Jetsettersblog

Combining the boot camp ethos but with a little more flexibility New You Boot Camp have launched new for 2013, their Flexible Boot Camp in Spain.

So whether you would like the intensity of a traditional result focused boot camp, or you would like a healthy holiday with a mixture of fitness and relaxing around the pool, the New You Flexible Boot Camp will be perfect for you.

Join in and do as little or as much training as you like. With this in mind you can start the day with a group morning run, followed by a nutritious breakfast, relax, unwind and sunbathe by the pool, join in with a circuit class, book an excursion or enjoy an indulgent massage. It’s your holiday so you get to choose what you would like to do.

When it comes to food and nutrition at the New You Flexible Boot Camp, their chefs have worked with their Nutrition Squad to put together mouth-watering menus and meal plans using local ingredients that compliment the unique therapeutic weight loss programme that helps minimize sugar cravings, burn stubborn fat and stabilise blood sugar levels.

And to help you on your ‘New You’ journey once you get home the wonderful New You Boot Camp Chefs will hold cookery demonstrations and take you through some delicious healthy recipes showing you that you can easily incorporate a healthier, nutritious lifestyle once you leave the retreat.

Situated within the beautiful Cadiz countryside near Marbella and the Port of Sotogrande, guests will stay at the charming boutique Hotel Monasterio set within an idyllic rural setting with outdoor pool.

Dates for 2013: 12-19th Jan, 2-9th March, 6th-13th April, 11-18th May, 19th-26th July, 9th-16th Sept, 5th-12th Oct,
16th-23rd Nov

Prices from: £1050pp/ Price includes allocated pick ups and drop offs from the airports, all food & drinks and fitness activities on boot camps. Flights not included in price, excursions and massages are an additional cost.

Flights available to Malaga: Easy Jet, Ryan Air, Monarch, British Airway, Swiss Air & Air France.

For more information visit www.newyoubootcamp.com  or to book your press place, please contact Sunny Moran at sunny@newyoubootcamp.com   01202 557138

The Las Vegas model, recently a success in Macau, is now under development in the desert in Northern Spain.

British-based International Leisure Development Group is building a new tourism city “Gran Scala” between Saragossa and Barcelona. The 6,700 acre site will feature 70 hotels, 32 casinos, five theme parks and apartments for up to 100,000 inhabitants. Additionally a large conference center, a shopping center, many restaurants, a golf course, a racecourse as well as museums and an opera house are planned. In total the new area will feature 80,000 hotel rooms. The opening of the first properties is scheduled for early 2014, but delays are expected. So far the hotel operators have not been announced.

A giant clock will center the project and the theme of a journey through time, highlighting 16 historical eras. Each historical period will be composed of two museums dedicated to the period, two complexes which will include a hotel and casino representing the historical theme. A visitor’s journey may start in Greek antiquity, continue through the Middle Ages, travel through the Renaissance era and explore the future. Five theme parks will be implanted at the heart of Gran Scala including the parks Spyland and Aquantica. The first will be a high tech park that combines the history of secret agencies and fiction with an educative and adventurous rhythm. The second park will be an homage to aquatic life.

Rail Europe Inc. is offering $100 off the Youth Eurail Global Pass and $75 off the Adult Eurail Global Pass when booked between now and June 12. Agents need to enter coupon code YOUTH100 or ADULT75 during checkout and the discount will be applied to the total purchase.

The Eurail Global Pass from Rail Europe provides city-center to city-center travel on the national rail networks of 24 European countries.

Participating national rail networks include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland (includes Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

Prices begin at $393 for Eurail Global Youth Pass and $682 for the Eurail Global Adult Pass.

The continuous pass is available for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months and the flexipass is available for 10 or 15 days of travel within a two month period.

Bookings can be made by visiting Rail Europe’s website at agent.raileurope.com or by calling Rail Europe’s contact center or at the banner ad at right.

