Jetsettersblog

Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre in The National Forest has been shortlisted for two prestigious construction industry awards.

The Centre opened in the summer and is building a great following with local families, as well as visitors from further afield.

The stunning timber and glass building is a finalist in the Environmental Sustainability category of the EMCBE (East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Built Environment) Constructing Excellence Awards 2011, put forward by builders Robert Woodhead Ltd. The award ceremony will be held on Friday 28 October.

Craig Pygall, Contracts Manager for Robert Woodhead, said: ‘This project refreshed my enthusiasm for construction. It was a delight to work with a design team who approached every aspect of the project with an open manner and we as a team delivered this demanding build. Jerry Tseng from Pick Everard allowed Woodheads to provide practical solutions to technical design issues without compromising the aesthetics.’

Pick Everard Architects submitted the building for the ProCon (Property and Construction) Leicestershire Awards 2011, which celebrate the excellence and dynamism of the property and construction industries in Leicestershire. It has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Small Scheme of the Year category.

Jerry Tseng, Associate Architect for Pick Everard, said: ‘Yet again The National Forest has generated a fantastic opportunity to create something special for the benefit of the whole community. The mountain bike trails are hugely entertaining and the building expresses everything The National Forest and Forestry Commission stand for: exemplar timber construction; highest environmental standards. The desire and commitment by the whole team to make a building work functionally, carefully detailed and robustly constructed reflects in the beautiful result. We all hope it gives the users many years of pleasure.’

Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre, near Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire, is owned by the Forestry Commission and run by Purple Mountain, which organises an exciting programme of Little Wheelies, Silver Cyclists, Parent & Toddlers events, plus Women Only Courses and Freeriders for teenagers. The eight miles of off-road trails are free to go round with your own cycle, and bike hire is available, including tagalong bikes and trailers.

The inclusive cycling project Wheels for All is also based at Hicks Lodge, with a wide range of specially adapted bikes to enable people of all abilities to enjoy being out on the trails.

Find out more about Hicks Lodge and all the activities available by calling 01530 274533 or visit www.purplemountain.co.uk

ABERCROMBIE & KENT SKI: DESIGNER LUXURY IN ZERMATT; ROMANCE IN COURCHEVEL; PRIVATE CONCIERGE IN CRANS MONTANA
AND SUPERB FAMILY CHALETS IN VERBIER AND VAL D’ISERE

Located in the finest resorts of the French, Austrian and Swiss Alps, Abercrombie & Kent Ski’s carefully selected, privately owned chalets combine a myriad of outdoor pursuits, with fine food and wine and superb service. They form a collection of characterful chalets, some with traditional, Savoyard wooden interiors and ‘home from home’ alpine charm, and others with contemporary glamour, reminiscent of an ultra chic boutique hotel. Idyllic havens in peaceful, snowy surroundings with luxurious furnishings to suit every taste, A&K Ski’s chalets have been especially chosen to offer the ultimate ski holiday for families, experienced skiers, beginners and party goers alike.

Stay in the Heinz Julien Penthouse in Zermatt for uber designer luxury and a spectacular location; or the beautiful Chalet Nyumba in Verbier with superb children’s play room and self contained separate suite for family groups; Chalet Amazon Creek in Chamonix offers expert skiers the ultimate in luxury and secluded location; beginners will benefit from the ski-in/ski-out facilities of Chalet Elephant Blanc in Val d’Isere, located on a blue run and close to the nursery slopes; and for the ultimate in cosy romance, head to La Petite Marmotte, a beautiful converted hay loft for two in Courchevel.

To mark the launch of the portfolio, A&K Ski is offering the following exclusive offer to the brand new Chalet Torrent in Crans Montana. A stay here at this rustic yet chic chalet, located right on the slopes, boasting ski in – ski out facilities and only minutes from the centre of town, includes a 24 hour concierge on hand to look after your every need, including booking the best restaurants in town or organising a personal chef for a night or two. A&K Ski also include a day with a private professional ski guide who will take guests to a gourmet mountain top dinner at the end of the day and organise, on an evening of your choice, a private wine tasting evening at a traditional wine cellar in the company of the winemaker himself.

