Jetsettersblog

Enjoy warm summer nights on Sydney Harbour with Captain Cook Cruises new Cocktail Cruise. Perfect for Christmas get togethers or fun catch-ups with friends, the summer Cocktail Cruise departs after work at 5.30pm daily, from Jetty 6, Circular Quay.

This one and a half hour cruise onboard the prestigious Sydney 2000, is all about kicking back and relaxing, soaking up the last rays of sunshine and taking in the picturesque harbour sights, all while sipping on a cocktail or two.

The Cocktail Cruise includes a complimentary cocktail of the day or glass of wine, beer or champagne and refreshments. A licensed bar also operates onboard.

Returning to Circular Quay at 7.00pm the Cocktail Cruise is a great way to start the evening or the perfect end to a hectic day.

The Cocktail Cruise is only $37.00 for adults and $19 for children.

Sample PagesEnglish and Welsh wine enthusiasts are in for a treat. A Guide to the Wines of England & Wales has just been published and is now available in all good bookshops and on line retailers. Packed with up to date information and a wealth of illustrations, this new book provides a topical and unique insight in to the English and Welsh wine industry.

A Guide to the Wines of England & Wales is compiled by the award-winning Wine behind the label team whose books have scooped all three of the major wine-writing awards in the UK. This is the first of their series of regional wine guides, researched in-depth to give a fully comprehensive overview of the industry. Over 100 vineyards are captured in full colour, packed with essential facts and background information, including their location, a profile of their leading wines with tasting notes and interviews with the vineyard owners themselves. For the first time ever there is a section devoted to the industry’s leading winemakers, with profiles on each, which provides even greater insight into the state of play of the vineyards and their regions.

The book opens with an historical perspective and asks if wine was produced here by the Romans or only imported. The intervening centuries also have an interesting story to tell.

An erudite essay by Richard Selley, Emeritus Professor of Geology at Imperial College, London, charts the impact of climate change on viticulture. Richard is an acknowledged expert and author on the geology of English winelands.

There is a buzz around wine production in England and Wales with much interest and focus on climate change and its implications for the 200 plus vineyards. Rumour has it that imminent overseas investment will also be providing a Renaissance to our own wine industry.

Many well-established winemakers are now producing award winning wines and competing on the world stage for recognition. English and Welsh wines are served at State Banquets, a tribute to their quality. More than 60 vineyards have tasting rooms/shops attesting to the growing popularity of visiting regional vineyards and tasting and buying home produced wines. The book also details the wide variety of grapes grown and the many styles of English and Welsh wine produced. Read about the pioneering vineyards that have put English wines on the map, and those planting their first vines, which will not be producing bottled wine for another 5 or more years.

This book is an ideal travelling companion or reference book for anyone wanting to delve further in to the world of English and Welsh wine

STILLER WINNER

Nestled in Shanghai’s “new Xintiandi”—the Cool Docks, at the southern end of the Huangpu River—the recently opened Stiller’s restaurant makes its mark as the city’s first upscale German restaurant. The brainchild of celebrity chef Stefan Stiller, the airy eatery dishes up hearty mains alongside an indulgent degustation menu with all the trimmings. And if you like what you see, you can pick up a few tips at Stiller’s regular cooking classes, held in the kitchen onsite.

DO VISIT DOMUS

Down a small hutong alleyway adjacent to the Forbidden City in Beijing, Domus is as stylish as it is tasty. The new duplex restaurant (located opposite its sister establishment, long-time favourite Tiandi Yija) offers creative international cuisine: the upstairs café focuses on finger food and quick bites, while downstairs the divine degustation menu can be enjoyed with a side of live entertainment courtesy of energetic chefs in the open kitchen. After your meal, take to the lounge and relax in uber-modern sofas and armchairs courtesy of Italian designers.

THE KEE TO THE CITY

One of two high-rolling membership clubs to open in Shanghai in recent months (the other being M1NT), Kee Club follows in the footsteps of its older sister in Hong Kong, inviting the bold and the beautiful to become part of an exclusive new party set. Located in a 1920s mansion, the club is a fusion of antiques and modern art. The food is equally eclectic, ranging from French fine dining to Chinese banquets and Japanese kaiseki.

AQUATIC ADVENTURE

A quartet of new establishments round out the offerings at Beijing’s stylish Legation Quarter, all from Hong Kong-based restaurateurs, Aqua. First off the bat is avant-garde Japanese restaurant Shiro Matsu, adjoining Goth-styled Hex Bar. Head up to the first floor for tasty tapas and Spanish wines at Agua, or enjoy bubbles with a view on rooftop bar Fez. And there’s more to come. Management promises that early 2009 will see the opening of a nightclub, a steakhouse, and a Chinese restaurant on the Legation premises. So much food, so little time.

