Jetsettersblog

www.EasyBusRental.com  makes it easy and cost-effective to access vehicles of all sizes in North America

American Bus Association Marketplace – EasyBusRental.com, in partnership with TravelManager (a software company specializing in the transportation industry), is pleased to launch the beta version of its platform for group transportation.

To this date, it has been a challenge to efficiently find vehicles nationwide and to guarantee success on booking the right vehicle and partner.

By using the latest technologies available, www.EasyBusRental.com created an online marketplace to faciliate the process of Searching, Comparing and Booking.

Search:

EasyBusRental.com presents the ease of one-stop shopping and searches over 3,000 bus companies. The technology finds the user the appropriate vehicle based on the geo location of their garages, their vehicle inventory and the customer’s budget.

“From my experiences as a Tour Operator, I know first hand how daunting and time consuming it can be to book buses when you don’t have the right tools or relationships”, says Charles de Gaspe Beaubien, President of EasyBusRental.com.

For years the market has been waiting for the bus industry to offer functionality and a user experience similar to other travel web sites. We therefore created an online marketplace to allow the user to make educated decisions and to connect bus operators and customers in a more effective manner. “EasyBusRental.com makes it ‘Easy’ for the consumer and the bus companies”, comments de Gaspe Beaubien.

Search and Compare:

EasyBusRental.com provides rich content and images of the operator’s fleet, whether it is deluxe motocoaches, minibuses, school buses, trolley buses, vans, limousines and more.

The web site offers tools to narrow the search results and to “coach” the user in making educated decisions based on fleet sizes, age of the vehicles, preferred vendors, onboard amenities, DOT safety rating, memberships and user generated feedback, as well as price.

Users can now base their decision on overall value, as opposed to basing it on price only, which is an overall benefit to the industry not to be commoditized.

Book:

EasyBusRental.com is more than a transactional web site. Bookings are supported by a 24/7 customer care center and account managers to guarantee peace of mind and superior service for our customers. The bus companies also have access to the TravelManager technology platform to manage the orders once they have been created and to operate their entire business should they want to.

Benefits:

• Save Time and Money. Let the technology do the work.
• Get the best Value for your budget and travelling experience
• Minimize Risk by working with the best companies
• Expert Advice
• Best Value on every Rental Guaranteed
• MORE Service from your first call until you return from your trip
• MORE Coaches in MORE Destinations. Access to 33,536 Buses in North America
• Peace of Mind and 24/7 Support
• MORE Resources to help plan your Group Experience
• Managed by seasoned executives with Tour Operator background
• Full service guidance with all elements of your groups travel reservations

The Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau, located in Polk County, Fla., is offering visitors a special chance to save throughout 2010 with a “Passport to Adventure and Savings” card.

The savings card gives visitors the chance to save with more than 120 special offers and is available at the Central Florida’s Official Visitor Information Center.

With more than 120 different special offers, visitors can take advantage of multiple offers a day during their entire visit.

For more information, call 800-828-7655 or visit www.visitcentralflorida.org

In sync with a growing client interest in luxury travel, CIE Tours International launched three new luxury escorted tours of Ireland, led by the 14-day Emerald Supreme vacation, priced from $3,798 for land only, or from $4,378 with airfare.

The tours feature Ireland’s top deluxe and castle hotels including Dromoland Castle and Ashford Castle, and emphasize luxury, exclusivity, unique experiences, and personalized attention. There are just nine departures, starting April 1 and running through Nov. 11.

“This vacation is all about luxury,” said Brian Stack, managing director. “All overnights are provided at castles and deluxe hotels, plus gourmet meals including epicurean restaurants and castle dinners — and everything else is included, too — no hidden extras.”

Stack adds that the Emerald Supreme is ideal for discerning couples planning a first or second honeymoon, wedding anniversary, or an extra special vacation. Capacity is limited to 26 persons per tour.

