Jetsettersblog

Adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts will soon have the chance to experience the Great Allegheny Passage via guided biking tours. There will be two types of tours offered by Wilderness Voyageurs on select dates beginning in July and continuing through October.

Named one of the gems of the Laurel Highlands, The Great Allegheny Passage is a multi-use, motor free trail popular with both hikers and cyclists. The Passage offers over 200 miles of recreational path stretching from Washington D.C to Pittsburgh.

For those up to the challenge, Wilderness Voyageurs offers a six day Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Tour, suitable for intermediate riders, starting in Boston, PA and travelling through the small picturesque river and rail towns in the region.

The tour also features visits to Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Fallingwater’ and Antietam National Battlefield, site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle.

A three-day version of the tour is also available for riders looking for a shorter trip.

Once booked, the company will provide a training outline prior to the trip to ensure a pleasurable and memorable experience and will provide “inn to inn” transportation for riders’ luggage and other items.

For further information, prices or to book visit www.wilderness-voyageurs.com.

For more information on the Great Allegheny Passage, visit www.atatrail.org

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under the state Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to inspiring travel to Pennsylvania. For more information, go to www.visitPA.com

Most Advanced Thrill Ride Ever Conceived

Universal City, California — Based on the phenomenally popular “Mummy” films that grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill ride, “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride,” is the first attraction in history to feature a fusion of threshold technology, high-speed roller coaster engineering, CGI and other movie-based immersive storytelling techniques.

Ten years in research and development, “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” integrates design concepts by visionary filmmaker Stephen Sommers, who reinvigorated the classic Universal monster film franchise “The Mummy” into a worldwide smash.

Building on a multi-decade history as one of America’s premiere movie-based entertainment destinations, the introduction of such a cutting-edge roller coaster marked the full evolution of Universal Studios Hollywood from its origins as an authentic “behind-the-scenes” Hollywood studio tour into a world-class theme park and entertainment center.

The design and construction of the ride marks an unparalleled collaboration between a director and producers from the worlds of moviemaking and theme park design. Sommers’ longtime creative partner, Bob Ducsay, also applied extensive creative input into the rideUnique methodology in theming and technical elements for the ride have been conceived by the combined team resulting in a unique “High Velocity Show Immersion System” that completely engulfs the riders’ senses in the eerily-haunted world of “Revenge of the Mummy.

The ride also possess elaborately staged “dark ride scenes” and a revolutionary new ride track employing new linear induction motors to create a series of visual, visceral and motion-based effects that will continually surprise guests while drawing them into Sommers’ immersive storylines that have thrilled hundreds of millions of movie-goers worldwide.

“This is really a thrill for me,” Sommers said. “I am really energized to have the world of ‘The Mummy’ films turned into a thrilling, scary, scream-worthy ride. This is in many ways the next sequel of ‘The Mummy,’ and one that I personally can’t wait to experience firsthand.

In two of the world’s largest sound stages, unsuspecting guests will be swept into a terrifying underworld of ancient Egypt awash in deadly curses, powerful forces of nature and vengeful creatures intent on wreaking havoc.

The same technology employed in futuristic trains using magnetic levitation are being unveiled and utilized in the ride launch system. Among the ride’s many unprecedented design elements, magnetic propulsion launch wave systems will be employed throughout the experience, thrusting riders forward, backward and forward again.

“Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” themed elements are among the most elaborate ever created for a thrill ride experience. Universal’s ride producers have traveled to London’s British Museum to assure the authenticity of the ride’s shadowy, curse-ridden interior environment that will range from glistening golden amulets to dusty canopic jars containing the grisly remains of the haunted long-deceased royalty portrayed in the ride.

Other dramatic elements include objects and figures that startlingly materialize. Contrasting lighting effects will alter light levels from daytime ambience to total darkness. The number and quality of the ride’s fast-paced scenic effects will be unparalleled in theme park history and the experience from inside each of the ride’s cars will vary. Riders may experience different scenic elements each time they ride.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex; the Universal CityWalk Cinemas; and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue. The theme park features such groundbreaking attractions as the “The Simpsons RideTM,” “Revenge of the Mummy™ – The Ride,” “Shrek 4-D™,” “Jurassic Park® – The Ride,” and the world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds.”

Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

The Entertainment Capital of L.A. Universal City, California –

Hailed as one of the world’s most advanced film-based attractions, “Terminator 2: 3D,” created by the film’s Oscar-winning director James Cameron, combines thrilling live action stunts with sophisticated digital imaging technology to achieve the visceral, immersive effect of a virtual adventure experience.

In life-imitating-art fashion, the triple Academy AwardÒ-winner reunited the “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” cast with an Oscar-winning production team to ignite a unique fusion of spectacular live action and cinematic effects to recreate the dark foreboding futuristic world of the “Terminator” films.

An intense peripheral experience, the 3-D attraction takes the audience through an extraordinarily fluid mix of state-of-the-art technologies, immersing guests in a sweeping sensory encounter that seamlessly blurs the lines of reality and fantasy.

Directed by Cameron, together with four-time Oscar-winner Stan Winston, and Academy Award winner John Bruno (“The Abyss”), the “Terminator 2 3D” attraction is fueled by a 12-minute-long original film, filmed specifically for the attraction, that continues the storyline of the blockbuster.

Set in the present, “Terminator 2: 3D” sends the “Terminator” and cast member Edward Furlong on a time travel journey to Los Angeles 2029 and a world policed by cyborgs controlled by sentient corporate behemoth, Skynet.

To save humanity from total destruction, the duo takes on Skynet’s doomsday complex and its army of killing machines including the all-new, fearsome T-1,000,000.

If they are to succeed in preserving the safety of future generations, they must destroy Skynet.

The adventure begins when guests enter Cyberdyne Systems’ constructed headquarters as interlocking three-dimensional images and digital composite computer graphics are projected onto three massive 23’x50’ screens, spanning 165 feet and combined with explosive stunt work.

Spectacular stunt work abounds throughout the production. In one key production sequence, a 1,500-pound Harley Davidson “Fat Boy” motorcycle explodes off the screen, roaring onto the theater’s stage.

The stunt requires split-second timing and merges stunt performers with on-screen special effects through wholly innovative theatrical techniques.

“Terminator 2: 3D” was the first 3-D production to take full advantage of digital technology. The unparalleled creative team that conjured the fantastic images of “Terminator 2: 3D,” included 47 digital artists at Digital Domain. James Cameron, Stan Winston and John Bruno share the film’s directorial credit, with Cameron providing the overall vision and direction for the actors.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex; the Universal CityWalk Cinemas; and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue.

The theme park features a plethora of movie and television based rides and attractions, including the all new “King Kong 360 3-D” Created by Peter Jackson; “The Simpsons RideTM,” the “Revenge of the Mummy™ – The Ride indoor roller coaster,” “Shrek 4-D™,” “Jurassic Park® – The Ride,” and the world-famous behind-the-scenes “Studio Tour,” now with Hi-Definition monitors, which showcases an exclusive sneak peek of the world’s largest working film and TV production facility including landmark locations and sets such as Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds,” “Desperate Housewives” Wisteria Lane and the Psycho House-Bates Motel.

Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com)  is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

Universal City, California—Universal Studios Hollywood invites guests to enjoy unprecedented access to The Entertainment Capital of L.A. with its exclusive “Front-of-Line” Pass offering priority-entry privileges at all rides and attractions, including the mega-attraction, “The Simpsons RideTM,” the very popular “Revenge of the MummySM—The Ride” roller coaster and behind-the-scenes “Studio Tour” attraction, as well as reserved seating at all shows and behind-the-scenes admittance at select attractions.

A premium and popular ticket option, the “Front-of-Line” passes are sold in limited numbers to ensure guests have the flexibility to visit all of Universal Studios Hollywood rides and attractions without waiting in line.

