Jetsettersblog

Travelodge is offering more than 150,000 rooms at £9 and £19 for winter stays.

The offer applies to stays at the budget chain’s hotels between November 1 and January 31, 2010.

Free places for children up to 18 are being offered on August sailings in the Mediterranean by Star Clippers.

The peak season offer applies to children accompanied by two full fare-paying adults on board Star Clipper and Royal Clipper.

It represents a discount of up to £2,903 off published prices for a family of four with two children accommodated in their own cabin, and up to £535 for a family of three, with one child sharing the parents’ cabin.

The deal applies to departures on board 170-capacity Star Clipper and includes a seven-night sailing around the Greek islands departing on August 8, an 11-night sailing around the Greek islands on August 15 from Athens to Venice, and a 10-night sailing in the reverse direction on August 26.

The offer is also available on 228-passenger Royal Clipper for sailings on August 8 and 29 on 11-night voyages from Rome to Venice and a 10-night cruise in the reverse direction on August 19.

Prices start at £1,310 per adult for the seven nights sailing on August 8, saving £1,965 off the usual cost of a family of four.

Affordably Luxurious Romantic Getaways

From Bailey Robinson

BAILEY ROBINSON (www.baileyrobinson.com  Tel 01488 689 700) the operator specialising in affordable luxury, has selected seven destinations - Fiji, South Africa, Mauritius, Malaysia, Antigua, Canada and India - ideal for weddings, honeymoons or romantic getaways.

WEDDING & HONEYMOON IDEAS & OFFERS:

INDIA - 12-night wedding & honeymoon packages from £5,000 per person

ANTIGUA - book 10 nights and receive a free wedding package from £1,565

FIJI - Royal Davui Island Resort - seven nights for the price of six from £3,880

MAURITIUS - Le Prince Maurice - bride stays free, seven nights from £2,740 per couple

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS:

SOUTH AFRICA - Garonga - five nights for the price of four from £1,230

CANADA - eight nights from £4,900 per couple in British Columbia

MALAYSIA - Pangkor Laut - seven nights for the price of six from £1,230 per couple

INDIA - This proposed wedding itinerary starts from Shimla at the foot of the Himalayas featuring the Wildflower Hall’s ornate glass-domed gazebo as the wedding location. This former Lord Kitchener residence, built in the grand colonial style, is now an Oberoi hotel.

Next up, Agra, 16th and 17th century capital of India and home to the world’s greatest monument built for love - the Taj Mahal - with accommodation in another Oberoi property, Amarvilas.

The itinerary concludes in Rajhasthan with stays in both Jaipur and Udaipur.

WEDDING PACKAGE PRICE: 12-nights from £5,000 per person which includes international flights, the wedding ceremony and city tours.

ANTIGUA - WEDDING OFFER: book 10 nights at Blue Waters and receive a free wedding package which includes room upgrade, registration, fees, bouquet, button hole, decorated gazebo, champagne, wedding cake and wedding breakfast with champagne.

Alternatively, for a 10-night honeymoon, silver or gold wedding anniversary receive a guaranteed room upgrade with a free champagne breakfast.

PRICE: 10 nights for the price of nine from £1,565 per person including accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and international flights.

FIJI - Voted “The Most Romantic Island Hideaway in the South Pacific, Caribbean and Atlantic” by Condé Nast Traveller two years running, the Royal Davui Island Resort is the perfect wedding/ honeymoon location.

Various wedding options are available including a traditional Fijian ceremony.

HONEYMOON OFFER: seven- nights for the price of six from £3,880 per person on an all-inclusive basis and including international flights.

MAURITIUS - According to Condé Nast Traveller, there are few hotels in the world to rival the sheer physical beauty of Le Prince Maurice which stretches back from a private, reef-protected lagoon fringed by four white beaches.

Facilities include a magnificent infinity pool surrounded by sixty acres of glorious gardens. HONEYMOON OFFER: The bride stays free with prices starting from £2,740 per couple, including accommodation on a half board basis with international flights.