The itinerary, which starts and ends in Dublin, explores the whole island of Ireland including Cashel, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, Galway, Connemara, Cong, Drumcliff, Donegal, Derry, Antrim Coast, Belfast and Downpatrick.

The crux of the vacation is the selection of all prestigious award-winning hotels and castles: Merrion Hotel, Dublin (first two nights and final night); Killarney Park Hotel (two nights); Dromoland Castle Hotel, Newmarket-on-Fergus (one night); Ashford Castle Hotel, Cong (two nights); Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal (two nights); and Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle (two nights).

These hotels pamper guests with state-of-the-art spas and leisure centers; and Dromoland, Ashford and Slieve Donard provide golfing opportunities at their own championship golf courses.

Men can devote as much time as they want to play golf at a leisurely pace and women can relax in the spa — or vice versa. Unique experiences on this itinerary include a performance at the Abbey Theatre, national theater of Ireland, or the legendary Gate Theatre; and dining at gourmet castles and epicurean restaurants such as Killeen House in Killarney as well as a private dinner with local entertainment and Irish dancing at Burke’s Pub in Clonbur, County Galway; and a farewell dinner at the Loft restaurant in Dublin with a traditional show at the Abbey Tavern.

In addition to deluxe accommodations and 11 superb dinners, the price covers 12 full Irish breakfasts; lunch at the legendary Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast; walking tours with local guides of Georgian Dublin, Ennis and Derry, and a “Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong; ferry rides across the River Shannon and Strangford Lough; catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord with Irish coffee; and admissions to over a dozen esteemed attractions including the National Gallery, The Book of Kells at Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery, Museum of Country Life, the Slieve League Cliffs, Belleek Pottery Factory, Giant’s Causeway, Mount Stewart House & Gardens; Battle of the Boyne Centre; and more.

For clients with less time, this vacation can also be split into a choice of two modules — the seven-day or nine-day Southern Supreme, starting at Dublin and ending at Shannon, or the nine-day Northern Supreme, starting at Shannon and ending at Dublin.

Both of these tours also run from early April through mid-November.

The Southern Supreme’s itinerary goes to Dublin, Cashel, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, Galway, Connemara, and Cong, and includes the experiences and attractions as outlined in the Emerald Supreme.

Two castles are featured in this program, along with two other five-star hotels — Merrion Hotel, Dublin (two nights); Killarney Park Hotel (two nights); Dromoland Castle Hotel, Newmarket-on-Fergus (one night); and Ashford Castle Hotel, Cong (two nights for the nine-day tour).

Prices start at $1,798 for land-only, or from $2,378 for air and land.

Clients interested in seeing Northern Ireland from a luxury perspective can join the Northern Supreme, starting the tour at Shannon and experiencing County Mayo and then around the coast of Donegal and through the North.

Accommodations are Ashford Castle (one night), Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal (two nights); Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle (two nights), and the Merrion Hotel, Dublin (two nights). Prices start at $2,368 for land only, or from $3,048 for air and land. Prices and departure dates are guaranteed for 2010.

For more information, call 800-CIE-TOUR or visit www.cietours.com

For more information about Ireland visit http://www.discoverireland.com or for a free vacation planning kit call the NY office at 800/223-6470. Read Ireland feature stories from Jetsetters Magazine at this link:

or independent clients on a limited budget, CIE Tours International launched its Go-As-You-Please Ireland self-drive programs for 2010 featuring bed and breakfast home stays, with land-only prices starting $398 for travel in February or from $460 in March and April.

Prices for four people traveling together start lower at $363.

The package provides open vouchers for six nights’ accommodations at a choice of over 1,100 B&B homes.

A room with private bathroom (at no extra cost) is provided at each home, as well as a full Irish breakfast, service charges and all taxes. B&Bs can be pre-booked each night on a complimentary basis on the B&B Ireland website.

