For more information, please visit their website here

For more information, please visit their website here

For more information, please visit their website here

Sailings in Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific include airfare from Los Angeles.

For example, seven-night “Tahiti & the Society Islands” cruises departing May 4 and May 11 are priced from $3,795 per person, down from $4,595. Fourteen-night “Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands” cruise departing May 18 is priced from $5,195, down from $6,445. Seven-night voyages between Athens and Istanbul departing May 25 and June 8 are priced from $2,845, down from $3,795 per person.

Windjammer Restaurant at Crown Beach Resort has changed cuisine direction with the appointment of new Chef de Cusine Carlo Poli of Italy (formerly of Da Carlo’s Italian Restaurant located in Arorangi circa 1990). Carlo has engaged the existing team with kitchen remodeling, menu planning, meal tasting, and front of house training. Windjammer – Il Veliero opened its doors with its brand new cuisine offerings in January 2013. Carlo will launch a high-end ‘winter’ menu starting in June 2013.

For more information, please visit:

www.crownbeach.com/dining/windjammer-restaurant

AITUTAKI BECOMES EVEN GREENER WITH HELP FROM NGO

Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands’ most pictureqesue destinations, is working towards preserving the small island’s natural beauty and is proud to be making efforts to keep the island green!

The Aitutaki Conservation Trust, a Non-Government Organization (NGO) is in its’ third phase of their ‘Keep Aitutaki Clean’ initiative. The group is working with the Island Council and Environment Services to source recycling machinery and equipment for Aitutaki to ensure that all recyclable materials can be removed off the island. Kudos to the Trust for keeping the island beautiful!

For more information on the group and/or the initaitive, check out their website:

www.aitutakiconservation.com

CASTWAY RESORT UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

The Castway Resort is excited to announce they are under new management. Two of the new owners, Paul and Michelle, worked for years in the corporate world as well as traveled extensively, but now prefer the relaxed pace of the island lifestyle.

The resort has also received a facelift over the past six months, with all of the rooms now freshly renovated.

For more information: www.castawayvillas.com

RENOVATIONS AT EDGEWATER REORT & SPA

Refurbishment of 32 Garden rooms has been keeping everyone busy lately at the Edgewater Resort and Spa. The Manuae, Suwarrow & Mauke rooms are receiving new bathroom vanities, toilets and light fittings, along with being repainted. The Resort has also renovoated the Games Room and Guest Lounge. More changes and updates in store for 2013.

For more information: www.edgewater.co.ck

REFURBISHMENTS AT LAGOON BREEZE VILLAS

November saw the completion of the Lagoon Breeze Villas soft interior refurbishment. The villas now have new drapes, bed coverings and cushions in lovely greens and grey, giving the rooms a birght and fresh appearance. All 18 kitchens have either been replaced or updated, and bathrooms are currently being worked on.

For more information: www.lagoonbreezevillas.com

MURI BEACH RESORT CONVERTING TO SOLAR POWER

Muri Beach Resort is in the final stage of converting to using 100% solar power, which is a continuation of their efforts to providing an environmentally friendly holiday option.

This solar installation is due to be completed in the first week of February. Other environmentally friendly practices that the resort has adopted include: having all water on the property UV treated and filtered, installing a state of the art non- seepage septic system that produces grey water that is used on the resorts gardens, use of non-phosphate products in their laundry, recycling food scraps by feeding them to the resorts family of pigs, separating waste for recycling, and utilizing local fresh produce as much as possible in the resort restaurant.

For more information: www.muribeachresort.com

ROOM AND POOL RENOVATIONS AT PALM GROVE

Palm Grove is undergoing some very exciting renovation and improvement projects. The Garden Studios have received some new renovations, including new ceiling and wall treatments, new beds and furniture, new soft furnishings, and more. The next project at Palm Grove is the installation of a brand new pool, to replace the existing pool. The new pool will be larger, and have a relaxing waterfall feature. The pool should be completed by April.

For more information: www.palmgrove.net

VILLA AND OFFICE UPGRADES AT RUMOURS LUXURY VILLAS AND SPA

Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa has been busy upgrading their villas, courtyards, waterfalls and pools where necessary. Rumours are also in the process of completing their brand new front office which will enable guests/spa bookings to easily identify the main office. Cozy new chairs in the office will encourage guests to have a chat when they want to, and enjoy a hot Espresso — also being installed.

