Jetsettersblog

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.

Families Worldwide has launched its new brochure for 2010 /11 which reveals 14 brand new trips, guaranteed departures (once 4 people have booked) and a guarantee for early bookers that they will receive the lowest possible price for their trip before departure (i.e. late booking is a bad idea – the trip might be full and the price won’t be cheaper).

Also new for 2010; a number of the itineraries contain a serious amount of walking for families who really enjoy being active (marked by a boot print in the brochure).

The popular Post Exam Stress Buster trips feature again, which depart before most schools break up (avoiding peak season prices) and certain other itineraries are exclusively for families with teenagers.

Trips can be enjoyed three different ways (no other operator offers this):

Group departures: The most popular type of adventure holiday with, typically, three or four families travelling together on set dates with set itineraries.

Private departures: Perfect for families who prefer to travel alone or create their own small group with friends; the itineraries are created by Families Worldwide but groups are free to select their own, private, departure dates.

Tailor made: Families Worldwide offers the chance for adventurous families to build their own itineraries and select their own departure dates to Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya, Costa Rica, Oman, Ecuador & Galapagos and Nepal.

Here is a brief synopsis of the new trips:

Sinai & Desert (Egypt) – 9 days from £999 pp (minimum age 7 years)

A genuine desert experience; includes the pyramids, camping in the desert Bedouin style and snorkelling in the Red Sea.

Morocco Highlights – 12 or 15 days from £899 pp (min. 7 years)
A thorough introduction to this fascinating country including the cities of Fez, Meknes and Marrakech plus Roman ruins, a camel trek to a Bedouin camp, the High Atlas Mountains and seeing where Gladiator was filmed. Optional three day extension to Essaouira on the coast.

Active Costa Rica – 10 days from £1749 pp (min. 11 years)
Highlights of the trip include flying through the rainforest on a zip wire, riding a horse ranchero style, white-water rafting and a visit to Arenal Volcano at night.

Cuba Libra – 12 days from £1899 pp (min. 5 years)
Discover the west of Cuba on this educational trip which includes learning about the revolution, a city tour of Havana, staying in an eco lodge, a boat trip around the Bay of Pigs, rainforest walks and a visit to a tobacco plantation.

Guatemala & Belize – 14 days from £2799 pp (min. 7 years)
Visit two Central American countries on this trip which includes exploring the jungles of Tikal NP, ancient Maya temples, a boat trip on Lake Atitlan, discovering volcanoes and even snorkelling with sharks!

Footsteps of the Incas (Peru) – 13 days from £2149 pp (min. 12 years)

A chance to hike the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Also includes a city tour of Cusco, rafting, cycling, horse riding and Santa Catalina Convent.

Paradise Island (Bali) – 15 days from £1599 pp (min. 2 years)
Bali really is an island paradise and the itinerary for the trip includes Hindu temple visits, Tropical Bird Park, guided walks, rafting, tree top adventure park, watching a Barong Dance and an elephant ride.

Chinese Crackers – 14 days from £1999 pp (min. 7 years)
Highlights of this fascinating trip include the famous Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall, a Shaolin Temple and a chance to try Kung Fu and Tai Chi.

Hanoi to Saigon (Vietnam) – 15 days from £1499 pp (min. 5 years)

An exciting trip to south east Asia with highlights including the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, Halong Bay junk cruise, Mekong Delta boat cruise and a train ride from Hanoi to Dong Hoi National Park for guided walks.

The land of Dracula (Romania) – 8 days from £999 pp (min. 5 years)

Get under the skin of the myths and mysteries of Transylvania with a visit to Dracula’s Castle. Also includes a visit to a salt mine and a bear sanctuary.

Slovakia, Finland, Austria & Bulgaria – winter trips from £729 pp (min. 5)

Four brand new winter trips from 6-8 days in duration. Activities include husky sleigh rides, snowmobiling, staying in a snow hotel (Finland), snow-shoeing, cross country skiing and downhill skiing.

Families Worldwide trips include flights, all transportation, accommodation, some meals (depending on itinerary) and the services of a tour leader.

Call 0845 051 4567 or visit www.familiesworldwide.co.uk

Aventouras, an award-winning company that specializes in active travel to Latin American destinations, is offering discounts on winter trips including Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Belize.

