Jetsettersblog

Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel Launches Bespoke Gourmet Dining Packages

Cyprus’ finest small luxury hotel, Thalassa Boutique Hotel and Spa, has launched its pioneering ‘a la carte blanche’ dining packages, individually tailored to each guest’s tastes and preferences to create a magical evening of elegance and gastronomic enjoyment. Whether to celebrate a special occasion or simply as a treat, guests can now experience truly personalised fine dining at a private location of their choosing within the beautiful surrounds of Thalassa – for example, overlooking the Mycenaean ruins – and indulge in up to seven or their favourite courses.

In direct consultation with guests, celebrated head chef Shuki Salem will create an exquisite, bespoke dinner made using the finest handpicked local ingredients, including herbs grown in the hotel’s own garden.

Shuki and his team relish the challenge of designing individual menus including anything from foie grais and duck terrine, caramelised fresh figs and dark chocolate to start; to an entrée of succulent, marinated beef fillet with grilled aubergine carpaccio and oyster mushroom relish or saffron poached sea bass with black mussels; with something suitably sticky for dessert, such as mascarpone and coffee parfait.

A selection of fine wines will be recommended to complement each uniquely designed course, and served by a dedicated private butler.

The gourmet dining packages are available for a minimum of two to a maximum of six guests, who can end the lavish evening enjoying moonlit views of the Mediterranean with a digestif in Thalassa’s cliff-top Captain’s Bar.

The innovative dining concept further illustrates Thalassa’s commitment to providing the utmost in service to its guests, and complements the hotel’s existing dining options; including the Psari seafood grill, serving sublime seafood with a twist; and Ambrosia, tempting palettes with a taste of traditional Cypriot and Mediterranean cuisine.

Boasting contemporary elegance and exceptional personal service, Thalassa Boutique Hotel and Spa also offers sumptuous suites commanding stunning 270 degree coastal views overlooking Coral Bay near Paphos, and a sensational range of signature treatments at Anagenisis, Cyprus’ first holistic spa.

Thalassa’s gourmet dining packages are priced at approximately €100.00 per person, based on seven courses and a glass of champagne.

For more information on the dining packages and reservations, contact the hotel directly by telephone +357 26 881 500

or email info@thalassa.com.cy

The ‘Indian Maharaja – Deccan Odyssey’, India’s first privately managed luxury train, is raising the bar for deluxe rail travel in India when it departs on its first eight day journey through the heartland of the Maharajas and Moghuls from Mumbai to Delhi.

With a series of departures each Wednesday between the two cities (from 18 November 2009 to 14 April 2010) the train has been designed to evoke the heritage, history and grandeur that was once the preserve of these regal emperors, with beautifully appointed luxury air conditioned carriages taking a lavish and picturesque route, as yet not offered by other Indian trains, through some of the less explored areas of Maharashtra and on to Rajasthan with visits to some of the best loved places in India.

Highlighting some of India’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, this exceptional train journey will visit the 2000 year old Ajanta Caves with their incomparable masterpieces depicting ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religious art; Emperor Akbar’s vast and now deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was once the capital of the Moghul Empire and the finest example of Moghul architecture, India’s most iconic monument – the Taj Mahal.

In the footsteps of the warriors of Rajasthan, travellers will also be able to take one of the winding paths to the spectacular 17th century Amber Fort which crowns one of the rugged hills surrounding the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and peek through the windows of the Hawa Mahal, the famous Palace of the Winds, subtly constructed so that the ladies of the palace could view the busy street below without being seen. There is also time to uncover the mysteries of Jaipur’s vast City Palace complex with its collection of costumes, carpets and impressive armoury as well as the 18th century Astronomical Observatory Jantar Mantar with its towering stone structures.

The opulence of the Maharaja’s will also be evident during a day spent in the stunningly beautiful ‘City of Lakes’ – Udaipur – with its vast City Palace complex of pavilions, terraces, courtyards and gardens.