SOUTH AFRICA - Nestling in the Makalali Conservancy, west of Kruger National Park, Garonga is an exclusive secluded, incredibly romantic safari camp offers nature lovers an intimate, holistic, unhurried wildlife experience.

PRICE: five nights for the price of four from £1,320 per person on an all-inclusive basis including international flights.

CANADA - This suggested eight-night self-drive itinerary through British Columbia features beautiful Victoria, Clayoquot Sound, renowned for its bears, whales, sea lions, orca, porpoise, puffins and bald eagles, and Sonora Resort, the ultimate in scenic luxury, relaxation and gourmet dining.

PRICE: eight nights from £7,800 per couple, including international flights; two nights at Abigail’s Hotel including breakfast; three nights at Wickaninnish Inn; three nights at Sonora Resort including all meals, drink and a privately guided salmon fishing trip; car rental and a bear viewing tour.

MALAYSIA - Pangkor Laut, a stunning 300-acre private paradise island, boasts villas which are situated over water, on the beach and in the hills.

PRICE: Seven nights for the price of six from £1,230 per couple with accommodation on a room only and international flights and transfers.

IN ADDITION:

MALAYSIAN AIRLINES is offering free upgrades from business to first class on Asia and Australasia flights. Offer valid until 31st December 2009, must be booked by 30th September 2009.

Bailey Robinson (www.baileyrobinson.com Tel 01488 689 700) specialises in affordable luxury, designing individually tailor made journeys.

From its portfolio of fabulous handpicked hotels and resorts in over 65 destinations worldwide, Bailey Robinson can create the perfect itinerary. Whatever a traveller’s interests, dreams and aspirations - a romantic break for two, an action-packed family adventure or a life enhancing journey to the farthest reaches of the globe - Bailey Robinson has the solution.

Huddersfield Carnival – 10th – 11th July

Huddersfield Carnival is the second largest African-Caribbean Carnival in West Yorkshire and pulls in Carnival goers from all over the country as well as serving the local African-Caribbean population numbering 16,000.

Now entering its 23 year the event is a well established part of many people’s summers and this year’s attendance is expected to reach 60,000.

Drawing inspiration from the Caribbean, the Carnival provides a medium through which local communities can develop and display their talents in costume design, music, dance and drama.

Huddersfield Food & Drink Festival – 13th – 16th August

West Yorkshire’s biggest food and drink festival is perfect for all you food lovers, with the streets and squares taken over by four days of pure indulgence, entertainment and trading, devoted to the sights, smells and tastes of local and international food.

Cookery demonstrations will be held each day with chefs from local restaurants and different cultures sharing their secrets and recipes. Children will get a chance to learn about food in a cookery theatre as well as get entertained with children’s story telling, balloon modelling and face painting.

For further details on any of the events visit www.pennineyorkshire.com

These Tuscan Treats Tick All The Right Boxes

Most people’s wish list for the perfect Tuscan holiday villa would include gorgeous views, a good-sized swimming pool, lovely gardens, spacious and characterful rooms and proximity to some of the region’s historic towns.

All the boxes are ticked by several properties still with availability this summer from Invitation to Tuscany (0845-838 7421; www.invitationtotuscany.com). And rental prices won’t break the bank, starting at under £300 per person for a week in July and August.

A former medieval church in the heart of the sought-after Chianti wine-growing region sleeps eight and costs £2,101 per week mid-season ( August 29-October 3) and £2,381 high season (to August 28). Cleverly converted into a delightfully cheerful and comfortable home,

La Pievina’s origins can be spotted in the ancient stone and brickwork of the walls, while the kitchen contains the still-working bread oven used centuries ago by the parish priest.

Furnished in simple, country style, the house has a dining room leading onto a furnished terrace with a barbecue, large gardens and a good-size swimming pool. It is 30 minutes’ drive from the Renaissance wonders of both Florence and Siena.

