Jetsettersblog

New 5 star hotel for Belfast – is a real smasher!

THE fitzWILLIAM HOTEL
Located in the Heart of Belfast this Design Hotel opens March 2009. It is individual, Classic with a Twist, Authoritative and speaks of Timeless Values and Character. It enjoys an enviable location beside the Grand Opera House facing the Spires Convention Centre. As Belfast’s only Design Hotel this 130 bedroom property offers guests the promise of being put instantly at ease. With innate courtesy, effortless charm and good humour, guests are welcomed to its boldly handsome stronghold, designed in a style that’s often startling and always strikingly original. There is a clear invitation to the guest to establish a relationship that’s based on enduring values and an innate sense of good taste, meaning that the type of service offered is assured, grown-up, thoughtful and intelligent. The resulting bond means that the hotel serves as a welcome and idealised ‘home from home’, an inner sanctum where the needs and wants of the guest are anticipated and fulfilled. Website: www.fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com

Opera Ireland Winter Season :15th – 23rd November
Opera Ireland’s winter season at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, combines the great familiar classics Madama Butterfly and Don Giovanni with two Irish première productions: the less well known but equally wonderful Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten and Mazeppa by Tchaikovsky. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from the novice to the dedicated opera fan.The bicentenary of the great 19th century Irish opera composer, Michael William Balfe, is celebrated this year with an historic concert performance and world première recording of his great ‘Italian’ opera Falstaff. New Irish opera also features with a workshop performance of Fergus Johnston’s The Earl of Kildare. Another innovation this season is Opera Ireland’s presentation of The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD at cinemas in Dublin and elsewhere. Now an international phenomenon, this is the first time these spectacular high-definition live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York have been seen in Ireland and they are sure to be a great addition to operatic life there. www.operaireland.com

For the Grand Opera House in Belfast events please see: http://www.goh.co.uk/default.asp?id=39&sC=page10

The Dublin Pass Welcomes its New Participants
The Dublin Pass is delighted to welcome its new Attractions & Special Offer Participants! The new participants include Skerries Mills and The National Aquatic Centre offering free entry. Historical Walking Tours of Dublin, The Irish House Party and Railtours Ireland, Mercer hotels, Saba Restaurant and Taylors All Irish Cabaret each offering substantial discounts or added value offers to all Dublin Pass holders. The Dublin Pass includes over 27 top visitor attractions and fantastic special offers as well as the free luxury Aircoach transfer from the airport to the city. Be a VIP and skip the queues with a prepaid Dublin Pass! Check the tour banner below.

Get spooked in Derry and Dublin this Hallowe’en
Hallowe’en is celebrated throughout the Western World but its origins are Irish. Derry City hosts the biggest free street costume party which sees the city transformed into the premier destination for ghosts, ghouls, witches and warlocks from 27th – 31st Oct. www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween

Join in the spooky hallow’en fun at Hallowfest in south county Dublin (25th-26th October). There’ll be games, fun walks, spooky storytelling and a spectacular Fireworks display!! www.hallowfest.ie

And the ghostly games go on

Put yourself at unease on the world’s only Ghostbus, and introduce yourself to the dark romance of a city of gaslight ghosts and chilling legends. The Dublin Ghostbus, a unique attraction, is a mobile-theatre decorated in the gothic style and features a live storyteller who takes you on a spellbinding trip through Dublin. Once onboard, you will be spirited away to a world of felons, fiends, and phantoms who will both charm and spook you at the same time. www.dublinsightseeing.ie

Founded in 1095, St. Michan’s Church was, until 1686, the only church on the north side of Dublin city. Little remains of the original church but it was reconstructed in 1686. The peculiar dry atmospheric conditions in the vaults have resulted in the mummification of the corpses and visitors may see the result of this mummification process on their guided tour. Also on display in the vaults are the death mask of Wolfe Tone, the Irish revolutionary and the coffins of the 1798 rebels John and Henry Sheares. www.visitdublin.com

Malahide Castle is said to be haunted by a number of different ghosts. On the morning of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, 14 members of the Talbot family breakfasted together in the Great Hall. All 14 were dead by nightfall! Set on 250 acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide, this romantic and beautiful structure was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years and is an interesting mix of architectural styles. The house is furnished with beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery. www.malahidecastle.com

