Jetsettersblog

Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” For Sh’un At Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

OSAKA,– Barely two years since its opening last January, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka’s Sh’un Kushiage and Wine has made it to the Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Wine List Awards for two consecutive years.

In 2008, its first year of operations, Sh’un received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence and in 2009, it raises the bar by clinching the Best of Award of Excellence – an even more prestigious award given to a select 816 restaurants around the world.

These annual awards by Wine Spectator, one of the world’s leading wine appreciation publications, recognise the best restaurants across the globe for their commitment to offering an outstanding selection of wine that complements the cuisine and appeals to a wide range of wine lovers.

The Best of Award of Excellence is the second-tier award, given to restaurants that clearly exceed the requirements of the Award of Excellence. To qualify for this level, a restaurant’s wine list must offer a selection of 400 or more wines, along with excellent presentation, and display either vintage depth with vertical offerings of several top producers from major regions or excellent breadth across wine regions. Sh’un is only one of five restaurants in Japan to have received The Best of Award of Excellence accolade.

“I am delighted to see such “Passion for Perfection” which is in line with our corporate credo, in which our employees embrace excellence with passion,” commented Christian Schaufelbuehl, General Manager for Swissôtel Nankai Osaka.

Martin Tang, Director of Food & Beverage, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka adds, “We are very proud to have been awarded for the second year running and even prouder for achieving a higher level of excellence.

At Sh’un, we provide a platform for all guests to get the best experience from their meal. We have taken great effort with our wine list and are delighted that our efforts have been recognised. Wine knowledge and expertise are not confined to just sommeliers and wine connoisseurs but shared with diners through recommendations of wine and food pairings.”

Martin continues, “We make it a point to offer reasonably priced premium wines by the glass in order to give our guests the opportunity to sample some of the boutique wines that are not easily available in the market.”

Opened in January 2008, Sh’un Kushiage and Wine is an upscale Kushiage restaurant with an extensive wine list of over 500 types of wines, ranging from popular wines to rarer vintages that have been carefully selected by the restaurant’s sommelier. At Sh’un, Kushiage, traditional Osaka cuisine is taken to new heights where the finest ingredients are prepared in innovative ways, and flavours and textures are combined for the ultimate sensory experience, unique only to Sh’un.

About Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

Conveniently located in the heart of Osaka just above Namba railway station, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka is directly connected to Kansai International Airport by train and only steps away from the city’s business, cultural and entertainment districts.

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka offers 548 exquisitely furnished guestrooms including 13 suites. Amrita Spa tempts with a full selection of massage and spa treatments while a fully equipped gym and in-door lap pool provide ample workout choices. To meet a full spectrum of conference and banquet needs, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka has a multitude of function rooms that can cater for a capacity of 10 to 1400 people.

For gastronomic pleasures, guests can choose from nine restaurants and bars – Tavola36 Italian Restaurant and Sky Bar, La Tour French Restaurant, Empress Room Chinese Restaurant, Minami Teppanyaki Restaurant, Hana-Goyomi Japanese Restaurant, Sh’un Kushiage and Wine, Café Swiss for all day dining, The Lounge for afternoon tea and evening cocktails and Mela Cafe for light meals and freshly baked pastries, breads and cakes.

For further information, please visit www.swissotel.com/osaka

Swissotel Nankai -  Swissotel Nankai > ITM > 5-1-60 Namba Chuo > Osaka > > 542-0076>4>From Kansai International Airport: Take Wangan Highway out of airport. Take Osaka City Loop. Exit at Namba Station / Midosuji Road.

Boutique Tours Australia have announced the launch of a new brand of luxury touring into the Sydney market, with Boutique Bespoke Tours, offering private, tailor-made touring itineraries in and around Sydney.

Designed for private travellers seeking a customised touring experience, Boutique Bespoke Tours offer a diverse range of day tour itineraries within Sydney, and to some of New South Wales’ premier regional destinations.