Also in Chianti, and with views of vineyards and olive groves, is the stylish wing of a rambling 16th-century farmhouse.

Decorated in sunny, inviting colours, Arancio has retained its traditional terracotta floors and chestnut-beamed ceilings and is furnished with a mix of antique and contemporary pieces.

Perfect for a large family group, it has two spacious sitting rooms, top-quality kitchen and bathroom fittings, a private terrace for al fresco dining and shared use of a large swimming pool. Siena, Florence and San Gimignano are within 30 minutes’ drive. Rental is £2,449 per week year-round.

Groups of up to ten can rent an old hilltop farmhouse with beautiful landscaped gardens, panoramic views, private swimming pool and professional hard tennis court.

Podere dell’Amore, ten minutes’ drive from the picturesque little hill town of Casole d’Elsa, near Siena, has spacious rooms full of character, and there are wonderful country walks from the door.

Rental has been reduced to £3,245 per week (saving £360) un from August 29-October 3; and £3,470 (saving £612) to-August 28.

Julian and Cynthia Lennon, in association with the Beatles Story,Liverpool present the world premiere of White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon - a personal and intimate new exhibition portraying the emotional stories of the family of one of the world’s most iconic figures.

Opening in John Lennon’s home town of Liverpool, the world famous Beatles Story gives visitors the opportunity to experience a unique personal narration of life with John - by his son Julian, and Julian’s mother, Cynthia.

Beginning in Merseyside with the meeting at art college of John and Cynthia and following the journey from their clandestine and the birth of Julian, both of which coincide with the sharply increasing trajectory of the band’s fame and fortune.

The exhibition culminates in the story of Cynthia and Julian’s separation and divorce, giving visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the personal journey of this normal family’s struggle to cope with the effects of fame thrown upon them and it is particularly pertinent in today’s celebrity conscious society.

Nothing demonstrates this more acutely than the title of the exhibition, ‘‘White Feather’’.

During a tender moment when Julian was a child, John first spoke to him about the white feather.

As Julian explains: ‘‘The white feather is so prevalent in my life. One thing for sure is that it’s always represented peace to me. And one of the things my father said to me was that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok, or that we were all going to be ok, it was by in some way, shape or form presenting me with a white feather.’’

Then, around ten years ago while Julian was on tour in Australia, a group of Aborigines presented him with a white feather, asking him to be the voice for their plight. It was a breathtaking and inspirational moment for Julian.

This episode moved Julian to create The White Feather Foundation, and subsequently the exhibition in honour of his father’s memory. It is Julian’s wish that the white feather will be recognised as a symbol of peace, strength and honour through the work the charity will undertake.

Julian Lennon says: ‘‘‘John Lennon is an idol to millions of people who grew up loving his music and ideals, but to me he is the father I loved and lost. I hope this exhibition lets people see another aspect of his life and our time together as a family. This collection represents something of great importance to us as it is part of our history. We hope you find it a fitting tribute to a great talent and a remarkable man.’’

Jerry Goldman Managing Director of The Beatles Story comments: ‘‘The Beatles Story is dedicated to celebrating the music and cultural influence of the Beatles. We are delighted to be working with Julian and Cynthia to tell their story of their life with John through this world exclusive exhibition at our new venue.’’

White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon, takes place at the recently expanded world famous Beatles Story within the new Mersey Ferries terminal building on Liverpool’s renowned waterfront before touring worldwide.

-Ends-

On 8th July

Plus Other Great Reasons To Visit

Summertime in Estonia is a colourful mix of old and new – lying on the Baltic Coast, this diverse, culturally-rich country boasts sandy beaches in the north, a vibrant café culture, stunning lakes, rivers, wildlife and a refreshing sense of space. Even better, Sterling goes a long way in Estonia, certainly further than the Euro.

Tallinn, the country’s capital city, which lies on the north coast, is a fantastic blend of medieval and modern. Dating back to 1154, Tallinn’s beautifully-preserved Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and mixes age-old architecture with the buzz of cafés, boutiques and art galleries.

