Jetsettersblog

Animal surf girl Easkey Britton is joining a 10-day surf trip around Sumatra and the surrounding atolls in search of surf, adventure and sunshine.

Great travel piece for the more adventurous reader - with strong imagery/video footage.

Surfing in Sumatra: Easkey Britton swaps Ireland for Indonesia

Exploring the Indonesian Atolls is not your average trip away in the sunshine, but Animal surf girl Easkey Britton, current Irish Champion, swaps her native Ireland for Indonesia each year to explore the islands around Sumatra aboard the 84ft Mangalui sloop yacht on the hunt for perfect waves.

The 10-day trip takes you round some of the least explored areas of the world searching out and surfing new waves, snorkelling on untouched coral reefs and spending the evening on deck sampling what the ocean has offered up to the boat’s chef that day.

The trip is for the adventure-hungry and offers a chance to push yourself, experience a whole new world and return to the UK with some amazing experiences under your belt.

This time Easkey is ready to rock the boat in the company of seven other surf girls in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The actual route of the trip is loose, however they will go where the waves take them – planned destinations include Sumatra, Nias Island, the Mentawi Islands and a look-in at Banda Aceh (one of the worst places hit in the 2004 tsunami ), which has some of the best waves in the world.

Easkey, born into Ireland’s oldest surfing family, has made a name for herself by reaching a number of milestones in her 23 years. Named after an Irish surf reef, Easkey became the first woman to surf big-wave surf spot ‘Aileen’s’ off the coast of West Ireland last year, and lists Kelly Slater as one of her surf companions.

She’s also recently starred in her own section (surfing Aileen’s) in a surf film, Waveriders, alongside Mr Slater himself, that is currently showing in UK cinemas.

The Mangalui is fully equipped with everything you need – from the local Indo beer ‘Bintang’ to internet access and satellite phone.

For a 10 day trip the cost is approx £1,600 depending on your trip, which includes all food, drink and transfers.

General Growth Properties, Inc. (NYSE: GGP) is pleased to present “America’s Premier Shopping Places”, the nation’s most unique collection of tourism-oriented shopping centers located throughout the U.S.A. These renowned centers draw millions of visitors from around the world each year to experience the unique culture, history, flavor and heritage of America’s metropolitan cities and vacation destinations, while enjoying the popular travel activities of shopping and dining.

Whether it’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Boston), Harborplace & The Gallery (Baltimore), The Grand Canal Shoppes and Fashion Show (Las Vegas), Ala Moana Center (Honolulu), Water Tower Place (Chicago), Festival Bay Mall (Orlando) or Riverwalk Marketplace (New Orleans), each of America’s Premier Shopping Places offer FIT and group visitors a fun and memorable shopping experience.

“General Growth Properties recognizes the importance of shopping and dining in today’s travel itineraries, both domestic and international,” said Kay Standon, vice president of strategic development for GGP.

“This collection of America’s Premier Shopping Places has been selected from over 200 centers throughout the United States that General Growth Properties owns and manages.” Standon added,

“The primary goal of the America’s Premier Shopping Places program is to provide the travel industry with convenient access to these centers through a single source, as well as to provide group and leisure visitors with a memorable shopping and dining experience during their travels.”

The stores and boutiques within all of America’s Premier Shopping Places represent the nation’s best in quality and variety. Travelers will discover an enticing array of colorful specialty shops, kiosks, and galleries featuring local craftsmen and artisans, gourmet food markets and well-known department and specialty stores.

Domestic travelers enjoy the variety of unique merchandise and crafts indicative of the destination, while international visitors delight in finding their favorite designer brands and popular labels not available at home. Both are certain to discover perfect treasures to take back to friends and loved ones.

The extraordinary experience continues in the vast array of cuisines and dining options available at America’s Premier Shopping Places.

Recent research released by the Travel Industry Association of America and The International Culinary Tourism Association reveals that over 27 million travelers have participated in some type of culinary-related activity during the past 3 years. 85% of travelers stated they like to try different restaurants and experience local cuisines.

At America’s Premier Shopping Places, travelers can sample the distinctive flavors of regional cuisines offered by local cafes and restaurants, or delight in finding their favorite national restaurants, many of which are home to some of the nation’s most renowned chefs and culinary artists.

America’s Premier Shopping Places cater to both domestic and international fly, drive and motorcoach travelers. All visitors to America’s Premier Shopping Places are eligible to receive a Premier Passport filled with thousands of dollars in shopping and dining savings, special offers and amenities.

