Jetsettersblog

Controlled Hunt Application in Idaho

The application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear and fall turkey starts May 1 and runs through June 5.

This year more fall turkey hunting opportunities will be available in the Southeast and Upper Snake regions.

Youths 15 or younger on September 15 may apply for one of the 100 fall controlled hunt permits available for Unit 71 in the Southeast region. In addition, any turkey hunter may apply for another 100 controlled hunt permits for Unit 71 where the fall controlled hunt runs from September 15 through December 31.

Youths also may apply for one of 25 permits for Hunt Area 950 in the Upper Snake region where the fall controlled hunt runs from September 15 through November 30.

A general tag or an extra tag can be used with the controlled hunt permit to participate in the fall controlled turkey hunts.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts by phone, Internet or mail, or at any license vendor or Fish and Game office. To apply, residents and nonresidents must have a valid Idaho hunting license.

To apply with a credit card call 1-800-55HUNT5 or 1-800-824-3729, or go online to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. An additional fee of 3 percent of the transaction plus $5.50 is charged for telephone, and 3 percent of the transaction plus $3.50 for Internet applications.

Application worksheets, available in the Fish and Game rules brochures and on the Website listed above may be mailed, with proper fees, to any Fish and Game office. The application fee is $6.25 per person, per application. Don’t send permit or tag fees.

Mail applications to Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P. O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.

Depredation hunt sign up also starts May 1 and runs through June 30. These hunts are held on short notice, involve small areas and are limited to a few hunters. Idaho residents with a valid hunting or combination license may apply through local Fish and Game offices, or by mailing in the application found in the rules brochure or on the Internet.

All applications received before June 30 will be placed in random order. All applications received after June 30 will be placed at the end of the list in the order received. The list will be valid from July 1 to the following June 30.

74 Islands in the Whitsundays for Meetings

Tourism Whitsundays Convention Bureau is pleased to announce the release of our new Whitsundays Business Event Planner 2008/9.

Included in this year’s planner are a host of new event venues and an additional section for Event Support Services and Facilities. The layout has been designed in keeping with meeting planners event requirements for experience factors, itinerary suggestions and conference venue highlights to assist in the planning of incentives, pre/post touring programs and conferences all of which are perfectly suited and catered for in the Whitsundays.

The Whitsundays continues to be one of Australia’s most enticing destinations for business and leisure. With its’ tropical climate, easy access, variety of activities, world class resort and conference facilities, catering for groups of 10 to 1000, the opportunities are endless to create a unique and memorable experience for any business event.

The Event Planner is the ultimate guide to holding a business event in the Whitsundays. A comprehensive regional publication highlighting the great range of accommodation, activities and diverse experiences available in the Whitsundays. However it is only a sample of what we have on offer.

Why not take advantage of our local knowledge and expertise. As the official Convention Bureau for the region, we welcome the opportunity to discuss further with business event planners their individual event requirements and provide specific information on any of our resorts, products and services to ensure their event is a success.

Please contact Tourism Whitsundays btc@tourismwhitsundays.com.au  to receive your copy of the Whitsundays Event Planner or receive assistance with an event enquiry.

Idaho Spring Salmon Seasons 2008

The Idaho spring Chinook salmon season is set to begin a half hour before sunrise on Saturday, April 26, on parts of the Snake, Clearwater, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers.

It opens on May 24 on the Lochsa River. Commissioners are expected to consider seasons on the South Fork Salmon River and the upper Salmon River in May.

Though only 24 Chinook salmon, as of Sunday, April 20, have crossed the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, nearly 100,000 are expected to cross the dam and return to Idaho this year.

Chinook fishing will open on the Snake River from the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam; on the mainstem Clearwater River from the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge at Lewiston upstream to the South Fork Clearwater River; on the North Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam; on the South Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the American and Red rivers; and on the Middle Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway rivers.

The Lochsa River will be open, starting May 24, from its mouth upstream to the Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed Creek.

These above segments will be open until July 20 or further notice, whichever comes first.

The Lower Salmon River will be open from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of Short’s Creek – about 1.4 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River – until June 22 or until further notice.

The Little Salmon River will be open from a posted boundary at its mouth upstream to U. S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road will be open until August 3 or further notice.

Access to salmon fishing on the Little Salmon River for those without boats in the Riggins area will be more limited this year than in the past because of the loss of some bank access.

