Jetsettersblog

Viking River Cruises is happy to announce its Early Booking Discounts for the 2009 sailing season has been extended and now expires on the 31st of October. Valid for cruises in Europe, Russia and China and now also including sailings on the newly renovated Viking Surkov in Russia and their ‘Roof of the World’ itinerary, a 16 day adventure exploring the imperial treasures of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, 6 day Yangtze cruise as well as the Tibetan plateau known as ‘the roof of the world’.

The Grand European Tour, the iconic Amsterdam to Budapest cruise, from Holland’s windmill studded tulip fields to Germany’s fairytale castles, from the engineering marvel of the Main & Danube Canal to the picturesque vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley, this epic voyage presents the highlights of Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Starting from $5,799 per person in a category B deluxe stateroom, now offered with a saving of $1,250! Book and pay in full by 31 October and all you pay is $4,549 per person for an all-inclusive 15 day cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in a deluxe category B stateroom or higher.

Viking River Cruises award winning 12 day Yangtze cruise, Imperial Jewels of China, exploring cosmopolitan Shanghai and the historic imperial treasures of Beijing such as the Forbidden city, the Great Wall and famed Summer Palace combined with a cruise between Wuhan and Chongqing through the wildly beautiful Three Gorges and Lesser Gorges is also now offered at a discount. Save up to $750 per person in a deluxe category B stateroom or higher, now starting from $2,749 per person including the fantastic discount.

Grand European Tour, 15 days, Amsterdam to Budapest &
Eastern European Odyssey, 16 days, Bucharest to Nuremberg
For stateroom category B or higher - save $1250 per person
For stateroom category C or lower - save $500 per person

Treasure of the Rhine, 15 days, Switzerland to Belgium
Portraits of Southern France, 8 days, Chalon-sur-Saone to Avignon
Rhine Getaway, 8 days, Amsterdam to Basel
Romantic Danube, 8 days, Budapest to Nuremberg
Cities of Light, 12 days, Paris to Prague
Elegant Elbe, 12 days, Berlin to Prague
Paris and the heart of Normandy, 8 days, Paris to Le Havre
Tulips & Windmills, 10 days, Amsterdam to Amsterdam
Danube Holiday Delight, 8 days, Passau to Vienna
Danube Explorer, 8 days, Vienna to Nuremberg
China’s Cultural Delights, 17 days, Beijing to Shanghai
Imperial Jewels of China, 12 days, Shanghai to Beijing
Roof of the World, 16 days, Beijing to Shanghai
For stateroom category B or higher - save $750 per person
For stateroom category C or lower - save $500 per person

Waterways of the Czars, 13 days, St Petersburg to Moscow
Russian Rhapsody, 16 days, St Petersburg to Moscow
Footsteps of the Cossacks, 11 or 12 days, Kiev to Odessa
For all stateroom categories - save $500 per person
EBD discount for Viking Surkov is $350 per person, all categories.

For Terms & conditions please visit www.vikingrivercruises.com . All prices are listed in Australian dollars. Book and pay in full by 31 October 2008 and valid on 2009 sailings only.

For bookings and enquiries please contact your local travel agent or Viking at:
Australia:? Australia@vikingrivercruises.com or toll free number: 1800 829 138
New Zealand:? Newzealand@vikingrivercruises.com?or toll free number: 0800 447 913

About Viking River Cruises is the leading river cruise line in the world, operating the world’s largest fleet of 22 deluxe vessels built specifically for river travel providing unique, deluxe vacations. All 22 vessels are fully owned by Viking River Cruises and operated by Viking River Cruises own Swiss hotel management and staff. Viking River Cruises is a member of International Cruise Council Australasia.

For more information and all details on Viking River Cruises product, service, please go to www.vikingrivercruises.com or contact Teresia Fors, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, +61 405 644 550 or teresiafors@vikingrivercruises.com

Hungary is not only famous for its wine, but also ?Palinka? and sausage. Put these two delicacies together and arrive at the Budavar Palinka and Sausage Festival in Buda Castle (October 10-12, 2008). The event is an excellent opportunity to experience the Hungarian traditional fruit brandy and sausages, and learn about centuries old customs and recipes.

If you missed the Palinka and Sausage Festival, there is still an opportunity for you to catch up on Hungarian delicacies during the yearly Christmas Market (November 21- December 29). The aroma of mulled wine, cinnamon and cloves is irresistible, as is the hot chimney cake cooking over an open fire. This is the place to be for a one of a kind Christmas present from the arts and crafts stalls.

Where to stay:

There is a new boutique hotel in the heart of Budapest. The Soho Hotel is conveniently located in the bustling city center and is easily accessible by public transportation. 74 modern rooms and the stylish Soho Bar and gourmet restaurant await guests visiting Budapest either for pleasure or business.

www.sohoboutiquehotel.com

Europcar - Prius - final.docWorkers and residents in and around London can now escape the city whilst saving fuel, congestion charge costs and their conscience with the availability of the Toyota Prius from Europcar. The UK?s leading vehicle rental organisation is now offering the Prius, the world?s first and most successful hybrid power vehicle, from all of its London locations.