Vouchers are provided in multiple languages by travel agents and tour operators, or may be downloaded and printed from America’s Premier Shopping Places’ website at www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com. In addition, several centers offer travel trade professionals commissionable shopping packages, and assist group meeting planners with unique private events, pre-paid meal vouchers and group dining programs for food court cafes or full-service restaurants.

For more information on America’s Premier Shopping Places, please visit www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com

General Growth Properties, Inc. currently has ownership interest in, or management responsibility for, over 200 regional shopping malls in 44 states, as well as ownership in master planned community developments and commercial office buildings. The Company’s portfolio totals approximately 200 million square feet of retail space and includes over 24,000 retail stores nationwide. GGP’s common stock is trading in the pink sheets under the symbol GGWPQ.

For more information, visit www.ggp.com

A NEW ERA IN EXECUTIVE AND LEISURE PRIVATE TRAVEL HAS ARRIVED

Exclusive Membership Club Offers Unparalleled Service and Value-Added Amenities ~

MIAMI,– Private air travel for executive and leisure passengers has never been as easy or comfortable or more of a value proposition than with Air Platinum Club, a totally new concept in the category. Launching July 6, 2009, this exclusive members-only club not only offers the finest in air travel in well-appointed Gulfstream GIV SP corporate jets, which can accommodate 12 people for flights up to 10 hours, the Miami-based company also provides use of its spacious luxury watercraft, self-driven exotic sports vehicles, beachfront condominium and personalized concierge services, among other offerings.

Air Platinum Club’s member rates are well below standard charter prices, yet inclusive of services and benefits.

Annual membership packages begin at $163,000.

As an incentive for charter club members, Air Platinum Club is offering a Founder’s Program, which features 10 percent free flight time for those who join by July 31, 2009.

This new era in executive and leisure private travel was conceived by Air Platinum Club Founder and CEO Mickael Cohen, a pilot who has been involved in the private air industry since 2001.

“Private air travel is here to stay. It is efficient and practical,” said Cohen.

“Air Platinum Club goes a step further – we provide the kind of personalized services and amenities on an exclusive membership basis that makes the entire travel experience truly premium and stress-free, while still delivering value to the bottom-line.”
Headquartered at the Opa-Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), the largest of Miami-Dade County’s general aviation airports, Air Platinum Club offers morning and evening round-trip jet service between major city pairs in the continental U.S. and transatlantic flights to Paris from any major U.S. city.

What’s more Air Platinum Club facilitates all additional transportation needs for members in any given destination.

Air Platinum Club owns it own fleet of planes, yachts and cars and employs a full-time staff of seasoned pilots, yacht captains, crew, chauffeurs and maintenance technicians. All 10 Air Platinum pilots are full-time and gold-rated.

Premium Travel at its Best

Reservations can be made with as little as 24 hours notice and from the moment they are greeted at the airport’s exclusive Turnberry Aviation facility, a world-class hangar with state-of-the-art amenities and benefits,

Air Platinum Club members enjoy the comfort, privacy and efficiency typical of privately owned business aircraft – with none of the hassles, delays and congestion of bustling airports. Members are required to arrive only 30 minutes prior to their scheduled departure and can wait in a private lounge or meeting room.

An Air Platinum Club representative attends to luggage at all times and takes care of the requisite formalities, including check-in process. A hostess remains at travelers’ disposal throughout the flight to accommodate requests. The planes feature fully reclining seats, flat-screen televisions, sofas, desks, club tables, galleys and large windows. Complete onboard communication facilities are offered as well.

Limousine service is provided upon arrival and prior to departure for all flights. In South Florida members can choose to be chauffer-driven in the club’s Rolls Royce Phantom or Cadillac Escalade ESV or, in a high-adrenaline alternate, drive themselves in a Ferrari, Lamborghini or other exotic sports car. Private and secure parking is available at all airports. Helicopter transport for connecting flights at major airports can be arranged.

Luxury yachts like the Doral Alegria 50 and the Lazzara LSX Quad 75, which accommodates 16 people, are also offered to members in South Florida as is a three-bedroom, three-bath condominium at the plush Acqualina Resort & Spa situated on four and a half beachfront acres in Miami Beach.

The Acqualina boasts two acclaimed restaurants, three oceanfront swimming pools and an innovative marine biology-based children’s program.
Safety First

Air Platinum Club is an Aero Air Charters partner.

Corporate shuttle flights are operated under Department of Transportation regulation Part 135 by Aero Air Charters as a direct air carrier and Air Platinum Club as an indirect air carrier. Commitment to best practices in pilot training and experience, progressive aircraft maintenance and flawless safety histories are requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified Part 135 operators serving the clients of Air Platinum.

