Jetsettersblog

To celebrate the launch of BMI’s new direct service from Heathrow to Bergen, Hurtigruten is offering free flights on a limited number of departure dates in April for its Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, plus additional savings off the brochure cruise only price of up to 22%. Prices lead in at £1544 per person including full board and free flights.

The offer is currently available on 16 April (covering the Easter break), 27 April and 30 April departures onboard either the Trollfjord of Midnatsol two of the leading ships in the fleet. The popular UNESCO Geirangerfjord will have just opened up for the summer, allowing the Hurtigruten ships to sail into it, which is an experience many people wish to enjoy.

The Classic Round Voyage calls at over 30 ports of call as it travels north and on the return journey, many of the ports that were visited at night on the way up are visited during the day. So there really is the chance to enjoy everything.

CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE WITH FREE FLIGHTS – From £1544 per person including 11 night’s full board on the ship voyaging from Bergen in the South to Kirkenes in the far north and back plus free flights from London Heathrow. Based on two sharing.
For more information call Hurtigruten 0844 448 7601
or www.hurtigruten.co.uk

Notes to editors – deep link for offer
http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/norway/Offers/Latest-offers/Free-Flights-and-up-to-22-per-cent-

The luxury four-star Montague on the Gardens in Bloomsbury marks the start of National Barbeque Week (May 30 – June 5) with the launch of its summer season of al fresco dining – surely bringing Central London’s best barbeque to life.

The sizzling sounds and appetizing aromas of rosemary- and garlic-roasted suckling pig, succulent grilled tuna steaks, sticky baby spare ribs, surf ‘n’ turf, burgers and much more will fill the air as Chef gets the charcoal burning on the Montague’s outdoor decking. There will be plenty for vegetarians too, with marinated halloumi skewers, corn on the cob with chilli salt and Cajun spiced Portobello mushrooms – just some of the dishes on the menu. All these can be washed down with a classic Pimm’s No. 1, homemade lemonade (with an optional shot of limoncello) or traditional Iced Tea.

The Montague on the Gardens enjoys a unique position overlooking private gardens belonging to the Duke of Bedford, and the outdoor decking and adjacent cigar terrace allow guests to enjoy a rare oasis of calm in Central London.

The Al Fresco burger menu is available for residents and non-residents alike and will be served every day from lunch until late, though visitors are advised to check ahead, in case of any prior bookings. Sunday afternoons will be extra special with Porchetta suckling pig served between 12.30 and 2.30pm, accompanied by live music all afternoon. The fuller Al Fresco menu will be available for larger parties of 35 or more only, so book that special summer celebration to take advantage.

General Manager Dirk Crokaert said, “Guests have already been enjoying the Montague’s award-winning afternoon tea “Al Fresco” due to the lovely warm Spring we’ve had. Now we’re kicking off our Al Fresco summer dining menu to coincide with National Barbeque Week and are looking forward to welcoming guests to spend long summer afternoons and evenings with us.”

The Montague on the Gardens, the luxury four-star hotel in Bloomsbury, is an elegant and long-established Georgian townhouse hotel overlooking a secluded private garden square. The 100 luxurious rooms and suites, including one two-bedroom apartment, are elegantly understated, furnished with luxurious fabrics capturing the timeless elegance of Bloomsbury and its literary heritage. This four-star hotel is within strolling distance of the West End and The British Museum, and a mere five minutes from the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. Guests find themselves just minutes from London’s Financial District, Covent Garden, shopping on Oxford and Bond Streets, the West End theatres and Russell and Bloomsbury Squares. The Montague on the Gardens is part of Red Carnation – a luxury collection of five and four-star boutique hotels.

For more information, please visit www.montaguehotel.com  or call +44 (0) 207 637 1001.

The UK’s leading guided walks specialist, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, is offering a 13 day veritable ‘feast’ of a holiday to three of the World’s most beautiful and fascinating cities – Venice, Florence and Rome.

