Jetsettersblog

Delta NonstopsBetween U.S. and Ecuador

Delta Air Lines announced changes to its Ecuador schedule to offer nonstop flights between Atlanta and Quito, as well as Guayaquil. Delta currently offers one daily flight from Atlanta to Ecuador that stops in both Quito and Guayaquil before returning to Atlanta.

Starting Sept. 5, 2008, Delta will split the route and offer nonstop service in each direction between Atlanta and Quito. Nonstop service in each direction between Atlanta and Guayaquil starts Dec. 1

Visas not necessary in Ecuador

The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, ordered that starting this month, visas will not be required for citizens of any nationality who intend to enter Ecuador for tourism and stay for a period of 90 days.

Avenida de los Volcanes implements tourism road signs

The municipalities of Ruminahui, Mejia and the metropolitan district of Quito form a territory with several touristic alternatives for activities such as mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, camping, photography and educational activities, as well as services offered by the local population.

Future Vacations New Price Match Policy

Future Vacations launched a new Price Match policy. Under terms of the new policy that will match any competitor’s price on comparable vacation packages within three hours, ensuring that travelers always receive the best value for their vacation dollar.

Travel agents or consumers who book a Future Vacations package and find a lower price on a comparable package elsewhere can call Future Vacations’ new Price Match Hotline – 800-373-7801 – and speak directly to a Price Match Specialist for immediate service.

Comparable packages must feature the same airline, hotel, room category, travel dates and inclusions (e.g.: rental car, ground transfers, theme park/show tickets, etc.). For the fastest service, calls must be made during the following Price Match business hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 7 pm EST and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm EST.

Calls made outside of these hours will receive a return call the following business day. If Future Vacations is unable to match the price of a package, travelers will receive a $25 travel credit for future use.

The Price Match Policy is effective now and until further notice on all packages in the Future Vacations portfolio, which spans the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

For telephone reservations, call 800-456-2323.

SERRA VERDE EXPRESS CURITIBA TO PARANAGUÁ

If you enjoy traveling by train and to be in contact with nature, from Curitiba (Capital of the State of Paraná) you can make a fantastic train trip, starting at the heights of the Paraná plateau, going down through the Atlantic Rainforest to the picturesque colonial town of Morretes, with the possibility to go as far as to the port city of Paranaguá. There are two trains departing on a daily basis from Curitiba: at 8 a.m. the regular train and at 9 a.m. the tourist train (equipped with air conditioning).

The train arrives in Morretes by lunch time. Tip: in one of the typical restaurants lining the river that runs through the town, try “BARREADO” (traditional local dish of beef stewed in a sealed clay pot for 24 hours). Be ready for a feast…

If you must, the train returning to Curitiba leaves at 3:00pm. However, having time, stay overnight in one of the “pousadas” (inns) of Morretes. Linger the evening and savor the charm of the town and the riverside walk, the local live music and some of friendliest people you’ll ever hope to meet. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this region offers eco-tourism options: many trails (easy as well as mountainous), waterfalls, rivers and spectacular flora and fauna in and around the rainforest of Marumbi State Park.

If you go further (by train) to Paranaguá, from there you can catch a ferry to Ilha do Mel (Honey Island), one of the sweetest eco-paradise islands of the South coast of Brazil.

Operated by Serra Verde Express, the whole train trip (Curitiba to Paranaguá) takes a total of 4 hours (110 km), crossing 13 tunnels (through granite) and 67 bridges. The journey owes its appeal to the engineering feats accomplished in the construction of the railway (1885) as well as to the natural beauty and cultural attractions along its path.

According to “Lonely Planet”, the train trip from Curitiba to Paranaguá as a must see in Brazil!

AGGRESSOR FLEET AIRLINE DEPARTMENT

Booking international flights to exotic destinations is now easier with the help of Aggressor Fleet’s own Airline Department and newest travel expert specialist, Katharina (Kathy) Walker, who boasts over 28 years of airline reservations experience.

Kathy has extensive knowledge and training in airline ticketing software networks including Pars, System 1, Data’s, Worldspan, Delta Term and CMS. As an international airline specialist and travel agency manager,

Kathy knows all aspects of airline travel and the extensive needs of international and group travelers. Aggressor Fleet’s European clients will appreciate her fluency in the German and Croatian languages.

To book your next flight through the Aggressor Fleet Airline Department, you may contact Kathy at airtravel@aggressor.com  or by phone at 800-348-2628 or (985) 385-2628.

BECOME A PLATINUM PRO 5000 DIVER

Being honored with the Platinum Pro5000 Diver Award places you among the world’s most experienced water explorers. The list of cardholders is a “who’s who” of diving, containing the world’s most prominent dive leaders, scientists, photographers, manufacturers, retailers and resort operators. This honor cannot be purchased. Individuals must apply for the award and be recommended in writing by two Platinum Pros.

What makes the SSI Platinum Pro5000 award so special is that it’s all about diving. The unsung dive master on any island and Jacques Cousteau earned their cards the same way–by diving 5,000 times, or diving 2,500 times and making a significant contribution to the diving industry.

