Jetsettersblog

Book by 18 January for Great Deals Up Until June 2012

Be quick to take advantage of Air New Zealand’s sale on air fares to the South Pacific’s untapped gem – the beautiful Cook Islands. Book by 18 January for sale fares on direct Sydney to Rarotonga flights and also on flights via Auckland departing Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Fares to Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands, start at just $310 one way via Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane for travel between 15 February and 17 March, and between 26 April and 31 May. Connections via Auckland will have you in the balmy climes of Rarotonga in as little as nine hours.

Or fly direct from Sydney each Saturday for $380 one way from 21 January to 31 March and again from 28 April to 30 June. The six hour direct flights will only be available at ‘Works’ level, which includes carry-on and checked baggage, meals and full entertainment package.

To book visit www.airnewzealand.com.au  

Boasting rare beauty, a tropical climate, warm welcoming people and a pace of life unsurpassed for romance and relaxation: the undiscovered Cook Islands also offer a surprising amount to see and do for couples, families, and friends’ getaways.

Swim, snorkel, cruise or learn to dive in shallow, incredibly clear turquoise l
lagoons free of rips or dangerous sea creatures. Take 4WD trips or hikes in to lush, mountainous interiors, dine at inexpensive waterfront restaurants serving delicious fresh food with million dollar views, enjoy the colourful markets or learn about the Cook Islands Maori culture at island nights or church on Sunday mornings.

After taking in the sights of the Cook Islands capital, Rarotonga, take a 45 minute flight north over to the coral atoll of Aitutaki.

The achingly beautiful island boasts arguably the most beautiful lagoon in the world. Aitutaki simply exudes romance and is a magnet for wedding parties, honeymooners and those renewing their love. Snorkel, kayak or swim in the exquisitely coloured lagoon and its many dazzling white sand motus (islets).

For further information on visiting see www.cookislands.travel

It’s not too late for Australian travellers to book a bargain summer holiday in the magical Cook Islands. A host of exciting new Cook Islands summer land packages are now available for travel from December 2011 to April 2012, to be booked by 31st December 2011.

“The Cook Islands are becoming the hot new South Pacific destination now that Australians discover how easy it is to reach this truly authentic island paradise,” says Cook Islands Tourism GM Kerryn Cook. “It’s never been easier for Australians to travel to the Cooks with Air New Zealand flying direct between Sydney and Rarotonga. The six hour flight leaves Sydney once a week on a Saturday.”

There has been tremendous support from Cook Island properties offering a fabulous range of great value packages to travellers. A few examples of these land packages include:

Kura’s Kabanas are offering a low season rate of NZD$145.00 per night on all their rooms. Children under 12 stay for free in the family units, and free airport transfers are also included. http://www.kkabanas.co.ck

Napa Beachfront Hideaway is offering guests their gorgeous bungalows at just NZD$120 per night with a special “stay 7 pay for 6 nights” also running until April 2012. http://www.napabeachfronthideaway.co.ck

Muri Beach Club is offering a “stay 6 pay for 4 nights” special deal. The package includes tropical buffet breakfast daily and a couples’ massage valid during the time of your stay. http://www.muribeachclubhotel.com

Says Kerryn Cook: “Australians will love the warmth and accessibility of the unique Cook Islands Maori culture and fabulous range of holiday experiences on Rarotonga and beyond.”

The airline’s cheapest fares have fallen by up to $10, with the introduction of new Seat with carry-on luggage only fares on all its regional and domestic jet services.

This is in addition to the three existing baggage-inclusive fare levels of grabaseat, Smart Saver and Flexi plus.

“Seats to Suit is the flexible fare structure Air New Zealand introduced 14 months ago on Tasman and Pacific Island flights and its outstanding success means we are extending it to include our domestic services as well,” said Air New Zealand Group General Manager Australasia Airline Bruce Parton.

The new entry-level fares means Air New Zealand will now have well in excess of 1.5 million domestic fares under $100 available for customers each year, more than any other carrier.

All customers on domestic jet, Q300 and ATR turbo-prop services will continue to enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, water and a snack, and breakfast on domestic jet services before 9am on weekdays as well as wine, beer and cheese and crackers between 4.30pm-7pm.