Fishery managers are asking boat anglers in the Riggins City Park Hole to avoid mooring or anchoring along the western shoreline between the City Park boat ramp and the mouth of the Little Salmon River, where one or two boats can block access for a dozen or more shore anglers.

“A little courtesy goes a long way toward ensuring an enjoyable fishing trip for everyone,” said Larry Barrett, senior fisheries technician for Idaho Fish and Game.

Fishing hours are from one half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, local time, seven days a week until the seasons close. Waters not specifically designated remain closed to fishing for Chinook salmon.

Limits in the Clearwater River drainage are two per day, six in possession. On the Snake, Lower Salmon, and Little Salmon Rivers limits are three per day, nine in possession. The statewide limit for adult Chinook is 40 for the season.

Only hatchery Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin – evidenced by a healed scar – may be kept. All salmon with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately. Any salmon caught in a legal manner must be released or killed immediately after landing.

The rules have changed for jack Chinook salmon this year. A jack is any Chinook less than 24 inches long. Anglers may keep two adipose-fin-clipped jacks per day and have six in possession in addition to the adult Chinook daily and possession limits. But they don’t have to record the jacks on their permit.

When the adult possession limit is reached, the angler must stop all fishing for salmon, including catch and-release and for jacks.

Anglers may use only barbless hooks no larger than 5/8 inch from the point to the shank. It is unlawful to take or fish for salmon by snagging. In the Lochsa River, salmon may only be taken with artificial flies and lures with one barbless hook per fly or lure – no bait. A single hook may have up to three points.

Anglers must have a valid fishing license and salmon permit in possession to fish for salmon, except on Free Fishing Day, June 7. Any nonresident 14 and older must buy a nonresident season fishing license and salmon permit, a nonresident junior fishing license and salmon permit, or a three-day salmon license.

Please consult the 2008-2009 Fishing Seasons and Rules brochure for additional rules, license costs and other information.

Save $200 PP on Gate 1 Ecuador Tours

One-Week Tours Feature Mountains or Sea, from $759

In these budget-conscious times, South America offers some of the best values for vacationers. Gate 1 is making a cost-effective destination even more attractive, by offering a savings of $200 or more per person on select tours to Ecuador, if booked prior to June 30. Prices begin at $759 land only for a 7-day “Ecuador Explorer” tour to Quito and through the Andes to Guayaquil; or at $1,599 land only for a 6-day Ecuador & Galapagos Islands journey, if booked before June 30.

Air and Land packages from Miami and affordable air add-ons from other cities are available. 7 Day Ecuador Explorer Land only: from $759 if booked before June 30; from $959 thereafter Air-inclusive: from $1,249 if booked before June 30, $1,449 thereafter This overland tour takes in the towering Andes Mountains to the Pacific Coast beginning with a tour of the capital city, Quito, and its 16th-century colonial section.

The following day is devoted to the “Avenue of the Volcanoes,” one of the world’s most scenic roads (and a part of the Pan American Highway), stopping at the towns of Salasaca and La Quinta de Juan Leon Mera before arriving at the mountain city of Riobamba for a city tour and overnight. Heading southward, the tour visits the ruins at Ingapirca, one of the Inca’s northernmost fortress temple complexes, followed by sightseeing and two nights in Cuenca, known for its authentic “Panama hats.”

The tour concludes with a drive through El Cajas National Park en route to Guayaquil, for a city tour and final overnight. Departures are scheduled through December 25, 2008. Depending on departure date, land-only prices start at $759 for October 23 departure when booked before June 30 or $959 when booked July 1 or later.

Air-land packages Miami-Quito/Guayaquil-Miami start at $1,049 for October 23 departure booked before June 30; $1,449 thereafter. Other departure dates are available for an additional fee. Low cost add-on fares are available from cities nationwide. Price includes: six nights accommodation (2 nights Quito and Cuenca; one night each Riobamba and Guayaquil); eight meals; sightseeing; and services of a tour manager. Air-inclusive departures provide air fare and airport transfers. Optional tours begin at $35 for a half-day to Gualaceo and Chordeleg, where travelers can see nearly 4,000 species of orchids, and shop for hand-woven goods. Airport taxes and security fees of $57.52 and Ecuador departure tax of $40.80 is additional. 6 Day Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Land only: from $1,599 if booked before June 30; from $1,799 if booked after June 30

Air-inclusive: from $2,069 if booked prior to June 30, $2,269 thereafter Following an overnight in Guayaquil Gate 1 travelers fly to the Galapagos Islands for three nights at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel and travel to Rancho Primicias reserve on Santa Cruz, to see the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat; North Seymour Island, to see land and marine iguanas and to view a vast variety of Galapagos’ birds, including blue-footed boobies, lava gulls and frigate birds; and Plaza Island, home to Opuntia cacti and other seasonal vegetation.