Combining art, history, culture and fine food and wine, this tour includes superb city walks with train travel linking the various destinations.

In Venice, one enjoys a boat ride across the lagoon to the four star Hotel Riviera on the Lido plus the splendour of St Mark’s Square and other marvels of the city.

In Florence, highlights include, The Doumo, Campanile and Baptistery, The Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, views from Fiesole over the city with The Duomo standing out against the skyline. Accommodation is in the three star Hotel del Nazioni.

In Rome, with the thee star Domus Sessoriana as a base, highlights include, a stroll across the Campo dei Fiori with its famous market and the forum – a 2000 year old city within the heart of modern day Rome.

Price from £1,299 per person, includes return flights, transfers, bed and breakfast accommodation, 10 dinners and the services of a dedicated tour leader on all walks.

www.RamblersHolidays.co.uk
01707 33 11 33

• Award-winning Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have been established since 1946 and are now the leading guided walking holidays operator in the UK
• The company now operates to over 250 destinations in 65 countries.
• It offers a range of graded walks from leisurely to challenging.
• The operator contributes monies to the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust which supports environmental projects in the UK and community projects overseas.
• Their portfolio also includes specialist holidays linked to walking such as, cooking, cruising, birdwatching, rail journeys, photography, singing and flora.
• Ramblers Worldwide Holidays provide a fully protected service as members of ABTA, AITO & The CAA.

Nestled amongst the exclusive boutiques of Belgravia between Lowndes Square and Motcomb Street and a stone’s throw from Harrods and Harvey Nichols, guests will discover their hidden gem – a spacious and secluded terrace set within the courtyard of the Hotel.

Framed by elegant greenery The Terrace’s shaded tables and sumptuous Pommery Champagne Bar create an elegant, yet relaxed space in which guests can enjoy a simple, uncomplicated menu offering a range of salads, grills and light bites.

With dishes ranging from decadent Rock Oysters with shallot vinaigrette to relaxed sizzling BBQ fare and Sharing Platters for those wanting a lighter snack, The Terrace menu includes food to suit every whim. The drinks menu has been compiled with the same consideration offering Pommery champagne and cocktails. The signature ‘Terrace Breeze’ cocktail, a refreshing mix of mango juice, Tanquery gin, Smirnoff vodka, orange juice and grenadine looks set to be the accessory of the summer for The Terrace clientele.

Launching from mid-April and open daily from 11am – 10pm, The Terrace is the perfect destination to enjoy lunch and dinner or simply an evening drink during the balmy summer months.

A brand new Borneo biking adventure through primary rainforest with more fauna and flora than the Amazon, combined with a stay in a traditional Long House and a ride through Sabah Tea Plantation are just some of the highlights of a ride around SE Asia’s highest peak.

This eight day trip, starting and ending in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, includes one day skills preparation, training and a warm up ride, followed by a five day attempt to circumnavigate Mount Kinabalu experiencing jungle trails, ferocious rivers and isolated villages as well as rural market towns and deserted beaches.

With an extensive background in exploratory and remote expeditions in Borneo, Fieldskills Ltd, is offering a new mountain bike route around South East Asian’s highest peak in Malaysia. The two expeditions in June and October are aimed at encouraging more people to venture into trying something new, unique and a very long way from the beaten track.

Simon Amos from Fieldskills said; “We’ve tested out this route twice, in 2005 and then last November when we made the ride unsupported in four days, carrying all our food and camping gear and we discovered a new section to the route which took us through primary rainforest and saved us many hours on gravel roads. Now we are looking for a small team of keen bikers to join us on another attempt at this great journey which takes in a greater diversity of fauna and flora than the Amazon, allows us to meet local people, ride through traditional villages, stay in a traditional Long House and ride through Sabah Tea Plantation.”