Those long, cold winter days and nights will be here soon and travelers will be thinking of warm breezes, mountain biking, hiking beneath cloud forest canopies, swimming and splashing in waterfalls, and indulging in an adrenaline rush or two that does not require strapping on the skis. Aventouras makes that getaway more attractive with discounts up to $250 per traveler on upcoming winter trips. Certain restrictions apply.

For more information and full details contact Aventouras at info@aventouras.com
www.aventouras.com

Of Pioneering Travel To Latin America

In celebration of Journey Latin America’s 30th birthday next year, the specialist tour operator will be putting on two unique group tours.

The tour operator’s founding directors, Chris Parrott and Brian Williams (who led the company’s first ever group tours back in the early ‘80s) are leading two one-off departures, visiting a couple of relatively unvisited wilderness regions, Patagonia and the Guyanas.

No other UK tour operator currently offers these routes and no other tour leader can claim to have such experience, laden with anecdotes and insights of Latin America.

When Chris and Brian led their first group tour, Latin America was a wilder place, hard to get around, and tourist infrastructure was practically non-existent. In celebration of those early days and in the spirit of those unpredictable times, the two tours have been designed to go off the beaten track.

Chris will be taking his group from Venezuela across the three Guyanas – Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, travelling by canoe, truck as well as conventional road vehicles through virgin jungle, ending up in the Brazilian Amazon.

Highlights include:
- Canoe to the foot of the Angel Falls
- Journey across the Venezuela’s Lost World (Gran Sabana) passing giant tabletop tepuys
Bird watching and jaguar spotting in the Guyana forest
- Experience community life in a remote Guyanese village
- Visit the Europeen space centre in Kourou, French Guiana
- Overnight à la Papillon on notorious former prison islands, les Îles du Salut

The 18-night tour called Trail-blazing through the Guyanas, departs the UK on 18 September 2010 and prices starts from £2,998.

This price includes international flights from London, domestic flights, accommodation, land transfers, guided excursions, full-board in the jungle and breakfast daily.

Brian, a Welshman, crosses from Argentine Welsh Patagonia through a gap in the Andes wall into Chile’s sparsely-inhabited 11th region – The first road through this region, the Carretera Austral, was opened in the 1980s.

Highlights include:
- Experience the Welsh culture in Argentina
- Visit the Punta Tombo penguin colony
- Travel on board the ‘Old Patagonian Express’ steam train
- Journey down the Carretera Austral
- Navigate through the fjords and islets to the island of Chiloé

The 16-night tour called Trail-blazing across Patagonia departs the UK on 27 October 2010 and prices start from £2,998. This price includes international flights from London, domestic flights, accommodation, land transfers, guided excursions and breakfast daily.

Founding director Chris Parrot comments, “Brian set up Journey Latin America in 1980, and I joined him shortly after. That two-man, two-telephone, one-desk operation has grown over the years to what Journey Latin America is today: a turnover of £25 million, 75 staff and some 20 tour leaders on the ground: a long-established and dedicated team who share the same ethos – of being the most knowledgeable people on earth about travel in and to Latin America, and passionate about it too. We couldn’t have done it without them”.

From as little as $1,949 HKD up, patrons of ecruising obtain priceless memories and experiences on board the Norwegian Jewel’s 7 night cruise through Central America: the offer is available between the 1st January to the 28th February 2010.

The crowning jewel and new addition to NCL’s fleet of ‘Freestyle’ ships, the Norwegian Jewel, will set sail from Miami on a round trip via gems of Central America: Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Bahamas. The largest and most luxurious suite complex at sea she offers a wide range of deluxe accommodation: from hundreds of connecting staterooms for large parties to the exclusive Garden and Courtyard Villas. Each suite and penthouse features ceiling to floor glass doors and a balcony that enables guests to enjoy the sea breeze, bask in the sunshine, or simply relax and admire the sunset.

Elite travelers looking for a unique experience on board a liner choose to reside at the Courtyard Villa. The latter boasts an exclusive concierge lounge, private courtyard area with a pool, hot tub and sublime sun-deck.

NCL’s Norwegian Jewel is an extraordinary ship with an extraordinary concept referred to as ‘Freestyle’. On board the Norwegian Jewel guests are given the freedom to do what they want when they want: for the active guest there is a whole host of activities to consider from cooking classes, health and wellness programs, art auctions to adventurous shore excursions.