Driving pleasure, comfort and space haven?t been sacrificed to provide an eco-car. Instead the Prius combines style and superb handling with state of the art technology needed in these environmentally conscious times.

The fleet of vehicles are exempt from the London Congestion Charge and can be driven certain distances using electric power only at the press of a button. This means zero emissions, less noise and better fuel economy ? perfect for city and country driving alike.

?The availability of the Prius provides customers with an opportunity to put the hybrid to the test following news that Toyota aims to sell at least 1 million hybrid vehicles annually in the early part of the next decade.? said Catriona Lougher, Marketing Director for Europcar.

?Renting a car with Europcar is already a green choice as all our vehicles are on average just 3 months old and fitted with the latest technology to cut emissions. The average CO2 emission of our fleet is 157 g/km compared to the UK car parc of 164.9 g/km*. However, by making the Prius available we are bringing our customers a new way to drive greener that will also help them cut costs in terms of fuel and congestion charges. It?s all part of our commitment to exploit new manufacturer developments to bring customers the latest models to hit the road and a great rental experience.?

*Source SMMT 2007 report.

Reservations Phone: 1-800-626-0126Website: www.amawaterways.com

The Large and Luxurious Ship In Europe Offers Guests The Best In Service, Facilities, Amenities and More

MSC - sailing in fantasy with MSC Fantasia _Chi_ .pdfRaising the bar for the industry and setting a new standard in cruising, the MSC Fantasia will be christened on December 18, setting sail as the largest cruise ship ever built for a European operator. At 333 metres long, 38 metres wide and nearly 60 metres tall, the MSC Fantasia has ? even before its launch ? established itself as a pioneer in luxury cruise ship holidays.

Offering guests a staggering 27,000 square metres of public space with a host of choices for dining, relaxing, exercising and amusement, the ship?s offerings include: the Aurea SPA, 5 gourmet restaurants, 4 swimming pools, 1 with sliding glass roof, 12 state-of-the-art hydro-massage pools, shops, 20 bars, wine bar, coffee bar, a specially designed children?s area with the ?water slide?, a Formula 1 simulator, a casino, and an interactive 4-D cinema.

A special addition to MSC Fantasia, this breathtaking ship will be the first to feature an exclusive, ultra-luxury VIP area, the MSC Yacht Club, which will offer discerning international travellers a choice of 99 spacious suites, a bar just for VIP guests, a skydome swimming pool, 2 hydro-massage pools and a dedicated observation lounge with a full-service bar. And, while relaxing in the impeccably designed VIP lounges or in the magnificent suites, VIP guests have access to a 24-hour butler service. The MSC Yacht Club has one mission: to delight its guests.

The care and attention to detail that the 1,325 crew members take to ensure that all 3,959 passengers enjoy a fabulous cruising experience is what sets MSC apart. Key to this is a corporate culture in which the beauty and joy found at sea are secured for years to come. In line with its efforts to implement sustainable programmes to safeguard the environment, the MSC Fantasia has been built with the most innovative, energy saving systems, water treatment programs, and the collection of recyclable goods like aluminium drink cans. Having won awards from a number of prestigious international bodies for its eco-conscious efforts, guests on the MSC Fantasia will know not only are they travelling in style, but they are also travelling green.

The health of the environment and of all guests is paramount to MSC, and the Aurea SPA, one of the world?s largest floating spas, has been designed to ensure the ultimate in relaxation and well-being. This authentic Balinese wellness centre will offer innovative treatments ranging from massages and body treatments, reflexology and lava stones, as well as uniquely-designed anti-ageing and muscular treatments performed by highly trained specialists. The 1,500 square metres of the Aurea SPA are divided into several areas: the Thalassotherapy Room, the Thermal Area, the Gymnasium, and the Relaxation Area.

With unparalleled size, never before seen luxury offerings, and some of the most unique spaces for total relaxation and indulgence, the MSC Fantasia marks a new era of cruising, and a revolutionary opportunity for holidays.

After MSC Fantasia comes into service this December, its sister MSC Splendida, which is also the largest fleets by European ship owner, will be christened next spring.

CIE Tours International launched its largest-ever vacation program, Ireland and Britain, with Italy and Eastern Europe 2009, in a new 108-page brochure, with a total of 55 different vacations including nine brand new escorted tours and new independent vacations.

The 2009 program includes 24 escorted coach tours of Ireland, ranging in duration from six to 13 days, and including four new tours; eight escorted tours combining Ireland with Britain, ranging in duration from 10 to 15 days, and including one new tour; and four escorted tours of Britain, ranging in duration from six to 12 days.

