Jetsettersblog

The Danube Tourist Commission’s new comprehensive guide to cruises on the river is now available in English by contacting donau@austria.info . This year’s guide to Danube excursion ships is scheduled to appear at the end of March.

For more information, visit www.danube-river.org  or www.danubesalesmanual.com

To help you plan an enjoyable rural getaway, either for business or pleasure, the 2010 International Logis Guide (3 000 hotel-restaurants in France and Europe) is available free of charge from January 2010 in a brand-new format.

Still as comfortable and welcoming as ever, Logis hotels allow their guests to travel with peace of mind and help them make the most of their leisure time by offering the best possible service: time to take your time.

A guide which is both practical and easy to browse…

2010 International Guide: choose from a selection of 3 000 Logis where you’re guaranteed a straight-forward, personalised and friendly welcome

The 3 000 hotel-restaurants listed in the guide provide their guests with an opportunity to recharge their batteries, take time to enjoy themselves, to relax and explore. The guide includes information on hotels across Europe, including France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy.

=> New for 2010:

o Detailed information on each Logis.
o A double-page spread entitled “Envies” at the beginning of the guide, highlighting the different themes on offer.

Pictograms of the different themes make it easy to find the hotel which best suits the particular requirements of guests.

These themes can also be viewed on the logishotels.com website.

With 850 000 copies published, the 2010 International Logis Guide is available free of charge.

=> About Logis hotels

Founded in 1949 in the Auvergne region, the International Logis Federation, which has just celebrated its 60th birthday, is the leading independent hotel chain in Europe with 3 000 hotels in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy.

Although each Logis hotel is different, they all share the same values and are appreciated by guests looking for somewhere where they can relax, enjoy themselves and explore the surrounding region.

Logis hotels bring with them a guarantee of quality and comfort which is graded according to a classification system which awards 1-3 “fireplaces”, in addition to a new category known as Logis d’Exception for hotels, a new 1-3 “pot” classification system for restaurants, plus a Table Distinguée category.

Logis hotels have four basic priorities:

• A warm, friendly, informal and personalised welcome which encourages customer loyalty.
• Accommodation which combines comfort, modern facilities and traditional surroundings.
• Inspired regional cuisine which focuses on natural ingredients and local produce, enhanced by the chef’s skill and expertise.
• Personalised advice on local sights and activities to make your stay a memorable one.

For further information, log onto www.logishotels.com

Won’t Break The Bank

Keeping track of the best last minute skiing bargains is about to get easier this season with the launch of a new ski price index from Teletext Holidays.

The new index, which is designed to help people manage their winter holiday budget and will be updated on a weekly basis, is online at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/skipriceindex

The index makes Teletext Holidays the first company to track not only the typical cost of the ski holiday itself, but also the cost of essential items such as boot hire and lift passes giving a complete picture of the overall cost of a break away, helping snow seekers keep a check on their holiday budget.

To keep the index bang up to date the Teletext Holidays team will be tracking thousands of last minute holiday prices from hundreds of different companies every week.

Bulgaria and Andorra top the index for the lowest ski holiday destinations.

“The ski market is set for a bumpy ride this year,” said Alison Steed, financial expert and editor of mymoneydiva.com: “For anyone who isn’t a die-hard skier, a winter snow sports holiday could be seen as a luxury especially when people are living on a tight budget. But ski holidays don’t have to break the bank.”

“Prices are likely to come down as the season progresses and – because of the recession – we could potentially see much lower ski prices than they have done for years. That makes it the ideal time to get a bargain break.”

“The index is a really useful tool. It’s essentially an online “shop window” to show where the best prices are at a glance.”

Despite the Euro strengthening against the pound this year, there are more deals available in popular resorts European resorts which show great value.

Example prices include:

- Three star self catering in Tignes, France £ 319
- Three star self catering Les Deux Alpes, France £252
- Three star half board, Pas de la Casa, Andorra £283
- Three star half board La Plagne, France £318
- Three star half board Borovets, Bulgaria, £233
- Three star half board Courmayeur, Italy £351

Mark Bloxham, head of marketing, Teletext Holidays, said: “The in-resort extras which go alongside a ski holiday, such as boot hire, lift passes, eating and drinking must be considered alongside the actual cost of the break to get a true picture of the total cost.

“The winter sports market was down last year and it’s likely to be a similar story for the 2009/10 season which means tour operators are likely to stimulate demand by dropping prices. The index will allow people to keep track of the best deals.”

For clever ways to save money on a ski break Teletext Holidays has teamed up with financial expert Alison Steed and her tips are online at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/skipriceindex

Star Clippers (www.starclippers.co.uk ), which offers holidays on three of the world’s tallest and most beautiful clipper ships, has added 40 maiden calls to its 2010 and 2011 sailing itineraries, including some of the world’s most remote islands and lesser known ports and islands in Europe and South America.