Ten leading ‘Whisky Bars of Edinburgh’ have joined together in a new initiative to attract visitors to the capital and promote their high quality whisky experience to tourists. The scheme – created under the auspices of ScotlandWhisky, Scotland’s national Whisky tourism initiative - is launched today.

Whisky is a key part of 2009’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns. May is designated Whisky Month with several major whisky-themed events taking place. See www.homecomingscotland2009.com for more details.

Chris Conway, of ScotlandWhisky, said

“Pubs and bars are an important part of many visitors’ experience of Scotland, as is the wish to try Scotch Whisky in its home country. ‘Whisky Bars of Edinburgh’ is a new collaboration to ensure that visitors know where they can be ensured a great bar and whisky experience.

“Edinburgh is rightly famous for its bars and ‘Whisky Bars of Edinburgh’ brings together ten fantastic examples of where visitors can enjoy a dram in a traditional setting. Each bar has a great reputation for its Scotch Whisky range and staff that have passed the Scotch Whisky training school.”

Gary Still from ‘Whiski Bar’ on the Royal Mile , a member of the ‘Whisky Bars of Edinburgh’ group said:

“With bars feeling the effects of the ‘credit crunch’, this collaboration reflects the determination of the bars, and their partners in the Scotch Whisky industry, not to standstill during this difficult period. Working with other bars in the group to attract locals and tourists alike, we want to show the best of Scottish hospitality and may be teach customers a little bit about our national drink along the way.”

The scheme is being supported by a free ‘Whisky Bars of Edinburgh’ map and a more in-depth website (www.whiskybarsofedinburgh.com)

 Similar schemes in Glasgow and other parts of Scotland are being developed.

Edinburgh Pass — The Edinburgh Pass, it your passport to explore Edinburgh, allowing you to see and save more. The Edinburgh Pass lets you visit as many attractions as you wish from museums, art exhibitions, fine dining and shopping. Using this electronic smart card is a quick and hassle-free way to see the best of Edinburgh.Every card comes with a FREE guidebook with helpful information on the establishments associated with the card, as well as area maps - BOOK NOW!

The M Resort, Spa and Casino, the newest casino resort scheduled to open in March 2009 on South Las Vegas Boulevard, has begun accepting room reservations. The luxury resort will offer 390 guestrooms and suites ranging from 550 to 2,400 square feet. Beds feature pillow-top mattresses and fine linens. Each room offers a living space that includes high-technology amenities such as a Bose Wave sound system, an iPod docking station and an LCD flat-screen television. The spa-like bathrooms offer marble vanities with double sinks, inlaid mirror televisions and separate bathtubs and showers. All resort rooms and suites feature automatic lighting controls for energy efficiency.

Hotel amenities include a spa, salon and fitness center; several dining experiences and destination bars including a modern wine cellar and tasting room; and the 100,000-square-foot Villaggio Del Sole Entertainment Piazza for concert events as well as several indoor venues including the Ravello and Milan Showrooms for more intimate performances. It will also feature advanced gaming products and the iMagine Rewards Club.

For more information, call 877-673-7678 or visit www.themresort.com

Reservations Available Now
Jan. 15-31, 2009

Foodies are flocking to the Web site for the eighth annual Dine About Town San Francisco Jan. 15-31, 2009, www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/dineabouttown.

Diners may select from more than 100 Bay Area restaurants, each offering prix-fixe lunches for $21.95 and/or dinners for $34.95, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant.

A la carte menus will also be available. Reservations are encouraged and may be made online through a partnership with OpenTable.com. Information is also available by calling 415-391-2000. American Express is the preferred method of payment for Dine About Town.

On Jan. 14 meet Dine About Town featured chefs at a launch party in The Cellar at Macy’’s Union Square beginning at 6 p.m. With a $20 donation to Meals On Wheels, guests will receive 10 “tasting tickets” to sample offerings from select Dine About Town restaurants. Among the restaurants participating in The Cellar event are Cafe Andree; Campton Place Restaurant; Chez Papa Resto; Colibri Mexican Bistro; Daffodil; Fish & Farm; First Crush Restaurant, Wine Bar & Lounge; Level III; Market Street Grill; Roots, and XYZ. Guests can taste legendary American wines from the Napa Valley and receive a keepsake

Only in San Francisco wine glass. Tickets for the launch event may be reserved beginning Dec. 15 at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/dineabouttown 

Space is limited.

Dine About Town sponsors include American Express, Macy’s, the San Francisco Chronicle and Napa Valley Vintners.