Marriott International continued the expansion of its joint venture with AC Hotels with the opening of two new properties, the AC Hotel Nice on the French Riviera and the AC Hotel Sant Cugat in Catalonia, Barcelona. AC Hotels by Marriott brand, which launched in 2011, now features more than 80 hotels across Europe.

After an extensive renovation, the AC Hotel Nice opened on April 1. The 143-room downtown hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea just steps from Promenade des Anglais. The property includes a panoramic terrace with heated swimming pool and a relaxing hotel Zen garden. In addition to 22 suites, the hotel has three conference and banqueting rooms, accommodating up to 100 guests.

The AC Hotel Nice is the second AC Hotel by Marriott hotel to open in France joining the AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes-Juan Les Pins, which opened last summer. Another French property, AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot, was announced in September and is set to open in early 2014.

The newly opened AC Hotel Sant Cugat is conveniently located in the business area of Sant Joan. The hotel has 152-rooms and several function rooms for meetings and events. The hotel’s AC Lounge is a multi-purpose space open 24 hours where guests can relax with free Wi-Fi. Local attractions near or in the affluent neighborhood include the Benedictine monastery of Sant Cugat and the medieval castle Castell de Canals.

“We are delighted to be developing the presence of AC Hotels by Marriott in France and across Europe with these two exciting new openings in such current locations,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “Nice and Sant Cugat del Valles are popular destinations for both business and leisure travellers and fit perfectly with the brand’s associated modern comfort and urban style.”

British tennis continues to grab the headlines with the recent exploits of US Open champion Andy Murray and ladies stars Heather Watson and Laura Watson, and lovers of the game can follow in the footsteps of their heroes by heading to Spain’s La Manga Club this spring.

Murray, runner-up at last month’s Australian Open, and world number 45 Robson have both used the venue’s five-star facilities on their way to stardom and La Manga Club’s new role as the official overseas training base of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) means it is THE place to head to for tennis enthusiasts this year.

Players of all ages and abilities can brush up on various aspects of their game at La Manga Club’s outstanding 28-court tennis academy with a wide range of different courses being staged over the coming months.

And with the region of Murcia boasting an annual 300 days’ sunshine a year and one of the best climates in Spain, temperatures are ideal to improve your skills the year round.

Making a welcome return to the 2013 schedule is the popular ‘Weekend Warrior’ breaks, with three-night packages starting from just €289 per person.

Packages include 10 hours’ group coaching and match play, complimentary access to Spa La Manga Club’s fitness centre, indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms and free shuttle bus transfer around the resort.

Children from as young as three up to the age of 19 can benefit from the expertise of La Manga Club’s team of coaches with a series of regular five-day courses being held at the junior academy over Easter and May half-term.

Guests can enjoy accommodation and daily court hire or tuition with the resort’s Best Tennis & More breaks from only €94 per night for four-night stays until the end of March – based on two people sharing – which also includes breakfast and access to the spa’s fitness centre, indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms.

And there are also some amazing discounts available for tennis groups, with eight or more people being offered the chance to take their own pro and get 60 hours’ court time over seven days from just €278 per person per week, staying at the four-star Las Lomas Village.

La Manga Club is Europe’s leading tennis destinations with 28 courts providing a variety of surfaces on which to play.

As well as its new partnership with the LTA, it has previously been the venue for various high-profile competitions, including Davis and Fed Cup matches, and has also regularly been used by the likes of Tim Henman, Jonny Marray and Elena Baltacha as a warm-weather training base.

In addition, the resort boasts unrivalled facilities as a sport and leisure venue including three championship golf courses and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre. It also offers the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses, more than 20 bars and restaurants and great fun for families.

