Jetsettersblog

Travel à la carte has been a specialist operator to Greece for almost 30 years, through good times and bad. The key to our longevity? Accommodation of character on a select range of islands and the highest levels of staff service and expertise. We aim to ensure these qualities continue to bring us many more years of success.

The heart of our Greek programme is tiny Paxos, a haven of unchanging tranquillity that lures admirers back year after year. We are mainly in picturesque Loggos, the prettiest and quietest of the coastal villages, with apartments and houses offering enchanting sea views, proximity to beaches and tavernas, and quiet locations in the olive groves. In a new venture for 2009, we are also teaming up with special interest holiday provider Paxos Life Activities, who will be offering a range of courses including journalism, creative writing, painting, photography and theatre, as well as scuba diving and Greek cultural activities. Accommodation rental prices on Paxos start at £202 for a week at an apartment for two in early May.

Symi and Halki, in the eastern Aegean, are two other firm favourites of Travel a la carte’s clients. Cosmopolitan Symi is best known for the beauty of the town’s architecture and the excellence of its restaurants, while Halki town, a huddle of narrow streets almost free of traffic, provides the quietest possible getaway from the pressures of modern life. Both are reached by boat from Rhodes and rental prices start at £470 for a week at Roula studio on Halki in May.

Completing our Greek programme are the Sporades islands in the northern Aegean. Skiathos offers some of the best sandy beaches in the Mediterranean, while neighbours Skopelos and Alonissos, a short hydrofoil journey from Skiathos, are for those seeking a quieter, less tourist-oriented Greece. Rental prices here start at £414 for a studio for two just behind Koukounaries beach on Skiathos.

Prices given are for the accommodation and include maid service, linen, welcome pack and the services of our local representatives. Travel à la carte also offers a full meet & greet service, including all transfers, from £67 per person, and can offer expert advice on flights from a range of UK airports.

Travel à la carte is an ABTA-bonded company with membership number V2429

Rail Europe, a distributor of European rail products in North America, announced the launch of Trenitalia’s new Milan to Rome high-speed rail link. The new line shaves an hour off the route, connecting Italy’s political and financial capitals in 3 hours and 30 minutes. The new route establishes Milan as Italy’s main point of connection with Europe’s high-speed larger rail network for the benefit of business and leisure travelers alike. Milan is currently served by Artesia trains from Paris, Cisalpino from Basel, Bern and Geneva, Riviera from Nice and Elipsos overnight trains from Barcelona.

Trenitalia’s ETR500 AV Red Arrow Train, which will service the new route and will be available for reservations on www.agent.raileurope.com in January, was designed by Italian automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Giugiaro was recently named Automotive Designer of the Century for his achievements in designing for Audi, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, Volkswagen and others. The Red Arrow reaches a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, offering rail travelers in Italy an equivalent level of speed, service and convenience as other European countries.
Passengers can order from a menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections from the restaurant car, as well as snacks and beverages from the bar car. TrenItalia’s InterCity Plus and Eurostar Italia trains, offer speedy connections between Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna and Naples and convenient access to many smaller Italian towns. Rail Europe offers a full range of TrenItalia tickets that can be tailored toward each traveler’s individual needs.

To book any of Rail Europe’s wide range of economical railpasses and point-to-point tickets on trains throughout Europe, call 888-382-7245 or visit Rail Europe’s website at the banner at the right.

A 7-night cruise from Venice to Istanbul and back aboard the luxury mega-liner Costa Serena is selling through ecruising.travel from just AUD$3199pp twin-share, including return air from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Cairns*, a hotel night pre-cruise in Venice and onboard gratuities.

Costa Serena will sail from Venice for Bari in Italy, Katakolon (Greece,) Izmir and Istanbul in Turkey, Dubrovnik (Croatia) and back to Venice on May 24 and 31, September 20 and 27 and October 11 next year.