FAA-certified Part 135 air carriers providing service to Air Platinum Club members are carefully reviewed by leading safety programs.

One-time “Experience Package”

Air Platinum Club offers a one-time “experience” package for interested members that includes a single, round-trip flight to any destination in the continental U.S.

Membership and Reservations

For more information on Air Platinum Club, please call toll-free 1 (877) 681-7215 or send an e-mail to info@miamipc.com  Visit www.airplatinumclub.com

Are you ready for an adventure? Then it’s time to experience the unique Australian Surfing Lifestyle and become a surfer for a day! Imagine visiting the beautiful Gold Coast beaches voted amongst the best in the world and splashing into the waves for a thrilling learn to surf lesson.

The Gold Coast has fantastic weather and crystal clear blue oceans set along 40 kilometers of white sandy beaches and you will be a part of the beach culture and our surfing crew!

Your heart will be racing as we suit up in all the surf gear and grab your surfboard ready for the waves! This is the most fun you can have on holiday!

The surfing & bodyboard program is designed for all fitness levels and conducted in waste deep water. Safe soft surfboards are used for beginners and with instruction from our friendly staff you will progress to standing up and riding waves in your first session.

The tour operates all year round with surf rash-shirts used in summer and wetsuits provided in winter.

After surfing, the local thing to do is chill out and relax in the picturesque beachfront coastal nature with a light lunch included.

Photo’s of your adventure are taken so you can remember the day you were a part of the Australian Surfing lifestyle and surfed the perfect the waves.

Based in Surfers Paradise, the surf school holds an exclusive permit for the Gold Coast Beaches to conduct surfing lessons by professional surfing instructors who are also qualified lifeguards.

Australian Surfer International is the original Gold Coast Surfing School providing learn to surf lessons, surfing half day tours and study abroad programs (NEW 2010.) We cater for tour groups, FIT individuals, conference delegates, sporting teams, schools, universities and study abroad students. Our Company is insured ($20,000,000 Public Liability Cover) and accredited with Surfing Australia and the local City Council. We can provide tour guides in many languages and offer a true Aussie Surfing Lifestyle Experience where you will hang out with local surfers.

CompleteSailor.com aims to provide the best content, community, and e-commerce shopping for its growing number of users

Complete Sailor announced the launch of CompleteSailor.com. CompleteSailor.com pledges to become the sailing community’s #1 resource for content and e-commerce shopping. The company was created by a group of passionate sailboat racers and cruisers from New Jersey interested in creating the Internet’s first comprehensive online destination for sailors of all types - from beginners to experienced cruisers and ocean racers.

“We are thrilled about the launch of our website, which will fill a gap in the online market for sailors throughout the United States and the world,” stated Brian Beck, CEO of Complete Sailor.

“Being experienced sailors and Internet professionals ourselves, we saw the need to bring together shopping, education, and community in one web site for sailors of all levels.”

CompleteSailor.com is more than just an online store or a message board about sailing- the site provides visitors with the content, community, and e-commerce shopping unavailable anywhere else on the web. Visitors to the new website will be able to shop for the best brands in sailing gear, electronics, line, and hardware - Harken, Ronstan, Forespar, Tacktick, and many more - learn about the fundamentals of sailing in the Education section, and will soon be able to interact with other sailors through the Community section (forums, blogs, personalized MyCompleteSailor pages, and more).

The site also contains directories of yacht clubs, sailing schools, sailing events, and links to other sailing resources online.

Complete Sailor’s founders have more than 30 years of collective sailing experience and over 20 years in the Internet and eCommerce industry, positioning them perfectly to understand the needs of the sailing community and how to deliver a great online experience for this market.

About Complete Sailor

CompleteSailor.com is the Internet’s only web site dedicated to bringing shopping, community, and education together in one destination for sailors of all levels.

The Company was founded by a group of avid sailors and Internet professionals in 2008, and is rapidly evolving to be the #1 web site for all things sailing. The site features online shopping for sailing’s best brands, community forums and blogs, and sailing education for new sailors.

For more information, please visit http://www.completesailor.com  or call 732-208-2763.

Jet-It-Together announced the launch of www.jet-it-together.com , the online community where members experience significant cost savings on private jet travel by matching their itineraries with other members who have the same travel plans.

By aggregating individual trip itineraries, Jet-It-Together members can save up to 70% on private jet travel as compared with a traditional whole plane charter.

