Jetsettersblog

Located just outside of Sorrento, the International Kitchen is offering a spring vacation for women at a reduced rate. The 6-night culinary vacation, “A Mediterranean Cooking Experience at Relais Oasi Olimpia,” is usually offered for $3,210, but for the Women Only Week – April 15-21, 2007 – the cost is only $2,250 per person.

This deluxe package includes accommodations for 6 nights, 4 hands-on cooking classes, excursions to see the region’s homemade products of mozzarella cheese and limoncello, sightseeing in the nearby towns of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, a cultural tour of Pompeii, shopping in Sorrento and all dinners.

For more information, visit http://www.theinternationalkitchen.com/ 

P&O Cruises has embarked on a two-year programme of enhancements across its fleet of five ships.

The ongoing initiative will include new-build family-friendly superliner Ventura, which enters service in April 2008.

The impact of the so-called Elevation scheme can be seen first on board Oriana following a multi-million pound re-fit. Notable enhancements include Oriana Rhodes, a 96-seat restaurant created by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, 914 refurbished cabins with eight-inch Slumberland mattresses and Egyptian cotton bed linen, plus a new children’s club equipped with 16 PS2′s and three “beanbag” cinemas with plasma screens.

The following features will be introduced in all cabins across the fleet by the end of 2007 and will typify those of a boutique hotel, according to the cruise line

AUSTIN, Texas – January 25, 2007 – TravelTex.com –Whether you are looking to camp, hike, bike, golf, swim, fish, hunt, horseback ride, bird watch or experience just about any other outdoor activity you can think of, Texas is the place to be. With more than 267,000 square miles to explore, cyclists find many diverse and thrilling rides in Texas whether it is through the mountains of West Texas or on the trails of the Piney Woods.

Bonefish Grill serves up rules for enjoying fish at home or dining out –

Chefs at Bonefish Grill make no compromises when selecting, preparing and eating fish. Known as the “Fresh Fish Experts,” Bonefish Grill specializes in market fresh fish, which is flown in daily. In addition, they are committed to helping educate and de-mystify common “fish tales” for their guests. The rules for fish are the same whether you are dining at home or enjoying an evening out:

• A matter of trust

Get to know the people at your local Fish Market, grocer or favorite restaurant. Ask good questions: do you receive your fish daily? Do you freeze any of your products? What species is in season? Which species is farm raised vs. wild caught? Knowing your fish partners well will provide you the ability select the best available product.

Also talk with your friends; they’ll quickly let you know of places to patronize.

• Ask about sources

As a shopper or a diner, you should inquire about the species origin and how it was handled from ocean to table (or grocer). Fresh fish can travel thousands of miles and stay in good condition as long as it is cared for correctly. The temperature chain is the most important component in keeping fish fresh from the time it is caught (it should be iced down immediately); ideally, fresh fish should be held at about 28 degrees at all times.

• Use your sense(s)!

Smell it: If a fish smells “fishy,” don’t buy it and don’t eat it. It’s as simple as that! As for whole, fresh fish, look for vivid gills and shiny skin or undamaged scales. Touch it: Fresh fish will have elasticity to it. Press firmly on the skin and it should quickly retake its original shape. A whole fish should look freshly caught, not as though it has been abused. Taste, it: Whether you choose Gulf grouper, Atlantic salmon, ahi tuna, mahi mahi or Chilean sea bass, each one has a distinctive flavor. The whiter the fish, traditionally the more mild it will taste. The deeper in color, the fish will have a more robust flavor.

• Feel good about fish – and yourself!

You can’t beat the health benefits of fish. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone eat at least two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish a week. Fatty fish, including mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna and salmon, are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are important for a healthy heart.

For more information about Bonefish Grill – located at 10839 Eastern Ave. in Henderson – call (702) 228-3474. Founded in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2000, Bonefish Grill has pioneered a new category in casual dining best described as Polished Casual.

