Jetsettersblog

General Tours World Traveler is offering two new Small Group Journeys to Eastern Europe. The Small Group Journey product line is distinguished by having never more than 16 guests to a group, with boutique hotel stays, quality meals and activities not possible in a larger group. They are designed to provide a deeper and more authentic look into the culturally diverse destinations.

New for 2012, Grand Capitals of Eastern Europe is a 10-day trip to Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow and Budapest featuring distinguished hotels like the Regent Berlin, deemed one of the best places to stay in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, and the Sofitel Chain Bridge overlooking the Danube in the heart of Budapest. Activities include a visit to the Schindler Factory Museum in Krakow, dinner with a Polish family in the charming town of Lowicz and a countryside excursion to Szentendre, an ancient Hungarian town and now-thriving artists’ colony in the Danube Bend. A pre-trip extension to Prague and Dresden features five-star city-center hotels, complete sightseeing and all on-tour transportation including first class rail from Dresden to Berlin to join the Grand Capitals tour.

Also new in 2012, Journey through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, features landmark hotels and resorts such as the Grand Hotel Toplice, overlooking Lake Bled, and Zagreb’s Regent Esplanade, originally built for passengers of the Orient-Express train. The itinerary includes Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, as well as destinations rarely featured on traditional large-group escorted tours, such as the Salzburg Lake District; Graz, Ljubljana, often called “Little Prague,” and the sixteen cascading lakes of Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through Dec 30, General Tours is offering savings of $500 per person on bookings paid in full at the time of booking for either of the new trips to Eastern Europe.

Now in its 65th year, General Tours World Traveler offers Small Group, Privately Guided and Small Ship journeys to Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Specifically designed for never more than 16 guests, the company’s programs promise immersive cultural encounters and authentic travel experiences not possible in a larger group. For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.generaltours.com

Cook East is a new company that has been founded with the basic philosophy that food can provide an interesting medium through which to engage with your surroundings, beyond simply being a flavoursome addition to a nice evening. Providing interesting itineraries in their own right, you will be visiting some of the most desirable locations and impressive sights in the world. Where Cook East differs from other travel providers however is the concurrent series of cooking classes that allow you to see precisely how those restaurants at home cook your favourite dishes. These are not aimed at chefs or those with exceptional cooking abilities, but anyone who wants to gain a grassroots understanding of how food cultivation, purchase, preparation and consumption fits into the lifestyle of local people.

A typical day might involve breakfast, a late morning cooking class including the consumption of your prepared dish and then the afternoon spent on a guided tour of the city, at leisure or visiting a local temple of monument.

As the name suggests, the destinations visited by Cook East cover South East and Central Asia, but also include South America and we are always looking to add new destinations.

For up-to-date information on any of our itineraries or destinations please check our website, or get in contact. With prices starting from £735 including international flights we’re sure we have something for everyone.

Website: http://www.cook-east.com

Email: info@cook-east.com

Phone: 01276 682968

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will introduce their most extensive collection of itineraries in 2012. They will offer 32 itineraries ranging from 8 to 32 days along Europe and Russia’s great waterways.

Two of their newest programs: Gems of Germany, Belgium & the Netherlands, and Grand Treasures of Europe will include the internationally famous Floriade – a world horticultural exposition presented only once every ten years.

Uniworld will also launch three exciting new programs to make their expertly planned, always-included shore excursions better than ever. These programs are all included in the price of Uniworld’s cruises and will allow travelers the opportunity to customize their travel experience like never before.

Experienced travelers who have already seen some of Europe’s most popular sites can take advantage of Uniworld’s “Choice Is Yours” program, which offers alternate included excursions to the continent’s hidden gems. For travelers who crave a more active adventure, they can try Uniworld’s exclusive “Go Active” program, which lets them explore the great outdoors at their own pace.

And for those who prefer to take a bit more time getting to know the destinations on their itinerary, they can opt for their “Gentle Walking” program, which guarantees a relaxed-pace group with a private guide on many walking tour destinations. In addition, Uniworld has many exclusive excursions only available to Uniworld guests, including special wine tastings in castles with royalty, guided art tours, archeological visits, and so much more.

“Each year, Uniworld actively looks for ways in which to enhance our guests’ experience. With the introduction of these new programs, such as ‘Choice is Yours,’ we are able to deliver a more customized experience to our guests,” states Guy Young, President of Uniworld.

