Jetsettersblog

Tourist Guide Booking Tool

Explore Egypt with a tourist guide

Hailed as “the travel service innovation of 2008″ by the Irish Times

OurExplorer facilitates with ease the on-line booking of professional tourist guides from all over the world. Save time and money while you explore your next destination with the wisdom and guidance of a local.

Have you ever thought whilst visiting a new destination, “I wonder where the locals eat, drink, fish, ski, shop or party?” OurExplorer suggests its time for us all to stop simply sight-seeing but rather start exploring with the local wisdom and knowledge of a professional tourist guide.

OurExplorer has launched a new travel concept in BETA, a user-rated tourist guide booking tool created exclusively for your personal travel needs.

As the global financial crisis still looms, OurExplorer can save travellers hassle and money by getting the maximum out of their overseas adventure with a private tourist guide.

Enjoy the insight of the best shopping and value for money dining experiences in a city, directly from a native. Some tourist guides are currently offering special discounted rates and free tour hours on OurExplorer.

OurExplorer promote professional tourist guides only. Pre booking, the traveller can view their experience, license, past client testimonials or even chat with the tourist guide.

OurExplorer launched in July 2008 with now over 400 private tourist guides covering more than 80 countries worldwide — making it the biggest professional tourist guide directory in the world and growing all the time!

Make your trip overseas unique and full of adventure.
You book your flight and accommodation on-line, why not your tourist guide?
Get a tourist guide for land (city guide, mountain guide) or sea (diving guide).

Purpose of OurExplorer:

1. To help tourist guides increase their income thereby benefiting the local community - especially those in poor countries e.g. Kenya, Mexico and Cambodia.

2. Increase cross cultural awareness and acceptance via direct connection with locals e.g. people in USA get the chance to understand those in Pakistan and Israel

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

“Less than 9.7% of overseas travelers interact in meaningful discussion with a local,” according to the Tourism 2020 Vision reported by WTO.

The IMF concluded in March 2007 that “direct support of independent local businesses when you travel has the most positive results on local economy”.

“Rather than just donating money, OurExplorer is a sustainable long term solution to help low income families globally,” said David Cunningham (Chief Exploring Officer).

Cross Border Medical Tourism

The EU Proposal for a Directive on patient’s rights in cross border healthcare (to be announced on Wednesday 2 July) provides an added stimulus to the already growing number of medical tourists who seek hospital treatment elsewhere in the European Union.

The Directive will create a formal framework and remove obstacles for UK patients wishing to travel for treatment in other EU countries. In some circumstances, patients will be able to travel to other EU countries for treatment and will be able to reclaim the cost of treatment from the NHS. Patients will have to pay their travel and accommodation costs, plus any top-up fees if charges in the foreign hospitals are higher than the NHS cost.

The Directive proposes the following developments in cross border healthcare:

• A legal framework for the reimbursement of treatment where it takes place elsewhere in the EU.

• Common principles in terms of guaranteeing patient safety and ensuring quality and continuity of care.

• Stimulating greater European cooperation on healthcare including the establishment of “European Reference Networks” which would create a concentration of expertise, training and resources for specific diseases and health issues.

• Establishment of a European network for the assessment of new medical technology.

• Establishment of standards for e-health, in particular the transfer of patient information and treatment records between member states.

Keith Pollard of Treatment Abroad (www.treatmentabroad.com) says; “This Directive is the first step to creating a truly European market in healthcare; it could revolutionise the way we experience healthcare in this country and throughout the rest of Europe. It’s very good news for the fast developing medical tourism industry. The Directive will take the concept of patient choice to a new level; www.treatmentabroad.com will assist that choice by providing the most up-to-date and relevant information that patients need when making decisions about travelling for treatment.”

Treatment Abroad is the most popular site on the web for UK and European medical tourists seeking information about cost effective surgery and medical treatment abroad. The site provides information covering the healthcare services available, doctor accreditation, treatment costs, travel and accommodation. There’s also an extensive and free Guide to Medical Tourism to download, for those considering overseas treatment.

“With the announcement of this new Directive we are expecting a significant increase in traffic to the website not only from British patients but also from members of other EU countries looking for reliable, comprehensive and practical information about treatment options within EU member countries”, continues Pollard.

