Jetsettersblog

Zermatt specialist Mountain Exposure is adding star quality to its luxury chalet dining with the introduction of a Michelin-starred chef. Super-chef Gerry Kirwan has joined the team in its flagship property The Lodge, and will be producing gourmet dinners and breakfasts for groups of up to ten clients until the end of this season in late April.

Kirwan won the coveted star when he ran The Commons Restaurant in Dublin in 1993. He subsequently started his own Michelin-rated restaurant in Athlone, Co. Westmeath in 1995, for two years, and has since worked at Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

A typical dinner menu, starting with fine canapés and complimentary Champagne, might include his signature dishes: chicken and wild mushroom sausage with celeriac puree and pancetta jus cracked with white truffle oil, or pan-fried seared turbot on crushed baby potatoes with spring onion and a mussel broth topped with wilted spinach.

Kirwan, who, along with his wife Ann, forms a chef and host team, comments;

“We love it here, it is an opportunity to ski in a world-class resort and offer quality food to truly appreciative clients. Zermatt is renowned for both gourmet and skiing excellence, and we’re delighted to be a part of both.

“If a client makes an unusual request, we happily rise to the occasion! One client asked for my venison with sweet potato rosti three days running; another requested very specialised vegetarian menus, which is no problem for us.”

Donald Scott, aka ‘The Gourmet Ski Guide’, and director of Zermatt chalet specialist Mountain Exposure, adds:

“We are delighted Gerry has joined our team of top chefs in our luxury chalets. Our ethos is about gourmet living and Gerry’s presence has greatly enhanced this.”

To enjoy a luxurious holiday in Zermatt this winter season and to take advantage of Mountain Exposure’s exclusive special offers please call 08454252001 or email bookings@mountainexposure.com 

Visit www.mountainexposure.com  for further information.

About Mountain Exposure

Mountain Exposure offers luxury ski accommodation in Zermatt, Switzerland’s premier ski resort.

Now in its fourth year of operation, the company was conceived by four passionate skiers and snowboarders who were keen to share their love of Zermatt with discerning travellers.

Today, Mountain Exposure’s ski accommodation is renowned for providing a high level of quality and personal service.

All accommodation is carefully selected for its comfort and atmosphere, and chalets are decorated to the highest specifications.

HomeAway Holiday-Rentals partners with writers Lara Dunston & Terence Carter to show travellers a more authentic, enriching way to travel

In 2010, globetrotting travel writers Terence Carter and Lara Dunston, in partnership with HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, will swap hotel rooms for holiday homes and embark on a contemporary grand tour of sorts they’re calling Grantourismo.

The aim is to slow down, learn and do things, live like locals, and give something back to the places they visit, as they search for a more authentic and enriching way to travel.

Not only will Lara and Terence be chronicling their experiences via a dedicated blog and Twitter page that travellers can interact with, they will also be available to produce independent articles as they go. Get in touch and read on to find out more.

A huge number of Brits already favour holiday homes over hotels, enjoying the space, privacy, flexibility and authenticity they provide. According to industry analyst Mintel, around one in five people currently holiday in this way and self-catering holidays are rising every year.

In 2009, self-catering holidays were forecast to represent over 60% of all overseas holidays and Mintel expects the self catering market to continue to outstrip general holiday growth and exceed 34.3 million breaks by 2011.*

Thanks to the millions of people who own holiday homes worldwide, the choice of rentals is huge, with over 425,000 properties available on the HomeAway sites alone.

With this choice, HomeAway rivals the largest hotel chains in the world. The InterContinental Hotel Group, for instance, recently ranked as the worlds largest, with 619,851 rooms. Whatever type of holiday you’re looking for, and whatever type of accommodation, there’s a holiday home to suit.

With Grantourismo, Lara, Terence and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals aim to show how holiday homes provide the perfect solution to today’s travellers’ desires, and the perfect alternative to hotel rooms and resorts.

Travellers today are no longer just after a ‘holiday’ of sun, sea and sand, but rather a ‘journey’ where they learn about the local culture, arts, language and people of the places they travel too.

A holiday rental is the natural choice for such a trip.

For Lara and Terence, the idea of a ‘grand tour’, a slow, extended journey where they would immerse themselves in the destination had always been appealing. Having already been on the road for over three years, they have called hundreds of hotel rooms ‘home’.

But while they have much appreciation for hotels, at every opportunity they were quick to trade their swipe cards for door keys and check in to a real ‘home’, albeit a rented one, for a change.

Lara comments, “The contrast between hotels and holiday rentals couldn’t be greater – the chance to really slow down, relax, and take it easy at a holiday rental being the obvious one. There are no breakfast buffet times to wake for, no cocktails to scramble to, and no need to worry about when the kitchen closes. Plus by travelling more slowly, people are also travelling more sustainably – from taking the time to discover local markets and small neighbourhood businesses, to buying and eating local produce instead of expensive imported products. Not only is this kind of travel more sustainable, travellers are also able to learn how to live like locals; which is one of our key aims on this trip.”