For guests of the ‘Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey‘ a splendid gala dinner will be arranged that evening in the ornate Durbar Hall of the city’s Fateh Prakesh Palace where the room is hung with vast crystal chandeliers and lined with the paintings of past Maharajas.

With India boasting some of the most precious and rare wildlife, passengers will also disembark to experience a safari through Ranthambore National Park, once the private hunting ground of the Maharaja’s, when two thrilling game drives will take travellers in search of rare and magnificent tigers, as well as other wildlife including leopards, wild boar and sambar, the largest Asian antelope.

At the start or end of each train journey a tour of Delhi will explore both the old and new areas of the city. Contrasting Sir Edwin Lutyens’ designed New Delhi with its wide tree lined streets, that clearly reflect the legacy of the British Raj, with some of the cities older monuments such as the 12th century Qutub Minaret, which is the tallest stone-built tower in India and the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques where up to 25,000 worshippers can be accommodated at one time.

The Indian Maharaja is committed to the highest standards of service, comfort and luxury, it comprises of 21 coaches with 11 passenger cars allowing for eight people per coach in four well appointed compartments, each with a choice of king-size or twin beds and en-suite shower and restroom. In addition, there are two cars with two presidential suites each with a bedroom and living room and a butler is on hand for each coach to look after the needs of each guest.

Superb dining in a choice of two restaurant cars is assured with Taj Hotels and Palaces as the official on board partner, offering a choice of continental and Indian cuisine for every meal.

Other facilities include a relaxing lounge and bar, a ‘spa‘ carriage with steam bath, a business centre and the option to have private drivers and guides so that passengers can simply sit back, totally relax and enjoy the ever-changing view.

The cost of an eight night escorted group tour on the Indian Maharaja – Deccan Odyssey leads in at £2,895 per person with Great Railway Journeys.

The holiday includes schedule flights from London Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi to London Heathrow, 7 nights on board the Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey in a deluxe cabin, including all meals, 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner in Delhi, all excursions as detailed in the itinerary, the services of a Tour Manager throughout, all transfers in India, flight taxes and charges. Exclude visas.

For more details go to www.greatrail.com or for more details on the
Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey visit www.theindianmaharaja.com

Because the crowds have left, hotels often have great offers, flight costs have come down and now you can get your skates on as Guernsey has her very own ice rink for the first time in years.

Consider visiting Guernsey this winter because :

 The historic Market Square in St Peter Port will be home to Kyran Bracken’s Ice Rink for 4 weeks this Christmas opening on 12 December. Cost from £6 including skate hire.

 In this quieter season you may have a good stretch of the 27 miles of cliff-top paths to yourself for a while – time to savour the fabulous sea views and ponder.

 With a healthy appetite from all that walking have a hearty lunch and relax in front of an open fire. Hotel de Havelet, Moores, The Farmhouse, Fleur du Jardin all have real log fires as do the Captains Hotel pub and Haybarn.

 Christmas shopping in Guernsey is a treat. The gentle pace is reminiscent of times gone by. Find something in St Peter Port’s chic boutiques – hand made jewellery, silk scarves, rare prints and more. And there are special Christmas shopping trips to Herm island by boat.

Skates, scoff, boutiques and breathtaking walks ……. just some of the reasons why Guernsey in winter is worth a second look!

 More information VisitGuernsey, 01481 723552, www.visitguernsey.com

Here, our new hotels in Canada It List:

Thompson Hotel, Toronto, ON: Never heard of it? That’s the lure.

With branches currently in LA, Washington, DC, and NYC, Thompson is all about privacy and luxury. Only those in the know go. Given an original launch date of “Summer 2009,” hotel gawkers are chomping at the bit to get a firsthand look at the promised ninth hotel in the brand, which is bringing a rooftop pool and Dean & DeLuca mini-bar items to Toronto’s Design district. Expect it to land before the end of the year. www.thompsonhotels.com

Shangri-La, Toronto, ON: You can bet there’ll be plenty of ooh-la-las at the Shangri-La when the Asian hotel chain’s second Canadian property launches with a prime view of the city on University Avenue in 2011.

