Resort Update | St. James’s Club Adds New Royal Suites

St. James’s Club Resort and Villas unveiled new waterfront, all-inclusive Royal Suites with dedicated concierge service. With deep-soak tubs, sunken living rooms and other romantic elements, the new accommodations are well suited for honeymooners and those taking a special romantic vacation on Antigua.

Royal suites feature spectacular waterfront views of tranquil Mamora Bay, their own check-in area, concierge,  bar, and two new pools. Each Royal Suite offers sunken living room with marbled top wet bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, private furnished balcony, expansive bathroom with his-and-hers showers and deep-soaking tub.

These spacious suites measure 568 sq. ft. and exude a Caribbean-style décor  with striking island furnishings and art, king size bed and  sofa, 37-inch HD flat-screen TV,  iPod docking stations, DVD players and internet access.

St. James’s Club Resort and Villas is located on a beautiful 100-acre peninsula on Antigua’s southeastern coast.

Al fresco dining at St James Club Resort and Villas, Antigua

Special rates and resort credits are currently being offered by the property for bookings made by October 1, 2009, for travel through March 31, 2010. The double occupancy, all-inclusive rate is $599 per night for travel through December 20; $799 from December 21 to January 2;  and $699 from January 3 to March 31, 2010.

Guest who vacation a minimum of five nights at the resort in the Royal Suites will receive $500 in resort credit; for stays of seven nights or more, Royal Suite guests receive $1,000 in resort credit through March 31, 2010.  In addition to the resort credit, guests receive a $50 gift card when booking a minimum 7 night stay through our agency.

Wine Travel | Wine Regions Around the World

A tour of any of the great wine country regions of the world is an opportunity to explore culture, history, cuisine and wine in a single trip. Without exception, the scenery is beautiful, the people passionate, and the wine – nothing short of phenomenal.

Most people would first think of areas like the Napa Valley region of California or the Burgundy region of France as ideal locations for wine tours, and that’s with good reason, as those are outstanding locations. However, there are vineyards the world-over. For the majority of United States travelers, wine regions are within a few hours driving distance of their homes or an easy weekend fly-drive retreat, providing plenty of options. And if you are looking for a truly great epicurean vacation, you’ll pleasantly discover that the experience ends up being about much more than the wine.

Wine culinary touring around the world

Wine Touring Regions:

If you want to tour some of the finest wineries and taste some of the world’s finest wines, certain regions are considered the regions to tour. They consistently produce excellent wines year after year, and some have been doing so for literally thousands of years.

Tuscany, Italy – Italy’s most famous wine region has over 157,000 acres of vineyards throughout its picturesque countryside. The Italians have been making wine for thousands of years, and Italy boasts the largest output of wine in the world. Its climate and soil are ideal for growing grapes, and nowhere is the setting more ideal than Tuscany. The region is most famous for producing Chianti, a wine that pairs naturally with most Italian foods.

Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone, France — France has many wine growing regions, and each is worth a visit. The Burgundy region is especially popular because it is legendary for producing both excellent red and white wines. The rich history of wine making dates back to when the Romans first invaded the area. Visitors can tour old and new wineries that produce several well-known wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Beaujolais.

Australia and New Zealand — In the past few decades, Australia, along with New Zealand, has emerged as one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world. Although many wineries have been around for over a hundred years, the public has only recently taken a serious interest in this region. More than 70 wineries in the New South Wales region are located just a few hours drive from Sydney. Wineries here are best known for producing excellent Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

United States – In the United States, the most popular region is certainly California’s Napa Valley, which is also one of the world’s newer wine regions. Its wine making history dates back less than 200 years, but those years have seen the birth of more than 260 wineries famous for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Not to be outdone, however, Oregon, Washington State and New York all boast thriving wine industries and vineyards. Smaller regions include the Texas Hill Country, as well as areas in Connecticut, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

South Africa -- Cape Town is the trailhead of the South African vineyards. The local wine industry has become a global force, producing approximately 3% of the world’s wine production, ranking as 9th largest producer in the world. New wineries are opening at a fast clip. Pinot Noir and Reisling varietals are predominant.

This list is far from comprehensive. Chile, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and dozens of other countries have robust wine economies where local vineyards have adapted varietals to changing climates and soil conditions.

