Jetsettersblog

London will see several new venues that will add to its tourism experience.

When it opens Oct. 30, the Westfield London will add more than 265 luxury, high street and premium retailers, including 16 making their UK debut.

The space features a luxury boutique-style environment called The Village as well as over 50 different places to eat. Add to this a full range of services including concierge team, personal shopping and valet parking. Ganton Street, known as Carnaby’s food quarter, is now complete with the recent opening of Cha Cha Moon from Alan Yau.

The restaurant offers Chinese noodle-inspired dishes with communal tables. There are plenty of other food options in the area, including tapas at Dehesa, traditional sausage and mash at Mother Mash and American classic dishes at The Diner.

For press information, contact Sarah Mole. A new mixed-use development Kings Place opens in King?s Cross this month. The building contains public spaces as well as offices, bars and restaurants.

There will also be art facilities with free access to a number of galleries. It will also house a concert hall and host regular music events. King?s Place will mark its opening with 100 musical events in the first five days.

In the lodging sector, the Apex City of London Hotel has added 49 rooms to its four-star deluxe property as part of a ?13 million refurbishment.

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Bringing the hotel?s total bedroom stock to 179, the hotel will now offer guests a choice of 94 city, 43 superior and 38 deluxe bedrooms along with four junior suites.

?All rooms will have flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD players, free Wi-Fi, free local phone calls and use of the hotel?s fully equipped Technogym.

For more information, visit www.visitlondon.com

A new Ordnance Survey map has just been published which charts in full the latest developments in The National Forest.

It marks the increase in woodland since the previous 2005 edition of the map from 16% to nearly 18% over the 200 square miles of the Forest. New parking points and attractions are marked, and, thanks to aerial photography techniques, trails are picked out through some of the earlier planted woodlands as the trees are growing.

New open access land and definitive rights of way are marked, along with other notable additions to the Forest landscape such as new wetland habitats.

Simon Evans, Chief Officer, Land Use, for the National Forest Company said: ?We are particularly pleased with this updated map of The National Forest area. Perhaps more than anywhere in the country, the landscape here is constantly changing. When the creation of the Forest began in the early 1990s the woodland cover was a meagre 6%: now at nearly 18%, the map is certainly a lot greener.

?Around 80% of new woodland sites in The National Forest have public access, and this new map will help people to have more confidence in where they can walk and enjoy the Forest, find a quiet spot to picnic or watch the wildlife, and generally recharge their batteries.?

This is the fourth edition of the National Forest map, no. 245 in the Ordnance Survey Explorer series. It can be purchased online for ?8.50 (inc p&p) through the National Forest Company giftshop at www.nationalforest.org/giftshop
email enquiries@nationalforest.org ?or tel: 01283 551211.

Yorkshire-based Jet2.com will start twice weekly flights from Newquay Cornwall Airport to Leeds Bradford and Belfast International next year.

Launching on May 27 and 24 respectively, the 148-seat Boeing 737-300 flights will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays through the summer with lead in fares at ?24.99, including taxes.

The RAF is due to cease control of airfield operations at Newquay, formerly RAF St Mawgan, on December 1.

Cornwall Airport Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cornwall County Council which assumed operational management of Newquay Cornwall Airport in April 2007, will take over airfield and air traffic operations from the RAF on that date.

Expanding Greek carrier Aegean Airlines is to add a third daily flight between Stansted and Athens.

The additional frequency starts on December 15, departing Stansted at 15.50 and arriving in the Greek capital at 21.35.

The expanded schedule has been designed to allow better connections to the airline?s 16 onward destinations in Greece.

The airline is also starting services to Paris from Athens on November 12 with a daily flight, rising to two a day next March. Dusseldorf will also be served five times a week.

ST. LUCIA, West Indies ? Travelers wanting to trade grey skies and blustery weather for the sapphire waters and waving palms of the Caribbean don?t expect a price break during the winter season. However this winter Discovery at Marigot Bay on the beautiful island of St. Lucia is offering its Simply Romantic Winter Break with savings of 20% on rooms and 25% savings on a whole host of romantic vacation amenities.

