Jetsettersblog

CultureCrossing.net

A new site to help travelers cross the cultural divide

Announcing the launch of www.CultureCrossing.net;a user-built guide to cross cultural etiquette and understandingfor traveling, living, working, and studying in the global community.

Wondering if you should bow or shake hands with your Chinese colleague? Worried that you might have offended your Moroccan hosts by declining that second cup of tea? Want to know the best time to arrive at a Brazilian party? Look no further than CultureCrossing.net; an evolving database of cross-cultural information about every country in the world.

This free, user-built reference guide allows people from around the globe to access and share essential tips about how to navigate the world with savvy and sensitivity. An invaluable resource for travelers, businesses, students and anyone living and working in a multicultural community, CultureCrossing.net offers its users an opportunity to:

* Access information for more than 200 countries (with new information added daily)

* Add knowledge to the country guides*

Ask questions and chat directly with other users and experts from around the world

• Explore global resources to facilitate any cross-cultural experience

According to CultureCrossing.net founder Michael Landers, “There are many sites that tell you how to book a trip and what to pack, but very few sites offer crucial information about the intangibles like appropriate greetings, gestures, and taboo behavior- tips that will help you stay out of trouble when crossing cultures.

Ours is the only site providing free access to this kind of knowledge for every country in the world.”

The resources available at CultureCrossing.net are free to use, easy to navigate and simply organized by country and divided into three distinct categories of information: the basics, business essentials, and student life.

Topics covered include greetings, gestures, taboos, dress, negotiations, meeting etiquette, school rules, gift giving, communication styles, eye contact, and more. Besides being an indispensable reference guide, the site also offers a variety of additional features such as interviews with culturally conscious celebrities, a humorous blog where you can learn from others’ cross-cultural faux pas, tools to help you explore your own “cultural baggage”, and quizzes so you can test your cultural IQ. WHY

WWW.CULTURECROSSING.NET

Adventure Travel Website ‘Off the Radar

Off the Radar travels far and wide to bring readers information about unusual and difficult-to-find adventure destinations and tour operators. In three short years of operation, it has become an invaluable resource for adventure travelers, travel writers, and tour operators.

Off the Radar is establishing a reputation for “breaking” the news about emerging operators and destinations in the media - some examples include:

• In May 2008, Off the Radar featured a range of itineraries and operators in Assam, India; later this year this remote NE Indian state will likely be the subject of a PBS television show

• Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself (www.PEPYride.org) non-profit organization and adventure tour operator offering cycle trips and volunteering in Cambodia was featured in Off the Radar’s Aug 2006 issue; by April 2007 PEPY was gracing the pages of National Geographic Adventure magazine

Sample advertising opportunities with Off the Radar include: mention of the company and its product or service in the ‘Try This’ feature column, sponsorship of the monthly photo contest, banner ads, and sponsored ads in the Off the Radar newsletter which is sent to over 600 subscribers each month. Bundled advertising packages are available.

Please contact paigestringer@xolaconsulting.com for a full menu of options, rate cards and further details.

In 2005, Xola Consulting (www.xolaconsulting.com) launched Off the Radar (www.travelofftheradar.com) to bring passionate, independent travelers reliable information about entrepreneurial adventure companies around the world – those who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel; and who believe in incorporating the local people and traditions of the places where they operate.

Pegasus Airlines Winter Schedule

Pegasus Airlines launches its winter flight schedule with tickets onsale today. Valid from 26th October 2008, the new schedule boasts unbeatable one-way prices starting at 66 Euros (£52) on international routes and 41 YTL (£18) on domestic routes*, available until 29th March 2009.

Pegasus Airlines’ winter schedule tickets go on sale today, 6th August 2008, with one-way prices starting at 66 euros* (£52) on international routes. Pegasus Airlines operates flights between Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir in Turkey to Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Cologne, London, Lefkosa, Munich, Stuttgart and Zurich.

Domestic flights prices start at 41YTL* (£18), making it the cheapest and easiest way to get to your favourite holiday destination in Turkey. Pegasus Airlines flies to Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Diyarbakýr, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Ýstanbul, Ýzmir, Kayseri, Malatya, Mardin, Samsun, Trabzon and Van.