Prices for the new lead-in Seat fares will be $10 less than lead-in Seat + Bag airfares and will appear to customers on www.airnz.co.nz  similar to the following Auckland-Christchurch example:

Standby fares go nationwide

For those looking for even cheaper fares and with time on their side, Air New Zealand is today introducing standby fares nationwide until 30 June next year, following trials in Dunedin and Christchurch.

$59 one way Standby Seat Only fares are now available to many of the airline’s 27 domestic destinations on any non-stop off peak (10am-3.30pm) flight, with the two longest routes of Auckland-Dunedin and Auckland-Queenstown available for $79 one way).

Standby fares including a bag are available for $10 more per person per one way journey.

“This means thousands of last minute, bargain basement seats on regional and main trunk routes every week,” says Mr Parton.

“It is important to point out that these are standby fares, which means passengers will only fly if there are spare seats available on the specified off peak flights.”

Blackout periods will be put in place on peak travel days when the likelihood of passengers getting a seat is small.

Anyone who’s not already an Airpoints member can sign up online for free until the end of January to take advantage of the standby fares.

Full details about the fares and how to use them are available at http://www.grabaseat.co.nz/standbyfares

IslandsEscapes by Goway launched a new marketing campaign in conjunction with Cook Islands Tourism to encourage more North American travelers to visit Cook Islands.

The “Delicious Deals in the Cook Islands” campaign offers a $200 free dining voucher per couple on any Cook Islands Vacation booked with IslandsEscapes between Nov. 21 and Feb. 10, 2012, with travel Jan. 1 through May 31.

Packages start from $1,459 per person (before rebate) for departure from Los Angeles with Air New Zealand, packages include five nights’ accommodation, transfers and airport welcome. A range of accommodations are available. Some of the properties are offering special deals, such as free accommodation, free breakfast, free car rental or food and beverage resort credits.

For more information, visit www.goway.com/islandescapes

Cook Islands Tourism has negotiated a fantastic half price kids’ airfare to entice Australian families to discover this hot new Pacific Island destination, flying direct from Sydney. The generous travel period includes all of the January school holidays.

But you must be quick to book. Children’s fares (2-11 years) are on sale for half the adult fare only until 13 November 2011. The half price special is valid only on Air New Zealand’s new direct services.

Air New Zealand flies direct each Saturday between Sydney and Rarotonga, Cook Islands; a six hour flight northeast of Australia.

Children’s fares start from $185 one way, adults from $390 and the direct service features The Works full service meals and entertainment. Book through your local travel agent or visit www.airnewzealand.com.au .

Travel periods are 3-10 December, 31 December 2011 to 31 March 2012 and again from 21 April 2012 to 26 May 2012.

The Cook Islands offer loads to do for families in idyllic surroundings, with the exchange rate advantage of NZ currency (currently $1A =$NZ1.30). The main island of Rarotonga – at just 32 km in circumference – is like one big resort and Aitutaki island, a 40 minute flight north, is internationally famous for its exquisite lagoon.

Swim, snorkel, kite surf, cruise, fish or learn to dive (from as young as in shallow, incredibly clear turquoise lagoons with gentle currents. Take 4WD trips or hikes in to lush, mountainous interiors, dine at inexpensive waterfront restaurants serving delicious fresh food with million dollar views, enjoy the colourful markets or learn about the Cook Islands Maori culture at island nights , church on Sunday – a must, or the Progressive Dinner around local homes on Rarotonga, featuring an umukai (underground oven) feast. Several of the larger resorts offer kids’ clubs.

For further information on visiting see www.cookislands.travel.com

Compagnie du Ponant’s newest mega-yacht L’Austral is offering two cruises in the South Pacific in March.

The 16-day cruise from Papeete to Noumea, departing March 2, visits 10 ports between French Polynesia and New Caledonia, including Moorea and Fiji’s capital city of Suva.

The March 17 15-day cruise explores French and Australian places, including the Great Barrier Reef. Prices range from $6,075 to $16,070 per person, double, for the Papeete-Noumea itinerary and $5,670 to $14,998 for Noumea to Darwin.