Designed for people who crave high-quality seafood in a comfortable, lively atmosphere, Polished Casual represents a highly sophisticated service style and staff that is as friendly as they are knowledgeable. Known as the “Fresh Fish Experts,” Bonefish Grill specializes in market fresh fish prepared over an oak-burning grill, which gives the fish a tasty, even cook. A tantalizing array of sauces and original toppings, ranging from fresh and light to rich and flavorful, are offered to enhance the flavor of the fish, each in a fun and different way, providing an opportunity for diners to mix and match to their specific tastes. The sleek interior design of each restaurant features golden hardwood floors, hand-blown glass lamps and three-dimensional artwork.

There are currently more than 100 Bonefish Grill restaurants located in 23 states nationwide. For more information, visit www.bonefishgrill.com

Villa La Cupola, The Largest Suite in Europe at the Westin Excelsior

The Starwood hotels in Rome are a flagship in the heart the Eternal City for their history, development and services. The Westin Excelsior Rome, the magnificent white palace on the famous Via Veneto named to Conde Nast Traveler’s 2006 Gold List, features one of the most exclusive and impressive suites in Europe, Villa La Cupola. Subject of a $7 million renovation, the signature Villa Cupola is the largest suite in Europe, covering 11,840 square feet of the fifth and sixth floors.

The central attraction of Villa La Cupola is undoubtedly the domed living room, which features a breathtaking frescoed cupola inspired by Rome’s palaces and villas of renaissance, baroque and neo-classical times. Designed with the elegance and atmosphere of ancient architecture and the comfort of modern technology, the suite features an entirely hand-frescoed 40-foot cupola, two master bedrooms, six additional rooms, a study equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, a private kitchen and wine cabinet with more than 200 wines, and a private Dolby-surround cinema and videoconference room. A private elevator leads to the upper floor with its own fitness room, sauna, steam bath and Pompeian-style Jacuzzi pool. Wide private terraces and balconies overlooking the magnificent panorama of the city surround rooms on both floors of the Villa La Cupola.

The New Doney Restaurant at the Westin Excelsior

The Westin Excelsior Rome offers the newly remodeled open-spaced restaurant, Doney. Painted grey walls and detailed marble emphasize existing architecture, leather furniture and tables in brown and green add class, and crystal chandeliers and lights and mirrors on enormous columns give a special, theatrical atmosphere. The design of the restaurant similar to the nearby h club>doney, one of Rome’s hot and happening meeting points for happy hour and after dinner, creates a perfect combination between the two ambiances. Restaurant Manager Massimo Azzurro and Food & Beverage Manager Alessandro Innocenti, worked together with Chef James Foglieni to create new menus with Mediterranean flavor.

Vivendo Restaurant, di Vinoe and The Wines of Italy at St. Regis Grand Hotel

The aristocratic St. Regis Grand Hotel Rome has been at the crossroads of international high society since its opening and is considered one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels. Upon completion of the hotel’s meticulous restoration, restaurant de Vivendo underwent an entire restyling. Complete with 70 place settings, a private dining room and a champagnerie, Vivendo provides a sophisticated yet contemporary atmosphere with furniture that evokes the style of the 30’s and 40’s. Vivendo received a Gold Key Award for excellence in design and was later named the number one restaurant in Rome by Zagat guide of Europe;s Top Restaurants.

Restaurant Manager and Sommelier Federico Galligani selected a wine list of more than 600 labels, over half of which belong to newly emerging Italian wineries that accompany the special dishes prepared by Chef Francesco Donatelli. The bottles are stored in an innovative new cellar where one can dine and taste wine in a tranquil and distinctive environment. Vivendo can now organize appointments to offer guests a taste of these high quality wines.