Also in 2012, Uniworld will completely remodel three of their boutique cruise ships, the River Countess, the River Duchess, and the River Royale. “Uniworld continues to invest heavily in the maintenance of our fleet to ensure we are delivering a five-star product to our guests. In 2011, we remodeled three ships completely, River Ambassador, River Baroness, and River Princess, as well as introduced three new ships, including the stunning S.S. Antoinette,” adds Young.

Uniworld ships offer unparalleled luxury in the river cruise arena with the finest of furnishings, inspiring original art, and modern luxuries.

Over the years, Uniworld has worked tirelessly with their sister company, the award-winning Red Carnation Hotels, to elevate the standard in river cruising with an unyielding commitment to quality and service.

“Be assured that when you sail with Uniworld, you will have an unrivaled cruise experience, because no other cruise line in the world has a sister company with over 50 years of expertise in running a collection of five-star luxury hotels,” furthers Young.

Uniworld’s luxury value-packed cruises include the Zagat®-rated staterooms on the river; all meals onboard with complimentary fine wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks served during lunch and dinner onboard Europe company-owned ships; captivating included excursions; Signature Lectures and entertainment onboard; and complimentary transfers on arrival and departure days.

Couples can save up to $2,400 on Uniworld’s 2012 boutique river cruises by paying in full at time of booking by September 30, 2011. “Our goal is to deliver unparalleled luxury at an uncompromising value, so we want to reward those who book early with the greatest possible savings,” states Young.

For more information, please contact your preferred Travel Professional or call Uniworld at 1-800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line, is recognized among the “World’s Best River Cruises” by Travel + Leisure. It is the only river cruise line named to Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List, and has received their Readers’ Choice Award for “World’s Top Small-Ship Line” and won “Best River Ships” in their Readers’ Poll, which ranked River Beatrice and River Duchess the #1 and #2 river ships in the world. Cruise Critic named River Beatrice the “Best New River Ship” and awarded Uniworld their Editors’ Pick for “Best Cruise Line.” Uniworld’s cabins and dining are also ranked among the top three in the world by Zagat Survey®; and is the only river cruise line named in the Zagat Survey® among the best of the best in the cruise industry.

Uniworld features luxurious boutique cruise ships with an average capacity of 130 guests; expertly planned itineraries with included shore excursions; world-class gourmet cuisine; and award-winning hospitality by an English-speaking staff. Uniworld offers over 500 departures on 40 itineraries sailing on over 13 rivers in over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Uniworld is a member of CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association

MyExcursions.com is offering an excursion for cruisers calling at the Black Sea port of Nessebar, Bulgaria, to visit a special exhibition called “The Ancient Gold Treasures of the Thracians” which is open through Aug. 31 in nearby Bourgas.

The itinerary starts with a walking tour of Nessebar, followed by a 40-minute drive to Bourgas, a visit to the Treasures exhibition, lunch in Burgas in the five-star Primoretz Hotel located in the Maritime Garden, and free time after lunch. The excursion begins with departure from the ship at 9:30 a.m., with return to Nessebar at 4:15 p.m.

Pricing is based on the number of guests in the party.

For more information, email info@myexcursions.com  or visit www.myexcursions.com

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Black Sea Treasures Cruises from Istanbul to Odessa and Odessa to Istanbul from only $3520 per person twin share visiting Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

Gateway Travel launches new summer Black Sea Cruises into their product range. The 8 day/7 night cruises operate from July to September aboard the Megayacht Pegasus.

Prices include accommodation in a double or twin cabin; full board; filter coffee; tea & water all day; use of fishing equipment; English speaking cruise escort and VAT. Port taxes of Aud 378 per person are additional.

Contact Gateway Travel on (02) 9748-3333 or www.gatewaytravel.com.au  for the full itinerary and price details.

Mystery novelist Mary Higgins Clark will sail aboard Crystal Cruises’ “Beyond the Bosporous” sailing from Venice to Istanbul departing on Sept. 7.

Clark’s books have sold over 100 million copies in the U.S. alone, with her most recent, “I’ll Walk Alone,” being published just this past April.

She will make presentations onboard Crystal Serenity on how she writes her books, from conception to publication, and will participate in a Q&A session.

Additional calls during the 12-day Black Sea/Mediterranean voyage include Katakolon and Navplion, Greece; Constanta, Romania; Odessa and Yalta, Ukraine; and Trabzon, Turkey (a maiden call). Per person, two-for-one fares start at $7,485, with savings on verandah and penthouse staterooms as part of Crystal’s big fall fare sale. All bookings include free air transportation from 24 North American gateway cities, and $2,000 per couple shipboard credit.