With the special behind-the-scenes access, guests receive a sneak peek at how the stunts and special effects are performed at “Terminator 2: 3DTM” and “WaterWorld®.” (Behind-the-scenes access is available during off-season only.) The “Front-of-Line” pass includes a full-days admission to the theme park and can be purchased at all Universal Studios Hollywood ticket booths or at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com

Universal Studios Hollywood also offers print-at-home ticketing, available exclusively at its website designed to maximize guest convenience with immediately redeemable tickets that enable guests to print tickets at home, bypass the theme park ticket booths and proceed directly to the park’s entrance upon arrival.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex; the Universal CityWalk Cinemas; and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue.

The theme park features a plethora of movie and television based rides and attractions, including:

the all new “King Kong 360 3-D” Created by Peter Jackson; “The Simpsons RideTM,” the “Revenge of the Mummy™ – The Ride indoor roller coaster,” “Shrek 4-D™,” “Jurassic Park® – The Ride,” and the world-famous behind-the-scenes “Studio Tour,” now with Hi-Definition monitors, which showcases an exclusive sneak peek of the world’s largest working film and TV production facility including landmark locations and sets such as Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds,” “Desperate Housewives” Wisteria Lane and the Psycho House-Bates Motel.

Universal Studios Hollywood

www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com  

is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal.

NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex unveiled a new exhibit, Science On a Sphere, at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville.

Science On a Sphere is a global display that takes visitors on a three-dimensional journey around the world and throughout the solar system via dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere, oceans and planets.

Imagine looking at Earth from space, witnessing a season of hurricanes moving across the Atlantic, watching commercial air traffic movements all across the planet, and examining changes in sea currents and temperatures across the globe.

The sphere provides guests with a representation of a view of the Earth and planets as if they were viewed from space.

This engaging new exhibit at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will allow students and the general public to examine the planets and moons of our solar system.

Guests will be able to learn how space technology can aid in meteorological sciences such as hurricane prediction and global weather trends.

The images are displayed onto the surface of a six-foot in diameter suspended sphere in a darkened room, and visitors can walk around the entire globe for a complete perspective of the phenomenon being viewed.

“This new instrument will enhance our ability to tell the NASA story, and help illustrate earth and space science to people of all ages, and improve our ability to deliver inspirational science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning,” said Bill Moore, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Chief Operating Officer.

The system is pre-programmed with hundreds of data sets created by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA, and also includes several films, such as Footprints and Largest, that have been produced by NASA. Science On a Sphere is included with admission to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and the operating schedule will vary throughout the day.

The Astronaut Hall of Fame is included with admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The new Science On a Sphere exhibit at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is a collaboration between NASA Education and Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, operators of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

About Science on a Sphere

Science On a Sphere® is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe.

Researchers at the NOAA developed Science On a Sphere as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth science to people of all ages.

Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere, which is used to explain what are sometimes complex environmental processes in a way that is simultaneously intuitive and captivating.

For more information, visit http://sos.noaa.gov 

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Commander’s Club Annual Pass is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com

Stena Line has announced the launch of the world’s largest Superferries.

LONDON, ENGLAND — Stena Line has announced the launch of the two largest Superferries in the world which will sail the North Sea between Harwich and Hook of Holland this year.
Stena Line’s largest ever investment of over GBP375 million has been spent on building the two new vessels, with the Stena Hollandica launching on 16 May 2010 and the Stena Britannica following in autumn 2010.

The largest ferries of their type in the world in terms of combined passenger and freight capacity: each will be capable of transporting 230 cars, 300 freight vehicles and have 1,376 beds on board.

The 538 cabins, finished in a light and fresh style, will be equipped with Dux beds, wider than on standard ferries, measuring a minimum width of 900mm and up to 1600mm in ‘captain’s suite’ rooms. All cabins will have a modern en suite bathroom with Hans Grohe fittings, and larger windows have been installed in both bathroom and main cabin areas to provide a feeling of space and light.