Pegasus tickets are available to buy online at www.flypgs.com/en, from local agents and airline ticket desks, or call 444 0 737 in Turkey for 24/7 ticket-sale service.

Established in 1990, Pegasus Airlines is Turkey’s largest and most established private airline, owned by ESAS Holding, part of the Sabanci family group of companies. In addition to the airline sector, ESAS Holding also operates in the health and food sectors. Pegasus Airlines is managed by Chairman Ali Sabanci and General Manager Sertaç Haybat.

*Quoted prices are inclusive of tax and fuel charges, but exclusive of service charge (£10).

www.flypgs.com/en

Pegasus Airlines offers the following destinations direct from the UK each week:

To Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen and Ercan, North Cyprus from London Stansted (3x), increasing to 4x from September (extra Monday flight) and 5x from October (extra Friday flight).

Winter schedule is valid from 26th October 2008 – 29th March 2009.

One-way prices start at £40, including taxes and services charges. Quick transfers are available via Istanbul to many onward destinations in Turkey (16 domestic routes) and Europe.

Pegasus Airlines began its scheduled domestic flights on November 1st, 2005. In 2007, the airline carried 4.1 million passengers.

Flights can be booked at www.flypgs.com/EN

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).

Shean Nights at Beit She’an National Park

A unique multi-sensory multi-media experience opens this week at Beit She’an National Park. The $3 million show is the first project of its type in an archeological site and the fourth largest in the world.

She’an Nights, a multi-media multi-sensory night tour of the ancient city of Beit She’an-Scythopolis, has recently opened at the Beit She’an National Park, located in the Jordan Valley.

Developed at a cost of $3 million in a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tourism via the Israel Government Tourist Corporation, the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority and the Beit She’an Municipality, this unique project is the first of its type in the world in an archeological site and the fourth largest such project in the world.

Approximately $65 million have been invested in the 400 acre Beit She’an National Park since excavations began there twenty years ago, revealing dozens of layers of settlement on the tel dating back to 5000 BCE, as well as Roman-Byzantine remains in the valley that include a theater, amphitheater, bathhouses, temples, cardo and more.

She’an Nights, which is expected to attract 400,000 visitors annually, will operate nine months of the year, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the site in the cool night air in a region known for its sweltering summer days. After watching a 10 minute presentation that relates the history of the area (in English or Hebrew), visitors set off on a multi-sensory experience as they stroll through the streets of the excavated city of Scythopolis with its marble columns, stone streets, bathhouses, temples and mosaics, while watching audiovisual presentations projected onto dozens of giant screens on the columns, walls and even the tel behind the site.

Sound effects, that include voices, stories, song and music, complete the multi-sensory experience of being transported 2000 years back in time. Visitors may select their own route around the site and linger as long as they like at any one point, “meeting” local characters, “experiencing” the earthquake that destroyed the city in 749 CE, and “watching” a performance in the Roman amphitheater.

Director-General of the Tourism Ministry Shaul Tzemach: “This innovative tourism project, the first of its type in the world in an archeological site, is part of a master plan for developing and attracting tourism to the Beit She’an region and reflects the ministry’s commitment to improving the tourism product.”

Advance reservation for groups and for individual tourists who wish to see the pre-show in English is necessary (00972 4 6481122). She’an Nights is suitable for families (children over 5), tourists and Israelis.

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Ramadan specials

This Ramadan, relax in the elegant and atmospheric surroundings of the Brasserie and enjoy a sumptuous buffet, à la carte menu and themed live cooking stations. During the holy month of Ramadan the Brasserie will be providing a superb Iftar buffet from sunset until 8pm priced Dhs. 185 per person. Regular dinning will resume from 8pm onwards.

Kindly book ahead for Iftar at the Brasserie to ensure Le Royal Meridien is able to accommodate your request.

