Jetsettersblog

Visitors can be Super Man or Wonder Woman for a day at Comic-Con International, July 23 – 26, at the San Diego Convention Center. Comic-Con has become a signature summertime event for San Diego; it is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture. For more information, call 619-491-2475, or visit www.comic-con.org .

San Diego’s culinary community joins forces during September 13 – 18 for San Diego Restaurant Week. More than a hundred of the region’s top restaurants offer prix-fixe, three-course dinner menus at just $20, $30 or $40 per person, so visitors can sample the signature cuisine and sophisticated style that make San Diego’s dining scene one of the region’s top attractions.

For more information, call 858-523-9020, or visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com .

The “turf meets the surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack where home racing fans flock each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, July 22 – September 9.

The races run six days weekly, except Tuesday. Every Friday, guests can catch 4 O’Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day’s last race.

On September 6, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation’s top thoroughbreds and $1 million purse. For more information, call 858-755-1141, or visit www.dmtc.com

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

In April 2009, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park opened Flightline, a new zip-line adventure that transports guests more than 400 feet across the park at speeds up to 60 mph.

The 1.5-hour experience begins at the top of a mountain in Nairobi Village and features a brief training lesson, behind-the-scenes narration and an aerial adventure that soars across the Asian and African field exhibits, and ends at Kilima Point. Participants must be 10 years of age or older and weigh between 75 and 200 pounds; the cost is $70 in addition to regular park admission.

For more information, call 619-231-1515, or visit www.sandiegozoo.org/wap

On May 23, 2009, the San Diego Zoo unveiled a journey through time with the opening of its newest exhibit, The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey. Highlighting animals of the past, present and future, the $44 million, seven-acre habitat features Asian elephants, a California condor, sloths, snakes and rodents, as well as life-sized replicas of animal species that dotted the Southern California landscape more than 10,000 years ago.

A herd of eight elephants roam a 2.5-acre exhibit that includes a 120,000-gallon pool, gentle rolling hills and the Conrad Prebys Elephant Management Facility, where visitors can see keepers and veterinarians at work with the animals.

Additional highlights of Elephant Odyssey include a tar pit replication, fossil dig, children’s play area and much more. For more information, call 619-231-1515, or visit www.sandiegozoo.org

On May 29, 2009, SEA LIFE Aquarium in Carlsbad launched a new exhibit, Sharks Revealed.

The new display will replace the Kelp Forrest exhibit and provide an up-close look at the evolution, development and lifestyles of sharks, including how they eat, breathe and sleep. Several unique shark species will roam through the exhibit like the brown banded bamboo shark, white spotted bamboo shark and coral catshark.

Sharks Revealed will also showcase a number of educational displays and interactive opportunities for guests.

For more information, call 760-918-5346, or visit www.sealifeus.com

NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS

In August 2009, Hotel Indigo San Diego, a new alternative to traditional hotels, will open in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego.

Catering to the style-conscious traveler, the hotel will offer personalized service, affordable luxury and intelligent design to create a one-of-a-kind, welcoming environment.

The 12-story, 210-room property will feature open spaces, bold colors, unique textures, natural imagery and spa-inspired touches throughout the property.

In addition, public spaces and guestrooms will undergo seasonal transformations so that aromas, music, artwork, murals and more correlate to match the four seasons.

Hotel Indigo San Diego will also offer a bistro-style Golden Bean restaurant and Phi bar, each offering seasonal gourmet fare for breakfast and dinner.

A 24-hour “Phi”tness Studio, rooftop terrace with a reflection pool and fire pits, business center, 6,200-sq. ft. of meeting space and free wireless internet will round out the amenities.

Hotel Indigo will be San Diego’s first LEED-certified hotel, and green building practices will be seen throughout the property, including green roofs on its 9th and 12th floors.

For more information, visit www.hotelindigo.com

HOTEL RENOVATIONS AND NAME CHANGES

Renovations and upgrades to the historic 1906 Lodge in Coronado were completed in May 2009.

The building was originally built in 1906 as a boarding house, and now serves as a charming 17-room hotel.

Six of the hotel’s guest rooms are located in the mail lodge and feature queen beds, period furniture and original leaded glass windows that provide gorgeous views of Coronado.