The 112,000 tonne liner that’s one of the two largest in the Costa fleet, has countless big-ship facilities including four pools – two of them with retractable glass roofs – five Jacuzzis, a jogging track, a 2100 square metre Spa and Wellness Centre, nightly showroom entertainment, late-release movies and a casino.

There are five restaurants to choose from and a range of indoor and outdoor bars and lounges.

For full details of these cruises that are selling through ecruising.travel at prices vastly below previously advertised,

phone 1300 369 848

 or check out www.ecruising.travel

* air taxes and fuel surcharges at time of booking are additional.

Auto Europe has announced details of a new partnership with Europe’s largest golf travel company, Golfbreaks.com. Auto Europe will now be a sole supplier of rented vehicles for www.Golfbreaks.com  offered via its call centre and website booking system. Auto Europe will be providing Golfbreaks.com with a system designed specifically to help its call centre process car hire requests simply and quickly. Golfbreaks.com was formed in 1998 to make booking golf breaks as simple and straight-forward as possible. It offers a range of golfing breaks and holidays across the world.

For more information, visit www.golfbreaks.com or www.auto-europe.com

Skyscanner takes a look at some of Bond’s best European spots so you can launch a mission of your own.

Despite carrying more than 100ml of poisonous liquids and gels, not to mention various sharp objects and even explosives in his hand luggage, Bond rarely seems to have any problems at security. In his 37 odd years, 007 has travelled to countless exotic locations around the world undertaking important missions on behalf of Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Skyscanner (www.Skyscanner.net) takes a look at some of Bond’s best European spots so you can launch a mission of your own.

Lake Constance, Germany, Switzerland, Austria (Quantum of Solace) – this extremely beautiful body of water in the heart of Europe is the scene for Bond stalking his enemy at a performance of the Italian Opera – Tosca. The lake is an ideal venue for a relaxed short break, and is also a water sports centre, with sailing, water skiing and fishing on offer. It’s also a wine sweet spot with local vineyards producing the delicate and fruity Müller-Thurgau vintages. Enjoy dining at the lakeside restaurants which serve up delicious fresh fish such as pike, trout, char and eel, plus game from nearby forests.

Monte Carlo (GoldenEye) – glitz, glamour and million dollar yachts; Monte Carlo is a classic setting for Bond’s adventures and is 007’s first port of call in the hunt for the GoldenEye Satellite weapon. Relive a Bond moment in the decadent Monte Carlo casino – if only just to watch the big spenders burning copious amounts of cash on the card tables. Like Bond, you’ll need to brush up: a suit jacket for men is compulsory and ladies should also dress to impress.

Corfu, Greece (For Your Eyes Only) – in an early sequence set in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Corfu, we witness the sinking of a British spy trawler by a mysterious mine. Corfu is well known to British tourists for its beaches and warm blue green seas, as well as its vibrant night life, offering visitors the opportunity to carry out some of Bond’s favourite pastimes: diving, yachting and fraternising with members of the opposite sex.

Baku, Azerbaijan (The World Is Not Enough) – 007 travels to the very eastern fringes of Europe with bond Girl beauty, Elektra, where he investigates the route for a planned oil pipeline through the Caucasus mountains. Baku is a cosmopolitan capital built on oil money and offers an intoxicating mix of modern and traditional. Visit the walled old city with its narrow streets and mansions, then stroll the boulevard that could almost be in Paris, before investigating the bizarre bubbling mud volcanoes found a short trip from the city.

Belgrade, Serbia and Zagreb, Croatia (From Russia With Love) – Bond travels by train to these former Yugoslavian cities where he almost meets his match at the hands of his Soviet counterpart. Following independence from Russia, both cities have now become popular tourist destinations; Belgrade is renowned for its busy nightlife and 24 hour party people, and Zagreb is a historic capital blessed with museums and galleries set in cobbled streets lit by gas lamps, not to mention high fashion, high-end culture and a buzzing café society.