Last year, around 100,000 “medical tourists” left the UK for treatment. Their experiences were resoundingly positive with 97 per cent of patients willing to travel abroad for treatment again, according to Treatment Abroad’s recent medical tourist survey.

Treatment Abroad’s newly launched patient ratings and reviews system lets medical tourists share and rate their experiences and its “Code of Practice for Medical Tourism”, the first of its kind in the industry has been set up to encourage the adoption of best practice in medical tourism through the commitment of international healthcare providers to a voluntary code of practice. Both the “Code of Practice” and the ratings and reviews have been introduced to give further reassurance to prospective health tourists.

Crystal Memories Plan on 2009 Sailings

Crystal Cruises is unveiling Crystal Memories, its largest family and multigenerational group promotion, for all 2009 itineraries.

The promotion, which was first introduced this year as Mediterranean Memories on select 2008 Mediterranean sailings, has been expanded fleet wide as Crystal continues to tap into the growth of family and multigenerational travel.

The program includes one free sailing for every 10 full-fare, full-paying guests; prepaid gratuities;

a $100-per-person onboard credit with maximum of two guests per stateroom;

free sailings for third-berth guests ages 17 and under;

a $500 credit for a Private Adventure shore excursion of $2,500, enabling multigenerational families to customize their land experiences;

and one 8×10 group or family photo, plus one photograph of guests’ choice per stateroom.

The Crystal Memories program is available on all 2009 cruises aboard the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity, except the World Cruise, the North Cape, the Black Sea and the Christmas and New Year’s cruises.

Trafalgar 2009 Europe & Britain Preview

Trafalgar Tours is launching its 2009 Europe & Britain First-Class Europe and Britain summer vacations earlier than ever this year, with their 2009 Summer Preview brochure.

Trafalgar’s Best Price Guarantee ensures the prices listed in the 2009 Summer Preview Brochure will be guaranteed, even if the prices in Trafalgar’s full Summer Europe & Britain brochure (when released in October of 2008) are higher.

All that is required to lock in these prices now is a $500 per person deposit. Bookings paid in full a year in advance receive an Early Payment discount of 10 percent (adjusted discounts are available for booking and paying in full at 10, seven and four months prior to departure).

Trafalgar also offers other special savings (land portion only). The Trafalgar Travel Club - if you traveled with Trafalgar in the past two years you could receive an additional 5 percent savings - book by July 31. Young Travelers between the ages of 5 and 17 can save 10 percent.

Second Tour: Book two Trafalgar vacations of eight days or more and save an additional 5 percent off the land portion of the shorter tour.

Travel With Friends: Travel with five to eight friends or family members and each passenger will save an additional 5 percent Certain restrictions apply.

Trafalgar’s 2009 Europe and Britain Summer Preview brochure highlights a choice of 76 vacations in England, Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Central and Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, in a variety of touring styles, including relaxing Free & Easy vacations, multi-country Europe Discoveries and in-depth Regional Tours.

A selection of train tours and Eastern Mediterranean cruises are also included in the brochure. For more information and reservations, see your travel agent or call 866-544-4434 or visit www.trafalgar.com/preview  

Brochures can be ordered online at www.trafalgar.com

Deilmann Cruises Spring 2009 Mediterranean Cruises

Peter Deilmann Cruises is debuting two new 2009 Mediterranean itineraries aboard its luxury flagship, MS Deutschland, with calls at such perennial favorite destinations as Rome and Venice as well as lesser-known medieval cities and towns boasting Roman and Greek ruins that span the millennia.

The seven-night Venice-to-Rome cruise, March 29, 2009, calls at ports in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Italy with fares from $3,950 to $9,150 per person, double.

The 12-night itinerary, roundtrip from Rome on April 5, explores destinations in Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Greece and Italy, prices from $5,100 to $13,970. Peter Deilmann continues to offer its $99 air and shore excursion package that provides roundtrip air from 73 North American gateways, a package of pre-arranged shore excursions and free transfers to the ship, representing a value of up to $600.

Groups of five couples or more save an additional 10% off the published cruise fares.