Al Khaima

This Ramadan Al Khaima offers guests the perfect setting to socialize after the sun goes down. Sit back, relax and watch the sunset over the beautiful Arabian Sea from the terrace at Al Khaima, or in the comfort of the delightful indoor dining area at the specially designed Ramadan tent. Listen to the mellow tones of the oudh and tabla and sample a sumptuous selection of traditional Arabic cuisine taken from the restaurant’s al a carte menu. As well as a mouthwatering assortment of specialty foods such as shish taouk, koftaas, salads and sweets, a selection of board games and shisha pipes will make for a truly relaxing experience.

Entry price of AED. 99, which includes a selection of two hot and two cold mezzehs, applies.

Al Khaima is open between 8.00pm until 2.00am on weekdays (3.00am Thursdays). A special Al Khaima set menu is available for larger groups when pre-booked.

To enjoy any of these fantastic offers please call Le Royal Meridien on 04-316 5550 for reservations.

Grosvenor House – Ramadan specials

Why not try out Grosvenor Houses’ popular international restaurant Sloane’s, this Ramadan. Sloane’s will be open 24 hours, serving a traditional Iftar buffet from its delightful open plan kitchen at 6.00pm (sunset) until 8.00pm, priced at Dhs.195 per person. Regular dining operations will resume from 8pm onwards.

Ottomans

This Ramadan, sit back, relax and take in the warm and authentic surroundings of Ottomans. Visitors to the exquisite Turkish restaurant will be treated to a delicious Iftar menu (at sunset) whilst enjoying the mellow tones of the oudh and tabla. Ottomans will be open only for group Iftar bookings throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Regular dining operations will resume from 8pm – 1am, Tuesday to Sunday.

To enjoy any of these fantastic offers please call Grosvenor House on 04-399 8888 for reservations.

Ramadan at The Monarch Dubai

The holy month of Ramadan marks a period of reflection for the world’s Muslim population. This is also the time to spend quality time with family and friends, particularly during the sumptuous Iftars after the breaking of the fast each day.

Beginning with the sighting of the new moon The Monarch Dubai has special Iftar themes & culinary delights for its patrons for the entire month of Ramadan.

Set in the royal ambiance of The Monarch Dubai, guests will indulge in the delicacies that have been prepared to commemorate this very special month

Mizaan, the hotel’s all day dining restaurant will host an elaborate Iftar buffet with classic and contemporary Arab dishes, sweets and juices priced at AED 165 per person.

Werner Pichler, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Monarch Dubai, looks forward to welcoming guests during Ramadan and says: “Our promotions during the month of Ramadan provide guests with an ideal opportunity to enjoy the spirit of Ramadan with family and friends in a peaceful setting”.

“Ramadan under the Stars” can be experienced in its full glory at The Monarch Dubai’s Quantum Pool Lounge, where after dinner shisha, drinks and a selective a la carte menu will be served.

The tranquil pool side ambiance of the Quantum Pool Lounge sets the character and mood for the perfect evening to relax by the pool with family and friends from Iftar to Souhour during this holy month.

For larger groups of a minimum 30 people, the exclusive Al Massa ballroom, or Nur Al Ain meeting room overlooking the foyer, offer Iftaar menus starting from AED 165 to AED 195 per person.

This includes a sumptuous Iftar Buffet with pre-set cold mezze, traditional Arabian delights, Iftaar juices and soft drinks, and dates to break the fast.

For an additional cost, live cooking and Ouzi is available.

Special arrangements have been made for guests to offer prayers during Iftar and other times with prayer rooms in close vicinity to both venues.

About Refad Hotels & Resorts

Refad Hotels & Resorts is a wholly owned subsidiary of Efad Holding, a major Kuwait conglomerate. Refad Hotels & Resorts’ head office, located in the State of Kuwait, provides hotel management, development, ownership investment as well as financing worldwide for a variety of innovative hospitality products. Refad Hotels and Resorts own and operate a range of hospitality solutions across the region as well as overseas. It has five international properties in operation and a further six under construction. As an emerging international hospitality group, the company plans to acquire 30 new properties over the next five years.