Learn all about the fascinating life of Bram Stoker the Irish writer who created this legendary Un-Dead creature of the night – Count Dracula at the The Bram Stoker Dracula Experience. This haunting walk-through interactive experience takes the visitor on a heart-pounding journey through Castle Dracula. Terrifying enactments recreate the unique spine chilling story of the Count and his victims.
www.thebramstokerdraculaexperience.com

For more information about Ireland visit http://www.discoverireland.com  or for a free vacation planning kit call the NY office at 800/223-6470. Read Ireland feature stories from Jetsetters Magazine at this link:

Value World Tours is offering a 10 percent discount on all 2009 river cruises to new passengers under deposit by Feb. 1. The company’s 32-page brochure includes cruises on the Eastern Danube, the Adriatic Sea, Russia and Ukraine. The Six-Country Danube Cruise is a 13-day program between Vienna and Bucharest. Fares begin at $2,699 plus $180 port charges per person, twin. The eight-day Five-Country Adriatic Cruise follows the Dalmatian coastline roundtrip from Koper, Slovenia. Fares start at $1,299 plus $192 port charges per person twin. A pre- and post-cruise hotel night package in Vienna is available. The 12-day Russian Waterways cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg is priced from $1,999 plus $180 port taxes. In Ukraine, a 16-day itinerary between Kiev and Istanbul and a 13-day cruise between Kiev and Odessa are offered. The 13-day program begins at $1,599 plus $180 port charges.

A 16-page brochure offers 15- to 19-day China and Yangtze River programs. Land-cruise packages that include China’s major cities and balcony cabins start at $2,199 plus $80 port charges per person twin. A 15-day Mekong Delta Cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia includes Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap (gateway to the Angkor Wat temples), and a nine-night Mekong River voyage on the new 48-passenger Indochine. Land-cruise rates begin at $2,799 plus $132 port tax. A Grand Thailand Cruise includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and a four-day Kwai River cruise on a 20-passenger barge. The 12-day program begins at $1,899 plus $42 port taxes.

The 16-page Egypt brochure has programs ranging from 10 to 14 days. Cairo with a deluxe Nile cruise begins at $1,099 plus $60. Alexandria and Jordon extensions are available. Two new river cruise programs on India’s Brahmaputra River and Hooghly River, with Taj Mahal extensions, are also available.

 For more information, call 800-795-1633 or visit www.valuecruises.net

Fernwood Hotel & Resort hosts its annual Scottish & Irish Music Festival November 8 - 9.

BUSHKILL, PA - The return of cold temperatures brings the sound of bagpipes and Irish music to the hills of the Pocono Mountains where Fernwood Hotel & Resort hosts its annual Scottish & Irish Music Festival November 8 - 9.

Gina Bertucci, spokesperson for Fernwood Hotel, said, “The Scottish & Irish weekend has become a Pocono tradition with two exciting days of the sights, sounds and spectacle of Scotland and Ireland - no passport required. The continuous musical entertainment, with a strong list of performers attracts both a local and destination audience.”

The kickoff event for this Pocono Fall Festival is held Friday night beginning at 9:00 pm in Fernwood’s Trolley Stop Pub with the Bogside Rogues, a veteran Irish rock band. Weekend Pocono Fall Festival performers include: Na Bodach, The Malones, Neil Emberg, Bogside Rogues, Emish, the Sean Fleming Band, Brother, Searson, and the Pocono Highland Dancers.

In addition to the music, there are various Scottish and Irish vendors with jewelry, crafts, specialty foods, and clothing, plus pipe band performances throughout the weekend. Because it is all staged indoors at the Fernwood Hotel Event Center and Astor Room, all activities are rain or shine and parking is free.

About Fernwood Hotel and Resort

Fernwood Hotel and Resort is a year-round resort located minutes from the Delaware Water Gap. Both villa and hotel accommodations are offered with four themed restaurants, golf, indoor swimming pools, snowtubing and live entertainment every weekend. For Scottish & Irish Festival package reservations and directions, or for information on this Pocono Fall festival, go to FernwoodHotel.com or call 888-Fernwood.

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.

