Jetsettersblog

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

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.

The January Trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI), rating average hotel prices at ski destinations and other hotels in Europe and North America, reports that Romania has the least expensive ski resort prices this winter.

In January, ski resorts in the Romanian town of Predeal are reporting the cheapest prices Europe-wide, at $71 per night in a standard double. In the Polish winter resort of Szczyrk, skiers pay an average of $81, while in Bansko, Bulgaria, rooms are available for $93 per night.

The highest prices in Europe were reported in St. Moritz in Switzerland ($545), and in the U.S., in Beaver Creek, Colo. ($498).

This month, Poiana Brasov, Romania, is offering overnight stays for an average cost of $123 per night, a 36 percent increase from last month.

The Polish ski towns of Szczyrk ($81) and Zakopane ($101), are also reporting price increases between 21 to 22 percent, compared to December 2011, while those headed to Bansko, Bulgaria, will find hotel rooms for an average rate of $93 per night (up 20 percent).

Destinations such as Lake Tahoe ($103, up 5 percent from last month) and Stowe, Vt. ($193, up 23 percent) were among those reporting the lowest winter prices across North America.

Swiss destinations such as Gstaad ($504, up 39 percent compared to last month) and Zermatt ($368, up 24 percent) present the most expensive rooms in winter sports regions this month.

Colorado’s Beaver Creek ($498, up 70 percent) and Aspen ($474, up 83 percent) reported the highest average prices in North America, while the Austrian ski resorts in Kitzbuhel ($470, up 44 percent), Ischgl ($376, up 32 percent) and St. Anthony ($375, up 46 percent) also reported increases over the previous month.

In the French Nobel ski resorts, Val d’Isere ($434, up 47 percent) and Courchevel ($414, up 39 percent), travelers are likewise paying high prices as can also be seen in the German mountain resorts of Oberstdorf ($270) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen ($218), with price increases of 36 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

Although slightly lower than the above, the German town of Winterberg is also reporting a rise in rates — January travelers can expect to pay an average of $180 (up 28 percent).

Compared to last month, European prices have dropped in January by around 3 percent to $136. Athens has dropped to $98 (down 1 percent from last month), the lowest figure since recording the tHPI (May 2008).

With an average of $209, the hotel industry in London reports the lowest price for an overnight stay in a standard double room since February 2011, a 13 percent drop in price compared to last month.

In Barcelona, overnight rates reached their lowest level since December 2009, reporting $124 per night, 7 percent lower than the reported rate in December 2011.

Even Rome ($138, down 7 percent), Istanbul ($123, down 7 percent) and Amsterdam ($153, down 5 percent) recorded their lowest accommodation prices since February 2011.

Following the trend, all major U.K. cities, for the first time since April 2009, are reporting price reductions in the tHPI this month. London ($135), Edinburgh ($89), Cardiff ($71) and the Irish capital of Dublin ($70) are among those reporting decreases in price this month between 11 to 15 percent compared to last month.

Lake Tahoe ($103, up 5 percent from last month) reported having the least expensive rates for a standard double room within a top ski destination this month. Stowe ($193) followed, up 23 percent from last month. Mammoth ($208) reported increasing prices, however only a 7 percent increase from last month, while the Canadian Mont-Tremblant — also up only 3 percent — was close by with $212.

Jackson Hole reported price increases of 34 percent, with an average overnight price of $233. Kicking-off the winter season price jump however, is Whistler, Canada ($299) with a reported 40 percent increase in prices compared to last month.

The most expensive winter sport destinations in the U.S. and Canada can be found in Colorado this January.

Even rivaling prices in European winter destinations Kitzbuhel and Gstaad, Beaver Creek, Colo., is offering standard double rooms for $498 per night — a 70 percent increase compared to last month. Aspen, not far behind, is offering prices reaching $474 per night, 83 percent more expensive than December 2011. Vail also topped the list with $403 (up 43 percent).

Condé Nast Traveler just announced their prestigious 2012 Gold List winners for the world’s finest hotels, resorts, and cruise lines, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is thrilled that it was once again included in the “World’s Top 12 Cruise Lines” category. This year, as a way to mark 25 years of Condé Nast Traveler, the magazine celebrated the “superstars” of the Gold List in their Platinum Circle honor, which includes Uniworld, which has made the Gold List every year for the past five years’ running.

Earlier this year, Uniworld was also rated as the world’s Number One “Best River Cruise Line” in Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards.

“I am deeply honored that Uniworld has again been recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List,” states Guy Young, president of Uniworld.