‘Tis the Season: ‘Shop SF, Get More’ Includes More than 200 Discounts and Promotions for San Francisco Bay Area Residents

Working with local agencies including the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the Union Square Association and various city departments, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has created a citywide incentive program to encourage local and Bay Area residents to visit, shop, and stay in San Francisco during December and January. The “Shop SF, Get More” campaign offers special discounts and promotions exclusively for residents of the nine Bay Area counties: San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

Components of the program include:

Show Your Zip Code: Residents in the nine-county Bay Area are eligible to receive special discounts, by showing their ZIP code at participating merchants.

Parking and Public Transit Discounts: Ride Muni and explore San Francisco on one transfer all day, every Sunday with the Sunday FunDay Pass. Cars with a minimum of three occupants entering designated city-owned parking garages receive special validation under the Ride with More, Park for Less incentive program.

Hotels: San Francisco hotels are offering reduced rates, complimentary parking and breakfast, and a variety of discounted holiday packages. In January, select San Francisco hotels will be offering “3 Nights for the Price of 2.”

Restaurants: Through the Show Your Zip Code program, residents are eligible for special promotions at select San Francisco restaurants.

Shop Local: Special promotions and shopping events are occurring in unique neighborhood commercial districts across the city, including late night shopping, street lighting events and weekend sidewalk sales.
Museums: Free days and free child admissions at many of the city’s finest cultural institutions.

Details are posted at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com

CELEBRITY HOTSPOTTING

Shane Warne larger than life in Melbourne’s National Sports Museum
Visitors to Melbourne now have the chance to experience cricket great Shane Warne in three-dimensional form at the city’s state-of-the-art National Sports Museum.

This major new attraction -a permanent addition to the museum- is bringing one of Australia’s most legendary sportsmen face-to-face with his audience, discussing the highs and lows, setbacks and triumphs of a famous sporting life.

Using the latest in simulated hologram technology, visitors will feel they are actually in the room with ‘Warnie’ as he discusses his career: the cricketer takes the audience into Melbourne Cricket Ground’s changing rooms, sharing some of the great moments of his career (including the infamous ‘Gatting’ ball) and interacting with the set as he moves around the space – locker doors open, cricket bats are picked up and moved and he looks and feels like he is actually there!

www.nsm.org.au

Dannii Minogue promotes Etihad’s new service to Melbourne
X Factor judge and pop star Dannii Minogue visited the Etihad Airways stand at World Travel Market in London earlier this month to celebrate the airline’s forthcoming launch of the new route to her hometown of Melbourne.

The service commences in March 2009, with Etihad operating daily flights to Melbourne from London Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin airports, with connections through the airline’s home base in Abu Dhabi.

Supporting the new service, Etihad Airways has extended its growing array of international sports sponsorships to Australia in a new deal that will see Melbourne’s famous Telstra Dome being re-named as the Etihad Stadium.

The five-year deal is the airline’s first major sporting sponsorship in Australia and will come into effect on 1 March 2009, the start of the Australian Football League (AFL) season.

www.etihadairways.com

Heston Blumenthal, Philip Howard, Sat Bains, Shane Osborn: all heading to Melbourne!
Gourmands are invited to experience Melbourne’s iconic food and wine culture at next year’s Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, where Michelin-starred British chefs will join a dazzling line-up of more than 20 other internationals.

Heston Blumenthal, whose three-Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck in Berkshire has been consistently voted as one of the best in the world for the last five years, will provide insights into his methods and approach during his exclusive ‘Northern Hemisphere Christmas in a Southern Hemisphere World’ class.

Philip Howard, who has won twice the title of Restaurant of the Year for The Square, and Sat Bains, named as one of the UK best chefs in the last two AA guides, will appear at the Langham Melbourne MasterClass, along with Pied à Terre’s Shane Osborn, the only Australian chef ever to hold two Michelin stars.

Melbourne’s globally acclaimed celebration of food and wine -the largest of its kind in the world- attracts over 300,000 attendees each year and features over 200 events, including the world’s longest lunch with over 1,000 guests. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2009 will take place from 7–23 March 2009.

www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

NEW TOURISM EXPERIENCES

Southern Star Observation Wheel: Melbourne’s newest landmark opens
Southern Star Observation Wheel, a stunning addition to the Melbourne landscape that will boast some of the most spectacular views over the city and beyond, opens on 28 November 2008.

One of the most exciting new tourism projects in Melbourne, the 120m high wheel (equal in height to a 40 storey building) is modelled on the hugely successful London Eye and features 21 air-conditioned glass cabins. The experience will last between 25-30-minutes.

The Southern Star is one of the new key highlights of Waterfront City, a new AUD$1 billion (£427 million) development in the Docklands area,only five minutes from Melbourne’s city centre, which offers a wide range of dining and entertainment options, as well as the new Harbour Town, an open-air shopping precinct, located directly under the Southern Star.

www.southernstar.com.au

An Australian first: The Insiders’ Guide to Melbourne on your mobile

Tourism Victoria has launched a hot new mobile application, which gives visitors to Melbourne the lowdown on what’s hot and what’s on in the city.

