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Wellington’s ‘little black book’ is hot off the press, giving the inside scoop on the city’s top accommodation, activities, attractions and transport options.

The Wellington Trade Directory 2007/08 comes in a black cover, with a banner wrap titled ‘your little black book’.

“We’re excited about this new edition of the Wellington Trade Directory,” says Positively Wellington Tourism CEO Tim Cossar. “It’s chic, stylish, and showcases all the great experiences this region has to offer.”

“Wellington is rapidly becoming an international visitor destination of choice,” says Tim. “It has been dubbed a ‘City on the Rise’ by Lonely Planet’s prestigious Bluelist, and is receiving a high degree of interest from offshore media and travel trade.”

“The Trade Directory plays a vital role in continuing to grow Wellington’s reputation. It is one of the key pieces of marketing collateral we produce each year, and is used for overseas sales visits and trade events.”

The full-colour, 61 page directory contains information about Wellington and the surrounding regions of Kapiti, Porirua City, the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. It also includes itinerary suggestions based around themes such as nationhood and heritage, and arts and culture.

“The ‘little black book’ puts the spotlight on Wellington’s amazing range of attractions,” says Tim. “From museums and art galleries to conservation experiences, Wellington has it all.”

The Wellington Trade Directory 2007/08 will be showcased at sales visits to China and South East Asia in March this year, and KiwiLink USA in April.

Golden Chain Motor Inns has signed up another property in Western Australia as it continues to be the fastest-growing accommodation group in Australia.

They have picked up the Gloucester Motel at Pemberton, and now have 322 member motels, resorts and apartments throughout Australia in its 21st year of operation.

Golden Chain’s Bryan White says the Pemberton property, strengthens the group’s representation in Western Australia and provides a wider range of options for travellers seeking a special tourist experience in quality accommodation at a reasonable price.

“We are the largest motel chain in the 3-4.5 star range and we have established a reputation of excellence that has won the support of traveller,” he said.

“We have had an enormous endorsement from moteliers, looking to reduce costs without reducing their standards as well as from travellers.” 

The Gloucester Motel is a 3.5 star property with 50 units located in the heart of the world-renowned Karri Forest, offering the perfect opportunity to take in first hand the majesty of the magnificent trees.

It offers the best value accommodation in Pemberton and has a fully licensed restaurant and bar.

Guests can also visit the wonderful vineyards of the region or travel along the magnificent waterways.

Host Ian Leaning says he joined Golden Chain because it is the biggest in the 3 to 4.5 star range and “looked family oriented”.

“I had a bad experience with another group and I felt Golden Chain looked more attuned to our needs.

“It was also a better economic proposition for us so there was no question that we should join.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) and Guangzhou Zhong Tian Ying Real Estate Development Co. Limited have announced an agreement whereby Starwood will manage Sheraton Huadu Resort in Guangzhou, Guangdong province of China. The newly built 97-villa Sheraton resort is scheduled to open in January 2009.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has expanded its portfolio in the Greater Pearl River Delta and Guangdong Province of China significantly in the last two years with the signing of new hotels in Shenzhen, Dameisha, Guangzhou, Zhongshan and Huizhou. With the signing of Sheraton Huadu Resort, Starwood now has 5 hotels in operation and 9 hotels under construction in the Pearl River Delta and Guangdong province under its Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien and W brands. Starwood currently operates Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien and Westin hotels in Macau, Hong Kong, Dongguan and Shenzhen in the Greater Pearl River Delta region.

New hotels under development in the region include Sheratons in Zhongshan, Dameisha, Shenzhen, Huizhou and Guangzhou, a Westin in Guangzhou, a Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Dongbao and a W hotel in Hong Kong. Once the Sheratons, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton and W are complete, Starwood will have more than 4,000 guestrooms in the Greater Pearl River Delta region.

“We are honored to partner with Guangzhou Zhong Tian Ying Real Estate Development Co., Limited to establish Sheraton Huadu Resort. With the addition of this resort in Huadu, we have further strengthened our foothold in the Pearl River Delta and Guangdong province, a rapidly developing industrial base in China. Guangdong has the highest Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) of all provinces and areas in China, and is the largest light industry production base in China and accounts for over half of China’s total output.

The area has always seen strong demand for high end hotel room products and services to meet the expectations of both domestic and international frequent travelers and we are excited about our strong footprint growth in this area,” commented Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “This new resort will be located in Beixin Town, in the northeastern part of Huadu city in Guangzhou, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and will be an inviting place for people to stay and reconnect. We are eager to offer a warm Sheraton welcome to those traveling to Huadu and look forward to complementing Starwood’s strong presence of resorts in China and Asia Pacific,” added Ko.