“The significance of being included as a Platinum Circle member reaffirms Uniworld’s commitment to consistently delivering the best river cruise experience possible to our guests. I am also very proud to be included in a list of well-respected cruise lines such as Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent,” furthers Young.

The eighteenth annual Gold List contenders are tested afresh every year in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Survey, described by Condé Nast as “the collective result of some eight million votes cast by as savvy a group of travelers as you’ll find on the planet.”

About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line, is recognized among the “World’s Best River Cruises” by Travel + Leisure. Uniworld was voted the“#1 River Cruise Line in the World” in Condé Nast Traveler ’s Readers’ Choice Awards, was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List, and won “Best River Ships” in their Readers’ Poll, which ranked River Beatrice and River Duchess the #1 and #2 river ships, along with five other highly ranked ships in the top 20. Uniworld’s cabins and dining are also ranked among the top three in the world by Zagat Survey; Uniworld is the only river cruise line named in the Zagat Survey amongst the best of the best in the cruise industry.

Uniworld features luxurious boutique ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, included shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, and award-winning hospitality.

Uniworld offers over 500 departures sailing on over 13 rivers in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

For more details, please visit www.uniworld.com or connect with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises at www.facebook.com/uniworldrivercruises or www.twitter.com/UniworldCruises

There is a chance to try typical Czech dishes at special festival prices in top-end restaurants highly rated in the exclusive Maurer´s Restaurant Guide – Czech equivalent to the Michelin Restaurant Guide.

Baked eel with beet-root ravioli accompanied by hazelnut vinaigrette, beef cheeks with morel mushroom sauce braised for 12 hours in a strong sauce and served with heart shaped puréed violet potatoes and celeriac, sirloin of venison with cream sauce complemented by traditional dumpling with pumpkin seeds and fresh cranberries – just a taster from the festival menu prepared by the participating restaurants.

Not only Prague but 12 regions of the Czech Republic are involved – Central Bohemia, South Bohemia, Pilsen Region, Karlovy Vary Region, Liberec Region, Pardubice Region, Vysočina Region, South Moravia, Olomouc Region, Moravian-Silesian Region, and Zlín Region.

“The festival is an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in outstanding cuisine to visit the best restaurants in the country while paying token prices” explains Pavel Maurer – the publisher of Maurer´s Guide and the founder of the Grand Restaurant Festival.

One of the last year’s highlights – the “Yummy Bus” will be taking visitors on four different tours around selected restaurants for meal tasting and meeting top Czech chefs.

www.grandrestaurantfestival.cz

CzechTourism is a proud partner of the festival with its project Czech Specials -

Taste the Czech Republic. Its main goal is to support and present top quality Czech cuisine stressing the importance of traditional recipes using local and seasonal products.

For more information about national and regional specialities, recipes, list of recommended restaurants visit: www.CzechSpecials.com

European Waterways will introduce a new luxury barge in 2012, the 12-passenger Panache. The company also will offer new amenities on some barges, such as barging and biking options. The Panache features six air-conditioned Junior Suites, all with full private bathrooms and oversized showers.

The Panache launches in 2012 with the early season tulip cruises in Holland that visit Keukenhof Gardens and Delft. Options include a visit to Floriade 2012, the World Horticultural Expo that takes place once every 10 years. The boat will be repositioned later in the season to Alsace Lorraine, cruising between Nancy and Strasbourg.

Of classic Dutch design, the barge is traditionally furnished with warm colors, brass and mahogany, and features a heated pool, bicycles for passenger use, and a professional crew of five that includes a master chef.

The company is giving 10 percent off per cabin and whole-boat charters on all April departures on La Belle Epoque and L’Art de Vivre, which cruise the Burgundy region. It is also offering the same deal in April on Anjodi on the Canal du Midi and the Scottish Highlander in Scotland.

Meanwhile, those who book by Jan. 6 get 5 percent off whole-boat charters on EnchantÈ from May through October. Rosa offers 10 percent off whole-boat charters for all March, April and May departures on the Canal du Midi and Gascony, as well as 5 percent off all whole-boat charters for June through October.

The 20-passenger La Bella Vita is offering 10 percent off whole-boat charters for all April departures and 5 percent off whole-boat charters for May-through-October departures. Bookings must be made by Jan. 6 on the River Po cruise between Venice and the Renaissance city of Mantua.

For the 5th year, we have this year’s details about Christmas Markets and Festive events throughout Europe – that is over 100 locations covering Europe

Working with local Tourist Boards in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland ,Slovenia, UK and many more www.christmas-markets.org not only gives the dates, descriptions and images, but also explains what else the individual locations have to offer in terms of attractions that visitors shouldn’t miss during their visit to ensure they have a real ‘feel’ for the destination. And of course return home laden with gifts for friends and family.