Itineraries are designed to offer fresh, innovative touring choices, with the flexibility to be individually tailored to suit traveller needs and preferences. “We’ve created a range of personalised experiences that really show visitors to Sydney just how enticing and diverse our wonderful city is,” said Managing Director of Boutique Tours Australia, Ray Andrews.

“Travellers don’t want to just see the sights – they want to really immerse themselves in our lifestyle, to experience what it’s like to explore and be a part of this dynamic, beautiful city with its stunning waterways, incredible lifestyle and exciting variety of experiences.”

Boutique Bespoke Tour options include half and full day itineraries, in and around Sydney. The “Sydney-sider” full day itinerary sees travellers accompanied by a private vehicle and guide showcasing not just the well-known Sydney landmarks, but also those hidden parts of Sydney found only through a Guide with a local’s knowledge and passion for the city.

The ”So, SO Sydney” itinerary includes a full range of quintessential Sydney experiences, from a Backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House with breakfast in the Green Room, to a seaplane flight over Sydney, a private 2 hour Harbour cruise with seafood lunch, and a Zookeeper-led tour behind the scenes at Taronga Zoo.

Family itineraries such as “Sydney with the Kids” include parent and kid-friendly fun, such as surfing lessons on Bondi Beach for the kids, while Mum & Dad can step behind the scenes at Australia’s oldest surf-living club, or enjoy the Bondi Cliff Walk.

Regional itineraries take travellers into the bushland of the Southern Highlands in search of iconic Australian wildlife, tasting wine in the boutique wineries of the Hunter Valley, or gaining insight into Aboriginal culture and seeing the spectacular views in the Blue Mountains.

The launch of Boutique Bespoke Tours is being rolled out as part of the Tourism NSW Sydney & NSW Uncovered Roadshow currently taking place in the UK and Europe, in which Boutique Tours Australia is participating.

Boutique Bespoke Tours complement Boutique Tours Australia’s range of existing award-winning, small-group tour products.

They currently operate Boutique Wine Tours to the Hunter Valley, Boutique Mountain Tours to the Blue Mountains, and Boutique Wildlife Tours to the Southern Highlands.

The company has been awarded Best Tour Operator in the Hunter Tourism Awards for the last 3 consecutive years, as well as 2008 Best Tour Operator in NSW.

For further information & bookings, 02 9499 5444

or visit www.boutiquebespoketours.com.au

Melbourne’s emerging north-west precinct has its first 4-star international hotel and the Mercure Caroline Springs is offering an opening ‘Suite Caroline’ special from $119 including an upgrade to a Superior King Suite – and to further ‘sweeten’ the deal, enjoy a complimentary dessert when you dine in the Mercure’s Zephyr Restaurant.

The Mercure provides the ideal option for locals who have visiting family, friends and ‘outlaws’ in town, or for those visiting local attractions, Witchmount and Galli Estate wineries and Atkinson Olive Grove and surrounding landmarks such as Werribee Open Range Zoo and the Scienceworks and Melbourne Planitarium complex.

For South Australia’s driving holiday-enthusiasts, the western location of Caroline Springs provides greater convenience, negating the need to trek into Melbourne CBD to find a quality accommodation option.

Zephyr Restaurant, named after a Greek westerly wind, offers both indoor and alfresco dining and bar boasting a diverse menu focusing on the best regional seasonal produce.

The food is perfectly complemented by wines from the impressive Grand Vins menu; a regional wine list available in all Mercure hotels offering a selection of red and white wines from local wine regions, to be enjoyed with a meal or by the glass.

Guests can also select from the ‘Pure Pleasures’ menu offering a range of premium brewed coffee and hot chocolate or a variety of loose leaf teas including the ‘Blooming’ tea – a careful fusion of exquisite herbal flowers and whole white tea leaves.

Located on Caroline Springs Boulevard, this modern six story complex features 104 rooms and suites complete with WiFi internet access available throughout.

The hotel promises to be the premier conference and event venue for Melbourne’s north-west offering a 300 seat function and conference centre, catering to meetings, events and private weddings.

Just 22 kilometres from Melbourne, the completion of the Caroline Springs Western Ring Road extension, coincided with the opening of the Mercure to provide a convenient direct access to Melbourne CBD, reducing travel time to around 20 minutes.

