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

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.

Affordable airline and hotel values make Hawaii a bargain for travelers –

HONOLULU – Travelers planning a summer vacation will find that Hawaii is one of the nation’s most affordable destinations this year, thanks to special savings and value-added bargains being offered by major airlines, hotels and resorts, and activities and attractions.

“Hawaii is historically one of the world’s most popular summer vacation destinations and this year is an exceptionally good time to visit with the deals and specials in the marketplace for travelers to take advantage of,” said John Monahan, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB).

Because of Hawaii’s enduring popularity, summer vacation deals to Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big Island are in abundance, which also makes it a challenge in keeping up with the latest offers and savings opportunities.

Following are six tips from HVCB as to where travelers can find the special offers to save money and add value to their Hawaii vacation experience.

Travel Wholesalers – Numerous wholesalers are creatively packaging a variety of affordable Hawaii experiences for summer, such as All About Hawaii, American Airlines Vacations, American Express Vacations, Apple Vacations, Classic Vacations, Liberty Travel/GOGO Worldwide Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, and United Vacations.

For a listing of the wholesalers offering travel bargains, visit HVCB’s website – www.GoHawaii.com/Value – for more information.

Airline, Hotel and Activity Websites – Frequent business and leisure travelers will find that their favorite airline, hotel and activity websites are increasingly offering “best rates” for customers wanting to book their own vacations.

These customer-based reward programs provide great incentives for booking vacations, with some offering complimentary Internet access, reduced baggage check-in fees, and other valuable perks.  check www.jetstreams.com and www.beachbooker.com for deals

Social Media – Blogs and social networking sites like Twitter have become great tools for finding travel deals fast. Suppliers are posting offers daily and consumers are helping each other to find the best values. For Hawaii specific deals on Twitter, use the hashtag – #hideals – for current offers.

Newspapers and Magazines – Sunday newspaper travel sections and travel magazines continue to be useful vacation planning resources. However, with the majority of them now available online, consumers can access destination deals and news 24/7. As travel journalists are blogging their analysis and opinion throughout the week for these outlets, travelers can find the best bargains for Hawaii quicker than ever before.

For information about Hawaii and to begin planning a vacation to the Islands of Aloha, visit  www.GoHawaii.com.

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.

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.

Alaska Airlines will offer four flights a week from Oakland, California, to Maui’s Kahului airport starting November 9. Three weekly flights to Kona from Oakland will also be added. Starting in July, additional flights from Portland to Maui and from Seattle to Honolulu will also be available.

Offering Ocean-Inspired Treatments and Stunning Ocean-Front Setting

Kapalua Resort’s all-new 30,000 square foot spa offers world-class facilities including 10 outdoor hales, infinity saline lap pool, full service salon and state-of-the-art fitness center with Maui’s only Kinesis Circuit Training System

KAPALUA RESORT, MAUI, HAWAI`I –

Spanning over five acres in the heart of Kapalua Resort, the brand new Kapalua Spa will celebrate its highly-anticipated opening.

Kapalua Spa pays respect to Kapalua’s unique sense of place and incorporates the healing benefits of the ocean in everything from its signature treatments to tranquil seaside décor.

“Kapalua Spa embraces the healing properties of the ocean and our beautiful natural surroundings.

Walking into the spa is like entering an elegant, open air beach house – everything from the tropical wood and sea glass interiors to the expansive views and personalized amenities — the beauty of the ocean and its calming properties are seen in details big and small,” said Spa Director, Crystal Poe-Cabatbat.

Overlooking serene Kapalua Bay, Kapalua Spa’s 30,000-square-foot facility mirrors its environment with 19 treatment rooms, including 10 outdoor hale (bungalows), three private stone soaking tubs and dual treatment space for couples.

At Kapalua Spa guests can take advantage of sauna, steam room, whirlpool and a cold rain shower in each of the men’s and women’s relaxation lounges. In addition, guests will enjoy the services of a beauty salon, spacious movement studio, the island’s only spa-dedicated saline lap pool and sunning deck as well as fitness facilities with state-of-the-art cardio, strength and full-range-of-motion Kinesis Circuit System.

A juice bar – which will feature natural and organic beverage and snack selections– as well as a spa boutique with skin care lines and gifts, will also be available for visitors.

“Guests will find that Kapalua Spa is a gathering place where they can focus on wellness, healing and balance,” said Sylvia Sepielli, Kapalua Spa’s renowned spa visionary.

“Kapalua Resort has created a timeless product, which can be enjoyed and embraced by Hawai‘i visitors and residents, time and time again.”

One of the many aspects that set Kapalua Spa apart is its signature treatments and products.

The ‘Awa and Cacao Lomi Wrap treatment is an 80-minute skin treatment, designed exclusively for Kapalua Spa by Hawai‘i Island resident, Darrell Lapulapu.