Customers will be able to enjoy onboard services including buffet and a la carte restaurants, cinema, bar, lounge, media room and Internet corner. Customers can also stay connected throughout the journey with free wi-fi for all, mobile reception throughout the crossing and satellite television in lounges and cabins. There will be children and teenager zones, 12 kennels for dogs and a sundeck to allow passengers to relax outdoors during their journey.

Designed to have a low environmental impact, each Superferry is built in line with Stena Line’s Energy Savings Programme. Eco-friendly features on the new Superferries include catalytic converters, an improved hull design, highly efficient engines and better combustion rates, all helping to reduce environmental impact.

The ferries have facilities to recycle glass, cardboard and food waste onboard, while solar film on all windows will exclude up to 82% of the sun’s radiant heat, reducing the energy used by the onboard cooling system.

Departing twice daily, the crossing takes approx 6.5 hours with a choice of day or night sailings in each direction. Departures from Harwich leave at 09:00 and around 23:45 each day, and at 14.30 and around 22:00 from the Hook of Holland.

Lead in fares start at just GBP49 one-way for a car and driver, plus GBP12 per additional adult or GBP6 per additional child (up to 15 yrs, under twos travel free).

With a similar pricing structure to low fares airlines, as the cheaper fares sell out, the prices on popular crossings will rise, so those booking early make the largest savings.

Cabins for overnight crossings start from GBP18 per person one-way, based on two sharing.

About Stena Line:

Every year more than 450,000 people cross the North Sea between the UK and Holland with Stena Line, the largest ferry operator in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

In the UK alone Stena Line, which operates Europe’s most comprehensive route networks, offers two daily crossings on its Harwich to Hook of Holland route as well as over 30 daily crossings on its five different routes to Ireland (Stranraer to Belfast, Fleetwood to Larne, Holyhead to Dublin, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare) providing fast and efficient crossings with excellent onboard services and facilities.

Website: http://www.stenaline.co.uk

Paul and Geraldine Milsom proudly receive the Hotel of the Year Award from Pride of Britain Hotels.

Pride of Britain is a consortium of independently-owned luxury hotels.

They are the very best that the UK offers for hospitality and so to top the charts of the near 40 members takes some doing. Milsom Hotels and Restaurants have invested heavily in Maison Talbooth, set within the Dedham Vale on the border of Suffolk and Essex.

The unique hotel, in its secluded location, has wonderfully refurbished bedrooms, a state-of-the-art pool house and heated pool, tennis courts, hot tubs, the 2010 Award Nominated Treatment Rooms and the finest cuisine that East Anglia has to offer. It is testament to the ethos of the company and the hard work by all their team that they have won this award.

This year’s Pride of Britain AGM and award ceremony was held at fellow POB member, The Goring, London.

The History

Le Talbooth Restaurant was discovered by the late Gerald Milsom in 1952 when it was just a simple tearoom with a superb location by the River Stour.

Several years later, in 1969, Gerald bought Maison Talbooth and turned it into a luxury hotel.

In 2008, on the eve of its 40th anniversary, the Maison experienced an exciting reinvestment to ensure that it stays at the highest standard.

In 1978, Gerald, returning from a visit to America, decided that he rather liked the idea of having a seafood restaurant. The Pier was for sale… and the rest is history.

In 2001, Paul and Geraldine Milsom opened Milsoms in Dedham, which rapidly became the place to eat.drink.stay.

During this decade, the company also saw a growth in the outside catering arm of the business with Talbooth Catering, which is now the preferred caterer at many outstanding venues in the area.

In April of 2008, Paul and Geraldine saw another new venture with the opening of Kesgrave Hall. This magnificent, Grade II listed mansion has been refurbished – while maintaining the original features of the building – as a contemporary gastro bar with 23 stylish bedrooms.

Milsom Hotels are a unique collection of hotels and restaurants, personally run by the Milsom family who have over 50 years of experience in hospitality… We pride ourselves to be ‘the finest places to eat, drink and stay’.

