Jetsettersblog

Several Orient-Express Hotels are offering special packages for Valentine’s Day 2009. Among the participating properties is the Inn at Perry Cabin www.perrycabin.com , in Maryland, where the three-night Valentine’s Day package includes dinner for two in Sherwood’s Landing Restaurant, a candlelight turndown, a couple’s spa treatment and yoga class, room service breakfast for two, and a romantic movie delivered to the room as well as a late check-out at 3 p.m. Rates start at $1,590 for arrival on Feb. 13, 2008. Other Orient-Express Hotels with similar Valentine’s Day Getaways include Keswick Hall, Charleston Place and Casa de Sierra Nevada.

For more information, visit www.orient-express.com

Singapore Airlines has announced a special value fare available on its exclusive, all-Business Class, nonstop flights from New York (Newark) and Los Angeles. Singapore is rewarding ARC travel agents with a $50 rebate in conjunction with the fare.

Priced at $5,999 inclusive of all taxes and surcharges, this outstanding value will now be valid on a limited number of seats for specific departures through March 31, based on availability. The special fare allows customers with flexible travel schedules to enjoy up to a 39 percent savings off peak travel day prices. The offer is available exclusively on Monday-through-Thursday departures on Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flights from Newark and Los Angeles.

Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flights reduce the travel time between the U.S. and Singapore by up to four hours compared to one-stop services.

Each aircraft offers the industry’s newest and most spacious Business Class seating, 180-degree flat beds, more than 1,000 on-demand entertainment options, oversized 15-inch video monitors with the world’s only in-flight workstations, as well as the industry’s first in-flight iPod and iPhone connectivity.

Travel from the U.S. is restricted to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday departures only.

Fares are valid for travel between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2009, based on availability, and must be purchased at least 14 days prior to departure. Attractive add-on fares for a range of Singapore Airlines’ destinations in Asia, India and Australia are also available in conjunction with this offer.

For more information, visit www.singaporeair.com/usa

Ho Ho Ho!! It’s Off To The USA We Go…For AUD$1199* return - V AustraliaLaunches “Not Deer Christmas Cheer” Sale And Gears Up For 27 February 2009 Take Off

V Australia Airlines is bringing Australian travellers an early Christmas treat, offering return airfares to the United States of America for up to 45% off the normal economy fare. V Australia goes on sale today with thousands of AUD$1199* fares up for grabs from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles.

The sale follows confirmation of V Australia’s new launch date of 27 February 2008. The airline’s original launch date of 15 December 2008 was delayed due to industrial action at the Boeing factory in Seattle, which slowed down the delivery of V Australia’s launch aircraft.

V Australia has announced it will take delivery of its first brand new 777-300ER on Australia Day (26 January) with the aircraft due to touch down on Australian soil for the first time on Monday 9 February, following the fit-out of special cabin features post Boeing handover.

The delivery date has paved the way for V Australia to confirm the launch date of Friday 27 February 2009 for its historic trans-Pacific inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. The airline will initially operate three weekly direct services before ramping up to daily flights from 20 March 2009 following the delivery of additional 777-300ER aircraft.

V Australia Executive General Manager, Scott Swift, said, “While we never took our foot off the pedal, the team is now in full flight preparing for the delivery of our first aircraft, subsequent approval processes and of course the actual launch of Australia’s newest long haul airline.”

He continued, “From the outset, we committed to launching an airline that offered an outstanding and innovative three class option across the trans-Pacific. We also committed to offering value for money fares and the $1199* return all-inclusive fare currently on offer is almost half the normal fare and is very much in the spirit of V Australia and the festive season.”

The AUD$1199* sale is for flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles and is on sale now until 29 December 2008 with a travel period 1 March 2009 – 24 October 2009. V Australia has also confirmed Wednesday 8 April 2009 as the revised launch date for direct Brisbane-Los Angeles flights, with three weekly direct flights to LA, the gateway to the USA.

JENNER, Calif. — Timber Cove Inn, www.timbercoveinn.com, perched on a majestic cliff along the ruggedly scenic Sonoma Coast, has just completed a $2.5 million renovation that includes new carpet, drapes, bedding, linens and furniture in all of the rooms. The lobby, bar and restaurant have also been refurbished, and an outdoor patio and fire pit have been added to overlook the Pacific Ocean. The idyllic Inn, located 14 miles north of Jenner where the Russian River meets the ocean and one hour drive west of Santa Rosa, features stunning views, a massive stone fireplace, and spa tubs and fireplaces in most rooms to create an atmosphere of total relaxation.

Also new to the Inn is celebrated Chef Jon Mortimer, most recently executive chef and owner of Mortimer’s/Franco Latino, whose frequent media appearances included a recent interview and culinary demonstration on The Today Show. Before joining Timber Cove Inn, his restaurants garnered numerous national and local awards.

Mortimer will head the kitchen of the Hotel’s restaurant, Alexander’s at Timber Cove.
Alexander’s features an innovative menu with sumptuous Tuscan cuisine. The Fall 2008 Tasting Menu includes culinary delights along the lines of the Mushroom Cappuccino, with local wild mushrooms, truffled milk foam and fresh nutmeg, and the Hazelnut crusted pork with pinot noir reduction.

The Hotel, which originally opened in 1963, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Most of the 50 guest rooms feature decks that overlook stunning ocean views. All have been refurbished to feature flat screen TV, robes, and new bed treatments.

The public is invited to watch for the debut of Timber Cove Inn’s grand opening packages that will be featured at www.timbercoverinn.com - as well as special event dinners, including wine pairings.

Nearby, art lovers will be inspired by Benjamin Bufano’s awesome obelisk sculpture titled “Peace.” The renowned Italian-American sculptor also created the iconic statue of St. Francis for the city of San Francisco.

Reservations at Timber Cove Inn can be booked online at www.timbercoveinn.com  or by calling Toll Free: 800-987-8319 or 707-847-3231.

For complete hotel descriptions, locations and reservations at Pacifica Hotels, call 800-720-0223, or visit www.pacificahotels.com. Nobody knows the coast like Pacifica. But, you’re invited to learn…

PARK CITY, UT - Following up one of its most successful seasons in 25 years isn’t the easiest of milestones to beat. But the 2009 U.S. Cross Country Ski team is four competitions into its World Cup season and ready to hit its stride to compete for another page in the annals of history.

“We had our best winter in 25 years of U.S. cross country skiing, and this past summer was even better than the summer before for training. We had great camps, great head-to-head training sessions, and all of our athletes were obviously at a higher level than before,” said Cross Country Head Coach Pete Vordenberg. “So, we have higher expectations this season to have some podium results on the World Cup and a podium at World Championships.”

The Team, which experienced a good amount of World Cup podium success in the 2008 season, has focused on training throughout the summer months to prepare for what it feels can be another monumental season.

“Our World Cup skiers have had tremendous off season training, they are fit, healthy and fired up to test themselves against the rest of the World Cup athletes,” Nordic Program Director John Farra said. “While training can be perfect and testing results point to improved results, the only true measure is the weekly battles with the rest of the world’s best.”

According to Vordenberg, on the whole, the focus for the Team is to pace itself for success.

“This year we are looking at being in Europe, adjusting, training well, and hitting the World Cups with performance at the forefront of our minds. It’s the same for World Championships,” Vordenberg said. “Our preparation has been focused on achieving great results at specific events mostly because looking toward the Olympics, it’s one race on one day and we have to learn to peak for specific events.”

Among the athletes to watch are World Cup performers Kris Freeman (Andover, NH), Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT), Torin Koos (Leavenworth, WA), Chris Cook (Rhinelander, WI) and Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK).

Geared up and ready to put on a show for the women is Randall who, last season, became the first woman to win a modern day FIS World Cup in a sprint at Rybinsk, Russia December 2007. It also was the first U.S. victory in cross country since Bill Koch in 1983. American Allison Owen-Spencer last won in 1978, before the FIS established the permanent World Cup series.

“I’m looking forward to making sure I am prepared for all the sprints on the schedule this year. Last year there were three skate sprints and this year there are six and one at World Championships,” Randall said. “The fact that I did well in the skate sprints and won makes me feel strongly that I can win. I’m looking forward to winning some more World Cups this year.”

Randall began her World Cup season in Kuusamo, Finland, finishing 33rd in her first sprint and 23rd in a 10K. Her competition travels then took her to Davos, Switzerland, where, after an unlucky tangle with another athlete, she was 26th. She will be one of the favorites in this weekend’s Dusseldorf sprints.

Another athlete who has been preparing heavily after landing on the World Cup podium in Finland last March is Newell who aims for the top of the podium each weekend.

“Last year’s second place finish has motivated me a lot because I know I have what it takes, but this year I’m going for a win,” Newell said. “It’s hard to say how I will stack up in the overall, but I’m going to try to take it one World Cup at a time and see what I can do. If it’s classic or skate, I’m going to try to win each weekend.”

Newell kicked off the season with some good momentum, finishing 11th in a sprint in Kuusamo, but an unexpected slip as he was in the lead at the top of the race hill in Davos, Switzerland, pushed him back to 26th.

With World Championships coming over the horizon, Newell also says that part of his plan is to hit a stride that has him at his best for the title event - a competition he has spent his whole training period focusing on.

“My preparation for this season has been more focused than ever before. My coaches and I have tried to simplify our training a little bit to try and figure out what kind of intervals work best for me and how to peak best for World Champs,” Newell said. “That’s the main focus for the year - the sprint at World Champs.”

Backing up the World Cup Team in its pursuit of success is the Continental Cup Team, which features athletes Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT), who took the bronze medal at the U23 World Championships, marking her first international medal, and Garrott Kuzzy (Hayward, WI), who had back-to-back wins during the Madison, WI, SuperTour.

For now, however, the athletes plan to take it one day at a time as a Team.

“This is going to be an exciting year. I think our team has come a long way as a whole.” Randall said. “As well as my individual World Cup, I’m just excited for a year as a team because I think we’re going to have a lot of success on all levels. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

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

15 Trophy-winning Properties, 4 New Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux

In exclusive partnership with prestigious brands, Relais & Châteaux has just revealed the list of the winners of the Relais & Châteaux Trophies which are awarded every year in recognition of expertise and excellence in the art of hospitality and fine dining.

Welcome Trophy with Moët & Chandon
The art of receiving is one of the fundamental virtues of Relais & Châteaux; ensuring your stay is unforgettable is always the priority in these properties.

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany

Grand Chef Trophy with Taittinger
Amongst the Relais & Châteaux members, the contemporary elite of fine dining are grouped within the family of the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. Passion, creativity, experience and expertise are the essential criteria for admission to the highly select circle of these Grands Chefs.

Firmin & Philippe Arrambide
Les Pyrénées - France

Jonathan Gushue
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa - Canada

Christopher Brooks
Blantyre – United States

Jason Robinson
The Inn at Dos Brisas – United States

Rising Chef Trophy with All-Clad
We single out young chefs whose creativity, imagination and commitment earmark them as the future grand masters of fine dining in the world.

Davy Tissot
Villa Florentine - France

Art de la Table Trophy with San Pellegrino
The arts of the table, atmosphere and decoration are all part of our philosophy of “receiving well”. They reflect the soul of our properties and express their personality.

Ristorante Le Calandre - Italy

Spa Trophy with Laurent Perrier
There are 5 categories of spa: Spas de Charme, Spas de Rêve, Thalassotherapy, Thermalism and Beauty.

Georges Blanc & Spa - France

Woman of the Year Trophy with Pommery
A disciplined approach to work organisation, exacting standards, the giving of themselves and a sense of welcome and detail make these women the flagship ambassadresses of our family.

Johanna Maier
Hotel Hubertus - Austria

Passion Trophy with Hennessy
Launched in 2004, the Passion Trophy is awarded to Relais & Châteaux owners who know how to make your stay truly unique: harmonious setting, perfect service, remarkable style.

Sam Beall
Blackberry Farm – United States

Corporate Trophy with Glenmorangie
Relais & Châteaux launched this trophy in 2005 to single out property owners who have distinguished themselves through their high-performance meeting facilities and the quality of the welcome afforded to business meetings or residential seminars.

Sheen Falls Lodge – Ireland

Lounge Trophy with Grand Marnier
With the Lounge Trophy, Relais & Châteaux pays tribute to the expertise of these friendly settings, a real invitation to tasting.

Eden Rock - St Barthélémy - France

Environment Trophy with Orlane
This award pays tribute to properties which have shown tenacity, commitment, impressive initiatives and respect for the environment and the natural setting.

Longueville Manor – United Kingdom

Garden Trophy with Rozes
This pays tribute to properties which have succeeded in reconciling abundant nature, expertise in enhancing the horticultural heritage and respect for the original beauty of the landscapes.

Las Mañanitas Hotel Garden Restaurant & Spa - Mexico

Innovation Trophy with Nespresso
To guarantee unique experiences and intense moments of discovery, each Relais & Châteaux member must know how to reinvent itself and be innovative.

Thierry Marx
Cordeillan-Bages - France

About Relais & Châteaux

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association’s mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

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

California Academy of Sciences Offers Visitors ‘Insider Tips’

The new California Academy of Sciences, opened in September 2008, is proving to be enormously popular. Their staff offers the following tips for visitors to make the most of their Academy visit:

Pre-purchase tickets online to confirm a preferred admission date.

To avoid crowds, consider a mid-week visit or plan to arrive when the doors first open at 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday.

The Music Concourse Garage often fills to capacity on weekends and holidays. Public transit is highly recommended. For more information on transit, visit www.511.org.

The 74X CultureBus ($7 all day) offers direct service from downtown San Francisco with stops at Yerba Buena Gardens, Union Square, Civic Center and Golden Gate Park. Visitors who arrive by public transit and present a valid transfer and/or by bike receive $3 discount off general admission.

Visitors who wish to see the planetarium show should arrive early in the day and head straight to the kiosk at the planetarium’s south entrance to pick up show passes. Passes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Located at 55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is open to the public every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

 For information visit www.calacademy.org or call 415-379-8000.

Opening on March 13, 2009 the new Outdoor Exploratorium will feature a collection of 20 brand-new outdoor interactive science exhibits and artworks at Fort Mason, along San Francisco’s breathtaking shoreline between Aquatic Park and the Marina District, not far from the Exploratorium’s home in the Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St.

 The installation, the Exploratorium’s first extended foray into the outdoors, is a long-term experiment as the staff of the pioneering hands-on museum studies the environment and San Francisco’s waterfront. Among the exhibits is Bridge Thermometer, in which the Golden Gate Bridge is transformed into an instrument that lets visitors measure changing temperature patterns.

At the Tasting the Tides site, special low-flow drinking fountains emulate the salinity typical of water flowing from the Delta through San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, and at Wind Arrows flags waving atop surrounding architecture translate into a giant wind observatory. The Outdoor Exploratorium project, forged through an Exploratorium partnership with Fort Mason Center and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, has been under development since September 2006.

For information visit www.exploratorium.edu or call 415-EXP-LORE (397-5673)