Jetsettersblog

Belize’s Tranquility Bay Resort and Machaca Hill are catering to flashpackers, a new breed of tech-savvy, high-adventure backpackers who are willing to spend a little extra money on adventure activities, and are on the lookout for new places to explore. At Tranquility Bay Resort on Ambergris Caye, explorers can choose from adventures both above and below the sea. From fishing to diving, flashpackers can get their desired thrills from the various activities at Tranquility Bay. Resort guides help train novice or advanced divers and anglers discover the Belize Barrier Reef.

Flashpackers, who like to bring their digital gadgets when they travel, can take advantage of the photo opportunities at Tranquility Bay. With the Caribbean Sea, natural protected habitat and beautiful sunsets, photographers can take pictures to share with their friends online via the wireless Internet available at Tranquility’s main lodge. Through the end of 2008, Tranquility Bay is offering a 25 percent discount on all rooms, which includes daily breakfast, a beachfront cabana, and use of snorkel equipment and kayaks. Visitors literally walk right out of their cabanas onto the white-sand beaches and snorkel to the Belize Barrier Reef where fishing and diving abound. Four-night stays at Tranquility Bay start at $139 per night, through Dec. 14.

Machaca Hill will debut in 2009, offering stays in rainforest tree houses where guests can explore the area while hiking, fishing, kayaking, caving, scuba diving or mountain biking. Bloggers can share their daily adventure experiences using Wi-Fi access throughout the lodge. Machaca is currently undergoing renovations and will reopen on Jan, 1, 2009 with luxury accommodations, well-trained adventure guides and nature activities for all. Machaca Hill’s website will keep future guests updated at www.machacahill.com

Tranquility Bay Resort in Belize, opened in February 2006, is a boutique property for active travelers on Ambergris Caye. The resort is comprised of 11 beach-front cabanas on 12 acres within Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Machaca Hill sits on an 11,000-acre private nature reserve in Belize’s Southern most Toledo District, Machaca Hill is an adventure getaway for active travelers looking for an eco-retreat. Machaca Hill offers a full menu of eco activities and certified resident guides take guests on daily excursions, which are included in the rate.

The lodge is located 10 minutes from Punta Gorda Town, which is one hour by plane from Belize City.

For more information on Machaca Hill, call 501-722-0050 or visit www.machacahill.com  For more information on Tranquility Bay, call 888-843-2293 or visit www.tranquilitybayresort.com

Ka’ana Boutique Resort Offers $300 Airfare Credit

And Discounted Package For Unbeatable Savings

San Ignacio, Belize – With airlines paying nearly 82 percent more for jet-fuel than they did a year ago, most carriers have been forced to raise ticket prices. To offset the increase in airfare costs to Belize, Ka’ana Boutique Resort is offering guests a $300 airfare credit.

Plus, guests can take advantage of this generous offer and save even more by combining it with an already discounted package, Ka’ana’s new Signature Package.

“As a result of recent increases in airfare, travelers are forced to allocate a majority of their travel budget to plane tickets,” said General Manager Nick Davies. “Offering a $300 airfare credit that can be used with our discounted Signature Package will provide unbeatable savings and some relief to Ka’ana’s guests.”

The airfare credit is valid now through December 19, 2008 and January 5 – February 18, 2009. The $300 credit will be applied to guests’ room account and will be deducted from the final bill at time of check out. The credit is based on double occupancy and requires a minimum 3-nights stay.

The Ka’ana Signature Package offers guests the ultimate vacation experience by combining luxury accommodations and amenities with unique adventure excursions, all for a discounted rate starting at $873 per person (not including airfare credit).

The package includes a full-day private tour to excursion of choice: cave tubing or zip-lining; Mayan ruin tour to Tikal (Guatemala), Caracol or Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM); a half-day private tour to excursion of choice: Macal River canoe trip, Chechem Ha pottery cave tour, cave tubing, horseback riding, Xunantunich Mayan ruin tour, or Cahal Pech ruins; visit to Belize Zoo; daily breakfast; a dinner at La Ceiba restaurant; roundtrip airport transfers from Belize International Airport and accommodation of choice in a Balam or Casita room. Rates are based on double occupancy and a minimum 3 nights stay. The Ka’ana Signature Package is subject to availability and black out dates.

