Jetsettersblog

in 2013

SeaDream Yacht Club is offering a seven-day voyage on the Upper Amazon River in 2013. The voyage sails roundtrip from Iquitos, Peru, March 16 to 23. The ports visited will include Leticia, Colombia; Panelas, Jutai, Santo Antonio do Ica and Amatura, Brazil; Monkey Island, Colombia; and Pebas, Peru.

Local experts will sail along, including naturalists, a botanist, a historian and an expedition leader. This “expedition team” will take guests on complimentary Zodiac safaris, village walks and jungle treks. The team will also provide daily lectures and presentations. A land program to Machu Picchu can be added before or after the cruise.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ St. Regis brand will expand its partnership with Sentebale by joining the charitable polo match played in Sao Paolo, Brazil, for the first time this March. The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup aims to raise support for the improved health care and education of the children of Lesotho, and will have HRH Prince Harry, playing for the Sentebale team, against St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras, who will captain the St. Regis team.

In 2010, Prince Harry attended an Evening to Honor Sentebale at The St. Regis New York, celebrating the St. Regis brand’s and the charity’s connection with New York City and polo. This March will mark the third Sentebale Polo Cup and the continuation of the charity’s relationship with the St. Regis brand. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho launched the event in Barbados in 2010 to raise awareness and funds for Sentebale, the charity they founded to continue the legacy of their late mothers’ charitable work with children.

PlanetWildlife.com, a leading provider of diverse wildlife travel and tours around the world, presents Wildlife’s Hot Spots for 2012 – a month-by-month directory of what’s happening and when – and itinerary suggestions to inspire nature lovers to experience some of the seminal seasonal events of the natural world. To explore all the ideas and options available, visit PlanetWildlife’s Calendar presented on the website under ‘Travel’…..itineraries are all-inclusive from point of departure but do not include international flights.

January – India
January is the breeding season for the green sea turtles around the Galapagos Islands – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour – is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594 per person (pp)
This is also an excellent time of year to go tiger spotting in India when the clement weather facilitates close study of these rare and endangered big cats – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-kanha-and-bandhavagarh – a six day safari itinerary including elephant rides in Central India priced at £756/US$1,180pp

February – Nepal
February is a good time to go trekking in Nepal with better than usual odds of spotting the famed Bengal Tiger – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/chitwan-explorer  is a nine-day itinerary in Chitwan National Park priced at £1,465/US$2,287pp. This is also an ideal month for tracking the rare and beautiful snow
leopard in nearby Ladakh, India – visit www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/snow-leopard-experience  for a 13-day trekking adventure priced at £2,163/US$3,377pp.

February also sees the gathering of hundreds of thousands of spectacular pink flamingos on Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Africa – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp.

March – the Arctic
When the days start to lengthen and become milder in the Arctic region, this is an ideal time to spot Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights – and a cruise is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this natural wonder – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/lofoten-aurora-borealis through Norway is an eight-day journey on the schooner ‘Noorderlicht’ priced at £1,979/US$3,090pp.

April – Galapagos
April presents another excellent opportunity to go bird-watching in Galapagos where enthusiasts can spot blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gullies, frigate birds and red-billed tropic birds amongst others. www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594pp).

May – India – Ladhak and Karnataka
In India, the weather is perfect for an extensive trek around Ladhak in the Himalayas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/amazing-leh-community-service-trek – presents an unusual 13-day itinerary and the opportunity to become involved in local community service in the villages of Spango Valley while learning about and tracking the elusive snow leopard – priced at just £569/US$888pp.

This is also an opportune month to visit Karnataka in India and the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, the natural habitat of Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants and hyenas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-karnataka  is a five-day itinerary including the fascinating cities of Bangalore and Mysore and priced at £1,330/US$2,076pp.

June – Rwanda
Head to Rwanda this month to witness a unique baby gorilla naming ceremony, “KwitaIzina” – an annual ceremony attended by hundreds of local villagers but international visitors are also welcome – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/gorillas-wildlife-and-chimpanzees is a comprehensive seven-day adventure through some of Uganda’s best national parks of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and is priced at £4,457/US$6,958pp.