Offer:
A 3 day stay from £4,800 (£480 per person) based on an occupancy of 10 guests, B&B at Chalet Torrent including daily breakfast, 24 hr concierge and a guided ski day with a gourmet mountain top dinner.

A 7 day stay from £9,700 (£970 per person) based on an occupancy of 10 guests for B&B at Chalet Torrent including daily breakfast, 24 hr concierge, a guided ski day with a gourmet mountain top dinner and a wine tasting evening with wine connoisseur.
Both offers are valid on stays from 14th January 2012 until close of season.

For more information on the full portfolio of chalets please visit www.akski.com

With less than 60 days until Christmas, those seeking a shopping break to remember will be pleased to know that Eurocamp is offering fantastic deals on long weekend getaways to Paris throughout the festive period.

Just 25km from Paris, Eurocamp’s Val d’Europe apartment resort is only a short trip away from some of the most famous shopping districts in the world, making it the perfect destination to pick up some extra-special gifts for the whole family.

Val d’Europe boasts a range of stylish, modern apartments to relax in after a long day’s shopping. Holidaymakers can kick back in its generously sized rooms, which lead out onto private balconies and are just a short stroll away from its luxury heated outdoor swimming pool.

With Paris on the doorstep, shopaholics can spend the day picking up eclectic gifts from The Marais, bagging the latest fashions on the Champs Elysées and browsing the grand department stores on Boulevard Haussmann – with just a short trip back to the resort.

To add a sprinkle of magic at Christmas, why not treat the kids – big and little – to a festive day out at Europe’s best loved family theme park, Disneyland Resort Paris, which is just 45minutes away by shuttle bus.

A four night break at Eurocamp’s Val d’Europe apartment resort, arriving 12 November2011, costs just £282 for an apartment for three people, accommodation only.

For further information on Eurocamp, please call 0844 406 0552 or visit www.eurocamp.co.uk

Enjoy a Christmas party from just £109 per person. Your guests will be greeted with a champagne reception, before tucking in to a traditional three-course Christmas meal, with a half bottle of wine and mineral water. Also included are crackers to help put everyone in the festive mood and room decorations.

Additionally, a range of bespoke Christmas packages is available, with flexibility to suit your exact requirements for a winter wonderland experience. Themed entertainment, live music, fine wines – Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s experience events team can help make your Christmas party wishes come true. Menus start from £65 per person.

The Ballroom, a space for up to 670 people, and room configurations to suit smaller parties such as the hotel’s picturesque Garden Rooms overlooking Cadogan Gardens, offer plenty of choice and flexibility.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower celebrates its 50th year in 2011. The five-star hotel located a short walk from Knightsbridge tube station in the heart of central London, is consistently regarded as one of the capital’s best hotels for service.

All rates include VAT and are subject to availability.*

To book your Christmas event at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, contact the Events team on +44 (0)20 7858 7171, email JCTevents@jumeirah.com  or visit www.jumeirahcarltontower.com

Cathay Pacific Airways has joined together with Swire Hotels to launch an exciting new inflight menu promotion for passengers travelling in First and Business Class. Starting from November, a selection of the delectable dishes found on the menus at Swire Hotels restaurants in Hong Kong and Beijing will be made available onboard selected Cathay Pacific flights departing from Hong Kong.

More than 30 dishes created by chefs from four Swire Hotels restaurants will appear on Cathay Pacific inflight menus from 1 November 2011 to 31 January 2012. The promotion will run for three months to give passengers the chance to sample a variety of creations from the following distinctive Swire Hotels outlets:

Café Gray Deluxe (Michelin 1 star)
Feast (Food by EAST)
Sureño
Bei
The menu will enable passengers to select from a wide selection of dishes ranging from innovative reinterpretations of traditional North Asian cuisines to European and Mediterranean flavours and international delicacies.