Christmas markets are always a great way of getting gift ideas and soaking up the magical atmosphere that excites children and adults alike. The sounds and smells together with often unfamiliar and interesting gifts created by local artisans, ensure visitors have an enviable break before the biggest celebrations of the year.
The individual pages for each destination, often give useful (or useless but interesting) information about local customs, local traditional dishes, how to say “Merry Christmas” in the local language, and of course, what to buy that is a unique reminder of that special place.

Some good examples of pages? Go to www.christmas-markets.org and select location
Belfast
Bath
Birmingham
Cologne – Germany
Dusseldorf – Germany – text description from the web site attached
Graz – Austria – text description from the web site attached
Montreux – Switzerland
Wiesbaden – Germany

Slovakia is moving even closer to fully integrating with European travel. Slovakia will join the Eurail Global Pass on the Jan. 1.

The national railway of Slovakia will be included in the Eurail Global Pass offer, which permits unlimited rail travel throughout a range of validity periods for either continuous travel periods or flexible travel days in 23 countries.

Discounts are offered to groups of two or more, and to young people under the age of 26. Prices start from 30 euros a day for a 15-day Global Saver Pass. Slovakia has evolved into a popular European tourist destination and was ranked second among the top adventurous destinations in the world by The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) in the category of Developing Tourist Destinations in 2010.

The Slovakian railway covers 2,247 miles and is connected with the pan-European railway network of the surrounding countries of Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. Bratislava is often called the “Beauty of the Danube,” and Slovakia has much to offer ranging from castles, the Tatras mountain range, vineyards and spa and wellness centers.

The Eurail Global Pass represents 42 percent of the overall Eurail Pass sales (more than 70,000 travelers used this pass in 2010), and it continues to be a popular rail pass giving travelers endless opportunities to explore Europe by rail.

Brendan Vacations is offering several new itineraries for Europe in 2012, including the 12-day Crossroads of Cultures and Contrasts: Bosnia, Croatia & Slovenia; the 11-day Discovering the Balkans; the 17-day From Greece to Dalmatia; the eight-day Highlights of Slovenia; and the 15-day Fabled Cities of Europe: Zagreb to Venice. All are being offers as Definite Departures. They include first class accommodations, breakfast daily and some lunches and dinners.

Also new, but not offered as definite departures are The Best of Russia, Baltic States and Warsaw, 14, 16 or 18 days; Dalmatian Sunshine, Dubrovnik to Zagreb, 10 days; Imperial Cities Showcase, Vienna to Warsaw, 10 days; From Bohemia to Transylvania, Prague to Bucharest, 14 days; The Best of Ukraine, Poland and Hungary, 12 days; Belgrade to Zagreb, 12 days; and Glimpse of Italy, nine or 12 days.

General Tours World Traveler is offering two new Small Group Journeys to Eastern Europe. The Small Group Journey product line is distinguished by having never more than 16 guests to a group, with boutique hotel stays, quality meals and activities not possible in a larger group. They are designed to provide a deeper and more authentic look into the culturally diverse destinations.

New for 2012, Grand Capitals of Eastern Europe is a 10-day trip to Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow and Budapest featuring distinguished hotels like the Regent Berlin, deemed one of the best places to stay in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, and the Sofitel Chain Bridge overlooking the Danube in the heart of Budapest. Activities include a visit to the Schindler Factory Museum in Krakow, dinner with a Polish family in the charming town of Lowicz and a countryside excursion to Szentendre, an ancient Hungarian town and now-thriving artists’ colony in the Danube Bend. A pre-trip extension to Prague and Dresden features five-star city-center hotels, complete sightseeing and all on-tour transportation including first class rail from Dresden to Berlin to join the Grand Capitals tour.

Also new in 2012, Journey through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, features landmark hotels and resorts such as the Grand Hotel Toplice, overlooking Lake Bled, and Zagreb’s Regent Esplanade, originally built for passengers of the Orient-Express train. The itinerary includes Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, as well as destinations rarely featured on traditional large-group escorted tours, such as the Salzburg Lake District; Graz, Ljubljana, often called “Little Prague,” and the sixteen cascading lakes of Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through Dec 30, General Tours is offering savings of $500 per person on bookings paid in full at the time of booking for either of the new trips to Eastern Europe.

Now in its 65th year, General Tours World Traveler offers Small Group, Privately Guided and Small Ship journeys to Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Specifically designed for never more than 16 guests, the company’s programs promise immersive cultural encounters and authentic travel experiences not possible in a larger group. For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.generaltours.com