Huadu, located to the northwest of downtown Guangzhou, currently attracts around 3.5 million business travelers annually and is a major gateway city connecting with the northern inland area of Guangdong province. The resort will be located at the Li Tau Zui Reservoir in Beixin Town with a lakefront location and water views. It is about 45 minutes by car from downtown Guangzhou and 10 minutes driving distance from the New Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

The resort will be part of an integrated residential community consisting of the resort, golf driving range, 18-hole golf course, over 1,000 private villas, retail shops and two club houses. The resort’s facilities will consist of 97 villas, 13,000 square feet of meeting space, two restaurants, one lobby lounge, a health club, spa and resort style swimming pool surrounded with lavish tropical landscaping.

The signing of Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongbao heralds the continued expansion of Four Points by Sheraton brand in China and in Asia Pacific. The brand was first introduced to China with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen in late 2004 and subsequently the opening of the first Four Points in Shanghai in 2006: Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Pudong. Other Four Points by Sheraton hotels in Asia-Pacific are located in Sydney and Geelong in Australia as well as in Chung Ho, Taiwan. New Four Points by Sheraton additions will be coming to Dalian, Daning-Shanghai, Changshu, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou. Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongbao is scheduled to open in 2009.

“We are thrilled about the choice location of our new hotel in Guangzhou and are honored to partner with Guangzhou Hejing Real Estate Development Co. Ltd to manage this exciting new addition to our portfolio in Guangzhou and China, which will provide the Four Points by Sheraton brand with a great presence in the economic center of the Pearl River Delta, one of China’s leading commercial and manufacturing regions. With macro-economic growth in Guangzhou in recent years, we are seeing more internationally branded hotels developing in Guangzhou. This will drive more business and leisure travel to Guangzhou and further solidify its already well earned reputation of the most dynamic areas in southern China,” said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Asia Pacific.

“We see great potential to grow the Four Points by Sheraton brand in China, given the high level of domestic travel and the demand for both domestic and international travelers for a comfortable, fun and fuss-free hotel experience that at the same time provides great value,” added Ko.

Besides Four Points by Sheraton Dongbao, Starwood is currently developing four other new hotels in Guangzhou : The Westin Guangzhou ( mid 2007 ), Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel ( 2009 ), W Guangzhou & Residences (2010) and Sheraton Huadu Resort (2009).

Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongbao will be located within a mixed-use development consisting of the hotel, offices and residential units in Dongbao area, Guangzhou city. The hotel facilities include 310 guestrooms, over 5,800 square feet of meeting space, three restaurants, a health club and spa as well as an outdoor swimming pool. Dongbao is located east of Tianhe district, also known as the central business district of Guangzhou city, and 20 minutes from Zhujiang New Town, the extended new central business district of Tianhe district.

With easy proximity to the new Guangzhou International & Convention Center in Pazhou via the Dongbao bridge which connects Dongbao with Pazhou as well as underground railway station under construction, Dongbao is set to become another business hub in Guangzhou.,.

Hong Kong winner of the Australian Wine Sommelier Competition for two consecutive years when he was just in his mid-twenties, Alan Tsui has 13 years of experience working with fine wines. Even more extraordinary is his admission that no one drank in his family; everything he knows is through learning and tasting.

“I was introduced to wine when I first started working in hotels,” Alan recalls. “Then, as it started to grow as an interest, I began studying bartending and the intricacies that went into making cocktails. I am now taking on more and more responsibilities here at the Sheraton, and oversee the wine selection for the entire hotel.”

A native of Hong Kong, Alan has been with Sheraton Hong Kong for ten years. Indeed, Sheraton Hong Kong is where he landed his first job. Today, he spends 80 percent of his time overseeing operations in the Oyster and Wine Bar as well as the Sky Lounge. He is responsible for selecting and ordering wine, assisting guests with matching wine to food and overseeing wine dinners and tastings.

“Lots of Hong Kong people have an interest in wine, especially younger people,” Alan says. “We have lots of local guests who come regularly. Five or six years ago, everyone just ordered red wine. Now, champagne and white wine are just as popular. 90 percent of the spirits consumed in our restaurants tend to be wine.”