Signature dishes being served include braised short rib of beef, soft polenta, meaux mustard by Café Gray Deluxe; Iberico chorizo with prawn and tzatziki sauce by Feast; lobster salad with vine-ripened tomatoes and lemon chive dressing by Sureño; and black miso pork belly with black sugar, baby taro and brassica by Bei.

Speaking at a preview luncheon for the promotion, Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Affairs Quince Chong said: “As Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay Pacific is committed to promoting Hong Kong as an exciting destination and food paradise for visitors from all over the world. We are delighted to join hands with Swire Hotels for our latest inflight menu promotion, which features a range of exciting dishes from four renowned restaurants, most notably the Michelin-starred Café Gray Deluxe at The Upper House.”

Swire Hotels Managing Director, Mr. Brian Williams said: “We are excited to be collaborating with Cathay Pacific. It provides a great opportunity for guests to experience the food from our restaurants, which are destinations in their own right, in the air as well as on the ground.”

About the participating restaurants:

Café Gray Deluxe
Café Gray Deluxe, a 21st Century Grand Café located on Level 49 of the Upper House with views of Victoria Harbour, signals the return to Hong Kong of chef Gray Kunz with his cuisine – a unique style of modern European classics and signature dishes from a lifetime leading the very finest kitchens in Europe, Asia and America.

Feast
Feast (Food by EAST) is an all day, big bustling café that serves international cuisine and authentic specialties of Asia. Feast’s philosophy is “simple things, done well”.

Sureño
The wood-fired oven and open kitchen in Sureño at The Opposite House evoke the casual style of the Mediterranean with menus drawing on the freshest ingredients of Southern Europe.

Bei
Bei at The Opposite House is an assertive reinterpretation of traditional North Asian dishes from Japan, Northern China and Korea with a menu that is always innovative and challenging.

In January, San Sebastian plays host to the 24-hour long La Tamborrada festival, which brings hundreds of drumming bands to the streets of the city for a frenzied fiesta. Combine this with a trip to country cider houses to taste the new cider of the season and you have a long weekend that is sure to put an end to any New Year’s resolutions. To celebrate this wonderful city and its gastronomic heritage, food festival specialist, Seasoned Travel has put together a short break to remember.

The Basque Country’s San Sebastian is the jewel in Spain’s gourmet crown, with more Michelin stars, gourmet tapas bars and festive fiestas than you can shake the proverbial stick at. What’s more, the area around San Sebastian is famed for its delicious, golden cider brewed in country estates around the Basque Country.

The La Tamborrada event on the 20th January is perhaps the noisiest fiesta you will ever encounter, as the whole of San Sebastian takes to the streets in drum-based processions. This celebration, in honour of San Sebastian’s patron saint has its roots in the foodie culture of this city with gastronomic societies each forming different marching bands. The marching and drumming goes through the night for 24 hours, with a short break for breakfast! The parades and processions provide a great excuse for locals to head to the bars and enjoy a few glasses of local wines and some delicious pintxos (Basque tapas) whilst taking in the lively atmosphere.

Once the marching bands come to an end, the cider houses in the Basque countryside throw open their doors for an evening of cider tasting. Guests get the unique pleasure of tasting the amber liquid before it is bottled and sold on. Armed with a glass for the evening, visitors help themselves to the cider flowing from the 12,000 litre barrels to their heart’s content. Accompanied by some rustic traditional food, this is an authentic Basque evening never to be forgotten.

Food festival specialist, Seasoned Travel, is offering tailor-made foodie holidays taking in La Tamborrada and an evening in a cider house for this unique festival in 2012. Three-night packages including return flights from London to Bilbao, private airport transfers, three nights in the funky four-star Astoria7 Hotel and an evening in a country cider house with all cider, meals and transfers included, from £499 per person, based on two people sharing, subject to availability.

For more information on tailor made breaks to the above event see www.seasonedtravel.co.uk/events/la-tamborrada-san-sebastian  or call 0844 809 2599.

Men only weekends often conjure up images of groups of men behaving badly so The Trafalgar Hotel, situated in the heart of London on Trafalgar Square, has created a package designed especially for men with more sophistication – The Gentleman’s Club.