From CHI, The Spa, which promises personalized Himalayan treatments and Chinese décor, to the multimedia screening room, indulgence is the norm.
www.shangri-la.com/en/property/toronto/shangrila

The Keefer, Vancouver, BC:

This unique hotel  could launch a whole new standard in the boutique hotel category.

Set just outside vibrant Chinatown, these four 223-sq-m (2,400-sq-ft) residences will feel more upper-crust home than downtown stopover. Expect to pay about $1 a foot per night for a stay. But for some, the Euro kitchen cabinetry, limestone bathrooms, glass-bottom lap pool and rooftop personal training will make it worthwhile.
www.thekeefer.com

Georgia, Vancouver, BC: Think of it as your grandparents’ hotel with a serious facelift. The city’s historic celebrity getaway (Elvis Presley, Nat ‘King’ Cole and John Barrymore for starters) has had a multimillion dollar makeover in its bid to become the “most elegant hotel in Canada.” Sneak preview photos suggest it just might happen: 168 guest suites featuring rain showers and soaker tubs, plasma TVs and floor-to-ceiling frosted glass barn-door bathrooms are sure to tempt. It’s scheduled to open in late 2009. http://residencesatgeorgia.com/overview/hotel-overview.html

Galapagos Safari Camp is a 55-hectare farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island bordering the Galapagos National Park, 30 minutes from the sea.

The farm is rich in birdlife with finches, warblers, mockingbirds, galapagos doves, egrets and owls — tortoises also make frequent visits.

The farm has many local species of trees, such as scalesia, guayabillo, and palo santo which are rapidly regaining a foothold after years of cattle farming.

The camp has 8 luxury safari tents perched on a hill, providing comfort and privacy in the wilderness.

All tents have a balcony with views of the park and the ocean — they are spacious, attractively decorated, and each has a private bathroom, with hot shower and restroom.

Guests can gather by the fireplace in the main room to view the sunsets, taste the chef´s creative dishes that cater for the international palate in the panoramic dining room or enjoy the tranquility of the infinity pool with fabulous ocean scenery.

Latin Trails offers trips.

www.latintrails.com

MERLIN, Ore — Nationally recognized for culinary excellence by Bon Appetit magazine, the dining room at Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge sure to please even the most sophisticated palate.

Bon Appetit magazine has featured Morrison’s Lodge twice. First for its apple walnut torte with caramel rum sauce and second, for its Oregon griddle cakes.

One thing is for sure, guests of the lodge are treated to fine cuisine be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Breakfast is served country-style with plenty of choices to go around. Guests can request a box lunch for the day’s activities or order off the menu.

Dinners are all-inclusive featuring four elaborate courses of appetizer, salad, famous Orange Rolls, two main entrée selections rotating between beef, pork, lamb, fowl and fish, always served with seasonal homegrown vegetables and chef’s choice of starch.

The culmination of the meal is a home baked dessert served with fresh-brewed coffee or tea. The lodge has a full wine list as well as local microbrews. Meals (excluding alcohol) are included in the price of lodging.

The restaurant can accommodate outside dinner reservations as well. Morrison’s is a perfect place for anniversary dinners, rehearsal dinners, birthday dinners, or any special get together.

Fine dining deserves a fine setting and outside dining on the deck at Morrison’s overlooking the Rogue River cannot be duplicated anywhere. When the weather is uncooperative, diners can enjoy the views of the river through large windows in the dining room. .

www.morrisonslodge.com

Travellers to Montserrat now have a wider choice of value accommodation with the opening of the island’s first campsite and new eco-lodge.

The Mount Pleasant Eco Lodge and Camp Site is located in the lush forest of Woodlands, with direct access to many of the island’s walking and nature trails that criss-cross the Centre Hills region.