A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a breeding and rearing center for the endangered giant tortoises, rounds out the itinerary prior to returning to Guayaquil for the final overnight. Tour price includes intra-Ecuador flights, five nights accommodation (two in Guayaquil; three in the Galapagos); all transfers; 11 meals; English-speaking guides; and all shore excursions.

Departures are scheduled from June 7-December 20, 2008, and start at $1,399 for hotel and cruise on June 7 and October departures if booked before June 30, or $1,799 if booked thereafter. Air-land packages Miami-Guayaquil-Miami start at $1,869 for June 7 departures booked before June 30, or from $2,269 for bookings made after that date. Low-cost add-on fares are available from cities nationwide. Price does not include $100 admission to Galapagos National Park; $10 Galapagos Transit Control Card; or airport taxes/ security fees of $57.52 and Ecuador departure tax ranging from $10-$27.15. Gate 1 Travel is located at 455 Maryland Drive, Ft. Washington, PA 19034. For more information, phone 1-800-682-3333, visit www.gate1travel.com

To sign up for Gate 1 Travel’s “The Deal” e-mailings, featuring the very best travel deals, visit http://www.gate1travel.com/thedeal  As a member of the United States tour Operators Association, Gate 1 Travel protects consumers’ payments through the USTOA $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan.

TURKS & CAICOS UNDERWATER PHOTO COMPETITION

Islands’ Extensive Coral Reef System Sets Stage for Incredible Marine Photography

TURKS AND CAICOS, BWI – The Turks & Caicos Islands, a burgeoning luxury Caribbean destination featuring world-class beaches, will host the Fourth Annual Underwater Photographic Competition June – September 2008, offering $25,000 in prizes.

The competition, which has previously produced exceptional underwater photos in pristine dive conditions, invites both amateur and professional photographers to participate. Grand prize winners will have their photographs published by the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a series of commemorative postage stamps bearing the winning photo, the photographer’s name, and his or her country of origin.

“Our islands have hundreds of miles of barrier reefs, making up the world’s third largest coral reef system and offering visitor’s exceptional underwater sights,” said Lerone Ingham, senior quality control officer at the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. “Guests are invited to explore our crystal clear turquoise waters, where marine life and sea discoveries are endless. The challenge is not finding a sight worth capturing, but finding time to visit the many spectacular dive attractions.”

Competition coordinators are taking careful measures to preserve the extensive reef system during the competition by implementing strict rules for divers and photographers, reinforcing the competition motto, “Take only pictures-leave only bubbles.”

This year, $25,000 in prizes will be awarded including cash prizes and dive travel, photo equipment, SCUBA gear, and cameras. The top 12 photos taken during the competition will also appear in the Underwater Photo Competition’s international “Out of the Blue” calendar, available for purchase in 2010.

Participants must take their photographs in the Turks & Caicos Islands, June – September 2008, when diving conditions and tropical water temperatures are optimal. Each participant must apply online or on the Islands for an official ID card to be recognized as a competitor, but the competition imposes no restrictions on artistic expression. Photographers are not limited to dive equipment, photographic technology, brand of camera, underwater lights or other equipment. However, final entries are limited to the five photographs each competitor considers his or her best.

Additional rules and regulations are available at the competition Web site, http://www.underwaterphoto.tc  

About Turks & Caicos

The 40 islands of the Turks & Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving and array of world-class resorts. Additional activities include tennis, golf and horseback riding. The Islands feature a variety of spa and body treatment services and is home to the world’s only conch farm. There are three daily 90-minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte, daily direct flights from New York and weekly flights from Dallas, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto. For more information on travel, visit the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board Web site at www.turksandcaicostourism.com  or call (800) 241-0824.

