Jetsettersblog

World Extreme surfing champion Garrett McNamara reveals his secrets to big wave surfing at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com.

“Some of my friends think I’m a madman. But I like seeking out and surfing the most dangerous waves that I can find,” says McNamara, speaking to Peggy Hall at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com.

From Hawaii to Alaska and everywhere in between, big-wave charger Garrett McNamara puts himself in such heavy situations that we mortals can only look at him in awe — not even envy — unless that is, you like wondering if you’re going to make it through your next surf session alive.

How does he do it? What in nature’s name gives this extreme surfing world champion such laser focus, drive, tenacity, toughness and sheer I-Know-I-Can-Do-This confidence? Just exactly what does he do to stay in such amazing shape for big-wave surfing?

Now you can find out. McNamara himself lays it all out in a just-released video clip right at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com

Listen in as he tells Peggy Hall his secret weapon for feeling “confident and secure” in life-threatening surf.

The good news is that even if you can’t surf the unfathomable waves that Garrett does, at least you can benefit from one of his training tools.

More secrets to better surfing are revealed at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com

Eighteen leisurely days cruising the islands of the South Pacific from Sydney to Hawaii is selling aboard the luxury Dawn Princess from just $2899pp twin-share – a saving of $800 per person over previously advertised prices if booked through ecruising.travel, and including a night post-cruise in Waikiki and air from Honolulu back to Sydney*.

The 77,500 tonne Dawn Princess will cruise out of Sydney on April 18 next year for four laid-back days at sea before visiting Nuku’alofa and Vava’u in Tonga, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, a day and a night in Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Christmas Island, and two final days at sea before arriving in Honolulu where there’s a night at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel.

Dawn Princess, that’s the length of three football fields, offers Princess Cruises’ Anytime Dining with dishes created by chef-members of the famed Chaine des Rotisseurs gastronomic society, and a choice of a Traditional Dining Room, a specialty Steakhouse, 24-hour bistro, a poolside hamburger and hot dog grill, patisserie, pizzeria, and an ice-cream bar.

There’s also an extensive choice of bars and lounges, two nightly live-stage showrooms, late-release movies, four pools, a sports court, spa with ocean-view gym, and a “listening library.”

For full details phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

 * Air taxes and fuel surcharges applicable at time of booking are additional

Hilton Grand Vacations’ Grand Waikikian has opened as part of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. The all-suite timeshare property will primarily accommodate owners and provide rental suites to visitors. The 331-unit, all-suite property features one-, two- and three-bedroom suites on 38 floors, including five floors of penthouses that offer views and a separate check-in area, concierge and lounge. Each suite offers a private lanai, upscale furnishings, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, luxury linens, flat-screen televisions, an entertainment system, complimentary wireless Internet access, and a deep-soaking tub. The resort’s 5,000-square-foot pool, scheduled for completion in January, will feature a waterslide, waterfalls and swim-through grotto terraces.

The Grand Waikikian is offering a Mahalo Package, which includes 10,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points, double miles with one of more than 20 airlines, and a complimentary, spa styled bathrobe. Nightly room rates start at $349 through June 15, with a four-night minimum. To book the package, call 800-446-6677 and ask for Plan Code H9.

For general information and reservations, call 888-875-4535 or visit www.hiltonfamilyhawaii.com

Aqua Hotels & Resorts is offering the Obama-rama package at all 12 Aqua properties in Waikiki to celebrate the election of Barack Obama, who was born in Honolulu, as president of the United States. Nightly room rates start at $159 at Aqua Boutique hotels and $139 at Aqua Lite properties. Included are the book “The Dream Begins — How Hawaii Shaped Barack Obama” by veteran Hawaii authors Stu Glauberman and Jerry Burris and an automatic compact rental car for each day booked (driver must be 25 years or older). The package is valid through June 30.

For more information, call 866-406-2782 or visit www.aquaresorts.com

Hawaii Superferry has extended the Buy-One-Get-One offer to military and their dependents through March 31.