The new sailing itineraries are on board the four masted Star Clipper, its twin ship Star Flyer and on Royal Clipper, the tallest full sail ship in the world.

New Star Clippers destinations include the Marquesas Islands in the open Pacific, the furthest islands from any land mass in the world, and lesser known European ports, such as Sanary-sur-Mer in Provence, France, the Greek Cyclades islands of Milos and Tinos, and new Caribbean and South American destinations including three of the British Virgin Islands, the Pearl islands in the Gulf of Panama and the Coco Islands off Costa Rica.

New exotic islands:-

In spring 2010, Star Flyer makes the 34-night voyage from Papeete in Tahiti to the Mediterranean, calling at Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva, two of the twelve volcanic islands that make up the Marquesas Islands, the furthest islands from any land mass in the world, 853 miles off the north east coast of Tahiti.

Continuing through the Panama Canal during the same voyage, Star Flyer makes calls at the Cocos Islands, off the coast of Costa Rica, and the Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama.

New European ports

From May 2010 new seven-night, western Mediterranean itineraries on board Star Flyer from Monte Carlo include yachting favourites St. Tropez, Portofino and Portoferraio (Elba), as well as new ports such as Sanary-sur-Mer, France, and Lerici, Italy.

In the eastern Mediterranean, new itineraries through Greek and Turkish waters in July and August will include off-the-beaten-track sailing destinations along the Turkish coast such as Olympus, Antalya, Kemer, Kekova, Fethiye, Gocek and Marmaris, while in Greece the ship calls at Kastellorizon, Simi, Amorgos and Elafonisos for the first time.

Royal Clipper, the company’s flagship, will sail a 12-night cruise from Malaga to Civitavecchia (for Rome) in April 2010 introducing the glamorous yacht marina of Puerto Banus.

After a summer sailing round trip from Civitavecchia or between Civitavecchia and Venice, the ship repositions to the Caribbean via a maiden call at Essaouira, Morocco.

New Costa Rica itineraries

From November 2010 the four-masted Star Flyer will operate two seven-day, round-trip itineraries from Puerto Caldera on the west coast of Costa Rica.

The first itinerary calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; and Cuajiniquil, Playas del Coco/Flamingo, Puerto Carrillo and Islas Torguas, Costa Roca.

The second itinerary calls at Isla Coiba, Panama; and Golfito, Isla del Cano/Drake’s Bay, Quepos and Islas Tortugas, Costa Rica.

Each itinerary includes a day at sea to enjoy the experience of sailing on board a true tall ship.

BVI in 2011

For the first time Star Clippers has added new sailing for guests to cruise the British Virgin Islands with port calls that include Norman Island, reputedly the inspiration for `Treasure Island’, the yachting centre of Tortola, the `barefoot island’ Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, the third largest island in the BVI.

The new itineraries represent a total of 40 new destinations and maiden ports, among the most exciting and least featured sailing destinations for any commercial cruising operation, largely due to the ships’ relatively small size.

Commenting on the new itineraries, passionate yachtsman Mikael Krafft, owner and president of Star Clippers, said

“We wanted to freshen up our itineraries so that both our loyal past guests and new Star Clippers cruisers would have exciting reasons to select a Star Clippers sailing adventure in 2010.

I’m introducing our guests to more of my favourite ports; places I have been fortunate enough to visit while sailing with my family, and these maiden calls truly are spectacular.”

French holiday parc specialist Siblu Holidays (www.siblu.com , 0871 911 7777) has launched its own on-parc EuroVoucher currency so families can cast aside worries about exchange rates and holiday costs and fix the value of their holiday spending money at 1.25€ to £1.

EuroVoucher is commission and charge free so families know that every penny they change is going towards their holiday money, rather than to the administration costs of a typical exchange service.

If holidaymakers still have EuroVouchers in their wallet at the end of their break, Siblu will swap back their pounds for no cost and at the same rate of 1.25€ to £1, so customers get their hard earned cash returned in full.

Siblu’s exchange rate smashes the tariffs of traditional online and offline services, which are currently trading at around 1.07€ to £1. EuroVouchers are available in 5€ denominations and can be bought with holidays booked through Siblu in January 2010.

EuroVoucher’s fixed exchange rate guarantees a family changing £200 will receive 250€ of vouchers, compared to around 216€ from the Post Office, Thomas Cook or Travelex and just 205€ for exchanges completed at the airport*.

EuroVouchers can be used in the restaurants, bars, shops and with activities at 11 Siblu parcs across France, in destinations from Normandy to the Cote d’Azur.

Siblu holiday parcs offer the freedom of the great French outdoors within a safe and friendly environment. They mix the thrills and frills of pools and waterslides, kid’s clubs and sports, with a peaceful haven of countryside, croissants and petanque.

To find out more visit www.siblu.com/vouchers  or call 0871 911 7777.