In addition, there are four escorted tours of Italy, ranging in duration from eight to 14 days, and including two new tours and a new 16-day Italy/Ireland combination tour; an 11-day escorted tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest; and a selection of deluxe European River Cruises.

The program includes 10 types of independent vacations in Ireland, featuring the long-established go-as-you-please open voucher self-drives, as well as new programs for pre-booked Manor House Hotels, A La Carte Hotels, and West of Ireland hotels

. New for 2009 are independent Ireland self-drive vacations with itineraries that are designed to follow the routes of popular escorted tours, such as Irish Heritage, Irish Spirit, Irish Pub & Folk Tour, Irish Odyssey and Irish Supreme.

For flexibility, clients can mix and match some types of hotels with others or with B&Bs. In addition, there is a new self-drive tour of Scotland based on the route of the Scottish Dream tour route. The line-up also includes two city-based vacations — Viking Dublin and Victorian London, plus a six-day hosted Roman Experience independent vacation.

For more information, call 800-CIE-TOUR

or visit www.cietours.com

On your next visit to Hungary, be sure to stop at the centuries-old baths of Budapest for a relaxing dip in the thermal waters.

Choose from adventure pools with water slides to saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools.

Be sure to visit the most famous bath in Budapest, Szechenyi Bath, with a large open-air section of three pools as well as a sauna, steam bath and more.

To learn more about the baths of Budapest, visit www.spasbudapest.com

?

It?s a win, win, win situation. Book your ski holiday before 31st October and save ?100 per person off the brochure price. This offer is valid on all Snowline and VIP chalets in all resorts for the weeks of 4th/11th/18th January 2009 and 8th March 2009, plus Christmas week in Morzine (21st December 2008).

Snowline and VIP offer an extensive range of chalets in some of the most desirable ski resorts in the Alps. From chic contemporary apartments to substantial, detached properties, each chalet has its own individual charm and unique style. Many are ski in or out, most have hot tubs and all come with DVD libraries and board games for cosy evenings around the fire. Whether it?s for larger families or couples, there is a chalet to suit everyone.

The early bird definitely gets the worm and with Val d?Is?re, Zermatt and La Plagne all located at high altitudes, you are guaranteed snow throughout the season. It?s also guaranteed you?ll enjoy a warm stay and superb service; post piste spa treatments and massages, fine dining and all-day care for children by fully qualified and vetted nannies. So what are you waiting for?get ahead of the crowds and book now

Sample Saver Week Prices:

VIP (0844 557 3119; www.vip-chalets.com) offer 7 nights at Chalet Madrisah (sleeps Saver Week on 8 January 2009 at ?779 per person including return flights from London, transfers and accommodation on a catered basis.

Snowline (0844 557 3118; www.snowline.co.uk) ?offer 7 nights at Chalet Atilla (sleeps 14) Saver Week on 11 January 2009 at ?509 per person including return flights from London, transfers and accommodation on a catered basis.

Pierre Graff, chairman and CEO of A?roports de Paris, and Jean-Cyril Spinetta, chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM, inaugurated the new terminal 2G at Paris-Charles de Gaulle on Sept. 9, in the presence of Christine Lagarde, Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment of France. The decision to build Terminal 2G corresponded to two fundamental desires — AirFrance and its regional subsidiaries, Brit Air, City Jet and R?gional, wanted to consolidate their traffic in a single location, and A?roports de Paris wanted to increase its handling capacity to support the growth in traffic within the Schengen area.

The new terminal has more gate parking stands, improved connections for passengers and a new lane for aircraft to minimized taxiing time and save on fuel. It also has gate-parked aircraft, easier international connections, rapid baggage check-in system and simplified access, all designed to reduce operating costs. The new terminal is designed to handle the needs of disabled and reduced-mobility passengers, and has new services for business travelers.

Once terminal 2G enters into service, flights will be operated to the following 20 destinations: France: Clermont-Ferrand (Brit Air & R?gional), Limoges (Airlinair for Brit Air), Mulhouse-Basle (R?gional), Pau (R?gional), Rennes (Airlinair for Brit Air), Strasbourg (Brit Air);? Germany: Bremen (R?gional), Hanover (R?gional), Leipzig (R?gional), Munster (R?gional), Nuremberg (R?gional); Spain: Bilbao (Brit Air), Vigo (R?gional); Italy: Florence (City Jet), Genova (Brit Air), Pisa (Brit Air), Trieste (Brit Air), Verona (R?gional); Slovenia: Ljubljana (R?gional); and Sweden:

?Gothenburg (City Jet, R?gional). There is a 750-space parking lot adjacent to the terminal, 18 self-service check-in kiosks, 10 self-service transfer kiosks, 12 baggage drop-off points including one specially designed for reduced-mobility passengers, 8 customer information points including one specially designed for reduced-mobility passengers, 20 boarding gates and 12 disembarkation gates. The new terminal can handle about 70 flights per day.

For more information, visit www.aeroportsdeparis.fr