The seven-night itinerary spotlights one of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after destinations, the Dalmatian Coast, with visits to the medieval cities of Kotor, Montenegro, a World Heritage Site set amid a magnificent fjord; and Zadar, Croatia, encircled by a mountainous park and home to the 9th-century St. Donat Church and the 14th-century St. Anastasia Cathedral.

The Greek ports of Katakolon and Corfu also bring the past alive for travelers, with the former city offering easy access to the ancient site of the original Olympic Games that debuted in 776 BC; and the latter featuring a Venetian Old Town and 19th-century Achillion Palace.

In Italy, Naples is the jumping off point for excursions to the ruins of ancient Pompeii and the breathtaking island of Capri. Venice brings guests some of the most famous landmarks in the world, including the Piazza San Marco and the two-mile Grand Canal, while Rome offers a seemingly endless array of attractions that include the Coliseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

A taste of Italy is on the 12-night itinerary’s menu, with an overnight in the Eternal City and calls at Sicily’s Lipari, home to a reconstructed Norman-era church; and Messina, whose museum features works by famed Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

Travelers trace the footsteps of the Roman Empire in Tunis’ La Goulette with visits to the city’s ancient baths, cisterns and basilicas, and Spain’s Palma de Mallorca, a beautiful port city founded by the Romans in 123 BC, and known for its rich history, varied culture and active nightlife.

Malta also boasts its share of breathtaking historic treasures including Megalithic temples, catacombs and fortresses, legacies of The Knights of St. John, Phoenicians, Romans, Carthaginians and Arabs.

Ancient Greece comes alive in Patras, where history spans four millennia with attractions such as the Holy Church of Agios Andreas, the Byzantine Church of Pantokrator and Castle of Rio, circa 1499.

With a guest to crew ratio of two-to-one, MS Deutschland offers its guests a choice of three gourmet restaurants, an outdoor dining terrace plus seven diverse bars and cafes, each featuring its own distinct ambience.

There are a variety of accommodations, all with fine moldings and artwork, classic furnishings, picture windows, ample closet space and marble-tiled bathrooms with full-size showers; suites are also equipped with bathtubs.

The nine-deck ship offers a spacious library lounge; outdoor and indoor pools; three sun decks; open-air promenade deck; grand ballroom for nightly entertainment and dancing; and fitness and spa facilities. Smoking is not permitted onboard except in open deck areas and in the Old Fritz Pub.

For those travelers arranging their own air, an allowance of $750 per person is deductible from the cruise fare. Deilmann Cruises also offers Business Class fares for an additional supplement on selected itineraries.

For details on the cruises, optional tours and other amenities, contact Peter Deilmann Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or by E-mail at pdcmail@deilmann-cruises.com

 Cruises itineraries, deck plans and ship photos are online at www.deilmann-cruises.com

New Water Routes In Burgundy 2009

Impressionniste 2009

US Dollar version L’IMPRESSIONNISTE, PRIDE OF EUROPEAN WATERWAYS LUXURY HOTEL BARGE FLEET, TO CRUISE SOUTHERN BURGUNDY IN 2009

Gevrey Chambertin, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune Wine Areas are Among Highlights of New Itinerary.

European Waterways, Europe’s largest luxury hotel barge company, has announced that its elegant, 12-passenger hotel barge, L’Impressionniste, which currently tours through the Provence region of France, will be cruising the canals of Southern Burgundy in 2009. According to Derek Banks, European Waterways Managing Director, the vessel’s route was changed to meet the demand for more wine–orientated cruises in Southern Burgundy, a region whose popularity continues to grow.

“L’Impressionniste will be the largest and only 12-passenger barge in our 2009 Southern Burgundy program,” said Banks.

Highlights of the new 6-night Southern Burgundy cruise itinerary include visits to the renowned medieval chateau of Clos de Vougeot and Domaine Jafflin, homes to some of France’s finest Grand and Premier Crus. Also included on the itinerary are visits to Dijon’s Palace and market and the 12th century Abbaye de la Bussiere, where passengers enjoy the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Olivier Elzer and sample some choice local burgundies in the vaulted, Michelin-starred restaurant.