Rail Europe is encouraging travelers to traverse the French country by rail this year. France has expanded rail routes and Rail Europe has added new French travel products. All major French cities are connected by the TGV. Traveling at speeds up to 200 mph, the TGV allows passengers to see more of France in less time.

The expanded TGV Est (East) line cuts travel time by almost 50 percent between Paris and the eastern regions of France and also offers greater train frequency.

TGV travels east to provide day trips from Paris to Reims, capital of the Champagne region. Paris to Reims takes 45 minutes with ticket prices starting from $47 (economy class). TGV also travels to the southeast, bringing travelers to the foothills of the Alps and into the city of Lyon, a center of French culinary culture.

Paris to Lyon takes one hour and 57 minutes with ticket prices starting from $68 (economy class).

TGV travels westwards towards the Bordeaux wine region. Paris to Bordeaux takes three hours and seven minutes with ticket prices starting from $74 (economy class). TGV travels southwest toward the port city of Marseille. Paris to Marseille takes three hours and two minutes with ticket prices starting from $87 (economy class)

Connecting France with the rest of Europe are the expanded Thalys and Eurostar train networks, which provide high-speed service to 17 major cities with more than 80 roundtrips per day and faster point-to-point service than ever before.

There is newly added direct service from Paris to Moscow on the Overnight Train and direct service is now also available on the Nice to Moscow route.

Travel is faster than ever before on many routes, including Paris-Amsterdam, three hours and 18 minutes, 51 minutes faster; Paris-Cologne, three hours and 14 minutes, 36 minutes faster; Paris-Lille, 58 minutes; and Paris-London: two hours and 15 minutes.

Soon Rail France will offer the France Rail Pass Premium which includes the benefits of a France Rail Pass plus the services of a personal concierge who will assist travelers with booking ahead for restaurants, theaters, art exhibits and more.

The France Rail Pass offers first or second class unlimited travel on the national rail network of France with a choice of three to nine travel days within a one-month period.

The France Rail ‘n Drive offers two days of unlimited first class travel on the national rail network of France and a two-day Avis or Hertz car rental with unlimited mileage within a one-month period. The France Day Pass allows first or second class unlimited travel on the national rail network of France for one day to explore the French countryside.

Rail Europe also offers sightseeing and tour packages in France, such as the Paris Pass, a smart chip card, that provides extensive travel on the city’s public transportation system and priority entry to museums and attractions, starting from $137 per two-day pass.

The Paris Historic Tour includes transport in an air-conditioned coach to historic locations all over Paris including a guided visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral and a ticket for boat ride between Marina de Paris and Notre Dame Cathedral, starting from $83.

The Paris Museum Pass allows priority admission and free access to 60 museums, castles, gardens, cathedrals and monuments in and around Paris, including multiple visits at no extra charge, starting from $59.

The CityRama Paris L’Open Tour Pass allows over 50 stops and four open-air bus routes allow visitors to choose the sights worth seeing, starting from $45 per one-day pass.

The French Wine Discovery offers a beginning course on French regional wines without ever leaving Paris, starting from $47. A Guided Visit of the Louvre Museum starts from $69; a Paris Dinner Cruise in a glass-sided boat, and a meal from $143; the Paris Visite offers unlimited travel to sites in and around Paris on the RER, bus or Metro, starting from $31.

The Lyon Le Grand Tour, Hop on Hop off bus tours start from $27. Loire Valley Day Tours come in one of three distinct tours around Villandry, Chambord or Chenonceau and Amboise, all coupled with a taste of the local wine, starting from $211.

The Marseille Le Grand Tour, Hop on Hop off bus tours start from $28. The Marseille City Card offers visitors free public transportation in Marseille and free entry to more than 15 of Marseille’s finest museums and monuments.

The Nice le Grand Tour starts from $31. The French Wine Master Class is a two-hour advanced wine tasting class that includes the tastes of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône & Champagne, starting from $77.

MSC Cruises is offering winter cruises to the temperate Mediterranean with rates starting from $499 per person.

The cruises are eight, nine, 10 and 11 nights long.

The MSC Magnifica offers eight-night Western Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Venice, calling in Bari, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; Katakolon, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Departures on Feb. 28 and March 8 are priced from $499 per person plus $58.80 in taxes and fees.

MSC Splendida’s 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Civitavecchia or Genoa calls in Barcelona, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; S. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Funchal, Portugal; and Malaga, Spain.

The Feb. 5 and 6 departures are priced from $889 per person plus $47 or $55.90 in government taxes and fees respectively. Other available dates include March 9 and 10.