Airfare credit can be redeemed without booking the Signature Package.

With a perfect balance of luxury, adventure and relaxation, Ka’ana Boutique Resort is a haven for travelers seeking the ultimate Belizean experience. Located just 70 miles outside of Belize City, Ka’ana Boutique Resort offers luxury accommodations, a swimming pool, gourmet restaurant and petite spa.

For more information on Ka’ana or to make a reservation, please call 1-877-KAANA21 or visit www.kaanabelize.com

Trips in Central America offer unique opportunities to explore Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. Antigua’s Multi-Sport Adventure takes travelers through the ancient land shared by Mayan descendants and Spanish Conquistadors.

Volcanic peaks give way to flat valley floors, making this tour one of the most diverse and exciting terrain on the planet. Costa Rica’s Multi-Sport in Paradise Adventure challenges body and soul with exhilarating hiking, biking, rafting and canyoneering adventures in the Talamanca Mountains and on the Pacura River.

Experience “Pura Vida” in Costa Rica! Panama’s Ultimate Multi-Sport Aquatic Adventure combines mountain biking with sea kayaking, snorkeling and personalized rafting trips down the Chagres River. Whether on land or water this is the ultimate aqua themed multi-sport adventure! Trips are available throughout Winter and Spring 2009; prices begin at $1490 per person depending on trip.

www.escapeadventures.com

With our present economic situation and the increasingly fragile state of our environment, savvy travelers are looking for new adventure travel opportunities that combine unique outdoor components, responsible travel, cultural immerision, and value pricing. Aventouras is a company that specializes in this kind active, unusual, and value-oriented travel that includes adventures to Latin American destinations.

Itineraries include activities such as a multi-day hike through the jungle of northern Guatemala or snorkeling among the islands of the indigenous San Blas archipelago on the Caribbean coast of Panama. Other activities include mountain biking to the Ancient Maya center of Caracol or sea kayaking the remote and pristine Sapodilla Cayes in Belize, climbing an active volcano in Guatemala, and flying through the canopy on zip lines in Costa Rica or Panama, and hiking Lake Cuicocha’s shoreline or rafting the Class III Toachi and Blanco rivers in Ecuador.

Small group sizes of twelve or less allow adventurers access into lodges and communities that are simply not available to larger tourist groups. There is always a personal touch - largely in getting to know the guides and experiencing the local culture through community run eco-lodges in each destination country. To sweeten the deal,

Aventouras works with STI to purchase carbon offsets for each travelers journey. Trip lengths generally range from a week to ten days, and prices generally run under $2500 with a supplement for single occupancy. Prices include all activities, meals, lodging, guides, and in-country transportation. Aventouras offers trips to Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala in Central America, and Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos in South America.

www.Aventouras.com

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will both depart on World Cruises in January 2010. Queen Mary 2’s “Royal Route of Exploration” will operate a 101-day itinerary featuring 19 maiden calls, three overnight stays (in Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town) and an inaugural visit to South Africa.

Queen Victoria’s 99-day “Voyage of Discovery” circumnavigation includes 11 maiden ports of call, three overnights (in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai) and three U.S. embarkation gateways: New York, Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco.

Guests who book by Feb. 28 will receive an additional 10 percent off early-booking fares. “On this pair of epic voyages, Cunard continues a storied tradition that began nearly 90 years ago,” said Cunard President Carol Marlow. “In 2010, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will visit a combined 31 countries, 57 ports and 30 maiden calls, continuing our legacy of impeccable White Star Service, fine dining and unrivaled accommodations.” In addition to full World Cruises, the ships offer a range of shorter segments, which are now open for booking.