A five-night Simply Romantic Winter Break www.discoverystlucia.com/winterbreak.html

starts at $2,599 for two and includes:

Choice of Scenic Bay View Room, Bay View Suite or Penthouse Suite accommodations for two
Full Buffet Breakfast daily at the Boudreau Restaurant
Chilled Bottle of Champagne upon arrival
Three-course dinner for two in Discovery?s rustic tree house
Sunset horseback ride for two splashing through the surf at a nearby beach
Half-day yacht cruise
Couple?s massage: al fresco in a bayside Zen Garden cabana or in air-conditioned comfort at the world class Lapli Spa.
All tax and service charges

Enjoy a day of sailing, snorkeling, horseback riding or relaxing on the beach. Then unwind with a soothing massage at Discovery?s Lapli Spa. Cap off a magical day with an intimate three-course dinner a deux in Discovery?s rustic tree house surrounded by the boughs of a fragrant almond tree, with your own personal server, and a special menu prepared especially for you.

The Simply Romantic Winter Break is available November 3, 2008, through April 18, 2009, with the exception of the December 22, 2008, through January 4, 2009, holiday period.

For more information and reservations call 758-458-5300 or visit www.DiscoveryStLucia.com

About Discovery at Marigot Bay ? simply magical

Nestled on St. Lucia?s scenic west coast, Discovery at Marigot Bay was opened in 2006 and overlooks an idyllic inlet described as ?the most beautiful in the Caribbean? by novelist James A Michener.

With lush tropical gardens, Discovery was designed as an eco-friendly hotel blending into the hillside and offering dramatic views of the sea and beautiful yachts in the bay below.

A member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, Discovery enchants guests with 57 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and 35 rooms with a stylish combination of contemporary chic, state-of-the-art fittings and Caribbean pizzazz from complimentary WiFi to flat screen televisions.

If the idea of nearly a third of a year off to go cruising sounds like your sort of a holiday, consider an amazing 101-nights from New York to Sydney and back to New York aboard Cunard?s grand Queen Mary 2 in 2010.

This ultimate in special anniversary, birthday or even retirement gifts to yourself (or an employee,) will visit 32 ports in 21 countries between January 4 and April 15 2010 and is selling through ecruising.travel at over 30-per cent below previously advertised prices.

A hotel night in New York pre-cruise, all 5-star onboard dining throughout the 101 nights cruise, a special World Cruise Celebration Dinner and complimentary World Cruise Gift, nightly Broadway-style shows and late-release movies, complimentary room service, gratuities, port charges, and transfers in New York are all included.

As well, an onboard spending credit of up to US$1000pp (depending on cabin category) is included in the price that starts from $24,999pp twin-share ? a saving of $10,750pp ? with free cabin upgrades on select cabin categories, and an additional 5% off for past Cunard guests.

Air travel and taxes are additional; for full information and a detailed itinerary phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

ITINERARY DETAILS: Queen Mary 2 will sail 7-nights across the Atlantic to Southampton, then Lisbon, Civitavecchia for Rome, Port Said (Cairo,) Safaga for Luxor and Karnak, Muscat, Dubai, Mumbai, Phuket, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hong Kong where she will overnight.

From Hong Kong she sails on to Shanghai, Nagasaki, Yokohama for Tokyo, Guam, Rabaul, the Whitsunday Islands, Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Sydney (overnight,) Adelaide, Perth, Port Louis in Mauritius, Durban, Cape Town (overnight,) St Helena, Rio de Janeiro, Barbados, Fort Lauderdale and New York.

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The British Virgin Islands, about 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, like many Caribbean countries this fall experienced a decrease in airlift when daily flights from San Juan dropped from 10 to three on American Airlines? American Eagle.

After a series of negotiations with American Eagle, the BVI announced that AE will increase airlift to four weekday flights and five weekend flights, available for booking via the travel network SABRE.