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner is the most powerful and flexible flight search engine in Europe, which provides instant online comparison on prices for over 300,000 flights on over 600 airlines. With Skyscanner, users can browse without having to enter specific dates or airports, and Skyscanner is available in 20 different languages, including Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Polish and German.

Set Course For Golf’s Most Enticing Fairways

Silversea’s 2009 Silver Links Golf Theme Cruises For golf explorers, it’s a dream come true! Silversea’s 2009 Silver Links program offers golfers the chance to combine their passion for the game with their love of adventure on 13 golf theme cruises featured aboard Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper.

The Silver Links voyages offer optional golfing excursions in multiple ports arranged and escorted by the ship’s golf professional. From the breathtaking Pacific scenery of the Cape Kidnappers Golf Club in Napier, to the narrow fairways and mountain terrain of the elegant Monte Carlo Golf Club, to the rolling hills and lush landscape of the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club, guests will have a chance to perfect their game at some of the world’s most challenging and revered championship courses in 30 countries and island destinations throughout the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Mexico.

“The popularity of golf is increasing every year, and more and more golfers are looking for an international golf experience,” said Steve Odell, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. “With our Silver Links program, avid golfers of all levels can combine a luxury vacation with the chance to enjoy guided golf excursions and priority tee times at some of the world’s most celebrated courses.”

The escorted, optional golfing excursions vary in price from course to course and include transfers to and from the select golf courses, pull or power-drive carts (where available), green and any applicable caddy fees. Should guests choose to leave their clubs at home, the finest Nike Golf clubs and golf essentials are available for rental or purchase. Golf clubs can be rented for as little as US$45 per day with multiple-day and equipment packages available.

 On each of these exciting voyages rich in golf destinations, guests will also have the opportunity to advance their game aboard ship with the help of a certified PGA-classed golf professional, who is available to organize personalized instruction, specialty group clinics, demonstrations and even putting contests. While some group activities are complimentary, there is a fee for private lessons.

Golfers have the option to further hone their skills aboard ship with sophisticated split-screen swing analysis utilizing the most advanced V1 digital coaching system, the same software selected by PGA.com as their preferred instructional technology. The cost for private swing analysis starts at just US$30.

Guests aboard Silver Links voyages will also enjoy spacious, ocean-view accommodations, most with private veranda, award-winning gourmet cuisine, personalized service, warm Italian hospitality, and Silversea’s unmatched selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, 24-hour room service, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet and all gratuities.

Following is a sampling of the Silver Links voyages and golf courses for 2009:

– Silver Shadow departs January 4 on a 9-day Caribbean sailing (#3901) from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados calling in Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada and Bequia. Optional golf excursions visit Cedar Valley Golf Club (St. John’s); St. Lucia Golf and Country Club (Castries); and Sandy Lane Country Club (Bridgetown). Silver Sailing cruise fares start at US$3,537 per person.

— Silver Whisper departs January 4 on a 14-day South Pacific sailing (#4901) from Auckland to Sydney calling in Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, Burnie and Melbourne. Optional golf excursions visit Titirangi Golf Club (Auckland); Cape Kidnappers Golf Course (Napier); Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club (Wellington); Royal Hobart Golf Club; Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Sydney’s Camden Lakeside Country Club. Early Booking Incentive cruise fares start at US$9,005 per person.

– Silver Shadow departs February 18 on a 17-day Panama Canal crossing (#3906) from Antigua to Los Angeles calling in Cartagena, San Blas Island, Costa Rica, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Optional golf excursions visit La Iguana at Los Sueños (Puntarenas); Fairmont Pierre Marquis Golf Club (Acapulco); and Puerto Vallarta’s El Tigre Golf Club. Early Booking Incentive cruise fares start at US$7,906 per person.