For more information or to book call 00 34 968 17 5577, email reserve@lamangaclub.com or go to www.lamangaclub.com

With the Mediterranean sun’s hat firmly on, the warm waters welcoming little toes to take a dip and the countryside ready to be explored on family outings, April is a great time to visit the beautiful Balearic island of Mallorca. And for parents in need of an Easter break that will keep the whole family reminiscing for months after, Mallorca Farmhouses (www.mallorca.co.uk / 0845 800 8080) have got some great rates on rural retreats starting from just £517 per week (which equates to £86 per person). These include:

Burgues (sleeps six) is a quaint three-bedroom villa in the seaside town of Pollença offering dramatic cliffs, scenic countryside and golden beaches. A comfortable family villa with modern kitchen, garden terrace and large pool surrounded by a sweeping south facing lawn, guests will feel at home in this relaxing suntrap setting. Children will enjoy competing at outdoor table tennis and with horse riding and a water park within easy reach, there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. Withmeandering paths leading into rural paradise and Puerto Pollença just a short drive away, Burgues offers families the best of both worlds. Prices in Easter 2013 start from £517 per week, which equates to £86 per person.

Cas Teuler Petit (sleeps nine) is a beautifully restored four-bedroom farmhouse nestled in the Son Van valley and just minutes from the beaches of Cala d’Or. Cas Teuler Petit is perfect for parents seeking family-fun in a relaxed environment, boasting plentiful outdoor space with floodlit gardens, a shaded area for children to play in and an inviting pool with Roman steps, ideal for little ones attempting their first paddles. The outdoor dining and barbeque area is great for family meals while the spacious living room and modern kitchen provide a comfortable haven from the sun’s warm rays. Prices in Easter 2013 start from £694 per week, which equates to £78 per person.

Hortets de s’Horta (sleeps six) is a three-bedroom stone-clad cottage set within easy reach of the sandy coves in Cala d’Or and against a backdrop of distant mountains. With a private pool beckoning to be splashed in, a brick-built barbecue for lunch alfresco and table tennis, the whole family will enjoy hours of outdoor fun. Featuring exposed beams, a fully-fitted kitchen with large dining table and pristine bedrooms, Hortets de s’Horta is an ideal choice for parents in need of a little luxury. Prices in Easter 2013 start from £779 per week, which equates to £130 per person.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013, Mallorca Farmhouses have perfected the family holiday over the years and now offer a variety of add-ons to ensure a hassle-free and fun-filled time is had by all. Each of its properties come with a private pool, maid service and starter pack, and nearly all have complimentary internet connection. Private catering, babysitting and a ‘pamper by the pool’ mobile spa treatment service can be arranged on request. For further information and bookings, contact Mallorca Farmhouses on 0845 800 8080 or visit www.mallorca.co.uk

Parents seeking a five-star family holiday at a bargain price can enjoy some sensational savings at La Manga Club this Easter and summer with the luxury Spanish resort offering early booking discounts of up to 25 per cent.

The promotion is available on all medium and high-season stays booked at the award-winning venue before February 28, leaving guests free to spend their savings on enjoying La Manga Club’s extensive leisure facilities, which include golf, tennis and spa.

Visitors can stay in either La Manga Club’s four-star Las Lomas self-catering apartments or the five-star Principe Felipe Hotel and – with an additional 20 per cent off an adjoining room booked for children – a family of four can enjoy a seven-night break in the Spanish sun during the school summer holidays for €2,559 (approx £2,130) – a massive reduction of €1,235 (approx. £1,030).

All packages include complimentary access to La Manga Club’s spa featuring an indoor pool, fitness centre, saunas and steam rooms; tax; use of on-resort guest shuttle bus service and free kids meals for children under five; plus preferential rates for the resort’s three golf courses, tennis courts and other sports facilities.

The savings are just as impressive for couples looking to take a shorter break, with a four-night stay in the Hotel Principe Felipe available during April, May and June for €649 (approx £540) per room – a discount of €216.

As part of the early booking promotion, a 10 per cent discount is also on offer on all accommodation for breaks taken in the low season, which can be enjoyed in the hotel until the end of March.

La Manga Club boasts unrivalled facilities as a sports and leisure destination including three 18-hole championship golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre.

As well as offering the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses and more than 20 bars and restaurants, it is great fun for adults and children alike.

