Jetsettersblog

Austin-Lehman Adventures compiled its favorite pedal routes through Europe drawn from 38 years of experience of its European bike tours division, formerly Euro-Bike Tours, founded in 1974.

Euro-Bike Tours was sold to Austin-Lehman Adventures in 2008, and Ron Van Dijk, former owner of Euro-Bike Tours, is now ALA’s European cycling director. Van Dijk was in charge of selecting the Sensational Seven Cycling Routes of Europe.

“It was a fun challenge for me to go back through nearly four decades of cycling to pick my all-time favorite pedal routes of Europe,” said Van Dijk.

“I hope to inspire others to slow down, get on a bike and enjoy a Europe adventure on two wheels either on their own or with a small group tour such as those offered by ALA.”

Van Dijk’s “Sensational Seven” are as follows:

France — The Dordogne between Argentat and Beynac (110 miles). According to Van Dijk, it’s “a favorite for its authenticity, the peace, the great food, the old Romanesque churches, the castles and the history (such as the Hundred Years War between France and England). Make sure to divert from the valley every now and then to visit villages like St-Céré, Autoire, Loubressac, Rocamadour, as well as the lively town of Sarlat.”

Italy — South-Tyrol from Reschen Pass to Merano (50 miles).

From the top of the pass, Van Dijk said, “it’s all pretty much all downhill for about 50 miles on specially marked bike paths, and you’re always surrounded by some of the most majestic mountains of the Alps. Pass by villages, lakes, meadows, apple orchards and end your ride in the noble spa town of Merano.”

Spain — Rioja vineyards between Logroño and Haro (35 miles). Van Dijk suggests October when the leaves are turning, roads are peaceful and hospitality including tapas bars in Haro a blessing after tackling a few hills.

Germany — Mosel Valley from Trier to Koblenz (132 miles). This is a four-day stretch through steep vine-clad hills with stops at villages for sips of Rieslings. It’s is a gentle, downhill trip past Roman sites in Trier and castles and ruins around every bend of the Mosel.

Austria — Salzach Valley from Gerlos Pass/Krimml to Salzburg (115 miles). With the snowcapped Grossglockner, this is a highly scenic descent from Gerlos Pass to Salzburg.

Netherlands — Tulip, hyacinth and narcissus fields near Keukenhof (20 miles).

Denmark — Danish Riviera between Copenhagen and Helsingør (30 miles). Bike paths along Denmark’s “Gold Coast” reveal villas, fishing villages and museums such as the Karen Blixen Museum (author of “Out of Africa”), the Nivagaard art museum and the supreme Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in an incredible setting overlooking the Sound.

ALA’s cycling tour bookings were up 26 percent in 2011 over 2010. So far in 2012, they are up 10 percent. To accommodate the projected up trend, ALA added three new trips and additional departures representing a 15 percent increase in capacity from 2011 to 2012. The trips new for 2012 are France-Burgundy, Spain-Rioja and Denmark Family Adventure.

Austin-Lehman Adventures provides adventure vacations on five continents. The company specializes in adult and family multi-sport, hiking, biking vacations that emphasize history, culture and nature’s charms. Trips are limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures). For more information, call 800-575-1540.

Celebrate this year’s St. Valentine’s Day on 14 February with a difference by whisking your loved-one away for a romantic European city break. Specialist tour operator, Dertour offers a range of hand-picked short breaks, including fascinating Prague, historic Vienna, the colourful city of Cologne and cosmopolitan Geneva and many more.

Romantic Prague £439 – Head to the Czech capital for a romantic weekend. Prices from £439 per person to include four nights in the 5* Radisson Blu Alcron Inn on bed and breakfast basis, Jazz and Dinner Show at the ‘Stare Casy’ and a bottle of sparkling wine in the room, and return flights from London Gatwick or Heathrow. Valid throughout February.

Valentines in Vienna £449 – Head to the Austrian capital for a romantic Valentines weekend in Vienna and take in the sights of St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Imperial Palace . Prices from £449 per person to include three nights accommodation at the 4* Hotel Royal on bed and breakfast basis, three course dinner including welcome cocktail, a half day sightseeing tour and return flights from London. Valid throughout February.