To book your ‘Suite Caroline’ package phone the Mercure Caroline Springs on 03 8361 3888. Offer is valid until 30 December 2009, subject to availability.

Mercure Caroline Springs is part of the Accor hotel group, which has successfully opened and managed hotels in greater metropolitan Melbourne, including the Novotel Glen Waverley which celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2008. So successful was the Novotel that the need for further accommodation in the Glen Waverley business precinct eventuated in the opening of the Ibis Glen Waverley, built adjacent to the Novotel, in December 2007.

Jeju Island off the southern coast of Korea is a nature lover’s paradise offering spectacular natural wonders like volcanic craters, impressive lava tubes, waterfalls that fall straight to the ocean and great hiking trails on Korea’s highest mountain, Hallasan.

Blessed with spectacles of nature created by volcanic eruptions, the entire island and its lava tubes were designated as World Natural Heritages by UNESCO in June 2007.

The lava landscape, blending odd-shaped rocks and caves, ponds, volcanic humps and craters, dry lands and great fields of grass is dotted with diverse and rare floral and fauna species.

Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong) is a dramatic volcanic crater which rises majestically from the ocean. Visitors to the island climb to the peak to enjoy the spectacular sunrise view from the top of a huge bowl-shaped crater set against a background of crystal clear seas.

You may be lucky to also see the famous Jeju women divers (haenyo) who often collect seafood in the seas around here.

See the lava wonders of Manganggul cave, the largest lava tube in Asia. It is an immense natural conduit formed by the lava which flowed through to the coast some 200,000-300,000 thousand years ago. Its around 5 metres in width and 7.4 km in length. Visitors can enjoy the stalactites, lava pillars, lava shelves and swirling walls along its length.

Mt. Hallasan, the extinct volcano that rises to 1,950 metres in the centre of the island has a crater at its top. Mt. Hallasan is home to more than 1,800 species of plants, nearly half of the 4,000 species found in the whole country. There are several enjoyable walking trails from around 2-5 hours in duration where hikers can enjoy the amazing views down to the coast.

A new brochure detailing Jeju’s volcanic craters and lava tubes as well as an excellent walking guide to the pathways along the beautiful coastline around Jungmun Resort have recently been released. Request your free copy by email today and explore Jeju Island’s natural wonders very soon.

Introducing the Spa at Château Élan –

In February 2010, the doors will open on the Spa at Château Élan, a five-star Salut Per Aqua in the heart of the Hunter Valley.

Part of the new Château Élan at The Vintage, the luxury spa complex has 18 treatment rooms dedicated to exclusive spa rituals, traditional hydrotherapies and social relaxation. It is one of very few places in the world where people can experience Terraké treatments supplemented by products from prestige group, Thalgo.

Terraké treatments are inspired by the principles of ‘four worlds’. Each world offers whole-body treatments with its own precious ingredients, scents, textures, techniques and music.

Thalgo specialises in marine cosmetology and spa therapies; its products draw richness and effectiveness from the marine universe to help drive efficient, effective results.

Examples from the exclusive Château Élan spa menu:

• Rare Essence facial treatment (for women): exotic botanicals, fruit butters and rare flowers combine in a double mask application for a succession of delicious sensations to regenerate and nourish the skin.

• Balneotherapy: Thalgo’s Detoxifying Algae and essential oils are added to the whirlpool of a geisha tub; the algae works with the effects of underwater massage to relieve tension.

• ‘Stretching After Exercise’ body exfoliation, massage and wrap (for men): smoothing sugar softens the skin while a stretching-stroke massage eases the body and mind; next, it’s into a nourishing body wrap made with sweetly-scented fruit and cereal butters.

Château Élan is also pleased to introduce spa treatments for teenagers, The Hydrolounge (a comfortable, fire-warmed ‘wet’ area) and a social spa area complete with alcohol and catering.