The offer includes a free roundtrip on the Alakai with the purchase of one roundtrip fare and applies to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard members and reservists. The offer was originally announced on Nov. 20 and was valid through Dec. 15, 2008. Members of the military and their dependents also receive Hawaii Superferry’s $10 military discount when purchasing the first roundtrip. Passenger and vehicle fares do not include applicable taxes and fees. The fuel surcharge is waived for these special fares, and rates are subject to change.

To redeem this promotion, military must contact their respective MWR/ITT travel desks. For more information, call 877-443-3779 or visit www.hawaiisuperferry.com

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel celebrated a soft opening Dec. 20 marking the return of the Laurance Rockefeller-built beachfront hotel and resort on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. Two years after being forced to close due to earthquake damage, the Mauna Kea reopened with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and welcomed its first guests to experience a multi-million dollar investment in redesigned, spacious guest rooms, new restaurants, a new spa, and an extensive makeover of the legendary golf course complete with a new clubhouse. The flagship property of the Prince Hotels and Resorts international portfolio, Mauna Kea will have its “official” Grand Opening in March.

The hotel’s classic exterior architecture design remains the same as before, with the most dramatic changes taking place inside the guestrooms. The total room and suite count has been reduced from 310 to 258 due to the enlarging of rooms in the main building. The Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa suites are a spacious 1,610 square feet (including lanai) and the Junior suites measure just under 1,000 square feet, while the regular guest rooms on the remodeled floors have been expanded to 550 square feet. With luxurious interior furnishings, upgraded bedding, oceanview bathrooms, and a host of the latest in entertainment amenities, the guestrooms have never been more comfortably modern while staying true to Rockefeller’s vision of “understated elegance.” The new oceanview bathrooms are sure to be popular, with the super-size baths, wall-less “rain showers,” soaking tubs, and private lanai.

Other new attractions at the hotel include a Mandara Spa offering an array of exotic treatments, and enticing new culinary experiences directed by Resort Executive Chef Piet Wigmans and Executive Chef George Gomes, who has returned to Mauna Kea following a distinguished career in some of Hawaii’s finest restaurants.

Also opening this week is the “new” Mauna Kea Golf Course, which has been completely renovated from tee-to-green over the past year. Overseen by Rees Jones, son of the original course designer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the world class Mauna Kea Golf Course has been upgraded and redesigned to USGA standards featuring new grass throughout the course layout, rebuilt bunkers, and a new irrigation system. The renovation includes a newly constructed Clubhouse with Pro Shop and locker rooms, as well as a restaurant that can serve as another dinner option for resort guests.

Many popular resort activities are also back, including the 13-court Seaside Tennis Club, the Salon at Mauna Kea, play-while-you learn children’s activities, Hawaiian cultural experiences, the Art & Garden Tour, yoga and exercise classes, and enhanced beach services and cabanas. The fabled manta rays are expected to return for their nightly feeding forays off Manta Ray Point.

For reservations or more information, call 866-977-4589 or visit www.maunakeapreview.com

The colder days of winter may be upon us, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some hot deals available from the Aloha state. Check out www.hawaii.com for some unbeatable holiday deals!

Here are seven very special gift ideas - you need to know someone going to Hawaii or send them to paradise and make it unbelievably memorable.

1. Big Island Sailing Adventure: Leave the crowds behind and join a maximum of five other passengers for a private sailing trip. Sail along the beautiful Kona coast and snorkel in the clear blue waters. Get hands-on sailing experience or just kick back and relax. See dolphins, turtles, whales and many colorful fish. Food, refreshments, snorkeling equipment, sunscreen and towels provided. From $432.

http://www.hawaiiactivityworld.com/bigisland/sailing/4d7abb1eaa4b.htm?source=HOL

2. Sunset Special!: Sail into the Kohala Coast on the Big Island at sunset, perhaps the most beautiful sight in the islands. You may see the legendary “green flash” or dolphins and whales as they playfully escort your vessel. Enjoy a libation from the open bar and delicious Hawaiian “pupus” — appetizers — as you watch the sun disappear into the sea. $90. For guests celebrating their anniversary, we invite you to participate in a “Ceremony at Sea” vow renewal. Only $25 additional.

Visit this link. 

3. Whale Tales: See whales up close on a fun and exciting rigid hull inflatable boat! Hear whale sounds with our state-of-the-art hydrophone! This Big Island whale watch features no more than 12 passengers per raft. Front row seats for everyone! $53.    visit this link.