July – Costa Rica and Brazil
Latin America is the destination to head for this month to spot the endangered green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beautiful Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The park is also home to manatees, crocodiles, tropical gar, jaguars, sloths and basilisks, amongst other exotic wildlife – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/forests-and-volcanoes-costa-rica  is a 15-day excursion round Costa Rica and the Caribbean priced at £3,662/US$5,717pp.

Alternatively, in Brazil’s Pantanal area this is the best time of year for jaguar sightings and for close study of many other endangered species including the hyacinth macaw and the maned wolf – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/voyage-heart-amazon  is an eight-day voyage to the heart of the Amazon and is priced at £2,940/US$4,590pp

August – Kenya
Head to Kenya this month to be amongst the first to witness one of nature’s greatest shows – the annual Great Migration sees thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make a dash across the Mara River risking death from predators such as the crocodile – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp

September – Botswana
This is an ideal time to ravel to Botswana and explore the wilderness of Chobe National Park and the Okavango delta and take in the full majesty of the famed Victoria Falls – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/best-botswana-chobe-and-okavango  is an eight-day itinerary commencing in Maun and finishing at the Victoria Falls prices at £2,664/US$4,159pp

October – Madagascar
During this dry month off the coast of Africa, lemurs are particularly active and playful on the island of Madagascar – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/magical-madagascar  is an exciting eight-day adventure combining lemurs and bird-watching as well as interaction with tribal villagers and is priced at £1,713/US$2,674pp.

November – the Falkland Islands

Head to the bottom of the world to the Falkland Islands (classified under the Antarctic zone) to watch five different species of penguins breed at this special time: the King, Rockhopper, Gentoo, Magallanic and Macaroni penguins – the islands also present a chance to spot the rare black-browed albatross – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/antarctic-peninsula-weddell-see-falkland-islands  is a 14-day cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falklands priced at £8,995/US$14,041pp

December – Sri Lanka
In southern Sri Lanka, this is the best time of year to spot one of the natural wonders of the world – the Blue Whale….nowhere else do they come as close to the land as they do near the coast of Sri Lanka. The www.planetwildlife.com/trave/itineraries/blue-whale-and-leopard-experience  is a nine-day itinerary commencing in Colombo which combines blue whale and dolphin spotting with safaris in Yala, home to elephants and leopards – priced at £2,520/US$3,934pp.

For further information, please visit www.planetwildlife.com  or contact a PlanetWildlife office (listed on the website). PlanetWildlife is as a leading international provider of diverse wildlife and safari tours with over 300 creative itineraries in 26 countries around the world catering to a wide range of interests and budgets.

About PlanetWildlife:

PlanetWildlife is an international travel company based in India with sales offices in UK, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden. It is backed by highly successful entrepreneurs and managed by a professional team who are passionate about wildlife and have been involved in a variety of nature conservation activities over the years. The www.PlanetWildlife.com website features over 300 itineraries to Africa, India, and South America comprising a diverse range of photography safaris, hiking expeditions and bird-watching adventures, including ocean cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Most tours offer daily departure dates and each is well-organised, competitively priced, environmentally responsible and tailored to suit the requirements of group or individual travellers. In all instances they are led by highly qualified and experienced leaders. Respected travel industry professionals and wildlife experts work in consultation with PlanetWildlife and are instrumental in designing each themed itinerary Via the website, a comprehensive and continuously expanding reference library on species and destinations is readily accessible and is regularly updated to ensure its usefulness to travellers, students, wildlife enthusiasts and bloggers.

PlanetWildlife is committed to responsible tourism, and in particular: minimising negative environmental impact; contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritages and embracing diversity; providing rewarding experiences for visitors through meaningful interaction with local communities to the economic benefit of those communities; and promoting a greater understanding and respect for local cultural, social and environmental issues. It is part of PlanetWildlife’s corporate policy to fund selected awareness drives and wildlife conservation programmes and welcomes suggestions from the public in this regard.

BRAZIL – Oregon-based sea kayaking company Tofino Expeditions hopes to establish Brazil as one of the sport’s top new destinations. The company has organized a new kayaking trip along the country’s southern coast, or Costa Verde, which founder Grant Thompson has described as “perfect” for paddling.

