Jetsettersblog

Insight Vacations is offering new promotional savings to support the launch of their 2009 Premium Europe and Britain brochure. Travelers can save up to $500 per couple on select air-inclusive tour packages featured in the new brochure. Marc Kazlauskas, president of Insight Vacations, said, “It is important to provide incentives and offer discounts where you can during these uncertain economic times. One of our most important goals is to give our clients as much value for their dollar as we possibly can. Being able to offer them discounted air rates is an added bonus we enjoy passing on to them too.

Additionally we hope that this promotion provides travel agents the final piece in closing the sale.”

The air offer is valid on new air-inclusive 2009 itineraries featured in the Insight Vacations Europe and Britain and Essentials Europe brochures. The savings is $500 per couple or $250 per person.

The offer is valid on new bookings only. The offer is not combinable with other Insight Vacations promotions or brochure discounts.

Travel must be completed May 1 through Oct. 31, 2009.

 The offer is not valid on City Stays-Independent tour, tours with cruises or tours to Egypt, Israel, Jordan or Greece. The code must be mentioned at time of booking: IV09E$250.

For more information, call 800-582-8380 or visit www.insightvacations.com

Holland America Line’s newest ship, the Signature-class Eurodam, will sail two four-day and one two-day itineraries between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Dover, England, in July 2009.

The short cruises can be booked in combination with extended cruises to create 12- and 14-day Collector’s Voyages. “We understand that some travelers are looking for a quick and relaxing holiday, which is why we developed these shorter, exciting itineraries,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president-marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line.

The first four-day itinerary departs July 2 and sails from Copenhagen to Dover. Along the way, the 2,104-passenger ship will call at Oslo, Norway, with a late-night departure. The ship also calls at Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The second four-day cruise departs July 6 and sails round-trip Dover. Eurodam will call at Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium; Cherbourg, France; and St. Peter Port, Guernsey. The two-day cruise departs July 10 from Dover to Copenhagen.

A 14-day Copenhagen-to-Dover Collector’s Voyage sets sail June 22 with one repeated call at Copenhagen. In addition to scenic cruising through the Stockholm Archipelago, ports of call include Warnemünde (Berlin); Tallinn, Estonia; and an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia. From St. Petersburg, Eurodam continues on to Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Kiel, Germany; Oslo and Amsterdam. Rates start at $239 for the two-day cruise departing July 10; $449 for the four-day voyages departing July 2 or July 6; $1,599 for the 12-day Collector’s Voyage departing July 10 from Dover; and $1,799 for the 14-day voyage departing June 22 from Copenhagen.

Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy, and fuel supplements are additional.

Uniworld River Cruise is promoting its voyages for group retreats for family and friends, affinity organizations, social gatherings and company incentive programs.

Travel agents are provided group benefits, including earning a tour conductor berth with as few as nine guests, group discounts as high as $300 per person, and shipboard credits.

Clients who book and deposit before Nov. 30 can combine group discounts with Uniworld’s early-booking discounts of up to $300 per person.

“Uniworld has a large number of repeat groups, which indicates to us that there is a high satisfaction with their experience,” said Janice Tully, senior vice president of sales at Uniworld.

“The intimate size of our ships with an average capacity of 134 guests, the high level of personalized hospitality and attractive itineraries make Uniworld River Cruises ideal for chartering large groups or company incentive travel programs.”

Possible ideas for group travel include the 11-day Tulips and Windmills Amsterdam-to-Antwerp cruise for garden clubs. The Epicurean Adventure Program on select cruises through the South of France and along the Rhine and Danube rivers feature food and wine pairing dinners, special shore excursions and culinary demonstrations. For more information, call 800-868-7905 or visit www.uniworld.com

Auto Europe is offering a guaranteed free, one-car class upgrade in London with their prestige self-drive services. Reserve the premium automatic transmission, four-door, five-passenger Mercedes Benz C Class for $797 per week and receive the luxurious Mercedes Benz E Class, which is normally offered at $920 per week.

This offer is valid for reservations and travel now through Nov. 30, 2008. Rates include unlimited mileage, exclude taxes, insurance and any additional surcharges. Auto Europe’s tour division, Destination Europe, specializes in coach and business class airfare to Europe and hotel services from boutique to five-star properties worldwide for packaged savings.