British Virgin Islands delegation headed by Premier Ralph O?Neal met with an American Eagle management team to further discuss airlift between the BVI and San Juan. The discussion resulted in two additional flights to the BVI including a daily flight, which will depart San Juan at 5:55 p.m., and a weekend flight that will depart Puerto Rico at 11:30 a.m.

The BVI delegation will continue to lobby for additional flights including overnight options for Thanksgiving.

Through separate negotiations, Caribbean airline LIAT has reached an agreement with the BVI government to provide three daily flights between the destination and San Juan.

These additional flights provide both an early morning departure, 9:35 a.m., for San Juan and a late evening departure, 7:55 p.m. for Beef Island.

For more information, call 800-835-8530 or visit www.bvitourism.com

Whether contemplating a weekend of fine food and shopping with your girlfriends or a couple of days bonding with the boys, Aalborg makes an excellent short break destination for both sexes.

Less than 2 hours flying time from Gatwick Airport, Denmark?s 4th largest city is well-known for its architecture and design, gourmet restaurants, specialty shops, small boutiques and suitably high octane night life. An easy escape with a good mix of attractions, it is ideal for those who fancy a few nights away with friends, whether celebrating a birthday, enjoying some Danish retail therapy or in contemplation of that ?big day?.

And we all know a girl likes to shop?so if shopping, gourmet eating and a little indulgence are what you are after, you won?t be disappointed.

Aside from all the high street brands, Aalborg has some great off the beaten track shopping offering everything from exclusive designer clothing on Gravensgade to more avant-garde and eclectic purchases in the aptly named ?Medina?. Meandering through the cobbled streets of Molle Plads and Rantzausgade, catch local artisans at work in Lange Arts and Crafts or pick up something for the house in the many boutique interior shops.

For a more in-depth take on Danish art, visit the Kunstmuseum (Art Museum) with its famous Alvar Aalto design (www.nordjyllandskunstmuseum.dk) or pop into the waterfront Utzon Center for a champagne brunch and tour of this impressive cultural centre (www.utzoncenter.org/en/welcome.htm)

With numerous cafes and bars, weary feet are easily revived. Grab a coffee at the delectable family-owned specialty shop Pennylane (www.pennylanevin.dk) with its fantastic array of gourmet foods, chill out in the creative hub of the Cookie Factory where local designers and creators display their wares (www.cookiefactory.dk/eng) ?relax in sunshine on C.W Obel Plads over a glass of wine or more indulgently sip bubbles at Denmark?s celebrity chef Morton Nielsen?s stylishly sleek Mortens Kro Restaurant and champagne bar. (www.mortonskro.dk)

Dining out on the days exploits, settle down to Mediterranean influenced cuisine and tapas in the exclusive yet laidback old warehouse setting of Restaurant Rosdahls (www.rosdahls.dk) savour fresh mussels and crabs at the newly opened Restaurant Mundgott (www.mundgott.dk) ?literally push the boat out with harbour dining on Princess Juliana (www.prinsesjuliana.dk) or head to the city?s 400yr old castle Sohngaardsholm Slot for a more regal supper (www.sohngaardsholmslot.dk)

As for what men like, it wouldn?t be unusual to find beer and golf somewhere on the menu.

Offering both of these and more, Aalborg has an excellent range of activities - mountain biking, go-karting, paintball, bowling, watersports - to easily keep the more mucho entertained.

With two excellent golf courses within 15 minutes of the centre, tee off the morning with 18 holes before returning to town for a well-deserved lunch. For a hearty ?make your own? burger, head to the popular Restaurant Public or venture to the city?s most famous microbrewery ?Sogaards Bryghus? (www.soegarrdsbryhus.dk) to down a delicious ale, juicy steak and tour by former butcher, brewmeister and owner, Claus Sogaard.