4. Na Pali Sportfishing: Come aboard a 33′ fully-equipped Bertram Sportfisher and experience the thrill of big game sportfishing on this Kauai fishing charter! You’ll search for blue marlin, ahi (yellowfin tuna), mahi mahi (dorado), ono (wahoo) and aku (skipjack tuna). All essential gear is provided. Light refreshments. From $130/person (four-hour excursion). Visit this link.

5. Golf - 2009 Sony Open: Golf and Hawaii - the perfect match for pros and fans alike! Against the backdrop of Koko Crater and the vast Pacific Ocean, the 2009 Sony Open in Honolulu kicks off the PGA TOUR season January 12-18, 2009 at Waialae Country Club, minutes away from Waikiki. Packages start at $504/per person/double occupancy, with round-trip air from Los Angeles to Oahu.

Visit this link.

6. Kauai 4×4 Drive/Hike Adventure: This is an exciting tour that will be long remembered. Mt. Waialeale, at the center of Kauai, is the wettest place on earth. This half-day adventure combines four-wheel drive access and hiking to give you an unparalleled experience. From convenient departure locations our expert guides will lead you to the heart of Kauai.

No children under 5. Adults $76.80, children (5-12) $48.

Visit this link.

7. Surf’s Up! - Titus, one of the last remaining professional big wave riders of pure Hawaiian descent, will meet his clients on the beach near the beautiful Hanalei pier on Kauai.

He will provide an hour and a half lesson in the gentle waters of Hanalei and discuss his culture. Titus is a world renowned big wave rider and has traveled to over 30y countries to teach others how to surf.

At age 50, he is still competing in big wave contests worldwide so his clients will be learning from the best.

Group lesson $60; private lesson $120.   Visit this link.

oneworld® has become the first in the travel industry to sell multiairline
round-the-world air tickets on-line with its new internet booking tool for its oneworld Explorer fare. This also makes oneworld the first global airline alliance to offer any of its public fares for sale through the worldwide web.

The new on-line booking tool is available now through oneworld.com The alliance’s member airlines will add it to their own websites too or provide links from their internet sites to the oneworld.com facility – at www.oneworld.com/ow/flight-info/plan-and-book-your-itinerary
oneworld Explorer is among the most popular multi-airline tickets worldwide, enabling passengers to travel right around the globe using the flights of any of oneworld’s ten member airline and 20 or so affiliates, who together serve some 700 destinations in approaching 150 countries.

With the launch this new oneworld internet tool, customers or their travel agents can for the first time both plan their round-the-world itinerary and now book and pay for their tickets on-line. The system has a number of special features to make it as simple as possible for customers to plan oneworld Explorer round-the-world trips.

As they build their itinerary - simply by clicking on destinations displayed on the alliance’s interactive map - the system automatically checks availability and displays only flights that have seats available for each route and date selected. It also validates that the itinerary meets all the fare’s rules and conditions - and then provides an instant price for the trip. Once customers have finalised their itinerary - which can be of up to 16 sectors - they can pay online using a credit card (see notes) and print out all the details. The e-tickets for the entire trip are then sent to the customer by email.

oneworld Vice-President Commercial Nicolas Ferri said: “The tremendous value and flexibility our oneworld Explorer fares offer now combined with the ease and simplicity of planning, booking and paying on-line extends oneworld and our member airlines’ leading position for worldwide travel. We are delighted to be the first and only alliance - and indeed the first in the travel industry - to offer this level of convenience to our customers and travel agency partners, building further on our record of
innovation.”

The booking engine project has been led on behalf of all the alliance’s carriers by Qantas. Its General Manager Sales and Distribution Rob Gurney said: “With so many possibilities of places to visit and routes to take, planning and booking a round-the-world trip can be time-consuming - both for our customers and sales representatives. Our new, easy-to-use on-line booking and payment facility simplifies the entire operation, saving customers a huge amount of time and providing them with far more flexibility in planning their trips. It will also reduce costs for our member airlines and free up time of airline and travel agency reservations agents to handle other tasks.” oneworld first to sell alliance fares on-line…

Unlike other round-the-world fares, oneworld Explorer’s price is based on the number of continents visited (three to six), not the mileage flown, making planning and pricing journeys much more simple and flexible. It covers flights worldwide by all oneworld member and affiliate airlines.

