Jetsettersblog

Insight Cuba, a provider of authorized people-to-people travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens, is offering a five-day/four-night program to attend the Marabana Havana Marathon. The program is targeted to avid marathon runners who like to collect marathons in different places. Insight Cuba is the official U.S. travel provider for the Marabana Havana Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. The event was established in 1987 and attracts some of the world’s best runners.

As an authorized provider of travel Cuba, licensed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the company can assure that the trip will comply with the U.S. government restrictions on travel to Cuba, dating back to the early 1960s.

The run through Havana will take place Sunday, Nov. 18. “It has been a dream of mine to see scores of Cubans and Americans running side by side for 26.2 miles, sharing in a day full of individual and collective triumphs,” said Tom Popper, director of Insight Cuba. “This marathon is the ultimate people-to-people experience and something that’s been largely impossible for most U.S. runners since 1963.”

The marathon’s course winds through avenues of the historic city, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage city, and past historic places such as the Malecón, a wide roadway and seawall along the coast of Havana; and the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, expansive Revolution Square, and the monument tribute to national hero José Martí. The course passes through the Parque Central, the hub of Havana’s social activity where heated discussions take place about the national sport, baseball, as well as the impressive Cabaña Fortress, Morro Fortress and the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, which protect Havana’s beautiful harbor.

In addition to the marathon, runners will have opportunities to participate in people-to-people encounters, which will include memorable meetings with both Cuban runners and disabled athletes. Informative tours of the University of Sports “Manuel Fajardo” and Sports Medicine Institute in Havana will also be featured.

Insight Cuba’s Marabana Havana Marathon will take place Nov. 15 to 19. The price includes a marathon entry fee; a medical check-up; most meals, including a marathon pasta lunch on Saturday afternoon; superior first-class hotel accommodations in Havana; a Cuban host to handle all marathon details and people-to-people activities; all entrance fees to scheduled activities and events; all in-country ground transportation and transfers; U.S. Treasury Department license and Letter of Authorization; and travel insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance and medical trip cancellation coverage.

Prices for the five-night Marabana Havana Marathon program are $1,995 per person double occupancy; $2,295 single occupancy. Runners may participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K. Space is limited. Insight Cuba is a division of Cross-Cultural Solutions, an independent not-for-profit organization and leader in international volunteering and people-to-people cultural exchange with more than 26,000 alumni since its inception in 1995. For more information, call 800-450-CUBA (2822).

Grand Circle, a direct-to-consumer tour operator based in Boston, is offering a new program for Cuba called Cuba: A Bridge Between Cultures.

It is a 12-day People-to-People program designed to foster cultural exchange between Americans and Cubans.

The program will be operated in groups of 12 to 20 participants. The price begins at $3,995 per person. There are 75 departures scheduled between January and June and, subject to the renewal of federal licensing, from September to December 2012.

The Grand Circle Foundation launched its People-to-People program last November after receiving a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The foundation initially limited participation to its top donors and supporters, and ran four departures that garnered a 97 percent excellence rating from 80 participants.

The program is now opened to all Americans. It is targeted to and paced for the 50-plus market.

The itinerary includes five nights in Havana; two nights in Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s also known as La Perla del Sud (the Pearl of the South); and three nights in Trinidad, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that recalls life in Cuba’s 19th century glory days.

The program includes a full schedule of People-to-People exchange meetings; roundtrip airfare from Miami; all accommodations; 24 meals; services of an English-speaking Cuban guide and a Grand Circle Foundation representative from the U.S.; transportation aboard a private, air-conditioned motor coach; and cultural diversities that include discussions with locals, museum visits, musical performances, and more.

Established in 1992, Grand Circle Foundation is a not for profit organization that supports educational, humanitarian and cultural organizations worldwide. It is the charitable arm of Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, which consists of travel brands Overseas Adventure Travel, Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line, serving more than 100,000 Americans aged 50-plus each year. For more information, call 855-423-3443.