Website: http://www.milsomhotels.com

Virgin Atlantic Airways has today released two essential apps which will be must-have travel companions for all globetrotters worldwide. The first, called ‘Jet Lag Fighter’, is an iPhone and iPod touch app which has been specifically developed to help travelers overcome the effects of jet lag. The second, called ‘Virgin Atlantic Flight Tracker,’ will help track in real-time, the location of each of the airline’s aircraft around the globe and retrieve the latest arrival and departure information as well as Flying Club details.

Research has shown most travelers find it difficult to manage the effects of jet lag when traveling across several time zones, which is where the Jet Lag Fighter comes in. Jet lag occurs when a person’s biological clock becomes out of sync with the destination’s local time, resulting in rhythms of daylight and darkness contrary to those to which they are accustomed. Symptoms include fatigue, disorientation, lack of energy, and broken sleep. Jet lag reduces productivity and enjoyment of valuable travel time – whether business or pleasure – and frustrates travelers who until now have felt helpless to address its effects.

To help travelers fight the symptoms of jet lag Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with Mental Workout, the leading developer of mobile and web-based apps that inspire and enable people to live better lives, and Dr. Chris Idzikowski, a world-renowned jet lag and sleep expert, to bring iPhone and iPod touch users this one-of-a-kind app.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, commented:

“Jet lag affects millions of travelers each day, either disrupting tourists’ enjoyment of their breaks or business travelers’ productivity on work trips. The Jet Lag Fighter app enables passengers to train their bodies to adjust to the new time zone and enhance the quality of their trip so now not only does Virgin Atlantic help passengers have a better journey to their destination, it can help them enjoy their time there too.”

The core functionality of Jet Lag Fighter is a personalized daily activity calendar providing advice based on the selected therapy type, the user’s personal profile, and trip details. In addition, the app contains a graph showing the real-time predicted adjustment, an alertness meter indicating the body’s peak levels of performance, in-flight tips based on trip length, and a multimedia guide to jet lag.

Mickey Beyer-Clausen, founder and CEO of Mental Workout, said:

“Mental Workout is dedicated to providing mobile apps that harness best-in-class expertise to inspire and enable people to live better lives. Helping travelers overcome jet lag is a perfect example of how mobile devices will improve our lives in unexpected ways. Dr. Idzikowski’s approach uses a clinically proven technique to reduce the effects of jet lag, but until now the accessibility of the approach was limited. By creating this app, we are helping travelers optimize their cross-time zone trips and make traveling a more enjoyable and productive experience.”

The ‘Virgin Atlantic’ Flight Tracker app is also being released today. The app allows users to track in real-time, the location of each of our aircraft around the globe and retrieve arrival and departure information. Passengers can also view the approximate flight path of each aircraft in addition to being able to set an alert, which will appear on their iPhone when their chosen aircraft lands at its destination.

“Flight schedules listed in a live feed and Flying Club account information, including recent transactions, are also available along with two fun games, ‘Where’s Richard’ and ‘Balloon Trip,’ which can be played while enroute to a destination.

Paul Dickinson, Director of Sales and Marketing commented:

“This Virgin Atlantic iPhone app allows our passengers to have the information that they regularly look for on our website at their fingertips wherever they are.

“The real time flight status, timetables as well as the alerts for flights landing is something we know will be really beneficial for both our passengers and their relatives alike.

” I am sure these two new apps will prove extremely popular with millions of travelers worldwide.”

The app can be downloaded from

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jet-lag-fighter/id368442238?mt=8

Creators of the most extensive, interactive tourist guide Application, Digi-Guide Edinburgh, have now launched the new Digi-Guide Manchester App.

A modern, good value alternative to traditional walking or bus tours, the Digi-Guides put the destination experience firmly in the hands of the tourist and their own interests. The comprehensive guide brings together a wealth of information and a number of unique features in to one simple, user-friendly Application. Combining audio commentary and striking photography with GPS map-tracking and local knowledge, Digi-Guide Manchester offers the widest range of downloadable tours of the city currently available. Other features include a pick of the best places to eat and drink.

The 12 detailed tours highlight key landmarks and points of interest along the way, from classic trails around the best of Manchester, such as Salford Quays and Manchester Art Gallery, to more unusual options, including the ‘Famous Manchester’ tour, or guides to the city’s best shops and its hottest nightlife.