MSC Splendida’s 11-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa or Civitavecchia calls in Katakolon, Heraklion and Piraeus, Greece; Marmarmis, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; and Palermo, Italy.

The Feb. 16 and 17 departures rates are priced from $889 per person plus $44.25 or $33.30 in government taxes and fees, respectively.

MSC Splendida’s nine-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Genoa or Civitavecchia calls in Katakolon, Heraklion and Piraeus, Greece; and Alexandria, Egypt.

The Feb. 27 and 28 departures are priced from $599 per person, plus $36.85 or $27.09 in government taxes and fees, respectively.

MSC Fantasia’s 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Genoa calls in Barcelona, Spain; Gibraltar, U.K.; Funchal, Portugal; S. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands); Arrecife de Lanzarote, Spain; Malaga, Spain; and Civitavecchia.

The March 3 and March 25 departures are priced from $599 per person plus $63.40 in taxes and fees.

For more information, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com

Europcar’s new Roadside Gastro Guide takes motorists from roadside stands to converted cowsheds and stately homes to reveal Britain’s hidden foodie gems.

Europcar survey* reveals 95% of motorists believe the choice, price and quality of roadside food is unacceptable – with 80% saying they have previously gone hungry rather than eat from the selection on offer.

To escape the tyranny of the motorway service food offering and celebrate the diversity of Britain’s local, independently owned eateries, Europcar, the UK’s leading car hire company, has teamed up with The Guild of Food Writers to produce a free-to-download Roadside Gastro Guide.

Instead of offering yet another list of renowned, Michelin-starred, celebrity chef restaurants, The Roadside Gastro Guide tapped into the knowledge of some of the UKs finest food writers and broadcasters – including Anthony Worrall Thompson and Valentine Warner – to reveal 20 of Britain’s hidden culinary gems.

Stretching from the Scottish Highlands to the Dorset coast, the Europcar guide includes everything from country inns, to tea shops and stately homes, and all specialise in offering locally sourced, fresh, home-cooked fare.

A far cry yet a short distance from the motorway services, the guide reveals a foodie world of individual character, spectacular views, friendly service, converted barns, quirky decor, old-fashioned bone china and quirkily named dishes such as the Wortley Wedge – ‘a beast of a sandwich made from the roast of the day’.

According to Richard Ehrlich of the Guild of Food Writers; “Motorway catering may mostly be the pits for pit stops, but outstanding food can be found just a short detour from many main roads.

“The establishments here cover a fantastic range.

They cover much of the country, and include both celebrated restaurants and little gems known largely to locals.

I hope they convey the message that being in the car doesn’t mean giving up on good food.

You just need to know where to look – and downloading a free copy of the Roadside Gastro Guide is the perfect place to start.”

Catriona Kempston of Europcar added: “Whether it’s delivering a car to their door or simply helping them to avoid soggy chips and overpriced pies, we’re always looking for new ways for motorists to get maximum pleasure out of their driving experience”.

The full version of the Roadside Gastro Guide contains detailed, individual recommendations by Guild of Food Writers members, including background information, personal insights, recommended dishes, contact details, opening times and, most importantly, directions from major roads.

A hot spot for travellers, customers can now tour Eastern Europe with Wicked Campers.

Perfect for those who prefer to venture off-the-beaten-track, the budget campervan company offers the required car insurance and relevant documents to cross the borders into the more remote parts of Europe.

What’s more, Wicked Campers have depots in Austria and Italy, only a short drive or ferry trip to Eastern Europe, where customers can pick-up and drop-off their campervan. It couldn’t be easier.

So for those who have always wanted to explore Croatia’s beautiful hidden beaches along the Adriatic coast, then Wicked Campers offers a budget option to travel and camp in style and comfort.

Or for intrepid travellers wishing to explore pastures new, try Slovenia and discover its lush green landscape with stunning national parks, awe-inspiring mountains, deep river gorges, enchanting waterfalls, thermal springs and dense forests, all interwoven with a rich cultural heritage.

Customers are covered in the following Eastern European countries: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey.

Prices for seven day’s round-trip hire in a two-seater van starts from £253. Valid for travel from 1 October 2010, the price includes pick-up and drop-off in either San Benedetto (Italy) or Verditz (Austria), insurance for one driver aged 25 and over, unlimited mileage and 24-hour roadside assistance. Prices in summer start from £453.

For more information, visit www.wickedcampers.co.uk  or call 0808 234 8461.