Cuba Tours and Travel (CTT), a licensed Travel Service Provider under the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Asset Control, is offering a tour to Cuba timed to coincide with the visit to Cuba of Pope Benedict XVI, March 26 to 28.

The papal visit — the first since John Paul II’s 1998 arrival — is scheduled to include trips to the major Cuban cities of Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The visit will feature a Mass conducted in Havana’s world-famous Jose Marti Revolution Square. The visit is timed to coincide with nationwide celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba’s patron saint. CTT has been in business for 12 years and has rooms reserved in four- and five-star Havana hotels during Benedict XVI’s visit.

For more information, call 888-225-6439.

Insight Cuba is offering a five-night tour to attend the Havana Biennial Art Exhibition in Cuba, May 20 to 25. In spite of the ongoing U.S. embargo on Cuba, this trip is legal under people-to-people provisions of the law. The package will feature special events and meetings with artists, professors and students who are gathered for the art exhibition, which takes place every two years in Havana showing contemporary “non-Western” works.

This year will be the 11th edition of the three-week festival. The theme for this year is “Art Practices and Social Imagery.” During the exhibition, much of the capital will become a gallery with art on display in the city’s museums, colonial forts and baroque churches.

Insight Cuba participants will be given an insider’s view of the exhibition, with chances to meet some of the artists and to attend lectures. The 10th edition of the Biennial de le Habana in 2009 featured over 300 artists from 54 countries with more than 50,000 people in attendance. Participants will be able to meet with representatives from Casa de Las Américas, an organization founded in 1959 by Haydee Santamaría for the purpose of developing and extending socio-cultural relations with other countries. They will also have the opportunity to meet with the professors and students of La Escuela Taller Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. This institution was established in 1992 in an effort to train local youth in the arts and theoretical knowledge necessary to preserve their rich architectural heritage.

Prices for the May 20 to 25 Havana Art Biennial Exhibition are $2,995 per person double occupancy and $3,495 per person single occupancy. Ground transportation, transfers, all entry fees and “All Access Pass” to Biennial events, professional guide services, U.S. Treasury Department license and Letter of Authorization, and travel insurance are included. Insight Cuba is a provider of travel to Cuba and a division of Cross-Cultural Solutions, an independent not-for-profit organization. For more information, call 800-450-CUBA.

Ya’lla Tours USA is planning to operate A Catholic Journey to Cuba: Following Pope Benedict XVI Pilgrimage to Cuba, March 23 to 28.

The itinerary will include visits in and around Havana, including time at the Convento de Belen, a community center and social services facility which serves Havana’s poorest neighborhoods with special focus on the elderly and disabled children.

On March 27, the group will attend an open-air Mass with the pope in Havana’s Revolution Square. Pope Benedict XVI is set to visit Cuba March 26 to 28. It will be the first papal visit to the island since Pope John Paul visited in 1998.
The pope’s visit is timed to correspond with the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the statue of the Virgin of Charity, Cuba’s patron saint. The pope will hold Masses in Santiago de Cuba and Havana.

“This is a significant event, not only for Cuban Catholics, but for Catholics everywhere,” said Ya’lla President Ronen Paldi. “It signifies warming relations between the Catholic Church and the Cuban government, which means more religious freedom for the Catholics of Cuba. For American Catholics, this is a rare opportunity to see the pope and they are able to travel legally to Cuba under a general license for religious travel.”

Founded in 1993, Ya’lla Tours USA offerstravel packages to Mediterranean destinations such as Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Turkey, Jordan and Greece, and is licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department to operate travel to Cuba. For more information, call 800-644-1595

60 Yachts, 500 people, five destinations, one week

- The only fun, affordable international sailing holiday company to hit Europe & The Caribbean

- Celebrating new routes to Turkey and Italy, and collaborations with Pioneer and CR2 Records

The Yacht Week, the only company in the world to organise offshore chartered yachting holidays, is proud to announce the addition of two further destinations to its portfolio – Turkey and Italy.