Jet-It-Together provides a cooperative approach for its members to share in the cost of private jet charter. When a member initiates a trip, or decides to join a trip that has already been initiated by another member, the website displays the cost of the trip one way.

If the member is initiating a new trip, Jet-It-Together notifies other members to give them the opportunity to join the shared trip. Once there is sufficient interest to cover the estimated trip cost, Jet-It-Together negotiates the exact pricing with a FAA Part 135 charter operator.

The final cost of the trip for each member is then adjusted, based upon the final number of travelers and the negotiated cost of the trip. Members can also secure the whole plane if they do not wish to share with other Jet-It-Together members. As with the shared trips, Jet-It-Together will negotiate the most competitive cost from a range of operators.

Jet-It-Together members can also use the Going My Way? feature to build a “wish list” of trips. These are trips that a member would like to take, but are open-ended and would only be scheduled if other members shared in the cost of the private jet charter.

The technology powering Jet-It-Together.com allows members to control the complete process for shared private jet travel. Members can map trips, receive cost estimates, initiate new trips, review and join existing trips, manage their personal profiles, receive email updates and confirmations, and, through links to other suppliers, purchase travel insurance. Jet-It-Together has an instructive online demo and web-based customer support.

“Jet-It-Together is building an online community that will redefine the private jet experience, providing greater affordability and convenience for travelers.

This new online service gives members the option to have an enjoyable travel experience for a fraction of the cost of traditional private jet charters.

When you join the online community, you gain access to a wide choice of regional, as well as hub airports, and the ability to truly control your travel time in the air and on the ground,” said John Ackermann, one of the founders Jet-It-Together, LLC.

Since Jet-It-Together is not a charter operator, nor does it have any investment in or from charter operators, the company has the flexibility to continually review and manage a pool of pre-screened Part 135 operators that the company believes meet the highest standards for offering the safest and best service to its members. Having that independence allows Jet-It-Together experts to negotiate the best pricing and services for its members.

Visit www.jet-it-together.com  for more information.

Delicious destinations. Expert sources. Sexy venues…
Travel Temptations - New from GPP Travel

Now Available: SIP California, SUN California, and SNOW California

While a travel guide will tell readers where to go, this series tells them how. Packed with exclusive interviews, future forecasts, and genuine insider information, the Travel Temptations series brings readers past invisible walls and into the insiders’ circles. It identifies essential experiences and makes them accessible for everyone.

Travel Temptations focuses on the hottest spots on the “Generation Me” map, including but not limited to: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Miami/South Florida, San Francisco, the Mayan Riviera, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Aspen/Vail, and Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino Wine Country.

Regardless of where the reader wants to go, Travel Temptations always answers the critical questions:

- What about this place is extra special?
- Why do readers want to be here?
- What experiences can they have here that they can’t have elsewhere?
- How should readers spend their money?
- Do they need to be on any lists?
- What neighborhoods will readers enjoy checking out?
- Where should readers go to eat/drink/party?
- Who and what should readers avoid altogether?

Lena Katz is the California, Hawaii, and Mexico travel blogger creator of the Playboy Scout; and founding editor of LAX Magazine, the in-terminal publication of Los Angeles International Airport. She has been quoted as a travel expert by the Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Tonight, and regularly contributes to Brides, MSNBC, AOL, and the Los Angeles Times. She lives in Hermosa Beach, California.

Kuta, Bali — International Surf Film Festival Ombak Bali is preparing it’s second edition this year screening 15 of the best new surf films from around the world.

Ombak Bali is a platform where national and international surf film makers can expose their films to an interested public. Ombak Bali also aims to help awareness concerning environmental and social issues by screening inspiring and beautiful surf documentaries which handle these subjects. Surf cinema has taken a leap over the last couple of years with filmmakers exploring the surfworld and using this medium to send a message

As the only independent surf film festival in South-East Asia, Ombak Bali will have all exclusive South-East Asian and world premieres. The 4 day film festival will take place in the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel in South Kuta between August 19 and 22.

Film directors will be there to present their film to the audience. Surf art and live music will also form part of the exciting 4 day programme.

This year’s film programme will include the latest surf flicks:

-‘The Drifter’: the much anticipated new surf film on Rob Machado by award-winning Bali based surf director/producer Taylor Steele/ 2009.

-‘Fly in the Champagne’ Iron Brothers/ 2009: remarkable story documenting the build up to one of the greatest rivalries in sports history: Kelly Slater versus Andy Irons.