Courtney Wylie, General Manager for HomeAway Holiday-Rentals comments, “Here at HomeAway Holiday-Rentals we have stayed in an impressive number of properties between us, discovering for ourselves the benefits of staying in a private home instead of a hotel.

Therefore, in 2010 it is our mission, along with Lara and Terry, to help more people discover this unique and liberating way of travelling.

Although many people have been holidaying in rentals for years, many are still to try it and yet it caters so well for the millions of travellers today who are looking for a more experiential, more involving holiday, not to mention better value for money.”

Throughout their trip, travellers will be able to interact with Lara and Terence and share their experiences via the Grantourismo blog and Twitter page, as well as on their banner above and the company’s Twitter, Flickr and Facebook pages.

The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman in Livermore, Calif., has achieved designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.

To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that it is maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas, including environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses is endorsed by the United States Golf Association.

It provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from all over the globe, numbering 797, with 52 in California have achieved this certification.

For more information, call 925-456-2425 or visit www.wentegolf.com

Montana River Outfitters
CONTACT: Jessi Stafford
TEL: 970.690.3488
EMAIL: jessi@atmstravelnews.com
WEB: www.montanariveroutfitters.com

GREAT FALLS, MT. — Neale Streeks is living the dream. As a fishing guide for Craig Madsen’s Montana River Outfitters, he is lucky enough to spend his days on the clear, scenic Missouri River – a.k.a. The Mighty Mo.

Streeks is not only a guide, but also the author of five fly-fishing books and a certified expert in the field – and for anglers of any skill, he’s a good man to have behind the oars when fishing the Missouri River.

Growing up in Maryland, Streeks became enamored with fly fishing as a child because he liked being outdoors. He dreamed of leaving the crowded East Coast for the unspoiled wilds and rivers of the west.

That dream came true in the late 70’s when he met Craig Madsen, moved to Montana and began to work for Craig Madsen’s Montana River Outfitters. He’s been guiding on the Missouri River ever since.

Due to the relatively low human population and abundance of rivers, Montana is considered one of the best states for trout fishing in the country.

It’s the perfect place for anglers to try their luck with Brown and Rainbow Trout.

“Montana does not stock its rivers,” Streeks said. “The result is a robust and healthy fish population.”

Healthy, indeed. A recent population survey by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks found the Missouri River holds over 4000 trout per mile.

The average fish size ranges from 14” – 22”. The biggest trout Streeks has caught, on the Missouri, measured 26”.

As a guide, Streeks likes to take anglers along the 30 mile stretch below Holter Dam. The river is scenic and clear- and because the water is downstream of the dam, a “tailwater”, the fishing is good year round.

This area of the river is near the small town of Wolf Creek, in-between Helena and Great Falls – making it a convenient fishing destination. Streeks guides anglers of all skill and is happy to work with beginners.

About Neale Streeks: Streeks is the author of five fishing books including: Drift Boat Strategies: Rowing and Fishing Skills for the Western Angler, Stalking Western Trout, Seasons of the Trout: Strategies of the Year-Round Western Angler, Small Fly Fishing Adventures in the West: A Guide to Angling Larger Trout and Drift Boat Fly Fishing: A River Guide’s Sage Advice.

About Montana River Outfitters: For more than 30 years, Craig Madsen’s, Montana River Outfitters (MRO) has been a one-stop fishing shop for guided trips, gear and flies. MRO has shops in Great Falls and Wolf Creek.

Discover Greenwich at London’s Old Royal Naval College opens March 23 as the new contemporary cultural venue in the heart of Maritime Greenwich.

Discover Greenwich will use state of the art interpretation techniques to tell the story of Maritime Greenwich and the Old Royal Naval College.

Over 500 years of history from Henry VIII’s Tudor Palace, Wren’s Royal Hospital for Seamen and the Royal Naval College will be explored through displays of never-seen-before historic objects on show to the public, film footage and models in permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The project also includes the new micro-brewery below.

The Old Brewery will open in Greenwich in March with a bar and restaurant.

The building has been reconstructed on the same site as the original brewery from 1717 which supplied beer to the pensioned sailors of the Royal Hospital over 300 years ago.

For more information, visit www.meantimebrewing.com

 or www.oldroyalnavalcollege.com

London will see several developments on its hotel scene this spring.

The four-star, 218-room Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa will open March 1, steps away from Battersea Park, and within close proximity to Chelsea’s many designer shops and restaurants on Kings Road and Sloane Square.

For more information, visit www.pestana.com

The 144-room H10 London Waterloo will also open on March 1 in a new building on Waterloo Road.