Eleven of the hotel’s guest rooms are located in newly built bungalows and feature king beds, spa tubs, private entrances and private balconies or porches. Additional upgrades to the building include renovated common areas like the parlor, dining room and veranda.

The 1906 Lodge also boasts meeting space that can accommodate up to 40 guests.

For more information, call 866-435-1906, or visit http://1906lodge.com

The Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay recently unveiled a complete brand re-launch featuring a new look and feel throughout the 14-story property.

The hotel’s 600 rooms now feature comfortable beds with crisp linens and a selection of pillows that range from soft to firm.

Guestroom bathrooms have been enhanced with superior showerheads, a curved shower rod for a more spacious feel and premium bath products. Enhanced lighting and landscaping designs offer a warm arrival experience, while just inside the lobby, new stylish touches, signature sounds, scents and an efficient guest check-in round out the welcome experience.

For more information, call 619-232-3861, or visit www.hisandiegoonthebay.com

In May 2009, Pala Casino Spa and Resort in San Diego’s North County completed a $100 million expansion, which includes major improvements to the dining and gaming areas and a new parking garage.

Pala Casino’s buffet area was expanded to 20,000-sq. ft. and renamed Choices, providing guests a world-class, interactive dining experience featuring eight live-action cooking stations, seating for more than 625 guests, an area for private parties and great views of the neighboring scenic mountains.

Pala Casino also opened two new restaurants — Amigos, an authentic Mexican eatery with quick-style service, and Sushi Sake, a Japanese restaurant. Within Pala’s casino area, a Poker Room with 15 tables, private cage windows and tableside dining was also added. Additionally, the casino’s private High Limit Area features three redesigned, Feng Shui-inspired rooms.

For more information, call 877-946-7252, or visit www.palacasino.com

Continue reading UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS in San Diego…

MAKES PLANNING YOUR VEGAS TRIP EASIER THAN EVER BEFORE WITH EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR TRAVELERS

Vegas Attractions Combine Resources, Databases, Marketing Dollars and More,
Maximizing Outreach to Both Consumers and Travel Partners

LAS VEGAS - Cooperation versus competition: that is the new mantra for a group of Las Vegas-based tourist attractions banding together to form Best Vegas Attractions.

For consumers, Best Vegas Attractions helps makes travel decisions easier than ever before with incredible discounted values.

For businesses, the groundbreaking consortium is setting new rules for conducting business in the tourism industry.

Currently included in the group (in alphabetical order):

“BODIES…The Exhibition”: Showing at Luxor Hotel and Casino, this exhibition features actual human specimens and allows people of all ages access to sights and knowledge normally reserved for medical professionals.

Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas: Located 36 miles south of Las Vegas in Primm, Nev., the outlets feature more than 100 stores with up to 75 percent off designer fashions.

Hard Rock Café: This summer, expect Las Vegas’ second Hard Rock Café location. The new café will feature an extensive retail shop, a “LIVE” venue, private function and meeting rooms and a grand cafe restaurant with patio dining and entertainment overlooking the Strip. The (original) Paradise location will keep on “rockin’ away” with Hard Rock Café’s classic dining and retail items.

Las Vegas Monorail: The Las Vegas Monorail is a quick and convenient connection to the Las Vegas Strip, linking riders to the city’s world-class restaurants, shows, shops, clubs, hotels and casinos. In just 15 minutes,

Monorail riders can travel from one end of the Strip to the other in a safe, clean and climate-controlled environment - without the hassles of traffic or wasted time.

The Monorail’s electric, zero-emissions trains arrive every few minutes at each of the seven stations: MGM Grand; Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas; Flamingo/Caesars Palace; Harrah’s/Imperial Palace; Las Vegas Convention Center; Las Vegas Hilton and Sahara.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas: Located in front of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas offers guests the unique opportunity to ‘interact’ with incredibly life-like iconic figures from the celebrity worlds of film, TV, music, sports and politics.

Guests can ‘grab hold’ of their favorite stars with our many interactive experiences.

With more than 100 wax figures, guests can take pictures, touch and get up close and personal in a themed setting. The attraction is open 365 days a year starting at 10 a.m.

Papillon Airways, Inc.: Founded in 1965, Papillon Airways, Inc. (French for “butterfly”) and Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines since 1929 are the largest “flightseeing” companies in the world, with nearly 70 state-of-the-art helicopters and airplanes, specifically designed to reveal panoramic views beyond imagination.

