Jetsettersblog

Mandarin Oriental, Munich is delighted to introduce a special Kandinsky Package which celebrates “Absolute Abstract”; an extraordinary Wassily Kandinsky’s retrospective taking place at The Lenbachhaus in Munich.

The package, which is available until 22nd February 2009, includes one night’s accommodation in one of Mandarin Oriental, Munich’s recently renovated guestrooms, a sumptuous breakfast in-room or at the hotel’s award winning restaurant Mark’s and tickets for “Absolute Abstract”.

For the first time since 1966, The Lenbachhaus in Munich, is showcasing the entire collection of Wassily Kandinsky’s prints and graphic art at a major retrospective; Absolute Abstract. The exhibition, which features over 90 pieces by Kandinsky, has been made possible following a collaboration between The Lenbachhaus in Munich, The Centre Pompidou in Paris and The Guggenheim Museum in New York; who between them, hold the three largest collections of artwork by the world-renowned artist.

Kandinsky was a pioneer of abstract and modernist art, and his artistic innovation blossomed whilst he lived in Munich in the early 20th century. Here he became the co-founder of an important expressionist art movement called “The Blue Rider”. The show “Absolute Abstract” finishes on 22nd February when it moves to Bonn and then to Paris and New York.

As one of Europe’s premier art capitals with three outstanding museums the Alte and Neue Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne, visitors to Munich can indulge in a heady dose of painting and sculpture from Albrecht Dürer to Andy Warhol. Mandarin Oriental, Munich’s talented concierge team will be delighted to put together an art lovers’ itinerary for guests, that showcases the best the city has to offer.

The “Kandinsky package” is available through 22 February 2009. Priced from Euro 389 per room for single occupancy and Euro 483 per room for double occupancy, the package includes:
• One night’s luxurious accommodation at Mandarin Oriental, Munich
• A la carte or buffet breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant Mark’s or in-room
• Tickets for the Kandinsky retrospective

About Mandarin Oriental, Munich

Quietly tucked away in a side street yet centrally located near the famed Maximilianstrasse, Mandarin Oriental, Munich is an elegant gem of Neo-Renaissance charm, providing the highest levels of personalised service in the city in addition an award-winning restaurant and bar.

The spacious, newly refurbished 48 guestrooms and 25 suites offer the finest in contemporary luxury and, as does the stunning rooftop pool, feature views that stretch across the picturesque surroundings of the old town district.

Popular Landing Spots For British Skiers & Snowboarders

Leading flight search engine, Skyscanner (www.Skyscanner.net), dips into its data to see where British winter sports enthusiasts are flying to this winter. Despite economic woes, European ski searches appear healthy with a small rise in flight search traffic for ski airports compared to last year. With a strong US dollar, it seems many Brits are avoiding transatlantic mountains and favouring the more local European peaks.

1. Geneva (Switzerland) – at number one by quite a long way it’s Geneva. Close to the French border (the airport even has a French sector), Geneva is an ideal landing zone for skiers and snowboarders, offering the choice of over 100 ski resorts within two hours’ drive. One of the closest is Lelex, a small resort served by 13 ski lifts, ideal for families and beginners, and at the other end of the scale – Morzine, part of Les Portes Du Soleil ski area, a huge interlinked domaine offering some 650 different pistes, served by over 200 ski lifts.

2. Nice (France) – located for good access to the ski resorts of the Southern French Alps and the Italian Alps, Nice offers access to 12 ski resorts within 3 hours’ drive. Isola 2000 is one of the best in range, rising to 2610m, offering about 50 pistes and around 120km of downhill skiing and snowboarding. Alba, about 2.5 hours from Nice is an ideal choice for beginners, a compact area which is also good for cross country skiing, boasting 52km of Nordic trails.