The hotel is located near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

This establishment is the second international opening of H10 Hotels in Europe.

For more information, visit www.h10hotels.com

The Metropolitan will refurbish all bathrooms in the 150 guest rooms and suites.

The new look will be completed by March.

Also, in celebration of London Fashion Week, the Met Bar has teamed up with British handbag designer Lulu Guinness to create a special liplicious “Lulu’s Tea” Afternoon De-Light menu featuring must-have designs from her forthcoming Autumn/Winter 2010 collection.

For more information, visit www.metropolitan.london.como.bz

Originally the Metropole Hotel that opened in 1886, the new Corinthia Hotel London will be completely refurbished with 300 bedrooms.

The hotel will also feature a number of suites offering views of the River Thames, The London Eye and Trafalgar Square.

For more information, visit www.corinthia.com

For more information on London, visit www.visitlondon.com

The second annual Alain Ducasse Market will take place at Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The renowned executive chef, who opened Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in September 2000, has arranged for his 15 favorite food suppliers throughout France to display pick-of-the-season produce and other provisions in the garden courtyard of the Dorchester Collection address on Avenue Montaigne.

The Alain Ducasse Market is open to the public and will unfold for foodies and gourmets.

Market-goers will have access to local purveyors of French produce and the freshest products including butter, cheeses, mushrooms, wild strawberries, fish, poultry and a range of fresh-grown vegetables.

The market will be displayed in the hotel’s courtyard amid a setting created just for the event by Pascale Benhamou, who redesigned La Galerie des Gobelins at Plaza Athénée.

While nothing will be sold at the Alain Ducasse Market, there will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate sustainable food, with tastings and tips on cooking and preservation to bring out the best in the kitchen.

Attendees will also receive the purveyors’ addresses where they can directly purchase the freshest products in France.

It’s an opportunity to get the contact information of the same farmers, butchers, poulterers, fishmongers and cheese sellers who supply Ducasse himself.

The event is complimentary and open to the public.

Spring rates at Hotel Plaza Athénée begin at 750 euros ($1,030) in a superior room accommodation.

For more information, call 800-650-1842 or visit www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

The Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan unveiled Vander Bar, set to open April 2010.

Named by the winners of the “Name Our Bar” contest, Vander Bar is located on the street level of the historic Midtown Manhattan hideaway on the corner of Vanderbilt and 45th.

In addition to a full bar, the hotel’s newest establishment presents a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as a menu offering light bites for happy-hour enthusiasts.

Visitors can easily access the bar through a separate 45th Street entrance.

The hotel launched a “Name Our Bar” contest in November 2009, encouraging guests and friends of the hotel to submit their suggestions for the new bar’s name.

After competing with more than 1,500 entries, the winners of the contest, Victor Anderson, Lucile Anthony, Christine Kepakis, Parker Lawrence and Michael Smith, will also receive special VIP treatment at the upcoming Grand Opening party where their names will honorably be inscribed on bar stools.

The five people behind the winning name will each enjoy a two-night stay for two in a suite at The Roosevelt Hotel, delectable daily breakfast at The Roosevelt Grill and a pair of tickets to one of New York’s hottest Broadway shows.

For more information or reservations, call 888-TEDDY-NY or visit www.theroosevelthotel.com

Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, Calif. (Napa Valley) has opened the Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead, a sustainable food, wine and agricultural center.

A local gathering place and Napa Valley destination, the multi-use location is anchored by Farmstead restaurant and the Long Meadow Ranch Winery’s new tasting room, as well as wine flavor and vegetable gardens, a seasonal farm stand, and an organic nursery.

Located on a two-and-a-half-acre site with an agricultural heritage dating from the 1870s, the property is solar powered and is maintained using the traditional, sustainable, and certified organic practices long employed by Long Meadow Ranch.

The Farmstead restaurant offers the seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking of executive chef/partner Sheamus Feeley, who most recently served as executive chef/research and development for Hillstone Restaurants at Napa Valley’s famed Rutherford Grill.

For more information, call 707-963-9181 or visit www.longmeadowranch.com

Los Cabos, Mexico, debuted two new attractions –

the Dunes Golf Course at Diamante and the Marina at Puerto Los Cabos. The 18-hole

Dunes Golf Course, located at the Diamante development, was built among the Pacific coastal dunes and hilly terrain of the Baja Peninsula’s desert.

The course was created by 20-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III.

The Marina at Puerto Los Cabos was built in a historic area and offers opportunities for sport fishing, whale watching and sailing voyages.

The Marina is only the second in Los Cabos, and is distinguished by its close proximity to the Gordo Banks, a popular area for fishing, as well as its location close to a natural offshore sea canyon, which allows for easier navigation upon approaching the marina.

The port offers a waterfront with shops, fine dining, an on-site spa, a mega-yacht club and an authentic marketplace.

For more information, visit

www.visitloscabos.travel