The Insiders’ Guide to Melbourne is an Australian-first, highlighting the range of experiences and activities that visitors can enjoy in Melbourne. The free guide features information about some of the city’s coolest bars, restaurants, shops, cafés and events and includes a short description, contact details and a map showing how to get there.

The Insider’s Guide to Melbourne is free and can be downloaded to compatible mobile phones by SMSing the word ‘guide’ to 0448 848 433 (04488 GUIDE). Tourism Victoria will launch four editions of the guide with each season.

www.visitvictoria.com/insider

Get a taste of the Australian surf culture
Melbourne Sport Tours has just launched the one-day Surf Coast Tour, which includes a two-hour learn-to-surf lesson at the world-famous Torquay Beach, a visit to Torquay’s Surf World Museum (the world’s largest beach culture museum and home of the Australian Surfing Hall Of Fame) and a trip to the iconic Bells Beach to see Aussie surfers in action.

Guests will also have the chance to shop for the latest surf gear from locally produced but world famous brands, including Rip Curl, Roxy and Quiksilver, which was founded in Torquay in 1969.

Both private and group tours are available, while guests have the option of requesting a scenic flight over The Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles.

www.melbournesportstours.com.au

More sweet reasons to love Melbourne
The celebrated Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School has launched a new Chocolate Appreciation Class, where visitors get to savour sweet treats as the finer details of chocolate and its fascinating origins are explained.

The class is led by Kirsten Tibballs, one of Australia’s most well-known pastry chefs. Participants learn about the history of chocolate, how chocolate is made, different varieties of cocoa beans, how to properly taste chocolate and they can try up to 15 delicious couverture chocolates and discover what distinguishes them from each other.

www.savourschool.com.au

Multi-million redevelopment for Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum’s Science and Life Gallery will receive an AUD$7 million (£3 million) makeover by May 2010. Not only will this be the largest development ever planned by Museum Victoria but, in addition, when the multi-phased project is completed, the Science and Life Gallery will be one of the most comprehensive natural sciences galleries in Australia.

The plans for the gallery will incorporate four new exhibitions, which will feature more than 3,000 never-before-seen objects from the Museum’s extensive natural sciences collection (including the renowned palaeontology, geology, birds and mammals collections).

A specially developed website featuring exhibition updates, behind the scenes videos, blogs by the curators and development updates has also been created to celebrate the project.

www.museumvictoria.com.au/scienceandlife

LATEST OPENINGS

Sho Noodle Bar Main Gaming Floor, Crown Casino, Melbourne: Noodle-making demonstrations and an extensive tea menu make the Sho Noodle Bar a stand out new dining experience. Guests to this new 138-seat restaurant can watch twice daily noodle-making demonstrations performed by Master Chef Pin Tan - but you need to get in quickly as the restaurant has a no bookings policy!

Nihonshu 163-165 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne: Nihonshu offers more than 40 styles of sake, a range of Japanese beers and an extensive menu of sake snack food - a dedicated sake venue, Nihonshu’s minimalist interior, drinks and food menu are directly inspired by venues on the streets of Tokyo.

Nineteen Squares 31 Blessington Street, St Kilda: Named after the description of its size, Nineteen Squares has one of the smallest café interiors in Melbourne. People come here for the special fair trade, locally roasted, organic coffee – but with the espresso machine and serving counter taking up most of the inside space, the majority of this café sprawls onto the street outside!

Wabi Sabi Salon 94 Smith Street, Collingwood: Grungy inner-city cool, eccentric furnishings and tasty Japanese cooking come together in the very groovy Wabi Sali Salon. A balanced menu of new and old Japanese traditions in food is on offer, along with a fine list of Japanese spirits and beers to explore while you sit either inside in the eclectic bar or outside in the bamboo and pebble garden.

GETTING TO MELBOURNE

Melbourne Airport soars above the gloom with a record month
Melbourne Airport has posted its busiest month on record in a result that is defying the global financial crisis: 2.19 million people, a jump of 140,302, travelled through the airport in October 2008 – this figure is up 6.8 per cent on October 2007 and beats the previous record of 2.17 million set earlier this year, in March.

These reports further highlight Melbourne’s status as Australia’s events capital, as both months have a prominent position in the city’s high-profile events calendar: Spring Racing Carnival (famous for The Melbourne Cup, also known as ‘the race that stops the nation’) begins in October, while March is traditionally the month for the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The figures come on the first anniversary of budget airline Tiger Airways’ launch in Melbourne and on the same week that Sydney Airport announced its passenger number grew just 0.8 per cent this October compared with last.

www.melbourneairport.com.au

Cruise visitors to Melbourne go up by 38 per cent
More than 108,000 international cruise ship passengers disembarked in Melbourne in the past financial year – that is an increase of 38 per cent compared to the previous year.