The QM2 will sail a new itinerary, departing New York on Jan. 4, 2010, and heading east through the Mediterranean to India, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand before returning to New York westbound via South Africa, South America and North America. Queen Mary 2 will visit 35 ports, more than ever before on a single voyage, including Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Yokohama), Auckland, Sydney and Perth (Fremantle).

In addition, it will make 19 maiden calls, including Durban and Cape Town, South Africa; Phuket, Thailand; Vung Tau, Vietnam; Guam; Rabaul, the Whitsundays Islands; and Mauritius. Fares start at $21,666 per person for the 101-day full World Cruise.

In addition, Queen Mary 2 will offer 12 Liner Voyages of 35 to 80 days, including the 63-day New York-to-Sydney voyage, priced from $13,716, and the 57-day Dubai-to-Cape Town voyage, priced from $12,379. Five shorter Segment Voyages of 17 to 23 days include the 23-day New York-to-Dubai voyage, priced from $5,276, and the 17-day Dubai-to-Hong Kong voyage, priced from $4,000 per person.

The Queen Victoria will operate a traditional 99-day westbound circumnavigation of the globe from New York to Southampton. The ship sails from New York on Jan. 12, 2010, embarking guests in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 15 and San Francisco on Jan. 27.

The ship will traverse the Panama and Suez canals, visiting 41 ports including Acapulco, Melbourne, Shanghai, San Francisco, Cartagena, Phuket and Sharm El Sheikh. Guests can add on a seven-day transatlantic extension from Southampton to New York aboard Queen Mary 2, for a full 106-day circumnavigation.

Fares start at $21,276 per person for the 99-day full World Cruise.

In addition, the ship will offer 11 Liner Voyages of 32 to 82 days, including the 52-day San Francisco-to-Bangkok voyage, priced from $11,026, and the 67-day New York-to-Bangkok voyage, priced from $14,250. Five shorter Segment Voyages of 15 to 29 days include the 23-day San Francisco-to-Sydney voyage, priced from $5,192. Segment Voyage fares start as low as $3,451 per person.

Cunard’s early-booking fares represent a per-person savings of up to 10 percent when booked by Feb. 28, 2009. In addition, onboard credits of up to $2,000 per stateroom are available when booked by this date. Full World Cruise guests who book by Feb. 28 receive benefits including complimentary hotel and dining charges, commemorative gifts, welcome aboard reception, senior officer dinner and three World Cruise cocktail parties.

All guests who book the full World Cruise can attend a gala World Cruise dinner. Grill accommodation guests also enjoy up to five exclusive, complimentary events ashore. Both ships feature three Overland Tours, which allow guests to leave the ship in one port for a multi-day tour (including all transfers and accommodations) and rejoin the voyage later. Aboard Queen Mary 2, Overland Tours explores Egypt, India and Africa, while Queen Victoria’s Overland Tours highlight Indochina, China and Australia.

Sweet, a new lesbian travel company, has finalized an agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line to charter the 1,972-passenger Norwegian Spirit.

The Sweet Caribbean Cruise, Nov. 8-15, 2009, is the company’s first travel offering. The ship will depart from New Orleans and call on Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan and Cozumel. Sweet will offer a two-day, pre-departure package in New Orleans including city tours, voluntourism and ecotourism programs in conjunction with a local Katrina relief organization, as well as a kick-off celebration. Sweet is working with local agencies to leave each port better than they found it.

Projects will address local needs like education, wildlife and natural resource preservation, as well as helping with school construction or renovation, beach clean-ups, and wildlife habitat restoration.

In the evening, Sweet guests will enjoy entertainment by performers such as comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer, musical artist Jen Foster, comedian Erin Foley, and singer Edie Carey.

Additionally, Sweet is working with the country’s largest lesbian party promoter, Club Skirts, makers of The Dinah Shore Weekend, to host tea dances and parties onboard. Recently, Sweet introduced the Sweet 100 Rewards program. It gives early-booking guests VIP privileges, such as cocktail parties with entertainers and an express line at embarkation, regardless of which stateroom they purchase.