Festivals, Dining, and Spas:

Many of the great wine regions offer seasonal festivals when it is time to bring out the new wines. Bigger wineries will hold their own festivals, while smaller wineries will often team with others in the region and have a festival where guests can taste the new offerings from all of the wineries in the same location. Travelers who time their wine tours right have a chance to experience a true cultural celebration. Many wine regions also offer activities such as spas, cooking classes, museums, arts and crafts festivals, music festivals and other events – just ask your agent what’s available.

Most wine regions also offer restaurants that showcase both local cuisine and wineries. Also note the growing trend for restaurants that allow you to bring a bottle of your own – visit wineries during the day and choose a favorite bottle or two to enjoy with your meal in the evening.

Beautiful wine country of South Africa

It’s impossible to come away from a wine tour without also getting a lesson in local culture. Most winery owners are not only passionate about their wine; they are also passionate about the land and region that supports their lifestyle. It is not unusual to hear about an immigrant family that bought a piece of property years ago and was told by their neighbors that they could never operate a successful winery on the land – and who eventually proved them wrong.

Those who choose a wine tour come away with much more than just a few new bottles of wine. They leave having experienced a deeper cultural appreciation of wine and those who make it.

Cin cin and Salute!

Cruise Update | The Best Food at Sea

Forget about the cruise ship buffet where quantity trumps quality. Cruise-ship cuisine has come of age, with spectacular new dining rooms, ultra-creative menus, incredible wine lists, specialty restaurants, and even creations from some of the world’s top chefs.

Silversea Cruises — Best Wine Restaurants

The Experience: Special Le Champagne restaurants serve creative cuisine, with each course accompanied by fine wines and champagnes (think 1998 Moet & Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon) selected by experts from Relais & Châteaux.

Favorite Dishes: Swordfish carpaccio; glazed veal shank with gremolata; slow-roasted pear stuffed with Gorgonzola.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises — Le Cordon Bleu

The Experience: Regent gets culinary advice from France’s most famous cooking school, Le Cordon Bleu, which runs the Signatures restaurants on the Voyager and Mariner; the formal and romantic spaces feature French cuisine with creative twists.

Favorite Dishes: Sevruga caviar on celeriac with foie gras rémoulade; rack of lamb with mushrooms and “melted” potato garnishes; warm chocolate tart with raspberries.

Fine dining aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Yachts of Seabourn — Charlie Palmer

The Experience: NYC celebrity chef Charlie Palmer oversees the international cuisine on this line’s super-luxurious yachts; his tasting menus focus on fresh ingredients—herbs, fruits, vegetables, whole fish—gathered at port from local markets.

Favorite Dishes: Lobster roll with yogurt caviar sauce; Shiraz-glazed oxtail presse with Manchego pot stickers; espresso-citrus panna cotta.

Crystal Cruises — Nobu

The Experience: Renowned and inventive Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa has restaurants on Crystal’s two ships, and Penthouse guests can even order his creations from room service.

Favorite Dishes: Spicy creamy king crab with masago (Capelin roe) and scallions; Nobu-style miso-glazed black cod; trio of crème brûlées (ginger, sweet guava, and passion fruit).

Celebrity Cruises — Best Dining Rooms

The Experience: Beyond their excellent cuisine, the most visually stunning dining rooms on the high seas are on the Solstice and Equinox. The dramatic, soaring spaces both feature two-deck glass wine towers designed by Adam Tihany (whose land-based work includes Le Cirque, in New York City).

Favorite Dishes: Roasted California quail with wild rice and black truffle stuffing; signature mozzarella-filled meatballs over linguine with marinara sauce; crème brûlée

SeaDream Yacht Club — Best Private Outdoor Dining

The Experience: Yachting romantics can book a table for two in a private outdoor nook and dine under the stars. Plus, there’s a champagne-and-caviar beach barbecue each cruise (with caviar service on a surfboard).

Favorite Dishes: Homemade terrine of foie gras with fresh fig compote; fillet of cod with herb crust and tomato chutney; fresh lemon tart.