3. Salzburg (Austria) – located in the north of the country, Salzburg is surrounded by over 100 resorts to the south, east and west, all of which are less than 2 hours drive from the airport. Mayrhofen is one of the most famous in the area and one of the highest resorts in Austria; part of the Zillertal ski area, it offers access to 130 pistes. If you’re looking for a family ski area and need something with shorter drive times, try St Wolfgang – one of the closest ski areas to Salzburg, this small resort has 9 ski lifts as well as 30km of cross country trials.

4. Munich (Germany) – another good access point with almost 100 ski resorts within 2 hours of the airport. Choose from a great selection of Northern Austrian resorts, or for something a little different, why not visit a German ski resort? Though little known as a skiing destination, Germany has some great options; Sankt Englmar is a small ski area best suited to beginners and young families in the east of Germany – or try Grainau – one of the bigger resorts in Germany offering an impressive vertical drop of over 2000m and 44 pistes.

5. Grenoble (France) – there are over 50 ski resorts within 1.5 hours of the airport, including some of the biggest and best such as Alp d’Huez, Courchevel, La Grave, Meribel and Valmorel. For somewhere a little more secret, try Autrans - a quieter area with 16 lifts and about 18km of downhill slopes as well as 160km of cross country ski trails.

Best of the Rest:

Toulouse (France) – offers access to Pyrenean ski resorts in France, Spain and Andorra. Pas de la Casa is a firm favourite with the Brits, renowned for its excellent value and lively après ski action.

Innsbruck (Austria) – great for getting to resorts in the Tyrol region and the city of Innsbruck itself is home to Nordkette, a small ski area with slopes overlooking the city, which boasts one of the steepest runs in Europe.

Milan Bergamo (Italy) – good for Northern Italian resorts. Try Livigno, a duty free ski resort with an excellent terrain park and good off piste options, a quaint alpine town untouched by overdevelopment.

To find more cheap flights, fast – visit www.Skyscanner.net

The Rhine Valley Music Festival (24–31 May 2009) features seven private concerts performed by top rank musicians in a variety of historic buildings along one of Europe’s great rivers. The audience lives on a modern and comfortable ship, chartered exclusively for the week, disembarking for concerts or to explore historic towns and sites along the way.

Some of the finest musicians in Germany and Switzerland (and Britain), including the Baden-Baden Philharmonic, Andreas Scholl, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Cantus Cölln, Natalie Clein, Basel Chamber Orchestra and Amphion Octet, perform music by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Nikolaus Bruhns, Matthias Weckmann, Schumann, and others.

The historic venues, often dating from the same period as the music performed in them and in some cases with even more specific links, include the Kurhaus in Baden Baden, Church of the Holy Trinity in Speyer, Hambacher Schloss and the Residenzschloss in Mannheim.

The spoken word contributes to the audience’s experience and there are daily talks by musicologist Roderick Swanston and Timothy Blanning, Professor of Modern History at Cambridge.

Launched in 2006, the MS Helvetia II is one of the most modern and comfortable passenger ships on European waters.

Prices range from £2,660 to £4,390 per person and include admission to all seven private concerts, a choice of flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham, accommodation for seven nights on board the river cruiser, all meals including wine, water and coffee, coach travel, talks by a musicologist and historian, interval drinks, all tips, taxes and admission charges, practical and historical information and a detailed programme booklet.

Naturidyll Hotels – Take a country break.pdfAustria was recently hailed as one of the world’s best destinations for sustainable tourism in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. And the Austrian Institute for Sustainability hails the Naturidyll hotels as the pioneers of Europe with an “aristocratic” green sensibility.

Your holiday at a Naturidyll hotel starts in the morning with a culinary excursion: delicious cheese, milk or yoghurt - all regional products of very high quality. All breakfast buffets at Naturidyll hotels uniquely reflect their region and it is of utmost concern to all hoteliers to show the excellent culinary specialities of the region. Amidst spectacular lake or mountain scenery, Naturidyll hoteliers want you to feel at home, which is why the service is not only personal, it’s also lovingly attentive. Austria’s Naturidyll hotels are family- run and limited to a certain size.

