under the sea, under the sea

November 29th, 2011

image courtesy of pbase.com

Anantara Kihavah Villas, set in the pristine Maldivian waters of the Indian Ocean, is offering the perfect package for those looking for an unforgettable dining experience. One of the resort’s most exciting features is its underwater restaurant and wine cellar, Sea, where guests can watch the Indian Ocean’s colorful sea life swim by while they dine. From now until December 23, the resort is offering a special package to make this restaurant even more alluring! Linger Longer Lobster Lunch Under the Sea includes accommodation in a private Pool Villa or Pool Residence, daily buffet breakfast for two people, and one spectacular lobster lunch paired with sommelier-selected wine, for two at Sea. One of the world’s top diving destinations is now accessible to the non-divers of the world, but instead of a wetsuit and goggles, sit back with glass wine and a gourmet meal. Rates for this package start at $1,730 per night.

 

food and fun in the city different

November 23rd, 2011

Santa Fe’s eclectic mix of Native American, European and Spanish cuisine make this southwestern city a foodie’s paradise!  Trip Advisor agrees and recently named the City Different one of the Top Ten US Food Destinations.

The Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe’s premier small hotel, is launching a contest in honor of the designation to hear about the best spots in town from visitors and natives alike. Participants simply need to describe their favorite restaurant in thirty words or less (a mouthwatering picture can’t hurt!) in a post on The Inn on the Alameda’s Facebook wall. The entry with the most ‘likes’ will win a $200 gift certificate to enjoy at their favorite restaurant! One lucky voter will also win a $100 gift certificate to a favorite Santa Fe dining spot so make sure to check out the tasty posts.

The contest runs from November 24-January 1, 2012.

 

masters of food and wine debuts in shanghai

November 22nd, 2011

Although nothing beats a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal, we wouldn’t mind the chance to experience the culinary prowess of some of the world’s top chefs at Park Hyatt Masters of Food and Wine this week! The event, kicking off today, is making its Chinese debut in the ‘Paris of the East’, where foodies and vinophiles will be wined and dined in high style at Park Hyatt Shanghai November 22-26. The star-studded roster (Michelin star that is!) includes legendary chef Alain Ducasse, Master Sommelier Gérard Basset, and many other international and local food and wine experts. The five day event includes patisserie workshops, personalized tours of Shanghai’s markets, wine tastings, traditional Chinese meals, and the grand finale, a Michelin Star Gala Dinner prepared by Alain Ducasse and the Plaza Athénée restaurant team. Sorry mom, but we might not be coming home for Thanksgiving after all…

For the full calendar of events visit:  http://www.mastersfoodandwine.com/Shanghai-Events-Calendar/default.asp

 

familiar faces on crystal’s world cruise

November 17th, 2011

If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising around the world, your dreams are about to get even better! Explore legendary lands and idyllic isles on Crystal Serenity’s 2012 World Cruise, a 94-day round-trip Los Angeles journey circumnavigating the world’s greatest ocean. Best of all, the sailing already has quite the guest list, and includes TV legend Regis Philbin, Hall of Famers Hank Aaron (baseball) and Don Shula (football), Olympians Dorothy Hamill (ice skating) and Kathy Rigby (gymnastics), and astronauts “Hoot” Gibson and Rhea Seddon. So start the New Year off right by making your dreams come true and booking your world cruise with Crystal Cruises.

nantucket island resorts acks pink for breast cancer awareness month

November 16th, 2011

Nantucket Island Resorts raised over $7,500 through their Breast Cancer Awareness month efforts! For the month of October, all Nantucket Island Resorts hotels donated $1 from every leisure room night bought to the Marla Ceely Lamb Fund, a local charity that helps Nantucket residents suffering from cancer to defray the costs of transportation and lodging for patients who must travel off-island for cancer treatment. “We are so grateful to NIR for their interest and support in this important cause! The patients who must travel for cancer treatment are so moved by the community’s efforts,” said Ginnia Faria, coordinator for the Marla Ceely Lamb Fund. Through this effort, along with donating $1 for every cosmopolitan and pink lemonade bought at the Brant Point Grill at White Elephant and TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet and $1 per Breast Cancer T-shirt sold, the hotels raised $2,717.

In addition, Nantucket Island Resorts also participated in the island’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 16, 2011 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Bettina Landt, General Manager at the White Elephant, said, “We had a spirited team and a wonderful day to walk.  Our goal was to raise $1,000. We ended up far exceeding that number and raising $5,052.”

These efforts will make a big difference in the lives of Nantucket residents suffering from cancer as well as help aid the fight against breast cancer.

 

save the himalayas

November 16th, 2011

The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City is hosting an exclusive event tonight (from 6:00 to 8:00 PM) in honor of Rima Fujita’s latest book, Save the Himalayas, which focuses on the importance of the Himalayan region and the various threats it faces.

Guest speakers will include Sharon Gannon (founder of Jivamukti Yoga Method), Lobsang Nyandak (representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama), and Tendor Dorjee (Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet). This is one event you don’t want to miss, so get to the Rubin Museum of Art (located at 150 West 17th Street) in time to get a good seat and enjoy!

happy loi krathong!

November 15th, 2011

Every November, Thailand celebrates Loi Krathong, or the Festival of Lights. During the festival, elaborate floats line the waterways and fireworks and paper lanterns illuminate the night sky. The release of lanterns into the night sky is thought to cast away grief and misfortune. Like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, releasing a lantern is also an opportunity to make a wish. While lanterns are released all year round for various celebrations, this spectacular nationwide festival occurs on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (in the Western calendar, it usually falls in November). This year, Loi Krathong took place on November 10, but don’t worry, it’s not too late to release your own lantern! Click here to take part in the Loi Krathong celebration!

the alps are alive at palace luzern

November 15th, 2011

The Alps are alive with the sound of music! Every year, over 120,000 music lovers gather to catch classical music’s legends and up-and-coming stars perform at Switzerland’s famed music festival, the Lucerne Festival. The festival was founded in 1938, and has earned the status as one of the world’s premier music festivals by attracting legendary orchestras, conductors, and soloists from around the world. The first festival took place during the summer, but it has expanded to include an Easter festival and a special pianist festival in November, in addition to the original summer event.

