Jetsettersblog

Several Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America will offer “Authentically Local” packages designed to introduce travelers to local culture and language. Packages are available through Dec. 31, 2012, and feature hands-on cultural experiences specific to each hotel and destination, including dance lessons, cooking classes, cocktail tastings and boat tours.

The program also provides guests who want to learn local languages with a language immersion pin identifying the guest as an Authentically Local participant; team members will then speak to the guest in the local language. Packages also include English/Spanish/Portuguese/Papiamentu dictionaries and a list of area language schools.

Guests can also pursue hiking through a forest at the Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa or snorkeling in local waters at the Hilton Curaçao, or opt for tango lessons at Hilton properties in Brazil or seek rumba lessons at Hilton hotels in Colombia.

Authentically Local “culture consultants” are available at each property to provide guests with menus of local experiences. To book the packages, guests can contact participating hotels directly or call a local Hilton Reservations and Customer Care office, and request an Authentically Local package.

MLT Vacations launched a Caribbean sale offering up to 10,000 bonus miles per person and reduced rates or additional amenities at select resorts throughout the Caribbean through the Delta Vacations and United Vacations brands. The sale is open for bookings through Feb. 18, for travel April 1 to Sept. 30.

MLT is promoting its Caribbean product in an effort to build on an impressive year in the Caribbean in 2011, when the company grew business in the Caribbean by 46 percent over the previous year.

MLT Vacations offers a variety of hotels, rental cars and activities in the Caribbean. MLT Vacations manages multiple vacation brands, including Delta Vacations, in partnership with Air France Holidays and Alitalia Vacations, United Vacations, and Worry-Free Vacations.

For more information, call 800-727-1111.

Travel Impressions has added new hotels, resorts and villas in the Dominican Republic, St. Bart’s, Barbados, the Grenadines, Jamaica and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to its Caribbean product portfolio for 2012.

The added properties include Sanctuary at Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), a 176-suite, all-inclusive ocean front resort including five restaurants and bars, five pools, a spa and 18,000 square feet of event space;

Fishing Lodge at Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), located near the Caribbean’s largest inland marina providing sweeping views, designer furnishings and 299 villas;

Golden Bear Lodge at Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), a hotel with studios, one- or two-bedroom suites and two nearby golf courses;

Riu Palace Bavaro Hotel (Dominican Republic), featuring 610 guestrooms at the beach of Arena Gordon, with three swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, four conference rooms for groups of up to 500 people, a solarium-terrace, a gym, a steam bath, sauna and a spa;

Cobblers Cove (Barbados), a Relais & Chateaux property reminiscent of the English Country, with 38 one- and two-bedroom luxury suites, 10 two-story cottages with four suites each and the Great House featuring the Camelot and Colleton suites;

Ocean Two Resort & Residences (Barbados), a new, four-star, beach front resort located on Dover Beach on the south coast of Barbados, with 88 rooms in four room categories including hotel rooms, one-bedroom ocean front suites, two-bedroom ocean front suites and two-bedroom bay view suites;

Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club (Grenadines), an Italian managed hotel with 40 beachfront hideaways including eight suites and rooms with balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea;

N Resort (Jamaica), a new, adults-only, all-nude, all-inclusive resort located on Jamaica’s north coast;

Hotel St. Barth Isle De France (St. Bart’s), a hotel on the beach with nine beach rooms, three junior beach suites and four new suites;

and The Palms at Pelican Cove (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands), a hotel with 40 beach front guest rooms in two freestanding buildings each with its own balcony or patio.

In addition to the new hotel and resorts, Travel Impressions has added Club MoBay, a 10,000-square-foot lounge located at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Jamaica.

Club MoBay provides a place for air travelers to unwind before departure. Access to the club offers Fast Track Access through security and immigration, complimentary non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, complimentary snacks, free unlimited Wi-Fi Internet, business center, kids center, spa treatments and shower facilities. For reservations, call 800-284-0044. For more information, call 888-284-3786.