Oceania Cruises — Jacques Pepin

The Experience: Affordable cruises with first-rate cuisine overseen by noted master chef, cookbook author, and PBS cooking-show host Jacques Pepin, who gets his first namesake restaurant, a French bistro, on the new Marina (debuting in 2010).

Favorite Dishes: Colossal chilled shrimp trio with spicy cocktail sauce; filet mignon with sautéed artichokes and smoked mozzarella in a Piedmont truffle sauce; chocolate mousse burger.

Windstar Cruises — Best Alfresco Breakfast

The Experience: Guests enjoy bountiful breakfast buffets with outdoor seating under the billowing sails of these (motorized) sailing yachts. Take your coffee with breathtaking ocean views.

Favorite Dishes: Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, Boursin cheese, and asparagus; chocolate-filled French toast; fresh-fruit kebabs with almond crème.

Cunard Line — Todd English

The Experience: Todd English, the Boston-based celebrity chef known for his Olives restaurants, serves up his deliciously creative take on Mediterranean in plush, Moroccan-inspired spaces on both the line’s ships.

Favorite Dishes: Pumpkin-filled “love letters” (stuffed pillows of envelope-shaped pasta); roasted duck breast, duck-leg confit, and ginger carrot cannelloni; “chocolate fallen cake.”

Bon appetite!

Italy | New Tuscany Villa Hotel Retreat

Are you ready for a new Tuscan villa hotel experience that comes with a pampering spa and dining provided by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay?  Castel Monastero, in the small medieval village of Monastero d’Ombrone in Chianti, has just opened. It’s just 14 miles east of Siena, set atop a hill, of course, as all good villa hotels should be.

What’s cool about Castel Monastero, aside from the fact that it’s set in an 11th-century village, is that it has a 10,000-square-foot, 10-room spa, so it’s unlikely you’ll have to wait for an appointment. “Urban Retreat” is actually housed in two buildings connected by a glass tunnel, which sounds sort of charming. There are also three outdoor swimming pools for that “Under the Tuscan Sun” experience. Another nice touch: Couples can book their own spa suite.

The 76 guestrooms and suites are spread out among 13 buildings. Local artisans were employed to provide antiques and light fixtures from the area, as well as wall frescos and stone floors.

Be sure to ask the concierge to arrange a trip to Siena or a wine tour to a local vineyard. Our source has have been to San Gimignano and fully recommends it; it’s a vibrant village with wonderful shops and restaurants. In the late afternoon and evening, the locals come out for a stroll. Be sure to save time for a glass of wine or two at a café or to stay and enjoy dinner; when you step outside after your meal, you’ll be enchanted by the velvety evening darkness, something that’s special to Tuscany. And then there are those sunsets, but don’t get us started.

Back at the villa hotel, there’s Gordon Ramsay at Castel Monastero, where some of the items on the menus include “Sour green apple and horseradish risotto flavored with broth of red mullet and baby fennel” and “Chianina beef tenderloin with artichoke ravioli and Certaldo onion jam.” What we like, besides the thought of that food: The restaurant overlooks the village’s 15th-century piazza.

Crystal Cruises | Culinary Cruise Itineraries

Crystal Cruises is offering food lovers myriad of luxury vacation choices in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Amazon. On board, guests can sate their palates with the cuisine and instruction by acclaimed guest chefs aboard back-to-back wine and food cruises on the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, where aficionados can enjoy cooking lessons in Barcelona, wine tasting in Italy, authentic Turkish feasts, and other culinary indulgences.

Crystal Symphony’s November 10 and 22 “Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery” cruises from New York to Miami and Miami to the Amazon, respectively, feature cooking demos and specially-created menus from guest chefs Azmin Ghahreman, Giuliano and Lael Hazan, and Andre Rochat, as well as wine tasting with renowned sommeliers David Glancy and Kris Margerum, respectively. Cocktail classes will be led by master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, and pastry-making classes by guest chefs and Crystal’s own creative staff.

Crystal Symphony Penthouse Verandah Suite

Aboard Crystal Serenity’s Mediterranean cruises this fall, guests can savor the region’s cuisine ashore with traditional feasts and folkloric shows in Patmos and Istanbul; vooking instruction in the classic cuisine of Sicily, Morocco, Naples, and Monte Carlo; intimate wine tasting sessions in Yalta, Corfu, Florence and Rome; samples of local delicacies such as world-famous Ston oysters in Dubrovnik and seafood paella in Barcelona.