– Silver Whisper departs May 19 on a 9-day Mediterranean sailing (#4912) from Athens to Barcelona calling in Santorini, Malta, Sicily, Sorrento, Rome, Monte Carlo and Porquerolles. Optional golf excursions visit Il Picciolo Golf Club (Catania); Le Querce Golf Club (Rome); and the Monte Carlo Golf Club. Advance Payment Bonus cruise fares start at US$6,236 per person.

– Silver Whisper departs August 15 on a 7-day Mediterranean sailing (#4924) from Monte Carlo to Barcelona calling in Sardinia, Antibes, Sète, Porto Mahon and Palma de Mallorca. Optional golf excursions visit Monte Carlo Golf Club; La Grande-Motte Golf Club (Sète); Son Parc Golf Club (Mahon); and Son Vida Golf Course (Palma de Mallorca). Silver Sailing cruise fares start at US$4,896 per person.

– Silver Shadow departs December 2 on a 9-day Caribbean voyage (#3931) from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados calling in Grand Turk, Samana, La Romana, St. Lucia and Grenada. Optional golf excursions visit Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog (La Romana), St. Lucia Golf and Country Club and Bridgetown’s Sandy Lane Country Club. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at US$3,657 per person.

Hong Kong - Start the New Year with a holiday that takes travellers for a complete tour of the sites and sounds of the Mediterranean while relaxing in luxury and enjoying the highest standards of service aboard MSC¡¦s newest and largest ship, MSC Fantasia, or alternatively, on one of the long-standing favourites of many guests, MSC Poesia. Now MSC makes the opportunity even sweeter by offering a New Year ¡§Two-for-One¡¨ promotion, enabling international adventurers to see the best of the Mediterranean on several breathtaking routes, all at two for the price of one.

After its maiden voyage this December, the MSC Fantasia¡¦s grandeur is on display during the Western Mediterranean 11-night journey, departing and returning to Genoa, Italy. The itinerary includes some of the most exciting and intriguing ports of call in Europe. Explore the magical cities of Barcelona and Gibraltar, the historic town of Funchal, Portugual, then enjoy the beauty of Tenerife and Arrecife in the Canary Islands. Continue on to the quintessentially Spanish city of Malaga before docking in Civitavecchia, Italy for some incredible Italian fare before returning back to Genoa.

Departing Friday, January 16, or Tuesday January 27, 2009, there is no better way to celebrate the beginning of the New Year than to enjoy a journey on the high seas with the one you love ¡V both guests for the price of just one traveller.

On another luxury cruise ship, in the company¡¦s true Italian style, the MSC Poesia is poised to provide those intrigued by the heritage and history of Greece and Egypt with a stunning way to explore these cultures for 12 days and 11 blissful nights.

Departing on January 20 from Genoa, Italy, guests will discover Ajaccio, the capital city of Corsica and Napoleon Bonaparte¡¦s home town. Messina will surprise with its lively culture, while the picturesque Isle of Rhodes is stunning in its beauty. Next, visit the famed site of Egyptian archaeology in Alexandria, followed by art and culture from over the ages in La Valletta. The beachside town of La Goulette ¡V the port of Tunis ¡V is a breathtaking site, and the Italian cities of Naples and the final port of call, Genoa, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences not to be missed.

MSC Cruises¡¦ sophisticated on-board activities and facilities offer everything a guest could desire for a relaxing holiday, including mini golf course, fitness centre, spa and massage facilities, sauna rooms, jogging areas, swimming pools, Jacuzzi, video games centre, theatre, salon, internet cafes, restaurants, disco, casino, shopping arcade, children¡¦s club and Wi-Fi facilities. And, the newest addition ¡V MSC Fantasia ¡V adds panache and exclusivity to the experience with the Yacht Club, an ultra-deluxe private section of the ship with personalised service and one-of-a-kind offerings that represent all that luxury travel should be.