The Yacht Week, catering to travellers between the ages of 22 – 35 from over 40 countries, offers an outstanding holiday at competitive prices to some of the world’s most sought after destinations in Europe and the Caribbean. With an array of modern yachts to choose from, ranging between 38ft to 59ft, and with a skipper commandeering the journey across the Mediterranean, Aegean and Caribbean Seas by day and private island parties by night, it makes for the ideal holiday for those looking for a sun and sea filled adventure.

The Yacht Week was founded in 2006 by Erik Biörklund and William Wenkel, two students from Sweden. They decided to challenge and rejuvenate the traditional yachting market. Typically regarded as a sport for the retired, they brought forth the concept of young, fun, affordable sailing. Within five years, it has gone from strength to strength. Previously only available in Croatia with 25 yachts, today holidays are available to The British Virgin Islands, Greece, Italy and Turkey with a flotilla consisting of 700 yachts.

Every minute of the week is taken care of without having to follow a choreographed itinerary. From touchdown, there are no tickets to arrange, no baggage to wrangle or transport to worry about, making it a truly one of a kind experience.

A route is suggested, skipper provided and dinners, clubs and beach parties all organised.

By day yachts can voluntarily sail as part of a 60 yacht flotilla with equally minded, fun loving professionals to a private island party or beach club where an event awaits to impress; by night there are parties at open air-clubs.

The Yacht Week’s attention to detail and dedication to making this concept achievable is what makes each week so successful..

Last year saw the launch of a Skipper Academy, the largest academy of its kind in the world to provide training for every Yacht Week skipper, as well as event staff.

Erik Biörklund & William Wenkel, The Yacht Week Co-Founders comment:

‘We are extremely thrilled with the way the company has grown and the support we have received from all 36 markets. We are now doing to sailing what happened to skiing in the 1970′s – we’re make yachting accessible and appealing to the young generation. We strongly believe in delivering a full experience and provide as much of it as possible to create the best product. Launching the Skipper Academy is one effort that reflects this ambition’.

In addition to the new routes, 2012 will also see The Yacht Week expand in to the music industry with support from Pioneer and CR2 Records.

THE SKI ALTERNATIVE – The British Virgin Islands

Half the price of a ski holiday and gain a full body tan – do something different this year and spend New Year and Easter sailing the clear warm Caribbean Ocean. The 8 day trip consists of visits to Peter Island & The Baths, Jost Van Dyke, Marina Cay, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Norman Islands.

29th December – 5th January 2012 & 3rd – 23rd March 2012. Rates start from £456 per person per week, sleeping 2 – 12 pax

THE PARTY RIVIERA – Croatia

The origin of the Yacht Week, Croatia is one of the best areas for sailing in the Mediterranean. Few places, if any, can compete with Croatia, with its mix of climate, prices, culture and beautiful surroundings. With speedboat rides to an evening dinner, a casual sailing regatta with 50 other yachts and the opportunity to make new friends there’s no wonder why this route has always been a hit. There are now two route concepts in Croatia due to popular demand.

June – September 2012. Rates from £256 – £690 per person per week depending on yacht model, sleeping 2 – 12 pax

PLAIN SAILING ISLAND HOPPING – Greece
The Saronian Islands are far away from the main tourist spots and offer a Greek experience that can’t be found at many other places in the whole Aegean Sea. Party as Mick Jagger and Onassis did in their hay day on Hydra, know for it’s stunning location, night life and food. The eight day trip also consists of visits to Palea Bay, Poros, Dokhose, Plaka and Spetses.

July – August 2012. Rates start from £256 – £690 per person per week depending on yacht model, sleeping 2 – 12 pax

CHASING THE COVES & GROVES – Turkey (NEW)

The Carian coast between Bodrum and Marmaris has recently become the most popular yacht charter and gulet cruise area in Turkey. Sailors are attracted by the gentle sailing conditions, the beautiful bays, sparkling waters and fine, white sand Cleopatra herself is said to have transported to the area.

