Jetsettersblog

Linear Air Taxi Online Pricing and Booking

Concord, MA – Linear Air is the first Very Light Jet (VLJ) air taxi company to offer travelers the ability to easily check pricing and book flights online. The company’s new booking tool provides an instant reservation for a specific aircraft in the Linear Air fleet, while the Quick Quote™ technology generates pricing and flight information. The newly integrated Quick Quote ™ technology is one more addition to the many conveniences that Linear Air offers travelers.

“Linear Air’s goal is to make air travel as pain-free as possible for our customers – starting with the booking process,” said William Herp, president and CEO of Linear Air. “Now customers can go online and access aircraft pricing and availability with minimal effort and time involved.”

Linear Air utilizes ten times more airports than traditional commercial airlines by flying in and out of regional airports. This large selection of airports lets Linear Air better accommodate clients’ air travel needs. With changes in air travel, regional airports have been found to be more accessible for the traveler and less congested than commercial airports.

Linear Air’s commitment to technology is not only reflected in the company’s new pricing and booking tool, but is also reflected in its fleet, which includes the advanced Eclipse E500. Using less fuel than other jets, the eco-friendly, twin engine Eclipse E500 offers jet aircraft performance at an unprecedented lower overall cost. That savings is directly passed on to the Linear Air customer.

About Linear Air

Linear Air provides point-to-point air taxi service with unprecedented access and affordability. Based in Concord, Mass., the Linear Air fleet includes the three-passenger Eclipse E500 business jet and eight-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop.

Linear Air offers business and leisure travelers access to more than 750 cities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and eastern Canada from its bases in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. Linear Air is a FAA-certified part 135 charter operator that maintains a Gold safety rating from ARG/US, the leading independent safety auditor in the aviation industry. For more information, please visit www.linearair.com  or call 1-877-2-LINEAR.

Travel Impressions Offers Gay & Lesbian Travel

The TI Gay & Lesbian Travel program offered through Travel Impressions features vacations to Canada and Europe to coincide with gay pride celebrations taking place this summer.

Package rates start at $319 per person double occupancy. Through the TI Gay & Lesbian Travel program, three-night Canada packages feature accommodations, three-day Hertz rental car (excluding Toronto and Halifax, where roundtrip airport/hotel transfers will be provided) and hotel taxes and service.

Following are corresponding gay and lesbian festivals taking place throughout Canada. Sample packages with rates quoted per person double occupancy, include:

Vancouver, until Aug. 4: Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina — from $499; The Fairmont Waterfront — from $565; The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver — from $579. Halifax, July 20 – 27: Delta Halifax — from $399; Delta Barrington — from $405; Westin Nova Scotian Halifax — from $459.

Montreal, July 27-Aug. 3: Novotel Montreal Centre — from $365; Hyatt Regency Montreal Centre-Ville — from $419; Omni Mont Royal — from $425; Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth — from $509.

Ottawa, Aug. 15 – 24: Delta Ottawa Hotels & Suites — from $319; Lord Elgin — from $325; Fairmont Chateau Laurier — from $405.

The TI Gay & Lesbian Travel program’s European packages include five nights hotel accommodation and taxes.

Sample packages to European festivals, quoted per person double occupancy, include:

Gay Pride Madrid, July 3 – 6: Intercontinental Hotel Madrid — from $835; ME Madrid — from $1,169.

London Pride London, July 5: MyHotel Bloomsbury — from $859; The May Fair Hotel — from $1,435.

Amsterdam Gay Pride, Aug. 1 – 3: Swissotel Amsterdam — from $859; The Dylan — from $1,495.

For more information about the TI Gay & Lesbian Travel program, visit www.travelimpressions.com/gaytravel. For more information on Travel Impressions, call 800-284-0044 or 631-845-8000, or visit www.travelimpressions.com

Montreal hotels offer French-language lessons

MONTREAL — For visitors who want to learn some of the local lingo, a pair of Montreal hotels have partnered with Berlitz Canada to offer French lessons to guests.

Hotel Nelligan and Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites - part of the Antonopoulos Group of boutique hotels and restaurants - are offering a package that includes five nights’ accommodation and 18 hours of private French lessons designed for tourists.

“With these lessons, guests will be able to . . . practise their newly developed language skills throughout daily exploration of Montreal,” according to a news release.

Berlitz Canada president Darryl Simsovic said language training is a growing trend in both business and leisure activities.