The package include mini bottles of Pommery champagne upon arrival and, after getting preened and prepared for a night on the town (courtesy of The Trafalgar’s Temple Spa in-room products), guest can enjoy a round of bourbon in the hotel’s stylish Rockwell Bar before heading out for a night on the town.

The Gentleman’s Club break is available now, with no expiry. The package is £276 per room per night and is based on two adults sharing a double or twin room. Bookings must be for a minimum of one night, guaranteed by credit card, and are available Thursday – Sunday.
About The Trafalgar
The Trafalgar Hotel is a stylish 129-bedroom hotel located at 2 Spring Gardens, on the doorstep of Trafalgar Square. Owned by Hilton, the property operates under its own individual brand name and has earned a reputation for being one of the capital’s most desirable contemporary, design-led hotels. Unique features include the award-winning Rockwell bar and restaurant, known for its innovative menu and a longstanding affiliation with art and music over the last decade. The sixth floor roof bar, Vista with breathtaking views of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the London Eye has recently expanded its floor space from 108m2 to 353m2, making it central London’s biggest rooftop venue. With a capacity for 200 people, it boasts a distinctively smart design using clean geometric lines and a striking colour palette of monochrome, bold reds and hot pinks that really bring this space to life. Both outlets are open to non-residential guests and are available to book for private events. For more information, please visit www.thetrafalgar.com

Fancourt has announced that the European Tour’s first-ever true ‘tournament of champions’ event has been confirmed for South Africa’s number-one golf course, The Links at Fancourt, where it will be held from 19 to 22 January 2012.

The event holds the prospect of the finest field ever assembled for a European Tour event on African soil, chasing the €350,000 (approximately ZAR3.5million) first prize. With a prize fund of €2million (approximately ZAR20million) the Volvo Golf Champions is the first solely-sanctioned European Tour event of 2012, and offers the circuit’s most valuable purse on the African continent.

The Volvo Golf Champions is open only to European Tour players who have won an event during the previous year’s European Tour International Schedule; 2011 Major Champions; and current Tour Members with ten or more European Tour wins to their name. With prize money and valuable Official World Ranking Points on offer from first to last place and with only a dozen events until the Tournament, an unprecedented gathering of global golfing talent is expected to line up at the globally acclaimed Links at Fancourt, recently voted number one course in the country, and designed by South African golf legend Gary Player.

The inaugural Volvo Golf Champions, which was staged as a celebration of global golf in January 2011, saw the 34-year-old Arizona-based Englishman Paul Casey triumph, securing his place in the Fancourt field. Having won on every continent in the world except Africa, Casey is determined to put that right as he defends his Volvo Golf Champions crown in South Africa early next year.

Commenting on the Tournament, Casey said: ‘I think that the news that the Volvo Golf Champions is heading to South Africa will be very well received by the players as we have received nothing but amazing feedback about the Links course. Defending my title at the Volvo Golf Champions will be at the top of my New Year’s Resolution List!’

The Links at Fancourt, consistently in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World since it was opened in 2000, is an awe-inspiring example of magnificent design and golf-course construction, considered by many to be the best example of links golf outside of the UK and Ireland. The Links has previously hosted other major golf tournaments such as the Presidents Cup in 2003, the Woman’s World Cup in 2005, the SA Open in 2005, and the Berenberg Bank Masters Seniors European Tour event in 2010.

Mr. Hasso Plattner, the owner of Fancourt expressed his delight at the Links being chosen as the venue for this prestigious event. ‘We have been privileged to see some of the world’s very best golfers in action at Fancourt, and in particular on The Links. It is wonderful that we will once again be part of golfing history in South Africa, and have the opportunity to showcase Fancourt and the Garden Route to the world.’

Set in a unique location in the stunning surroundings of Bath’s historic centre, right next to Bath Abbey and the World renowned Roman Baths, Bath Christmas Market is the ‘not to be missed’ Christmas shopping event of the south west.

For the second year running Bath Christmas Market will be extended by an extra week into December providing shoppers with more time to enjoy the festive atmosphere and top quality shopping.