Eurocamp’s Best Budget BreakS

Whether you’re a family or a couple, this summer Eurocamp, Europe’s leading camping operator, has come to the rescue of those watching their purse strings during the credit crunch and are pleased to offer a variety of relaxing breaks all under £300 for the whole family.

Now the clocks have gone forward and summer is officially here, the latest deals are looking pretty persuasive.

Costa Brava, under £150

1. Eurocamp’s ‘Las Dunas’ on the Costa Brava is a must for beach-lovers everywhere. Voted by customers as a favourite it isn’t hard to see why: situated next to an endless beach offering miles of golden sand the parc has excellent facilities and a vibrant atmosphere.

Spend seven nights there from 17 May in a tent for £142.50 per family. Accommodation only – flights, transfers or car hire are available at a supplement.

To book visit www.eurocamp.co.uk  or call Eurocamp on 0870 366 7552.

Lake Garda, under £300

2. Why not enjoy the beautiful refinement and peaceful lakeside atmosphere of Italy’s Lake Garda. Eurocamp’s ‘Butterfly’ parc is an ideal location from which to explore this beautiful part of Italy. The parc itself offers a charming palm-fringed pool which includes a children’s play pool.

Venture into the nearby town of Perschiera with its grand renaissance buildings and gardens, or, take a train to visit the romantic city of Verona.

From 9th of June for as little as £293 per family, stay in a 2 bed Extra mobile home for seven nights. Accommodation only – flights, transfers or car hire are available at a supplement.

To book visit www.eurocamp.co.uk or call Eurocamp on 0870 366 7552.

Portugal, under £260

3. For something a little alternative try Eurocamp’s ‘San Pedro de Moel’. On the West coast of Portugal in Marinha Grande this village offers wide open skies, beautiful gardens and gentle sports. Facilities include swimming pool, tennis court, bike hire and kid’s play area.

If you’re seeking authenticity Marinha Grande is characterised by its cultural vibrance and traditional moorish tavernas.

From 30th May seven nights in a two bed five berth chalet at ‘San Pedro de Moel’ comes to only £254.50 per family. Accommodation only - flights, transfers or car hire are available at a supplement.

To book or for more information on Eurocamp holidays this summer visit www.eurocamp.co.uk  or call Eurocamp on 0870 366 7552

Southern Brittany, France under £290

4. A sure family favourite adjoining a safe sandy beach is Eurocamp’s ‘La Plage’ in France’s La Trinité sur Mer, situated in the gardens of a Breton Famhouse.

Beyond the parc itself lies the popular local market at the heart of the fishing port. Enjoy a six night holiday in a two bed comfort mobile home (including Dover-Calais crossing) for £286 per family from 1st September. Accommodation only – flights, transfers or car hire are available at a supplement.

To book visit www.eurocamp.co.uk  or call Eurocamp on 0870 366 7552.

Isle Of Wight Adventure From £10

So he might embarrass you occasionally with his corny jokes, dodgy dance moves and disastrous dress sense, but this Father’s Day (Sunday 15 June) why not show Dad just how much you care by treating him to an Isle of Wight adventure break? He could enjoy sea kayaking, kitesurfing, paragliding and river canoeing and with activity prices starting at just £10, you can afford to come along and join in the fun.

With its dramatic cliffs, wide-open river estuaries and rolling chalk downland, the Isle of Wight offers some of Britain’s most diverse countryside. Ringed by nearly 30 miles of ‘Heritage coasts’, more than half the island is officially designated as being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty making it the perfect destination for an adventure break this Father’s Day.

And with more than 400 accommodation providers to choose from, including comfortable B&Bs, pretty cottages and rural farmhouses, you are sure to be only a stone’s throw from any of the wonderful sights and attractions the Island has to offer. For further details of where to stay, eat and drink, visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk  or telephone 01983 813813.

Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking

Explore the Island’s cliffs and caves only accessible by kayak on a one-day sea kayaking course. The adventure starts with kitting up in wet suits, helmets and buoyancy aids and a safety briefing, then a quick walk to the beach at Freshwater Bay. From there, it’s out under the cliffs and the fun begins with the emphasis very much on enjoying a day out on the water. Once back at base, you can relax with a drink in the bar or café exchanging experiences with fellow kayakers.

Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking offer Adventure Days run by qualified outdoor professionals for groups of between two and six people. The one-day sea kayaking course cost £70 per person and is available on Father’s Day (15 June) and selected weekends in July, August and September.

Gift vouchers are also available. For more information including what to bring with you, visit the website. Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking, tel. 01983 209471, enquiries@iow-seakayaking.co.uk,  www.iow-seakayaking.co.uk

Up the Creek with a paddle

Take your Dad on a Father’s Day Paddle (Sunday June 15) — a specially organised open canoe trip along the banks of the delightful River Medina here on the Isle of Wight. With the accent most definitely on fun, experienced sailing instructors will identify the birdlife and points of interest along the route which lasts around two and a half hours.

The Medina Valley Centre is a great place to learn to sail with the sheltered tidal waters of the Medina estuary providing safe yet challenging conditions for canoeing and dinghy sailing. The centre is also a residential outdoor activity centre for field studies and environmental education on the Isle of Wight with accommodation available for up to 80 people.

The Father’s Day Paddle is suitable for novices and costs just £10 for adults and £5 for those of school age. It starts at 10.30am and returns to the centre at 1pm with a pub stop enroute - weather dependent. The maximum group size is 16 and the minimum age is 8 years old. The aim is to stay dry but waterproofs may be useful. To book call the Medina Valley Centre on 01983 522195.

For information about other sailing and canoe courses which run throughout the summer, visit www.medinavalleycentre.org.uk

Waterski in the morning and windsurf in the afternoon

The two-day Weekender is designed to get you out on the water and having fun.

X-isle teaches 6 sports including Windsurfing, Sailing, Waterskiing and Kitesurfing, a fusion of surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, paragliding and kiteflying which is sure to blow you away! The Weekender gives you the option to try any 4 of them — simply specify which ones you would like to have a go at when you book. Available for those aged 8 to 80 providing you can swim and are moderately fit.

The cost is £200 per person and runs the weekend of Father’s Day (14/15 June) and weekends throughout the summer. For more information and to book, visit the website. X-isle Sports, tel. 01983 873111, info@x-isle.co.uk, www.x-is.co.uk

Take a running jump off a cliff - but not until you have been properly trained!
Experience the thrill and exhilaration of flying over the Island’s clifftops on a one or two-day paragliding course held on the Isle of Wight. The Island’s location ensures constant summer sea-breezes which provide smooth flying conditions that are essential for rapid and easy learning of basic paragliding skills.

High Adventure aim to get you flying as soon as is safe and practicable. First you will be taken to the training slopes where each student is allocated a harness, glider, helmet and radio. Following full instruction and safety checks, you will start to master the canopy and fly it like a kite. After a couple of hours, you will move to the lower slopes of the hill, where you will undertake some short, low ground skimming flights. As you grow in confidence and ability, you will move up the hill and soon you will be flying like a bird.

All flights are undertaken with full supervision and fully qualified instructors are in radio contact with you at all times, or take a tandem ride with one of the instructors (over 14s, upper age limit around 60 — note weather dependant).

A one-day weekend course costs £110 and £195 for two days and there is still availability over the weekend of Father’s Day (14/15 June) and weekends throughout the summer. For information or bookings, contact High Adventure, tel. 01983 752322, office@high-adventure.uk.com / www.high-adventure.uk.com

Ferry crossings operate via Wightlink from Portsmouth to Ryde and Fishbourne, and Lymington to Yarmouth, Tel: 0870 5827744, www.wightlink.co.uk  and Red Funnel Ferries sail from Southampton to Cowes and East Cowes, Tel: 0870 4448890, www.redfunnel.co.uk

Magic & Miracles In The French Pyrenee

Late May signals the arrival of Collett’s Mountain Holidays’ first ever guests to the small town of Luz St Sauveur in the Midi-Pyrenees region of South West France.

“The mountains in this region are often described as ‘magical’,” according to Tom Collett, founder and Managing Director, “and I am delighted and excited that our new venture has generated so much interest, with bookings well ahead of budget. The successful Collett’s Mountain Holidays’ formula - finely honed in the Italian Dolomites-South Tyrol over the last 10 years – applies throughout but the geography of the Pyrenees means that this holiday product is primarily for walkers, who relish the challenge of a series of exhilarating day walks in wild and remote mountain terrain”.

