Jetsettersblog

Encompasses Four Corners of Central Europe

Tour Itinerary Showcases Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic
To Reveal Secrets of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, – European travel company Pure Adventures (http://pure-adventures.com/), a division of Discover France Adventures (http://www.discoverfrance.com), announces new “4 Corners of Central Europe” 8-day self-guided cycling tours revealing Old Europe that was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the Hapsburg dynasty.

Cyclists exploring at their own pace the intersections of Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic are armed with maps, lodging, breakfast daily, luggage transfers, local emergency support, cell phone rental (for local calls only), orientation, riding routes and cue sheets, suggestions for visitation and dining, bike delivery, pickup, fitting, and fully equipped bicycle rental for the duration with GPS device for navigation (one per group or couple).

The self-guided per person double occupancy rate is 1290 Euros; a single supplement is 350 Euros. For those more comfortable with a guide, special escorted tour departures are July 15-20 and Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2012. Custom guided tours can be arranged for a minimum of four guests. The price is slightly higher per person at 1940 Euros based on double occupancy, inclusive of everything on the self-guided program plus a guide, support van, and some guided visits at selected sites. See: http://pure-adventures.com/tours/central-europe-cycling.php

“These four countries represent some of the best historic cycling in Central Europe,” said Loren Siekman, Discover France director, who added that mornings may reveal a UNESCO heritage site with time in the afternoon for a castle visit or winery.

Accommodations are three-star guest houses and small hotels. Some meals are taken in the hotel or just a short walk away. Accommodations include a private bathroom and a variety of other amenities. Local guides and experts are available by phone to assist during a self-guided trip with any kind of emergency and breakdown (except flats). Maps provided are accurate, topographical maps by national map publishers such as the Czech Tourist Club (Czech Republic) and VKU Harmanec (Slovakia). The scales of all maps are 1:50 000 or 1:75 000.

Travel includes the Lednice-Valtice area, a composed landscape created by the Liechtenstein family, dotted with follies, ponds and chateaux. The powerful Esterhazy family settled in Austria’s Eisenstadt and Hungary’s Fertöd where they employed the famous composer Joseph Haydn. Lake Neusiedl is a highlight in the lowlands of Burgenland, ideal for leisurely biking, birdwatching and refreshing swims. This tour, with the exquisite wines of Burgenland and the hearty cuisine of Hungary, blends easy cycling with a mix of architecture and nature preserves.

About Pure Adventures
Pure Adventures http://pure-adventures.com/ is an outgrowth of the success of Discover France Adventures, in its 18th year in 2012. Discover France Adventures has been organizing bicycle tours and hiking tours in France since 1994 and has offices in the US and France. Discover France is a pioneer in bringing self guided cycling and hiking and now multisport adventures to a broader market outside of Europe. Discover France Adventures and Pure Adventures award-winning tours are “competitively priced yet high quality with substantial support,” reports Loren Siekman, Discover France director, “a unique combination that makes a Europe adventure more easily accessible to more people.”

Visit http://www.discoverfrance.com  and http://pure-adventures.com / for all the details or contact them by phone at 800.960.2221 or by email at info@pure-adventures.com

Open all year round La Plagne’s brand new swimming pool and SPA complex ‘l’Espace Paradisio will have the most amazing selection of activities and relaxation facilities for the whole family to enjoy. Winner of the Famille Plus award ‘l’Espace Paradisio provides affordable leisure activities and a ‘family friendly’ environment. Boasting a phenomenal view of the slopes, this resort makes for a perfect getaway with plenty of fun and games for the children too.

After an intense day on the slopes you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be returning to Turkish baths, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, a Jacuzzi and much more.

Inside Facilities: 340m2 (Available until September)
- A 70 m2 spa pool
- Turkish baths, sauna, infra-red treatment rooms, cold plunge pool and Jacuzzi
- A play area for children
- A health and beauty clinic with a full array of treatments including massage and facials. (Combi prices from 30€)

Outside Facilities: (Available from June)
- A 280 m2 fun pool
- 3 fun slides (20m long)
- Splashpad (aquatic games)

Fitness Classes all year round:
Aquafitness and aquabiking

To find out more visit www.la-plagne.com

France Cruises is offering complimentary pre- and post-cruise land tours when customers purchase a cruise and two-night stay in a hotel of their choice. Available for any departure day, the full-day tours showcase the region’s highlights.

France Cruises’ “Hotel & Tour” offer includes 29 excursions in eight cities. Among them are 11th century medieval castles in Carcassonne, a wine-making lesson in Bordeaux and dining at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Additionally, guests can choose their hotel, or select from the cruise company’s sample list of recommendations, which range from traditional boutique hotels to deluxe chateaux and historic country inns.

The promotion is valid for new bookings only, and is subject to availability. A two-night minimum stay in the hotel is required for full-day excursions; however, a one-night stay may allow for a half-day excursion if available.