On board, specialty restaurants features the signature dishes of master chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio.

Fall cruises offer Celebration Savings of $375-$1500 per person and All Inclusive – As You Wish onboard spending credits of $250-$1000 per person.

Cruise fares for these fall cruises start at $3,615 per person, double occupancy.   Please contact us for more information and to reserve your stateroom or suite on one of these fabulous culinary cruises.

Silversea Cruises | Silver Spirit Culinary News

Silversea Cruises new 540-passenger Silver Spirit is scheduled to debut in December 2009.  We were excited to learn about Silver Spirit’s two new-to-the-line eateries: Stars Supper Club and the Asian-inspired Seishin. Here are a few tasty tidbits to further whet our appetites for this new ship.

Brad Ball, spokesperson for Silversea, announced that two new culinary partnerships are in the works for the ship. One is with Italy’s Slow Food Association, which promotes the slow food movement that began in Italy in the late 1980’s to combat fast food and revive local culinary traditions. Now part of a global phenomenon, slow foodies are all about taking interest in what they eat and where it comes from.

Silversea Silver Spirit Stars Supper Club

The Slow Food Association’s partnership with Silversea is still in the development stage, but the organization will likely have a hand in creating the menus at La Terrazza, Silversea’s indoor/outdoor restaurant, which will serve authentic Italian cuisine a la carte at dinnertime.

The second dining-related dish involves dessert — more specifically, swanky sweets. Signature desserts by famed Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini will be available as a “farewell confectionary gift” after meals in Le Champagne, the ship’s Relais & Chateaux outpost, and in Seishin. Passengers can look forward to macaroons at Le Champagne and, at Seishin, dark chocolate squares from Marcolini’s “Saveurs du Monde” (flavors of the world) collection.

Delicious!

American Safari Cruises | Pacific Northwest Wine & Culinary Cruise Savings

Just in time to celebrate the fall “crush” in Washington state’s emerging wine country, American Safari Cruises is offering savings of $500 per person on a special wine and culinary sailing aboard the 36-guest luxury yacht Safari Explorer on the Columbia and Snake rivers of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

River Cruise in the Pacific Northwest Wine Country

The nine-day cruise departing October 16 will feature fine wines during onboard food and wine pairings presented by sommelier David LeClaire. LeClaire will also accompany guests on off-yacht private tastings at five wineries in four appellations.

Also included on the cruise are a cave luncheon, tour of a brewery, complimentary massages from the onboard masseuse, yoga sessions, a jet-boat ride into Hells Canyon, eight transits through locks and dams on the rivers, historical centers, guided hikes, kayaking and skiff excursions.

Cost of the special wine and culinary cruise begins at $5,295 per person double occupancy. The savings are also applicable on two regular river cruises, September 30 and October 8.

Wine Library aboard the luxury yacht, Safari Explorer

Please contact Four Seasons Travel to reserve your space on this cruise.  Call 907.333.4732 or   click here to contact us via Email

Four Seasons Reveals Hualalai Enhancements and Special Rates

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island unveiled the results of its 15-month, $40-million enhancement this week, showcasing 20 new suites, a sweeping spa transformation, a renovated beachfront bar, lounge and restaurant and stylish new retail boutiques. To celebrate, the AAA Five Diamond award-winning resort is offering guests a $495 promotional rate on stays this fall, beginning September 15.

The new one- and two-bedroom suites offer between 1,150 and 1,950 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space characterized by expansive living rooms, spacious balconies and ocean views. Extra touches include slate bathrooms with steam showers and lanais off both the master bedroom and living rooms.

The beuatiful Four Seasons Hualalai

The transformed 28,000-square-foot Hualalai Spa integrates tropical gardens with cool interior spaces. The open-air Waiea or “Water of Life” garden invites guests to enjoy complimentary pre-treatment rituals by a quiet stream.

Beach Tree, the beachfront restaurant of the resort, has newly transformed interior and exterior spaces with 16-foot-high vaulted ceilings and expansive water views. New trellised seating provides for al fresco dining, and expanded outdoor lounge spaces set the stage for beachfront cocktails. New Chef de Cuisine Nick Mastrascusa, who joins Four Seasons Resort Hualalai from 57 Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel New York, oversees the menu.