“This package will also appeal to busy executives who do business in Montreal and wish to connect better with Quebec clients or colleagues in French.”

The package starts at $3,494 for two people.

Westjet Canadian adds Mexico flights

WestJet will increase its operations by expanding routes to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cancun in order to cover 14 new destinations on Aztec soil in 2008 and 2009. WestJet will immediately begin arriving at the new destinations with 7 new routes.

Hertz Launches Refueling Program

Hertz launched a refueling program, which goes into effect for rentals commencing July 1, at all corporate and participating licensee airport and off-airport locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

Both the Hertz Fuel & Service Charge (FSC) and the Fuel Purchase Option (FPO) will reflect new, lower pricing bases upon the average price per gallon as set by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) in the geographical area where the car is rented. The Hertz FSC — for customers who don’t refill the fuel tank before returning the rental vehicle and elect the option of then having Hertz refuel the vehicle — will be based upon local market fuel prices, plus a one-time Refueling Fee of $6.99.

The FPO — for customers who elect the option to purchase a tank of gas at the outset of the rental — will reflect local market fuel prices minus a small discount of approximately $0.15 per gallon.

Norwegian Cruise Line Flight Assistance Hotline

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a flight assistance hotline for guests experiencing flight or weather-related delays while traveling to a cruise homeport.

Guests with new flights can now relay their revised flights and accommodations via the “Flight Assistance Hotline,” which is part of the company’s travel agent initiative called Partnership 2.0. NCL representatives will answer this hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 800-456-7179 within the U.S. and Canada and 305-468-2029 for international calls.

If a guest learns of a flight delay prior to arriving to the airport, they can call the hotline directly; however if they are at the airport when this occurs it is recommended to rebook the flight via the airline representative at the counter.

Guests should alert the airline that they are a cruise passenger joining a cruise ship. Once the new flight arrangements have been made, guests should contact NCL’s flight assistance hotline with the new flight information. The hotline can also assist with rebooking hotel packages.

Rebooking charges will apply as per standard airline and hotel contracts.

The hotline is for emergency use only for unforeseen travel delays. If guests have any other questions, they should route them through their travel agent.

The Traveller In France Magazine Online

Traveller Cover With a new design and new headings, discover plenty of ideas for thematic holidays and events in France until September 2008.

A guide will help you to spot the best places to visit around France’s coastline, travelling from the Channel to Brittany, onwards to Aquitaine, Languedoc Roussillon and the Cote d’Azur.

For outdoors ideas, from camping which has become cool again, to activities – some energetic, others less so – you will find a range of outdoor adventures France can offer.

Finally, find out more about French essential city breaks: Montpellier, Bordeaux, Tours and Orange.

Speaking of culture, the work of the talented artisans whose job it is to maintain and rejuvenate some of France’s finest monuments and buildings is also honoured in this issue.

Regular readers will notice that we are dedicating more pages to French food, stunning pictures of France and exclusive interviews…

You can download the digital version on our website

http://uk.maison-de-la-france.com/uk/tif/index2.htm

Themed Hostels for the Off Beat Personality

Not every traveler prefers luxurious hotels with expensive terry cloth bath robes and down comforters. In fact, many individuals prefer the experience of their trip rather than where they lie their head. Over recent years, ‘themed hostels’ have started to pop up, providing travelers with a unique and adventurous stay. Hostelworld.com recommends the following five themed hostels for adventurous travelers looking for an unforgettable vacation.

HI-Point Montara Lighthouse: Montara, California, USA

Off the rugged California coast, just south of San Francisco, sits the Point Montara Fog Signal and Light Station. This historic lighthouse and turn-of-the-century buildings have been preserved and restored by HI-AYH and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard. Just north of the light house hikers and bikers can find beautiful trails with the San Francisco peninsula in the background. Between November and April, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the annual migration of gray whales.
Rates from $20.00 night.

Hedonisia Hawaii, Pahoa (Big Island): Hedonisia, Hawaii, USA

Inside a volcanic crater, with a mini-jungle at its bottom, Hedonisia Hawaii is the perfect place for a quant and truly unique stay. Hedonisia has a mere 10 rooms to offer its guests a night of privacy and space. Once settled in, visitors can enjoy a private outdoor shower with a breathtaking view. The hostel’s “Barn” provides dormitory-style tent accommodations with a ‘jungle kitchen’ for guests to go hog wild.