L’Impressionniste is a “floating hotel” that comfortably accommodates up to 12 passengers. Meticulously refurbished in 2008, the boat is fully-air-conditioned and elegantly appointed with all the modern conveniences. Passengers are attended to by a highly experienced, multi-lingual crew that includes the boat captain, a master chef, two housekeepers and a knowledgeable tour guide who leads the on-shore excursions. Prices include all meals, wines with lunch and dinner, an open bar, and daily excursions. Ground transfers to and from convenient pick-up locations are also included.

Rates for the 2009 L’Impressionniste cruise are from £2,150 per person sharing a double cabin and £23,000 for an exclusive charter of the entire vessel for 10 passengers.

Barge cruising along the rivers and canals of Europe is a culture-and fine cuisine-lover’s delight. It is a serene, leisurely paced experience distinguished by the personal attention and pampering received by guests. Barging is becoming an increasingly popular option among the most sophisticated travelers.

“You haven’t really seen Europe until you do it from the deck of a luxury barge. It is a remarkable, highly satisfying experience that every traveler should try at least twice in their lifetime,” remarked Banks.

Voyages of Discovery Summer 2009 Schedule

Voyages of Discovery launched its summer 2009 season with an extended free-air offer, early-booking savings up to 25 percent and a roster of voyages to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Red Sea and North Africa.

Guests who book by Oct. 15 can get free to $199 air add-ons from selected North American gateways. Special rates for single travelers also are available. Summer 2009 programs on the 650-passenger Discovery include a rare visit to Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, on a 17-night “North Cape, Arctic Circle and Russia” voyage sailing July 16. Cruise fares start at $4,650 per person.

A return to the British Isles begins July 30 round-trip from London (Harwich) to the Scilly Isles, Dublin, Belfast, Oban and Dundee. Fares begin at $3,950 per person. All Voyages of Discovery itineraries feature an extensive enrichment program with background provided by historians, diplomats, scientists and naturalists. From May to late August next year, all of Voyages of Discovery’s summer voyages will sail round-trip from London (Harwich). Cruise-tours feature two hotel nights in London pre- or post-cruise with a half-day sightseeing included. The Discovery repositions to the Mediterranean on Aug. 31, 2009, on a 19-night “Voyage to Venice,” with fares starting at $4,250 per person. Late-summer and fall cruise destinations include the French and Italian Riviera, the Adriatic and the Black Sea.

The season concludes with an antiquities cruise beginning Oct. 30, 2009, from Alexandria, Egypt, to Barcelona, with calls at Libya, Tunisia, Malta and Sicily. Fares for the 15-night “North African Treasures” cruise begin at $3,950.

The new program also features five “Grand Voyages” that combine two or more summer cruises. Fares start at $6,495 per person for the Grand Voyage from the Black Sea, departing April 25, 2009, and combining the Black Sea with the Mediterranean before returning to London.

For more information, call 866-623-2689 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com

Viking River Cruises Launches Frequent Flyer Programs

Viking River Cruises has started two new frequent-flyer programs to give guests the ability to earn more frequent-flyer miles and to use frequent-flyer miles for air upgrades.

With Viking’s E-Check program, passengers earn double frequent-flyer miles on select airlines when they pay by electronic funds transfer.

At the same time, Viking Air Plus, Viking’s custom air department, will now allow passengers to use their own frequent-flyer miles to upgrade international flights. “Our E-Check program gives guests the convenience of paying by E-Check or with a paper personal check, yet still receive double frequent-flyer miles,” said Richard Marnell, Viking’s senior vice president of marketing.

“Every dollar paid by E-Check for cruise, air, taxes, fees or surcharges earns two frequent-flyer miles.” The E-Check program may be combined with any special offers or services and is free to guests.

Passengers who do not wish to receive double frequent-flyer miles may instead opt for a $100-per-stateroom shipboard credit.

This promotion continues until Sept. 30. The Viking Air Plus service may be combined with any special air offers, and includes all transfers. Initial airline partners include Delta, Northwest and United, with more carriers to come. The fee for this service is $100.

For more information, call 877-668-4546 or visit www.vikingrivercruises.com

Travelex Global Rewards Card