The expeditions take place in June (18-26) and October (1-9) and cost £1450 (people will need to organise their own flights). The price includes: full support 24/7, jungle training, qualified guides (local and international), accommodation (hotel, camping, traditional), 6 days mountain biking, all food and drinks*, four wheel drive backup on route, your gear transported to each day’s location, mobile base camps, rider transport from Kota Kinabalu airport to accommodation upon arrival and departure*, riding support during each day’s ride, mechanical support, qualified medical personnel.

For information, itinerary and booking details please visit:   www.fieldskills.com/adventures

The UK’s leading guided walks specialist, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, is offering a 20 day tour of Namibia with its wide horizons, stunning landscapes and wildlife.

Providing some of the most exciting walks in the World, the country is ‘split’ into three distinctive area – the long, narrow coastal Namib Desert; The Central Plateau with rugged mountains and valleys and finally, the Red Sand Dunes of the Kalahari Desert.

The adventure begins with a wornderful drive from Windhoek airport into town, with possible baboon sightings en route.

Highlights thereafter include the Etosha National Park – one of Africa’s largest game reserves – with 114 species of mammal including, the rare black rhino and black-faced impala and cheetah.

Twyfelfontein, renowned as one of the most impressive stone age sites in the World; the coastal town of Swakopmund with its old-world charm set amidst green lawns and palmtrees – an oasis with the Namib desert as a backdrop.

Sossusvlei, in southern Namibia, with its coloured dunes, Sesriem Canyon and the Rostock Ritz – overlooking the Namib desert, rocky mountains and grassy plains where zebra graze.

Price from £2,930 per person, includes return flights, transfers, half-board accommodation and the services of a dedicated tour leader on all walks.

www.RamblersHolidays.co.uk
01707 33 11 33

: Independent tour operator, Prestige Holidays, has added Croatia to its portfolio with the launch of a dedicated 64-page brochure under a new brand called ‘Essentially Prestige’. Holidays start from £299 per person for a week’s stay at either the four star Hotel Kastelet in Tucepi or the three star Hotel Kastil on the Island of Brac. Both breaks include: return flights from London Gatwick to Split, road and sea transfers and B&B accommodation (01425 480400 www.prestigeholidays.co.uk ).

‘Essentially Prestige’ offers a wider range of accommodation and holiday experiences than the established Prestige Holidays portfolio, which focuses on luxury four and five star breaks. The operator’s first brochure, Love Croatia X, features a selection of three and four star hotels, self catering properties and more unusual options like lighthouses, farmhouses and gulet-style cruises as well as some five star properties.

Chairman and Managing Director, John Dixon, comments: “Croatia is known as the Mediterranean as it once was. It’s beautiful, unspoilt and much closer than people think, as it’s just a two-hour flight away. The name Love Croatia X reflects our affection for the destination and emphasises the specialist nature of our brochure. Our aim is to become the UK’s leading specialist to Croatia”

“The ‘Essentially Prestige’ brand offers the same high standards of personal service and attention to detail for which Prestige is known.”

Croatia has over 1,700kms of coastline and Essentially Prestige’s brochure features:

• 23 resorts

• Nine islands: Sveti Nikola, Crveni Otok, Cres, Rab, Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Sipan and Lopud

• 71 hotels ranging from three to five star in the regions of: Zagreb, Kvarner, Istria, North Dalmatia, Mid Dalmatia and South Dalmatia.

In addition to the well-known resorts of Dubrovnik, Split, Makarska, Porec and Opatija, Love Croatia X opens the door to less familiar spots including the island of Rab in the Kvarner region, one of the few places with sandy bays, (22 to be exact), and Medulin in Istria with its excellent sports facilities and sandy beach. Zadar on the north Dalmatian coast makes an entrance with one of the best summer festival scenes in Europe.

Something Different: Lighthouses, Volunteering Holidays and Palaces

Some of the more unusual properties on offer include a selection of fully equipped and lovingly restored lighthouses like Lighthouse Grebeni. Just a five-minute boat ride from the 5 star Hotel Dubrovnik Palace in Dubrovnik, this property is ideal for couples looking to get away from it all. However, for those that still crave a delicious dinner, Dubrovnik Palace’s private butler-chef is on hand to prepare it.

