Today’s stop on the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan is: JohnnyJet.com. Visit the blog and comment on today’s post for a chance to win Alaska and Seattle Toursaver books and a $50 Magellan’s Travel Supplies gift certificate.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Today’s stop on the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan is: CiaoBambino.com. Visit the blog and comment on today’s post for a chance to win a Napa Valley Getaway with a one-night stay at the Westin Verasa and a gourmet lunch for two aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Today’s stop on the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan is: The Tranquilo Traveler. Visit the blog and comment on today’s post for a chance to win a copy of Moon Belize accompanied by personal travel advice from the author about your trip.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Today’s stop on the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan is: NovelDestinations.com. Visit the blog and comment on today’s post for a chance to win a literary prize pack, including a tote bag, the book Novel Destinations, Bliss travel kit, notecards, tea, bookmarks, and a key chain.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Is the Lingo 16-Language Translator (available from Magellan’s Travel Supplies) on your holiday wish list? If so, read this entire post to find out how to enter and win a translator for yourself!

I’m thrilled to announce the first (and, hopefully, annual) Travel Bloggers’ Caravan. Starting today, I invite you to follow 15 top travel bloggers for a chance to win prizes in celebration of the season.

Prizes range from hotel gift cards and overnight stays to digital cameras and noise-cancelling headphones to luggage and camera bags to travel guidebooks and DVDs. Magellan’s Travel Supplies has signed on as a sponsor of this event. If you’ve got a traveler on your holiday shopping list, check out the unique gifts available at Magellan’s website.

Each day, between December 2–15, a different travel expert’s blog will be featured in this round robin event. You’ll have a chance to win one of over a dozen prizes by reading and commenting on the daily blog post.

The Caravan starts tomorrow! Simply visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each morning to learn about the featured Caravan “stop-of-the-day” between December 2 and 15, and then enter to win.

LuxurySafariExperts.com will be featured on December 15, 2009. Mark your calendar and be sure to comment on my post that day in order to be entered in the giveaway.

Complete Travel Caravan Schedule

December 2: LuxuryCruiseBible.com (Andrea M. Rotondo)
$100 Marriott gift card

December 3: DreamofItaly.com (Kathy McCabe)
One-year online subscription to Dream of Italy newsletter & DVD ($79 value)

December 4: NovelDestinations.com (Shannon McKenna Schmidt & Joni Rendon)
Literary Travel Prize Pack
(A tote bag, Novel Destinations book, travel kit, note cards, tea, bookmarks, and a keychain.)

December 5: TheBrooklynNomad.com (Andrew Hickey)
Imagine: A Vagabond Story by Grant Lingel and $50 Magellan’s gift certificate

December 6: The Tranquilo Traveler (Joshua Berman)
A copy of Moon Belize, accompanied with personal travel advice from the author about your trip

December 7: CiaoBambino.com (Amie O’Shaughnessy and Kristi Marcelle)
Napa Valley Getaway
(One-night stay at the Westin Verasa in Napa, California,
plus gourmet lunch for two on the Napa Valley Wine Train)

December 8: JohnnyJet.com (John DiScala)
Alaska and Seattle Toursaver books ($198 value) and $50 Magellan’s gift certificate

December 9: What a Trip (Nancy D. Brown)
Two Otterbox cell phone cases ($50 value each)
and
One Briggs and Riley Baseline 20” Carry-On Expandable Wide-Body Upright ($369 value)

December 10: JtheTravelAuthority.com (Jeanine Barone)
Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag ($99 value)

December 11: CruiseDiva.com (Linda Coffman)
Fodor’s The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises and a World Grounding Set (courtesy of Magellan’s)

December 12: EllenBarone.com (Ellen Barone)
Day pack from First Ascent, a new extreme adventure line of gear and clothing
by Eddie Bauer and partners ($79 value)

December 13: MyItchyTravelFeet.com (Donna L. Hull)
“Library Edition” of the most recent season of “Rudy Maxa’s World”,
including six DVDs containing 13 shows on destinations in India, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, St. Petersburg, Estonia, and Argentina ($112 value)

December 14: EuropeUpClose.com (Terri Fogarty)
Fujifilm FinePix J28 10MP digital camera with 3x optical zoom

December 15: LuxurySafariExperts.com (Andrea M. Rotondo)
Folding noise-cancelling headphones courtesy of Magellan’s Travel Supplies

If you love exploring new destinations and revisiting old favorites, you won’t want to miss the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan & Giveaway! You just may discover a few new favorite travel blogs to bookmark.

