Jetsettersblog

Het Programma van de Financiën van het Geld van GE van de Aanbiedingen van Goway

Reis van Goway, een exploitant van expedities aan Australië, Nieuw Zeeland, de Stille Zuidzee, Azië en Afrika, kondigden een meerjarenovereenkomst met het Geld van GE aan om het de financiënprogramma aan te bieden van de Reis van het Geld van GE over producten Goway.

Het programma van de privé-etiketcreditcard, dat door de eenheid van de Financiën van de Verkoop van het Geld van GE wordt beheerd, verstrekt een menu van aanbiedingen en bevorderingen, met inbegrip van uitgestelde rente zes maanden met maandelijkse minimumbetalingen evenals uitgebreide betaling financiering op éénmalige reizen of aan de gang zijnde reis.

Voor meer informatie over Reis Goway, draai 800-387-8850 of zie www.goway.com

Globus Stille Zuidzee en de Overeenkomsten van Hawaï

The Globus family of brands unveiled its 2009 offerings to the South Pacific and Hawaii, with an early booking incentive.

Clients who book a 2009 Globus or Monograms South Pacific or Hawaii vacation by Sept. 30 will receive $200 off per person on the air-inclusive price.

South Pacific and Hawaii highlights for 2009 include: South Pacific Sampler (13 Days) – priced from $3,849 (land-only; includes intra-tour flights); Naturally New Zealand (10 Days) – priced from $2,709 (land-only; includes intra-tour flights); Grand Hawaii Vacation (12 Days) – priced from $3,459 (land-only; includes intra-tour flights); Cruising Hawaii’s Paradise (11 Days) – priced from $1,909 (cruise- and land-only); Monograms’ Aussie & Kiwi Explorer (14 Days) — priced from $4,209 (land-only; includes intra-vacation flights). Monograms’ Oahu &

Maui (seven Days) – Priced from $1,009 (land-only; includes intra-vacation flights). Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States under the brands Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways.

For more information, call 800-221-0090 or visit www.globusfamilypartner.com

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).

Vanuatu reveals its hidden secrets

PORT VILA, VANUATU, - The tropical islands of the 83 island archipelago of Vanuatu, is the birth place of Extreme Sport. The Pentecost land dive was born in the mists of time in Vanuatu.

James A Michener found his inspiration for his book, the origin of the classical musical Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1958 film, South Pacific, in the islands of Vanuatu. The Television rehash of the original classic, in 2001, never found favor with the viewing public.

Vanuatu rose to the forefront once again, in 2006, when it was voted the Happiest Country on Earth.

The grave site of Chief Roy Mata, where it is believed more than 20 wives were buried live with the king, was recently granted world heritage status.

As world finance reels like a drunken sailor, parts of Vanuatu remain untouched. Specially grown pig tusks, intricately plaited ceremonial mats and even sacred stones, form the local currency.

Yet, Vanuatu is once again sitting in the world spotlight, with its recent release of unique and traditionally well hidden art work, from the northern island of Ambrym. The work could well be mistaken for contemporary pieces of art. There are no pieces like the Vanuatu art in the museums of Europe and America. Only one similar piece was found in a museum in Britain.

Towering high over the head of the tourist, the wooden carved slit gongs go virtually unnoticed. With up to tfive heads carved on the gongs, they are among the largest free standing musical instruments on earth.

Few visitors realize the connection of the impressive, sometimes four meter high gongs, to the secrets of Vanuatu society. The stylized carved form of the gong representing the people’s ancestors, The eyes representing the morning star of society that has traditionally kept its secrets well hidden from the eyes of the world.

Beating the lip of the gong with a small wooden club, informal village orchestras performed rhythmical ensembles of immense variety and complexity. The music beaten out through carefully coordinated actions by multiple drummers.

Not only were the carved gongs used in sacred ceremonies such as initiations, funerals and dances, but also to communicate between neighboring villages.

By releasing some of their secret and sacred artifacts to the world, the Chiefs of Vanuatu hope to bring about a renewed awareness of their ancient culture.

The Chiefs of Vanuatu are aware that education of the younger generation is the only way to preserve their ancient ways. Very few young people have any knowledge of the intricate art of the language of the gong.

It is hoped the beginning of the sharing of their secrets, will bring about a change in the desperate need to educate the next generation. You can take an active part in helping educate the next generation of these beautiful and ancient people. For further information contact Wendy at YouMe Support Foundation, (youmesupport.org) one of the foundations determined to help the people of Vanuatu move forward on the education front.