Award-winning luxury tour operator ITC Classics is delighted to unveil its new Ultimate brochure. It provides inspiration in the form of ITC Classics own recommendations from its vast portfolio, showcasing the ‘Best’ of many different holiday styles with something to suit all tastes.

ITC Classics teams have spent the last 38 years travelling far and wide gaining experience that will guide their clients carefully to the finest places. They strive to continually source new deals and add extras that will please client’s pockets.
Jennifer Atkinson, CEO commented, “I am delighted to be unveiling our Ultimate brochure. It is born out of our passion for travel and the notion that everyone has a different vision of what ‘ultimate’ means to them. Each designer holiday is as individual as our clients, so we have taken highlights from our portfolio showcasing many of the very best experiences available. By using a pricing structure that allows clients to choose between a splash and save options we also prove that enjoying the best doesn’t always mean spending more. ”

The Ultimate brochure is divided into eight distinct categories that highlight properties with the Best Beaches, Best Rooms where you will find properties that include the world’s only seven star hotel The Burj Al Arab, Dubai to exotic palaces in India with Taj Palaces. Other categories include Best for Families, Best Villas, Best Cities through to Best Experiences, Best on a Budget and Best Newcomers.

Sample from the Best Beaches Category

THE FAIRMONT ROYAL PAVILION
BARBADOS
This is an elegant oasis that embraces old-world colonial charm and blends it effortlessly with sophisticated, contemporary elegance and impeccable service, all set to a backdrop of one of the Caribbean’s most exceptional beachfront locations. This hotel enjoys half a mile of the best stretch of west coast beach Barbados has to offer, backed by swaying palms and facing a stunning sapphire seascape.

STEAL
Stay 7 and pay for 6 plus receive a Food & Beverage credit of US$200 per room
Prices from £1,465 per person based on 2 adults staying 7 nights, including daily breakfast, economy class flights and private transfers.
Valid for travel completed between 1 May – 31 October 2012.

SPLASH
Prices from £7,399 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Beachfront Junior Suite for 7 nights, full board, including first class flights with British Airways and limousine transfers.
Valid for travel completed between 4 – 31 January & 1 – 31 March 2012.

For more information on the ITC Classics portfolio please visit www.itcclassics.co.uk  or call 01244 355527

Samples from the Best Newcomer Category
NIYAMA, MALDIVES

Sister property to Huvafen Fushi the new Niyama by Per AQUUM due to open in January 2012 will be an edgy, modern resort that will offer guests more than a romantic Maldivian escape, balancing tranquillity with a sense of discovery, stimulation and fun.

This stunning resort situated over two idyllic islands, Embudhufushi and Olhuveli, is located in the South Western Atoll of Dhaalu, just a 40 minute seaplane flight from Male.

SPLASH
Prices from £2,225 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Beach
Studio for 7 nights, half board, including economy class flights and
private transfers.

For more information on the ITC Classics portfolio please visit www.itcclassics.co.uk  or call 01244 355527

DAIOS COVE, CRETE

Up for a short-haul splurge, Crete is the word at the Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas where you’ll discover a fantastic property situated in the picturesque location of Daios Cove. Take to the waters of its impressive infinity pool, or head to Ocean Bar next to the main pool to soak up the dazzling sea vistas. There is also a private sandy beach with comfortable sunbeds and a beach bar with direct access to the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.

STEAL
30% Early Booking Discount

Prices from £565 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Deluxe
Room for 7 nights, including breakfast, economy class fights and
private transfers.

Valid for travel completed 17 April – 31 October 2012.
For more information on the ITC Classics portfolio please visit www.itcclassics.co.uk  or call 01244 355527

Sample from the Best Experiences Category

SULTANS WAY, MALDIVES
With an enticing all-inclusive package, life onboard the award-winning Sultans Way 007 is plain sailing. Impossibly luxurious, four en suite double cabins allow up to ten guests to enjoy the exceptional service of the captain and crew, plus the finest international cuisines.

The on board gadget and accessories for fun on the open seas, such as diving equipment, make it a perfect holiday, as all watersports come as part of the experience too.