The Halvorson family recently acquired Kenai Helicopters (now known as Grand Canyon Helicopters), Grand Canyon Airlines, Grand Canyon Coaches and Scenic Airlines. These companies are the only companies that fly the entire Grand Canyon including the South and West rims, in addition to tours of Las Vegas, Page/Lake Powell and Monument Valley.

Tours afford maximum flight time, enabling guests to fully discover Grand Canyon’s great wilderness and scenic attractions.

During busy months, the Halvorson companies fly more than 3,500 passengers daily.

“Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition:

Featuring more than 300 artifacts, as well as breathtaking replicas from the famous ship, the Titanic exhibit truly brings history to life inside Luxor Hotel and Casino.

BUSINESSES BANDING TOGETHER

“We were all going after the same consumers, practically tripping over one another to secure business. We are like-minded businesspeople and had all thought at one point or another, ‘there has to be a better way to do this.’

Ultimately, we realized we are stronger together,” says Robert Graff, vice president of marketing, Papillon Airways, Inc. “This partnership provides us with a platform to implement marketing, advertising, databases and sales strategies in an impactful and cost-effective way, expanding our reach beyond what we could accomplish as individual companies.

Through this consortium, we are targeting customers through wholesale and tour operators, travel agents, airline partners, concierges and many more.”
The group developed rack cards discount and referral booklets, all branded as Best Vegas Attractions.

The referral program officially began in May 2009 and provides cash incentives to concierges and front desk representatives’ and discounts to visitors.

More than 40,000 booklets are being distributed to more than 113 resorts. To incentivize both visitors and tour and travel representatives, the program is designed to save visitors up to $500 and concierge and front desk representatives to receive up to $100 per booklet in cash-back incentives.

CONSUMERS CASH IN ON VALUE

Consumers who patronize participating attractions will save anywhere from 15 to 50 percent off the regular prices.
“We know visitors who come to Las Vegas are searching for value,” concludes Graff.

“Best Vegas Attractions clearly lays out guest options, making it easier than ever to decide what to do while they are in the destination. Top that with incredible savings they will not be able to find anywhere else. We created this group because of the guests and for the guests.
”
ABOUT BEST VEGAS ATTRACTIONS

Best Vegas Attractions (BVA) is a collaborative partnership among several Las Vegas visitor attractions, developed to increase awareness about the organization that will ultimately drive leisure and convention business to participating attractions. BVA’s objective is to provide value-added opportunities for travelers and visitors through special offers and values. By partnering on marketing, public relations and advertising efforts that include strategic branding, Web site production, collateral production and distribution, BVA attractions combine resources on activities at a fraction of the cost, which saves their respective companies time and money.

For more information, go to www.bestvegasattractions.com

CHAMPIONS GATE, Fla. — High Stakes Entertainment and The David Leadbetter Golf Academy have teamed up to bring some of poker and golf’s biggest names together for The Legends of Poker & Golf Academy, hosted by Poker Hall of Famers Doyle Brunson and Dewey Tomko, poker superstar Daniel Negreanu, famed poker instructor Mike Caro ‘The Legendary Mad Genius of Poker’, and the World’s Leading Golf Instructor, David Leadbetter.

The four day event will be held at the OMNI Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, World Headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy from Tuesday, November 3rd through Friday, November 6th, 2009 and will feature 3-days of comprehensive poker and golf instruction, followed by a day of golf and poker tournaments.

“We are excited to have the David Leadbetter Golf Academy host this groundbreaking event and we are proud to be associated with poker legends Doyle Brunson, Dewey Tomko, Daniel Negreanu and Mike Caro” said David Leadbetter. “Doyle and Dewey may be most noted for their accomplishments at the poker table, but both have storied and accomplished backgrounds on the golf course which makes them ideal partners for this combined poker and golf endeavor”.

Participants in the The Legends of Poker & Golf Academy will be treated like one of Leadbetter’s visiting tour players and have access to the world-class game improvement staff and facilities of golf’s finest training facility.

David Leadbetter and his elite staff will guide students through three days of golf instruction on the expansive range and short game practice facilities.

Comprehensive video analysis and club fittings will also be performed in order to maximize results and get students playing better than ever before.