‘Essentially Prestige’ is offering a seven night stay from £628 per person in September or October including: British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik, airport transfers and BB accommodation based on six guests sharing.

Volunteering Holidays are available at the Eco Centre Caput Insulae in the tiny village of Beli (population just 25) on the island of Cres. This remarkable centre aims to preserve the heritage and biodiversity of this uncommercialised and hauntingly beautiful island. Volunteering duties for adults could include helping local shepherds, marking eco-trails through the forest; feeding recuperating injured Griffon vultures and clearing ponds. Children get to tend the butterfly garden; maintain and enjoy the children’s labyrinth and feed smaller animals

On the Dalmatian island of Brac ‘Essentially Prestige’ is featuring the Palace Deskovic, a Renaissance property dating back to 1467. This 15-bedroom hotel has been lovingly restored complete with one of the original fortresses and an artist’s studio that guests can use. Decorated with antique furniture the building is a registered cultural monument and it shows. Essentially Prestige is offering seven nights from £709 per person including: return flights from Gatwick to Split, transfers and BB accommodation.

Also featured is Casa Oraj, a renovated traditional farmhouse on the hill above Lovran that sleeps eight people. It is set among terraces of wild flowers, herb gardens and fruit trees and comes complete with its own cave. Ten villas are featured on the islands of Hvar and Brac.

Two Centre Breaks

Two centre stays include:

• 14 nights combing the island of Rab with the coastal resorts of Opatija or Lovran,

• 14 nights taking in Dubrovnik and the islands of Sipan, Lopud or Korcula

• A five night stay comprising two nights in Zagreb with three nights on the coast at Opatija or Lovran

On the Water

With a coastline over 1700 km long and over 1,000 islands, being on the water is second nature to Croatians. Love Croatia X offers three different cruise itineraries on traditional motor sailing crafts similar to Turkish gulets. One starts and ends in Split, another starts and finishes in Dubrovnik and the third departs from and returns to Opatija cruising through Kvarner Gulf and North Dalmatian islands. Facilities on board are quite simple but the beauty of the experience is the boat’s ability to access tiny coves and ports that defy the larger vessels.

Learning and Experience Holidays

Specialist tennis academy breaks, gourmet getaways, cycling and hiking disused railway tracks, sea kayaking and river rafting are a few of the experience holidays on offer in this stunning destination.

Croatia is served by 11 UK airports with flight times ranging from two hours from Gatwick to Pula in the North West to 2.5 hours for the Gatwick to Dubrovnik in the very south of the country. The ‘Essentially Prestige’ team offers a specialist Croatia Concierge service for clients who wish to be escorted for all or part of their stay.

Love Croatia X takes a fresh approach to this emerging destination with honest, expert descriptions. A dedicated email address – croatia@prestigeholidays.co.uk will be answered by Essentially Prestige’s experts. The brochure also features comments from celebrities who have enjoyed stays in Croatia including: Jennie Bond, Michael Nicholson (OBE), Jilly Goolden and Wanderlust’s editor-in-chief, Lyn Hughes. For further information call ‘Essentially Prestige’ on 01425 480400 or consult www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/croatia

They love children at the five-star London Hotel, The Milestone. This Condé Nast Gold List hotel always endeavours to make your stay a truly wonderful experience for the whole family. When traveling as a family, you not only expect a warm welcome with child-friendly amenities, you want to have the very best experience possible for both the grown-ups and the little ones. The award-winning service and splendid luxury offered at The Milestone Hotel not only deliver this, but they go much further by spoiling the kids with a host of complimentary items, activities and thoughtful touches, keeping them entertained throughout their stay without any extra expense.

