,

“The Giving Room” raised nearly $20,000 in total donations for charitable organizations in seven countries and generated nearly $100,000 in room revenue for participating hotels.

For more information, call 866-990-9491 or visit www.phggiftts.com