Siblu has owned holiday parcs in France for more than 30 years in a dazzling choice of locations including Brittany, the Vendée, Charente Maritime and Aquitaine.

*Data taken from postoffice.co.uk, travelex.com , thomascook.com  and www.moneycorp.com

MSC Cruises’ has reduced air fares to seven-night cruises throughout the Mediterranean by MSC Magnifica, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia and MSC Musica.

Airfare prices start at $369.

Cruises can be combined with air only or air and hotel. Flights depart from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. Overnight hotel stays are recommended due to cruise arrival times and can be booked through MSC Cruises.

Among the eligible itineraries is MSC Magnifica’s “Turkish Treasures and Croatian Coasts” cruise from Venice, calling in Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Cruise fares start at $749, and air fares start at $369 plus $393.94 in taxes per person.

MSC Splendida’s “The Splendid Mediterranean” cruise departs from Genoa and Rome, and calls at Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia; Valletta, Malta; Messina (Taormina), Sicily, Italy; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. From Genoa, the cruise is priced from $799 and air fare is from $369 plus $391.23 in taxes.

From Rome, the cruise starts at $899 while air fare starts at $390 plus $359.31 in taxes.

The MSC Fantasia’s “Mediterranean Fantasy” itinerary departs both Genoa and Barcelona and visits Naples and Palermo, Italy. From Genoa, cruise rates start at $899 and air fare is from $369 plus $391.23 in taxes. From Barcelona, the cruise is priced from $899 and air fare is from $435 plus $382.69 taxes.

MSC Musica’s “Greek Islands in the Sun” cruise from Venice calls in Bari, Italy; Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus/Athens, and Corfu, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The cruise is priced from $1,049 while air fare starts at $480 plus $393.94 in taxes.

AMA Waterways is installing a new complimentary information and entertainment experience on its ships on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Mosel rivers in Europe. The new infotainment system includes enhanced Internet connectivity via newly installed 3G high-speed service.

The new system will result in fewer interruptions due to location, bridges and weather. Internet service is available via 3G signal, and will include convenient Wi-Fi access throughout the ship.

The system will feature a complimentary video-on-demand system featuring movies from Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount and Sony in staterooms.

A regularly changing selection of classic films will also be available as will television travel programs from Rick Steves and Samantha Brown, chosen to coincide with the cruise itinerary.

The new system will offer more broadcast television options, special interest channels, and music in different styles and genres.

In addition, the TV screen can be turned into a computer screen using a remote control, allowing passengers to surf the Internet via Microsoft Internet Explorer, send emails, post blogs, and create documents using word processing or spreadsheet programs. Passengers also will be able to view their bills through the system.

Guests will be able to print boarding passes on a dedicated guest laser printer in the Aft Lounge.

Also, a broadcasted Google map will trace the route of the ship. However, the company said not all features are currently available on every ship.

“Today’s travelers expect a full array of Internet and entertainment options and do not want to pay extra for them,” said AMA Waterways President Rudi Schreiner.

For more information, call 800-626-0126 or visit www.amawaterways.com

Windstar Cruises is offering new Mediterranean shore excursions for 2010.

From April through November, Windstar ships sail seven-day Mediterranean voyages departing Lisbon, Portugal; Barcelona, Spain; Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; Nice, France; Venice, Italy; and Istanbul, Turkey.

The shore excursion program features 180 air, land and sea adventures, cultural and historical experiences, food and wine tours, and walking and hiking journeys.

New shore excursions for 2010 include wine tasting in Patrimonio from Bastia, Corsica;

a visit to Carthaginian and Roman ruins, baths and their mosaics from Cagliari, Sardinia;

a speed-boat cruise to Vis and Bisevo Islands from Hvar, Croatia;

an orientation tour in Istanbul (post-cruise for guests staying overnight);

and a walking tour of a medieval Provençal village.

Windstar also offers 33 Concierge Collection excursions in Croatia, France, Monaco, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey.

Due to the intimate style of these excursions, they are limited to small parties. New Concierge Collection excursions include a chance to drive a Ferrari F430 Spider F1 along the legendary Mille Miglia from Rome; a painting lesson with a well-known Croatian watercolorist, Antonia Ruskovic; a bike ride on Lucca’s city walls; and sailing to the volcanic crater islands of Caldera Lake from Santorini, Greece.

In Istanbul, Windstar offers pre- and post-cruise packages that include hotel accommodations, tours, select meals and transfers.

Windstar also offers Cappadocia five-night pre- and post-cruise packages that include hotel accommodations, tours in Istanbul and Cappadocia, select meals, flight to Cappadocia, yacht cruise along the Bosphorus Strait and transfers.

Windstar’s shore excursions and Concierge Collection excursions can be booked in advance at the banner above.