The treatment features a lomi lomi technique to gently exfoliate the skin with a unique blend of Hawaiian ‘awa, cacao, ginger, sandalwood and oats – all made with local and natural ingredients to aid in cleansing impurities from the body.

Other signature treatments include the Hawaiian Spirulina Wrap, Pōhaku Brown Seaweed Facial, and the one-of-a-kind Journey Through the Ocean dual therapist massage, featuring warm stones, Hawaiian lomi sticks and a nutrient-rich spirulina exfoliant that prepares the skin.

Natural and island-based product lines such as Pure & True Organic Beauty, Lapulapu Natural Skin Integrity, Osea, Aromatherapy Associates and Phytomer to name a few will be featured at Kapalua Spa.

For more information on Kapalua Spa, please visit www.kapalua.com  or call 1-866-941-KSPA (5772).

ABOUT KAPALUA SPA

Overlooking serene Kapalua Bay, Kapalua Spa is located on five lush acres in the heart of the world-class Kapalua Resort.

Featuring 19 treatment rooms, including 10 outdoor bungalows – allowing visitors to experience the resort’s scenic natural surroundings.

Kapalua Spa offers a number of exclusive, signature treatments that incorporate the healing properties of the sea and feature locally-sourced, natural treatment products.

Guests will relax and rejuvenate at the spa’s world-class amenities, including private stone soaking tubs, relaxation rooms with sauna, steam, whirlpools and rain showers, a luxury beauty salon, movement studio, infinity saline lap pool and sunning deck as well as an ocean-view fitness center with state-of-the-art cardio, strength and Kinesis Circuit System.

For more information on Kapalua Spa, visit www.kapalua.com  or call 1-866-941-KSPA.

ABOUT KAPALUA RESORT

Kapalua Resort is a 22,000-acre, master-planned community set amidst two nature preserves and pineapple fields on Maui’s northwest coast.

The resort is renowned for its world-class golf courses,

The Bay and The Plantation; 11 residential communities; premier accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay; The Kapalua Gold Villas, a condominium rental program; Kapalua Luxury Homes, a vacation home rental program;

a tennis complex; three white sand beaches, including two of America’s Best Beaches, and a variety of restaurants and shops. Nearby Kapalua Farms offers organic farm-to-fork produce and eggs to resort restaurants and the Maui community. Kapalua Resort hosts a signature event series each year: the PGA TOUR’s season-opening SBS Championship in January, Whale Quest Kapalua in February, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Celebration of the Arts in April, Kapalua Wine & Food Festival in June and the Kapalua LPGA Classic tournament in October.
For more information, visit www.kapalua.com  or call 1-800-KAPALUA.

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

Extraordinary Resorts in Legendary Destinations

Welcome to Shell Vacations Hospitality, where a collection of 23 one-of-a-kind resorts provide you with just the right place to experience the vacation of a lifetime.

Choose from a variety of popular vacation destinations in North America and Canada including Whistler, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Las Vegas, San Antonio, San Diego, Kauai, Kona, and Waikiki.

Shell Vacations Hospitality brings you friendly service, superior settings, and an array of year round activities to experience whether you are on a family vacation, a business trip, or on a romantic getaway.

At all of our resorts, guests can enjoy an impressive selection of spacious suites, some with one or two bedrooms, multiple baths and plush living areas. Many have fireplaces, jetted tubs, full kitchens or sleek kitchen-bars and oversized TVs.

Choose from an exciting array of vacation options:

Beach and Water Sport Resorts:

Enjoy the best Hawaiian beaches in Waikiki-Oahu, Kapaa-Kauai, and Kona and Waikoloa-Big Island, or relax on a floating villa in San Diego.

Golf Resorts: Tee off on some of the nation’s most beautiful and challenging golf courses in Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Napa Valley, Kapaa-Kauai, Kona and Waikoloa on the Big Island, Las Vegas, Mt. Hood in Oregon, Whistler and Northern Ontario in Canada.

Ski & Snow Resorts: Gracefully glide on cross-country Nordic tracks or ride hard freestyle on snowboard in Whistler and Northern Ontario in Canada, Mount Hood in Oregon, and Door County in Wisconsin.

Cultural Pursuits: Sample wines, stroll art galleries and museums, and fully experience the finer points of trendy travel destinations including Napa Valley, San Francisco, Las Vegas and San Antonio.

Family Friendly Resorts: At many of our resorts, enjoy spacious accommodations well suited for families. Close to family-friendly theme parks and cultural centers in Anaheim, San Antonio, Whistler, & Northern Ontario in Canada.

From European style living in the heart of San Francisco’s cultural arts district, to Mountain Lodge living in Whistler, to Southwest style casitas along the fairways of Arizona’s top-rated golf courses, to beach-front lanais overlooking the eastern shore of Kauai, you will always find more than just an ordinary hotel room waiting for you.

http://www.shellhospitality.com