The audio commentary function – a first in UK App tour guides, has been crafted by local residents, Zoe and Adam, and keeps visitors informed as they explore the city, giving a personal perspective and inside knowledge of Manchester’s hidden gems, off the traditional tourist track.

By using GPS technology, Digi-Guide Manchester remains self-contained, so visitors never have to worry about expensive roaming costs, often associated with similar interactive mobile guides.

The GPS positioning also enables visitors to be alerted to points of interest as they wander the city and ensures they never feel lost.

The new Digi-Guide Manchester App costs just GBP3.49, available from

www.itunes.com or

http://www.digi-guide.com

The first Digi-Guide in the UK, designed to guide tourists around Edinburgh, has just been launched in French, with German and Spanish versions being introduced shortly.

Download sales have been very strong since the App’s launch earlier in the year with April set to out-sell February and March combined. Digi-Guide Edinburgh will also be replacing their hand held devices with sleek new ipod touch devices teamed with a GPS cradle allowing a faster, more user friendly experience.

Other Digi-Guide destinations currently available include Barcelona, Paris, Seville, Buenos Aires and Lille. A brand new Florence tour has also just launched with the third and forth UK guides launching in 2010 to cover The Lake District National Park and London.

For further information on the new Digi-Guide Apps and the rentable hand-held tour guides, please visit http://www.digi-guide.com

Traditionally regarded as the hotbed of Italian golf, there is plenty to like about playing in the north of Italy which makes it the perfect destination for a golfing break.

More than a third of Italy’s golf courses can be found in the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont while great golf is also available in Valle d’Aosta and on the north-west coast in the Liguria area.

And, as you would expect from an area that includes the spectacular Italian Lakes, the standard of golf courses more than matches the rich history and culture to be found off the fairways.

Valerio Scoyni, director of ENIT, Italy’s national tourist board, said: “With seven airports serving these two regions we have a golfing product that is ideal for the UK golfer. Add to that the fine and cuisine along with great courses, I feel that Lombardy and Piedmont offer a great destination for a golfing break.”

One sixth of the Italian population live in Lombardy – around 10 million people and mainly around Milan – while a third of Italy’s golfers play on the 67 courses that are spread over the region.

Lombardy’s courses have been handed the honour of hosting 36 out of 66 editions of the Italian Open and it’s easy to see why with its range of excellent venues that will satisfy the appetites of all standards of golfers.

Among them and set in the Como hills, Villa d’Este is a woodland gem that regularly ranks among the best courses in the country while Monticello is regarded as one of the great classic venues which has staged the Italian Open seven times.

Menaggio and Cadenabbia Golf Club, which boasts American film star George Clooney among its members, is the second oldest in Italy having celebrated its centenary in 2007 and golfers will revel in the golf on offer around Lake Garda including Gardagolf, Colombaro and the luxurious Palazzo Arzaga resort.

Just as impressive is Piedmont with more than 40 clubs, including five of the top ten in Italy, located across the whole of the region.

Designed by Robert von Hagge, the two 18-hole courses at Bogogno are typical of the highly-regarded designer and are not to be missed,

Biella Le Betulle has been regarded as the best course in Italy by the Italian edition of Golf Digest for ten years in a row, Castelconturbia offers three impressive nine-hole layouts created by Robert Trent Jones Snr while Royal Park, on the outskirts of Turin, hosted last week’s Italian Open.

Valle D’Aosta’s courses offer golf in the magnificent setting of the Italian Alps while one hour south of Milan and Turin, Liguria belongs to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe with Garlenda Golf Club a must for any golfing enthusiast.

“We are proud of our golfing background in Italy and it’s now time for our visitors to taste the experience of staying here and enjoying our courses and embracing what Italian golf is all about. There is a uniqueness to our golfing product because we are Italians,” added Scoyni.

For further information on golf in Italy or to enquire about a golf break, please phone 020 7399 3550/7 or visit www.italiantouristboard.co.uk