Jetsettersblog

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre is offering guests a 50 percent discount off prevailing rates for their third night booked by April 25 for stays through June 30, 2010.

The rate includes a daily breakfast buffet in the Pacific Lounge; suite accommodations; complimentary wireless Internet and local phone calls; slope-side ski valet and storage at the sister (Mountainside) property, two minutes away; and signing privileges at Dubh Linn Gate Pub and the Salomon Store (at Mountainside hotel).

For reservations or more information, visit www.panpacific.com/WhistlerVillageCentre/Offers/3rd_night_50percent.html

Trusted Adventures, an alliance of seven active travel companies, is promoting itself to multi-generational families.

Members are reporting an increase in demand for family travel. Many of the more than 400 itineraries on the alliance website either encourage or are specifically designed for family participation.

Brad Moss, executive director of Trusted Adventures, credits social media such as Facebook and Twitter as a contributing factor in the company’s recent growth in family bookings.

Trusted Adventures members are able to cross traditional channels of marketing, reach varied age groups and deliver real-time information, vacation stories and inspiration by encouraging past guests and fans to join the conversation, share and make personal recommendations.

“It’s one thing to have a parent write us about how much their family enjoyed a trip; it’s another world to have little Johnny posting to his Facebook page and Tweeting about seeing a lion or getting white knuckles rafting a river.

Then word and images spread exponentially,” said Moss. “Providing a platform for families to talk to other families and share experiences, recommendations and cautions helps us transcend old forms of promotion with new, reality marketing.”

One family traveler from Virginia wrote, “I am a 15-year-old girl and I had doubts about doing a rafting trip for five days in the middle of nowhere without the comforts of home like a toilet. But I came out of the canyon crying because I had the most fun of my life!”

Family-specific itineraries offered by members of Trusted Adventures range from just two days rafting or mountain biking in the American West to over two weeks on culturally immersive expeditions and safaris in Asia, South America and Africa.

While all member companies offer set departure dates for pre-packaged, small group tours, most offer the option to put together custom-designed, family-specific dates and itineraries.

The Trusted Adventures alliance is a partnership of seven adventure tour operators, including Austin-Lehman Adventures, Wildland Adventures, Western River Expeditions, Myths and Mountains, The Wayfarers, ROW Adventures and Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations. The alliance helps individuals, families and groups find active walking, rafting, cycling and trekking trips throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. With a Trusted Adventures company you travel with the experts on carefully crafted itineraries designed to enrich your experience while preserving our planet and its cultural heritage.

For more information, visit www.trustedadventures.com

A 16-night coach, rail and sail holiday to Canada and Alaska in May this year that includes such unique excursions as a glacier helicopter tour, a ranch visit and the famous Columbia Icefields tour – and which was selling from $12,049pp twin-share a few months ago – is now selling under half-price through ecruising.travel from just $6,149pp twin-share if booked by March 12.

Departing Australia on May 14, this remarkable package is built around 5-nights touring from Calgary in the Canadian Rockies to Banff, two nights aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train from Banff to Vancouver, and 7-nights on the 116,000 tonne mega-liner Diamond Princess to Anchorage.

After an overnight on arrival in Calgary, there’s a guided “lake stroll” around famous Lake Louise, an Icefields and Glaciers Experience including a glacier helicopter tour and a ranch visit, the unique Columbia Icefields Ice Explorer on the way to Banff where there’s a Banff Gondola ride and a Summit Helicopter Flight see, an overnight in Banff, and the 2-night Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver including an overnight in Kamloops.

All rail station transfers in Banff, Kamloops and Vancouver are included, and the Rocky Mountaineer includes two onboard breakfasts and three lunches; in Vancouver there’s a choice of free excursions and an overnight, before joining Diamond Princess’ 7-night sailing to Anchorage by way of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, and cruising Glacier Bay and College Fjord; all onboard meals and entertainment are included.

Prices include return air from Sydney and all taxes; phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Won’t Break The Bank

Keeping track of the best last minute skiing bargains is about to get easier this season with the launch of a new ski price index from Teletext Holidays.