Cruise ships now form a large part of the tourism business in the state of Victoria, with several well-known cruise liners providing the option of a Melbourne cruise, including major players Star Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas and Holland America.

Australia is becoming an increasingly popular cruise destination: close to 30 international ships are expected to drop anchor in the country’s ports until mid-April 2009, making it the longest season ever in Australia.

•For general information on Melbourne and the state of Victoria please visit Tourism Victoria’s website at www.visitmelbourne.com/uk

•To see for yourself what Melbourne and Victoria have to offer please visit www.visitmelbourne.com/uk-tv

Fireworks will light up the sky over The Strip as a New Year’s Eve celebration transforms into a scorching Las Vegas extravaganza. Indulge in first-class hotel packages, exciting shows and sizzling nightlife within the fabulous resorts of the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

MANDALAY BAY

miX in Las Vegas
The most spectacular Las Vegas view in the city is at miX in Las Vegas. Spend your New Year’s Eve watching fireworks 64 floors high above The Strip. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. General admission is $150 per guest. New Year’s Eve table reservations are available. For more information, call (702) 632-9526.

House of Blues

Guests can ring in the New Year at House of Blues with two different styles of musical entertainment. In the Courtyard & Crossroads, join Vegas’ high-energy band, Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute. General admission is $50. New Year’s Eve dinner specials are available. Doors open at 10 p.m. For reservations, call (702) 632-7600.

House of Blues presents Akon at the Music Hall. Tickets are $175, $155, $130 and $125. Doors open at 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 632-7600.

MAMMA MIA!

New Year’s Eve performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $110, $82.50 and $49.50 inclusive. For reservations, call (702) 632-7580.

Deluxe accommodations are available at Mandalay Bay and THEhotel. No restrictions apply. To reserve a room, call (877) 632-7800 or book online at www.mandalaybay.com

LUXOR

CRISS ANGEL Believe by Cirque du Soleil®

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $160, $135, $109, $89 and $69 plus tax and service fees. Guests must be 18 years of age or older. New Year’s Eve dinner and show packages are available at Fusia, TENDER Steak & Seafood, CatHouse and Company American Bistro. For reservations, call (702) 262-4400.

LAX

As fireworks glitter across the Las Vegas skyline on New Year’s Eve, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian will celebrate an unforgettable year at the hottest nightclub to land on The Strip. Party-goers will share a club-wide champagne toast with the Kardashian sisters at the stroke of midnight. Advance tickets for New Year’s Eve are $200. Doors open at 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 262-4LAX.

CARROT TOP

Named “Entertainer of the Year,” wacky prop comic Carrot Top will perform at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Tickets are priced at $59.95 and $49.95 plus tax and handling fees. Guests must be 18 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 262-4400.

FANTASY

FANTASY will ring in the New Year with a special 9 p.m. performance. Tickets are priced at $55, $50 and $45 plus tax and handling fees. Guests must be 18 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 262-4400.

Deluxe accommodations are available at Luxor. To reserve a room, call (888) 777-0188 or book online at www.luxor.com

NEW YORK-NEW YORK

Brooklyn Bridge

The Bridge Bash will take place Monday, Dec. 31 at New York-New York’s Brooklyn Bridge and Nine Fine Irishmen from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Priced at $150 per person plus tax and gratuity, the bash will provide guests with an open premium bar, entertainment by DJ Chris Landry and go-go dancers. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. To purchase tickets, call Zumanity box office at (702) 740-6815.

ROK Vegas™

Be prepared to experience New Year’s Eve nightlife like never before at New York-New York. ROK will welcome 2009 by mesmerizing party-goers with riveting mash-ups and rock-inspired imagery.

Premium admission is $200 which includes an open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight and a champagne toast. General admission is $125 and also includes a champagne toast. For table reservations, call (702) 755-9395.

Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil®

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are priced at $139, $109, $89 and $79 plus tax and service fee. Guests must be 18 years of age or older. New Year’s Eve Sensual Side Package is available. Package includes two tickets to Zumanity, two complimentary Zumanitini’s and deluxe accommodations at New York-New York. For reservations, call (866) 815-4365.

Coyote Ugly

Coyote Ugly offers a New Year’s Eve celebration with party favors and a complimentary champagne toast. Tickets are priced at $50 in advance and are standing room only. Doors open at 6 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 740-6815.

Deluxe accommodations are available at New York-New York. To make reservations, call (866) 815-4365 or visit www.nynyhotelcasino.com

BELLAGIO

The Bank Nightclub

Multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning recording artist, Usher, will entertain The Bank’s elite crowd on New Year’s Eve with a special countdown and complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

Individual tickets are $150 per person with no minimum limit for guests. Table reservation packages start at $250 per person with a minimum of four (4) people per group. There will be a two (2) bottle minimum on all tables. Table customers will be required to purchase one (1) bottle per every three (3) guests. Bottle service guests will receive a complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne. Doors open at 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 693-8300.