Wines of Italy is a new exclusive project that changes the way wine is tasted at the hotel whereby special selections of wines from various Italian regions are tasted by the glass. Now at the St. Regis Grand Hotel, 32 of the most important wine producers, chosen for quality, continuity and image, participate in the project made possible thanks to technology that allows for tasting wine without losing its quality. By introducing nitrogen into an open bottle, it is possible to guarantee the maintenance of the organoleptic characteristics of wine. With Wines of Italy, the St. Regis Grand Hotel renews and enriches the concepts of quality. It is an innovative system and an added value for the service that distinguishes the St. Regis Grand Hotel as one of the most luxurious hotels in Europe. This project strives to promote and increase the value of the Italian wine making industry through new philosophy and frontiers.

Globe Trekker: Rome City Guide   Situated halfway down Italys western coast, Rome is a vast city with an historic heart. Once only a few villages, Rome became the greatest city of the ancient world. There are now entire countries that owe their calendar, law and language to Rome. Traveler Estelle Bingham starts her exploration of the city at the Forum, the hub of ancient Rome. From there she visits Michelangelo’;s beautiful Piazza Campidoglio, then moves on to stroll through charming Trastevere. She completes her tour at the Pantheon, one of Rome’;s great ancient buildings and the resting place of Raphael.

Luxury Enhancements, Programs and Offers to the North American Traveler in Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence and Sardinia

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Italy”numbering more than 20 properties in Rome, Milan, Turin, Venice, Asolo, Florence, Rimini, Malta and Costa Smeralda, Sardinia”are recognized internationally as some of Europe’s most historically significant luxury hotels, many of which now offer new enhancements, programs and packages to the American business and leisure traveler.

These hotels include Rome’s The St. Regis Grand Hotel, The Westin Excelsior, Hotel Eden-Le Meridien, Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center; Milan’s The Westin Palace, Le Meridien Gallia, Sheraton Diana Majestic; Turin’s Le Meridien Lingotto, Le Meridien Art+Tech; Venice’s Hotel Danieli, Hotel Gritti Palace, The Westin Europa & Regina, Hotel Des Bains, The Westin Excelsior; Asolo’s Hotel Villa Cipriani; Florence’s The Grand Hotel, The Westin Excelsior; in Sardinia Costa Smeralda’s Hotel Cala di Volpe, The Cervo Hotel-Costa Smeralda Resort, The Hotel Pitrizza, Hotel Romazzino; Chia Laguna’s Le Meridien Chia Laguna, Malta’s The Westin Dragonara, Le Meridien St. Julians, Le Meridien Phoenicia, and Rimini’s Le Meridien Rimini.

English Heritage begins search to mark new exhibition and visitor center English Heritage has begun a worldwide search for people who can trace their family tree to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and believe they may have had a legitimate claim on the English crown. There has long been debate regarding the validity of King Harold’s claim to the throne, when the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066, leaving no children, led to conflict over the rightful heir to the English throne and ultimately to the Battle of Hastings.

The claim has long been challenged by Anglo Saxon, Danish and Norman nobles, and respondents to the advertisement will be asked to submit the documentary evidence that best supports their claim along with the name of their most likely “gateway ancestor.” A panel of expert genealogists and historians, including Dr. Nick Barratt, will evaluate the information supplied. The closing date for sending “claims” is February 9, 2007.

The search marks the opening of a new £2.3 million (around $4.5 million) visitor center and café located adjacent to the historic abbey in East Sussex. An interactive exhibition, opening February 9, 2007, will feature displays, hands-on objects and an audio-visual show that will paint a vivid picture of Anglo-Saxon and Norman life. Visitors can see the ruins of Battle Abbey, the great Benedictine abbey that William built to atone for the bloodshed: its altar marks the spot where King Harold was slain by an arrow. Also set on the battlefield is the 12th-century church of St. Mary the Virgin, where visitors can see a magnificent Romanesque nave, rare 14th-century wall paintings and the stunning Senlac commemorative stain glass window. The abbey and battlefield are open year-round (except December 24 – 26 and January 1).