Cosy in Cologne £249pp – Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities and there is lots for romantic couples to see and do, including the Chocolate Museum and the breathtaking Cathedral. Depart throughout February from London Heathrow for a two night stay on bed and breakfast basis at the four star Grand City Hotel Koln Zentrum, a family-owned hotel in the heart of the city. Price also includes return flights. Based on two people sharing Valid throughout February.

Gorgeous in Geneva £349pp – Geneva is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city in the French speaking part of Switzerland, framed by the stunning Alps and situated at Europe’s largest lake, Lake Geneva, so it provides an ideal romantic backdrop for a Valentine’s weekend. Depart throughout February for a two night break staying on bed and breakfast basis at the three star Astoria Hotel located a short walk away from Lake Geneva. Price also includes return flights. Based on two people sharing. Valid throughout February.

For more information or to book please contact DERTOUR on 0203 131 2895 www.dertour.co.uk

Dream Maker Vacations is offering a special discount on a Danube River Cruise scheduled for Sept 10 to 17. The cruise will sail from Budapest to Nuremberg on the Amadeus Diamond, which was built in 2009. The price for a window cabin is $1,999 per person, for a French balcony cabin is $2,149, or $2,249 top deck. Clients are also charged $125 in taxes and fees. Travel agent commission is 20 percent. For more information, call 847-550-9191 or email info@dmvacation.com

Some of the largest snowfall over the last 24 hours has been in Berwang, in the Zugspitz Arena, with up to 70cm falling. One of the areas experiencing the heaviest snowfall has been the Arlberg region, with snow depths on the Galzig now at 550cm and on the Valluga at 585cm, topping the ‘deepest snow in the world’ league on Skiinfo.co.uk. It has been snowing over in the east of the Tirol region too, with the Skiwelt Wilder-Kaiser Brixental reporting 50cm, Kitzbühel 30cm and the Alpbach Valley reporting 40cm of fresh snow. Later this week the forecast suggests a little sunshine is on its way, creating some of the most amazing skiing conditions.

It can be easy to get carried away with the excitement of fresh powder but heavy snowfall over a short period of time can also increase the risk of avalanche danger. Understanding mountain safety is an absolute must both on- and off-piste. The Tirol Tourist Board recommends all skiers and boarders follow these basic safety tips to enjoy their holiday to the full:

1) Get informed: weather forecasts, snow reports and avalanche bulletins are widely available on the internet and through the local tourist offices. Conditions can change quickly in the mountains so always be prepared. Always carry a piste map and know how to get help if needed.

2) Signage: take notice of what’s around you – make sure you know your location and take note of the difficulty level of the piste. Most importantly pay attention to signs, issuing warnings such as piste closed or to the flags notifying the avalanche danger level. Don’t ignore the signs – they are there for a reason!

3) Protection: wear the right equipment and clothing. Protecting your head is vital – so make sure you wear a helmet. If you choose to go off-piste, always go with a certified guide and don’t forget to carry a transceiver, probe and shovel. Having the correct safety equipment and more importantly, knowing how to use it, is fundamental.

4) Be responsible: check out the FIS (International Ski Federation) rules for ski and snowboard conduct – your Highway Code to the slopes! Always make sure the skier in front has priority and adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability and the conditions on the mountain.

5) Learn from the experts: ski instructors and guides know the mountains better than anyone and booking a lesson or a few hours guiding can not only improve your skiing skills, but provide you with local knowledge about the mountains and resort.

FREE SAAC AVALANCHE CAMPS
The free Snow & Avalanche Awareness Camps (SAAC) were set up in Austria for skiers or snowboarders, over the age of 14, to encourage them to learn about the mountains, with particular attention to alpine dangers, improving awareness and increasing an individual’s own sense of responsibility. The 2-day SAAC basic camps offer a mix of theory and practice, including learning about the factors that make up an avalanche, analysis of the snow, route finding and search techniques. Participation in the SAAC Basic Camp and the emergency equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) is free.