There will be opportunities for one-on-one instruction throughout the week and an overall low student to instructor ratio of 5:1 throughout the group sessions.

In addition to Leadbetter and his world-class instructors, there will also be an impressive group of participating professional golfers who will impart their knowledge and experiences to help make the event a memorable one.

Currently schedule to attend are Rocco Mediate, Andy Bean, Mike Hulbert, and Brad Bryant.

“Anyone who knows me, knows that golf has always played a special role in my life - so I’m thrilled to join some of my poker friends and golf guru David Leadbetter for what will be a memorable four days of golf and poker fun in the Florida sun.” said the patriarch of modern poker and 10-time WSOP Bracelet Winner, Doyle Brunson.

After the afternoon golf sessions and relaxing dinners, participants will settle in for evenings of poker instruction and playing scenarios.

Three evenings will be dedicated to intense poker instruction from the world’s foremost authority on poker strategy, psychology and statistics, Mike Caro ‘The Legendary Mad Genius of Poker’.

Caro, an accomplished player, pioneer poker theorist, and renowned author, will be joined in these sessions by poker legends Doyle Brunson, Dewey Tomko and Daniel Negreanu who will add their unique perspectives to provide an entertaining and uniquely educational experience for poker enthusiasts.

For more information and registration information, poker and golf enthusiasts can visit The Legends of Poker & Golf Official Website at www.PokerGolfAcademy.com  or by calling 877-889-7555.

The Skansen zoo and open-air museum, Åre/Skistar, Säfsen Resort, Häckeberga Castle, the Vasa Museum, the Millennium Tour city walking tour and Wilderness in Värmland are the seven best experiences in Sweden according to French, German, British, Dutch, Italian, Russian and American tour operators.

A decision will be made on Oct. 22 as to which one will receive the “Best Experience in Sweden” award.

The international “TRIP Global Award” will be presented for the second time this year to the “Best Experience in Sweden.” Last year’s winner was the Ice Hotel.

The initiators of the award are the Swedish Travel and Tourist Industry Federation, in cooperation with Visit Sweden. The aim is to establish what experiences foreign visitors want to book through tour operators and to highlight those who offer Sweden’s best experience.

“The nominations reflect the global demand for experiences related to winter, wilderness and nature. What we as Swedes take for granted turns out to be exotic experiences for our foreign visitors.

“It is exciting that the walking tour of the city known as the Millennium Tour is nominated since it shows a new trend in which Swedish literary successes are also attracting visitors to Sweden,” said Jan Lundin, CEO, Swedish Travel and Tourist Industry Federation.

The selection process was expanded from five to seven key foreign markets for Sweden: Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France, the U.K., Russia and the U.S. The jury was appointed by Visit Sweden and comprises tour operators from each country, with a total of 35 operators participating.

“The tour operators’ selection shows what is popular in Sweden for many travelers. Through our foreign offices, we can directly identify what the local tour operators prioritize, such as a high level of service, the right hotel standard and a focus on customer satisfaction,” said Thomas Brühl, CEO of Visit Sweden. The Swedish Travel and Tourism Gala is an annual inspiration and knowledge day, with a conference, award ceremonies and gala dinner. The Gala was established as a meeting place for the industry’s players and associates.

For more information, visit www.rts.se  or www.visitsweden.com

During the past three years an outdoor aquarium has been built along Highway 55 in Cascade.

The outdoor viewing aquarium was built to allow people to see aquatic organisms in a natural looking setting. Educational information about fish life cycles and fish species identification is also available in a fun, entertaining setting. So what is the aquarium, and how was it constructed and funded?
The Cascade Aquarium sits in Fischer Park on the southeast side of Cascade just north of the North Fork Payette River Bridge. The aquarium can be reached on a blacktop path connecting to a trail system. The viewing area and trail system are handicapped accessible.

The aquarium consists of a concrete wall, with special viewing glass, and an earthen berm with a rubber liner to hold the water. On top of the liner, boulders, river rock and tree stumps have been placed to create fish habitat.

The 52-degree ground water is supplied via a pump and pipeline, and the aquarium’s 10,000 gallon water volume is exchanged about every four hours.

Excess water cascades from the aquarium into a manmade creek channel running into Fischer Pond.

The water is fed through an aeration column before it is introduced to bottom of the aquarium.