With oneworld the only airline alliance with members based in South America, Australia or Asia’s Middle East, it is just the ticket for anyone who truly wants to circumnavigate the globe. It offers great flexibility and value, generating the largest portion of the US$725 million revenues earned by oneworld for its member airlines through its alliance fares and sales activities last year.

Around 50,000 people bought a oneworld Explorer round-the-world ticket last year. oneworld Explorer can be booked for travel in Economy, Premium Economy (where available), Business or even First Class, and earn frequent flyer programme mileage awards and tier status points. Prices from the USA start at US$3,900, from the UK at GBP1,349, from Euro-zone countries at EUR1,999, and from Australia at A$3,499, all excluding any taxes, charges and surcharges. For lead-in prices from other countries and full details, see www.oneworld.com/ow/air-traveloptions/
round-the-world-fares/oneworld-explorer#fare-estimate

The on-line booking tool build on oneworld’s record for innovation. More than three years ago, it became the first of the global alliances to put in place interline e-ticketing (IET) links between all members of the grouping, enabling customers to travel with the convenience of just one electronic ticket for journeys involving any combination of alliance’s member airlines. Rival alliances have only recently completed links between their own member airlines.

Initially, oneworld Explorer itineraries ticketed through British Airways (generally when the first sector flown is on British Airways) will still need to have their payment processed through a British Airways sales outlet rather than on-line. The airline ticketing the itinerary will be displayed in the reservations’ confirmation page, before the booking is completed and payment requested. oneworld Explorer sectors in Premium Economy cabins cannot at this stage be booked on-line. oneworld developed the on-line booking engine in cooperation with Innovata, the global leader in travel related content management and content distribution, and Amadeus, the global distribution system, which also supports the majority of oneworld’s member airlines.

About oneworld oneworld brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian, and around 20 affiliates including American Eagle, Dragonair, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru. Mexicana and its affiliate Click Mexicana will join the alliance in 2009.

Between them, these airlines
:
• Serve almost 700 airports in nearly 150 countries, with more than 9,000 daily departures.
• Offer nearly 550 airport lounges for premium customers.
• Carry some 320 million passengers a year.
• Employ 250,000 people and operate almost 2,500 aircraft.
• Generate more than US$100 billion annual revenues.

oneworld is the only alliance with any member airlines based in Australia, South America or Asia’s Middle East. The alliance enables its members to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. These include a broader route network, opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined oneworld network and more airport lounges. oneworld was voted the World’s Leading Airline Alliance for the sixth year running in the 2008 World Travel Awards, retaining the title ever since it was first presented.

THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT

Providing access to an unrivalled world of privileges, benefits, expert knowledge and a global network of insider information, a Quintessentially membership offers the perfect present this Christmas.

Quintessentially is a unique private members’ club and global luxury lifestyle group committed to delivering nothing but the best in high quality services. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, by telephone or email, Quintessentially provides unlimited access to an unrivalled package of privileges, preferential rates and bespoke services, and acts as your very own PA – any time, anywhere.

With three tiers of membership available, starting from $1500 per year Quintessentially provides an affordable and long-lasting support to help guide you through to 2009. From securing last minute hotel reservations and travel deals, to restaurant bookings and access to events and galas around the world, Quintessentially is here to help. Offering an excellent benchmark of service and a unique network of insider information and benefits, Quintessentially aims to bring you nothing but the best, making it not only an invaluable resource but, more importantly, an easily accessible time and money saving solution.

Membership also includes access to the growing number of expert Quintessentially sister companies which can cater to all your needs including the dedicated personal shopping service Quintessentially Gifts, the bespoke experience company Quintessentially Escape, the bespoke wine service Quintessentially Wine and many more including Quintessentially Art, Quintessentially Events, Quintessentially Estates and Quintessentially Flowers. Members are also sent a weekly Quintessentially newsletter, packed full of the latest news, views, events and benefits, as well as the Quintessentially Magazine, published quarterly.

Quintessentially now encompasses a staggering 44 offices in a host of major cities worldwide, in destinations as diverse as Hong Kong, Cape Town, Istanbul, Mozambique, Cairo, Panama, Los Angeles and Sydney with a number of new office launches planned in the coming months, including those in Amsterdam, Auckland, Chicago, Luxemburg and Kuala Lumpur.

Goes Farther And Faster To Achieve Top Results

New travel search engine nowfly.co.uk launches today, looking set to overhaul the standards of speed and accuracy established by other well-known market leaders. At a time when finding the best value option is more important than ever to travellers, nowfly.co.uk delivers equal or better fares than its rivals. And it is seriously quick, too.

Cleanly designed and easy to use, nowfly.co.uk was started by a group of online and travel experts with a clear objective to provide an easy, fun, and best priced way of finding a flight, hotel or car rental. The business is headed by Dan Hart, who has extensive experience in the online and travel sectors.

There are a number of factors which set nowfly.co.uk apart from its competitors:

• The site has gone through extensive usability testing and the results have shown that the site is clearly presented and easy to navigate.

• The content is broad and wide, searching more than 340 airlines with routes, fares and availability and giving the user essential information about booking their flight, hotel or car rental.

• The team studied the way flight results are presented with other travel and airlines websites and recognised that the user wants maximum flexibility when booking their flight itinerary. nowfly.co.uk uses an airline-style search, presenting results for each sector rather than lumping outbound and inbound options together.

• nowfly.co.uk searches low-cost, charter and scheduled airlines, giving a well-informed choice to the traveller, along with the flexibility to choose the best departure and arrival times.

• The site has third-party integration with leading, well-known travel sites as well as airlines, hotels and car rental suppliers.

• The website has geo-coded results for all the leading hotel chains and major consolidators, using the Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API) to visually place hotel results.

• Car rental options are found by using the leading car rental suppliers and consolidators globally.

• nowfly.co.uk uses the Ajax web application, retrieving data from the server asynchronously in the background. This means it loads before the user’s very eyes, without the need for a separate wait page.

Utilising cutting-edge technology, nowfly.co.uk is the first site in the UK to employ the full suite of the TRAVELfusion API. Dan has worked closely with TRAVELfusion over the past year. “I knew they were a great, innovative travel technology company and felt that they were the right people to work with,” Dan comments. “I believe that the combination of good content from TRAVELfusion, matched with a great user-face, is a compelling proposition for travellers booking trips online.”

Comments Moshe Rafiah, TRAVELfusion CEO: “This is exactly the kind of partnership that we envisioned when we created our XML API programme. By combining the most advanced travel search technologies developed by TRAVELfusion with innovative applications such as nowfly.co.uk, we have created a winning formula for success.”

TRAVELfusion is a world leader in constructing powerful travel search and web fare booking tools which search, aggregate, compare and book travel content from the web. Based around the company’s patented TRIPplannerXML platform, TRAVELfusion has integrated hundreds of travel suppliers including air, hotel, car, rail and ferry as well as adding its unique content generated directly by travel suppliers.

Money-saving price comparison websites have grown in reach and reputation over the last few years. According to a 2008 study undertaken by e-consultancy.com, Comparison Shopping Engines (CSEs) contributed to around 10% of online sales for retailers. Approximately 43% of these retailers claimed that their sales had increased in the last 12 months.

The next phase for nowfly.co.uk is to introduce further useful travel tips as well as community-based content to help users make better informed decisions.

The company will also run a number of marketing campaigns to keep users abreast of great travel offers, including ancillary products such as travel insurance, car parking and foreign currency. Product innovation and enhancement is key and will be driven forward to keep nowfly.co.uk looking fresh, without losing sight of the founding principle – fast and highly competitive travel search results every time.

About www.nowfly.co.uk:

nowfly.co.uk was established at the beginning of 2008. The management team comprises a mix of travel and online experts with extensive experience within these fields. The business is headed by Dan Hart, who has worked within the travel and online sectors for over 15 years. Dan worked within the Virgin Group for 12 years, initially starting his career at Virgin Atlantic and most recently with thetrainline.com.