“O” by Cirque du Soleil®

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $160, $135, $109 and $103.50 plus tax and handling fees. New Year’s Eve dinner and show packages are available at Jasmine, FIX and Sensi. For reservations, call (702) 796-9999.

Deluxe accommodations are available at Bellagio. To reserve a room, call (702) 693-7444 or (888) 987-6667 or book online at www.bellagio.com

MGM GRAND

Studio 54

Guests can ring in the New Year at Studio 54’s New Year’s Gala. The exclusive celebration will include an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. which includes complimentary party favors and Studio 54’s signature, dynamic dancers. Don’t wait in line…Las Vegas’ favorite dance club will offer a pre-paid ticket line to usher party-goers directly into the club. Tickets are $100 in advance and $150 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 891-7254.

Tabú Ultra Lounge

Tabú Ultra Lounge presents Naughty New Year’s Eve featuring an intimate setting, beautiful model servers and renowned DJs. Guests will enjoy complimentary champagne bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., hors d’oeuvres and party favors. Tabú’s model servers, dressed in their sexy New Year’s attire, will cater to guests’ every need. Tickets are $150 in advance and $200 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. A limited number of tables are available for guests purchasing bottle service. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 891-7129.

MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $63.50 and $53.50 inclusive. Guests must be 18 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 891-7777.

KÀ by Cirque du Soleil®

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $160, $135, $109 and $79 plus tax and handling fees. New Year’s Eve dinner and show packages are available at Craftsteak, Pearl and Fiamma Trattoria & Bar. For reservations, call (702) 531-2000.

The Signature at MGM Grand

Deluxe accommodations are available at The Signature at MGM Grand. To make a reservation, call (877) 727-0007 or book online at www.signaturemgmgrand.com

Deluxe accommodations are available at MGM Grand. To reserve a room, call (800) 929-1111 or book online at www.mgmgrand.com

THE MIRAGE

JET Nightclub

Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood of News Kids On The Block take a break from their sold-out world tour to host an action-packed New Year’s Eve bash at JET Nightclub at The Mirage. Donnie and Danny will lead the crowd in a high-energy countdown to 2009 with a special edition video set by acclaimed DJ Roonie G, renowned worldwide for his impressive audio/visual mash-ups.

Individual tickets are $150 per person, with no minimum limit for guests, and includes VIP entrance and a hosted bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. Prices are subject to change. Table packages start at $200 per person with a minimum of six (6) people per group. There will be a two (2) bottle minimum on all tables. Table customers will be required to purchase an additional bottle per every four (4) guests. Bottle service guests will receive a complimentary bottle of White Star champagne. Doors open at 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 years or older. For reservations, call (702) 693-8300.

The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil®

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $160, $135, $109 and $103.50 plus tax and handling fees. New Year’s Eve dinner and show packages are available at Fin, kokomo’s, Onda Ristorante, STACK and Japonais. For reservations, call (702) 792-7777.

The Beatles™ REVOLUTION Lounge

Featuring an open bar as well as the sounds of DJ Trens and DJ Shane Thomas, REVOLUTION will be the ultimate ultra lounge to welcome 2009.

Pre-sale, individual tickets are $75 per person and $100 at the door with no minimum limit for guests. The price includes VIP entrance and a hosted bar from 10 p.m. until midnight. Prices are subject to change. Table reservation packages will start at $75 per person with a minimum of four (4) people per group and a one (1) bottle minimum. Table customers will be required to purchase one (1) bottle for every additional four (4) guests. Doors open at 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 693-8300.

Deluxe accommodations are available at The Mirage. To reserve a room, call (800) 627-6667 or book online at www.mirage.com

TREASURE ISLAND

Mystère by Cirque du Soleil®

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $105, $85 and $70 plus tax and handling fees. New Year’s Eve dinner and show packages are available at Social House, Isla Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar and The Steak House. For reservations, call (702) 796-9999.

Christian Audigier The Nightclub
Celebrity couple Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt will celebrate New Year’s Eve at the most fashionable club in Las Vegas. Party-goers will feel like celebrity royalty as Montag and Pratt count down the final seconds of 2008 and raise a glass to toast the start of 2009.

With the patio providing an amazing view of the fireworks display lighting up the sky, Christian Audigier The Nightclub will be the most chic place to celebrate the final evening of the year. Ticket prices start at $150. Doors open at 10 p.m. Limited seating is available. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For reservations, call (702) 894-7580.