Project funding was an adventure in time and volunteer help.

A significant amount of funding came through the Fish America Foundation, specifically from a donation from Pro-Line. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game used license funds, Cascade residents donated money, and local contractors contributed equipment, time and labor.

The Idaho Department of Transportation donated boulders and rock fill, and local contractors hauled the material.

Students in the advanced biology class at Cascade High School wrote grant applications for funds, contacted contractors for equipment donations and provided much of the hand labor. And the City of Cascade’s maintenance crew took on the project above their other duties to create something special for the city.

Southwest Airlines Vacations is offering a Classic Family Vacation by Hyatt to clients who book a Southwest Airlines Vacations package for two or more nights, including flight and Hyatt hotel stay.

The offer includes daily complimentary breakfast for all registered guests; 15 percent discount on Hyatt Pure spa services; 15 percent discount on dining; free half-day kids program at Camp Hyatt; locally inspired in-room kids snack amenity; and exclusive 20 percent discount valid in National Geographic’s online store. The offer applies to bookings  to Sept. 2 by 6 p.m. CST for travel to Sept. 7.

Five-day advance purchase required. Here is how to book the hotel portion of this deal: find a Hyatt hotel; select “Upgrade Room”; select the room type with the red promotional text that reads: “Sale! Breakfast and More!”

RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE NOW AT WWW.PRIMMSPECIALS.COM OR BY CALLING 1.800.FUNSTOP

Primm, Nev. – Back by popular demand, Primm Valley Casino Resorts again offers Nevada residents a free vacation available until  July 9, 2009. Guests must book their FREECATION by calling 1.800.FUNSTOP (1.800.386.7867) or visiting www.primmspecials.com

Primm Valley Casino Resorts’ FREECATION includes:

$50 free play valid at Primm Valley, Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s

Two all attraction passes, which include admission to the Adventure Canyon Log Flume, Turbo Drop and the Desperado Roller Coaster at Buffalo Bill’s

Two free drinks at the world famous Tree Bar inside Buffalo Bill’s

Two for one breakfast buffet at Miss Ashley’s inside Buffalo Bill’s

Two for one lunch buffet at Miss Ashley’s inside Buffalo Bill’s

Two for one dinner buffet at Miss Ashley’s inside Buffalo Bill’s

Complimentary appetizer with dinner at GPs inside Primm Valley

Two nights FREE accommodations at Buffalo Bill’s

Guests must be 21 and present a valid Nevada resident identification. Primm Valley Casino Resorts’ FREECATION is available seven days a week and subject to availability.

Guests must be players’ club members and present card upon checking in or sign up for the players’ club card upon arrival.

For more information or to book a FREECATION, call 1.800.FUNSTOP (1.800.386.7867) or visit www.primmspecials.com

The FREECATION offer may be redeemed only once during the promotion period per household.

All offers are subject to availability, and may be changed or canceled at any time.

Restrictions may apply.

About Primm Valley Casino Resorts:

Primm Valley Casino Resorts, located 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

Taronga’s Zoo’s new-look overnight accommodation program, “Roar and Snore“, now has a dress circle location amid the Zoo’s wildlife and overlooking spectacular Sydney Harbour in Australia.

The cliff-top location boasts ultra-comfortable safari-style tents, each with a view of the Harbour and Sydney’s majestic city skyline and is a the base for the tours and wildlife encounters with Australia’s famous wildlife from kangaroos and koalas to emus and possums throughout the overnight stay at Taronga.

From arrival in the evening to the next day’s dawn, the views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are always changing with the city’s lights sparkling at night and the Harbour’s surface criss-crossed with boats.

The Zoo’s General Manager Life Sciences and Environmental Education, Cameron Kerr, said: ‘What started out as a simple camping experience at our Education Centre has now moved centre-stage with accommodation and meals to match the remarkable wildlife experience of staying in the zoo overnight.”

” Besides meeting Australian animals during the visit, there’s lots of free-ranging wildlife living just outside your tents from kookaburras with their laughing, early morning calls to Brushtail and Ringtail Possums, which are often met during the night walks in the Zoo. ”

“The Roar and Snore experience includes rides on the spectacular Sky Safari Cable Car which gives passengers stunning views of the Zoo and the harbour as it sails up from the Zoo’s own Ferry Wharf to the very top of Taronga. Visitors can stay on in the Zoo for the whole of the next day too.”