Two-for-One¡¦ New Year Luxury Cruise
MSC Fantasia (12 days/11 nights)
Ports of Call: Genoa„³ Barcelona „³ Gibraltar „³ Funchal „³ Tenerife „³ Arrecife „³ Malaga „³ Civitavecchia „³ Genoa
Embarkation: Genoa
Departs: 16/01/2009 (Fri) and 27/01/2009 (Tue)
Price: HKD8,572 up*

MSC Poesia (12 days/11 nights)
Ports of Call: Genoa „³ Ajaccio „³ Messina „³ Rhodes „³ Alexandria „³ La Valletta „³ La Goulette „³ Naples „³ Genoa
Embarkation: Genoa
Departs: 20/01/2009 (Tue)
Price: HKD8,183 up*

* The above prices exclude air-ticket, tips, port charges, fuel surcharges, government taxes and all applicable taxes.
* The above prices are applicable for 2 persons travel together only.

Silversea Cruises is offering complimentary round-trip economy air transportation from Montreal,

New York, Miami and 24 additional eastern cities on 16 new voyages to Europe and the Mediterranean next summer. In total, 28 voyages in 2009 offer the special free airfare incentive. Discounted economy round-trip airfare is also available from select central and western gateway cities.

The air incentives are being offered for a limited time on new bookings made on or before March 31. “We’ve expanded our free air program in response to the challenging economic environment,” said Marilyn Conroy, Silversea’s senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas. “With this new booking incentive, we’re making it as attractive as possible for guests to move ahead with their travel plans for 2009 regardless of spiraling air costs.”

Included in the complimentary air program are Silver Shadow’s June 26, July 8 and July 20 Alaska voyages, featuring free round-trip air to San Francisco from over 70 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Silversea is also offering discounted air travel on three voyages to the Caribbean and five in South America.

Among the voyages eligible are the Silver Wind’s seven-day May 14 voyage from Barcelona to Nice, with fares starting at $5,435; the Silver Whisper’s seven-day July 4 cruise from Venice to Athens, with fares starting at $4,896;

the Silver Cloud’s seven-day Aug. 2 cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen, with fares starting at $5,176;

and the Silver Shadow’s 12-day Alaska cruise, sailing June 26 round-trip from San Francisco, with fares starting at $6,646.

MSC Cruises is offering a Balcony Blowout special for European and Mediterranean sailings, with savings of up to 60 percent on balcony staterooms. Balcony Blowout rates start at $999 per person, double, for a balcony stateroom on a seven-night cruise.

The special rates are available for new bookings made by Nov. 30, 2008, while space lasts on select sailings of the MSC Poesia’s Eastern Mediterranean roundtrip from Venice, the MSC Orchestra’s Baltic or Norwegian Fjords roundtrip from Copenhagen, the MSC Splendida’s Western Mediterranean roundtrip from Barcelona, and the MSC Fantasia’s Western Mediterranean roundtrip from Genoa.

For more information, call 800-666-9333

or visit www.msccruisesusa.com .

Spanish hotel chain Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with the Greek company Hellas Holidays Hotels S.A. to manage from next summer onwards a five-star deluxe hotel in the exclusive region of Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete.

The hotel will be operated under the Gran Meliá hotel brand.

The agreement was signed by the co-vice chairman and CEO of Sol Meliá, Sebastián Escarrer; the executive vice president finance at Sol Meliá, Onofre Servera; and the chairman of Hellas Holidays Hotels, Asterios Daios, and is a further sign of the Sol Meliá commitment to Greece, a country in which Sol Meliá already operates the Meliá Athens and the Sol Kipriotis on the island of Kos.

The new Gran Meliá hotel will be located in Agios Nikolaos and will provide a total of 250 rooms and 50 luxury villas, all of them with sea views.

 The room sizes vary from 42 square meters up to 560 square meters for a villa.

The facilities at the hotel will include a grand 2,500-square-meter spa and several different restaurants serving international cuisine and typical Cretan specialities.

 For more information,

visit www.solmelia.com