The real reason to jump on board is the yachts access to the shallowest of reefs for diving, snorkelling and fishing. Relaxing is easy, it has several sun drenched decks, state-of-the-art music and entertainment systems and a sliding glass roof that assures a refreshing breeze in the heat of the day.

SPLASH
Prices from £6,949 per person based on 10 adults staying aboard The Sultan Way 007 luxury yacht for 5 nights including economy class flights.
For more information on the ITC Classics portfolio or to request an Ultimate brochure please visit www.itcclassics.co.uk  or call 01244 355527.

American Eagle Airlines is reinstating nonstop service from San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) to Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI). Flights have started operating with departures on Friday and Sunday. The return of American Eagle’s nonstop flight from San Juan also opens up several new gateways including Chicago O’Hare, Boston Logan, Baltimore Washington International, Denver International and Hartford, allowing for more direct connection times. Additionally, the existing American Airlines nonstop flight from New York’s JFK to Bridgetown will operate seven days a week just in time for the island’s high season. For more information, visit www.aa.com

Long-haul tour operator, Tropical Sky has some fabulous Christmas and New Year offers still available to the Caribbean for couples and families.

The exceptional, all-inclusive, festive packages to Grenada, Barbados, Tobago, Antigua and St Lucia start from £1,899per adult and £1,259 per child, (based on a family of four travelling together) and include:

CHRISTMAS ON THE BEACH IN BARBADOS – Departure 22 December
Families will love the all-inclusive four-star Almond Beach Village in Barbados, with seven nights from £5,197 for a family of three. For the ultimate bucket-and-spade festive holiday, this family-friendly resort is located on the stunning Platinum Coast. Facilities include a selection of kids’ clubs, 10 swimming pools, fitness centre, tennis courts and fine restaurants and bars.

FESTIVE FAMILY SOIREE IN ST LUCIA – Departure 23 December
Set in sixty acres of lush, tropical gardens on a secluded bay, seven nights on an all-inclusive basis at the four-star Smugglers Cove in St Lucia is available from £6,316 for a family of four. Boasting extensive facilities including a popular kids’ club, Mum can escape to the spa, which offers yoga and Pilates classes, while older children and Dad can also enjoy a wide range of watersports, as well as tennis, squash, seven freshwater swimming pools and archery.

NEW YEAR ANTICS IN ANTIGUA – Departure 28 December
Perfect for active families, seven nights on an all-inclusive basis at the three-star Halcyon Cove by rex resorts in Antigua is available from £6,696 for a family of four. Located on the stunning shores of Dickenson Bay, this family-friendly resort offers plenty to keep both adults and children busy, with a selection of water and beach sports, as well as tennis, football and cricket.

GROWN-UP FUN IN GRENADA – Departure 29 December
For those wanting to enjoy more peaceful festive season, the adults-only four-star plus LaSource in Grenada is a haven of child-free tranquillity and available on an all-inclusive basis for seven nights from £2,799 per person. Set within tropical gardens on the stunning shores of the Pink Gin Beach, the superb Oasis spa offers one complimentary treatment per person each day, as well as yoga and meditation classes. In addition, certified divers are entitled to one free dive per day during their stay.

All prices include accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, return flights from Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic, resort transfers, taxes and surcharges. To book any of these offers visit www.tropicalsky.co.uk  or telephone 0844 332 9349.

Barbados’ Sunswept Beach Hotel is offering discounted rates through its “Last Minute Getaway” special offer featuring special rates starting at $80 per room, per night based on single or double occupancy. The offer applies to new reservations made for travel through Dec. 18, 2011.

Travelers choosing a stay at the Sunswept’s sister property, the all-inclusive Island Inn Hotel, will enjoy reduced rates starting at $280 per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy. Under the offer, children 12 years and younger stay and eat free with two paying adults.

The Last Minute Getaway offer is available on reservations made on Sunswept Beach Hotel and Island Inn Hotel’s websites and requires a full non-refundable payment.

For more information, call 246-432-2715 or visit www.sunsweptbeach.com

PLUS SKY

Following the success of the first ever Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival last year, the culinary celebration will return to Barbados from the 18th – 21st November and Elegant Hotels is set to play host to the world renowned chefs involved.