Alan admits that one of the trickiest aspects of a Sommelier’s job is to match Chinese food to wine. “Chinese food depends so much on the cuisine’s region and the ingredients used,” he explains. “Sometimes it is difficult to match wines to Chinese food. Tasting is the key to get a sense of what goes well with each type of dish.”

As for starting a wine cellar, Alan advises for beginners to refrain from buying expensive wines at first. “If you buy to collect, you may buy what you don’t or won’t drink,” he cautions. “Test which is right for you. Invest in a wine cellar unit; Hong Kong is too hot and wine will go bad quickly in the humidity.”

“Sheraton’s Oyster and Wine Bar is a unique environment,” Alan enthuses. “The view is spectacular. And we listen to our guests, striving to make improvements. So far, we have 200 wines in our collection, quite an extensive one for a hotel our size. I plan to double that figure in two years. By far, French wine is the best seller—there are lots of French expats living here in Hong Kong. For white wine, guests enjoy imports from New Zealand, while French Bordeaux is always a good choice for a red. I also see more and more people choosing martinis and vodka, too.”

Argentina is well known for its love of horses and polo matches and a stay on one of its traditional ranches just outside of Buenos Aires can give visitors a true taste of Argentina from a by-gone era.

The Argentinean countryside is littered with century old ranches or ‘estancias’ and the Estancia El Rocio, a working ranch just over an hour from Buenos Aires, is one of the best that is open for visitors.

Facilities at the four bedroom estancia include a swimming pool, stables and two polo fields, all set within amazing gardens and countryside. Activities that guests can take part in include riding, golf and fishing, plus the option to attend a polo clinic designed for both advanced and inexperienced riders.

The ‘gauchos’ were known as the ‘wanderers of the Pampas’ and were the cowboys of South America. Their method of grilling meat on an open fire has been a tradition in Argentina since the 1700’s and guests of the ranch will have the opportunity of sampling this Argentine style BBQ during their stay.

Flight Centre is offers full board packages at the estancia from £209 per room per night that includes standard room and private bathroom (based on two sharing), plus four meals per day. A private transfer from Buenos Aires can be pre-booked from £30 one way.

Flight Centre currently has flights to Buenos Aires from £559 flying with Iberia Airlines from Heathrow via Madrid and accommodation in the city from £37 per room per night at the Concorde hotel, close to Puerto Madero, with its popular shops, bars and restaurants by the River Plata.

- Book now for a five star spring break -

VisitBritain has awarded its prestigious five star rating to each of English Heritage’s five self-catering holiday cottages, which opened in April 2006. Unparalleled views, luxurious bedrooms and well-equipped kitchens have made the cottages hugely popular with visitors. This seal of approval marks the culmination of a successful first year for the English Heritage holiday cottages. The portfolio was extended by a further eight cottages in January 2007 at sites including Battle Abbey in East Sussex.

Developed in restored and refurbished buildings within site grounds, each cottage mixes contemporary luxury with the sites’ heritage, creating a totally unique holiday experience. The cottage programme was initially rolled out at five sites, including the charming Pavilion Cottage at Osborne House.

English Heritage’s Head of Property Development Rob Parkes commented: “We are absolutely delighted that VisitBritain has awarded our cottages this accolade. We have invested heavily in ensuring the cottages meet the highest possible standards of comfort. The result is holiday cottages that are as enjoyable to visit inside as the fascinating historical sites at which they are situated. We are working towards achieving the same accolade for our new properties.”

Why not book a short break at one of the cottages over the Easter holiday or May Half Term? The five star Fort House at St Mawes Castle, Cornwall is still available and prices start from £420 for a 3-night break (full availability outlined below).

VisitBritain’s judging panel said of the cottages:

• “Obvious care and thought has been demonstrated in creating this unique property. No doubt Pavilion Cottage will enjoy high levels of occupancy and provide guests with a memorable holiday experience.” (Pavilion Cottage, Osborne House, Isle of Wight)

• “Exceptional standards noted through out.” (Sgt Major’s House, Dover Castle, Kent)

Availability over Easter (13-20 April) and May Half Term (25 May – 1 June):

5* Fort House, St Mawes
13-20 April £420 (wkend) £775 (week)
25 May- 1 June £420 (wkend) £775 (week)

Prior’s Lodge, Mount Grace Priory
25 May- 1 June £420 (wkend) £775 (week)

Pool House, Witley Court
6-13 April £540 (wkend) £1005 (week)
25 May- 1 June £540 (wkend) £1005 (week)

Cambridge Lodge, Audley End House
6-13 April £420 (wkend) £775 (week)
25 May- 1 June £420 (wkend) £775 (week) 

The Greenhouse Apartment, Walmer Castle
30 March-6 April £360 (wkend) £665 (week)

Garden Cottage, Walmer Castle
30 March-6 April £360 (wkend) £665 (week) 

South Lodge, Battle Abbey
30 March-6 April £360 (wkend) £665(week)

• Prices start from £420 for a 3-night weekend break. For prices, more information and to book please call 0870 333 1187 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages

• Cottages are available for week-long (7 night) stays, long weekends (3 nights, Friday-Monday) and mid-week breaks (4 nights, Monday-Friday).