In addition to treatment rooms, the Spa will house 20 luxury spa suites giving guests privileged access, as well as total privacy courtesy an ‘airbridge’. Features unique to spa suites include a sensual plinth-mounted spa bath that is open to the room, and an ErgoMotion bed providing massage therapies and a ‘Zero Gravity’ option for neutral body position. Guests wanting total seclusion can opt for a suite with a Sanctuary Courtyard.

All resort interiors are tailored in muted tones and warm textures. All rooms include original artworks, spa baths, Nesspresso Essenza coffee systems, French Thalgo bathroom amenities, digital entertainment and online connectivity.

According to CEO Erik Stuebe, “The Spa at Château Élan is not only Australia’s newest spa, it’s one of the largest and most luxurious in the country. No expense has been spared and no detail has been overlooked.

“I will add, however, that while spa treatments are about relaxation and wellness, we believe that a little bit of indulgence can go a long way. Visitors to our social spa rooms will find the champagne is properly chilled…”

About Château Élan at The Vintage
Hunter Valley, NSW

Château Élan at The Vintage is Australia’s finest golf and spa resort. It is located in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Offering a luxury escape for up to 200 guests, the resort comprises a spa with 18 treatment rooms, 20 super-luxury spa suites and a series of private lifestyle villas. The $30m development, just two hours north of Sydney, will open in February 2010. It has been co-conceived by the group behind Château Élan in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Vintage is the Hunter Valley’s premier residential lifestyle community. At its heart is a Greg Norman-designed course which is ranked #2 in New South Wales and host of the NSW Open. The Vintage has bar, conference and full dining and catering facilities; the Clubhouse is home to the renowned Legends Grill restaurant.

For more details, visit: www.chateauelan.com.au

New Program Poised to Offer Unique National Park Experiences

Western Australia is poised to become home to some of the world’s most unique tourism experiences thanks to a new State Government program.

Tourism Minister Liz Constable and Environment Minister Donna Faragher launched the Naturebank program today to release land for low impact accommodation, mostly within national parks and reserves.

Naturebank works by identifying potential visitor accommodation sites and undertaking due diligence required to make a site ready for release.

Dr Constable said the program would provide a boost for WA tourism and provide opportunities for indigenous investment, employment and capacity building while offering eco-friendly, sustainable accommodation and nature-based tourism experiences.

“Naturebank will pave the way for world-class accommodation facilities and activities in the heart of our national parks – some of the most stunning and diverse attractions in the world,” she said.

“The accommodation will be environmentally and culturally sensitive, similar to our State’s already successful nature-based facilities – like Broome’s Eco Beach, the Eco Retreat in Karijini National Park, the safari camps in Purnululu National Park and Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef.

“Naturebank’s new developments will take employment and enterprise opportunities to remote parts of the State and give our tourism industry a significant boost.” Expressions of interest to develop the first site at Kurrajong (within the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park) will be sought before the end of the year and a second site is expected to be released early in 2010.

Mrs Faragher said Naturebank would create a nature-based experience to enable the enjoyment and improved understanding of WA’s unique environment, and that it is not just about development.

It is intended Naturebank be an ongoing program with new localities and sites added as they are identified. Sites would be released as performance-based leases and the period of lease set to help ensure a reasonable return on investment.
Mrs Faragher said the State Government also announced wide-ranging reforms to the way nature-based tourism was managed in WA.

“This review of nature-based tourism will allow future generations the opportunity to enjoy our natural environment,” she said.

“As part of the reforms, licence holders will be offered greater certainty and flexibility for their commercial tour operations while ensuring a greater commitment to a high level of environmental performance.” Restricted licence holders will be able to hold a licence for up to 15 years and there will be an increased emphasis on industry accreditation for unrestricted operators.

“WA’s national parks and other conservation areas require careful management to ensure they retain their appeal, while providing the services our visitors have come to expect from our parks,” Mrs Faragher said.

“The new recommendations will mean places like the Pinnacles, Purnululu and Ningaloo Reef can continue to be enjoyed by visitors each year while retaining their natural and cultural heritage for future generations.”