Refad’s unifying aim is the provision of exceptional hospitality services to corporate individuals and groups, ensuring that the Refad brands are recognized globally as being synonymous with absolute excellence.

For further information: www.refad.com

Ramadan at The Park

Enjoy a feast of Ramadan specialties in a stunning waterfront location

Park Hyatt Dubai presents “Ramadan Nights at The Terrace”, an opportunity to share with family and friends a variety of gourmet delights as you relax adjacent to the beautiful waterfront. A full Ramadan menu is available, with cold and hot mezze, including such traditional favourites as Mohamra, Moutabel Badenjan, Fatoush, Loubia and Warek Enab, and a variety of freshly baked Saj bread (Zaatar and Olive Oil, Akawi and Haloumi Cheese, and Minced Meat with Pine Nuts and Labneh, Tomato, Olives and Rucola), as well as Shawarma and Falafel sandwiches. For main courses, select from the Iranian Mixed Grill, the Grilled Seafood Platter or the Grilled Lamb Chops with Oregano, Tomatoes and Peppers.

Also available is an extensive dessert menu, including Um Ali, dates and seasonal fresh and dried fruit, to name a few, a beverage list featuring all the Ramadan favourites, such as Laban, Kamar Eddine, Tamr Hindi and Jellab, as well as mocktails made especially for the occasion, such as the Simple Colada, the Merry Mary, and iced coffees and teas in a multitude of flavours. “Ramadan Nights at The Terrace” also offers a large variety of shisha flavours for guests to choose from, priced between Dhs45 and Dhs55, as they relax and listen to the Arabic lounge-style music.

An option of two Sohour Set menus will also be available, priced at Dhs180 and Dhs200, including cold mezze, hot cuisine such as Shawarma and Mixed Grills, a selection of sweets and an assortment of soft beverages.

“Ramadan Nights at The Terrace” overlooking the picturesque Dubai Creek will operate from 8:00pm to 3:00am. A minimum consumption charge per person will apply.

For reservations, please call 04 317 2222, or the hotel on 04 602 1234 and ask to speak to Alok Kukreti.

Arabic sweets and cookies will be on offer from Park Hyatt Dubai’s chic pastry boutique, Pistache.

“RAMADAN TENT BY THE MARINA”

Park Hyatt Dubai presents its Ramadan Tent, over looking the marina at The Thai Kitchen Balcony. A specially constructed see through and air conditioned tent will allow guests to relax and enjoy their Ramadan and Sohour cuisine. A lounge style set up, to include rich colour sofas, cushions, candles, games and shisha ensures a unique experience.

“Ramadan Tent by the Marina” overlooking the picturesque Dubai Creek will operate from 8:00pm to 3:00am.

A minimum consumption charge per person will apply.

For reservations, please call 04 317 2222, or the hotel on 04 602 1234 and ask to speak to Alok Kukreti.

“RAMADAN NIGHTS AT TRAITEUR BALCONY”

If you are looking for a unique area to enjoy spending time with family, friends and colleagues, or simply to collect yourself and unwind, what more peaceful and tranquil setting could there be than the Traiteur bar outside terrace, overlooking the beautiful marina and skyline of Dubai? Here, a Ramadan seating area is recommended for groups of up to 30 people. An option of two Sohour Set menus will be available, priced at Dhs180 and Dhs200, including cold mezze, hot dishes, such as Shawarma and Mixed Grills, a selection of sweets and seasonal fresh fruit, and an assortment of soft drinks.

“Ramadan Nights at Traiteur Balcony” will operate from 8:00pm to 3:00am.

For reservations, please call
04 317 2222, or the hotel on 04 602 1234 and ask to speak to Alok Kukreti.

IFTAR ARABESQUE
Enjoy an Iftar buffet in a stylish setting, with spectacular views overlooking Dubai Creek.