For more information, call 877-SWEET-30 or visit www.discoversweet.com

Off the Radar travels far and wide to bring readers information about unusual and difficult-to-find adventure destinations and tour operators. In three short years of operation, it has become an invaluable resource for adventure travelers, travel writers, and tour operators.

Off the Radar is establishing a reputation for “breaking” the news about emerging operators and destinations in the media - some examples include:

• In May 2008, Off the Radar featured a range of itineraries and operators in Assam, India; later this year this remote NE Indian state will likely be the subject of a PBS television show

• Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself (www.PEPYride.org) non-profit organization and adventure tour operator offering cycle trips and volunteering in Cambodia was featured in Off the Radar’s Aug 2006 issue; by April 2007 PEPY was gracing the pages of National Geographic Adventure magazine

Sample advertising opportunities with Off the Radar include: mention of the company and its product or service in the ‘Try This’ feature column, sponsorship of the monthly photo contest, banner ads, and sponsored ads in the Off the Radar newsletter which is sent to over 600 subscribers each month. Bundled advertising packages are available.

Please contact paigestringer@xolaconsulting.com for a full menu of options, rate cards and further details.

In 2005, Xola Consulting (www.xolaconsulting.com) launched Off the Radar (www.travelofftheradar.com) to bring passionate, independent travelers reliable information about entrepreneurial adventure companies around the world – those who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel; and who believe in incorporating the local people and traditions of the places where they operate.

Explore Egypt with a tourist guide

Hailed as “the travel service innovation of 2008″ by the Irish Times

OurExplorer facilitates with ease the on-line booking of professional tourist guides from all over the world. Save time and money while you explore your next destination with the wisdom and guidance of a local.

Have you ever thought whilst visiting a new destination, “I wonder where the locals eat, drink, fish, ski, shop or party?” OurExplorer suggests its time for us all to stop simply sight-seeing but rather start exploring with the local wisdom and knowledge of a professional tourist guide.

OurExplorer has launched a new travel concept in BETA, a user-rated tourist guide booking tool created exclusively for your personal travel needs.

As the global financial crisis still looms, OurExplorer can save travellers hassle and money by getting the maximum out of their overseas adventure with a private tourist guide.

Enjoy the insight of the best shopping and value for money dining experiences in a city, directly from a native. Some tourist guides are currently offering special discounted rates and free tour hours on OurExplorer.

OurExplorer promote professional tourist guides only. Pre booking, the traveller can view their experience, license, past client testimonials or even chat with the tourist guide.

OurExplorer launched in July 2008 with now over 400 private tourist guides covering more than 80 countries worldwide — making it the biggest professional tourist guide directory in the world and growing all the time!

Make your trip overseas unique and full of adventure.
You book your flight and accommodation on-line, why not your tourist guide?
Get a tourist guide for land (city guide, mountain guide) or sea (diving guide).

Purpose of OurExplorer:

1. To help tourist guides increase their income thereby benefiting the local community - especially those in poor countries e.g. Kenya, Mexico and Cambodia.

2. Increase cross cultural awareness and acceptance via direct connection with locals e.g. people in USA get the chance to understand those in Pakistan and Israel

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

“Less than 9.7% of overseas travelers interact in meaningful discussion with a local,” according to the Tourism 2020 Vision reported by WTO.

The IMF concluded in March 2007 that “direct support of independent local businesses when you travel has the most positive results on local economy”.

“Rather than just donating money, OurExplorer is a sustainable long term solution to help low income families globally,” said David Cunningham (Chief Exploring Officer).

Ultra luxury Silversea Cruises has launched its Silver Sailings Savings programme for 2009, offering special savings of up to 50 per cent for a limited time on selected 7-18 day all-inclusive voyages including some sailings during Prince Albert II’s inaugural season in Polynesia.. From South America, Alaska, the South Pacific and the Caribbean to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Far East, sailings onboard Silversea’s intimate, all-suite vessels offer the very best in ocean travel.

Cruise in pampered Silversea luxury aboard Silver Shadow on an 18 day voyage departing 11 April 2009 from Sydney to Singapore via Hayman Island, Komodo Island, Bal