all the dish that’s fit to print
vacay the swiss way
Here’s something worth yodeling about: travelers can now extend their next Swiss vacation at no extra cost. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love freebies?
For any three consecutive nights booked at La Réserve Geneva Hotel, guests will enjoy the third night FREE. Spend the extra evening relaxing in refined comfort on a soft velvet bedspread, or dining on seasonal Mediterranean dishes at the Le Loti restaurant. Rates start from CHF 900/night (about $857); offer is available for Executive and Deluxe Rooms and all Suites and includes access to all of the hotel facilities.
We all wish we could slow down Father Time. Well, at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, it’s truly possible with a 30-hour day offering. For every 24 hours booked, with check-in at the guest’s convenience, six hours are added on as a gift. For example, a noon check-in is good until 6 p.m. the next day. And, multiple 24-hour days can add up! Arrive at noon on Friday with expected check out on Monday at noon – that’s three 24-hour days plus an extra 18 hours. So, one can stay an extra day and a half (until Tuesday at 6 p.m.) for nothing.
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comedic relief on the shores of lake geneva, featuring charlie chaplin
No offense, Charlie, but we can’t stay silent with this news. Fans of Chaplin will soon be able to pay homage to his life during a stay at the elegant La Réserve Geneva.
Already over a decade in the making, the famous silent film actor’s home is in its final two years of transformation from a residence to a museum.
And when the museum finally comes to fruition? Make sure to book a night or two at the nearby La Réserve Geneva. Complete the package with a Lake Suite for views of the water, exquisite dining at the Le Loti restaurant, and a hot springs-infused treatment at the spa.
Then head on over to the museum to enjoy memorabilia and displays from Chaplin’s life, including the piano at which he composed film scores and a desk where he wrote an autobiography and scripts for two of his movies.
Not ready for home post-lounging on Lake Geneva? Extend your vacation in Switzerland and jet to Interlaken’s Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa for a majestic hike or an exclusive treatment at the new SENSAI SELECT SPA.
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alternative holidays
Not looking forward to packing the beach gear or the skis this holiday season?
These unconventional end-of-year getaways will scratch the travel itch. Rounded up here are cozy and kid-friendly locales for families, unique spots for adventurers and enriching destinations for those craving cultural stimuli.
Family Festivities
WHAT: Getaway to a Country Cottage
WHERE: National Trust Holiday Cottages – UK
WHY: Because a trip to the English countryside with a family membership in the Royal Oak Foundation to see old castles and gardens (for free!) could just be the best present for the Harry Potter-loving kids (or parents).
DETAILS, DETAILS: With over 360 cottages from which to choose, here are a few:
- Emley Farmhouse in Surrey sleeps up to 10 and has a traditional country kitchen, perfect for that big Christmas dinner. A three night stay starts at $740.35, a seven night stay, $1416.75.
- 89 Church Lawn in Wiltshire sleeps up to seven and has exclusive access to the National Trust’s stunning winter gardens. You can even go fishing in the beautiful lake. A three night stay starts at $590, a seven night stay, $1065.50.
- Abermydyr in Wales sits on the banks of the River Aeron and sleeps up to six. Brings the kids here for the Christmas food and craft fair at Llanerchaeron, a Trust protected gentry estate. A three night stay starts at $493.50, a seven night stay, $957.30.
WHAT: Swiss Family Reunion
WHERE: The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa – Interlaken, Switzerland
WHY: Christmas dinners, a Children’s Party for New Year’s Eve, and Dad treating Mom to a Festive Foam Bath with winter aromas and champagne all conspire for festive fun.
DETAILS, DETAILS: Splash Hour at the pool, the Zurich Zoo and the St. Beatus caves will thrill the kids, and fitness classes, Turkish baths, and professional childcare will restore their parents’ sanity. Rates start at $877 per night for double occupancy.
Adventurers Only
WHAT: Arabian Eco-experience
WHERE: Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa – Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE
WHY: It feeds the craving for sun while heeding the call of the wild.
DETAILS, DETAILS: Home to one of Abu Dhabi’s largest Arabian wildlife conservancies, guests can go hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, take a game drive, or learn archery. Double occupancy rates start at $537 per night; book at least 30 days in advance to receive a 15% discount.
WHAT: Modern Day Pilgrimage
WHERE: Uma Paro – Bhutan
WHY: Because hiking to a Buddhist monastery sure beats waiting in line at a department store with frantic holiday shoppers.
DETAILS, DETAILS: One of its many active adventures includes a trek to Tiger’s Nest monastery, located in the sheer cliffs 2,700 feet above Paro Valley and a peaceful orchard picnic with spectacular views. For the month of December, double occupancy rates start at $330 per night.
WHAT: Chance to Step Foot on Antarctica
WHERE: Crystal Cruise’s Symphony departs from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile.
WHY: Due to an upcoming ban on cruise ships in the Antarctic Ocean, this will be Crystal’s final voyage to the area.
DETAILS, DETAILS: In addition to visiting amazing locales in South America, six thrill-seekers will take the rare overland trip to Antarctica to see remote villages, a petrified forest, and a penguin breeding ground. Rates start at $8,995, double occupancy.