Paris’ Hotel Fouquet’s Barrière is offering two new high-end packages for guests seeking a beach-city experience and a golfing-city experience. With the “Fly Me to Deauville” offer, the property gives guests a chance to get away from Paris for day by flying them in a private helicopter to picnic on the beach in Deauville.

The one-day “Fly me to Deauville” offer includes: roundtrip car between the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière and the Paris heliport; a roundtrip 45-minute helicopter flight between Paris and Deauville; a “luxury” picnic on the beach prepared by Jean-Yves Leuranguer, the hotel’s chef, or a lunch at the Hôtel Normandy Barrière Bar, as well as one night in a room or suite at the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière, including breakfast and a VIP welcome. The offer, valid from through Dec. 26, 2012, is priced from 5,070 euros ($6,670) in an executive room. Other categories of suites are available on request.

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere also is offering guests the opportunity to learn golf from one of France’s most renowned golfers, Jean-François Remésy, with the new Ultimate Golf Experience package. Remésy, a two-time winner of the French Open, will train guests for two days on the Le Golf National course (where the 2018 Ryder Cup will take place) and another course of choice. With this package, guests will also dine with Remésy one evening at Le Fouquet’s.

The Ultimate Golf Experience includes two nights’ accommodation in a deluxe junior suite; breakfast each morning; welcome VIP gift; golf session with Remésy, including training, long game, short game, and video analysis (equipment provided); two rounds of golf with Remésy, one at Le Golf National course and another at a course of choice (within Paris); lunch at the Club House (at Le Golf National); dinner at Le Fouquet’s with Remésy; roundtrip transfers to and from golf courses and airport. The package is priced from 3,850 euros ($5,385) per night, is based on double occupancy, and is valid through Nov. 30, 2012. Additional nights can be added for an extra charge. For more information, call 011-33-(0)1-40-69-60-40 or email reservationsfouquets@lucienbarriere.com

Quality Villas presents a stunning hacienda style villa within 10 miles of St Tropez, owned by famed interior designer Linda Barker – replete with her trademark cool and sophisticated style.

2011 saw a boom for Quality Villas in the St Tropez region. With bookings already up 25% on 2011, this family owned company urges customers to book fast to secure their favourite house. With its first 9 week booking for St Tropez, this region looks on course to continue the 2011 trend.

Margaret Rees, owner of Quality Villas says ” LInda Barker has chosen a villa in a fabulous location. St Tropez itself and the allure of the coast is well known, but what people don’t tend to know until their first visit to the area is that hilltop villages and stunning forests add to the backdrop of this dazzling town – vineyards aplenty.. and Villa Libellule is in the middle of this region.”

Linda Barker has created a cool oasis in the heart of this region – oversized moroccan lamps surround the riad-style courtyard swimming pool, crisp linens, a hint of stylish shabby chic mixed with influences from local antique markets, wow pieces such as the enormous chandeliers – and a sunset deck with stunning views of the valley below- ideal for an aperitif or yoga!

http://www.qualityvillas.com/st-tropez-var/la-mole/villa-libellule

6 ensuite bedrooms, sleeping 12
£6465 – £11695 per week

For more villas in this region as well as the rest of France, visit www.qualityvillas.com.

To book a Quality Villas please contact:
Quality Villas Italy, France, Morocco, Ski
www.qualityvillas.com
01442 870 055
info@qualityvillas.com

The Quality portfolio:

Quality Unearthed
Unique, Boutique abodes
www.qualityunearthed.com
01348 830 922
info@qualityunearthed.co.uk

Quality Cottages Wales
www.qualitycottages.com
01348 837 871
reserve@qualitycottages.co.uk

Treat Your Valentine This 14 February

From a night in the lovers’ city of Paris to a romantic break in the Lake District or even a five course dinner on the sister train to the Orient Express – why not treat your Valentine this 14 February? Short break specialist, Superbreak (www.superbreak.com) has a range of ideas to suit all Valentines, including a Eurostar short break to Paris for under £100, offering great value!

Paris Valentines Break – £99pp – Depart St Pancras International for a one night break in Paris on 14 February. Priced from £99 per person to include accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis at the two star Timhotel Nation Hotel and return Eurostar travel from London St Pancras. Book by 31 January. Based on two sharing. http://www.superbreak.com/travel/eurostar-breaks

Valentine’s Day Dinner – £195pp – Superbreak is now offering day trips on the sister trains to the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the British Pullman and Northern Belle. On 14 February, depart on the Northern Belle from Manchester or Liverpool for a round-trip into the countryside whilst dining in style. The price includes five-course dinner, champagne and half a bottle of wine per person.