This move comes as Brazil emerges as a travel destination. The combination of a booming economy and the coming 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro have created a new buzz for the country, and a new market for tour operators of all kinds.

Tofino’s 10-day Costa Verde sea kayaking adventure gives travelers a chance to sample many aspects of southern Brazil’s culture. The tour begins with a cultural tour of Rio de Janeiro, and also includes a night’s stay in a coastal fishing village and a gourmet dinner with one of the country’s top chefs in the colonial town of Paraty, a UNESCO world heritage site.

To ensure the authenticity of the tour and promote the growing Brazilian economy, Tofino has used every opportunity to partner with true locals. The cultural tour is conducted by a local art professor and lifelong local, the dinner is hosted by Brazilian celebrity chef Yaro Castro, and designed so diners will come away with an intimate knowledge of the processes and ingredients involved in the country’s cuisine.

About Tofino Expeditions
Founded by veteran adventurer Grant Thompson, Tofino Expeditions has guided commercial sea kayaking expeditions since 1988, making them one of the oldest companies of the business. The company was the very first to provide guided paddling tours of Vancouver Island’s west coast, which is now a destination on the life list of paddlers around the world. The company guides trips along the world’s finest coasts in Baja, British Columbia, Croatia, Brazil,

Vietnam, Norway, and the Galapagos Islands.

Copa Airlines said that it will begin nonstop service in June 2012 from Panama to four new destinations — Recife, Brazil; Liberia (Guanacaste), Costa Rica; Las Vegas, Nev.; and the island of Curacao.

Passengers who depart or connect to these new flights through Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport will have access to a network of 63 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. As part of the airline’s strategic plan, Copa will add 10 new Boeing 737-800s Next Generation aircraft this year, for a total of 83 aircraft equipped with cutting-edge technology.

App focuses on basic board knowledge and helps with ordering customs

From the creator of iSurfer, iBodyboard, iDing Repair and Beach Safety App comes the latest iPhone/iPad App which makes ordering and understanding surfboards so easy. The latest iPhone/iPod/iPad app, created by former WQS surfer Matt Jones, takes all of the guess work out of understanding surfboards and also ordering a custom board. iSurfboards App for iPhone/iPod/iPad provides detailed information for all parts of the modern surfboard. iSurfboards App provides the following information:

CUSTOM SURFBOARD ORDER FORM:

The feature that is not available in any other App in the world. A fully customized surfboard order form which allows anyone around the world to create their own custom surfboard within the app and email to a shaper to shape.

The first version of the custom board creator and with feedback from shapers and customers i will be making it to cater for every type of surfer and shaper. This feature will allow you to create your own custom surfboard and email it to a shaper.

It gives you all the options you would find on a standard surfboard order form. It makes ordering a new surfboard quick, simple and easy all from the palm of your hand.

Surfboards Information

- Different surfboard shapes and their characteristics and suited surf conditions.

- The roles that length, width and thickness play in surfboard design.

- Different types of tails and their strengths and weaknesses and what board shape they best suit.

- Different rail shapes and their strengths and weaknesses.

- Different bottom concaves and what conditions and boards they suit best.

- What affects the rocker, nose lift and tail lift can have on your surfboard.

- Information about the types of glass jobs commonly used.

Surfboard Size Guides

A variety of surfboard size charts for beginner to intermediate surfers. All charts take into account the surfer’s weight and height and provides a guide to the size surfboard which would be best suit them.

Beginner Charts:

- Surfboard length guide for Softboards
- Surfboard length guide for Longboards

Intermediate Charts:

- Length guides for Fish surfboards
- Length guides for groveller surfboards
- Length guides for shortboard surfboards
- Length guides for midsize surfboards
- Length guides for gun surfboards
- Length guides for Funboard surfboards
- Length guides for Mini Mal surfboards
- Length guides for Malibu surfboards

Fins Information

All the information you need to know about the characteristics of fins and what part of the fin does what.

You will learn what effects the base, depth, sweep, foil, flex and cant have on a performance of a fin.

This information can help you choose the right size and shape fins to suit your surfing.

Fin Systems

Information about the most commonly used fin systems used in surfboards.

Details about the advantages and disadvantages of each system and a rating system to show the characteristics for each system.

The information provided will give you a guide on what fin system you would like in your next surfboard.