Wildschönau January 21/22
Imst January 21/22
Warth-Schröcken III January 28/29
Nauders January 28/29
Füssener Jöchle Grän I February 4/5 (Girlpower course)
Nebelhorn February 11/12
Annaberg/Mitterbach II February 18/19
Schnalstaler Gletscher February 18/19
Goldeck I February 24/25
Goldeck II February 25/26
Mayrhofen February 25/26
Füssener Jöchle Grän II March 3/4
Warth-Schröcken IV March 10/11
Kleinarl-Flachauwinkl March 17/18
Galtür March 17/18
Hochfügen II April 7/8
Obertauern April 14/15
Stubaier Gletscher II April 28/29

Late deals to the Austrian Tirol

Save £175 – Seefeld
Neilson (0845 070 3460; www.neilson.co.uk) has 7 nights on half board at the 3* Hotel Krinserhof in Seefeld from £384 per person (was £559). Price includes return flights from Gatwick and resort transfers. Departs 21st January.

Save £230 – Neustift in the Stubai Valley
Crystal Ski (0871 231 2256; www.crystalski.co.uk) has 7 nights on half board at the 3* Hotel Augarten from £395 per person (was £625). Price includes return flights from Luton, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle and Gatwick to Salzburg and resort transfers. Departs 28th January.

Save £150 – Kitzbühel ski area
Thomson Ski (0871 971 0578; www.thomsonski.co.uk) has 7 nights on half board at the 3* Hotel Aurach in Aurach from £349 per person (was £499), including flights from Luton, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle and Gatwick to Salzburg and resort transfers. Departs 28th January.

Save £150 – Söll
Direct Ski (www.directski.com) has 7 nights at the 3* self catering Schindlhaus Apartments in Söll from £315 per person (was £465), including flights from Gatwick or from £295 per person (was £445), including flights from Manchester and resort transfers. Departs 21st January.

Save £246 – Ellmau
Inghams (020 8780 4447; www.inghams.co.uk) has 7 nights half board at the 3* Pension Claudia from £399 per person (was £645), including return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers. Departs 21st January.

Save £380 – Luxury St Anton
Kaluma Ski (01730 260263; www.kalumatravel.co.uk) is offering luxury Chalet Montfort in St Anton, from £495 per person (was £875 per person) including bed and breakfast and the Kaluma Concierge Service. Departs 18th – 22nd January. Flights and transfers additional.

Monograms released its 2012 roster of 50 independent packages for European vacations ranging from four to 16 days with a promotional campaign built around the idea of encouraging travelers to get off the Internet, get out of magazines and just go.

“Let’s face it, life is short,” said Steve Born, vice president of marketing for the Globus family of brands, Monograms’ parent company. “The Coliseum isn’t getting any younger and Paris isn’t getting on a plane to visit us. Instead, we’re helping travelers realize their travel dreams by making going now not only possible, but also easy.”

Monograms packages take care of booking hotels, airport transfers and transportation between cities and provide a half-day orientation/sightseeing tour and on-site support from local hosts, who help clients find their way around the destination and do what they want to do while there. Monograms packages also include the ability to include options to individualize their experiences. Options available in Europe include such things as a trip to the Normandy landing beaches, a drive to the hilltop town of Tivoli to view the ruins, a guided ghost tour of Venice, a walk through the Olympic Village in Barcelona, a bike ride around Amsterdam and a visit to a brewery to learn about the art of beer-making in Munich. The options are available for pre-purchase, before the trip begins, and their cost is commissionable to travel agents.

Monograms unveiled six new vacation packages for 2012 and has bundled some major cities into 13-day, all-in-one packages. Monograms offers mini-vacations with four-day city getaways in 14 cities, including Barcelona, Budapest, Paris, Prague, Venice and Vienna. Monograms also offers multi-country vacations, romantic getaways, food and wine experiences and art and architecture itineraries.

For first-time travelers to popular destinations like Italy and Britain, Monograms has put together European Starter Guides to guide travelers through the vacation planning process. “We’re passionate about experiencing and discovering the world and are doing our best to encourage others to explore all Europe has to offer by making it easy to plan to perfect getaway and just go,” said Born. Clients who book a 2012 Monograms Europe vacation by Feb. 14 can save $200 per person.

The list of 2012 Monograms Europe Vacations includes Venice Getaway (four days), from $874; Dublin & London (seven days), from $1,282; Paris & Nice (seven days), from $1,966; Budapest & Vienna (seven days), from $1,439; Vienna & Munich (seven days), from $1,626; Rome & Sicily (seven days), from $1,925; St. Petersburg & Moscow (seven days), from $1,808; Barcelona & Madrid (seven days), from $1,792; London, Paris & Rome (10 days), from $2,687; Rome, Florence & Venice (10 days), from $2,165; London, Paris, Barcelona & Madrid (13 days), from $3,625; and Rome, Florence, Venice & Lake Maggiore (13 days), from $3,871. Prices are per person, land-only. For more information, call 800-221-0090.