Battle Abbey is in the small town of Battle, near the larger seaside town of Hastings, 66 miles south of London. The town of Battle offers antique shops, tearooms and pretty Georgian and medieval cottages, while Hastings boasts Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet and Britain’s steepest funicular railway.

More than 37 million Americans can claim British heritage, and over 75% of the nation’s ‘top 100′ surnames originate in Britain. ‘Ancestral tourism’, as it is becoming known, is generating huge interest as ever more people want to connect back to their roots. VisitBritain is at the forefront of this trend, and has just launched a dedicated website: www.visitbritain.com/ancestry

Websites: www.english-heritage.org.uk/hastings  www.visitbritain.com/ancestry 

The Captain’s Club Hotel has opened (November 2006) in the historic market town of Christchurch on the south coast of England. The building itself, as well as the interiors, are contemporary and stylish, offering views of the River Stour and Christchurch Quay. Website: http://www.captainsclubhotel.com/  Captain’s Club Hotel has opened (November 2006) in the historic market town of Christchurch.

Rookery Hall Hotel – a country house hotel in the English county of Cheshire – is undergoing a $19 million redevelopment, to be complete by July 2007. The hotel is opening a new health club and spa, which will include a ‘Rasul’ – a steam chamber for Turkish mud treatments, as well as increasing the number of guest rooms to 70. Rookery Hall Hotel is a Georgian mansion, set in 38 acres of gardens, located in north-west England. Website: http://www.handpicked.co.uk/

The Malmaison Liverpool hotel – Malmaison’s 10th property in Britain – will open on January 29th, 2007. Located on Princes Dock overlooking the River Mersey, the new hotel has 128 rooms and two suites, named The Toffee Shop and The Kop – dedicated to the two local soccer clubs. Website: http://www.malmaison-liverpool.com/

The Hilton Manchester Deansgate opened in the city of Manchester on September 18, 2006. Blending Scandinavian minimalist chic with classic 50s style, the 279 room hotel is housed on 23 floors of the landmark Beetham Tower – Britain’s tallest building outside London. The hotel’s bar on the 23rd floor, Cloud 23, offers views over Manchester. Website: www.hilton.co.uk/manchesterdeansgate

A new hotel in Liverpool – 62 Castle Street – opened in July 2006. Within a renovated Victorian building, the boutique hotel offers discreet contemporary styling and hi-tech facilities. Website: http://www.62castlest.com/

ABode Hotels, established by Andrew Brownsword and Michelin starred chef Michael Caines, is to add to its portfolio this September (2006) when ABode Canterbury opens in south-east England (High Street, Canterbury). Formerly the County Hotel it has 72 rooms and is situated within the ancient city walls of the cathedral city and close to the shops and attractions. All rooms feature hand-built beds, LCD TVs and DVD players, whilst the third floor suite also boasts a outdoor terrace with superb views of the city. Website: http://www.abodehotels.co.uk/

Like the Romans, guests at the new health and beauty spa of the five-star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel will be able to luxuriate in the invigorating experience of moving between hot and cold spa areas, as they enjoy the rock sauna or aroma steam room – quickly followed by the bracing ice room. The £3 million (or approximately $6 million) spa, in the city of Bath, recently completed an 18-month renovation and now has six treatment rooms, including a larger room for couples or friends to have side-by-side treatments, or to accommodate disabled guests. Website: http://www.bathspahotel.com/

A 16th century house, thought to have once been a smugglers’ inn along a secret medieval contraband route, has undergone a £500,000 (around $930,000) refurbishment to offer nine guest bedrooms and a brasserie. Fritton House Hotel (opened May 1, 2006) is on the border of the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in eastern England and is situated within the Somerleyton Estate, which includes a Victorian mansion, Somerleyton Hall. The hotel offers views of Fritton Lake and an opportunity for guests to take part in activities such as fishing, boating and golf. The restaurant offers homegrown and locally sourced produce. Rooms from £120 (around $225). Website: http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/  