From 3rd June, the Old Town literally blossoms with Tallinn’s increasingly popular garden design festival;

from 2nd – 5th July Tallinn plays host to the annual Song and Dance Festival, a huge event dating back to 1869 drawing thousands of singers and dancers, clad in national costume.

Super-DJ Moby is gracing Tallinn with his musical genius on 8th July for Õllesummer, the largest outdoor festival in the Baltics – Franz Ferdinand headlined last year’s festival, which is described as both a four-day arts and beer festival. A truly heady mix!

Summer prompts Tallinn’s open-air markets, including newcomers Nõmme food market and Rotermanni, which sells exclusively Estonian food from different farms around the country – pop along to this market for delicious pastries and organic seasonal vegetables and fruits, in particular Estonia’s lip-smackingly delicious wild blackberries.

What’s more, Tallinn remains excellent value for visitors – Regent Holidays (0845 277 3317; regent-holidays.co.uk) has a three night break from just £321 per person including return flights from London Gatwick and 3* accommodation on B&B basis.

There’s even more to Estonia than its capital city and exploring the country couldn’t be easier, thanks to its size and slick local transport system

- Regent Holidays has a fantastic value eight day Highlights of Estonia Tour, from £515 per person, including return flights from London Gatwick, 3* accommodation on B&B basis and transport during the tour. This tour is brilliantly thought out and offers a taste of Estonia’s history on the north-eastern frontier before reaching Tartu, the second largest town in the south, home to ancient bridges and churches. Next stop is Pärnu, a popular summer destination with beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches and a buzzing cultural life.

If you fancy staying put for a while, the 16th century Vihula Manor is a hidden gem on the Mustoja River in the north-east corner of Estonia’s stunning Lahemaa National Park.

On your doorstep are some more Estonian delights, including secluded sandy beaches, historic fishing villages and medieval castles. Leaving the manor will be all the more difficult once the Vihula Eco-Spa opens this summer – saunas, outdoor hot tubs and a range of treatments will be available using entirely-organic products, many of which are made from ingredients grown in the manor’s gardens.

Regent Holidays has a four night break at the Vihula Manor from £499 per person including accommodation on B&B basis, flights from London Gatwick and transfers. Vihula Manor is also a great add-on to a break in Tallinn, an ideal combination of vibrant city and soothing country life.
ABTA Y1152/ATOL 6094

TAKE time out and enjoy a seven-day yoga and meditation holiday at the picturesque baroque style Castle Hotel in Szirák, just an hour outside of Budapest.

This stunning castle hotel is surrounded by five acres of pristine evergreen forest and is the perfect location to relax and restore body and mind with daily yoga classes taught by internationally renowned masters, as well as meditation, massage and other pampering treatments.

All classes are conducted in English and are suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced levels and guests will immerse themselves in this ancient discipline to rediscover their inner harmony, as well as listen to lectures from the masters. Guests also receive a complimentary traditional Hungarian foot massage and a Thai massage during their stay.

A day trip to Dobogókõ is included, a stunning village that is said to be an important place for ‘Chakra’ energy and is often mentioned alongside other important places such as the Pyramids of Giza and Machu Picchu. The Dalai Lama is said to have visited this location to meditate and the day’s yoga class and mediation sessions will take place here.

There is also the opportunity to discover the local area and to visit a nearby farm where guests can enjoy activities such as horse riding, horse and cart rides, feeding of the animals and can even have a go at milking the cows, if they wish!

The castle which has been converted into a beautiful hotel was originally built in 1684 and now offers guests four suites furnished in period style, four double rooms in the main building and 17 rooms in the wins. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courses, riding stables, sauna, solarium and indoor archery room and bowling room.

The price is from €1,310 per person (or €1,580 based on single occupancy in a double room) and includes return transfer from Budapest airport or hotel in Budapest, six nights accommodation with breakfast and either lunch or dinner (three courses), daily yoga and meditation sessions, two massages and the farm visit, plus use of all the fantastic facilities.