Combined with the magic of the mountains, Luz’s close proximity to Lourdes – a mere 30 minutes away by road – provides guests with an interesting opportunity to join in the 150th anniversary celebrations of the 18 Apparitions of the Virgin Mary to St Bernadette and the many miracles that are said to have taken place many years thereafter. Based in Luz, Collett’s guests will be able to fit in a side trip to Lourdes at any time during their stay, with many likely to be making a visit to The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, The Grotto of Massabelle, the Basilica of St Pius X and the Church of St Bernadette.

Prices for 7 nights’ accommodation range from £195 per person per week in self-catering apartments - depending on the number of guests and type of apartment – up to £425 per person per week half board in the historic ‘Les Templiers’ hotel based on two people sharing. All accommodation options include the complimentary services of locally based Collett’s staff who will provide as much or as little advice and assistance as guests require. (End of release)

Collett’s Mountain Holidays is a privately owned company established in 1997 by Tom & Dee Collett and Nigel Baron. Collett’s specialises in direct–sell mountain holidays to the Italian Dolomites / South Tyrol and the French / Spanish Pyrenees. The operator currently sells summer holidays to both the Dolomites and the Pyrenees and winter holidays to the Dolomites. 5,000 guests were welcomed in 2007 generating a turnover of nearly £2 million.

Collett’s Mountain Holidays is a member of both ABTA and AiTO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators.

Collett’s Mountain Holidays is a Corporate Partner of the Woodland Trust and is committed to a donation of £20,000 in 2008, which should result in the planting of 4000 broadleaf trees. In effect, this means that Collett’s can claim to be carbon-neutral, although the company will strive to do even better in the coming years.

Green Oasis In The German Alps

Where your money goes an extra mile - holidays with a difference full of special offers

Where can you get everything that is on everyone’s agenda at the moment in one place? If hiking and outdoor activities, family holidays including kids entertainment, value for money and free public transport plus clean air and an intact environment mean anything to you, head for the Allgäu region in Southern Bavaria.

Outdoor and wellbeing

Enchanting hiking holidays are to be had, for instance, in one of the so-called “Horn Villages” (“Hörnerdörfer”). Bolsterlang is offering special four to seven night packages until the end of May for visitors wanting to experience the mountain meadows while they are being transformed into a yellow sea by dandelions in bloom. Four nights start at EUR 284 for two persons including a special “dandelion breakfast”, sauna visit and other goodies at the “Silberdistel Hotel”.

Anyone interested in herbs and healthy living, should put the village of Ofterschwang, the so called “green heart of the Allgäu”, on their agenda. This holiday resort, another of the five “Horn Villages”, has dedicated itself to everything around the topic of herbs and their benefits for the human organism. Specialised hotels and restaurants only use home or locally grown organic herbs. Visitors can sample homemade bear garlic pesto or try handmade lavender skin creme, go on special herb tours and hikes, learning from “herb women” how to produce cosmetics and ointments, and visit the big local herb garden.

Let the kids run free in unspoilt nature

From May to October, the “horn villages” are also offering special kids programmes including anything from experiencing the mountains on hikes off the usual tracks, spending a day with the regional ranger or going on mountain bike tours (without the parents, of course). In addition, more than 200 hotels are offering a special “kids inclusive” package from 10 May to 20 July and from 27 September to 9 November 2008. During this time, children up to 14 years accompanied by two full-paying guests are free of charge. Apart from accommodation, entry to swimming-pools, museums and use of mountain railways is free as well.

Save money and get more – unique visitor card

More special offers can be found in Oberstaufen, where the “Schroth treatment” was invented over 180 year ago as a naturopathic treatment aiming to detox the body and to activate the body’s self-healing powers. The spa town has put together the “Oberstaufen Plus” card which is unique in Germany leaving visitors with more pocket money left to spend during their holidays:

More than 230 accommodation hosts offer their guests free travel on all mountain cable cars, guest buses, free entry to museums and other attractions such as the summer toboggan run and an adventure pool. Furthermore, the “Oberstaufen PLUS Golf” campaign enables keen golfers staying in one of the 16 “Oberstaufen PLUS Golf” hotels to check out the two local 18-hole courses and the 6-hole training course without any extra charge for green fees and as often as they like. This means that holiday makers, for example, could save 70 EUR per person during a long weekend and over EUR 250 during a golfing week with four days spent golfing and two days hiking.