For a bit of culture and history, uncover the importance of Scandinavia’s largest Viking burial ground - Lindholm Hoje. (www.visitnordjylland.dk); learn about Aalborg?s fascinating history as a garrison town at The Defence and Garrison Museum (www.forsvarsmuseum.dk); brush up on your engineering and technology at the Utzon Center?s Universitarium; and board the world?s fastest gas-turbine torpedo board at the Aalborg Maritime Museum (www.aalborgmarinemuseum.dk)

End the day in high spirits with a tour of the V S Distillers to get a taste ?Denmark?s drink with a kick? ? Aquavit - and its 17 flavours (www.distillers.dk/uk ) before venturing out onto the lively Jomfru Ane Gade with the longest continuous stretch of restaurants, pubs, cafes, live-music venues and bars in Aalborg.

With nothing categorically confined to either of the sexes, Aalborg makes a great escape no matter how you play it.

Getting there ? ?

Sterling offers direct daily flights departing Gatwick from as little as ?12 one-way. Aalborg offers a good range of central 3 and 4 star hotels with prices ranging from ?80-?120 per room per night.

Angelic Premiere Packages Offer Irresistible Temptations

A lush, new hotel in Durham promising luxury, indulgence and unique rooms has created irresistible offers to celebrate its launch.

The Fallen Angel, in the heart of Durham City, is a ten-bedroomed, opulently themed hotel due to open its doors on September 19. As the curtain goes up on its stunning room and general theming concepts, it is providing Premi?re Packages consisting of preview prices for guests wishing to be some of the first to succumb to the hotel?s extraordinary temptations.

Offers currently apply to all rooms in the exquisitely furnished Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, as well as to three secluded garden apartments, which each come with their own private hot tub.

Visitors can opt to bask in the beauty of the Victorian boudoir, sleep under the stars in the Le Jardin suite, or live life like a Time Lord in the Sci-Fi apartment furnished with Tardis and teleport shower.

They may wish to go back to black, stretching out under the chandeliers in the dramatic Cruella room that knocks spots off traditional hotel rooms. Some will prefer to go to bed with a good book in the Library, where the mood is one of Paris in its hey-day.

Alternatively, guests may prefer to live the American dream in the New York loft apartment, climb aboard the Edwardian Express, or find out what floats their boat by staying in the Cruise room.

Taking over the top floor will allow them to lounge like Lara with their own Dr Zhivago in the Russian Bride penthouse suite, furnished with gorgeous, hand-carved furniture, tented ceiling, fur accents and bamboo flooring and fitted with spa bath and glass-fronted sauna. From here guests can wallow in romance, whilst enjoying a wonderful view over Durham?s skyline to the Cathedral and Castle.

Others may choose to rustle up some popcorn, settle into a reclining cinema seat and enjoy their favourite movie on a giant screen in The Premi?re garden suite, or pop outside to have their photos taken inside the vintage gold Rolls Royce.

Marble wash stand, aromatherapy vaporiser, black velvet sleigh bed, four poster bed, surreal Philippe Starck ghost chairs, three-speed rodeo saddle or private, silver hot tub are just some of the features guests might mention when writing their postcard home. Other scripts might mention the French pavement caf? themed restaurant, open to guests and non-residents alike, which features a street light and boulangerie, tinkling clavinola, classic cars and riverside views and terrace.

Although every experience is totally priceless, from the moment guests check in to the Jules Verne themed reception area and leave reality behind them, the Fallen Angel has helpfully fixed a tariff. It has also decided to offer introductory room rates for the first guests to experience this oasis of luxury and indulgence, taking a hefty ?50 the normal tariff, for each room.

The introductory prices range between ?125 and ?200 per night for a themed room in the townhouse and between ?175 and ?200 per night for one of the delicious garden suites.

The New York apartment can accommodate four people and can be booked at an opening offer price of ?150 for room only.

The top floor, cream haven of the Russian Bride suite will cost ?250 per night during the offer period, which runs to the end of October 2008 and applies to all reservations taken prior to October 31.

Reservations can be made by calling 0191 384 3904, where angelic staff are on hand to help you fall head over heels for the Fallen Angel. Further information and an online contact form can be found at www.fallenangelhotel.com