Deluxe accommodations are available at Treasure Island. To reserve a room, call (800) 288-7206 or book online at www.treasureisland.com

MONTE CARLO

Brew Pub

Zowie Bowie, the high-energy, glamorous singing duo, will usher in 2009 at the Monte Carlo Brew Pub. Show times are 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 12:30 a.m. on January 1. General admission starts at $35 per person and includes passed appetizers until 11 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. VIP admission starts at $95 per person and includes VIP entry, open bar until 11 p.m., passed appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. VIP Table packages are available starting at $200. Doors open at 8 p.m. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. For tickets and reservations, call (702) 730-7332 or visit www.montecarlo.com

Deluxe accommodations are available at Monte Carlo to celebrate New Year’s Eve. To reserve a room, call (866) 324-4750 or book online at www.montecarlo.com

EXCALIBUR

Tournament of Kings Dinner Show

New Year’s Eve performances are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the 6 p.m. performance are $58.24 plus tax and handling fees. The 8:30 p.m. performance will feature a special New Year’s Eve dinner, champagne toast and party favors. Tickets are priced at $85.46 plus tax and handling fees. For reservations, call (702) 597-7600.

Deluxe accommodations are available at Excalibur. To reserve a room, call (800) 937-7777 or book online at www.excalibur.com

CIRCUS CIRCUS

Spend New Year’s Eve under the Big Top at Circus Circus. To make reservations, call (800) 634-3450 or book online at www.circuscircus.com

100th floor Observation Deck for Hong Kong – and the world’s highest hotel!
At a soaring 118-storey height, the International Commerce Centre (ICC) will be Hong Kong’s latest distinctive landmark, featuring an imposing observation deck on the 100th floor and the world’s highest hotel, which will occupy the top floors of the development.

Upon completion, the skyscraper will become Hong Kong’s tallest building and will have one of the top three highest roofs in the world, along with the Burj Dubai Complex and the Shanghai World Financial Centre.

Located at a key crossing point, ICC’s Observation Deck will sit 100 floors high, providing a must-see panoramic view over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s famous skyline. This is a first for the West Kowloon side of Hong Kong, which was until recently under height restrictions due to the former Kai Tak Airport in the area.

A five-star hotel, operated by Ritz-Carlton, will occupy the top floors of the tower. The lobby of the new 300-room hotel will be located on the 102nd floor (1,394ft above the ground), with the rooms reaching up to the 118th floor, where it will feature a rooftop bar. When completed in 2010, it will be the highest in the world, surpassing the Park Hyatt in Shanghai, which opens this year and will occupy up to the 93rd floor.

www.shkp-icc.com

New art museum announced in Hong Kong
A new HK$4.75 billion (£350 million) visual-arts museum has been announced, as part of the government’s plan to develop an art zone in the West Kowloon district. Named M+, the new museum is forecast to draw 2 million visitors a year.

The first phase of the project will be finished by 2015. Once the final stage is completed, the new museum will have more than 78,000m2 (850,000ft2) of floor space - more than New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

The Hong Kong government has earmarked land in West Kowloon for development into a HK$21.6 billion (£1.5 billion) arts zone.

Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel sets Guinness World Record

The Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel’s Lobby Lounge has been recognised as having the ‘Bar with the World’s Most Varieties of Rum Commercially Available’ by Guinness World Records.

Lobby Lounge’s selection boasts 102 premium and exotic rum varieties from different parts of the globe, including Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Guatemala and Mexico. Most expensive among the selection is the El Dorado Rum 25 Years, referred to as ‘liquid gold of Guyana’ and one of the smoothest rums ever produced.

www.hongkonghotel.marcopolohotels.com

Hong Kong-Macau bridge to be built
After years of anticipation, the Hong Kong-Macau bridge has been given the green light.

The project will connect the west side of Hong Kong with Macau and the neighbouring city of Zhuhai, situated on the west side of the Pearl River Delta. It will be 29.6km (18.4 miles) long, with six traffic lanes and a seabed tunnel under the South China Sea to facilitate unobstructed ocean shipping lanes. Two artificial islands will be built to house the two ends of the tunnel to join the bridge segments.

On completion, the journey time from Hong Kong to Macau and Zhuhai will be reduced from 60 to 30 minutes.

HIP HONG KONG

Michelin Guide arrives in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is the next destination that will be added to the acclaimed MICHELIN collection.

Michelin inspectors have been on the ground in Hong Kong since late 2007. They have conducted visits and anonymously dined in restaurants and slept in hotels to judge the quality and consistency of meals and services and make a pre-selection of these establishments in the city.

The new guide on Hong Kong is scheduled for release in December 2008; more than one million copies of the MICHELIN guides are sold worldwide every year.

www.cartesetguides.michelin.fr

Marc Jacobs opens flagship store in Hong Kong
Marc Jacobs has opened a flagship store in the Causeway Bay shopping district, which carries the full range of Marc by Marc merchandise: men’s, women’s and the new Little Marc collection for kids.