This App will be constantly getting updated to cater for every aspect of surfboard design and with feedback from shapers the custom order form will be getting updates to to further improve the functionality of the surfboard order form.

Other Apps for surfers created by Matt Jones from mysurfworld.com include:

iSurfer – Surfing Coach App for iPad /iPhone and iPod Touch

iDing – Surfboard Repairs App for iPhone and iPod Touch

iBodyboard – Bodyboarding Coach App for iPad /iPhone and iPod Touch

Beach Safety App for iPhone and iPod Touch

DUBAI, UAE – Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has extended its South American network by linking Dubai with Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, further broadening the airline’s reach across the Americas. Emirates’ inaugural Flight 247 made its first landing at Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, where it was initiated by a traditional water cannon salute. The flight, operated by Argentine Captain Marcos Medina, then departed for its first onwards connection to Buenos Aires, where government and airport officials led by Enrique Meyer, the Argentinean Minister of Tourism, welcomed the Emirates VIP delegation headed by Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President – Passenger Sales Worldwide.

Other members of the VIP delegation aboard the flight included the Argentinean Ambassador to the UAE, Ruben E. Caro; UAE Ambassador Mohammed Eissa Al Zaabi; Mr Abdulla Ali Al Saboosi, Director, Department of American and Pacific Affairs, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Adnan Kazim, Divisional Senior Vice President, Planning and Research and Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, the Americas.

This new linked service to two of the most economically vibrant cities in South America will not only boost trade ties with the UAE, but will also introduce travellers to Emirates’ route network spanning points across the globe,” said Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President – Passenger Sales Worldwide.

“Emirates will offer customers in Brazil and Argentina the most efficient and comfortable route to the Middle and Far East, including the airline’s four destinations in China and two gateways in Japan, which are key trading partners for both countries,” added Mr. Antinori.

The Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires flight is operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering eight First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 304 seats in Economy Class.

EK 247 leaves Dubai daily at 0710hrs and arrives at Rios Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1537hrs. It departs Rio at 1723hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK 248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0123hrs the following day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0310hours, arriving in Dubai at 2250hrs.

Emirates has a fleet of 168 aircraft and is the world’s largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator. With an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft placed at the Dubai Airshow in November, Emirates now has 237 aircraft on order, worth over US$84 billion at list prices.

Emirates now flies to 118 destinations in 69 countries. Over the next two months, the airline will launch a further five destinations: Dublin, Lusaka, Harare, Seattle and Dallas.

Photo caption 1 (from left to right): Ruben E. Caro, Argentinean Ambassador; Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President – Passenger Sales Worldwide; Abdulla Ali Al Saboosi, Director, Department of American and Pacific Affairs, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jamal Al Ghurair, Managing Director, Al Khaleej Sugar; Adnan Kazim Divisional Senior Vice President, Planning and Research; Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, the Americas; and Mohammed Eissa Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador.

Photo caption 2 & 3 : Emirates Flight 247 arrives in Rio de Janeiro.

AdventureSmith Explorations is offering five new Central and South American cruises, thanks to the relaunch of renovated Sea Voyager, starting in March.

The 60-passenger expedition ship will offer eight- to 12-night cruises from a per diem of $365 per person, double.

Included are all meals, pre- and post-cruise hotels stays, shore tours, admission to museums and parks, tax and port fees.

In addition, travelers can save up to $2,000 per couple if they book their cabin on any of the Sea Voyager departures by Jan. 31.

The discount amount depends on the time of year, the cabin type and the itinerary.

Onboard are a lounge, a bar, a fitness and massage rooms, a library with Wi-Fi, a dining room, a buffet, fore and aft deck space, and a platform for getting on and off of Zodiacs.

The five new itineraries are a nine-day Panama to Costa Rica Pacific cruise, a 10-day Panama to Costa Rica Caribbean cruise, a nine-day Panama to Colombia Caribbean cruise, a nine-day Columbia Caribbean cruise, and a 13-day Panama to Ecuador Pacific cruise.

Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Convention Center, a new project in Pernambuco state in the northeast region of Brazil, is being developed by the Portuguese group Promovalor and the Brazilian group Odebrecht Realizações Imobiliárias and will be the first five-star hotel in Reserva do Paiva, located approximately 30 minutes from Recife, as part of the third phase of this planned community.