The Papeete-Noumea cruise also visits Papeete, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, the Vava’u island chain in Tonga and the Fiji islands of Fulaga and Suva.

The voyage concludes in Noumea, the capital city of the French territory. The Noumea-Darwin itinerary sails to the Isle of Pines, the Great Barrier Reef for three days, and Townsville, Cooktown, Cairns, Port Douglas and Thursday Island in Australia.

For more information, call 888-400-1082,

email USreservations@ponant.com

or visit www.en.ponant.com

IslandsEscapes by Goway is offering special deals for Rarotonga, Cook Islands, including five nights for the price of four. Cook Island Great Value Vacations start from $1,349 including round trip airfare, five nights’ accommodation at the Sunset Resort, an airport welcome, all relevant transfers, breakfast daily, VIP Guest Advantage discount card plus a choice of free one-day car or four-day scooter rental. Clients can extend their stay and combine their Rarotonga experience with a few extra nights in Aitutaki where life moves at a relaxed tempo.

Goway has been offering travel to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and island destinations since 1970. It has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia. For information on Goway, call 800-387-8850 or visit www.goway.com. For more information on IslandsEscapes’ “World’s Most Idyllic Islands” brochure, call 800-667-6601, or visit www.islandsescapes.com

Be quick for a great deal on Air New Zealand’s new direct service from Sydney to Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands. Until 30 September the direct services are on sale from $380 one way, for travel 18 October to 16 December 2011. The Saturday flight takes six hours.

You can simply laze on some of the world’s best beaches if you want, but many visitors to the Cook Islands can’t wait to explore the exhilarating environment.

Incredible aquamarine lagoons beckon divers and snorkellers to discover what lies beneath. Others are content to ply the surface, paddling a kayak or trying the fast growing sport of kite surfing, which is massive in the Cooks. Immersed or merely splashed, you’ll enjoy warm water that rarely drops below 25°C year round.

Many people are surprised how easy, accessible and affordable scuba diving is in the Cook Islands. On Rarotonga, the shallow lagoon and gentle currents mean you don’t need to be a qualified diver to have a go. It’s so easy, children as young as 8 leave the island with their scuba certificate (in Australia by comparison you need to be 14).

Pricing compares very favourably with other more recognised dive destinations too. A beginner’s lagoon dive with one of the many PADI operators like The Dive Centre www.thedivecentre-rarotonga.comcosts only around NZ$90 (A$75) and more confident divers can take the quick trip outside the reef to huge drop offs for around NZ$120 for one tank, $145 for two tanks.

Visibility is sensational, anything from 15-20 metres on a bad day up to 60 metres on the ‘gin clear’ days. And the underwater terrain is so diverse – walls, caves, corals, plentiful fish and marine life – you can dive multiple days without revisiting the same site. Rarotonga’s central mountains means there is always a sheltered side of the island for optimum diving too.

Turtles are commonly seen year round by both divers and snorkelers and humpback whales between July and October. In fact, Aitutaki Scuba clients regularly dive with a number of friendly turtles that love bread and doughnuts (related to Homer Simpson perhaps). They also love having their tummies scratched!

On dry land, hiring a scooter – or a hybrid motorised bicycle to keep those thighs toned – to ride the 32km Rarotonga island circuit is a popular diversion. Stop at whim to wander a long beach or hike a cool jungle trail or snorkel and swim at favourite spots like the Fruits of Rarotonga on the southeast coast.

Those up for a challenge should book Pa’s half day Cross Island Trek www.pastreks.com climbing 400 metres through the lush rugged interior to Rarotonga’s highest point, The Needle, before descending to Wigmore’s Waterfall for a swim. The islands of Atiu and Mangaia offer incredible caving adventures through coral and limestone labyrinths.

And why not try something right out of your comfort zone by joining the wonderfully talented Cook Islanders at what they do best, drumming and dancing. Watch how it’s done at cultural shows or island nights then have a go yourself. Or learn the seductive hula-like hip rhythms at dance lessons in Avarua.