Café Arabesque celebrates the culinary delights of the Levantine region, and offers a truly rich Arabic Iftar buffet featuring more than 40 different kinds of cold and hot mezze, (including Kibdet Dajaj, Roubian Bil Salsa, Lesanat, Ferri and Jawaneh Dajaj), two soups, (Freekieh and Shorbet Adas), Ouzy served with Oriental rice, rotisserie dishes, carvings, kebabs and more than 10 different main courses (including Shish Barak, Baziella Bil Lahem, Sapandh Bil Lahmeh, Kousa Ablama and Daoud Basha), all baked in a wood-fired oven and accompanied by the finest hot Arabic bread. Home-made Syrian Baklawa, and a large selection of dates, fruit and international desserts provide a sweet ending to this special time of the day.

Iftar Arabesque is available daily from sundown to 7:30pm and is priced at Dhs170 per person, including soft drinks, or Dhs 85 for children aged six and up, including drinks. A choice of five Iftar menus will be offered on a rotational basis. For reservations, please call 04 317 2222.

GROUP AND CORPORATE IFTAR AND SOHOUR

Share Iftar and Sohour with family, friends and colleagues, with menus available in a variety of stunning locations. For group bookings, delight in the choice of two Iftar banquet menus, priced at Dhs170 or Dhs195 per person, including soft drinks. Hot and cold mezze, Ouzy, a variety of more than 10 different main courses and desserts can be enjoyed. Choose from a variety of locations to host your dinner, from the ballroom (for both large and small groups) to Café Arabesque or the Traiteur Bar outside terrace overlooking the Creek. For reservations, please call Karim or Karen in the Banquet Department on 04 602 1930/1618.

PARK HYATT DUBAI RESTAURANTS AND BAR RAMADAN SCHEDULE:

Café Arabesque: Open all day. Breakfast is served from 6:30am to 11:30am; lunch from 12:30pm to 4:00pm; Iftar from sundown to 7:30pm; and dinner from 7:30pm to 12:00 midnight. The Ramadan menu is priced at Dhs170 per person; no alcohol will be served.

Ramadan Nights at The Terrace”: Open-air terrace. Open from 8:00pm to 3:00am; no alcohol will be served.

The Lounge: Open from sundown to sunrise, serving a Ramadan menu; no alcohol will be served.

Pistache: Open from sundown to 3:00am.

Traiteur: Open from 7:00pm to 12:00 midnight serving the regular menu and all beverages; closed for lunch and Friday Brunch.

Traiteur Bar: Will serve all the hotel’s licensed beverages throughout Ramadan from 7:00pm to 2:00am.

Traiteur Bar Outside Terrace: Open from 8.00pm to 3.00am, serving Sohour Set menus for groups.

The Thai Kitchen: Open from 7:00pm to 12:00 midnight, serving the regular menu and all beverages; closed for lunch and Friday Brunch.

About Park Hyatt Dubai

Park Hyatt Dubai is a luxury waterfront retreat adjacent to the world-famous Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Situated just minutes from the city centre, world-class shopping and prime business districts, Park Hyatt Dubai is a haven of tranquil elegance in the vibrant city of Dubai.

Grand Deals - Ramadan 2008

For a real taste of Arabia, experience a true Ramadan atmosphere in the luxury and opulence of Grand Hyatt Dubai’s Ramadan tent. The popular Laylati Café will again be a highlight of Grand Hyatt Dubai’s Ramadan celebrations, with a beautifully ornate Ramadan tent located on the events lawn. In addition to that, at sunset on each day of Ramadan, Grand Iftar will be hosted in the magnificent Baniyas Ballroom.

LAYLATI CAFÉ

For a real taste of Arabia, experience a true Ramadan atmosphere in the luxury and opulence of Grand Hyatt Dubai’s Ramadan tent.

The popular Laylati Café will again be a highlight of Grand Hyatt Dubai’s Ramadan celebrations, with a beautifully ornate Ramadan tent located on the events lawn.

Choose to sit at a table or recline in the lounge area while enjoying an à la carte menu and, of course, a wide selection of shisha. Choose from traditional Arabic cuisine, snacks, special Arabic sweets, fresh juices and Ramadan drinks, all served within the spectacularly themed and air-conditioned tent.

Tuesday 2nd September to Wednesday 1st October