The $495 fall promotional rate is per night for a Golf View room, plus tax. The special rate is available from September 15 to December 17.

Complimentary Airfare and 60% Savings on 2010 Silversea Voyages

Silversea Cruises is offering unprecedented savings of up to 60 percent off plus free airfare on all voyages in 2010 as an incentive for guests to finalize their vacation plans early.  This is a fantastic time to book an all-inclusive luxury cruise for 2010.

For a limited time, Silversea Cruises is offering a 60 percent Silver Savings discount off the published fare for all sailings next year aboard Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit. The line’s expedition ship, Prince Albert II, is also offering Silver Savings of up to 50 percent in 2010. The new savings program will introduce the most generous savings opportunities first, with higher fares as the sailing date approaches.

In addition to Silver Savings, the line is also offering a free roundtrip air package that includes transfers between airport and pier on the day of embarkation and disembarkation. The free air package is available from 22 gateway cities in the U.S. and Canada on most voyages in 2010 (excluding expedition cruises).

Silversea Medallion Suite

Examples of voyages in 2010 that feature the 60 percent Silver Savings incentive plus free airfare include:

Caribbean:  Silver Shadow’s March 30, 7-day cruise sailing roundtrip from Barbados with calls in St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Bart’s, Tortola and Bequia.  Silver Savings fares start at $2,758 per person, including roundtrip air.

South America:  Silver Cloud’s February 4, 8-day cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro with calls in Punta del Este, Itajai, Sao Paulo (port of Santos) and Parati.  Silver Savings fares start at $4,238 per person, including roundtrip air.

Africa:  Silver Wind’s January 23, 10-day cruise sailing roundtrip from Cape Town with calls in East London, Maputo, Richard’s Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay.  Silver Savings fares start at $4,238 per person, including roundtrip air.

Why choose Silversea?  An all-inclusive Silversea voyage is a perfect luxury cruise choice.  Aboard the beautiful, intimate ships of Silversea you will discover a world of easy going elegance without an ounce of pretension. It is this distinction that continues to earn Silversea the reputation of Worlds Best. 

Discover genuine European expertise reflected in every detail, from tranquil all-suite accommodation and uncompromising service to distinctive fine dining and a carefree all-inclusive philosophy.

Your cruise fare includes accommodations in an oceanview suite, most with private verandahs; complimentary champagne, wine, spirits, and other beverages served throughout the ship; an in-suite beverage cabinet stocked with your preferred assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; open-seating dining featuring a wide selection of gourmet offerings; complimentary in-suite course-by-course dining and 24 hour room service; onboard enrichment programs; and all gratuities.  

Silversea is one of my personal favorites for cruising.  Sample one of their wonderful voyages, and I think you will agree!

Fine Dining Aboard the Silver Whisper

Two New Luxury Cruise Ships from Silversea and Seabourn

Silversea Cruises — Silver Spirit

Silversea Cruises’ 540-passenger Silver Spirit is the ultra-luxury line’s largest. Novel features include an expanded 8,300-square-foot indoor/outdoor Spa at Silversea including a whirlpool (and three others by the pool), six restaurants including a new supper club, and a new Asian-themed restaurant. Ninety-five percent of the all-suite accommodations have verandas.

Scheduled for launch in Europe in December, the Silver Spirit will offer a
Grand Inaugural Voyage from Fort Lauderdale beginning on Jan. 21, 2010 and including a visit to Rio de Janeiro during Carnival time.

Silversea Silver Spirit at Sea

Yachts of Seabourn — Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn’s new Seabourn Odyssey is a 450-passenger vessel, the line’s largest. The all-suite ship has verandas on 90 percent of the ccommodations, four restaurants and an indoor/outdoor spa, and four restaurants.

The Spa at Seabourn features 750-square-foot private retreat “Spa Villas”
with seating and dining areas, indoor double bed lounger, two treatment
beds, oversized bathtub and separate shower, and wraparound terrace with sun loungers for half-day use including preferred combination of treatments.

The ship is being introduced in Europe this summer and will offer a series
of Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale beginning in November.