For more information visit www.cookislands.travel  or www.airnewzealand.com.au

With new direct flights from Sydney and the allure of a true south sea holiday, as well as the strength of the Australian dollar against the Cook Islands’ NZ dollar currency, they won’t stay undiscovered for long.

Air New Zealand flies direct from Sydney to Rarotonga every Saturday and has a special on sale until 30 September 2011 from $380 one way, for travel 18 October to 16 December 2011 www.airnewzealand.com.au.

But where exactly are the Cook Islands? You’ll find this modern Polynesian nation of 15 islands scattered across a vast swathe of the Pacific Ocean in the centre of the Polynesian triangle, flanked by Tonga to the west, Tahiti to the east, and Hawaii to the north. The flight from Sydney takes six hours.

Boasting rare beauty, a tropical climate, warm welcoming people and a pace of life unsurpassed for romance and relaxation: the unspoilt Cook Islands also offer a surprising amount to see and do for couples, families, and friends’ getaways.

Though self governing, the nation has close links with New Zealand and a high standard of living. Both English and Cook Islands Maori are widely spoken.

Many consider the local cuisine to be the best of the Pacific Islands, with abundant seafood and locally grown fruit and vegetables featuring on the menus of terrific, inexpensive restaurants and beachside bars.

Rarotonga is the most populated island and the capital of the Cook Islands. This is where the international airport is and the main town of Avarua. Though this is the big smoke, in a country of only 15,000 residents the whole island of Rarotonga feels more like one big resort.

Visitors enjoy getting their scooter licence in a simple driving test at the local police station ($NZ20) and circumnavigating the island on the 32km coastal ring road, with not a single traffic light to brake their freedom.

Rarotonga is spectacular looking. The youngest island in the group, it is dominated by a once mighty volcanic pyramid, with a skyline punctuated by sawtooth peaks and razorback ridges carpeted in lush green vegetation that fall into a reef-encircled turquoise lagoon.

Accessing a kaleidoscope of land and lagoon based tours and activities is easy. Engage with the locals at the vibrant Saturday morning market or welcoming Sunday morning church services.

The coral atoll of Aitutaki, a 45 minute flight north, is even more achingly beautiful, boasting arguably the most beautiful lagoon in the world. Aitutaki simply exudes romance and is a magnet for wedding parties, honeymooners and those renewing their love. Snorkel, dive, kayak or swim in the exquisitely coloured lagoon and its many dazzling white sand motus (islets).

Other popular diversions are kite surfing, bonefishing or lagoon cruises – get your passport stamped at One Foot Island – or delving into Aitutaki’s interesting history on a cultural or 4WD tour.

Accommodation on both Rarotonga and Aitutaki ranges from the ultimate in five star indulgence to home stay, with a multiplicity of mid range and budget places in between.

More intrepid travelers shouldn’t miss combining Aitutaki with a visit to the quite different coral island of Atiu, or further afield to the islands of Mitiaro or Mangaia.

See www.cookislands.travel  for more info on all the islands have to offer.

IslandsEscapes by Goway in conjunction with the Black Pearl Collection is offering some specials at three Black Pearl boutique beachfront properties in Rarotonga: The Sunset Resort, Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel & Villas and Palm Grove.

Each property offers self catering accommodation, a beachfront location and management dedicated to ensuring the ultimate guest experience.

For all bookings of at least five nights at one of the Black Pearl hotels guests will have the choice of a free two-day car hire or four-day scooter rental or a $50 NZD food and beverage credit that can be used at any of the three hotels, plus a Guest Advantage Discount Card offering discounts at select tours, rentals, attractions and restaurants.

Guests staying 12 nights or more, in addition to the above, will receive a certified, unique black pearl pendant in a sterling silver or gold setting worth $500 NZD (one per booking).

Alternatively, each resort is offering some great discounts: The Sunset Resort is offering a stay five nights/pay only four nights, stay nine/pay seven or stay 12/pay 10. Moana Sands is offering stay seven/pay six or stay five/pay four, Palm Grove offers free early check in and late check out and restaurant discounts when staying a minimum of 12 nights.

The package is priced from $1,339, including air from Los Angeles, five nights accommodation, an airport welcome, and all relevant transfers.

For information, call 800-387-8850 or visit www.goway.com