For whiskey lovers, adrenaline junkies, entertainment addicts, sports enthusiasts or those in need of a break, Northern Ireland has everything. Here are just a few reasons to hot foot it there later in 2008…

1. The Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery – www.bushmills.com
The ‘Old Bushmills’ Distillery – Ireland’s oldest working whiskey distillery - is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the original licence to distil which was granted to the Bushmills area in Co. Antrim in 1608.

Just an hour’s drive from Belfast, there is no excuse not to swing by - their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited recently. Public tours of the distillery take place daily, 9am – 4pm (Monday to Saturday) and 12pm – 4pm (Sundays). Tours cost £6 for adults and £3 for children (over 8 years only). The distillery booking office can be reached on 028 207 31521.

During your visit you get to see the production area, smell the barley and yeast maturing, and of course, taste some Bushmills whiskey. You can also purchase a personalised bottle of Bushmills 12 year-old Single Malt Whiskey which will have your name printed on the label. Only available at the distillery, the personalised bottles cost £37.50 and make for great gifts.

The distillery has recently been recognised for its outstanding contribution to tourism in Northern Ireland .

2. Lee Evans in Belfast (October 15th 2008)
The Lee Evans Big UK Tour 2008 will be arriving in Belfast on Wednesday 15th October to mark his sensational return to stand-up with some of the strongest and most hilarious routines he has ever written.

3.Oasis and Coldplay in Belfast (October/December 2008)

Hot on the heels of the release of their number 1 album, ‘Viva La Vida’, Coldplay have announced that they will be embarking on an extensive European tour which includes just one Irish performance on Thursday, December 18th in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast.
Manchester rockers Oasis will continue their promotion of new album ‘Dig out your Soul’ with two nights at the Belfast Odyssey Arena on October 29th and 30th.

4. Ride the waves

Northern Ireland offers waves to suit everyone, from kite-surfing beginners to champion surfers. Surfing is really popular in Northern Ireland and the area is known among surfers everywhere. The waves are fantastic and people visit from as far afield as Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.

5. Golf - a good walk spoiled
Northern Ireland has some of the finest and toughest golf courses on the planet. A claim is often made that Portstewart strand course has the best opening hole in Irish Golf - indeed some say in the world, and has been described as ‘an absolute stunner’ by experts.

6. The Giant’s Causeway

The Causeway may be familiar to music fans because it appeared on the cover of the Led Zeppelin album ‘Houses of the Holy’ as well as part of Stone Roses’ guitarist John Squire’s painting ‘Bye Bye Badman’ which formed the background for the cover of their debut album. The only World Heritage site in Northern Ireland, we dare you to count the 37,000 hexagonal columns which you can easily explore on foot, plus it is only 5 minutes down the road from the Old Bushmills Distillery.

7. Shop ‘til you drop in Belfast – www.victoriasquare.com

The newest landmark on the Belfast skyline, the Victoria Square shopping centre has increased the amount of shops in central Belfast by a third, so it’s so much easier to blow your hard earned cash now!

8. Drink with celebs!

The funky capital has a culture and nightlife to rival any European capital. Whether you fancy a local brew in one of Belfast’s historic hostelries, a visit to one of the traditional pubs for a live Irish music session, or to check out the hip and trendy bar and club scene; you’ll find it all in Belfast.

A good place to start is the beautifully ornate National Trust-owned Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street, which dates back to 1826. It is the ultimate Irish-themed bar, the real deal. The high gothic interior is lit by old-fashioned gas lamps and a recent revamp has made way for a ruby red tinge to the walls.

Wooden-doored booths line the right hand side of the bar and the added bonus is you never know who you may bump into - James Nesbitt and Brad Pitt are said to have drunk in here while working in the city’s theatre over the road.

9. Tour de Northern Ireland
Feel like Lance Armstrong? Take on the challenge. Starting at Castlerock, this startling, sea-sprayed ride offers breathtaking views over the Atlantic. Follow NCN route 93 along the north Antrim coastline through the bustling seaside towns of Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush.

For more information about Ireland visit http://www.discoverireland.com  or for a free vacation planning kit call the NY office at 800/223-6470. Read Ireland feature stories from Jetsetters Magazine at this link:

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

Holland America Line’s flagship, the Rotterdam, will sail two new six-day Scandinavian itineraries in July. The two round-trips feature scenic cruising and explore Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

“Given our legacy in Rotterdam, we are thrilled to be sailing in and out of this magnificent port, right past our original headquarters, now the Hotel New York,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president for marketing, sales and guest programs. “It’s a unique and unforgettable experience to watch Rotterdam’s citizens cheering at our arrivals and departures.”