Accommodation at Mount Pleasant incorporates twelve camping pitches plus Harmony Cottage, a self-contained unit based on the design of a Mongolian Yurt. Harmony Cottage is circular in shape and contains a queen sized bed, an eco bathroom and kitchenette. A see-through panel in the centre of the circular roof gives guests a perfect view of the night sky.

Twelve wooden platforms of varying dimensions have been built under the trees as campsite pitches. Visitors to Montserrat can pack light as Mount Pleasant provides most equipment, including tents, which are available up to family size and tall enough to stand inside.

Other amenities provided are self-inflatable beds and cots, lamps, iceboxes, cookware and stoves. Shower and compost toilet facilities are available for guests staying in tents.

Mount Pleasant owner David Payne has created the accommodation with sustainability in mind. Solar panels generate the on-site electricity and water comes directly from the Centre Hills region (Montserrat has some of the best fresh water in the Caribbean). Guests are encouraged to share Mount Pleasant’s home-grown vegetables (when available) and enjoy the produce from its fruit trees, which include mangoes, paw-paws, oranges and limes.

Harmony Cottage is available for US $90 per night, while camping pitches range from US $20/night for a pitch-only site to US $35/night for a platform and tent, and US $45/night for a platform, tent and other amenities. These rates are based on two sharing, but prices for additional guests, plus group discounts, are also available.

For further information and reservations, see www.GreenLivingMontserrat.com  or contact David Payne on 001 664 491 2933 or email dvdpyne@gmail.com

There are no direct flights from the UK to Montserrat.

Travellers should fly to Antigua with BA or Virgin Atlantic, from where connecting flights are available with Winair (www.fly-winair.com ).

Charter flight services from Antigua can also be booked through Fly Montserrat (www.flymontserrat.com ). The flying time from Antigua to Montserrat is under 20 minutes.

For further information on Montserrat, see www.visitmontserrat.com  or telephone 020 7928 1600.

If you want to visit Aruba in grand style, check out the four new luxury suites at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino:

the 2,500 square-foot Governor’s Suite, the 1,900 square-foot Orquidea Suite and the two 1,150 square-foot Trinitria Suites.

The Governor’s Suite opens onto a pair of outdoor patios, while the Orquidea Suite and Trinitria Suites all have oceanfront balconies.

All four suites boast imported Italian furniture, handsome leather woven rugs, soaking tubs by world-famous designer Philippe Starck, as well as Mitchell Gold sofas and McGuire lounge chairs.

Each has floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping ocean views, while guests will also enjoy private check-in and the 9th-floor Regency Club Lounge.

Sitting on Aruba’s renowned Palm Beach and comprising nearly 12 acres of gardens, ponds, waterfalls and pools, the recently renovated Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino also features four restaurants, four bars, casino, a three-level lagoon complex, 18-hole championship golf course nearby, two tennis courts lit for night play, and state-of-the-art health club and spa.

http://aruba.hyatt.com

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort is thrilled to announce the confirmation of three high profile Aboriginal artists who will be exhibiting their work in Mulgara Gallery from Saturday 14th November for 10 days.

The three artists are Bessie Nakamarra Sims and her two daughters, Wendy Nungarrayai Brown and Alma Nungarrayai Granites. Bessie is the wife of Paddy Japaljarri Sims, both of whom are Warlukurlangu Artists founding artists.

Bessie, and her two daughters Wendy and Alma, will be painting and exhibiting their art and displaying examples of other artists’ work from Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation of Yuendumu, a not for profit organisation that has more than 600 members all of whom are Indigenous artists. Yuendumu is an Aboriginal community 300kms northwest of Alice Springs.

The Mulgara Gallery is located at Sails in the Desert Hotel at Ayers Rock Resort.

Ayers Rock Resort has been responsible for the management of a hugely successful ‘Artist in Residence’ program in Mulgara Gallery, as well as the sale of authentic Aboriginal artwork through Mulgara Gallery and Craftworks retail outlets throughout Ayers Rock Resort.