For more information: www.rumours-rarotonga.com

JUST FOR FUN: PACIFIC RESORT GOES GANGNAM!

Pacific Resort staff does their own rendition of the wildly popular song Gangnam Style!

To promote the new offerings, Journese is providing a $300 air credit on select bookings to Europe made by Feb. 28 for travel throughout 2013. For bookings made by March 31, travel agents will receive 500 bonus TRIP points toward their own vacation and an entry in monthly drawings for iPads. The top producer during that period will win a vacation for two in Paris, including roundtrip air.

Journese customized packages include four- and five-star properties, first class air, private transfers and private experiences. Journese guests receive complimentary breakfast in all Europe hotel accommodations. The expanded Europe collection includes six new properties in London, four new properties in Paris, and nine new properties in Italy, including properties at the Amalfi Coast and in Florence, Rome, St. Margherita and Venice.

Journese is the luxury brand of Pleasant Holidays, offering four- and five-star vacations to Australia, the Caribbean, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, England, Fiji, France, the Hawaiian Islands, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Tahiti and the United States.

Journese is offering a future travel credit up to $250 with select bookings from Jan. 7 to March 31 for travel at more than 50 resorts worldwide.

Journese has expanded its offerings with more than 40 new resorts, villas and private residences in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Europe, French Polynesia, Mexico and the US.

The company is launching London and Paris and an enhanced Italy collection in January.

Journese is also expanding its offerings of upscale excursions, events, resort enhancements and activities in all its destinations.

It has released brochures for the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and South Pacific, with the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Europe soon to follow. Experiences range from zip-lining, snorkeling and private excursions to upscale spa treatments, golf and dinner cruises.

Journese’s 2013-14 Mexico Experiences brochure showcases the company’s commissionable excursions, events, VIP treatment and other hand-selected activities across Mexico.

Experiences are offered both on and off resort, and range from catamaran sailing and watersports to a VIP airport lounge, golf and spa services.

“While we offer experiences in all our destinations, the brochure gives a sampling of the most sought-after opportunities, enabling travelers and their advisors to pre-plan their trip so they don’t waste vacation time planning in destination.” said Journese Vice President and Managing Director Kimberly Daley.

“Mexico is an activity-rich destination — especially our core resort areas of Riviera Maya, Cancun and Los Cabos. Our selection of cultural and adventure experiences are handpicked for the discerning Journese traveler.”

The Mexico Experiences booklet will be included with travelers’ Mexico documents and is available for download, along with The Hawaiian Islands Experiences and South Pacific Experiences brochures.

Journese’s 2013-14 South Pacific Experiences brochure presents the company’s offerings for Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Taha’a, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand. The South Pacific Experiences booklet will be included with travelers’ South Pacific documents and is also available for download.

Journese released its first experiences brochure, The Hawaiian Islands Experiences, in July 2012, and will publish specific experience booklets from each of its other destinations across the globe.

All offerings are hand-selected by experts to keep in line with the Journese brand promise of providing the full journey experience.

CITC’s $100 Cooks Cash promotion is valid for all new bookings from 6 December 2012 to 4 March 2013 and applies to travel from 6 December 2012 right through summer and autumn to 3 June 2013.

All members of a travelling party, except infants, will receive a Westpac Visa Debit Card credited with $100; so a family of four would receive a substantial $400 spending money to enjoy between them.

The $100 credit can be widely redeemed throughout the islands at vendors with a Westpac Eftpos terminal. These are found at a wide range of visitor attractions and services, including restaurants, hotels, rental car companies and tour operators.

Once you’ve made a booking, simply register with your Air New Zealand ticket number(s) and accommodation name at www.cookislands.travel/AusCooksCash.

On arrival in the Cooks, present your photo ID at the Cook Islands Visitor Information Centre in the Avarua town centre to collect your card and then start spending. And saving!

What does $100 buy in the Cook Islands?
1 full day Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise with BBQ Lunch (and a couple of beers!)
1 4WD Safari Tour of Rarotonga’s mountainous interior, with bbq fish lunch (and $25 change to spend on a souvenir t-shirt)
1 Balinese-style massage for an hour with healing Cooks coconut oil
2 children’s tickets to the sunset cultural night and feast at Highland Paradise (adults $89, children $50)
4 days Scooter Rental or 2 days Car Hire with petrol
4 family rounds of Mini Golf at Coco Putt (2 Adults & 2 Children per round)
4-5 mains at most restaurants
20 Papaya Smoothies at the Punanga Nui Saturday Market
25 Trips right around Rarotonga (32km circumference) on the Island Bus!
Bonus discounts for travellers on the Air New Zealand direct flight

And the savings don’t stop there for those travelling on the Air New Zealand direct flight from Sydney to the Cook Islands (Rarotonga) every Saturday night. Direct passengers will receive a special ‘Cooks love Aussies’ rubber wristband providing discounts on various activities around Rarotonga.