Eco-conciousness, sustainability, the keeping of regional traditions and values, and the careful use of nature’s gifts are the virtues of all Naturidyll Hotels in Austria. Aside from the work of farmers, hunters and forest men, 70% of power comes from alternative energy and 60% of all waste is recycled.

Winter break at the Naturidyll Hotels
Winter in Austria is not only long and intense but also exciting, refreshing and offering more than its share of possible adventures as well as romantic and relaxing moments. When the Austrian countryside is covered by a white blanket of snow, time has come to get up, gear up and go out. There are abundant possibilities for every gender and age. Go fast or go slow, go up or down – you will enjoy whatever you do tremendously.

Naturidyll Feriengut Buasen*** Schneewalzer Package:

• 7 days/6 nights including half-board
• ski pass for the ski arena Wildkogel (www.wildkogelbahnen.at)
• 3 days (4 hours daily) skiing lessons for advanced skiers OR 5 days (2 hours daily) skiing lessons for beginners
• free use of wellness area
• 20 % reduction on equipment for hire
Available from: 10 - 31 January 2009, or 7 - 28 March 2009

Price: from EUR 549.50 (GBP 379.16) per person in a double

15 Trophy-winning Properties, 4 New Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux

In exclusive partnership with prestigious brands, Relais & Châteaux has just revealed the list of the winners of the Relais & Châteaux Trophies which are awarded every year in recognition of expertise and excellence in the art of hospitality and fine dining.

Welcome Trophy with Moët & Chandon
The art of receiving is one of the fundamental virtues of Relais & Châteaux; ensuring your stay is unforgettable is always the priority in these properties.

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany

Grand Chef Trophy with Taittinger
Amongst the Relais & Châteaux members, the contemporary elite of fine dining are grouped within the family of the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. Passion, creativity, experience and expertise are the essential criteria for admission to the highly select circle of these Grands Chefs.

Firmin & Philippe Arrambide
Les Pyrénées - France

Jonathan Gushue
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa - Canada

Christopher Brooks
Blantyre – United States

Jason Robinson
The Inn at Dos Brisas – United States

Rising Chef Trophy with All-Clad
We single out young chefs whose creativity, imagination and commitment earmark them as the future grand masters of fine dining in the world.

Davy Tissot
Villa Florentine - France

Art de la Table Trophy with San Pellegrino
The arts of the table, atmosphere and decoration are all part of our philosophy of “receiving well”. They reflect the soul of our properties and express their personality.

Ristorante Le Calandre - Italy

Spa Trophy with Laurent Perrier
There are 5 categories of spa: Spas de Charme, Spas de Rêve, Thalassotherapy, Thermalism and Beauty.

Georges Blanc & Spa - France

Woman of the Year Trophy with Pommery
A disciplined approach to work organisation, exacting standards, the giving of themselves and a sense of welcome and detail make these women the flagship ambassadresses of our family.

Johanna Maier
Hotel Hubertus - Austria

Passion Trophy with Hennessy
Launched in 2004, the Passion Trophy is awarded to Relais & Châteaux owners who know how to make your stay truly unique: harmonious setting, perfect service, remarkable style.

Sam Beall
Blackberry Farm – United States

Corporate Trophy with Glenmorangie
Relais & Châteaux launched this trophy in 2005 to single out property owners who have distinguished themselves through their high-performance meeting facilities and the quality of the welcome afforded to business meetings or residential seminars.

Sheen Falls Lodge – Ireland

Lounge Trophy with Grand Marnier
With the Lounge Trophy, Relais & Châteaux pays tribute to the expertise of these friendly settings, a real invitation to tasting.

Eden Rock - St Barthélémy - France

Environment Trophy with Orlane
This award pays tribute to properties which have shown tenacity, commitment, impressive initiatives and respect for the environment and the natural setting.

Longueville Manor – United Kingdom

Garden Trophy with Rozes
This pays tribute to properties which have succeeded in reconciling abundant nature, expertise in enhancing the horticultural heritage and respect for the original beauty of the landscapes.