Some of the great included kids’ amenities include a teddy bear book and a chocolate mouse on turndown, color pencils and coloring books, children’s movies or various games, and a wonderful program for the more adventurous: the “Milestone Mini Experience,” which includes a supervised behind-the-scenes tour to visit different departments in the hotel. At the end of the tour, the children are given a small task to perform such as icing tea cakes or learning how to fold napkins, and they will then receive their very own Milestone Certificate.

The Milestone’s “We are Family” package is designed to accommodate two adults and two children in a range of room types including their ‘Family Room’, which comprises two interconnected or adjacent Deluxe King or Twin bedrooms.

The “We are Family” package includes the following at no extra charge:

A night in either a Deluxe Studio, Junior Suite or Master Suite, or in our Family accommodation for families with two children
Special beds, bedding or cots when sharing a suite
Welcome glass of champagne and fruit for mum and dad
Mocktails and ice cream or hot chocolate for the kids on arrival
Complimentary gift for the kids on arrival
Complimentary dining when eating with parents
Complimentary in-room entertainment including the latest blockbuster films
Complimentary use of extensive children’s DVD library
Complimentary use of assorted children’s board games
Complimentary use of WiFi gaming console with the latest games
No Tears’ children bathroom amenities
Children’s bathrobes and slippers

We Are Family is priced from $600 per room per night based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Studio and from $975 for a Family Room (exclusive of VAT). Children must be 12 years or younger. Package and rates are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Package is valid until December 31, 2011.

For more information and to book for afternoon tea or an overnight stay, please visit www.milestonehotel.com

About The Milestone
Situated in the heart of Kensington, overlooking Kensington Palace and Gardens, the quiet and understated elegance of The Milestone is celebrated for its style, comfort, and exalted levels of personal service. A Grade II listed showpiece of the Victorian era, now restored to its former architectural splendor, is today home to a five star hotel that offers 56 individually designed rooms and suites and six two-bedroomed apartments, all lavishly decorated with the finest fabrics and furnishings. Boasting 24-hour butler service, Cheneston’s fine dining Restaurant, Park Lounge for traditional afternoon tea, Stables bar and fitness centre with resistance pool and spa treatment, this exquisite Kensington hotel is a short stroll to the Royal Albert Hall, and within easy reach of Knightsbridge and the West End. The Milestone is part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a family run collection of boutique hotels, and a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World.

At the foot of the South Downs National Park, five miles from the Sussex coast, you and your girlfriends can discover award winning boutique hotels and restaurants such as ‘Good Hotel Guide 2010′ recommended Arundel House; find sanctuary in spas offering sumptuous warm chocolate-orange body wraps; unearth unique treasures from over thirty independent shops such as Sorbet where you can buy exclusive footwear, as worn by X-factor stars Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson; buy rare American foods including ‘Lucky Charms’ and ‘Hershey Bars’ at multi-award winning ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’ Sparks Yard; indulge in a celeb-style Swiss chocolate-orange body wrap at The Rowan Tree spa; use the town as a base for a weekend of exploring the New South Downs National Park on foot, horseback, zorb, hot air balloon or paraglide; feel your adrenaline rush in the nearby Sussex surf and experience the unique ‘Worthing Effect’ winds for some of the UK’s best kite surfing – or simply ‘gaze at the surfers’.

STAY
Check in to one of five unique, cosmopolitan rooms split into three styles at the Grade II listed Arundel House (www.arundelhouseonline.com / 01903 882136) as recommended by Simonseeks.com. Relax in spa style bathrooms with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries under a giant shower rose; crack open a bottle of Canard Duchene Champagne on ice, then head downstairs to the ‘Good Food Guide 2010′ recommended restaurant where you can sample South Downs lamb, Sussex Pork and Fresh lobster plucked straight from nearby Chichester Harbour. Take home a memento as the quirky artwork on display in the restaurant is all for sale. Prices from £75 for a small double (Sunday to Thursday) to £140 for a large double (Friday – Saturday). Prices (based on 2 sharing) are per room, per night and include a full breakfast for two.