The Macdonald Berystede Hotel in Ascot, Berkshire completed a $15.5 million refurbishment in June 2006. The hotel includes a new roof terrace, and a Vital Health and Beauty Spa offering guests a 60 feet swimming pool, thermal suite with aroma steam room and Decleor treatments. The four star luxury hotel is located close to Ascot Racecourse which has itself just completed a $350 million redevelopment in time for Royal Ascot. Website: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/berystede

The Forbury Hotel, which describes itself as “the UK’s sexiest”, opened March 4, 2006 in the town of Reading, 40 miles west of London beside the River Thames. The stylish town house hotel has benefited from a $10 million investment with 24 guest rooms filled with English oak furniture, and featuring Hypnos beds, Bang and Olufsen entertainment systems and expresso coffee machines. The restaurant, Cerise, has its own entrance which leads past a waterfall; and there is also a private 30-seat cinema and a cocktail bar. Website: http://www.theforburyhotel.co.uk/

ABode Exeter opened in south-west England in September 2005. Located in the center of Exeter, the hotel has 53 contemporary-styled suites combined with traditional values of comfort. Each room boasts handcrafted Vi-spring beds, entertainment systems with LCD televisions, personal DVD players and complimentary broadband. ABode is a new collection of boutique hotels, created by hotelier Andrew Brownsword and two Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines. Website: http://www.abodehotels.co.uk/

The Macdonald St. Paul’s Hotel has opened in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, about 170 miles north-west of London. The hotel is in a new, landmark building with a dramatic glass façade and 161 stylish and comfortable rooms. The hotel includes an Italian restaurant, steak and seafood restaurant and Vital health and leisure spa. Sheffield is a cultural city, close to some of Britain’s most spectacular countryside; The Peak District, Britain’s oldest National Park, is just five miles from the city center, and Chatsworth House is also close by. Website: http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/

Continue reading New British Hotels and Upgrades 2007…

Crackling radio stations, signal loss in tunnels and difficulties tuning to the correct frequency – the conventional car radio has had its day. ESA and its partners are developing the multimedia car radio of the future. 

The car radio of the future works in a similar manner to a satellite receiver for television channels. However, the car has no large dish antenna on the roof, but a specially designed mobile antenna, flattened so that it can be built almost invisibly into the bodywork. The antenna receives signals in the Ku frequency band used by communications satellites.

The system uses existing communications satellites Memory The idea of an in-car satellite receiver is not new. In America, more than 13 million people use the services of XM-radio and Sirius radio, two broadcasters that transmit to mobile satellite receivers. They do that via communication satellites, but also with the help of a rural network of transmitter masts.

In two important areas, the new European multimedia system advances beyond existing solutions. Instead of new satellites and a network of ground-based transmitters – which might easily requites an investment of more than a billion Euro – the ESA system uses only existing communication satellites.

Additionally, the mobile multimedia system employs a cache memory – a hard disk or its solid-state equivalent. Received signals can be stored – in a similar way to personal video recorders – and played back after a short time shift or much later. This clever intermediate step prevents loss of signal in tunnels or behind obstructions from disturbing the programme. The listener can also select a part of the broadcast to listen to, or pause the show as they stop to buy fuel.

ESA developed the system with nine partners in the industry and service sectors. The main challenge was that the satellites used by the system were designed to broadcast television signals to large, fixed dish antennas. For use in cars, an entirely new approach was needed to achieve an antenna that can be easily built in by the car manufacturers.

ESA and its partners have worked on the mobile multimedia system for over three years. The technology has been demonstrated and has great potential for the car industry and information providers.

A group of well-known companies and institutes has carried out demonstration work, with SES Astra taking the lead: BMW, Deutsche Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR), Dornier Consulting, Deutsche Welle, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Institut für Rundfunktechnik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, and TriaGnoSys.

http://www.esa.int/