Las Mañanitas Hotel Garden Restaurant & Spa - Mexico

Innovation Trophy with Nespresso
To guarantee unique experiences and intense moments of discovery, each Relais & Châteaux member must know how to reinvent itself and be innovative.

Thierry Marx
Cordeillan-Bages - France

About Relais & Châteaux

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association’s mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

BREMEN – When the Swissôtel Bremen opened last summer, the Hanseatic city gained not only an international 5-star hotel, but also a new top-class restaurant. Hillmann’s inside the hotel is set to become one of the city’s gourmet restaurants.

In the very latest edition of the Gault-Millau guidebook, Hillmann’s has already been awarded 13 points. “We are naturally very proud that Hillmann’s has scored so many points just a few weeks after it opened,” says Rogier Hurkmans, General Manager of the Swissôtel Bremen. “That is an incredible achievement for our entire kitchen and service team. But our aim of course is to gain even more points next year”.

Executive chef, Matthias Serwill, who previously worked for famous hotels such as the Kempinski Hotel Fürstenhof in Leipzig and the Parkhotel Bremen, is responsible for the culinary success of the restaurant. Fresh herbs play a leading role in Matthias Serwill’s cuisine, which is firmly focused on regional products. “Every product has the right to retain its own unique taste”, is the philosophy of Executive Chef, Matthias Serwill. “Every dish is only as good as its ingredients and we make no compromises here. Only the best is good enough!” To this first-class chef, freshness means the products must be no more than 24 hours old. This is why he prefers Queller (saltwort), a type of algae native to Sylt, to algae sourced from Brittany. “It goes straight into the pan raw and, with the addition of some olive oil, salt, pepper, lime juice and lemon, gives an absolutely fresh and flavoursome taste of the sea”.

The success of each individual menu at Hillmann’s stems from experience and expertise in the fine art of taste.

The effect of herbs and aromas from local fields and waterways is also significant, as is the way they combine with the latest products of selected growers. Typical winter dishes from the cuisine of Matthias Serwill include: “Leg of veal pralines with chanterelle wild mushrooms and apricot-mint chutney” or “Two different cuts of local milk-fed pork with caraway crumble, beer and vinegar jus and lovage-infused vegetable cream”.

The name “Hillmann’s” stands for the long history and great tradition of the Hillmann’s Hotel, which stood on the site of the present hotel and was the finest establishment of its time. Celebrities such as Caruso, Crown Prince Wilhelm and Theodor Fontane were all guests there. The restaurant is on the first floor of the hotel and stands out for more than just its excellent cuisine.

The sophisticated ambience and tasteful design of the restaurant also give Hillmann’s the ideal credentials to become one of the city’s top restaurants.

The Swissôtel Bremen is situated on Hillmann Square, just a few minutes away from the historical city centre. It has 230 elegant rooms and suites with state-of-the-art amenities and offers all the accoutrements of a five-star hotel.

www.hillmanns-restaurant.de

‘European Boating Holidays’ announce fixed Euro to Pound exchange rate for 2009 bookings With brochure prices currently in Euros, EBH will offer existing and new travellers a fixed rate of 1.30 to 1 for holidays booked to any destination by the end of January 2009.

European Boating Holidays is the 1st independent inland water cruise company in Europe operating two brands Locaboat with the classical P nichettes and Cardinal with its modern fleet of Europas Call 0845 450 5229 or visit Locaboat.com or cardinalboating.com

LONDON, UK - ‘European Boating Holidays’ announce fixed Euro to Pound exchange rate for 2009 bookings

This week, EBH will freeze the Euro to Pound exchange rate in order to pass significant savings onto customers for 2009 holidays. With brochure prices currently in Euros, EBH will offer existing and new travellers a fixed rate of 1.30 to 1 for holidays booked to any destination by the end of January 2009.