Featuring chef demonstrations and interactive tasting sessions around the island, the festival is set to become one of the biggest annual events on the island, and Elegant Hotels is thrilled to hold a key role in the proceedings. This year’s four day festival sees French chef Bruno Loubet bring his foodie expertise to Zagat-rated Barbados.

Alongside Loubet, Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival 2012 will feature an array of talented chefs from across the globe including Sweden’s Marcus Samuelsson, US chefs Ming Tsai and Tom Colliccio and Canadian Tom Brodi. The chefs will also be joined by masters of wine Anthony Giglio and Ray Isla and Bajan chef Paul Yellin will be injecting some local flavors into proceedings.

Already well known for its culinary offering, Elegant Hotels has a ‘Taste of Elegance’ dine around option between the five properties on the island; The House, Colony Club, Tamarind, Crystal Cove, Turtle Beach. The House is also situated adjacent to world renowned Daphne’s restaurant, providing lunch and evening meals in a gorgeous beach-front setting. And for those on a romantic escape, beach dining beneath beautiful white linen canopies and lit by candlelight promises to make for a night to remember for any guests looking to experience a more private dining affair within the Elegant properties.

To mark the festival, Elegant Hotels have also released a classic Bajan recipe for those of us unlucky enough not to be able to escape to the sunshine this Autumn:

COU-COU AND FLYING FISH

For four portions:

8 flying fish or 4 fillets of red snapper or mahi mahi

For the bajan seasoning:

1 large shallot

1 tbsp of fresh thyme

1 tbsp of fresh marjoram

1 quarter of scotch bonnet chili

1 clove of garlic

Salt and pepper

The juice of half lime

1 tsp paprika

1 pinch of brown sugar

Method:

Blend all the ingredients with a little water.

Marinate the fish in this seasoning overnight for best taste.

For the sauce:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium white onion

1 green pepper

1 tomato

1 cup of coconut milk

2 cups of water

1Ž4 tsp turmeric powder

2 tbsp of curry powder

1Ž2 tsp Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp cornstarch

Salt to taste

Method:

In a saucepan heat the olive oil with the curry powder, when the aroma comes out add the chopped onion, tomato and green pepper.

Stir adding water and coconut milk, add the Cajun and the turmeric, bring to the boil.

Mix the cornstarch and a little water until mobile, add slowly to the sauce and stir until it reaches the right consistency and set aside to rest.

For the cou-cou:

3 cup of corn meal

6 fresh okras

4 cups boiling water

2 cups room temperature water

3 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste

Method:

Bring the 4 cups of water to boil, add roughly chopped okras, cook for 5 minutes and strain the okras keeping the boiling water and the same okras separate.

Mix the 2 cups of room temperature water with salt to taste and the corn meal forming a ball.

In a saucepan heat the olive oil and add 1 cup of the boiled okra water, add in the corn meal ball and start to stir using the back of a wooden spoon pressing to the side of the saucepan and turning it over in a circular motion. At this stage add half of the chopped okras and 1 more cup of the okra water, keep on stirring, cover and let it cook for 5 minutes, add remaining okras and okra water, cook for another 5 minutes ( your wooden spoon should stand in the middle of the cou cou and it will indicate that it’s ready).

While preparing the cou cou, pre-heat the oven to 350 F , re-heat the sauce, place the fish in a baking dish and pour the sauce over it, finish in the oven for 5 minutes or until the fish is cooked.

To serve:

Use an ice cream scoop dipped in hot water to scoop out the cou cou and place it into a serving bowl, add the fish next to it and finish pouring the sauce

For more information on any of the Elegant Hotels properties or to book, call 1-888-996-9948, or visit www.eleganthotels.com

A full schedule of events and information for the Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival please visit www.foodwinerum.com or www.visitbarbados.org