About YouMe Support Foundation

YouMe Support Foundation, Vanuatu, a non-profit making charity, was founded in 2007. YouMe Support Foundation provides non-repayable higher education grants to children from geographically and economically underprivileged areas. YouMe Support Foundation is offering a Blue Moon Opportunity on the Internet in order to assist these children.

It’s GOLD for Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue Voted ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ (Aust/Pacific) & take out ‘silver’ in the ‘World’s Best Low-Cost Airline’ & ‘Best Cabin Staff’ (Aust /NZ) categories.

Virgin Blue is celebrating a gold and two silvers after being named ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ (Australia/Pacific), as well as receiving second place honours worldwide in the ‘World’s Best Low-Cost Airline’ and ‘Best Cabin Staff’ (Aust/NZ) categories, in the 2008 Skytrax Awards.

This is the third time Virgin Blue has taken out Australia’s ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ gong in the prestigious Skytrax awards, having been awarded the same title in 2002 and 2004.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “Needless to say we’re thrilled, while today we consider ourselves a New World Carrier in a class of our own, nothing has changed about our promise to ‘keep the air fair’, or our continuing commitment to provide genuine value and affordable air travel.”

“In eight years, we have gradually evolved our business model to expand the low-cost airline concept.” “In response to ever changing market demand and opportunity, we have built on our original offering of affordable fares plus outstanding service, also adding many of the features and services of traditional legacy style carriers,
albeit delivered in Virgin style. Add to that innovative product and services unique to Virgin Blue and all offered to our Guests on a pay for use basis.”

“This award is great feedback for us that we are on the right track, but above all it is a huge accolade and testament to the efforts and ingenuity of our fantastic and hardworking team.”

The Worlds Best Low-Cost Airline Survey is commissioned and conducted by Skytrax Research of London and more than 90 different nationalities of passenger took part in the major, global survey which was operated between
August 2007 and July 2008.

A total of 4,440,126 eligible survey interviews were completed for the worldwide 2007/8 survey of low-cost airlines.

For further information on the awards please visit http://www.worldairlineawards.com

Multi award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 68 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 25 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga,
Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

Virgin Blue Group has also announced plans to launch Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, set to commence flights between Australia and the USA from late 2008, subject to regulatory approvals.

Cunard 2009 World Cruises

Cunard says World Cruises aboard its flagship Queen Mary 2 and the new Queen Victoria — as well as shorter segments — offer a value because they are priced in U.S. dollars.

The World Cruises are “more sensible than comparable five-star travel experiences on land since, at sea, meals and entertainment are included,” Cunard said. Both ships offer shorter segment voyages ranging from 15 to 30 days with fares starting at $122 per day, per person.

Space is still available on some of the most popular segments, including Queen Mary 2’s 28-day Fort Lauderdale-to-Los Angeles segment with fares starting at $122 per day, per person; 15-day Los Angeles-to-Sydney segment with fares starting at $160 per day; and 31-day Singapore-to-New York segment priced from $171 per day. Queen Victoria’s 17-day New York-to-Los Angeles segment offers fares from $200 per day, per person; the 23-day Los Angeles-to-Sydney segment starts at $209 per day; the 27-day Sydney to Singapore starts at $237 per day; and 32-day Singapore-to-Southampton is price from $215 per day, per person.

Among the speakers scheduled to appear during the World Cruises are oceanographer-meteorologist Joe Bishop, astronaut Walter Cunningham, ocean liner authority and color commentator William Miller and adventurer Harvey Mann.

Departing from Fort Lauderdale simultaneously with Queen Victoria on Jan. 13, Queen Mary 2’s “Epic Expedition” features 26 port calls on five continents. Included is a call to Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza) for visits to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Maiden calls include Lima, Peru; Osaka, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; and Salalah, Oman.

The ship will journey in a westward direction, sailing around South America to Los Angeles, then across the Pacific Ocean to Honolulu. From there, stops include Pago Pago, American Samoa; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The voyage culminates in New York on April 14. Fares start from $19,362 per person, double occupancy.

Eighteen maiden calls are highlights of Queen Victoria’s westbound circumnavigation.

First-time visits include Apia, Western Samoa; Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Cairns (for the Great Barrier Reef), Australia; Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand; Nagasaki, Japan; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Nuku’alofa, Tonga; Phuket, Thailand; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Pusan, South Korea; Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; and Willemstad, Curaçao.