The Yacht Week flotilla of 20 boats will sail to Ciftlik, Buzukkale, Bozburun, Detca, Serce, Gerbekse Cove and Marmaris.

16th – 23rd July. Rates start from £256 – £690 per person per week depending on yacht model, sleeping 2 – 12 pax

PARTY ON PANAREA – Italy (NEW)

The beautiful Aeolian Islands off Sicily are now worshipped for their glittering nightlife and smouldering volcanoes. Still virtually unknown to the European traveller, the flotilla of 25 boats will sail to Lipari, Stromboli, Portorosa, Panaria, Salina and Filicudi.

17 July – 7th August. Rates start from £256 – £690 per person per week depending on yacht model, sleeping 2 – 12 pax

Registration is Limited
Authentic Cuba Travel’s nature, bird watching and ecological tourism represents a unique opportunity to exchange with Cuban ornithologists, birders, scientists and naturalists and meet with Cuba’s most prestigious nature conservationist groups.

TORONTO, ON– Working under the auspices of Cuba’s foremost environmentalist and nature conservation organizations, Authentic Cuba Travel gains access to the most pristine natural Cuban sites of this tropical bird watching paradise, from UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and National Parks to Protected Areas.

The fully escorted tours offer an unparalleled opportunity for North American nature lovers, bird watchers, naturalist, biologists, environmentalists and nature conservationist to witness the great biodiversity of the largest and most unspoiled island in the Greater Antilles.

Authentic Cuba Travel is able to offer Cuba nature and bird watching study tours for US naturalist, biologists, environmentalists and nature conservationists because of a rare political opening in U.S. policy that allows professionals and educational groups to go to the island as part of Cuba research programs and people to people exchanges.

Do not miss out! Join one of Authentic Cuba Travel’s nature and bird watching tours coming up Cuba:

Bird Watching Paradise, from March 17 to March 24, 2012.

The Nature of Cuba, from April 6 to April 15, 2012.

Four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, from May 4 to May 13, 2012.

Bird Watching Paradise, from November 16 to November 23, 2012.

The Nature of Cuba, from November 16 to November 25, 2012.

Cuba’s diverse wildlife stems from its unique natural history. Cuba was not originally in the Caribbean Sea but in the Pacific Ocean, where the island was situated 100 million years ago, before the forces of continental drift slowly brought it into the Caribbean. As the island migrated over the ages, an astonishing variety of life arrived by air, sea, and possibly by land bridges that may have once existed. Over time, these animals adapted to their new environment.

This isolation has contributed to an extraordinary high rate of biodiversity and endemism. Cuba, the largest island in the Greater Antilles, boats about 350 species of birds, 21 of those birds are endemic to the island, including the smallest bird in the world: the Bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). Cuba is also a major stopover for migratory waterfowl birds

Authentic Cuba Travel’s nature and bird watching tours represent a great opportunity for US professionals to explore Cuba’s biodiversity and natural history. They are also a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get to know the Cuban people, music, food, architecture, and culture of Cuba.

Authentic Cuba Travel nature and bird watching Cuba tours are escorted by world class Cuban scholars, nature conservationist and university graduated tour guides.

Registrations are processed on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability.

Authentic Cuba Travel
108 Earl Place
Toronto ON M4Y 3B9 Canada

877 280 2054 Toll Free North America
647 351 8191 Toronto and International

416-966-4987 Facsimile
director@authenticubatours.com  Email
www.authenticubatours.com  Website

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has begun flying to four new destinations in Latin America this week — Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Havana and Punta Cana. KLM now operates 24 flights to and from destinations in Central America, and 28 flights to and from destinations in South America.

Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana/Punta Cana are also served by Air France.

With its dual-hub strategy through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle, the schedules of Air France and KLM are seamlessly connected. Together, the two airlines operate 17 weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro, 13 weekly flights to Havana, 10 weekly flights to Buenos Aires, and seven weekly flights to Punta Cana. For more information, visit the banner below.