Pre- and post-cruise packages in Istanbul and Cappadocia can be booked through Windstar Cruises reservations at 800-258-7245.

Avalon Waterways on March 27 will christen the Avalon Felicity in Volendam, the Netherlands. Measha Brueggergosman, a Canadian soprano who performed at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics, will serve as godmother.

“Felicity, by definition, means happiness,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “We couldn’t think of a more appropriate godmother for this ship. Measha’s performances evoke happiness for all who are lucky enough to hear her.”

The Avalon Felicity will be the company’s 10th new ship in Europe since 2004.

It will set sail on an inaugural “Romantic Rhine” cruise and operate that itinerary through the end of 2010.

Arriving from the Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland, the delivery of the Avalon Felicity is less than one year after the inaugural cruises of sister ships Avalon Affinity and Avalon Creativity.

“Our ships are modern in design, showcasing contemporary appointments and state-of-the art technology,” Clark said.

“They also house the largest staterooms available. All staterooms measure 172 square feet, and 90 percent boast floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors, while our Junior Suites are a spacious 258 square feet.”

The Avalon Felicity features 65 staterooms and four Junior Suites. Other amenities and features on the Felicity include flat-screen televisions, large closets, two twin beds convertible to one queen, Egyptian cotton linens, mini bar, safe, laundry and ironing services, fitness room, library, hair salon, gift shop, club lounge and Jacuzzi pool on the Sky Deck.

Open-air dining is also available at lunch each day in the Sky Deck grill.

For more information, call 800-221-0090 or visit www.avalonwaterways.com

Book Now for Luxury Summer Villas in Europe and Caribbean. Great Early Booking Offers Already Available for 2010 at Paradizo.com

Spectacular properties are still available for guests seeking the ultimate 2010 summer holiday. Now, it’s time to reserve as there are great early booking offers already available for 2010 villa rentals in prime locations.

Villa Acacia is a fabulous Koh Samui villa to rent on Mae Nam Beach designed around a central garden area with a tropical pond.Mae Nam Beach Front Villa

Beachfront Villa within Miskawaan Estate, an exclusive collection of 8 sophisticated and luxurious beachfront villas each with their own private pool and staff of 3.Hurakia Lodge – Rakino Island Retreat

Hurakia is an exclusive use villa on Rakino Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. A luxuriously secluded escape, accessible only by helicopter or boat.

BARCELONA, SPAIN, — In-the-know travelers are starting to book luxury villas for their 2010 summer vacations. One-stop luxury travel resource Paradizo.com has partnered with the top rental agencies offering the very best villa rentals around the world, from beachfront villas with access to a tropical beach to magnificent villas with a pool in the living room.

According to many industry insiders, the vacation rental market is on the rise. Lodging industry expert Glenn Haussman recently reported on the “explosive growth” of vacation rentals in recent years.

Spectacular properties are still available for guests seeking the ultimate 2010 summer holiday. Now, it’s time to reserve as some of the most desirable villas are already fully booked.

“The popular summer months are booking fast for 2010, with 25% of properties already booked-up for next summer. So those dreaming of spending their next holiday in a beautiful 400-year-old ‘finca’ or living the life of Riley in a newly-built, stylish mansion, need to book early!” said Paradizo’s partner Mallorca Farmhouses.

Group bookings are on the rise for holiday homes large enough to share a fantastic vacation with family and friends.

Many of even the most lavish vacation rental properties offer prices that, when divided among a group of 10 or 12, can cost less than or equal to a traditional hotel room.

More often than not, luxury villa rentals also come with 5-star services like a private chef, concierge or guest manager.

If you require additional services, the Paradizo Team can help you find the highest quality service providers, personal chefs, helicopter and jet charters or limousine services.

Reflecting the current economic setting, many luxury travel professionals commented on new bargains, noting that travelers are looking for ways to save money. It’s expected that value for price will be the top priority in 2010.

“There are great early booking offers already available for 2010 villa rentals in prime locations,” said Ollivier Jacq, Paradizo’s founder. Many luxury villa brokers are offering early-bird “Stay for 7, Pay for 5″ packages that include special extras.

Where are trendy travelers headed? Industry experts foresee Europe enjoying a rebound for the jet set crowd. It’s a safe bet for the more conservative traveler but also offers new hotspots like Sardinia and Croatia. There’s also renewed interest in old favorites like Ibiza, Provence, Tuscany and Mykonos in Europe and Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and St. Barts in the Caribbean.

Paradizo.com is a new online resource for luxury vacations. Its main objective is to provide discerning travelers with the tools necessary to create memorable and personalized luxury vacation experiences. It provides only the highest quality of vacation services: villa rentals, private islands, yacht and jet charters, concierge services and other luxury travel collections. Paradizo is not a travel broker or agent. The travel technology company aims to make dreams come true for Paradizo members and to create business for its esteemed partners.

Visit http://paradizo.com