Fashionistas can now get their hands on the finest clothes and accessories from his latest range Marc by Marc Jacobs, while local celebrities created T-shirts to be sold at an online auction to raise money for children.

www.marcjacobs.com

Hermès tableware inspired by Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has provided inspiration for a new range of tableware by Hermès.

This is the first time Hermès has created a range of tableware so closely linked to a specific place. Called Les Poèmes du Mandarin, the 18-piece china collection will be used from 20 October 2008 in the hotel’s exclusive Krug Room restaurant, one of one of the world’s most elite private dining rooms.

The range will also be available for purchase in more than 15 countries around the world at selected Hermès stores.

www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong

Home
The last stop on a long night, club Homebase is now reborn with new décor and an afternoon lounge/late night concept. Befitting its name, the underground Home is tucked-away and cosy but still very luxurious, with an improved drink list on offer, from high-class world wines and boutique champagnes to cocktails infused with homemade ingredients.

The plush white couches are perfect for crashing on in the small hours, while the dancing pole is always good for a few drunken gyrations. Be careful not to miss the cleverly concealed-in-the-wall door, which adds to the secretive, cave-like atmosphere.

Home, LG/F, Au’s Building, 17-19 Hollywood Rd., Central, Hong Kong

Zaza
A classy new retro-style club situated in Toy House – and yet another fabulous nightlife alternative in Hong Kong. Glitter and glam with bold touches of blatant luxury, Zaza’s an unapologetically updated version of those long-gone but beloved Tsim Sha Tsui discos of yesteryear.

Occupying the whole third floor, Zaza is spacious enough for not one but two bars. The airy outdoor VIP seating area and green patio are definitely worth paying a visit. Try not to leave without checking out the gorgeous restrooms with velvet walls.

Zaza, 3/F, Toy House, 100 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Mingle Bar & Café
Once a romantic watering hole, Mingle has now been transformed into a chic bar, which is all about the boutique cocktails.

Here, the ornate mix of Middle Eastern and European furnishings evoke an eclectic, modern mix-match feel, while the lush interior features high ceilings, candlelit tables, dramatic oil paintings and even an elaborate chandelier in the washroom!

And if interested, co-owner and head barman P.J. Jr. offers lessons on how to prepare the tasty concoctions yourself!

Mingle Bar & Café, 148 Wellington St., Central, Hong Kong

Cali Cali
The latest addition to the rapidly changing face of Hart Avenue, this elegant California-themed jazz and wine lounge is cosy and comfortable, with warm colours and a series of long, velvety beige sofas and fancy light-up drink rests.

Choose from Napa Valley Rieslings to central coast cabernets with up to ten by-the-glass varieties on offer; for something harder, there’s also a selection of classic Golden State cocktails on hand, from the menacing Adios M.F. (vodka, rum, tequila) to the house favourite, pomegranate margarita.

Cali Cali, 1/F Supreme House, 2A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Pier 7
The Star Ferry’s Pier Seven has been transformed into a laid-back café and bar with an outdoor terrace that provides a breathtaking new angle of the IFC building.

Macchiato and lattes for speed, vitamin smoothies for health and some crowd-pleasing cocktails like the tiramisu martini or a French mojito (with Chambord): it’s all very relaxed and the periodic chiming of the clock tower’s an excellent reminder that it’s your last round before you miss your ferry.

Pier 7, Shop M, Roof Viewing Deck, Central Pier 7, Star Ferry, Central, Hong Kong

TOURISM PRODUCTS – WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

The Peninsula Academy: A taste of the local culture Feng shui, destiny consultation, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, tai chi, dim sum making – just some of the exciting new activities on offer as The Peninsula Hong Kong relaunches its award-winning ‘Peninsula Academy’ programme.

The ‘Peninsula Academy’ learning and activity programme was created to give guests a personalised introduction to key aspects of culture, lifestyle, cuisine, arts, history and so much more, through individualised classes, tours and activities.

Originally introduced at The Peninsula Hong Kong in 1997 to give guests an insight into Hong Kong’s unique mix of Eastern culture and Western style, the highly popular programme has now spread to the group’s other Asian properties.

www.hongkong.peninsula.com

New tourist-friendly products
Two new passes have been introduced, making it easier for visitors to get around Hong Kong.

The new ‘Tourist Day Pass’ costs HK$55 (£4) and replaces the former ‘Urban Day Pass’, providing a day of unlimited train travel on the entire MTR network, including East Rail Line, Ma On Shan Line and West Rail Line.

Prices for the new ‘Airport Express Travel Pass’ start from HK$220 (£16) for three days of unlimited train travel on the MTR network; this pass also covers East Rail Line, Ma On Shan Line and West Rail Line.

www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/products_index.html