For picturesque seclusion stay at The Thatched Barn (www.thethatchedbarnwepham.co.uk  / 01903 885404), a 17th century converted barn overlooking the water meadows of the Arun Valley with magnificent views of Arundel Castle. A great location to get out and sightsee, nearby M’s Cycle Hire (www.m-cyclehire.co.uk) can deliver bicycles straight to your door or the nearest train station and pick up from another location within the area. Choose from four individual rooms with prices from £95 (based on two people sharing) for a small double room, up to £135 (based on four people sharing) for a self-contained barn with double bedroom, shower room, lounge/diner, kitchenette and private patio. Prices are per room, per night and include full English or Continental breakfast, or the specialty de la maison ‘The Wepham Wonder’ can be provided.

For ultimate indulgence, live like a Queen and stay at Medieval Amberley Castle (www.amberleycastle.co.uk  / 01798 831992) and enjoy AA 3-Rosette fine dining from head chef James Dugan, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Hampshire and Soho before coming to Amberley; relax in spa bath treatments such as the £60,000 ‘ultimate bubble bath’ filled with pink Champagne and retire to a grand four-poster bed in one of nineteen luxurious rooms and suites, once leased to Queen Elizabeth I. Prices from £230 (based on 2 sharing) per room, per night and include room and full English breakfast. Dinner, bed and breakfast options are available from £350 (based on 2 people sharing) per room, per night.

DO
Experience the South Downs National Park (www.southdowns.gov.uk ) where you can zorb, horse ride or mountain-bike the Sussex hillside and the River Arun plains., Take to the skies in a paraglider or hot air balloon and experience outstanding panoramic views of the Sussex countryside, stretching down to the south coast. Whether you want to try something new or master your pursuit there’s something for all abilities.

Pamper yourself at one of Arundel’s boutique spas such as The Rowan Tree (www.the-rowan-tree.com ) or Chester House Beauty Clinic. De-stress with a hot stone full body massage and indulge in a rare celeb-style chocolate-orange body wrap with facial, which uses 100% pure Swiss chocolate in a conditioning wax base for ultimate skin nourishment. It even helps treat cellulite!

Take a drive out of Arundel and head for the beaches a few miles away. Join beginners and professionals alike, from all over the region and experience the ‘Worthing effect’ winds for some of the best Kitesurfing in the country. Get involved or ‘gaze at the surfers’ and let Finky.Inc’s (http://finkyinc.com/) approachable IKO qualified instructors show you the loops.
Alternatively grab a surfboard or a kayak and join in the fun further along the Sussex coast or simply watch the beautiful sunset over the sea.

SHOP
Discover unique treasures at high quality independent boutique shops, antique shops and galleries around town, such as the contemporary Zimmer Stewart Gallery (www.zimmerstewart.co.uk ).

Venture into multi-award winning ‘London/South and South-East Independent Retailer of the Year’ Sparks Yard (www.sparksyard.com ) and discover a contemporary Aladdin’s cave filled with rare and quirky ‘objets d’art’, homeware, gifts and cookware gadgets for any culinary conundrum. Raid ‘The Larder’ of specially imported rare American foods, stocked with Lucky Charms, Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Filling, ‘Fluff’ spreadable marshmallow, Cinnamon Tic Tacs and Cookies ‘n’ Cream Hershey Bars (a bit like an inside-out Oreo – yum!).

If handbags and accessories are your weakness, you’ll surely find something unique at Sorbet (www.sorbetaccessories.co.uk ) with their exclusive collection of handbags, purses, scarves and footwear, each hand-picked by owner Linda Paterson from all over Europe. Open seven days a week, buy unique designer handbags including ‘Puntotres’, as worn by the Spanish Princess Letizia of Asturias, and shop UK designed ‘Jumbuck Boots’, as worn by X-factor stars Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson.