Departing July 18 from Rotterdam, Netherlands, the ship calls at Helsingborg, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Oslo, Norway. A 22-hour stay in the Danish capital allows guests to explore Copenhagen or enjoy dinner at a sidewalk café before returning to the ship. The second sailing, departing Rotterdam on July 24, explores the coast of Norway with calls at Flam, Bergen and Stavanger. Two days of scenic cruising in Norway are included — the first in Sognafjord and Aurlandsfjord, and the second at Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock. Cruise fares begin at $869 per person, double occupancy.

Holland America also offers two extended cruise options. Departing on July 18, guests can combine the two six-day itineraries for a 12-day cruise with only one overlapping call at Rotterdam.

Pricing for the 12-day cruise begins at $1,629 per person, double occupancy. The six-day July 24 sailing can be combined with the following 12-day July 30 sailing for an 18-day Collectors’ Voyage. The Collectors’ Voyage includes Oslo, Norway; Århus, Denmark; Warnemünde (Berlin), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; and two days in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The voyage then continues on to Helsinki and Stockholm, along with scenic cruising of the Stockholm Archipelago, before disembarking in Copenhagen. Pricing for the 18-day Collectors’ Voyage begins at $2,399, per person, double occupancy.

Taxes and fuel supplement are additional on all fares.

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

Borneo To Be Wild - Tropical Sky Offers Accommodation Upgrades To New Eco-Resort With Departures From Dublin

Shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and the Sultanate of Brunei, Borneo has long been famous for wildlife in the trees as well as under the water, and the newly rebuilt five-star Gayana Eco Resort places guests squarely in the middle of both. Waking up under crisp white sheets in one of the 40 thatched bungalows, listening to waves breaking on the shore below, it’s hard for them to remember that they got here from Kota Kinabalu in just 20 minutes in a speedboat.

Situated off the coast of Sabah in the north west lie five coral reef islands which make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. And it’s on one of these islands, Pulau Gaya, that the retreat is hidden away.

Under the water, the diving is excellent, with turtles, rays, barracuda and coral reefs to explore. This is one of the few sites in Asia where the endangered giant clams still live in the wild and the nearby MERC (Marine Ecology Research Centre) has seven of the eight species in the world. They actually grow and release them back into the sea. Guests never know what they will find there on a visit, from injured turtles to a passing nurse shark with a damaged fin receiving medical attention, and it is excellent for educating people about the challenges the sea and its inhabitants face.

The rooms, positioned on stilts over the sea, are available in four categories: Rimba, Pantai, Bakau and Bayu. Rimba rooms offers an excellent view of the jungle and hills, Pantai rooms look over the resort, which looks beautiful at night when the lights come on, Bakau rooms have a view of tropical mangroves and Baya rooms have ever-changing views out across an endless sea. Room service orders are delivered by gondola to visitor’s private deck, the bathrooms are wonderful and all the furniture is made using Malaysian hardwood. The Bakau and Bayu suites come with their very own floating deck, and the only way to start the day is for a quick swim from the private balcony.

Back at the resort, the Solace Spa has four treatment rooms and a relaxation room with views of the pool and lagoon, along with traditional therapies and remedies. Afterwards, guests can float along to one of the two restaurants. The Alu Alu Restaurant has a magnificent view of Malohom Bay over well presented plates of delicious seafood, and the Fusion Poolside Restaurant, in front of the infinity pool and the sea, offers a more informal culinary experience.

If all the fine food calls for activity there are plenty of options, including the dive centre, kayaking, jungle trekking, underwater fish feeding and private beach drop-offs for travellers who like a bit of solitude. There is also golf, trips to the local market and tours of Kota Kinabalu if they can tear themselves away from the resort and its restful surroundings.

Long-haul tour operator, Tropical Sky Ireland is offering a guaranteed upgrade to a beachfront room till 19 December on all bookings and 10% off spa treatments. Prices in November are from €1,844 per person and include flights from Dublin, seven nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis, resort transfers, taxes and surcharges.

 For further information visit www.tropicalsky.ie  or telephone 068 56800 / 01 526 2566.