The ship will transit the Panama Canal and Suez Canal and visit Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Shanghai, China; and Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, as well as an overnight call in Sydney. Queen Victoria will also call on Mormugao in Goa, on the west coast of India, which is known for its beaches and Portuguese architecture; and Hobart, Tasmania. The journey concludes in Southampton on April 20, where guests may opt to continue their voyage with a six-day transatlantic crossing to New York aboard Queen Mary 2.

Fares for Queen Victoria’s 99-day “Exploration of Distant Horizons” World Cruise start from $20,955 per person, double occupancy.

Kiwi Collection Jetsetter Travel Blog

Kiwi Collection launched an interactive travel blog called Kiwi JetSetter at www.kiwijetsetter.com.

A continuously updated, in-depth forum, the new Kiwi JetSetter will grant travelers direct access to the inner-workings of the Kiwi Collection “think tank” via a series of informative postings on the personal preferences of today’s industry insiders.

The blog will serve as an interactive guide to luxury travel, providing travelers with firsthand accounts of some of the world’s best hotels and resorts, spas and destinations. Highlights of the Kiwi Jetsetter include travel trend discussion, insider tips and the “Kiwi on the Road” section, which documents the personal experiences of the Kiwi Collection team as they evaluate member hotels and experience key destinations in over 140 countries across the globe.

More information is available at www.kiwicollection.com

Newmans Vacations Tax Free Flying Program

Newmans Vacations launched a Fly Me Tax Free offer to help travelers feeling squeezed by the myriad of airline taxes and fees.

Through September, Newmans will pay all international air taxes and fuel surcharges on their vacation packages to the South Pacific and Asia- a potential savings of up $500 per person.

Airline taxes and fuel surcharges have skyrocketed in recent months, often adding hundreds of dollars to international air tickets.

The Fly Me Tax Free offer is good for all new land/air vacations booked and deposited with Newmans before Sept. 30, and cannot be combined with any other offer.

For more information, visit www.newmansvacations.com

Balcony Cruise Cabins Sydney/Tahiti Reduced

by over $3500 per couple!

Ecruising.travel has a 16-night cruise/fly package from Sydney to Tahiti later this year on the luxury Sun Princess, with cruising in full-view Balcony Cabins at AUD$1800pp below previously advertised prices.

It’s package on October 21 now starts from AUD$3149pp twin-share, compared with an original AUD$4949pp, including the 12-night cruise with balcony-to-horizon views, four nights in Papeete at the Tahiti Intercontinental, all transfers in Papeete, and air back to Sydney*.

Sun Princess will visit Noumea, Nuku’alofa, Vava’u, Rarotonga and Raiatea on her way to Papeete.

She features a choice of formal or informal dining, a steakhouse and 24-hour buffet, three pools, two show lounges, a cinema, casino, spa and gym, sports court, virtual golf simulator and 24-hour internet café.

For full details phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel *Air taxes and fuel surcharges applicable at time of booking are additional.

(Ecruising.travel also has these packages with Inside Cabins discounted to as low as AUD$2749pp twin-share, and a 17-night fly/cruise package back from Papeete to Sydney at the same prices as Sydney/Papeete for Inside Cabins.)

+61 (2) 9274 4000

Virgin Blue cuts fares by up to $25

new “go! Fares” introduced

Virgin Blue today launched its new range of ‘GO! Fares*’ into the Australian market introducing a new highly competitive fare type priced up to $25 less than the airline’s year round lowest lead-in fares.

“GO! Fares are not a seasonal or promotional sale, they are a permanent new fare type and will be available on more than half of our routes at any one time,” said Heather Jeffery, General Manager Public Affairs.

“The discounts are genuine and undercut our own previous lowest lead-in fares. This is to allow price sensitive travellers to offset new baggage fees and to also provide support for regional and leisure destinations in particular,” she said.

Virgin Blue’s GO! Fares went on sale from midday today. Some of the new fares include:

Launceston – Sydney: GO! Fare $59

Cairns – Melbourne: GO! Fare $179

Newcastle - Gold Coast: GO! Fare $55

Sydney – Townsville: GO! Fare $129

Gold Coast – Sydney: GO! Fare $59

Gold Coast – Melbourne: GO! Fare $85

* For full details of the fare rules for GO! Fares and baggage charges see www.virginblue.com.au

Multi award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 68 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 25 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

Virgin Blue was the first airline in the world to launch a Government-certified carbon offset program, where Guests can offset the carbon emissions from their flights. Virgin Blue Group has also announced plans to launch Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, set to commence flights between Australia and the USA from late 2008, subject to regulatory approvals.