More information on Naturebank and the review of nature-based tourism can be found at http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au  or http://www.dec.wa.gov.au

PARIS, FRANCE – Europcar, the European leader in light utility vehicle and passenger car hire, has announced the launch of a new service which makes reserving vehicles easy via mobile phone.

With over 8 million adults in the UK accessing the internet via their mobile phone, a growth of 42% on 2008*, Europcar, Europe’s leading vehicle hire company, has launched car hire booking on the go with a new mobile car hire service reservation service for online booking from any web enabled mobile phone.

An integrated search engine makes it easy to find the desired car hire location, and there is a special application for iPhone users which automatically selects the nearest station.

Customers can also book additional equipment, such as satellite navigation systems and child seats, through this system.

To ensure a reliable and practical service, confirmation of each reservation made by cellphone is sent immediately and free-of-charge by text message and e-mail.

Once booked, the confirmation is sent immediately by free text and email.

Available in seven languages (English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish) and for all Europcar vehicle hire locations around the world, the innovative service is compatible with all mobile phones that have Internet access (including Blackberries, iPhones and other smart phones).

As part of the launch, a car hire deal of a 10% discount is being offered to Europcar customers until the end of November 09.

This offer applies to reservations of all passenger cars, as well as to vehicles in the “Prestige” range.

Contractual conditions for business customers will be applied automatically when they enter their contract number.

“We want to stay at the cutting edge of innovation and forge close relationships with our customers,” said Guirec Grand-Clement, Global Sales and Marketing Director of Europcar International.

“This new service illustrates our commitment and provides greater flexibility for the most mobile among these customers.

As a result, every owner of a mobile phone with Internet access can now reserve a Europcar vehicle at any time at any location in our network around the world.”

Providing a swift and easy way to book vehicles, this latest development is a further example of Europcar’s commitment to make car hire simple, accessible and stress-free.

Mayor of London says ’24 Hours London’ is ‘nifty’ with ‘brilliant tips’

Available on 4th November 2009, ’24 Hours London’ is a travel guide with a twist. Arranged hour by hour, from 5 a.m. to midnight and back again, the guide showcases London’s amazing variety of activities in a user-friendly format.

The easily digestible listings allow readers to duck in and out whenever they have a spare hour or two. From running up walls to hunting down ghosts – or just kicking back and relaxing at an underground loo-turned-pub – readers can see the top tips for what’s happening city-wide at any moment in time.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson says: ‘This is a nifty guide for Londoners and tourists alike. There are some brilliant tips whether you have just a day to spare, or much longer to enjoy what the capital has to offer. London has some of the most famous landmarks and attractions on Earth, so use this book to discover some of our city’s less well-known delights.’

For more information on the book or for review copies, please contact:

Marsha Moore
Author, 24 Hours London
+44 7847 129 805
press@24hourslondon.com
http://24hourslondon.blogspot.com

Visitors Find Expansive Art Walk a Fun and Educational Perspective of Boston

Guide by Cell Inc., the nation’s leading mobile technology provider for walking tours, cultural institutions, and nonprofit organizations, announced that its cell phone audio technology has been selected by the City of Boston for its new Public Art Walk.

100 cell phone audio stops provide an audio description of Boston’s many contemporary and historic works of art. The tour was commissioned by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events, together with the Boston Art Commission.

To listen to the Boston Art Walk audio tour, dial (617) 231-4053 (press 1# through 100#).

“The Public Art Walk celebrates our heritage and displays our city’s vivid cultural identity by casting an educational light on the hundreds of great art works throughout Boston,” said Boston Mayor Menino. “I encourage all residents and visitors to enjoy Boston’s ‘Outdoor Museum.’”

Public art in Boston is a reflection of the City’s diverse community and rich history. The Public Art Walk includes some of our nation’s oldest and most significant individuals, including abolitionists, educators, military heroes and statesmen, such as William Lloyd Garrison, Lucy Stone and Samuel Adams.

For example, at stop 58, visitors can call in to learn about an impressive bronze statue of President John F. Kennedy, whose family’s historic relationship to the city of Boston continues to be legendary. (Dial (617) 231-4053, followed by 58# to hear more about the Kennedy statue).