The new index, which is designed to help people manage their winter holiday budget and will be updated on a weekly basis, is online at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/skipriceindex

The index makes Teletext Holidays the first company to track not only the typical cost of the ski holiday itself, but also the cost of essential items such as boot hire and lift passes giving a complete picture of the overall cost of a break away, helping snow seekers keep a check on their holiday budget.

To keep the index bang up to date the Teletext Holidays team will be tracking thousands of last minute holiday prices from hundreds of different companies every week.

Bulgaria and Andorra top the index for the lowest ski holiday destinations.

“The ski market is set for a bumpy ride this year,” said Alison Steed, financial expert and editor of mymoneydiva.com: “For anyone who isn’t a die-hard skier, a winter snow sports holiday could be seen as a luxury especially when people are living on a tight budget. But ski holidays don’t have to break the bank.”

“Prices are likely to come down as the season progresses and – because of the recession – we could potentially see much lower ski prices than they have done for years. That makes it the ideal time to get a bargain break.”

“The index is a really useful tool. It’s essentially an online “shop window” to show where the best prices are at a glance.”

Despite the Euro strengthening against the pound this year, there are more deals available in popular resorts European resorts which show great value.

Example prices include:

- Three star self catering in Tignes, France £ 319
- Three star self catering Les Deux Alpes, France £252
- Three star half board, Pas de la Casa, Andorra £283
- Three star half board La Plagne, France £318
- Three star half board Borovets, Bulgaria, £233
- Three star half board Courmayeur, Italy £351

Mark Bloxham, head of marketing, Teletext Holidays, said: “The in-resort extras which go alongside a ski holiday, such as boot hire, lift passes, eating and drinking must be considered alongside the actual cost of the break to get a true picture of the total cost.

“The winter sports market was down last year and it’s likely to be a similar story for the 2009/10 season which means tour operators are likely to stimulate demand by dropping prices. The index will allow people to keep track of the best deals.”

For clever ways to save money on a ski break Teletext Holidays has teamed up with financial expert Alison Steed and her tips are online at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/skipriceindex

Castle Mountain Resort is excited to announce that it is to introduce the only Cat Skiing experience in Alberta.

This backcountry adventure is just another addition to the list of exhilarating experiences already available at the resort and the operation will start thrilling guests on the 28 January.

This lift assisted Cat Skiing will utilise the Huckleberry Chair and then the Great Divide Adventures Snow-Cat to whisk people up Mount Haig.

The new 600 acres of terrain, which was formally used for backcountry skiing, offers a variety of new runs, powder stashes and even more pristine scenery.

The Powder Stagecoach will operate Thursday, Friday and Saturdays and can accommodate up to 24 people. Avalanche beacons, probes and shovels are required equipment and can be rented through Castle Mountain Pro Shop at the Resort.

For more information on Castle Mountain please visit

www.skicastle.ca

Porter Airlines is opening it new home Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on March 7. The $50 million passenger terminal was unveiled at a ceremony showcasing enhanced passenger services, further improving the travel experience at this revitalized facility. Porter projects over 1.3 million passengers using the airport in 2010.

The new lounges will triple current capacity and include standard complimentary

Porter amenities such as a business center, modern lounge-style seating, beverages, snacks and Wi-Fi.

For more information, call 888-619-8622 or visit www.flyporter.com

Air Canada said that beginning May 17, 2010, it will launch the only non-stop daily flights linking Regina and Ottawa with same plane service to/from Montreal.

The airline said the new flight should be popular with business, government and leisure travelers because it reduces current travel time by nearly two hours when compared to connecting over other routings.

Air Canada’s new flights between Regina and Ottawa will complement Air Canada’s current schedule of three daily flights from Regina to Toronto.

Flights will be operated by Air Canada’s regional partner Jazz with 75-seat Bombardier 705 jet aircraft offering a choice of Executive and Economy class, and featuring Air Canada’s personal in-flight entertainment system available at every seat throughout both cabins.

The flights are timed for convenient connections with Air Canada’s network, including London, Frankfurt, New York, Halifax and St. John’s for flights leaving Ottawa for Regina, and onward connections to destinations such as Halifax, Boston, New York and Frankfurt for flights arriving in Ottawa from Regina.