After a successful debut in 2012, the Michael Owen Rugby Academy will return for a four-week spell during July and August.

Run by the former Wales captain and British Lions star, the week-long courses are open to children aged nine to 16 and cover covering core areas including kicking, passing, tackle technique and handling, structured around key themes such as tactical appreciation, contact skill and agility and balance.

Daley Thompson’s Adventure Fitness company will also be back to hold its popular athletics courses – designed by the double Olympic gold medallist and overseen by world-class athletes – during the summer holidays which cover a range of track and field disciplines.

And in addition to this La Manga Club will be staging its own academies for golf, tennis, cricket, rugby, football and dance, and the fun-packed range of activities in the junior club.

For more information or to book call 00 34 968 17 5577, email reserve@lamangaclub.com  or visit www.lamangaclub.com

What could be more appealing than an early spring Mediterranean cruise and a long weekend in Barcelona—all for the amazing price of $695. TourCrafters is offering this package on one date, and one date only: Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

The package includes all transfers, a 4-day/3-night all-inclusive cruise aboard the Sovereign of Pullmantur Cruises (inside cabin), three nights’ accommodation in the 4-star Condes de Barcelona Hotel, three breakfasts and a Hop On Hop Off Tour of Barcelona. It does not include air fare. Cabin upgrades are possible: an outside cabin costs $765 and a deluxe cabin costs $955. Babies sail free and there are special prices for children and for families.

The Spanish-flavored Sovereign sails from Barcelona, arriving the next day in Corsica’s main city. You can wander the narrow, picturesque streets of the old part of Ajaccio on your own, seeing the cathedral where Napoleon was baptized, Napoleon’s birthplace, the town hall, Market Square and Fesch Museum., or you can take a shore excursion and see even more.

The next day brings arrival in Villefranche, one of the most charming towns on the French Riviera, close to resort towns like Beaulieu and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and even Nice and Monte Carlo. Here, too, you can purchase a shore excursion, or take the local train along the coast, or just relax and enjoy Villefranche.

Day four means back to Barcelona and a transfer from the pier to the deluxe Hotel Condes de Barcelona. The included Hop On Hop Off Tour is a great way to see Barcelona’s main sights: Plaça de Catalunya, the gracious boulevard Passeig de Gracia, Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece La Sagrada Familia and the fanciful Park Güell. Another day you can roam around the Gothic Quarter, a tangle of medieval streets, or ramble along Las Ramblas to see the famous market La Boqueria.

All prices quoted are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability and do not include air fare, port charges of $111 or service. For additional information visit http://www.tourcrafters.it/tour.lasso/?ID=174. For reservations, call 800-482-5995.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts by the end of this year will open a hotel in Litibú, Mexico, situated north of Puerto Vallarta.

The five-star Iberostar Playa Mita will feature 450 rooms and will be the company’s first hotel on the Pacific coastline and its 10th hotel in the country.

Iberostar also will break ground on a new complex in in Cartagena, Colombia, with a 400-room hotel.

In Spain, the company will renovate the Jardín del Sol Suites in Mallorca and the Isla Canela, Huelva. Iberostar said it also plans to step up the search its expansion opportunities in key international urban tourism capitals.

The company is also renovating three of its 10 properties in Cuba: Cayo Coco, Daiquiri and Taínos.

The company, which reported 10 percent increase in revenues in 2012 from 2011, opened the Iberostar Cancun.

In July, Iberostar, in a joint venture with a group of investors, acquired a 100 percent stake in Thomas Cook’s five hotels in Spain.

