Jetsettersblog

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

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.

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.

Ski enthusiasts who also like to treat themselves to a relaxing après-ski treatment can book accommodation at one of Pierre & Vacances’ spa and ski residences in the French Alps, including a brand new spa for this winter. Prices for a week’s stay in a two-bedroom apartment with access to the spa start at £23 per person per night.

‘Deep Nature Spas’ by French marine brand Algotherm are offered as part of the Pierre & Vacances Premium brand in seven French ski resorts including Aime la Plagne, Arc 1800, Chamonix, Les Carroz D’Arâches, Les Menuires, Méribel Village and new spa for this winter in Arc 1950 alongside the Le Village district. Facilities offered include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, cardio fitness suites and relaxation studios.

Below are outlined a number of examples of Pierre & Vacances ski and spa accommodation. These are available for three, seven or 14 night stays and spa packages are pre-bookable. Further details and bookings can be made at www.pierreetvacances.co.uk  or 0870 0267 144

NEW! Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Le Village, Les Arcs 1950- £40 per person per night

A week’s stay in a three-bedroom apartment sleeping up to eight people from 4-11 March costs £2,229- that’s £40 per person per night.

Le Village is a Savoyard-style district offering eight Premium residences. The spacious, comfortable apartments all have a balcony or terrace overlooking the village or the mountain. The newly launched ‘Deep Nature Spa’ is located in the lower part of the resort and is designed in the style of a cave with walls made up of rock and timber. There are seven treatment rooms, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness suite, sensory shower and nail bar.

Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Les Hauts Bois, Aime-La-Plagne- £23 per person per night

A week’s stay in a two-bedroom apartment sleeping up to six people from 21-28 January costs £998- that’s £23 per person per night.

The ski in ski out residence lies in the heart of the vast Paradiski area and is just a stone’s throw away from the resort’s shopping centre. The apartments are decorated in the traditional Savoyard style and all guests have access to WiFi and the underground car park. The residences’ ‘Deep Nature Spa’ has a cardio-training room, indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms and treatment rooms.

Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Les Fermes de Méribel- £26 per person per night

A week’s stay in a two-bedroom apartment sleeping up to eight people from 17-24 March costs £1,452- that’s £26 per person per night.

The recently renovated Les Fermes de Méribel is set in the heart of Méribel Village, just 50 metres from the shops. Its six chalets made of wood and stone have ski in ski out facilities, a balcony or terrace, a bakery ordering service and a covered car park. The Algotherm Spa has a well being area with a steam room and sauna, a heated indoor pool, fitness room and lounge with fireplace.

Where better to spend the most romantic day of the year than in one of Champagne’s stunning Châteaux with a celebratory glass of fizz and a seven-course gourmet dinner. Specialist wine tour operator, Grape Escapes, is offering couples a two night Château break from 13-15 February with guided visits to the region’s top Champagne Houses and a lesson in Sabrage for just £446 per person.

Couples will be based in a four star Château in the heart of a Premier Cru Champagne-making village, near Reims. There will be no lack of bubbly over the three days with a Dom Perignon tour at Moët and Chandon visiting parts of the cellars, which are seldom seen by the public, and enjoying a flute of Champagne in a private reception room. A trip to a boutique Champagne producer will include an exciting lesson in the Napoleonic art of Sabrage, where the Champagne bottle is opened by a sabre.

On Valentine’s evening guests will be treated to an intimate seven-course dinner at the Château’s restaurant with a different variety of rosé Champagne for each course. There will be plenty of time for couples to relax in the Château’s Jacuzzi and indulgent treatments will be available to book at its spa.

The price of £446 per person is based on two people sharing a double room and includes return Eurotunnel crossings for a car and two passengers, two nights bed and breakfast in the Château with a gourmet seven course dinner at its restaurant, two guided Champagne House visits and a Sabrage lesson.

For those who can’t travel midweek, Grape Escapes is offering an alternative two-night Valentine’s trip from 10-12 February, with an exclusive offer of a third night for free. For £414 per person, the trip will include two (or three) nights accommodation at the Hotel de la Paix in Reims, guided, transported visits to one of Champagne’s most prestigious estates and a two smaller family run estates, a four course gourmet meal and return Folkestone to Calais Eurotunnel crossings for a car and two passengers. A romantic evening meal can be organised on the Saturday for a supplement.
Ends

About Grape Escapes
Grape Escapes is a specialist in travel to the premium European wine regions offering a selection of gourmet wine-tasting weekends in Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Loire, the Rhône, Alsace, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Piedmont and Tuscany. Catering for all food and wine lovers from the serious connoisseur to enthusiastic beginner, Grape Escapes’ small group tours average just 12 guests and blend tastings at prestigious Châteaux and Champagne houses with more intimate invitations as the guests of smaller family-run estates. Grape Escapes also offers longer tailor-made self-drive itineraries, private group tours for friends or social groups such as hen weekends and wine club trips.

3rd & 4th Feb 2012
Taking place on 3rd and 4th February in the Valley of Champagny en Vanoise (La Plagne). The 22m high tower welcomes the best climbers in the world from 29 nations to test their climbing skills and speed.

2nd World Cup ever in France
Having been off the international hosting scene for 10 years and since the Chamonix World Cup in 2001, Champagny en Vanoise is encouraging a come-back putting ice climbing firmly back on the French agenda to boost its international ranking. This move is timely as ice climbing is enjoying a surge in interest since being selected as one of the demonstration events for the 2014 Sochi Olympic games!

Under the aegis of the IUAA (International union of mountaineering associations), this competition is being organised by «Champagny Glace Montagne» (a Champagny-based mountaineering club), FFCAM (French federation of alpine and mountaineering clubs), Tourist Office and the OPGP (the promotions team at la Plagne).

2 events on the ice tower
The ice tower in the valley of Champagny le Haut will be the focal point of the competition. Until now the tower has been used for tourism and local events, but now the unique structure has been modified with the addition of 4 extensions in order to meet international standards. The tower has gained an extra 2 metres (!) and measures 24m on the longest route and contestants must face this new route in the finals of the ‘difficulty’ event.
2 events:

- «difficulty» : Competitors have a brief time to assess their route from the ground, then climb as high as possible up a wall of ever-increasing difficulty within the time limit (6 to 12 min).

- « speed » : Competitors climb a 16m route in as short a time as possible (average 12 to 13 sec)

EVENT DATES FOR 2012
Korea – 14 and 15/01
Switzerland – 20 and 21/01
France – 3 and 4/02
Romania – 10 and 11/02
Russia – 3 and 4/03
Russia – 8 and 10/03

Champagny en Vanoise will hold the 3rd of 6 events which take place in a short season of only 2 months.
Let’s hope the climbers are on top form for this event half-way through the season!!

PROGRAMME

Friday 3 February
Qualifiers «difficulty» + qualifiers and finals of «Speed»
Saturday 4 February
Semi-finals and finals of «difficulty»

70 men and 30 women from 29 nations
UK, USA, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, France, Italy, Korea, Czech Republic, Romania, Spain…

www.la-plagne.com