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre is offering special SuperSaver rates starting at CAD $289 for a one-bedroom suite and CAD $416 for a two-bedroom suite.

Available through April 30, 2010, rates quoted are for double occupancy in Valley View Suites and are valid for bookings made by Feb. 28, 2010.

This offer is based on availability and restrictions may apply. In addition to these SuperSaver rates, guests of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre enjoy daily breakfast buffet in the Pacific Lounge;

suites featuring full kitchens, fireplaces and balconies;

complimentary wireless Internet and local calls;

one of the best pool decks in Whistler with a heated outdoor salt water pool, two hot tubs and sauna;

slopeside ski valet and storage at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside;

signing privileges at Dubh Linn Gate Pub and the Salomon Store in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside;

and access to the in-house full service Vital Spirit Spa.

For more information, visit www.panpacific.com

TrekAmerica has re-launched its open-age adventure brand as Grand American Adventures. The Grand American Adventures programme, previously known as Footloose, offers an extensive range of comfortable camping and lodging tours, dedicated walking tours and family tours for active people of all ages.

Samantha Cox, managing director of the TrekAmerica travel group comments: “The Grand American Adventures programme offers the chance to explore incredible, iconic landscapes and enjoy exciting adventure activities, much like the core TrekAmerica product. With its specialised itineraries, higher levels of comfort and more exotic destinations, we are giving all our customers access to a wider range of trips and styles of travel.”

Grand American Adventures are available for travellers over 18, with an extra range of family trips suitable for children aged eight and over. TrekAmerica’s trips are aimed at those aged 18-38.

While TrekAmerica trips are focused in the USA and Canada, Grand American Adventures also operate in Latin American countries including Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru.

Amongst its itineraries are some focusing on particular activities to appeal to travellers with specific interests – for example walking tours, and a rafting tour through the Grand Canyon.

Grand American Adventures offer an increased level of comfort and are priced in a more inclusive way, with local payments for hotel accommodation and meals whilst camping included in the overall price.

Accommodation on Grand American Adventure tours range from comfortable lodgings – national park lodges, cowboy ranches and three star hotels – to camping, using high quality camping gear including large dome tents, inflatable sleeping pads, camp chairs and top of the line field kitchens.

No single supplements are charged – solo travellers are matched with another passenger of the same sex unless a single room is specifically requested.

Each tour is led by a knowledgeable and experienced Grand American Adventures guide and on walking trips, two guides will travel with the group.

Guides will co-ordinate meals for the group whilst camping, assisting in the shopping and preparation of healthy, hearty meals and picnic lunches.

The Grand American Adventures programme includes tours in the USA (including Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru. Family tours are available in the western USA.

Highlights of the programme include:

• Appalachian Trail Walk –

a ten-day walking tour in New England, departing in autumn to coincide with the famous fall colour season

• Canyons & Indian Lands –

a seven-day trip taking in the highlights of southwestern USA including the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks

• Ruta Maya –

a three-week adventure discovering ancient Mayan culture in Mexico and Guatemala. Stops include Chichen Itza, Tikal and Palenque

• Classic Peru –

a lodging tour of Peru including Machu Picchu, Lima, the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca

Grand American Adventures are featured within the 2010/2011 TrekAmerica brochure, which is out now.

For further information, or to book, see

www.trekamerica.co.uk

or telephone 0845 863 9402.

From March 1 through April 30 at Willow Stream and Fairmont Spas around the world, guests can choose a Spa Season getaway package, a special weekend event or enjoy a great class on their travels.

With 16 participating luxury spa destinations in Mexico, United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, those planning a healthy vacation can visit www.SpaSeason.com  to find offers including the Fairmont Scottsdale’s Girlfriends Pajama Party.

Package includes accommodation, welcome gift of two sets of Willow Stream Pink Pajamas, choice of one Southwest Classic manicure or pedicure per person, two signature cocktails at Stone Rose Lounge and turndown amenity with two pints of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Rates start at $605 per night. Other Fairmont properties with similar packages include Fairmont Mayakoba, Fairmont Pacific Rim, and Quebec’s Fairmont Le Chateau.

For more information, call 800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com