An extensive remodeling project is underway in Vienna’s city center, which will extend the upscale shopping area of Graben and Kohlmarkt to Tuchlauben. A new pedestrian zone will also be created in the area in 2013.

The corner of Bognergasse and Tuchlauben in Vienna’s city center is currently a construction site. A former bank premises are being transformed into a new luxury goods mall, scheduled to open this spring. The main tenant is French designer label Louis Vuitton, which will open a flagship store spanning four floors. Dior will move in to Vuitton’s current premises on Kohlmarkt in 2012. Prada’s Miu Miu brand will also join the new complex in one of the best locations in the capital.

New offices and apartments will also be available alongside the 15 luxury stores. The group of buildings opposite the shopping complex is being adapted for an exclusive jeweler. The new center will extend Vienna’s luxury shopping quarter, which at the moment encompasses Kärntner Strasse, Graben and Kohlmarkt. The existing pedestrian zone will be expanded around the new mall by the end of 2013. Also in 2013 a new luxury hotel is set to open its door a few blocks away — the Park Hyatt at Am Hof will have 143 rooms.

In 2012, Austria will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of artist Gustav Klimt (1862 to 1918). There will be more works by the modernist pioneer on show in Vienna than ever before during this jubilee year. Special exhibitions throughout 2012 will offer unprecedented access to this artist’s prolific output.

To commemorate Klimt’s upcoming 150th birthday the Museum of Applied Art/Contemporary Arts will mount an exhibition in 2012. The show will present a set of major exhibits from the museum’s vaults, including Klimt’s designs for the mosaic which was installed in the dining hall of the Stoclet palace in Brussels. The nine blueprints for the Stoclet frieze were created in 1910 and 1911. The exhibition also compares his instructions with the finished Wiener Werkstätte mosaic tiles and workshop samples.

Klimt’s painting “Nuda Veritas” is the centerpiece of a special exhibition at the Theater Museum. The naked truth, in the form of a striking, two-meter tall woman, holds a mirror to the beholder. Nuda Veritas is part of the estate of the writer Hermann Bahr, which is held by the Austrian Theater Museum. The Wien Museum’s Klimt collection will go on public display in its entirety for the first time during the Klimt anniversary year. A multi-genre collection of around 400 sketches, masterpieces and humble studies provides angles on each phase of Klimt’s creative development.

The Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art has 350 textile samples from the estate of Emilie Flöge (1874 to 1952). Flöge, Klimt’s partner and muse, was the owner of Viennese haute couture salon “Schwestern Flöge” on Mariahilfer Strasse, a dressmakers which catered to the capital’s high society. Many of her embroideries, delicate lacework, fine trims and art nouveau fabrics will be on show for the first time. The majority of the pieces in the collection have their roots in Southeastern Europe.

In mid-June, a new exhibition at the Upper Belvedere entitled “150 Years Gustav Klimt” will carry on where the Gustav Klimt/Josef Hoffmann: Pioneers of Modernism show at the Lower Belvedere until March 4 left off. Meanwhile at the Künstlerhaus, a jubilee exhibition will shine the light on the artistic and biographical milestones involving Klimt and what was then Central Europe’s leading artists’ association. Klimt was an active member of the Künstlerhaus from 1891 to 1897. The Künstlerhaus archives include a wealth of documents, letters and photos relating to Klimt’s life and work during this period.

Austria’s GrandHotel Lienz has won the title of “World’s Leading Medical/Wellness Spa” at the Grand Finale of the World Travel Awards (WTA), hosted January 11. With stiff competition from some of the world’s top health resorts, GrandHotel Lienz has been quick to establish itself as the market leader.

Since opening in 2009, the state-of-the-art facility in the Austrian Tyrol has raised the bar for excellence in wellness tourism. This was acknowledged last September when it was voted “Europe’s Leading Wellness Hotel” in WTA’s regional competition.