-‘Dear & Yonder’ Andria Lessler & Tiffany Campbell/ 2009:

An ocean odyssey of the female kind, featuring Lisa Andersen, Kassia Meador, Sofia Mulanovich & more.

-‘Whitewash’ Ted Woods/ 2008: Doccie exploring the complexity of race in America through the struggle and triumph of the history of black surfers. The story is narrated by Grammy Award winner Ben Harper.

-‘Mengejar Ombak’ Dave Arnold & Tyrone Lebon/ 2008: personal insight into the life of a young and talented surfer from a small fishing community in Java- Dede Suryana. The film follows Dede as he embarks on his first serious season on the World Qualifying Series (WQS), where he has been touted to become the first Asian to qualify for the World Championship Tour.

-‘Mata Ombak’ Renny Bee Febriani/ 2009: short Indonesian doc which follows 3 Balinese surfers who have made a successful career through surfing.

-‘Olas’ Camila Jimenez Villa/ 2008: Colombian short feature on 10 year old Chispy who goes on a surfari.

The complete film list and the programme schedule will be available July 1, 2009.

Practical information: date: 19 – 22 August 2009;

venue: Discovery Room at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, jl. Kartika Plaza, South Kuta

www.ombakbali.com

The Playboy Golf Scramble was created 10 years ago and has grown into an exclusive grassroots tournament hitting more than 20 cities across the United States, Canada and Australia.

Each local event features a VIP pre-party followed by a unique day of golf on a specially selected golf course with Playboy Playmates and Girls of Playboy Golf hosting all events.

Playboy Golf is currently accepting local sponsorship requests and golfer registrations for all events of the 2009 season online at www.playboygolf.com

“The Playboy Golf Scramble combines the fun and sexiness of the Playboy brand with parties and golf in each city, creating a truly memorable experience for all attendees,” said Playboy Playmate Pilar Lastra, Miss August 2004, who has worked at many Playboy Golf Events. ”

We bring together golfers of all ability and mix them with sun, music, food, cocktails, Playmates and Girls of Playboy Golf! It always turns into quite a party on the golf course and I’m looking forward to seeing old friends as well as meeting many new golfers this season!”

Remaining 2009 Season Schedule:

July 9 & 10: Pittsburgh, PA
July 15 & 16: Vancouver, BC
July 23 & 24: San Diego, CA
July 29 & 30: Toronto, ONT
August 6 & 7: Indianapolis, IN
August 9 & 10: Chicago, IL
August 15 & 17: San Francisco, CA
August 19 & 20: Edmonton, AB
August 22 & 24: Los Angeles, CA
August 27 & 28: Des Moines, IA
September 16 & 17: New York, NY
September 20 & 21: Boston, MA
September 24 & 25: Scottsdale, AZ
September 27 & 28: Austin, TX
October 3 & 5: Miami, FL
October 23 & 25: Las Vegas, NV
November 19 & 21: Gold Coast, Australia

The Playboy Golf Scramble, a licensee of Playboy Enterprises International Inc. and produced by TAJ Entertainment, takes place annually and is one of the most unique golfing events in the world.

Golf participants compete at the local and semi-final levels for the honor of reaching the national finals tournament in Southern California.

The Playboy Golf Scramble Finals take place at a world-class golf venue and features celebrity and athlete participants, Playboy Playmates, Girls of Playboy Golf and a once-in-a-lifetime VIP Player’s Pajama and Lingerie party at the Playboy Mansion, making it a truly memorable life experience for any golfer.

Additionally, Playboy Golf raises money for charity at all events.

Trafalgar expanded its Last-Minute Deals program to include tours of California, Hawaii, the Southwestern and Eastern U.S., and Western and Eastern Canada, including the Canadian Rockies.

All fully escorted departures feature additional discounts of approximately 10 percent for a savings up to $420 per person off Trafalgar’s published rates.

Selected departures are only on sale for a two-week period, with new departure dates being made available every two weeks in summer.

All of the dates offered are definite departures, departing within eight weeks of listing.

In addition to the newly added U.S. and Canada departures, Trafalgar’s Last-Minute Deals program features expertly designed European vacations to Italy, France, Spain, Britain and Ireland.

Trafalgar’s Europe vacations always include first-class hotel accommodations; luxury transportation by motor coach, rail or cruise ship; outstanding cuisine; daily sightseeing and optional excursions with expert local guides; and personal concierge services of professional, knowledgeable tour directors. For a full list of all departures, special promotion codes and rates, visit www.trafalgartours.com/lastminute

For more information, call 800-854-0103 or visit www.trafalgartours.com