Whereas those guests who wish to take a break from any sort of routine can create their own schedule on shore: perhaps lie by one of the three lavish pools, venture into the library by day or underground club by night.

For night-owls, the casino, jewel club, or Broadway and Vegas style performances are sure to entertain. As a family friendly liner the Norwegian Jewel has a range of kids’ clubs on board for those parents normally restrained from going out at night.

The Norwegian Jewel provides the luxury of choice: guests are invited to chose what they wear due to the relaxed dress code, choose where to sit at mealtimes and choose where and when they eat.

The restaurants’ flexible opening hours of 5.30pm to midnight ensure that this cruise is tailor made to fit around its guests’ itineraries. 7 of the 10 restaurants are included in the cruise fare inviting guests to travel the world by sampling its culinary delights: Italian, French, Japanese or Spanish are just a few of the cuisines on offer plus a different dining option is available almost every night of the cruise!

Roatan, situated in the glorious bay of islands in Honduras, is the first port of call in this Central American adventure. Considered one of the world’s best scuba diving spots guests swim amongst stunning sea creatures and a pristine coral reef. The following morning, the Norwegian Jewel docks at Belize City, known as the gateway to jungle river and archeological adventures.

After admiring the remnants of the colonial architecture or melting pot of ethnicities in the city, guests return on board for only one night before arriving in Costa Maya, Mexico. Soft sand beaches, coral reef and Mayan Ruins are all within the vicinity of the port. The penultimate destination is the Great Stirrup Bahamas, a picturesque island privately owned by Norwegian Cruise Line is at the disposal of the Norwegian Jewel’s guests.

Returning to Miami guests have experienced exotic lands and appreciated the beauty of nature above and below the water. As an NCL Freestyle Cruise guests obtain the best possible holiday: one that they desire and the Norwegian Jewel delivers.

About ecruising

ecruising.travel/hk is a user-friendly site which caters to the individual customer’s need. Whether customers prefer to book a cruise vacation online, by telephone or by email, they will have the assistance of the ecruising support team. First established in Sydney, Australia, ecruising.travel has revolutionised the process of purchasing cruise holidays.

Call 8202 6226 to speak to an ecruising cruise consultant
Email at hkbookings@ecruising.travel  or
Complete an online booking request form at www.ecruising.travel/hk

with Wildland Adventures

Explore the vast Mundo Maya combining the most fascinating ancient Maya archeological sites in three Central American countries with the vibrant culture of the living Maya around Antigua and Lake Atitlan in the Guatemala highlands.

In-depth, expert guided exploration of Copan, Tikal and Palenque highlight the history, legends and current archaeological knowledge of the most important cities of the Classic Maya. Jungles envelop stunning archeological monuments where travelers will have the opportunity to experience the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest.

Accommodations include historical boutique hotels and jungle lodges.

From $3595 per person. 12 days. 2010 Dates: Jan 22 – Feb 2; Feb 19 – Mar 2; Mar 19 – Mar 30; Apr 16 – Apr 27; May 21 – Jun 1; Jun 18 – Jun 29; Jul 23 – Aug 3; Aug 20 – Aug 31; Sep 17 – Sep 28; Oct 22 – Nov 2; Nov 19 – Nov 30 and Dec 10 – Dec 21.

www.wildland.com

Aventouras
CONTACT: John Watson
TEL: 800-930-2846
E-MAIL: info@aventouras.com
WEB: www.aventouras.com

Aventouras’ sustainable adventure trips take travelers off the beaten path to areas that many tourists often miss in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize

Aventouras, an award-winning company that specializes in active travel to Latin American destinations, is offering discounts on winter trips including Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Belize.

Those long, cold winter days and nights will be here soon and travelers will be thinking of warm breezes, mountain biking, hiking beneath cloud forest canopies, swimming and splashing in waterfalls, and indulging in an adrenaline rush or two that does not require strapping on the skis.

Aventouras makes that getaway more attractive with discounts up to $250 per traveler on upcoming winter trips.

Aventouras’ Experience Guatemala adventure has been noted as a “Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler and includes kayaking and hiking on Lake Atitlan, a volcano climb up Volcan Pacaya, mountain biking, and concluding with a stunning three day hike through the jungle of the Mayan Biosphere to emerge at the magnificent Mayan ruins at Tikal (10 days – $2,098 before discount).