• Please note that short breaks (3 and 4 day) can only be booked 4 weeks in advance and week-long stays run Friday afternoon to the following Friday morning.

Clients can join these two day viewing tours as part of a tailor made package or as an extension to one of InsideJapan’s small group tours. The chances of viewing bears in the mountains during the summer are close to 100%, if the group does not manage to see any bears then they can have their money back!

Run in association with one of the most active bear conservation groups in Japan, this is an ideal way for nature lovers to spend a fun weekend as part of a group learning more about bear conservation issues with an expert guide. Oscar Huygens is one of the three founding members of the Shinshu Bear Research Organisation, and the first person in Japan to obtain a PHD from studying Asiatic black bears. An energetic and fun guide with an incredible knowledge of bears.

The two day tour will begin in the castle town of Matsumoto, 2.5 hours outside Tokyo, before travelling up into the mountains by car and then following a hiking course to the alpine region. Accommodation will be at a mountain lodge and in the evening there will be a one hour presentation on bear ecology and on bear-human conflicts in this area of Japan.

The following day, the group will have breakfast in the mountain lodge before hiking down to the valley. The group will stop for an “obento” lunch on the way taking in the breathtaking sights of the alpine region. Throughout the hike, people will be able to see how and where bear-human conflicts have taken place. The group will then continue to Matsumoto and arrive by early evening.

The two day bear viewing tours depart every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday throughout July and August with prices starting from £195 per person. One night’s bed and breakfast accommodation, one evening meal and transport from Matsumoto station to the mountains is included.

“We are very proud to have the opportunity to work with Oscar Hyugens and to be able to add this fascinating tour to our summer 2007 line-up. It is a wonderful insight into the life of bears in Japan and we are pleased to be able to raise awareness of conservation issues in the alps”. Celia Green, Group Tours Manager.

Launched in 2000, InsideJapan Tours is a small, dedicated team of specialists, all of whom have first-hand experience of living, working and travelling in Japan. The company offers a range of original, affordable packages for small groups and independent travellers. InsideJapan Tours is a ground operator, with offices in the UK and Japan. They are members of AITO and fully bonded through AITO Trust.

Tel. 0870 120 5600 Web: www.insidejapantours.com

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, the luxurious Relais & Châteaux hotel in Evershot, Dorset, enjoys an outstanding location amid some of England’s most picturesque and historic landscapes. In 2007, the hotel will be teaming up with Wessex Heritage tours to help its guests unlock these riches.

Wessex Heritage Tours will be giving guests the opportunity to explore the history, heritage, and legends of one of Britain’s most fascinating regions. Among them the World Heritage sites of Bath, Sherborne Abbey and the Jurassic coast, some of the most beautiful gardens and country houses in England and the landscapes that inspired Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen and the Powys brothers. Wessex Heritage Tours offer an expertise and knowledge that is the product of intimate acquaintance, making them the perfect guide for those who seeks a deeper understanding of this beautiful area.

Guests travel in small groups and appreciate the expert knowledge provided by hosts whose families have lived in the heart of Wessex for over six generations. In association with Wessex Heritage Tours, Summer Lodge has created special breaks built on a range of Wessex Days, each giving a different flavour of what makes this fascinating area so special. You can also choose from Special Interest Days that focus on particular themes and interests in greater depth.

Already planned for 2007:

Thomas Hardy & Literary Wessex: 31 March/1 April
English Gardens: 19/20 May
Cathedrals & Abbeys: 21/22 July
Bath & Sherborne: 22/23 September

In addition to the fascinating tours, guests also enjoy the unique delights of a hotel listed by Tatler among the top twenty in Britain, and described by Period Living Magazine as simply ‘perfection’, including a restaurant and cellar that is among the finest in the country.

For full details and prices please call the hotel on 01935 48 2000, or book online at

www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk/Wessex

http://www.summerlodgehotel.com/
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