Lake District Valentines Weekend Break – £109pp – Built in 1650 as a coaching inn, the three star Macdonald Swan Hotel in Grasmere is one of the oldest hotels in the Lake District. With view across the Fells and access to several challenging trails, this cosy hotel is a great choice for a romantic couple of days. A two night stay costs from £109 per person including breakfast and a FREE dinner on the first night. Valid for arrivals on 10, 11 and 12 February and based on two sharing.

Ghost The Musical Theatrebreak – £181.50pp – Treat your loved one to the enduring love story of Mollie and Sam in Ghost the Musical in London’s West End. A package is priced from £181.50 per person to include one night at the three star St Giles Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis with an evening ticket to see the show. Valid for 14 February and based on two sharing.

Harrogate Valentines Weekend Break -£85pp – Why not enjoy the romance of one of the prettiest towns in Yorkshire country with a Valentine’s break in Harrogate. A Valentines package staying at the three star Yorkshire Hotel is priced from £85 per person including two night’s bed and breakfast accommodation with FREE dinner on the first night. Based on two sharing and valid for arrivals 10, 11, and 12 February.

For more information and bookings call Superbreak 0871 222 3055 or visit www.superbreak.com

If Midnight in Paris gets your vote for best movie of the year, here’s a package made for you. TourCrafters’ Spring Break in Paris and Nice package not only gives you three nights in the City of Light, but also three nights on the exciting French Riviera—all for the amazing starting price of $665 until March 31.

Included in the land-only price are three nights’ accommodation in the All Seasons Paris Bercy, three nights at the Mercure Marché aux Fleurs in Nice, daily buffet breakfast, a Cityrama tour of Paris and a ticket on the super-fast TGV train to Nice. Transatlantic air fare is not included. You can use frequent flyer miles or ask TourCrafters’ reservationists for the lowest round-trip fare to France.

The 3-star All Seasons Paris Bercy is a modern, comfortable hotel with a large terrace overlooking Bercy Park. It is close to a metro station and the Gare de Lyon railway station. The Hotel Mercure Marché aux Fleurs, also 3 stars, is just across the street from the beach and Mediterranean Sea and close to the fabulous Cours Saleya flower and food market, the Old Town and lots of restaurants and nightlife. (Note that the hotel does not have an elevator.)

The price quoted is subject to availability and is per person, double occupancy, though triple and even quadruple rooms are available. For additional information on this and other Spring Break packages to Italy, Spain and Turkey, visit www.tourcrafters.it  and click “Deal of the Week.” For reservations, call 800-482-5995.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, which announced a new Ghana property last year, will manage its first hotel in the French capital, currently branded as Courtyard by Marriott Paris Neuilly, from January 2013. The hotel management deal is a significant milestone for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts as it marks the 100th hotel that will be managed by the company, including existing properties and those under development.

The hotel is situated on Boulevard Victor Hugo in Neuilly. A multimillion-euro renovation of the hotel is scheduled to take place next year increasing the number of rooms to 282, including 29 suites. All rooms and bathrooms will enjoy a complete remodeling. The hotel will continue to be open throughout the floor-by-floor renovation with minimal disruption and the makeover will be finished in 2014.

The renovation follows a recent revitalization of many of the public areas in the hotel, including the brasserie, 58 Bar & Lounge and the lobby. During next year’s renovation, the porte cochère will be also modernized. In addition to these remodeled features, the hotel enjoys a fitness center, underground parking for 180 cars and a secluded garden in addition to 20 meeting rooms offering a total space of 1,100 square meters. The hotel will be an addition to the company’s portfolio of currently 21 properties in Europe, following the spring opening of the Mövenpick Hotel Ankara.

Club Med, the all-inclusive brand with more than 80 resorts worldwide, Med Global Escapes, allowing guests to discover their dream destination while enjoying a Club Med all-inclusive vacation.

Global Escapes must be booked from Jan. 30-March 5, 2012 for travel through April 27, 2012 for European destinations and travel through Oct. 26, 2012 for South American and Asian destinations.

Travelers can experience Club Med’s ski resorts, including 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. 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 a private butler and personal chef.

Guests also can choose to visit a resort in South America such as Rio Das Pedras or an Asian resort such as Bali or Kabira Beach.

Club Med resorts provide the ideal getaway with activities to suit all interests from water sports and cooking demonstrations to spa treatments and flying trapeze lessons.

Each resort is infused with the local culture – with every resort’s design, cuisine and ambiance indigenous to its surroundings.

For more information or to make a reservation, click the banner above.

Marriott International plans to open the first new hotel to join the AC Hotels by Marriott portfolio since the launch of the joint venture and new co-brand last year. Joining over 80 existing AC Hotels by Marriott throughout Spain, Italy and Portugal, the 143-room Elysee Palace Hotel in Nice will be rebranded AC Hotel Nice following an extensive renovation. The hotel is expected to open in early 2013 under a management agreement with SNC Hoche Promotion.