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

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

The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography PLUS CAMERIMAGE is held from November 29 to December 6, 2008 in Lodz, the second biggest city in Poland. Lodz is also recognized as a capital of the Polish motion pictures industry and graduates of its Motion Pictures Art Academy includes such film industry icons as personalities like Roman Polanski, Jerzy Skolimowski, Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Kieslowski, just to mention w few.

PLUS CAMERIMAGE, an annual event since 1993, contributes to the growth of cinematographers’ prestige. The unconventional format of the Festival, which awards films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values, has turned out to be an alternative to other traditional film festivals. The Festival proves to be a great forum not only for presentation but also for further progress of international moviemaking. PLUS CAMERIMAGE helps young filmmakers to get international appreciation and those already recognized to explore new artistic areas.

Apart from the Main Competition, the Festival also contains other events such as Student Etudes Competition, Student Panorama, Plus Camerimage Market, Plus Camerimage Forum, Polish Films Competition, special screenings and premieres, various reviews, retrospectives, meetings and music performances.

PLUS CAMERIMAGE is an extraordinary event where art and technology meet creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.

Feel more than welcome to be part of it.
For more information, visit www.pluscamerimage.com  and to book the trip contact American Travel Abroad at 212-586-5230 or visit www.amta.com

Finnair passengers are now able to use the Finnair web site to make all their travel arrangements on-line at the same time as booking their flights. Tickets for special events, tours and other transport bookings can be made at the following link: www.finnair.com – Plan & Book – Tickets, Tours & Transfers.

Over 10,000 different products for both business and leisure travelers are offered through the facility. Finnair offers you the chance to book your favorite tours, tickets, and transfers in your destination wherever you stay or fly. The Swiss service provider Unaira supplies the online booking engine, giving access to high-quality destination services around the world.

“Our customers now have the chance to make bookings for all the services they want at one location,” says Mikko Tuomainen, responsible for Finnair’s Internet sales. “Unaira has produced the new service in cooperation with Amadeus, and that means the service is easy to use.”

Unaira is a leading provider of travel services, with offices in Holland, the USA and France, as well as Switzerland

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is expanding the alternatives for travel to Europe this winter with the return of two popular seasonal routes, Bangkok - Stockholm and Dubai – Copenhagen and the launch of a new route Delhi - Copenhagen.

“We see a strong demand from our Australian customers, for the Bangkok – Stockholm service in particular, which provides a great alternative for those who prefer to arrive into Europe in the evening,” says Lars Olofsson, General Manager SAS Australia and New Zealand.

“Both Stockholm and Copenhagen are ideal cities to visit on the way to continental Europe, says Olofsson. “Winter season is filled with various highlights such as Christmas celebrations in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and Gamla Stan Christmas Markets in Stockholm.”

Scandinavian Airlines’ Economy fare via Bangkok to Stockholm and Copenhagen starts from $1,840. Combination fares which include flights in Economy Extra (premium economy) or Business, between Asia and Europe start from $3,000.Taxes and surcharges are additional from AUD470.

For travel tips tailor-made for Australians, there are a series of free stopover guides for Bangkok, Copenhagen and Stockholm. The guides can be downloaded from Scandinavian Airlines’ website www.flysas.com.au. There you’ll also find up-to-date visitor information and tips on over 60 destinations within Scandinavia, Finland, the Baltic’s and more. Or visit the Scandinavian Tourist Board website www.visitscandinavia.com.au

For information on all fares visit www.flysas.com.au  or call SAS on 1300 727 707.

Scandinavian Airlines offers daily connections from Australia in co-operation with selected Star Alliance™ partners THAI, Singapore Airlines, Air China, United Airlines and frequent flyer partner Qantas. Services operate via Asia and North America to more than 75 destinations in Scandinavia, Finland, the Baltic’s and Europe, utilising the gateways of Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Scandinavian Airlines International is the long-haul operator of SAS with 1.4 million passengers per year. The fleet consists of Airbus A330s and A340s, serving 10 destinations: New York, Chicago, Washington, Seattle, Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo, Dubai, Copenhagen and Stockholm. In 2008, SAS International will launch flights to Delhi.

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.