Jetsettersblog

Jerusalem will host its second annual International Opera Festival, featuring performances by world-renowned vocalists and musicians taking place around its Old City historic sites, in June and September 2012. In collaboration with the Israeli Opera, the festival will include a selection of opera, vocal and classic musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool beneath the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, including Verdi’s La Traviata (June 6-14) and La Bohème (September 6) and “Cantors and Tenors” (September 10), among others. www.jerusalem-culture.com/Opera_Festival%20

A new exhibition highlighting Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens opened in January at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The display features and examines Ruben’s most famed work, The Death of Adonis, as well as more than 25 pieces by 17th century Flemish and Italian painters. http://www.english.imjnet.org.il

Discover the contrasting scenery of Oman’s Wahiba Sands, Hajar Mountains and Muscat’s dramatic coastline on a new camping and private yachting adventure with luxury travel specialists, Scott Dunn.

Brand new for 2012, this new itinerary begins with a night at each of the new luxury tented camps in Wahiba Sands and in the Hajar Mountains, followed by a night on a private yacht, dropping anchor at uninhabited islands with powder white sand beaches.

The first part of the adventure begins by visiting the old domed mosque at Jalan Bani Bu Ali near the town of Al Kamil before exploring the depths of the Wadi Bani Khalid, clambering over giant boulders or swimming in the crystal clear waters of the wadi. Guests can climb the lonely mountain tracks where they will find no signs of civilisation other than a distant Bedouin tending his camels.

Whilst at the new Wahiba Sands camp, guests can watch the setting sun from the stylish Majlis or ‘meeting’ tent which is luxuriously furnished with low hand-carved Arabic furniture, cushions and traditional hand woven rugs. Lamps and candles are lit in preparation for nightfall when binoculars and maps of the night sky are provided for budding stargazers.

Following the desert, the adventure continues northwards into the Hajar Mountains. Stopping en route at the old settlement at Mizfa near Ibra, guests can make the rest of the journey into the mountains on foot. This journey takes in the deserted village of Birkat Al Mawz and ruins of Tanuf before finishing the ascent at the new Tanuf Mountain camp located at 1,000m with views towards Oman’s highest peak, Jebel Shams.

The next day, guests will set sail on their very own private yacht. Sailing highlights include the islands of Sawadi, the world-class Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, turtle-shaped Fahal Island and the picture-perfect Damaniyat Islands, offering a treasure trove of secluded bays and shallow reefs of vibrant colours where guests can snorkel with tropical fish, rays and even turtles. The itinerary concludes at Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa for three final nights of luxury.

Guests can also extend their holiday with a few nights relaxing in the Maldives with easy connections with Oman Air from Muscat to Male.

Luxury travel specialists, Scott Dunn can arrange seven-night tailor made itinerary including one night at the Chedi Muscat on arrival, one night luxury camping in Wahiba Sands, one night in the Hajar Mountains, one night on a private yacht charter and three nights at the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa from £2,245 per person including Oman Air flights and transfers.

For more information on Scott Dunn’s tailor-made holidays to Oman call 020 8682 5075 or visit www.scottdunn.com

Boutique UK tour operator Trip Feast has announced two new food travel adventures for 2012 which discover the rich flavours of the Levant.

Trip Feast’s Gourmet Lebanon itinerary includes a cooking class with executive chef Georges El Murr in the famous kitchens of the luxury Le Bristol Hotel in Beirut and a lesson in the art of sweet-making from the experts, Abdul Rahman Hallab & Sons, whose famous Palais is located in Tripoli.

Sample wine in the natural caves of Ksara winery, one of the best wineries in the verdant Bekaa Valley and visit the iconic archaeological sites of Byblos – birthplace of the alphabet and once the centre of the world’s shipping.

The temple complex of Baalbek, one of the most impressive Roman sites in the world and the stunning Jeita Grotto caves are also included in this unique cultural food tour which offers an intimate taste of the Levant through its dishes, from mouth-watering mezze and heavenly hummus to delicious falafel and succulent shawarma, its people and its florid history.

Eight day tours to destinations across Lebanon depart on April 20 and October 5 2012 £1,695 per person including international flights.

http://tripfeast.com/tours/GL/Lebanon/Gourmet%20Lebanon

A Taste of Rural Lebanon is an eight day tour departing May 5 and October 6, £1,645 per person including international flights.

Visit the sophisticated capital city of Beirut with its top restaurants and excellent nightlife and experience the legendary hospitality and learn the culinary secrets of rural Lebanon. Prepare a traditional mezze in the village of Ehden, visit an organic farm in Deir El Ahmar, prepare fish the traditional way in Saida and cook with tumbleweed in Maasser Ech Chouf. Finally visit the stunning temples, mosques, courtyards and statues of the Roman site of Baalbek before discovering the delicious wines of the Bekaa Valley.

http://tripfeast.com/tours/TRL/Lebanon/A%20Taste%20of%20Rural%20Lebanon

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced agreements with Naseel Holding Company to manage three new Hyatt-branded hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The three new hotel agreements will bring the number of Hyatt-branded hotels in the country to six. Currently, there is one Hyatt-branded hotel in Saudi Arabia — Park Hyatt Jeddah-Marina, Club and Spa, which opened in 2009.