Clients pick up a self-drive current standard shift model car from Hertz at Shannon or Dublin Airports and then create their own itinerary at their own pace with unlimited mileage.

Arrangements are for a minimum of six days/six nights, but can be for longer. The price includes collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection (TP) insurance, as well as government tax (VAT). Larger cars and minibuses are also available, and GPS navigation systems can be reserved at a cost of $12.50 per day when pre-booked.

In addition to car and accommodations, the price includes added-value extras such as a copy of the “Definitive Irish Bed & Breakfast Guide”; a 100-page Ireland guidebook with map (one per car); and a copy of “Ireland at a Glimpse” discount booklet, providing two-for-one admissions to attractions. CIE Tours is offering a number of other self-drive arrangements with pre-booked hotels so that clients can mix and match.

The hotels, which range from first class to five-star castles and manor houses, can be interspersed with B&Bs.

For instance, clients can upgrade to Ashford Castle for as little as $68 per person per night.

For more information, call 800-CIE-TOUR or visit www.cietours.com

CIE Tours International is offering a six-day/four-night fully escorted Taste of Ireland trip, priced from $698 for land-only or $1,038 with airfare from New York-JFK.

Departures are slated from Feb. 13 through Dec. 4.

The tour is targeted to “clients with limited time who want to experience Ireland for an affordable price,” according to Brian W. Stack, managing director.

Focusing on the sightseeing highlights of Ireland, the itinerary starts in Dublin, and then goes to Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, and Bunratty.

The program provides superior and first-class hotel accommodations with private bath/shower for four nights; full Irish breakfasts daily; four dinners including a medieval banquet and entertainment at Bunratty Castle and a dinner/traditional entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin; welcome get-together drink; Dublin tour with local guide; sheepdog trials on the Ring of Kerry; ferry ride across the Shannon River; admissions to Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Muckross Gardens and the Cliffs of Moher; fully escorted sightseeing via luxury motorcoach; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap; all taxes, hotel service charges and porterage for one suitcase per person.

Accommodations are at the following three hotels or similar alternatives:

Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin (one night); Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre (two nights); and Bunratty Castle Hotel Hotel, Bunratty (one night). Longer five- and six-night versions are also available with one or two more nights in Dublin plus an open top bus tour of Dublin and visit to the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens.

For more information, call 800-CIE-TOUR or visit www.cietours.com

Big Sur resorts and attractions are rolling out deals to celebrate the Feb. 3 release of the U.S. Postal Service’s new Express Mail stamp that features Bixby Creek Bridge.

The 78-year-old landmark paved the way to this wilderness best known for harboring authors and artists.

This architectural marvel, one of the top 10 highest single-span bridges in the world (714 feet long, 320 feet span), now serves more than 2 million vehicles annually.

Completed in 1932, Bixby Creek Bridge introduced automobile travel to Big Sur and kicked off a tourism boom for travelers plying the 90-mile stretch of seascapes and craggy coastline.

Today, the region boasts nine State Parks, 15 inns, ancient redwoods, waterfalls and beaches.

Marking the stamp’s debut, area hotels have teamed up to offer a “Bixby Bridge Package” this winter. Big Sur River Inn offers accommodations, breakfast and dinner for two starting at $160 double occupancy.

Treebones Resort, sporting 16 upscale yurt accommodations, is offering a two-night mid-week stay with breakfast at 20 percent off, starting at $124 double per night.

The Post Ranch Inn, boasting eco-luxury digs overlooking the sea, features two nights’ accommodations, two one-hour spa treatments, dinner at Sierra Mar and daily breakfast starting at $2,120, double.

Ventana Inn & Spa offers a $250 double rate including a complimentary upgrade and $50 resort credit. Julia Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers cottages at Big Sur Lodge, including breakfast and guided hike with bag lunch for two, at $180, double.