The five-star hotel is the vision of legendary hotelier Professor Heinz Simonitsch, one of most experienced players in the industry. Simonitsch said, “It is a tremendous honor. The award acknowledges our tireless efforts to provide the highest levels of medical service to our guests within a luxury environment.”

Simonitsch’s vision with GrandHotel Lienz was to create a cutting-edge medical centre within a luxury, all-suite hotel. Guests can now undertake everything from medical check-ups to weight-loss programs, all under the supervision of world-class doctors. The five-star property was built from scratch on the banks of the River Isel, a region surrounded by a majestic mountain setting.

For more information, visit http://www.grandhotel-lienz.com/en/

Hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”, WTA is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, and celebrates those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Steele Luxury Travel recently announced that it will be the exclusive USA-based tour operator for the Life Ball for the fourth year in a row. This glittering event is Europe’s biggest HIV/AIDS benefit gala, one of the largest in the world, and by far the most fantastical.

Held in the ancient imperial capital of Vienna, the Life Ball is a dazzling, once-in-lifetime experience where some of the world’s greatest fighters and luminaries come together in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Bill Clinton, Janet Jackson, Sharon Stone and Brooke Shields are rich supporters in the cause and past attendees. In 2011, the Life Ball raised €1.9 million in one single night.

Founded in 1993, every Life Ball carries a theme and motto; starting in 2009, a cycle of the four alchemic elements began: Water (“Let Love Flow”), Earth (“Sow the Seeds of Solidarity”), Air (“Spread the Wings of Tolerance!”), and now, on May 19th, 2012, the primordial power of divine Fire takes the stage with “Fight the Flames of Ignorance!”

The Life Ball transforms the historic Viennese city hall into a phantasmagoria of light and sound, music and dance. Steele Luxury Travel guests will witness up close and personal the 2-hour-opening extravaganza on City Hall Square, before moving the celebration inside the gracefully gothic city hall. The grand chambers and yards of this historical building open up for guests in full costume or black tie dress, indulging them with an iridescent show comprising of live concerts by international stars exciting performances and culinary surprises until sunrise.

The audience can expect glitter and opulence on a mind-boggling scale, culminating in the grand finale fashion show – Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferré, Missoni, Moschino, Agent Provocateur, DSQUARED2, Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, the Blonds for Patricia Field among others have presented their creations at the Life Ball.

Having assisted you in securing your Business or Economy Class seats to Vienna, Steele Luxury Travel will welcome to you Austria before you before whisking you off to the casual luxury of Vienna’s Ring Hotel, your home base for the festivities. Those festivities, however, will for you continue long after the Life Ball itself: An exclusive tour of the Demel confectionary house and a grand post-Life Ball Sunday brunch await you.

And then there is Prague. Immediately following your Life Ball 2012 Experience, it is on to the capital of the Czech Republic, the gorgeous “City of a Hundred Spires” (today’s count is 500).

Spending two nights at the luxurious 5-star Roccoforte Augustine Prague, Steele Travelers will be treated to three unforgettable days in this fairy tale of a city, taking in historic sites such as the majestic Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Garden, and the famous Charles Bridge, before sitting down to the fine Czech culinary traditions unique to Central Europe. Following Prague, Steele Luxury Travel can assist in arranging further travel extensions, or guests can return home.

Please contact Steele Luxury Travel for more details on your flight arrangements and a full schedule of Life Ball 2012 events.

Roundtrip airport transfers are also provided for Steele Travelers on the Austrian Airlines group flight.
• Land Only: $2,950 Double Occupancy
• Single Supplement: $1300
• Prices do not include international or domestic airfare.
http://www.steeletravel.com/lifeball

Live Your Indulgence, with 20 years at the Life Ball.

Club Med is offering attractive rates at its European ski resorts, starting at $1,064 per person for a seven-night stay at select resorts.

Club Med’s ski resorts in the French Alps include Peisey-Vallandry, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, La Plagne 2100, Valmorel and Tignes Val Claret, which have received a combined 20 feet of natural snow this season and weather forecasts show much more to come.

Club Med offers the value of an all-inclusive package where everything is included in one price, even lessons and ski lift tickets. Club Med currently operates 20 ski resorts worldwide including the recently opened Club Med Valmorel, which underwent a $130 million investment to create a new resort offering multiple bedroom Chalet-Apartments, complete with private butler and personal chef. For more information, call 800-CLUB-MED.