Since 1993, the Platinum Pros have been recognized at a party held during the annual DEMA trade show. The party has become one of the signature events at DEMA. At the annual party, Platinum Pro 5000 Divers get to meet one another and are recognized for their achievements. Divers and dealers from around the world come together to honor those who have become Platinum Pro 5000 Divers, and congratulate them on their entrance into this exclusive, historical group.

Divers from any certification agency may apply. This is a non-affiliation award. This award is truly about your achievements and nothing else.

For more information and to download an application visit www.diveSSI.com/platinumpro  or call 970.482.0883.

TAM EXTRA FLIGHTS TO BUENOS AIRES

Until August 10th, TAM will temporally offer extra flights from Recife, Porto Seguro, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. TAM operates presently 49 weekly flights to Buenos Aires, with departures from Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo. With the new announced flights, there will be a total of 56 weekly flights to Argentina.

Avalon Waterways adds Ships in 2009

Avalon Waterways is embarking on its most aggressive growth to date in 2009, offering more than 25 vacations in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galàpagos, as well introducing two new ships.

To meet increased demand, Avalon has created six new river cruises for 2009, ranging from 8 to 23 days. They include “Christmas in the Heart of Germany, eight days between Frankfurt and Prague, priced from $1,709; “Windmills, Vineyards & Paris,” 13 or 14 Days between Paris and Amsterdam priced from $3,529; “Blue Danube to the Black Sea,” 14 Days between Vienna and Bucharest priced from $3,559; “European Splendor, 13 Days between Amsterdam and Vienna from $3,649; “North Sea-Black Sea,” 23 Days between Amsterdam and Bucharest from $6,729; and “Fascinating China & Mongolia with Yangtze River Cruise,” 18 Days between Shanghai and Beijing from $5,709.

On the heels of christening the Avalon Scenery in France this spring, Avalon is launching two ships in Europe in 2009 — the Avalon Affinity and Avalon Creativity — bringing the European fleet total to eight. Avalon ships feature contemporary design, state-of-the art technology and staterooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors. Avalon Waterways is offering an early-booking promotion.

Those booking travel by Aug. 31 can receive $300 off the air-inclusive price or $125 off the cruise-only price of a 2009 Globus or Avalon Waterways cruise. Also new for 2009 is the 18-day China and Mongolia package that includes a four-night cruise on the Yangtze River. The vacation includes visits to the Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and Mongolia’s Gobi Desert (including a stay in a traditional ger). This vacation is priced from $5,709 cruise and land-only, including intra-tour flights.

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

Cruz del Sur new routes from Peru

Arrival of foreign tourists increased by 12.3% in first quarter

In the first quarter of this year, Peru registered 502,942 arrivals of foreign tourists through the country’s borders, according to information provided by the General Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization (DIGEMIN) and analyzed by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.

Inti Raymi will be translated into English, French and Spanish

For the first time, the Inti Raymi ceremony will be simultaneously translated into English, French and Spanish. Participants will receive translation equipment so that it will be easier for them understand this festivity, which is celebrated each June 24th. EMUFEC S.A., Cusco’s municipal company for festivities has placed 3,800 seats on sale to attend Inti Raymi in the esplanade of Sacsahuaman.

Historian maintains that Machu Picchu was discovered by a German in 1867

According to a study carried out by the historian Paolo Greer, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was discovered by the German Augusto Berns 44 years before the North American explorer Hiram Bingham arrived in the area (in 1911).

LAN Peru will increase flights from Trujillo to the city of Tumbes

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) informed that the airline Lan Peru announced its decision to operate flights to Tumbes. The flights will begin next June 25th and will be carried out as an extension of the flight that Lan Peru’s aircraft currently make to Trujillo.

Cruz del Sur new routes

Cruz del Sur will reopen the service Lima – Paracas – Ica – Nasca at 4.30 am (full day) and Nasca – Arequipa at 3 p.m. With these new frequencies, tourists and the general public will have more travel options besides those already existing to visit the circuit known as “the magical route of the south.”

Hotel Libertador Paracas will open at the beginning of 2009 after an investment of US$23 million

The inauguration of the new Hotel Libertador Paracas is scheduled for the first quarter of 2009 and will require an investment of US$23,055,752. It will have a constructed area of 17,197.88 m2 and 34,136.29 m2, with a new structure that will comply with the highest international standards.

Ecuador Goes Visa-Free

QUITO - Ecuador will remove visa requirement for foreign tourists to enter the country, the Ecuador’s presidency website said Wednesday.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa ordered to waive the visa requirement for foreigners who want to visit Ecuador from any country beginning on June 20, said the website.

A statement from the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said the order will allow foreigners to stay in the country up to 90 days.

The move seeks to put into practice the principle of free circulation of personnel aiming at strengthening its relationship with the rest of the world through tourism promotion, it added.

The move will benefit residents from 130 countries, who usually need a visa to enter Ecuador.