Through Guide by Cell technology, the city can now easily share engaging content on its incredible public art collection to any visitor carrying a cell phone. Mobile interpretation has helped Boston encourage residents and visitors to view its public pieces as an outdoor art museum.

“Guide by Cell’s technology provides a wonderful addition for anyone participating in this wonderful public art walk, and even for those who aren’t able to physically come visit,” said Karin Goodfellow, Staff Director of the Boston Art Commission.

“The cell phone audio tour is one significant component of our project to broaden awareness of public art throughout Boston. We also produced a beautiful public art map (download it at http://www.publicartboston.com)

We developed educational materials for grades K-12, which can also be found on our engaging web site.”
“Boston’s historic place in this country is significant, “said David Asheim, Founder and President of Guide by Cell. ” We are proud that the City of Boston Art Commission selected our technology to help share the behind-the-scenes stories with citizens and visitors of Boston.”

ABOUT GUIDE BY CELL

Give by Cell is the mobile giving division for Guide by Cell Inc., which is the official provider of mobile solutions to over 500 nonprofits, including many city walking and driving tours, several Smithsonian museums, national and state parks, aquariums and zoos, libraries, universities, and history and art museums. The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston is one of Guide by Cell’s clients.

Guide by Cell turns cell phones into mobile technology solutions. The company is the largest provider in the world of cell phone audio tours, text messaging interactions, and Apple iPhone downloadable applications. The company has recently launched a new division called Give by Cell to provide nonprofits throughout the United States with the ability to raise donations through text messages sent by their visitors and patrons.
Information about Guide by Cell Inc. can be found at http://www.guidebycell.com. Information about Give by Cell can be found at http://www.givebycell.com

Since wolves were introduced in Idaho’s backcountry, game animals have adapted to the new predator; humans who spend time in the mountains find they too must learn to adapt to the growing presence of wolves.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game would like to remind hunters that proper handling of game is essential anywhere in Idaho to avoid conflicts with carnivores.

Hunters who kill a big game animal should be aware that the gut pile and carcass attracts bears, wolves and other scavengers. Hunters in grizzly bear habitat should try to remove the meat the same day they kill the animal.

Any bear that discovers an unattended carcass may try to defend it aggressively. Hunters should place the gut pile on a tarp and move it as far away from the carcass as possible, then use the tarp to cover the carcass.
If the carcass must be left in the woods overnight in grizzly country, the hunter should try to place it so it can be seen from a distance away when the hunter returns.

Quarters should be hung 10 feet high in or between two trees. Place clothes or articles with human scent around the carcass.

When returning to the carcass, approach carefully. Yell or whistle repeatedly. Scan the area with binoculars. If a grizzly bear is at the site and refuses to leave, report the incident to Fish and Game.

Do not attempt to frighten away or haze a grizzly that does not leave the carcass when it becomes aware of you. Wolves and black bears can be scared off a carcass.

Hunters in grizzly country should always carry pepper spray. Shooting a grizzly may make it more aggressive. Though shooting a grizzly is allowed in self-defense, shooting it to protect a carcass is not.

Here are a few things hunters can do to avoid having conflicts with wolves and other large carnivores.

• After you bag a big game animal, it is wise to immediately quarter and retrieve your kill. If you must leave it in the woods overnight, it is best to hang the meat if possible, or to skin it and cover it with a tarp or plastic and leave articles of clothing at the site.

• When you have retrieved your kill, hang it between two trees, preferably 10 feet off the ground and four feet from the nearest tree to keep bears and other animals from getting it. Also hang meat away from camp and stock so that if a large carnivore comes to investigate, it does not scare your stock.

Wolves are now well distributed throughout the forested areas of north, central, and south central Idaho. Houndsmen should look for recent wolf sign before turning dogs out on a bear or lion track.

To prevent conflict between hounds and wolves, some hound experts recommend that dogs be kept on a leash while tracking until the track gets fresh. Hounds by themselves should not be allowed to keep an animal treed for very long, as the sound of the hounds may attract wolves.