Park Hyatt Riyadh, currently slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2015, will be a stand-alone building located on King Fahd Road in the Olaya District in the city of Riyadh, situated near the Kingdom Center and the Al Faisaliya Tower. The 275-room hotel, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), will have 50 suites, as well as three restaurants, a lounge, 1,450 square meters of meeting and event space including a 1,000-square-meter ballroom, and a spa and fitness center.

Grand Hyatt Jeddah, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), with 400 rooms, including 48 suites, will be located in the center of the city of Jeddah, on the corner of Corniche Road and Al Amir Naif Street with views of the Red Sea. The hotel, which is expected to open in early 2016, will feature three restaurants, a lobby lounge, and a Grand Club Lounge. In addition, the hotel will have 5,700 square meters of meeting and event space, including grand and junior ballrooms. The hotel will also have a spa and fitness center.

Hyatt Regency Jeddah, with 240 rooms, including 30 suites, will be located on Tahliyah Street in the center of Jeddah, near Tahliyah Square and close to Malek Road and North Corniche Road. The hotel, which is expected to open in the second half of 2015, will feature three restaurants, a lobby lounge, and a Regency Club lounge. In addition, the hotel will have 1,700 square meters of meeting and event space, including a ballroom and boardroom, as well as a spa and fitness center. For more information, visit Hyatt Hotels.

Emirates has begun service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Dubai. It is the airline’s fifth gateway in the United States and its fourth new route so far this year. The direct flight is daily and will be aboard a Boeing 777.

Dallas/Fort Worth becomes Emirates’ 121st global destination. Customers flying Emirates from Dallas/Fort Worth will be able to connect seamlessly to points across the Far and Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Africa via the airline’s state-of-the-art hub in Dubai.

Emirates will continue to expand its network over the coming months. In addition to the new Dallas/Fort Worth service, flights to Lusaka and Harare just started, and Seattle will launch on March 1, Ho Chi Minh City on June 4 and Barcelona on July 3.

Etihad Airways is offering complimentary 96-hour tourist visas to guests transiting through the UAE, effective immediately. The visas, ideal for travellers making stopover visits en route to their final destination, are being offered in cooperation with Radisson Blu hotel on Yas Island.

The offer is valid for travellers previously eligible for Etihad Airways’ paid-for visa service (available at a cost of AED 300), including passport holders from Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

Eligible guests must have confirmed overnight accommodation at the Radisson Blu Yas Island, available at promotional rates from USD 70 per person per night.

To book accommodation and apply for a complimentary visa, guests can visit etihad.com/freeuaevisa. A passport copy and passport-sized photograph are required for processing visa applications.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Not only is Abu Dhabi the place where East meets West, making it ideal for transiting to destinations worldwide, but it is also a world-class destination in its own right. With complimentary visa services on offer, more Etihad Airways guests will have the opportunity to experience the signature Arabic hospitality and exciting attractions of the UAE in a convenient and affordable way.”

Guests booking a 3-night stay will also receive a complimentary Abu Dhabi City Tour. Hala Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways’ destination management company, is available to all guests for booking custom itineraries, attractions and tours (halaabudhabi.com).

Citizens of the following countries are allowed to enter the UAE without a visa prior to arrival as long as they are carrying a valid passport that will not expire within six months of their arrival date: Australia; Andorra; Austria; Brunei; Belgium; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hong Kong; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Liechtenstein; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Monaco; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Portugal; San Marino; Singapore; South Korea; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom; United States of America; and The Vatican. Immigration officials may grant a tourist visa, which is valid for 30 days, on arrival at the port of entry.

Terms and Conditions apply: Approval of applications is at the sole discretion of the UAE Immigration authorities. Hotel rates are USD 70 per person, per night, including breakfast, 24-hour check-in and 96-hour visa. Booking must be made 72 hours in advance and is subject to availability.

Turkish Airlines has extended its roundtrip Valentine’s Day fare of $599. Travelers must book the Valentine’s Day special economy class fare between Jan. 24 and 31 for outbound travel between Feb. 1 and 29. The promotion is being offered from several of Turkish Airlines’ top gateways, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., which fly nonstop to Istanbul.

GayCities.com, sponsored by American Airlines, named Tel Aviv, Israel, the World’s Best Gay City of 2011 as a result of a recent survey. The Israeli capital and most cosmopolitan city received nearly half of the votes cast. New York City, Toronto and Sao Paulo took the next three places. In the survey, Tel Aviv was described as the gay capital of the Middle East and as “an exotic and welcoming destination with a Mediterranean c’est la vie attitude.”

“We are proud to see Tel Aviv gain international recognition as the world’s best tourism destination for LGBT travelers,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America. “We hope this award attracts travelers of all tastes and interests to visit Israel in 2012.” Tel Aviv will host its annual LGBT Pride Festival, featuring a wide selection of events, festivals and a parade, June 8.