Win a Lingo 16-Language Translator

Help us kick off the Caravan right now! Follow @luxcruisebible and then tweet about the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan between December 1 and 15. Include a link to this blog post and the #caravan hashtag and you’ll be entered to win the Lingo 16-Language Translator, courtesy of Magellan’s Travel Supplies. Entrants must have a U.S. mailing address. Entries must be received between December 1–15, 2009. One winner will be randomly chosen from eligible entries on December 21, 2009. Winner will be notified via Twitter DM (direct message).

Just log onto Twitter and tweet something like this:
Check out the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan. 15 travel bloggers and tons of cool prizes to win. http://bit.ly/6zfZEr #caravan

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

I really like what Abercrombie & Kent is doing with its organization, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. The tour packager that’s known for high-end expeditions to the far corners of the globe is now offering individuals the chance to be part of the solution to a local problem in a far-off location.

As the holiday season approaches, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy is remindng everyone that donations make fantastic gifts for friends and family who have everything.

“This year the focus is on what money cannot buy—shared experiences and treasured memories,” says Abercrombie & Kent Vice Chairman Jorie Butler Kent, who guides Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. “Our guests are looking for more meaningful ways to celebrate with their families and asked us to create a Gift Program that makes it easy to donate to projects making a difference in places they have visited.”

With the help of A&K’s 62 worldwide offices, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy has identified grassroots organizations, spearheaded by dedicated local experts in conservation, education, community development, and public health.

These are inspiring gifts designed to honor a friend or family member.  Donations range from $10 for a simple HIV test to help prevent the transmission of AIDS to an unborn child to $500 for a field trip for Maasai children who have never been on safari.

Here are three programs being offered right now. Visit Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy to read about all donation programs throughout the world.

HIV Testing in Uganda
Uganda Bwindi Community Hospital
—$10 helps assess the HIV status of a local resident with a simple field test.

Restore a Natural Landmark 
in Morocco
Morocco—Protection of the Palmeraie—
$50 plants a tree to help restore the delicate ecosystem in this thousand-year-old date palm grove, a Marrakech landmark.

A Safari Field Trip
Kenya — Friends of Conservation—
$500 gives 20 Maasai children the chance to discover their natural heritage and learn the value of protecting wildlife with a field trip to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Donations can be made online through Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy’s secure website www.akphilanthropy.org with 100 percent of all donations going directly to the project selected.  Gift certificates will be delivered to the recipient(s) electronically or printed and mailed.

To make a donation as a family—or in honor of a loved one—go to www.akphilanthropy.org. One hundred percent of your charitable gift to Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy goes directly to support local projects worldwide. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy is established in the United States as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Your charitable gift is tax deductible as provided by law.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Four Seasons Explorer

This past September, the 128-foot Four Seasons Explorer 11-cabin, three-deck catamaran was refurbished for three-, four-, and seven-night excursions around the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. While the vessel usually draws those interested in diving and snorkeling, even those who aren’t natural water babies enjoy seeing the Maldives from this intimate ship that caters to just 22 passengers.

Accommodations are what you’d expect at any land-based Four Season resort and feature 10 staterooms and one Explorer Suite. The suite includes a king bed, a daybed, an indoor dining area, couch, writing desk, bar, DVD/CD player, telephone, and in-cabin safe. The bathroom features a full bath tub, and separate shower. Regular staterooms can be outfitted with either a king bed or two twins. Staterooms also feature a sofa, desk, DVD/CD player, bar, phone, and safe. These bathrooms have a tub/shower combo.

The catamaran promotes a casual atmosphere and shorts and sundresses are acceptable attire, even during dinner. The casual vibe doesn’t skimp on service though…the entire boat is air-conditioned and you’ll find an onboard masseuse and a PADI dive center with Nitrox. Laundry service is also available.