Packages exclude taxes and are based on availability, restrictions and black-out periods. For more information, visit www.SeeMonterey.com

Intrepid Travel launched a campaign designed to appeal to the soccer-weary who would rather take off than contend with soccer-crazed partners during the World Cup, which takes place from June 11 to July 11.

Intrepid’s World Cup Widows and Widowers promotion offers up to 15 percent off for friends traveling together on select departures in June and early July.

With South Africa expected to be swamped by millions of visitors during the World Cup, Intrepid Travel is offering the discount on select adventures in Asia, Australia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Themes range from a Balkan Adventure in Eastern Europe to Outback Tracks in Australia and a Grand China tour. Intrepid is offering a 5 percent discount for two or more people traveling together, 10 percent off for three and 15 percent for four or more. Non-soccer themed trips start from $720 (plus airfare) for a nine-day Bali adventure, or just $612 per person if the group numbers more than four.

With more than 20 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is a provider of small group adventure tour operators.

Intrepid takes around 80,000 travelers to over 90 countries worldwide every year. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

Intrepid employs close to a thousand employees in nearly 20 countries worldwide.

For more information, call 866-915-1511 or visit www.intrepidtravel.com/junegetaway

Several Palm Springs-area hotels are offering Valentine’s Day deals.

The Riviera Resort & Spa’s Be My Valentine package (valid Feb. 12 to 14) includes a prix-fixe dinner at Circa 59, breakfast in bed, a couple’s massage and a chocolate box turndown for a nightly room rate of $499.

Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is offering savings of Save 30 percent on all stays, plus 50 percent on the third night of a stay.

The Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa’s More for Amour package features champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries on arrival, breakfast in bed, late check-out and an upgrade to a golf course or pool view room from $279 per night.

For more information, call 800-967-3767 or visit www.palmspringsusa.com

-NEW FACILITY BOASTS A VARIETY OF SERVICES AND features Aveda SPA PRODUCTS-

For the latest Primm Valley Casino Resort news, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Primm, Nev. – With 13,000 square feet of tranquil surroundings, The Spa at Primm is a full service Aveda retreat that offers a variety of services by skilled technicians including skin care, massages, nail care, spa body treatments, waxing services and a fitness center inside Primm Valley Resort & Casino.

Stress, diet and daily environmental aggression can trigger imbalances in the body such as acne, sensitivity, dryness, premature aging and pain. The Aveda spa approach offered at The Spa at Primm combines pure botanical products to produce results with a spa experience enhanced through touch and breathing techniques that relax the body and naturally activate its repair and recovery mechanisms.

Skin Care options:

Green Science Skin Renewing Treatment: clinically proven to lift and firm the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – 30 minutes for $55, 60 minutes for $80 and 90 minutes for $120.

Enlightenment Discoloration Treatment: diminishes the appearance of dark spots and improves the skin’s visible clarity – 30 minutes for $50, 60 minutes for $75 and 90 minutes for $110.

Outer Peace Acne Treatment: purifies and declogs acne skin – 30 minutes for $50, 60 minutes for $75 and 90 minutes for $110.

Botanical Skin Resurfacing: botanical alternative to Microdermabrasion for glowing skin – 30 minutes for $45, 60 minutes $80 and 90 minutes for $115.

Perfecting Plant Peel: Aveda’s botanical alternative to a 30 percent glycolic peel that can be added to any facial treatment – 30 minutes for $40 and $30 for an add-on to any additional treatment.

Massages:

Element Nature Massage: a customized massage experience based upon the Aveda Elemental Nature Philosophy and the client’s favorite Aveda aroma.

A variety of massage techniques will be unified including Swedish, deep tissue, pregnancy massage, acupuncture and reflexology – 30 minutes for $40, 60 minutes for $65 and 90 minutes for $100.

Chakra Balancing Massage: a focus on the chakra system utilizing deep tissue massage, foot reflexology energy work and includes a guided mediation on the chakras – 60 minutes for $70 and 90 minutes for $110.
Fusion Stone Massage: incorporates the use of warm stones for deep relaxation for the muscles – 60 minutes for $75 and 90 minutes $115.