For more information and to book please visit www.yogainhungary.com

Getting to Hungary

Fly to Budapest with direct flights with Malev Airlines from Gatwick, British Airways from Heathrow; Easyjet from Luton and Gatwick; Ryanair from Bristol, Dublin, East Midlands and Glasgow Prestwick; Jet2 from Manchester and Wizzair from Luton.

Flight time is just under two and half hours from London.

To find out more about Hungary visit www.gotohungary.co.uk

As Credit Crunch Bites

A generation of 20-somethings are holidaying with their parents to save money amid the recession, according to new research.

The new breed of holidaymakers – dubbed HOMADs because they Holiday on Mum and Dad – are turning to their parents for a cheap break.

More than half (52%) of those in their twenties are considering a trip away with their parents this year, with 14 per cent of those saying they already have something booked.

But while 17 per cent say they are doing it because they want to feel like a kid again, 30 per cent admit it’s because they know their parents will pick up the tab.

Courtney Wylie, MD of holiday home website Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, which carried out the study said: ‘’As young people suffer in the credit crunch, more 20-somethings than ever are choosing to go on holiday with their folks.

‘’Holiday costs can soon add up, but children – of all ages – shouldn’t be embarrassed by turning to their parents for financial help.

‘’Going away as a larger group can really help to keep the costs down and holidaying with your parents can even help you recreate the fun trips you had as a child.”

The poll of 2,500 Brits revealed that three quarters reckon their parents would pay something towards the cost of the holiday, with a lucky 18 per cent of those saying their parents will foot the entire bill.

And almost 77 per cent also claimed their mum and dad would pay for food and drink while on the trip.

A cheeky 64 per cent even admitted they would happily go away with family who offered to pay, even if they couldn’t stand spending a lot of time with them.

But it’s not just the younger generation who are going away with parents. More than half of Brits (55%) are considering holidaying with extended family and 19 per cent already do this.

Fifteen per cent said they would consider it because grandparents would help look after the kids, but two thirds would just do it to spend quality time together.

Another two thirds would think about travelling with a group of friends if it was cheaper than going alone and three quarters reckon they would have more fun.

Almost 20 per cent also think their children would be more entertained if other children were with them.

Wylie, of Holiday-Rentals.co.uk added: “Travelling in a group with family or friends is not only a great way to cut the cost per head of your holiday, it also helps re-establish important bonds.”

“In our time-poor world, holidays have become a key time for people to re-connect and we really value that time together.”

“Renting a large holiday home is the perfect solution as it’s very reasonable per head, plus provides more living space, such as separate bedrooms, dining rooms, lounges, gardens and pools.”

www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk is the UK’s largest holiday home rentals website, listing over 180,000 properties worldwide, including thousands of larger homes suitable for a break with extended family or friends.

Check out the Play and Stay picnic page at www.play-and-stay.co.uk/offers/summer-picnic-promotion-pso010.html

We literally have everything you need to make your day a success.

The aim of the page is to to encourage visitors to load the car up and head out for a jolly good picnic.

The page is designed to help families on holiday, or groups of people just looking for something to do at the weekend. Picnics are inexpensive and a great way of bringing everybody together and if the timing is right, even catch a few rays and get that well-earned t-shirt tan on the go.

Play and Stay editor, Mike Shaw, said: “The dedicated picnic page has downloadable PDFs with everything from food ideas to fun games the whole family can get involved in. Play and Stay even have a comprehensive checklist so you’ll never have that awful nagging feeling that you may have left something behind.”

Running along the same lines, there is a competition on Play and Stay to win one of 25 limited edition picnic rucksack. They contain all the tools you need - knives, forks, cups, plates and a cooler. By simply signing up to our email newsletter, your readers will be in the running for one of these cool sets, worth more than £40.

For even more great picnic locations, our customers have come up with some great suggestions. Take a look at

http://blog.play-and-stay.co.uk/2009/05/pick-a-picnic-site