The hotel is scheduled to open in March 2014. Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel will be located one block from the beaches in northeastern Brazil.

Featuring 289 rooms, including 21 junior suites and seven deluxe suites, the hotel will boast a spa, the brand’s signature Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance with more than 3,937 square feet of work-out space, an exclusive Club Lounge on the top floor with sea views, restaurants and a Beach Club with leisure offerings including an infinity pool and lounge area.

The lobby will feature a bar and the brand’s Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft-Sheraton’s signature social hub where connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam, can take place.

The hotel will also offer 120 covered parking spaces and will be energy efficient, reducing its environmental impact. Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Convention Center features a modern convention center with more than 9,186 square feet that will accommodate up to 2,100 people.

RIO DE JANEIRO- Emirates kicked off its Rio de Janeiro countdown in style on the 24th November, as the airline got ready to launch daily services to the 2014 FIFA World Cup host city from 3rd January 2012.

The new direct service to Rio de Janeiro, with an onward extension to Buenos Aires, will provide seamless connections to Emirates’ network of more than 100 destinations worldwide.

Last night, over 800 guests from the government, travel industry and wider business community attended a gala celebration at Pier Maua to find out more about one of the world’s most successful and fastest-growing airlines. Guests were also given the opportunity to see the FIFA World Cup Trophy, which was on display at the event.

“As Emirates’ second Brazilian gateway, our new Rio de Janeiro service will add extra impetus to the vibrant Brazilian economy, boosting tourism and underpinning the city’s status as a leading hub for business and trade, particularly within the oil and gas industries,” said Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President -Passenger Sales Worldwide.

“Emirates anticipates strong demand for both leisure and business travel to Rio de Janeiro, especially as Brazil will host a series of world-class events over the next few years, including the 2013 Confederations Cup, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, added Mr Antinori. “As a Partner of the 2014 World Cup, Emirates is proud that we have a role to play in making the tournament a success, and we look forward to bringing football fans from across our global network to this unmissable event.”

“This new Emirates flight is a big win for Rio de Janeiro as it will feed global traffic into the city, boosting tourism and creating new opportunities for trade between this market and numerous emerging economies,” said Mr. Rodrigo Solano, Manager of Markets and Business, Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier in the day, the Brazilian media met with Emirates representatives including Richard Vaughan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations Worldwide, Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas, and Ralf Aasmann, Area Manager Brazil. Also representing Emirates in Rio de Janeiro were Kashmira Motiwalla, Manager Product Development, Skywards, Luc Delcomminette, Vice President of Arabian Adventures, Pradeep Kumar, Senior Vice President, Cargo Revenue Optimisation and Robert Siegel, Manager Cargo Commercial – Europe & Americas.

Rio de Janeiro, also known as the ‘Marvellous City,’ is renowned for its spectacular natural setting. The city, which is home to Sugar Loaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches as well as the famous Maracana Football Stadium, receives more visitors than any other city in South America, welcoming an estimated 2.8 million international tourists each year.

Emirates’ Rio de Janeiro flight will be a linked service with Buenos Aires, meaning that customers in South America can now travel between the two cities in unprecedented style and comfort. The new service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, arranged in a three-class configuration, offering eight First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class, and a spacious cabin in Economy Class with 304 seats.

Throughout all classes, passengers can enjoy the latest version of Emirates’ multi award-winning ice entertainment system, which offers over 1,200 channels of movies, TV shows and music, including Portuguese language versions and Brazilian and Latin American music.

Starting 3rd January 2012, EK 247 will leave Dubai daily at 0705hrs and arrive at Rio’s Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1537hrs. It will depart Rio at 1723hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK 248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0120hrs the next day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0310hours, arriving in Dubai at 2250hrs.

One of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, Emirates has a fleet of 162 aircraft and is now the world’s largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator.

With an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft placed at the Dubai Airshow earlier this month, Emirates now has 243 aircraft on order, worth over US$84 billion at list prices.

Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires will be the second and third points to be added to Emirates’ South American network. Emirates has been flying to Brazil since 2007, when it launched its Sao Paulo route. The airline now operates daily services to the city.