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.

1. IF YOU LIKED KENYA…TRY MADAGASCAR

WHY: From ring-tailed lemurs to baobab trees, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot: over 80% of its plant and animal species are found nowhere else on Earth!

BOOK IT: Unique Madagascar with World Expeditions (10 days) has six departures from May-October 2012, from £1,250 per person.

2. IF YOU LIKED JORDAN…TRY IRAN

WHY: It may not have iconic landmarks such as Petra but Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4,000BC!

BOOK IT: Best of Iran with World Expeditions (11 days) departs on 24 October and 7 November with further departures in 2012, from £1,590 per person.

3. IF YOU LIKED MOROCCO…TRY OMAN

WHY: Traditional souks, Bedouin settlements, rugged mountains, desert dunes and a rich history of wealth and power in a country which as recently as 30 years ago was closed to foreigners.
BOOK IT: Oman Adventure with World Expeditions (9 days) has seven departures until the end of the year, from £1,490 per person.

4. IF YOU LIKED: CAMBODIA…TRY: MYANMAR

WHY: They may not be as famous but the Temples of Bagan in Myanmar are just as iconic as the spectacular Angkor Wat complex.
BOOK IT: Highlights of Myanmar with World Expeditions (12 days) has departures every month, from £1,290 per person.

5. IF YOU LIKED NAMIBIA…TRY ETHIOPIA

WHY: More than a land of natural contrasts (from some of Africa’s highest mountains to some of the world’s lowest points below sea level!) Ethiopia is a mosaic of cultures: one of the first Christian countries yet with evident influences from Islam and tribal African cultures.
BOOK IT: Ethiopia Explorer with World Expeditions (16 days) departs on 18 November and 16 December with further departures scheduled for 2012 to coincide with the Timket Festival, from £2,190 per person.

6. IF YOU LIKED NORWAY…TRY THE NORTHERN RUSSIAN ARCTIC

WHY: Rugged and off the beaten track, the Russian Arctic and Far East is a region that was until recently ‘off limits’ to western visitors.

BOOK IT: Across the top of the world – Northern Russian Arctic with World Expeditions (15 days) departs on 25 July and 8 August 2012, from $7,150 (£4,606) per person.

7. IF YOU LIKED THE AMAZON…TRY PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WHY: Just as Amazon is one of the planet’s enigmas, Papua New Guinea remains one of the world’s least explored countries, both culturally and geographically. With over 850 indigenous languages, it is the world’s most diverse nation linguistically!

BOOK IT: Cruise Papua New Guinea with World Expeditions (13 days) departs on 2 April 2012, from £3,790 per person for a quadruple cabin.

8. IF YOU LIKED ALASKA…TRY PATAGONIA

WHY: A mix of glacial lakes, towering granite peaks, impressive glaciers, secluded lakes, beech forests and rolling grasslands, Patagonia is one of the most dramatic regions of the world.

BOOK IT: Patagonia Parks and Wildlife with World Expeditions (18 days) departs on 19 November and 16 December with further departures scheduled for 2012, from £2,990 per person.

9. IF YOU LIKED CUBA…TRY VENEZUELA

WHY: Buying and selling cars is the latest development in the rapidly changing Cuba; head to Venezuela instead for a better feel of ‘socialist revolution’.

BOOK IT: Venezuela – The Lost World and Angel Falls with World Expeditions (15 days), departs on 16 December with further departures scheduled for 2012, from £1,990 per person.

10. IF YOU LIKED CHINA…TRY TAIWAN

WHY: With frozen relations between the two countries until recently and lack of direct flights for nearly 60 years, Taiwan has maintained a more authentic experience compared to mainland China.

BOOK IT: Hike and bike Taiwan with World Expeditions (10 days) departs on 16 November with further departures scheduled for 2012, from £1,790 per person.

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or call 0800 0744 135. World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.