The new-look “Roar and Snore“ is now a fully-hosted experience based around architecturally designed tents, where a sumptuous roast feast and drinks in the main tent are complimented by up-close animal encounters and the only opportunity to camp overnight with the views of Sydney Harbour and the city on one side and the sounds of lions, birds and Meerkats on the other.

The tents are equipped with fully-dressed double and single beds. All linen is provided and you also have the chance to shower in the new amenities block just steps from your tent, while you enjoy the world famous views from Taronga Zoo.

Mr Kerr said: “I can’t think of another place in Sydney where you can stay overlooking the Harbour and discover the wonders of the Australian and exotic wildlife in our care. You may wake the next morning to the roar of the lions or an elephant trumpeting as you prepare to experience the zoo before the crowds. “

“Breakfast is taken in the main tent with the sprawling view of Sydney’s Harbour just in front of you. While you’re listening to the bird calls, the Harbour is waking up. As the sun strikes the glass of the business district’s tall towers, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ferries and small boats are cutting across the water below you. Then it’s off to feed a giraffe on your way ‘behind the scenes’ to learn about the secrets of this famous and fascinating zoo.“

The tours are all led by trained zoo staff who can answer their guests’ questions about wildlife. The tours introduce people to some very special times in Taronga, not usually seen by the zoo’s daytime visitors. Dusk and early mornings are particularly special and night time offers the chance to see many of the animals including the big cats as they commence their nocturnal activities.

Mr Kerr said: “Our zoos are never still and our staff work everyday of the year. The best thing about choosing a “Roar and Snore, is that you are supporting our work with wildlife. Zoos are now one-stop conservation agencies that care for wildlife, teach visitors about animals’ needs, start field conservation projects, manage breeding programs and conduct scientific research and our “Roar and Snorers” are part of all this.”
CONTACT: Taronga Zoo Media Relations, 02 9978 4606.

FACT SHEET:

Your overnight Zoo experience begins with refreshments on arrival at the Roar and Snore meeting point, to the right of the Main Entrance at 6.15pm. This is followed by an opportunity to get up close with some of the Zoo’s friendliest creatures.

After settling in to your new, purpose-built tent and campsite overlooking Sydney Harbour, you will enjoy a gourmet buffet dinner before you hike through the Zoo on a two-hour night zoo safari - enjoying the intimate opportunity to experience the zoo alone with the Roar & Snore group.

As a Roar & Snore camper, you will rise to the warbles, rumbles, squeaks, growls and roars of the animals greeting the day. Your wildlife adventure continues with a light breakfast before your treated to two behind-the-scenes exclusive experiences. You are also welcome to spend the next day exploring the Zoo during the daylight hours.

Roar & Snore is an ideal adventure for families, friends or social clubs or employee incentive or training groups. In addition to our regular program, we can offer our corporate clients access to breakout rooms, where training or lectures can occur (additional hire fees apply).

Please note that all children must be a minimum five years old to attend Roar and Snore. Roar and Snore is a non-smoking event.
Bookings are essential and can be made through Ticketek on 132 849 or online at www.ticketek.com or at your nearest Ticketek outlet.

To discuss the program please contact the team at Taronga Zoo:
Phone +61 2 9978 4791;
Fax +61 2 9978 4508;
Email: RoarAndSnore@zoo.nsw.gov.au

The much anticipated Go Ape High Wire Forest Adventure course at Matfen Hall Hotel, near Newcastle, is launching.

Based on a similar design to the already successful twenty-one UK-wide courses, Go Ape at Matfen Hall will offer everyone from families to corporates the opportunity to live life more adventurously and rediscover their very own sense of adventure.

For your chance to be amongst the first to enjoy this new award-winning treetop adventure activity visit goape.co.uk  or call 0845 643 2034 to book.

The course will remain open until the end of October and is open every day when families get to monkey around high up in the treetops.

Join the tribe

Go Ape is a giant obstacle course that’s set high up in the treetops. Gorillas and Baboons alike get to spend approximately three hours monkeying around high up in the canopy, some 40ft above the forest floor. The new course at Matfen Hall Hotel is the fifth new launch for 2009; four others were launched in the UK.