Winter departures on February 12 and April 9. Individual travelers or couples receive a discount of $150 per person.

A $250 discount per person is available for groups of four or more travelers. These discounts apply to winter departures to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Belize.

Hidden Costa Rica is a great choice for combining adventure and value (11 days – $1,998 before discount).

Hidden Costa Rica combines world-class whitewater rafting through the pristine Pacuare River Gorge, which National Geographic has called one of the top five whitewater rivers in the world, ziplining across spans that reach 2,500′ and unsurpassed wildlife viewing exploring the waterways of Tortuguero National Park.

Venture to the remote slopes of Volcan Tenorio National Park to enjoy what has been touted as one of the best day hikes in Costa Rica, featuring the unique milky-blue waterfall of the Rio Celeste.

End your adventure in the waves of the Pacific; surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just soaking in sun on the beach. Winter departures on January 8 and March 6.

Explore Belize is a perfect mix of mountains, warm weather and water, water, water (7 days – $2,290 before discount).

Unlike most Belize tours that focus on the well-known and heavily visited coastal scuba diving resorts of the country,

Aventouras starts by exploring the mountains, jungles, caves and rivers of western Belize before transferring to the more remote southern coast to enjoy the sea.

Indiana Jones would be envious of the “once in a lifetime” experience of visiting the Maya ritual cave, Actun Tunichil Muknal, a water cave featuring delicate stone formations as well as the sacrificial skeletal remains, pottery and artifacts.

The trip includes cave-tubing on jungle rivers, exploring Maya ruins, and hiking in a jaguar reserve.

Enjoy white sand and blue water of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and snorkel one portion of the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second longest barrier reef in the world. Winter departure February 13.

About Aventouras

Aventouras’ commitment to environmentally and socially responsible travel makes for a better experience for the guests because gives visitors the chance to experience unusual destinations and connect with local guides and hosts in a way that makes the trips truly memorable.

Aventouras offers trips to Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos in South America.

For more information, please visit the website at www.aventouras.com  or contact John Watson at (800) 930-2846.

Tara Tours is offering a six-day/five-night Guatemala Special at $970 that includes Antigua, Chichicastenango and Atitlan.

In Guatemala City you will stay at the five-star Barcelo Guatemala with full American breakfast served daily.

The package offers the opportunity to get outside the Guatemalan capital and see some of the country. Included are a half-day excursion to the historic town of Antigua and a full-day trip to Atitlan and the market of Chichicastenango.

Antigua, a city with colonial architecture, was the first capital of Guatemala during the Spanish conquest (in the 15th to 17th century), and is one of the best preserved colonial cities in the Americas.

On Sunday, guests will visit the indigenous market of Chichicastenango, where hundreds of local people from the nearby villages come to sell and buy products as well as offer souvenirs for the tourists.

Late afternoon includes a guided tour of Atitlan with its beautiful lake and three breathtaking volcanoes.

The tour departs every Thursday.

From Miami the price per person double occupancy is $970 from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, 2010, including roundtrip airfare to Guatemala via American Airlines.

Accommodations for five nights are at the hotel Barcelo Dorado with breakfast daily, all transfers and English-speaking tour guides.

For more information, call 800-327-0080 or visit www.taratours.com

Latin America offers endless opportunities to get off the beaten path, experience exotic landscapes and cultures in active, adventurous and exciting ways.

Best of all, exchange rates are low, airfares sometimes drop, and it offers Americans a great value for their dollar.

Aventouras specializes in active and unusual trips such as a multi-day camping and hiking trip through the jungle of northern Guatemala to reach the spectacular Mayan ruins of Tikal, sea kayaking the highest navigable lake in the world in Peru to reach a remote island community, or snorkeling among the islands of the indigenous San Blas archipelago of the Caribbean in Panama.

Other activities include biking trails and roads in parts of the Sacred Valley of the Incas that most tourists never see, climbing an active volcano in Guatemala, and flying through the canopy on zip lines in Costa Rica and Panama.

With small group sizes of twelve or less, it’s a great value for families who want to experience the exotic together, and the small trip size also allows Aventouras 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, communities, and lodges in each destination country.