Ayers Rock Resort General Manager Bernard Boller said: “We’re delighted to have Bessie and her two talented daughters confirmed to paint and exhibit at the Mulgara Gallery. They are high profile, Aboriginal artists, who have exhibited all over the world, and it will be an honour to allow guests to watch these artists at work.”

Every month, Mulgara Gallery has an ‘Artist & Craftsperson in Residence’ program, with high-profile Aboriginal artists exhibiting and selling their work. Artists have included Maureen Nampitjinpa Hudson, Julie-Anne Nungarrayi Turner and the Maruku Arts team of artists from the local Mutitjulu Community.

Authentic Aboriginal art is sourced from a variety of suppliers including Mbantua, Alice Springs, Better World Arts, South Australia, and Waringari Arts, in Western Australia, and sold to guests ensuring strong and consistent economic benefits to Aboriginal communities in Central Australia and the Top End.

The Gallery also showcases an extensive range of Central Australian indigenous art representing different regional styles, including Central Desert dot painting from Papunya and Mt Allen, colourful body art from Utopia and artefacts such as Didgeridoos and other tribal instruments.

Voyages is an Australian resort company, providing experience-based holidays in spectacular wilderness locations.

For more information on the Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation of Yuendumu please go to: http://www.warlu.com/about

WHO WE ARE

Bar owner Gary Henshaw and Pride Director Shaun Newport have come together to launch the LGBT Tourist Office.

The venue will be the first and only, dedicated, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) visitor centre in London. It will also be a vital resource for London’s LGBT residents.

WHAT WE DO

• Friends faces: The centre will have a full and part time staff to guide, direct and advise all comers. They will receive training on LGBT issues, have first-hand experience of all the city has to offer and be able provide all the latest news and recommendations.

• Info: Visitors and residents alike can come into the office to find information. We will have info on hotels and travel services, LGBT magazines and brochures, news on nightlife around town, information on community events, charities and volunteering opportunities, sexual health info, arts and cultural events, relevant maps and guides.

• Services: Guests will be able to get online at our laptop hub and even get themselves a fresh, hot drink or cool beer from the bar.

• Consume: Customers will be able to buy tickets to events and activities, take advantage of theatre deals, enter competitions, pick up free entry flyers/queue jumps and many other perks especially for our visitors with the Visitor Cards.

• Further info: As well as all the latest on gay London we will have all general tourist information specific to London and supporting LGBT work around the country.

Whether you have been here a lifetime or have just stepped off the tube for the first time we will give you a hand on getting around.

We want to show that London’s exciting LGBT life is the best in the world. We will show off what our city has to offer to local, national and international visitors as well as to Londoners old and new.

The community has responded enthusiastically lauding the centre’s arrival. We have been too long without one.

WHY WE DO IT

Fantastic activities happen all year round including Pride London, The London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, sports, arts, charity fundraisers, health courses, workshops and educational courses, shopping, leisure events and clubbing so we feel it is important for all the information to be found in one place.

In this way we provide a hub to support the LGBT community and focus the world’s eyes on our freedoms and the rich, diverse, deep and wide-ranging people, services and lifestyles to be found in the city.

Did you know that London has more LGBT visitors than any other city in the world and have more members of the LGBT community living here than anywhere else in Europe.

WHERE WE ARE

We are based in Soho at 30 Lisle Street, WC2H (above Ku Bar, behind the Vue Cinema and within view of the Leicester Square tube station).

We will be open Monday – Saturday from 12pm to 6pm.
Find out more by:

• Emailing shaun.newport@gaytouristoffice.co.uk

• Calling Project Manager – Shaun Newport on 07972 685 726

• Or visiting our website www.gaytouristoffice.co.uk

WEBSITE

www.gaytouristoffice.co.uk will be a vital resource for anyone planning a trip to London and will also provide news and guidance on LGBT London for locals.\
We are opening in challenging times and look forward to working together to maximize opportunities for everyone.

We will be developing and growing over time and will be happy to receive any proposals and initiatives.