Before you set off on your Go Ape treetop journey, Go Ape instructors will kit you out with harnesses, pulleys and caribinas and give you a safety briefing before you are let loose into the forest canopy.

The course is split into five separate sections and each section is made up of obstacles such as ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels that are made of wood, rope and super-strong wire.

Each section begins with a rope ladder climb into the treetops and ends with an adrenalin pumping zip back down to the ground.

How it all began

The origins of Go Ape lie in France.

In 2001 husband and wife team Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew were holidaying in the Auvergne with their six-month old baby and came across a family swinging through the trees.

Sure the teenage kids were having a grand time of it, but it was the look of ‘we haven’t had this much fun in years’ on their parents’ faces that convinced them instantly that they should be doing this in the UK.

Eight years on, Go Ape courses are now located in twenty-two forests nationwide, stretching from the south coast to Scottish highlands.

Go Ape courses have been enjoyed by over a million adventure seekers, climbing rope ladders up into the trees and experiencing the thrills of tree-trekking high above the forest floor.

One of the fastest growing companies in the country, Go Ape has plans to open 40 courses by 2012 and even spread the message overseas. Go Ape, which uses locally sourced materials wherever possible, will be creating 15 local jobs at the new course at Matfen Hall Hotel.

Winning a stream of tourism awards over the past 2 years, Tristram Mayhew, co-founder and Chief Gorilla, nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year at The National Business Awards, 2008, says.

“We are very excited about launching the first Go Ape course in the North East and partnering with Matfen Hall Hotel. Go Ape will provide a unique outdoor adventure experience for families, friends and colleagues, and will be perfect for those who already travel from the region to our existing courses in Yorkshire and Cumbria. Go Ape’s ethos is to create adventures and encourage others to live life adventurously and we’re certain that the new course will do exactly that.”

The Athenaeum Unveils UK’s Tallest Living Wall Designed By World Renowned Botanist Patrick Blanc

The Athenaeum, Mayfair’s discrete five-star retreat, is changing. On the outside, it will evolve into a unique architectural landmark that will transform the streetscape of Piccadilly.

Internationally renowned French architectural botanist Patrick Blanc has created a Living Wall that will climb ten floors of the exterior of the hotel.

This outdoor living tapestry represents a fusion of the hotel with its Royal Parks environment – bringing the outside in. The vertical garden will wrap around the hotel’s façade to create a bridge between the urban and natural worlds – ‘a breath of wilderness in the midst of a city’.

The Athenaeum’s Living Wall will cover an area of 260m sq and the garden is planted using a unique self-irrigation process, which allows plants to grow without soil on an irrigated vertical surface.

A selection of over 260 plant types collected by Patrick will be featured using mostly rare species from all over the world including plants from both temperate and tropical climates.

The Living Wall will include plants such as Adiantum capillus-veneris, (which Patrick feels is an exotic but curiously under-used species) Fascicularia bicolour from Chile, Fuchsia hatschbachii and Fuchsia regia from South Brazil and Stachyurus salicifolius - the beautiful evergreen shrub.

Finally, one of Patrick’s favourite plants the Iris japonica, which he rates as a perfectly architectured species.

Patrick’s approach to his work is not just purely aesthetic but focuses on the ecological benefits of the Living Wall, which allows the opportunity to add
nature to a place where man once removed it.

The Athenaeum Living Wall will become a valuable shelter for biodiversity, and will add nature to the
daily life of not only hotel guests but of London’s residents alike.

The Athenaeum, Mayfair’s discrete retreat, unveils a brand new look.

The hotel has launched the ‘Rooftop Suite’, which is a three-bedroom penthouse with panoramic views across London. The bedrooms and suites have been remodeled with the installation of floor to ceiling windows and Juliet balconies and have been equipped with the latest technology from plasma-screen TVs, Bose docking stations to high speed Wi-Fi access.

Many friendly five star services have been added to create the ‘Your London Home’ experience including Kids Concierge and Complimentary Mini-Bar.

The Athenaeum has 111 bedrooms, 12 suites and 34 apartments together with Restaurant, Garden Room, Whisky Room, Spa, Gym and Hair Salon.

The Athenaeum
116 Piccadilly
London
W1J 6BJ
T: 020 799 3464
W: www.athenaeumhotel.com