NZ60 Sydney-Rarotonga takes 6 hours and departs Saturday evening at 8.30pm, arriving Rarotonga 5.30am Saturday local time. NZ61 Rarotonga-Sydney takes 7 hours, 15 minutes and departs Friday afternoon at 3.05pm, arriving Saturday evening 7.20pm. Bookings www.airnewzealand.com.au

For the best package deals see your travel agent or www.cookislands.travel

Champion freediver Herbert Nitsch will be on board the Paul Gauguin’s Jan. 12 “Cook Islands & Society Islands” voyage, the Jan. 23 “Society Islands & Tuamotus” sailing and the Feb. 2 cruise to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. Hailed as the “Deepest Man on Earth,” Nitsch has set 32 world records in freediving.

Oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau joins several sailings aboard the Paul Gauguin in 2013.

He will sail on the Feb. 2 cruise, the June 26 cruise to the “Society Islands & Tuamotus,” the Sept. 21 “Australs & Society Islands” and Nov. 2 to the Cook Islands and Society Islands.

In addition to presenting lectures and videos of his work, he will accompany several dives from the ship.

Extreme artist Jean Francois Detaille will be aboard the Paul Gauguin’s Feb. 2 sailing.

Detaille is a classically trained fine artist with a flair for performance art combining stand-up comedy, speed painting and audience participation.

He will deliver one-man shows during the voyage.

Diane Moore, president of Paul Gauguin Cruises, will host a cocktail party and town hall meeting for guests on the Paul Gauguin’s Feb. 23 “Tahiti & the Society Islands” sailing. Richard Bailey, chairman of Paul Gauguin Cruises, will host the May 11 Rome-to-Venice voyage aboard the new Tere Moana. Moore and Bailey will be available for informal conversations throughout each cruise.

Daniel Baron, winemaker for Napa Valley’s Silver Oak Cellars, will join the Paul Gauguin’s March 9 sailing for a lecture and wine tasting, cocktail party, and more.

Dr. Chris Roelfsema, who studies coral reefs and teaches at The University of Queensland in Australia, will join the March 16 cruise. Joining Roelfsema will be Diana Kleine, a project manager for CoralWatch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and education about these vital yet delicate ecosystems.

Guy Buffet, an artist famous for his whimsical portraits of chefs, waiters and restaurant scenes, will join the May 18, June 1, June 8, Nov. 2, Nov. 13 and Nov. 23 cruises.

Astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, marine ecologist Cécile Gaspar and marine geologist Yves Lancelot will join the May 4 “Sky, Ocean & Volcanoes” voyage.

Jean-Pierre Vigato, chef propriétaire of the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius in Paris, will join Tere Moana’s June 1 Istanbul roundtrip and will provide culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques.

James Beard Award-winner Chef Alan Wong, a master of Hawaii regional cuisine, will be aboard the Paul Gauguin’s July 27 sailing, for a lecture, question-and-answer session, and cooking demonstration.

Whale and dolphin expert Michael Poole will be aboard the Sept. 21 special sailing to the Australs and Society Islands, where humpback whales teem in the waters off the island of Rurutu. Bailey also will join this cruise.

“This experiences brochure features a sampling of the most sought-after opportunities Journese offers in each of its South Pacific destinations,” said Journese Vice President and Managing Director Kimberly Daley.

“It includes the activities travelers expect to see — cultural excursions, water adventures and entertainment — and also offers unique enhancements, from a VIP airport lounge to a private love boat with a professional photo shoot.

Travel agents can review these experiences with clients and purchase prior to departure to create an extraordinary vacation.”

The South Pacific Experiences booklet will be included with travelers’ South Pacific documents and is available for download at www.Journese.com/brochures.

Journese released its first experiences brochure, The Hawaiian Islands Experiences, in July and plans to publish specific experience booklets from each of its other destinations across the globe.

All offerings are hand-selected by experts to keep in line with Journese’ brand promise of providing the full journey experience.