EAT
Stop in for a pub lunch at the unique 17th century, George and the Dragon (www.georgeanddragoninnburpham.com ) in nearby Burpham. Voted “No.1 Pub to Walk to” by the Sunday Telegraph and awarded AA Rosettes for its outstanding food year after year, a warm welcome, stunning food and traditional hospitality await you.

For dinner, head to the longest trading restaurant in Arundel, the small family run ‘Pappardelle Ristorante’ (www.pappardelle.co.uk). The owners, from North East Italy, cook contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with a mouth-watering dessert menu featuring homemade Zabaglione ice-cream, Tiramisu, Pavlova and Chocolate Fondant baked to order.

Alternatively, try something a little more avant-garde and opt for a murder mystery dinner in the haunted underground cells of the Arundel Jailhouse (www.arundeljailhouse.co.uk). Walk with a murderer, and encounter the ghost of the victim, who will invite your table to solve the mystery of how they were killed over a three course buffet banquet. At the end of the meal, the murderer is revealed and the table with the most clues wins the bottle of bubbly.

DRINK
Take a traditional morning coffee and cake or afternoon cream tea at one of Arundel’s oldest tearooms, 16th Century Belinda’s (www.arundel.org.uk/dining/belindas  ). These former stables, with its dark timber beamed walls adorned with horse brasses, home-cooks everything on the premises in the designated bake house using traditional recipes and fresh local produce, including their infamous special rock cakes.

Soak up the contemporary Art Deco atmosphere of Butlers (www.butlersarundel.co.uk ), whether it’s for a glass of wine, cappuccino, relaxed drink at lunchtime or the buzz in the evening. On warmer days step outside and enjoy the secret terrace garden accessed through the back of the restaurant area.

Grab a magazine and while away an afternoon with a Cappuccino and free Wi-Fi, in the brand new family run Osteria (www.pappardelle.co.uk ), surrounded by exposed brickwork, wooden beams, copper topped tables and a glass panel floor looking down into the cellar. Alternatively get ‘glammed up’ and head over to Osteria in the evening for an Aperol spritzer, a Prosecco, or sample from over 20 bottles of diverse single varietal grappas, sourced from the foothills of the Alps right through to the heel of Italy. If you still can’t decide, opt for one of Osteria’s Wine Flites such as the Champagne Flite (3x100ml) which includes Gobillard Premier Cru, Taittinger Reserve, and Grande Anee Vintage Bollinger all for £21.95.

For more information on what to do in Arundel visit www.arundel.org.uk

1450 twinkling multi‐faceted crystal chandelier baubles, 4000sqm of the finest woollen carpets, 145 sets of custom‐made furniture, 6 weeks of installation, 8 months of planning and $3 million dollars – the iconic Royal on the Park Hotel has undergone a major refurbishment.

To celebrate the ‘Renaissance of the Royal’, the 4 ½ Star Hotel will hold a Renaissance Reunion Ball on Saturday 30 April, with all proceeds going to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Foundation.

The Renaissance Ball promises to be a fabulous celebration of history, memories and fun, whilst supporting the RBWH Foundation, the Hotel’s Corporate Responsibility partner.

The charity ball will welcome all past and present accommodation and function guests, employees and suppliers from the past 42 years of the Hotel’s operation.

General Manager, Steve Underwood said “With the property looking more elegant than ever we proudly welcome back all of the people who have played a part in the rich history of the Hotel, to celebrate a new era of The Royal”.

“The Royal has had an interesting year so far, given the threat of resumption and flooding all whilst undergoing a major refurbishment. These events are all the more reason to celebrate ‐ to the bright future of the Hotel”, Mr Underwood said.

Tickets cost $150pp and can be purchased by calling 07 3221 3411, emailing events@royalonthepark.com.au  or download the booking form at www.royalonthepark.com.au  For more details, Like us on Facebook as ‘Royal on the Park Hotel’ or follow us on Twitter @royalonthepark