‘We are determined that our existing and new clients are able to continue enjoying boating holidays across Europe in the New Year despite the economic downturn. This fixed exchange rate, will save a family of four more than 225* for a week in April onboard a P nichette 1020FB in Ireland or France,’ says Matthieu Glasson, Sales and Marketing Manager at EBH.

EBH can be contacted on 0845 450 5229 or enquiries made online at
http://www.locaboat.com or http://www.cardinalboating.com.

Notes to Editors:
* Based on today’s rate of 1, 09 to 1

About EBH
With Locaboat and Cardinal EBH has 450 boats, traditional or modern, for 2 to 12 people, with no need for a boat licence, spread across 28 bases through France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Holland and Ireland. Whether you’re a couple, family or group of friends the differing models are designed to suit any sailor.

During your cruise, an abundance of activities are available, from discovering gastronomic delights, historical sites, biking along the tow paths, fishing for catch of the day or simply relaxing on deck with a glass of the regions finest wine.

Example Pricing based on fixed exchange rate: ( 1.30 to 1)

Prices for the 4th May bank holiday weekend onboard a Locaboat Penichette in France, Italy or Holland, start at 184 per person based on four sharing.

Prices for the 25th May Bank Holiday weekend onboard a Locaboat Penichette (P1400FB) in Ireland start at 1182 - so 148 per person based on 8 people sharing.

Prices for a week in April onboard a Cardinal Europa in Germany start at 1292, so 646 per couple based on two couples sharing.

Prices for a week in June onboard a Locaboat Penichette (P935R) in Ireland start at 759, so 253 per person based on 2/3 sharing.

Prices for a week in June onboard a Locaboat Penichette (P935R) start at 985, so 328 per person based on 3 sharing.

Travel Company Brings Groups to World War II Sites on a ‘Valkyrie Movie’ Tour To Germany and Poland. Follow in the Footsteps of Claus Von Stauffenberg and His Fellow Conspirators in Their Attempt to Assassinate Hitler at the Wolf’s Lair Headquarters
Alpventures; owned and operated by Tony Cisneros (Portland, OR), offers history tours to sites depicted in the new ‘Valkyrie’ movie (starring Tom Cruise). Their 13-day Wolf’’s Lair Tour visits World War II sites throughout Poland and Berlin, Germany.

Hitler’s Bunker at the Wolf’s Lair

Ruins of the Führerbunker at the Wolf’s Lair near Ketrzyn, Poland. Part of the original Flak tower on the roof is still visible.
Stauffenberg Memorial

The memorial honors Claus von Stauffenberg, who placed a bomb next to Hitler on July 20, 1944 during a situation conference at the Wolf’s Lair. The ruins of the barrack building are in the background.
Stauffenberg’s Grave in Berlin

Stauffenberg and other Conspirators were executed (on Hitler’s order) at the Bendlerblock in Berlin. Their bodies were quickly buried and then exhumed and cremated by the Nazi Regime.
Alpventures Tours

Your Guide for World War II History in Europe and Russia.

More and more history buffs and curious travelers are looking for tours to World War II sites in Europe - and Hitler’s headquarters at the Wolf’s Lair is no exception. Alpventures offers a Wolf’s Lair Tour from May 1-14, 2009 that follows the story of the famous assassination attempt on Hitler’s life, called Operation Valkyrie. Tour groups visit many historical sites connected to Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the German Resistance; from Berlin to the Wolf’s Lair near Ketrzyn, Poland. The Tour starts and finishes in Berlin, Germany and includes two days each at the Wolf’s Lair, Warsaw, and Crakow, Poland. The Wolf’s Lair Tour also visits the memorial sites at Auschwitz / Birkenau as well as the Seelow Height battlefield.

Adolf Hitler spent nearly half of World War II (over 800 days) at his former East Prussian headquarters, ‘Wolfsschanze’ (Wolf’s Lair in German). In 1942, the highly secure compound contained as many as 80 buildings housing over 2000 employees, including massive bunkers for Hitler and his inner circle.