With more than 130 local and regional retailers offering their wares in quaint wooden chalet style stalls, Bath Christmas Market is the perfect place to find that ideal Christmas gift. Whether looking for traditional wooden toys, unique jewellery, personalised gifts, tasty foodie fayre or handmade homewares, there is something for everyone here. Visit Straysparks and discover unique handforged mirrors, candle holders and lamps, find beautiful handmade jewellery by local artist Robyn Coetzee or add a touch of Eastern glamour to the Christmas tree with Bollywood Christmas decorations. A complete list of all stalls at the 2011 Bath Christmas Market can be found at: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

Festive music, street entertainment and the aroma of roasted nuts and Gluhwein on the air adds to the atmosphere – there couldn’t be a better way to ease into the Christmas celebrations than at Bath Christmas Market.

The city of Bath is a delight to explore and with such a central location, it’s easy to extend shopping from the Christmas Market into the neighbouring streets. The newly reopened SouthGate development, with its host of high street favourites, and Milsom Street, named the ‘Most Fashionable Street in the UK’ (Google Streetview Awards 2010), are highlights not to be missed.

There are also a large number of attractions to explore – the Roman Baths has been enticing visitors to the city for over 2,000 years, and Thermae Bath Spa offers the chance to bathe in the naturally warm water on which the city was founded – as well as the chance to ease those weary legs!

Bath offers visitors a packed programme of events throughout the year and its festive calendar is of no exception. Bath Abbey, which is right next to the Christmas Market offer regular shoppers carol services which always prove extremely popular. The Jane Austen Centre presents Jane Austen’s Regency Christmas, and the American Museum in Britain starts its popular ‘Christmas at Claverton’ celebrations.

For more information about Bath Christmas Market as well as other events happening in Bath during its duration, see www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk 

If you ‘Like’ Bath Christmas Market, you’ll love our competition. You could win an overnight stay close to the event, in the heart of the city, at the lovely Villa Magdala guesthouse as well as two Thermae Bath Spa Twilight packages and £100 shopping money. Simply search ‘Bath Christmas Market’ on Facebook to see the competition details.

Where better to celebrate this Bonfire Night than at the very hotel that once played host to Guy Fawkes himself? The Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa, the quintessentially English luxury hotel nestled in the picturesque market town of Midhurst in Sussex, is also one of the oldest coaching inns in England, dating back to the 15th century. Throughout history it was favoured by the rich and famous of the time, including Queen Elizabeth 1 and none other than Guy Fawkes himself. Fawkes, the explosives expert for the Gunpowder Plot, came to Midhurst as a footman to Viscount Montagu, owner of the great Cowdray House which now stands in ruins just outside the West Sussex town. It is recorded that Fawkes stayed at the Spread Eagle in the 1600s in the Queen’s Suite, the largest room in the hotel.

The Spread Eagle is also close to some of the top Bonfire Nights in West Sussex. The annual Chiddingfold Bonfire, just 10 miles from Midhurst, is one of the best in the country. Its magnificent fireworks, magical torch-lit procession and funfair style stalls attract thousands of visitors every year and this year will be held on Saturday 5th November. Heyshott Bonfire will celebrate its 58th year on 5th November 2011 and visitors can buy torches for the torchlit procession and also see a special appearance from Punch and Judy.

The Spread Eagle is a beautifully atmospheric hotel with roaring log fires, stained glass windows, antiques and treasures decorating the rooms, plus a luxurious spa. The intriguing hand of history can be felt in features such as secret passages reputedly used by fleeing smugglers and a wig closet in the Queen’s Suite which is thought to be the last in a hotel in England.

This year the Spread Eagle is offering a Guy Fawkes special over Bonfire Night weekend, from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th November, priced at £95 per person per night based on two people sharing a room, with dinner, bed and breakfast included – and sparklers and soup in a flask to take to the Bonfire, a drink on return and Toffee Apples for the kids.

To book a Guy Fawkes stay at The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, telephone 01730 816911, or email spreadeagle@hshotels.co.uk  or go to www.hshotels.co.uk