Nails:

Elemental Nature Manicure: includes proper maintenance and grooming of nails and cuticles, personalized massage, customized exfoliation and a treatment masque – 30 minutes for $35, 60 minutes for $55.

Green Science Skin Renewing Manicure: utilizes Green Science Skin Care and the Plant Perfecting peel to lift and firm the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – 30 minutes for $40, 60 minutes for $65.

Botanical Skin Resurfacing Manicure: botanical alternative to Microdermabrasion for the skin – 30 minutes for $35, 60 minutes for $55.

Caribbean Hand Therapy: incorporates the Caribbean therapy masque and massage techniques – 30 minutes for $35, 60 minutes for $55

Elemental Nature Pedicure: includes proper grooming and maintenance of nails and cuticles, personalized massage, customized exfoliation and treatment masque – 30 minutes for $55, 60 minutes for $75

Caribbean Foot Therapy: incorporates the Caribbean therapy masque and massage techniques – 30 minutes for $40, 60 minutes for $65.

Chakra Balancing Foot Treatment: incorporates the Chakra balancing mists and a Chakra foot reflexology massage – 30 minutes for $55, 60 minutes for $75.

Spa Body Treatments:

Caribbean Therapy Body Treatment: a detoxifying body wrap featuring Aveda Caribbean therapy – 75 minutes for $85.

Rosemary Mint Awakening Body Wrap: a cooling body wrap treatment featuring Aveda Rosemary Mint – 75 minutes for $85.

Body Polish: an exfoliation treatment that uses Aveda products customized to the clients’ needs – 60 minutes for $55.

Waxing Services:

Facial hair removal starting at $10

Eyebrows

Eyebrow design – 30 minutes

Eyebrow maintenance – 15 minutes

Face – per consultation

Upper lip – 15 minutes

Chin or cheeks – 15 minutes

Body hair removal starting at $30

Arms and legs

Half and full arms, half and full legs, underarm, bikini, bikini first time and maintenance, Brazilian first time and maintenance and back and chest.

All spa guests receiving a treatment will receive an all day pass to use spa facilities for the day of service.

The facilities include a fitness center, which includes various cardio and strength equipment, a steam room, dry sauna, jacuzzis and lounge area.

Spa facility for one day is $10 and for three days is $25.

The spa and fitness center are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; spa services are available 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 702.679.5506 or visit http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/promos.php

About Primm Valley Casino Resorts:

Primm Valley Casino Resorts, 25 minutes south of Las Vegas on Interstate 15 at the Southern Nevada/California state line, includes Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino, Primm Valley Resort & Casino, Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino, Primm Center and the Primm Valley Lotto Store. Combined, the three properties feature 2,644 guest rooms, 136,000 square feet of casino space, 2,900 slot machines and 98 gaming tables.

www.primmvalleyresorts.com

A&A S.E.Asia Tours’ eight-night Explore Vietnam by Vintage Vespa uses original Vintage Vespas to allow clients to ride past tree-lined boulevards and colonial architecture and along the scenic Vietnam’s Southern coast to the highlands resort of Dalat.

In Saigon, a Vespa scooter is used to explore the city.

The vintage two-wheelers also lend flexibility and ease to venture into corners and side streets in the city.

The tour visits Saigon, Nha Trang, Ho Tram, Mui Ne, Phan Rang and Dalat.

The package includes transfers, meals, guided sightseeing, support vehicles, two guides, five- or four-star accommodations and more.

The package is priced according to level of hotels selected and group size and ranges per person from $2,188 in four-star hotels for a group of six or more to $3,949 in five-star hotels for two persons.

The package, valid until Oct. 31.

. For more information, call 312-629-0100, email reservations@aaholidays.com

or visit www.aaholidays.com