Alpventures Wolf’s Lair Tour, the only trip of its kind, allows plenty of time at the Wolf’s Lair and the additional German Army Headquarters at nearby Mamerki (Mauerwald). Alpventures Owner and Tour Guide on the trip, Tony Cisneros, says the Tour focuses on the Valkyrie plot to kill Hitler, but that it includes plenty of other significant spots.

 “We spend two days in fascinating Warsaw, and discover the remains of the Jewish Ghetto, as well as sites where the Warsaw uprisings took place,” says Cisneros. The Tour continues from Warsaw to spectacular Crakow, where industrialist Oskar Schindler lived during the war. Tour guests will see the Schindler Factory and the former concentration camp shown in the movie, Schindler’s List. Participants will also visit the most infamous Nazi Death camps in the world: Auschwitz and Birkenau. The Wolf’s Lair Tour finishes with many sites in Berlin, including the Bendlerblock, where Colonel von Stauffenberg and other Conspirators ultimately met their fate.

Visit our Tour Website: www.wolfslairtours.com

Alpventures specializes in guided Tours to World War II sites in Europe and Russia. For information, please visit our website below or contact us toll-free at 1 (888) 991-6718.

Alpventures Tours
P.O. Box 457
Canby, OR 97013
Toll-Free 1 (888) 991-6718

Website: http://www.alpventures.com

New features provide online services and put ski holidaymakers directly in touch with holiday providers.

The Chalets Direct Solutions Room has recently had an upgrade to provide a better service for both holidaymakers and those providing the holidays. First launched in 1999, the Solutions Room is a bulletin board where people can state their requirements and Chalets Direct advertisers can come back to them with proposals and “solutions”. This feature is unique to Chalets Direct and has become popular amongst both skiers and snowboarders, trying to organise their holidays, and with ski holiday companies with available beds to sell.

The Solutions Room allows people to post up their requirements and to let the solutions come back to them. Their ski holiday can be tailor-made to suit their needs.

The visitor has to fill in a simple form to post his or her request, which asks for key details such as dates required and number of beds. Once the request has been posted it is then sent to the owners/operators of matching properties in the extensive Chalets Direct database. The owners can then respond to the request in the Solutions Room. With the improved matching process skiers can get better, more targeted responses to their requests.

Launched earlier this month the new Solutions Room has shown that there is a still a lot of demand for ski holidays, with the number of requests growing each day.

Replies will usually be posted within the hour, and someone searching for a holiday will have several propositions to look through.

The Solutions Room is part of the Chalets Direct Interactive area which also features a reviews area, and the Ski Blog.

There are also other ways to find ski holiday accommodation, including chalets, apartments and hotels using the Chalets Direct search or the Promotions area.

Air Berlin and NIKI flights to Russia for summer 2009 are available for booking now. The daily non-stop service from Düsseldorf to St. Petersburg is a new addition. Furthermore there will again be a daily flight from Berlin-Tegel to St. Petersburg next summer. In addition to the daily morning flight, Air Berlin passengers will have the option in summer 2009 of an evening flight from Berlin-Tegel to Moscow six times a week (every day except Saturday). The service between Düsseldorf and Moscow, as well as between Munich and Moscow will have an additional flight on Saturdays and Sundays respectively. In summer 2009 NIKI will again be operating a flight six times a week (every day except Saturday) between Vienna and Moscow.

Air Berlin currently operates nonstop service from Miami and Fort Myers to Düsseldorf. In April, Air Berlin will operate four flights a week from New York and beginning in May increase it to daily service. In addition, three flights a week from Los Angeles and Vancouver also begin operating in May. All passengers using Air Berlin or LTU will be able to accumulate miles with, and redeem miles for all of the companies belonging to the Air Berlin Group when enrolled with Air Berlins TopBonus mileage program. At present, the Air Berlin Group includes Air Berlin, LTU, dba, Belair and NIKI. The summer timetable starts May 1, 2009, and ends Oct. 31, 2009. For more information, call 866-266-5588 or visit www.airberlin.com