Rates from $20.00 a night.

Gram’s Place Bed & Breakfast/Hostel: Tampa Florida, USA

Gram’s Place is perfect for the ‘person on the move.’ Go getters will find a simulated railroad station depot upon visiting Gram’s and one of their rooms will be an original sleeper car! For individuals who need to sit back and relax, Gram’s provides an oversized in-ground Jacuzzi, courtyard waterfalls and lazy day hammocks. Let the 1920’s music which can be heard playing in the background take you by the hand to a tranquil place.

Rates from $24.75 a night.

Hi-Ottawa Jail Hostel, Ottawa, Canada

The only hostel in North America located in a former prison, it offers a realistic—perhaps too realistic for the faint of heart—prison experience. You’ll sleep in actual prison cells, or maybe even the former prison hospital. If that’s not enough to get your heart pumping, take a trip to the un-renovated 8th floor for a look at what life was like for inmates in this prison which operated for more than 100 years. Tours are available, during which you can hear inmate stories or maybe even come across a few inmates who “never checked out.” When it comes to comfort, you have no reason to be afraid. This Victorian-era architectural relic has been completely renovated and boasts a friendly, experienced and knowledgeable staff.

Rates from $25.00 a night.

Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel: Carbisdale, Scotland

If you’re looking to travel abroad, consider a visit to Scotland’s Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel where you will receive the royal treatment. Originally built for the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, the Carbisdale Castle has been renovated into one of the world’s most interesting youth hostel yet. Housing a large art collection complete with an impressive display of Italian marble statues, there is plenty of authentic elements to remind guests of its historic past. Adding to the unique experience – rumor has it that this elaborate hostel is haunted by spirits of its past. A night at Carbisdale will surely be an unforgettable experience!

Rates from $25.66 a night.

Saddle Up To Party At The Calgary Stampede

Albertans know how to party, from roundups and rodeos across the province to concerts and festivals. Don’t be left out, take your pick of the province’s festivities or enter the competition to join us in London for an exclusive concert on the 30th June.

Yee-haw! - don your cowboy hat and head for the Calgary Stampede – 4th – 13th July.

For 10 exhilarating days, join people from around the world for a full-on celebration. Enjoy free pancake breakfasts, daily rodeo thrills, fairground attractions, First Nations heritage, agricultural shows, food and drink galore and a nightly Grandstand Stage Show complete with fireworks. New developments at Stampede include the start of a $550 million dollar redevelopment plan and the opening of the new Stampede Casino. www.calgarystampede.com

An eight night holiday in Alberta for the Calgary Stampede costs from £867 per person with Canadian Affair. This includes return Economy Class flights from London Gatwick direct to Calgary, and eight nights at the The Sandman Hotel Downtown Calgary (twin share, room only). This price is based on outbound travel on July 4th, 2008. Calgary Stampede tickets packages are also available from £139 per person. For information and reservations, call 020 7616 9933 or visit www.canadianaffair.com

Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square – Win Free Tickets to this one-off musical extravaganza!

The atmosphere will be electric on the evening of 30th June as Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square. Acclaimed artist Kathleen Edwards will headline the one-night only concert performing hit songs from her new album “Asking for Flowers” (awarded four stars by Rolling Stone magazine and the Times). The line up also includes Canada’s chart topping rock band, The Trews, the country’s favourite award winning guitarist, the multi talented Jesse Cook, and folk blues group The McDades.

This free entry, ticketed concert is being staged by the Canadian province of Alberta and leading UK tour operator Canadian Affair and promises to be a great way to spend a summer evening in London.

For your chance to win free tickets visit www.canadadaylondon.com before 16th June 2008.

Summer Festival Line up 2008

For a definitive listing visit www.travelalberta.com

Banff Summer Arts Festival: Now until 31st August

www.banffcentre.ca/bsaf/2008

This year is the festival’s 75th anniversary and more than ever it will be an action-packed feast for the eyes and the ears. Over the years the festival has welcomed and inspired artists from all disciplines. The Banff Centre will be the setting for an array of performances in dance, music, opera, theatre, and jazz, as well as exhibitions, literary readings, and mountain films, all located in Banff National Park, TripAdvisor’s no.1 Traveller’s Choice Destination in Canada for 2008.

A Taste of Edmonton: 18th – 27th July Visit this link.