When the curtain drops, concert-goers will love wandering through Old Town Lucerne, exploring the city’s many famed bridges, and admiring the spectacular views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Although the formal festival will take place under the lights of Jean Nouvel’s famous concert hall, the musical greats have been known to hold impromptu jam sessions in local hotels, restaurants, and bars.

Palace Luzern, Lucerne’s luxurious lakeside hotel and a festival sponsor, is the perfect home base for music lovers looking to soak in all of the exciting happenings of the festival. The hotel offers the Spa and Sounds package during the festival for those who want to completely unwind and enjoy the music. The two-night package includes a Balinese hot stone spa treatment, breakfast buffet, concert tickets, and butler service. To truly escape, the package also includes the option of leaving your cell phone with the concierge, who will answer all calls and return the cell phone with a call back list upon check out. The package starts at CHF827 (approximately $913) per person.

Lucerne Festival at the Piano (November 21-27)This year’s Lucerne Festival at the Piano is dedicated to 19th century piano master, Franz List. In honor of his 200th birthday, Yefim Bronfman, Andreas Haefliger, Lise de la Salle, Alexei Volodin, and many others will bring Franz back to life through lively interpretations of his great works.

Lucerne Festival at Easter (March 24-April 1, 2012)
The Lucerne Festival at Easter will be a week full of Mozart.  Enjoy the Lucerne premiere of Claudio Abbado’s Orchestra Mozart from Bologna, the C major of Mozart’s “Linz” Symphony, and Maria João Pires’s performance of Concerto in D minor K. 466.

Lucerne Festival in summer (August 8-September 15, 2012)
The theme of the summer festival is faith, and the music selections will reflect the many ways that faith has been explored through music. The festival will welcome the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, as well as composer-in-residence Sofia Gubaidulina and many other celebrated musicians.

 

jamaica’s strawberry hill hotel & spa re-opens following extensive refurbishment

November 14th, 2011

Located in the heart of one of the world’s most famous coffee-producing mountain ranges, Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa opened on October 18 following an extensive refurbishment of the property. Listed in the New York Times #1 bestselling book, 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, Strawberry Hill is 3100 feet above sea level and features one of the most awe-inspiring views of the Blue Mountains in one direction as well as the city of Kingston in the other. On a clear day, one can see up to 40 miles from the property’s infinity-edge pool, and at night the city far below becomes a twinkling mirror of the night sky.

The refreshed accommodations feature the property’s original antique furnishings, fully-restored, including romantic canopied four-poster beds, solid mahogany desks, and ornate hand-carved fretwork. Brand new soft-finishes round out the update with exquisite, hand-dyed linens by Royal Hut.

The spa, a focal point of this high-up hideaway, specializes in stress-relief, body and soul rejuvenation, and wellness activities.  Whether it’s a nature-curious guest wishing to explore, or one looking to get the blood pumping with an outdoor workout, Strawberry Hill’s lush surrounds provide the ideal playground for both. On offer are hiking trails of varying intensity, grounds that are considered the most exotic tropical gardens on the island that include an organic coffee farm, and the opportunity to see most of Jamaica’s 26 beautiful endemic species of birds.

The exciting new menu at Strawberry Hill’s beloved restaurant features a fresh take on classic Jamaican culinary favorites, highlighting the influence of the island’s multi-ethnic heritage of East Indian, Spanish, British, African, Chinese, and Lebanese settlers who have called Jamaica home since the 15th century. The organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and poultry used in Strawberry Hill’s kitchens are sourced from the property’s own gardens and Chris Blackwell’s personal farm, Pantrepant. Chefs now also serve up delicious local dishes prepared with traditional pimento-infused techniques, using the new stone grill on the property’s main lawn.

Channeling the hotel’s rich music history, acclaimed DJ and Quango label founder, Bruno Guez, produced all new musical playlists for the public spaces that perfectly match the vibe of this cool high-altitude escape. iPods with pre-loaded Bruno Guez playlists are available for guests during their stay.

Nightly rates start at $235, plus tax and service. From now until December 15, guests who book three nights will receive a complimentary de-stress spa treatment per person. Valid for travel completed before December 19, 2011.

For more information visit, www.islandoutpost.com/strawberry_hill or call 1.800.Outpost.

the best new beachwear

November 10th, 2011

Parrot Cay, the private island resort with over 1000 pristine acres in the Turks & Caicos, has inspired renowned beachwear designer heidi klein’s NEW resort swimwear line. The laid-back charm and relaxed elegance that define this Caribbean paradise are perfectly reflected in klein’s collection, which exudes a barefoot chic confidence. This is the first time the designer has named an entire collection after a resort. The collection features nine pieces, all of them white to echo the island’s mile-long white sand beach. From the simple two-piece triangle bikini with tie side bottoms to the chic kaftan with beaded detailing and tie front, the collection calls to mind lazy summer days sunbathing on the beach followed by sunset cocktails. The collection is now available on heidiklein.com, at Parrot Cay, and at these retailers:
Fontainebleau Resort in Miami, FL
Saks Fifth Avenue in Mexico City
Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, NV
Nancy Meyer in Seattle, WA
Ophelia in Grayton Beach, FL
Tahiti Street in Greenwich, CT
Breeze Swim and Sport in Brooklyn, NY

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