Thorough planning maximizes time for activities and top-notch remote locations, while minimizing travel time. Aventouras trips depart each month to Peru, Galapagos, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, and Ecuador, with additional new destinations planned.

Trip lengths generally range from a week to ten days, and prices range from $1798 – $2698 with a supplement for single occupancy. Prices include all activities, meals, lodging, guides, and in-country transportation.

http://www.aventouras.com

Becoming the airline group with the largest coverage, serving more than 100 destinations in America.

A unique passenger and cargo network in Latin America through the strategic hubs in Bogotá, San Salvador, San José de Costa Rica and Lima.

The combined strengths of their complementary fleet, aligned service strategies coupled with the outstanding talent of their people will enable the airline group to build a more competitive business model.

Avianca and TACA will preserve their respective brands and continue to operate separately under a common strategic vision.

BOGOTA, Colombia, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, LIMA, Peru and SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – October 7, 2009 – Synergy Group and Grupo Taca Holdings Ltd announced today that they have reached an agreement leading to the creation of Latin America’s leading airline group.

As a result of this agreement, each shareholder will contribute its respective controlling ownership participations in the operations of Aerovías Del Continente Americano S.A., (“Avianca”), Colombia’s leading airline, and Grupo TACA (“TACA”), Central America’s leading carrier, to a newly formed holding company.

The transaction is subject to regulatory and other antitrust approvals.

The new group will capitalize on two of the best known airline brands in Latin America, two world-class product offerings, strong hubs and complementary networks, as well as two uniquely entrepreneurial and service-oriented cultures with highly motivated employees. By leveraging the new group’s four hubs-in Bogota, Lima, San Salvador and San Jose, Costa Rica -Avianca and TACA will be able to offer customers better service to more destinations than any other carrier in the region. Employees will also benefit from the new group’s greater geographical diversification and stronger combined platform for future growth and career development in the face of a still challenging economic environment, volatile fuel prices and intense competition.

Roberto Kriete, Chairman and CEO of TACA, who will serve as Chairman of the future group, said, “Grupo TACA has long been a leading force for consolidation and rationalization in the Latin American airline industry. This latest chapter is a significant milestone in our corporate evolution, giving us the breadth and scale to better compete with any player in our markets while ensuring our long-term success. It represents a unique opportunity for all of our employees and shareholders to form part of one of the leading airline groups in the Americas.”

Germán Efromovich, Chairman of the Synergy Group, said, “We are proud of what Avianca has achieved over the past few years in terms of the strong corporate culture we have developed and the quality of service we are providing. With this formidable partnership we will be able to build further on that success and provide our passengers access to what is now Latin America’s leading airline network, as well as creating opportunities for further growth and development for all our employees.”

Fabio Villegas, CEO of Avianca, who will serve as CEO of the future group once the transaction closes, said “This is a great day in the history of aviation. We are bringing together two of the world’s oldest airlines -two institutions with a unique focus on servicing their customers and on the well-being of all their stakeholders- to create an industry leader. I look forward to working with all of our employees as we execute on a vision to build not only the biggest, but the best, airline in the region.”

One Group, Two Airlines

Avianca and TACA have nearly USD 3 billion in aggregate annual revenues, serve more than 100 destinations worldwide (including 75 cities in Latin America, the largest number of any carrier), operate a fleet of 129 aircraft, employ approximately 12,000 people, and have over 3 million frequent-flyer program members.

Upon closing of the transaction, the new group’s senior management team will combine the leadership of both companies: Avianca CEO Fabio Villegas will become chief executive officer of the new group. TACA COO Estuardo Ortiz will become the chief operating officer and Avianca CFO Gerardo Grajales will become the chief financial officer.

The two airlines will continue to operate as separate companies, maintaining the same reporting lines within each organization, thereby building on the strengths of their respective brands, hubs and networks, while coordinating operations to provide seamless services to their passengers throughout the combined network.

Transaction Structure

The shares of both Avianca and TACA’s controlling entities will be contributed to a new holding company in a business combination worth in excess of US dollar 3 billion. Each operating company will remain independent while the new group will leverage best business practices across both organizations.

Following the transaction, both sets of shareholders will share in the governance of the newly created group. TACA CEO and Chairman of the Board Roberto Kriete will become chairman of the new group’s Board of Directors.

The transaction is subject to regulatory and other customary approvals.