Great Value Vacations’ sale on prepackaged vacations to Barcelona, Sicily and Ireland. Details of the sale appear in the alert below and attached. More complete detail including full descriptions of the hotels and recommended activities can be found by clicking on the link to each package from the attached alert or visiting GreatValueVacations.com and clicking on Hot Deals. Please note that advertised pricing represents departures from NYC, however sale pricing from many other gateways throughout the US can be found on the real-time interactive booking calendar that appears alongside each package. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 516-881-3327 or via email at smurphy@gcs-ltd.com should you have any questions or wish to receive images from any or all of the featured destinations. Thank you; and be well.
Regards,
Susan Murphy

GREAT VALUE VACATIONS WEEKLY TRAVEL DEALS
Barcelona, Ireland & Italy on Sale Through February 22, 2013

FEBRUARY 13, 2013 – ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK – Great Value Vacations today introduced 3 new European vacations available for spring travel at exceptionally low prices when booked by February 22, 2013. Advertised prices are based on select New York City departures during March, April and May, 2013. Sale prices from additional U.S. gateways available at www.greatvaluevacations.com. All Great Value Vacations are fully bookable on line via a real-time, interactive calendar that provides complete pricing by date and gateway.

5-Star Barcelona City Escape from $1599pp*

Includes:
• Round-trip economy class airfare from New York to Barcelona
• 5 night’s accommodations at 5-star Pullman Barcelona Skipper
• Buffet breakfast daily
• All applicable taxes & fees

Sicilian Experience from $1699pp*

Includes:
• Round-trip economy class airfare from New York to Palermo
• Manual shift rental car for the duration
• 4 night’s accommodations at the Mondello Palace Hotel
• 2 night’s accommodations at the Hotel Antares
• Breakfast daily
Options:
• Upgrade to 8 nights by adding 2 nights at the Mondello Palace Hotel for an additional $200pp. Includes extended car rental.
• $99 per person upgrade includes upgrade to room with a balcony at Hotel Antares, and guided tours of Marchesi de Gregorio and Cantine Donnafugate wineries.

Emerald Dromoland from $1049pp*
Includes:
• Round-trip economy class airfare from New York to Shannon
• Manual shift rental car for the duration
• 1 night accommodations at The Clare in at Dromoland (Room only)
• 4 night’s Bed & Breakfast vouchers (Redeemable at more than 1,000 B&B’s throughout Ireland)
• 1 night accommodations at The Dromoland Castle (Breakfast included)
Options:
• Dublin Upgrade: For an additional $150pp fly between New York & Dublin, rather than Shannon, and substitute 1 night accommodations at the North Star Hotel, Dublin (room only), rather than The Clare Inn.
• $99pp option: Includes breakfast at The Clare Inn or North Star Hotel (depending on package), admissions to Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Folk Park, Tours of Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Waterford Crystal Factory, and Kildare Village discount.
For additional information on these and all Great Value Vacations’ packages, including booking options and all terms and conditions, visit www.GreatValueVacations.com.

About Great Value Vacations
Launched in 2012, Rockville Centre, New York-based Great Value Vacations is committed to becoming the prepackaged vacation provider of choice for U.S. travelers to the world’s most desirable destinations. Our seasoned travel specialists personally select quality accommodations and fashion distinctive vacation itineraries, thereby eliminating many of the logistical challenges faced when planning a vacation. GVVs’ use of state-of-the-art technology and a focus on quality packages where individual components are bundled together to create a single package price are what enables GVV to meet and exceed the diverse demands of the travel market. For more information visit us on the web at www.GreatValueVacations.com.

*Terms/Conditions:
Advertised package prices are based on select departures as noted on the calendar and were available via the Great Value Vacations website on February 13, 2013 and may not represent current prices.

Prices are per person based on two people traveling together (unless specified otherwise) based on 7 day advance purchase and include round-trip economy class airfare including carrier and government-imposed taxes and fees including the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect some taxes or fees. Packages include roundtrip economy class airfare on valid transatlantic services from New York (JFK) to Paris. Other departure dates and origins are available at slightly higher rates. Packages are subject to availability and are capacity controlled and may not be available on every date or on all flights and may be restricted to certain hotel room and car categories. Fares apply to North American originating passengers only. Full payment is made at the time of reservation. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Higher fares may also be available throughout travel period. Cannot be combined with any other discount/promotion. Not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Child/infant discounts not available. Stopovers are not permitted. Valid for new bookings only. Offers may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice.