CHRISTMAS IN PATAGONIA: CRUCEROS AUSTRALIS OFFERS DEALS FOR THE SEASON

While there won’t be reindeer, cruise specialist, Cruceros Australis, invites travelers to a Christmas with Santa Claus and penguins this winter. With Zodiac excursions and complementary lectures, Cruceros Australis conveys peace on earth with the natural beauty of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. A big bonus for families looking for quality time together: kids cruise free.

These two four-night expedition cruises depart December 21, 2012 and December 22, 2012 with your choice of Ushuaia to Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas to Ushuaia. Either way, the route involves Patagonia’s signature wildlife and environment: fjords, canals and glaciers.

While on board, revel in the season as you pass by the raised Christmas tree, enjoy a special Christmas dinner and meet with Santa who will make an appearance with gifts for the children.

A cruise with Cruceros Australis is an all-inclusive experience including sea transportation, shore excursions, onboard entertainment, all meals and an open bar. Passengers will also enjoy local Chilean and Argentinean wines. The menu combines international cuisine and local recipes to highlight the delicious and varied regional fare. Rates start at $2,187 per adult for these departures, and children 15 and under will sail free (one child per adult).

For more information, visit www.australis.com.

COMBINE THE CHARM OF OLD AFRICA WITH THE AMENITIES OF MODERN LIVING FOR THE ULTIMATE SAFARI ADVENTURE

Chiawa Camp, a lauded safari camp on Zambia’s Lower Zambezi (the river after which Zambia is named) announces two “Best of Both Worlds” packages, valid May 1 to October 31, 2013.  The first package entitles those staying five nights at a combination of Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro, to get five nights for the price of four. The second package entitles those staying seven nights to pay for the price of five nights. Both Chiawa and Old Mondoro are located inside the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park.

Rates for Package 1* -- Five nights for the price of four

May, 2013:  $2180 plus $425 park fees and conservation collection

June & October, 2013:  $2720 plus $425 park fees and conservation collection

July/August/September, 2013: $3520 plus $425 park fees and conservation collection

*Rates are quoted per person, RACK all-inclusive for any five-night Chiawa Camp/Old Mondoro combination. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other Chiawa Camp/Old Mondoro discounted rates.

Rates for Package 2* -- Seven nights for the price of five

May, 2013:  $2725 plus $595 park fees and conservation collection

June, 2013:  $3400 plus $595 park fees and conservation collection

July/August/September/October, 2013:  $4400 plus $595 park fees and conservation collection

*Rates are quoted per person, RACK all-inclusive for any seven-night Chiawa Camp/Old Mondoro combination. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other Chiawa Camp/Old Mondoro discounted rates.

Award-winning Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro are renowned for the attentive yet unpretentious and personalized hospitality of the Cumings family, a family totally committed to conservation of the land and of its resident wildlife. Chiawa is known for its fabulous “tents” offering spectacular views of the Zambezi. While Chiawa Camp is luxurious and bush-sophisticated, Old Mondoro is imbued with a “back to the bush” atmosphere and is a destination in its own right, offering some of the most prolific leopard sightings to be had in Africa.

Activities range from game drives, walking, canoeing, boating and angling (especially for the African tiger fish) in the company of Africa’s finest guides. 

For more information visit www.chiawa.com or www.oldmondoro.com. 

“MANTIS MADNESS” HAS HIT SOUTH AFRICA

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Mantis Madness has hit South Africa, where travelers can enjoy savings of up to 46% on summertime bookings with Mantis properties. For $1,020, guests may enjoy five nights in the some of the best accommodations in South Africa. Guests will pay for two nights at one of South Africa’s exciting five-star Mantis game reserves: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Jock Safari Lodge, or Nkomazi Game Reserve, and will receive three nights free at the charming Constantia boutique hotel, located in the Cape’s oldest wine region, 20 minutes from the center of Cape Town.

For those with more time, an additional option is available: guests may receive a complimentary night at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel with the booking of an overnight journey on the luxurious Blue Train. The Blue Train will transport guests from Cape Town to Pretoria (or vice versa) in style for $1342, with a free night at the end of the rails.

Pricing includes accommodation; meals, game drives and select beverages at your game reserve of choice; and breakfast and beverages at the Constantia. For the Blue Train option, all meals, off train excursions, high tea, beverages, and single transfers to/from the Cape Town and Pretoria train stations are included. Upgrades are available on all accommodations for an additional fee.

Valid from April 15th to the October 15th, 2010, excluding the dates of the World Cup (June 10th to July 15th), the Mantis Madness deals are subject to availability. For reservations, please email the Mantis Collection Central Reservations Office at reservations@mantiscollection.com or call +27 41 407 1000.

JAMAICA INN SHORTENS MINIMUM STAY FOR 2010 HOLIDAY SEASON TO SEVEN NIGHTS

OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA (03/10) – If you’ve always wanted to stay at the Jamaica Inn during the holidays but just haven’t had the time, your luck is about to change. The Jamaica Inn near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, has reduced its minimum stay requirement for the 2010 holiday season, December 23, 2010, to January 3, 2011, allowing guests to forgo the 10-night minimum and instead book for seven nights.

Situated on a private cove, the lovely and traditional Jamaica Inn provides everything desirable in a Caribbean vacation. A lush green lawn, which incorporates a croquet court and swimming pool, edges the hotel’s perfect 700- foot beach, often cited as one of the best in the Caribbean. Combined with a staff who genuinely wishes to please, spacious accommodations and delicious dining, it is easy to see how the Jamaica Inn lends a sense of profound contentment.

Jamaica Inn’s full-service KiYara Spa is like being in a rain forest and is totally connected to nature. Two treatment rooms are set on the cliffside among verdant tropical plants and a third room juts out over the sea as if it were a house boat. All feature open-air thatch roof huts and no walls to put the client in total harmony with the environment. The outdoor spa showers are made of bamboo and are also set in prodigious plantings. All treatments are holistic, combining the use of fresh Jamaican herbs and fruits.

It is quite possible to do absolutely nothing at Jamaica Inn and be totally happy. For the active-minded, croquet, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, sunfish sailing and an exercise room are available on-site. Windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and diving are also found nearby. Golf at a discounted rate to Jamaica Inn guests, horseback riding, and tennis at no charge is also available nearby as well as many cultural excursions.

Rates at Jamaica Inn start at $479 plus tax and service beginning December 15, 2010, depending on room selection. This offer applies to the Balcony Suite, Deluxe Verandah Suite, Premier Verandah Suite, Cowdray Suite and Blue Cottage. It does not include the White Suite, Cottage Three, Cottage Four and the Jamaica Inn Cottages, where there is still a minimum 10-night stay. For additional information or reservations, call 1-800-837-4608 or fax 876-974-2449. E-mail is reservations@jamaicainn.com and the web site is www.jamaicainn.com

RENOWNED JAMAICA INN IS OFFERING EASTER DEALS

Ocho Rios, Jamaica (03/2010) The exclusive Jamaica Inn is offering special rates on stays beginning March 28 through April 15, 2010. The savings range from $100 to nearly $300 per night on the hotel’s luxurious suites and cottages.

The Easter specials apply to the following suites and cottages: a Balcony Suite, usually $590, is now $490; a Deluxe Veranda Suite, usually $715, is now $594; a Premier Veranda Suite, usually $885, is now $735; the Cowdray Suite, usually $920, is now $764; the Blue Cottage, usually $960, is now $797. In addition, Cottages 3 and 4, along with the White Suite, are $1,606 instead of $1,935; Jamaica Inn Cottage without pool is now $1,192 instead of $1,435; and Jamaica Inn Cottage with pool is now $1,378 instead of $1,660. All rates are per room per night. Meal plans are not included and the special rates cannot be combined with any other specials or packages. The offer is also only applicable to new bookings and to bookings that both arrive and depart during the special dates.

Situated on a private cove on the outskirts of Ocho Rios, the Jamaica Inn provides everything desirable in a Caribbean vacation. The 47- suite hotel is designed for maximum comfort and privacy. A lush green lawn, which incorporates a croquet lawn and swimming pool, edges the hotel’s perfect 700- foot beach, often cited as one of the best in the Caribbean. Meals are served in an open-air or outdoor dining room, prepared by world class chefs who create delectable menus. There is also a main bar, lounge, beach bar, and room service. Combined with a staff who genuinely wishes to please, spacious accommodations and delicious dining, it is easy to see how the Jamaica Inn lends a sense of profound contentment.

Jamaica Inn’s full-service KiYara Spa is like being in a rain forest and is totally connected to nature. Two treatment rooms are set on the Cliffside among verdant tropical plants and a third room juts out over the sea as if it were a house boat. All feature open air thatch roof huts to put the client in total harmony with the environment. The outdoor spa showers are made of bamboo and are also set in prodigious plantings. All treatments are holistic, combining the use of fresh Jamaican herbs and fruits.

For additional information or reservations please call 1-800-837-4608 or fax 876-974-2449. Email is reservations@jamaicainn.com and the web site is www.jamaicainn.com.