Haven for allergy sufferers

Anyone suffering from hay fever or other allergies will get a real break in the climatic spa of Bad Hindelang, a typical mountain village which has managed to keep its original charms by engaging in sustainable tourism. Bad Hindelang does not only have a low pollen count but is virtually free of house dust mites and particulate matter comparable to the climate of that of Davos in Switzerland.

The location in the nature reserve of the “Allgäuer Hochalpen” (Allgäu High Alps) guarantees sunny high terraces, slope forests, mountain meadows carefully tended by organic farming, waterfalls and Germany’s only high mountain sulphur spring located in the “Hotel Prinz-Luitpold-Bad”. Bad Hindeland also features “allergy free” hotels and a special allergy clinic for children.

Further information:

Allgäu in general: www.allgaeu.info
Bad Hindelang: www.bad-hindelang.de
Hörnerdörfer (horn villages): www.hoernerdoerfer.de
Oberstaufen: www.oberstaufen.de
Special kids programme: www.english.kuhle-kids.de

Getting there:

Ryanair flies to Friedrichshafen (Lake Constance). Onward journey either by rental car or by bus with the “Allgäu-Walser Express” (www.allgaeu-walser-express.de) from the airport directly to the hotel. Other suitable airports are Stuttgart and Munich, served by Lufthansa, Air Berlin and other airlines.

Walks of New York Appeal to Currency-Weary Travelers

A leading European walking tour company opens doors in New York City as currency-weary travelers stay on this side of Atlantic.

New York City — As more travelers opt to stay in the U.S. this year due to a weak dollar abroad, Context, the network of scholars who lead critically-acclaimed walking tours in several European cities, have opened their doors in New York City. A collective of professors, graduate students, and experts in a variety of disciplines, Context is known worldwide for their small-groups walks organized around a single theme and that appeal to an intellectually curious traveler.

The group has launched more than a dozen innovative walks in New York. These include the following:

Archaeology of Manhattan – a three hour walk of the city’s urban archaeology, including 17th century cisterns and pre-settlement artifacts collected in lower Manhattan over the last decades. Led by a practicing archaeologist, the walk includes a visit to the African Burial Grounds and NYC’s archaeology museum (normally closed to the public).

Impressionism (and Its Context) – a three-hour walk of the 19th century painting galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, led by a curator there who contextualizes Impressionism within that century’s art movements.

Jackson Heights: Immigration and Architecture – a three-hour walk of Jackson Heights, the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in New York. The walk also cuts through the historic garden district of the neighborhood, contrasting its historic past with its polyglot presence.

Morgan Library – a two-and-a-half hour walk of Pierpont Morgan’s library and world-renown art collection, led by a Library curator.

Architecture of NY – a three-hour “transect” of Manhattan down 42nd Street with a professor of architectural history, cutting through 120 years of American architecture from the 19th century Beaux Arts facades of Grand Central and the New York Public Library to Renzo Piano’s new New York Times building.

Chocolate Affair – a two-hour walk of Soho’s great chocolate shops, led by a pastry chef and food journalist.

“New York is a logical step for Context,” says the organization’s founder, National Geographic writer Paul Bennett. “Many of our clients are staying Stateside this year, and putting off their Paris or Rome trips until the dollar strengthens, the Euro weakens, or both. The city is as rich in art, culture, and history as our European bases; and a number of the scholars who lead our walks abroad have returned here to teach or do post-doctoral work.”

As is the case with its walks in other cities, all New York walks are led either by a scholar or expert in a relevant field. The fourteen “docents” comprising Context New York hail from the fields of historic preservation, art history, architecture, cuisine, and archeology. As with its other cities, group size will be kept small (6 people maximum) in order to maintain an intimate, conversational atmosphere that customers often liken to being in a college seminar class.

Founded by National Geographic writer Paul Bennett and interactive designer Lani Bevacqua, Context is a network of English-speaking scholars and professionals—including art historians, writers, architects, and gastronomes—who organize and lead didactic walking seminars across seven cities: Rome, Naples, Florence, Paris, Venice and (now) London and New York. In May 2007, Travel + Leisure named Context one of the top European tour companies for its innovative approach to travel and the depth of its programs. To learn more about Context visit its website at: www.contexttravel.com