As of the first of October 2009, Four Seasons Explorer began weekly itineraries. The first part explores the northern atolls of Baa and Raa and includes a stopover at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. The second part of the cruise expolores the southern regions, which may include Rasdhoo, North Ari, South and North Male atolls.

During the cruise, you’ll enjoy water activities like diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, and fishing. Other activities include visits to local villages and other island excursions.

Four Seasons Explorer video footage:

Four Seasons Explorer sails until December 20, 2009 and then she goes into dry-dock. She’ll be back on the water as of June 8, 2010.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa or Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons

Okay, British Airways won’t take you to Africa for free, but with a new promotion they’ve announced with partner credit card Chase Visa, they will give you 100,000 bonus miles that can be used to travel to many amazing African  gateways, including:

Egypt (Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm el Sheikh)
Kenya (Nairobi)
Mauritius
Morocco (Marrakech)
Namibia (Windhoek)
South Africa (Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth)
Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam)
Uganda (Entebbe)
Zambia (Livingstone, Lusaka)
Zimbabwe (Harare)

So how do you get this practically free trip to Africa? By signing up for an unprecedented bonus mile deal: earn 100,000 miles with a new British Airways Visa Signature Card from Chase.

Card Benefits

• receive 50,000 miles after your first purchase
• spend $2,000 within three months of opening your card and receive an additional 50,000 miles
• earn 1.25 miles for each $1 spent
• earn 2.5 miles for money spent on BA purchases
• spend $30,000 in a calendar year and you’ll receive a 2-for-1 companion award certificate
• $50 off a British Airways flight if booked before December 31, 2009 (for travel before the end of 2010)

This promo is especially enticing since British Airways offers what they call “Household Accounts.” This means you can combine miles with anyone living at the same address. That makes managing miles SO much easier! You’ll retain your own Executive Club membership but your mileage balances will be combined.

You may use British Airways miles on any OneWorld airline, including:

American Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
LAN
Malev
Quantas
Royal Jordanian

Other British Airways partners also include:

Aer Lingus
Alaskan Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Caribbean Airlines
Mexicana

This British Airways/Chase Visa promo is definitely something to look into, especially if you’ll be traveling to Africa in the coming years. I know that’s how I’ll spend my miles! Apply for the card now.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita has added a perk to lure those who love to golf: complimentary unlimited play, including a cart fitted with GPS. And, this is indeed a bonus since the Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius is the only golf course in the Indian Ocean built to USGA (United States Golf Association) standards. (Unlimited golf privileges kicked in on October 1, 2009.)

“We want every guest to have the opportunity to play the course at Four Seasons Mauritius,” says Andrew Harrison, general manager of the Resort. “Ernie Els has created a championship course that is a challenge for experienced golfers, but also encourages play at all levels, so families can golf together.”

“Intricately woven into the scenery, the course is designed with a close eye on preserving the coastline’s natural beauty,” says Ernie Els. “The way we have routed the course means it moves in and out of the trees, along the water and back, giving players great variety—including spectacular rocky outcrops, large native trees and jaw-dropping views of the mountains and Indian Ocean.”

On July 26, 2009, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa on the Maldives greeted its first guest. This is not only Shangri-La Hotels first resort in the Maldives, it’s also the first international luxury resort on the southern-most tip of Addu Atoll in the Southern Maldives Archipelago.

The 142 standalone villas range from oceanfront to tree top, with tree house villas perched 10 feet off the ground—a first for accommodations in this region. Enjoy the dramatic elevated infinity pool offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean or lounge on the white sand beach.

Spa enthusiasts will spend plenty of time at CHI, The Spa. Chinese, Himalayan, and Asian treatments are offered along with Kandu Boli experiences and unusual indigenous treatments incorporating the tiger cowrie shell and other native elements.

Divers come here to explore the British Loyalty shipwreck and to dive with giant manta rays with wingspans of more than 13 feet. Surfing, scuba, and snorkeling are also popular in the area.

The three-dining-room Khazaanaage Restaurant serves eclectic menus based on the regional cuisines of the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and Arabian Gulf.

From now until October 31, 2009, the hotel is offering a “stay seven nights and pay for five” package. Benefits include transfer flights from Male to Gan, daily half-board, and a CHI spa experience for two.

For more information, visit Shangri-La’s website or call the resort at (960) 689-7888.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com