This truly enjoyable assault on the taste buds is just about ready to burst into Edmonton’s Sir Winston Churchill Square. Edmonton will once again host a 10 day festival that will showcase 38 restaurants, beer and wine from the local area and from around the world. With 60,000 people expected to join in this mouth watering experience, Edmonton will be transformed into a melting pot of tastes and aromas.

Calgary Folk Music Festival: 24th – 27th July

http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com

The annual Calgary Folk Music Festival is a long weekend of family-friendly music at Prince’s Island Park, featuring 65 artists from around the world on seven stages. This exciting genre-bending affair, including blues, Celtic, traditional music, roots, global grooves, cutting-edge sounds, dub, bluegrass, funk, country, hip-hop, R& B, old-timey, spoken word, alternative and more. The festival is aimed at the whole family, with free kid’s entry and large family areas.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival: 7th –10th August

http://www.edmontonfolkfest.org/index.html

Beginning in 1980 with one staff and 300 volunteers, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival has grown and matured to become one of the leading folk festivals in the world. The quality of the music and the depth of the performer line up is the single greatest ingredient in their success. The vision of the festival is to improve year on year as a world-calibre folk music festival, balancing the best celtic, bluegrass, blues, roots, singers and songwriters from around the world.

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival: 14th – 24th August

http://www.fringetheatreadventures.ca

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival serves as a forum to bring artists and audiences together. The 11 day festival runs daily from noon to midnight and incorporates 1000 performers on indoor and outdoor stages and welcomes annually 500,000 visitors. Recognised internationally as one of the world best and now in its 27th year, the Edmonton Fringe attracts patrons and performers from every province and territory in Canada, as well as from around the world. Clowns, jugglers, poets and multi-media artists all share performance space, bringing both classics and new works to the stage. The festival is a place where performer and patron can connect, where art becomes an intimate adventure and where there’s always laughter and tears to be found.

MI’KMAQ NATION OPENS ABORIGINAL HERITAGE PARK

RED BANK, New Brunswick – New Brunswick’s oldest village is now the province’s newest heritage park. Commemorating more than 3,000 years of Mi’kmaq culture, the $7.5 million Metepenagiag Heritage Park opened on May 12. Nestled on the banks of the Miramichi River, Metepenagiag, or Red Bank, is the oldest, continuously-occupied village in New Brunswick, one of the four provinces of Atlantic Canada. From here, the Mi’kmaq established trading networks that stretched into the Great Lakes and as far as the Ohio Valley.

Since 1975, over 100 archaeological sites have been discovered in the Red Bank area. A ceremonial place and several ancient campsites have been excavated. Two of Eastern Canada’s most impressive Aboriginal sites are here: the Augustine Mound (circa 400 B.C.) and the Oxbow National Historic Site (about 800 B.C.)

Visitors can see Mi’kmaq artifacts and ceramic pottery as they stroll through themed, three-dimensional exhibits and interactive displays, watch the award-winning “Village of 30 Centuries,” and listen to oral histories. From the viewing deck the Oxbow site can be observed. Numerous trails from the interpretive center lead through this picturesque land along the Miramichi River “where spirits live,” as the Mi’kmaq considered – and still do – Metepenagiag a mystical and spiritual place.

Metepenagiag Heritage Park is open daily from May through October 31 from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is $8. This is the first season, and officials eventually expect up to 25,000 visitors annually.

Thousands of years ago the Miramichi provided an abundance of fish for the Mi’kmaq. Today, O’Donnell’s Cottages offers salmon fishing packages that range from a half-day package for about $131 per person to a full day package including professional fishing guide, instruction, equipment and license for $202 per person. A cottage for two starts at about $56 per person, double occupancy and a two-bedroom cottage for a family of four is $161. O’Donnell’s is offering a four-night “Experience Heritage and Culture the Miramichi Way” package that includes: accommodations in a riverside cottage with daily breakfast, visits to the Metepenagiag Heritage Park, the Doak Historic Site and the Salmon Museum, a full day of salmon fishing with guides, equipment and license plus a half-day canoe or kayak trip for about $1094 per couple and $1804 for a family of four.

Taxes are additional. www.odonnellscottages.com

Travelers can find more information by going to www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca  or to one of the other three provincial web sites: www.newfoundlandandlabrador.com  www.novascotia.com  and www.gentleisland.com 

New Brunswick is a member of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.)