ABOUT ELEGANT HOTELS GROUP

Elegant Hotels Group owns and operates five of the finest hotels and resorts on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Set on the most desirable of the island’s legendary beaches on the west and south coasts, each hotel features unique attributes and a distinctive personality. Together, they offer styles to suit every taste, from classic to contemporary, family-friendly to adults-only and traditional to all-inclusive. The hotels share a commitment to superb service and fine culinary experiences, and provide the ultimate beach and water sports environment for their guests, including the Elegant “Beach Ambassadors” program. They offer upscale accommodations that remain welcoming and unpretentious, or “elegance with a twist,” – a casual elegance that embodies the best of Barbados. Elegant Hotels include The House, Colony Club Hotel and Tamarind, as well as the all-inclusive Crystal Cove Hotel and Turtle Beach Resort. The group also includes the acclaimed Daphne’s restaurant on Barbados’ west coast – sister to Daphne’s restaurant in London.

Barbados will offer island-wide, free wireless Internet access beginning Nov. 11, according to the Barbados Tourism Authority. The free Wi-Fi is part of an initiative to “expand technology to the locals, boost entrepreneurship and create a better tourism product,” according to a Tourism Authority statement.

The project, named 11.11.11 ON, was initiated by the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation and relies on local businesses to open their networks to guests. For more information on the project, visit www.barbadosentrepreneurshipfoundation.org. For more on Barbados, call 800-221-9831 or visit www.visitbarbados.org

Seven-Day Sailings From $1,599 Per Person

Seattle- Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of three luxury sailing yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, launches “Caribbean On Sail,” offering exceptional savings on seven-day Caribbean voyages with fares starting from $1,599 per person, based on double occupancy, when booked by November 15, 2011.

Three itineraries are available on “Caribbean On Sail” and each one features intimate and exclusive island-hopping experiences in the tropics all while sailing on a luxurious sailing yacht.

Windstar’s Flavors of the Caribbean Voyage presents a unique collection of islands and highlights diverse countries, styles, landscapes and cultures of the Caribbean. Seven-day sailings on Wind Surf roundtrip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten visit Le Marin, Martinique; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; Falmouth Harbour, Antigua; and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy.

Flavors of the Caribbean Departures:

• December 17, 2011 with fares from $1,599 per person, double occupancy

• December 31, 2011 with fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy

• January 14; and February 11, 2012 with fares from $2,099 per person, double occupancy

• January 28; February 25; and March 10, 2012 with fares from $1,999 per person, double occupancy

Experience the glitter and glam of the Caribbean’s yachting scene with overnights in Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda on Windstar’s Yachtsman’s Caribbean Voyage.

Seven-day sailings on Wind Surf roundtrip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten visit Soper’s Hole, Tortola; Jost van Dyke, B.V.I. (overnight); Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. (overnight); Basseterre, St. Kitts; Les Saintes, Guadeloupe; and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy.

Yachtsman’s Caribbean Departures:

• January 7; February 18; and March 3, 2012 with fares from $1,999 per person, double occupancy
• February 4, 2012 with fares from $2,099 per person, double occupancy

Visit the unspoiled islands of the southern Grenadines, overnight in the beautiful Tobago Keys and discover the rugged natural beauty of St. Lucia and beyond on Windstar’s Jewels of the Windward Islands Voyage.

Seven-day sailings on Wind Spirit roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados visit Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Bequia, St. Vincent, Grenadines; Tobago Keys, St. Vincent, Grenadines (overnight); Mayreau, St. Vincent, Grenadines; and St. George’s, Grenada.

Jewels of the Windward Islands Departures:

• December 17, 2011 with fares from $1,599 per person, double occupancy

• December 24 and 31, 2011 with fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy

• January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 25; March 10, and 17, 2012 with fares from $1,999 per person, double occupancy

• February 4, 2012 with fares from 2,099 per person, double occupancy

Fares listed are per person, based on double occupancy, for Category B stateroom. Fares are in US dollars, cruise only, and include non-discountable amounts. Taxes are additional. Offer is not combinable with any other promotional offers. New bookings only. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at Windstar’s discretion at any time. Certain restrictions apply. Offer expires November 15, 2011.

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious yachts of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at WindstarCruises.com. Windstar Cruises can also be followed on Windstar’s Facebook and Twitter fan pages.