Cultural Cravings
WHAT: Revelation in the Red City
WHERE: Royal Mansour Marrakech – Morocco
WHY: It will be impossible to miss the carolers when exploring Djemma El-fna, a square in the historical district of town known for having the best musicians, dancers and storytellers.
DETAILS, DETAILS: When in this city of cultural fusions be sure to visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and the largest souk (traditional market) in Morocco to bargain for spices or clothing or tea pots. Riads start at €1,500 a night.
WHAT: Balinese New Beginning
WHERE: Uma Ubud – Bali
WHY: What better way to start the year then with the New Year package’s complimentary massage on the first day of 2010.
DETAILS, DETAILS: Guests will see the village decorated with traditional bamboo poles and banana leaves and enjoy a Balinese-inspired New Year’s Eve dinner, followed by a cocktail party with DJ at the pool bar. Rates start at $260 per night, double occupancy.
WHAT: A Resolution Well-Kept
WHERE: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand
WHY: Utilizing those new Thai cooking skills back home will keep the post-holiday gloom at bay.
DETAILS, DETAILS: The cooking lessons are just the beginning of the cultural immersion; at the Elephant Camp (part of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre), a 30-minute lesson will teach adventurers to drive an elephant. Rates start at $520, double occupancy.
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pay homage to the cheese pope in switzerland
courtesy of the san francisco chronicle
This month, Gourmet profiles Rolf Beeler, dubbed the Swiss “Cheese Pope.” Beeler is a finisher who works with artisanal cheesemakers around Switzerland to cultivate, age, and coax their products into something transcendent. As the magazine mentions, French Laundry in California and Gramercy Tavern in New York both import his cheeses. And thanks to the cutting-edge buyers at Whole Foods, you can serve Rolf Beeler’s Emmental and Gruyère at your own dinner parties. Trace any of these imports back to its root and you’ll find a farmer who can tell you the name of the cow from whence it came.
Just as lobsters taste better after a day spent on the Nantucket beaches, there’s no better way to appreciate a cheese’s terroir than after a meal accompanied by Swiss wines in the heart of the Alps. The Michelin-starred Jasper at the Palace Luzern and the Jungfrau Brasserie at the Victoria-Jungfrau in Interlaken both feature Beeler’s cheese. The chefs always include Beeler creations in their dazzling cheese displays as well as their recipes. Even if you managed to resist the fondue, you can’t - and shouldn’t – decline a nibble of Hoch Ybrig after dinner.
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wellness retreats around the world
Sometimes we require more to feel healthy than a 40-minute workout, especially one that was squeezed in after the office and before a cocktail.
These wellness retreats aim to give us what we need to feel like our best selves, whether it’s a boost or a true paradigm shift. None of them are simply ‘spa packages.’ All are hosted by beautiful resorts, from Mexico to the Caribbean, France to Switzerland, and Bhutan to Bali.
Summertime Yoga Retreats – Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Where: Fly to Cancún and drive 40 minutes down the Riviera Maya to the 1,700-acre enclave of Mayakobá.
When: Four long weekends this summer: June 18-21; July 16-29; August 20-24; September 27-30.
Details: Morning and evening yoga classes, led by TJ Jackson, who has also studied Ayurvedic medicine in India, in the Sense spa. The spa is on its own private island within the resort. Includes accommodation, daily breakfast, a spa treatment, a session in the Temazcal, a Neo-Vedic Astrology reading, and a tour of a mystic Mayan temple inside a cenote.
This One’s For You If: You want to deepen your practice, refresh your senses, and have plenty of time between downward dogs to sit by the pool.
Cost: Nightly rates are $650 for single occupancy and $850 for double occupancy. Includes tax and service charges.
More details here, and call 888-ROSEWOOD to book
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30-hour days in switzerland
Does the usual afternoon check-in, morning check-out hotel policy leave you feeling a little robbed? Wouldn’t it be nice to sleep until noon, just once in a blue moon?
The Victoria-Jungfrau in Switzerland has just introduced the ‘30 hour day.’ Guests now can stay 30 hours for each night they book – an extra six hours on top of a 24-hour day – and check in whenever they like. In other words, arrive at 11 am on Saturday and stay until 5 pm on Sunday. Or book three nights and you could arrive at 5 pm on Friday and leave at 11 am on Tuesday, effectively getting that fourth night for free.
This can be applied to all stays booked at rack rate and can also be combined with the Victoria-Jungfrau Classic offer (which includes full breakfast and dinner.) There’s no advance booking requirement or minimum stay, they just ask that you let the hotel know when to expect you.
Old World hospitality at its finest. We love the idea of having much more time to chill in the vast, beautiful spa or the vast, beautiful Alpine setting of this luxe resort. And if we were going in, say, June, we would surely take advantage of the mountain bikes that the hotel keeps on hand for any guest who wants to head for the hills, free of charge.
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global spa summit’s first year in europe
The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa will play host to the Global Spa Summit this year- the first time the summit will be held in Europe. Talk about spa street cred. Spa pros will gather at this legendary Swiss spot from May 17-29, 2009 to hold forth on the latest developments in the industry.
Those who ’spa’ for pleasure rather than business can go anytime and sample the 60,000-square foot wellness space. Way above and beyond the usual pool/sauna/gym combo, the spa offers guests a chance to feel good in what seems like a thousand ways…
An ESPA treatment center. A Clarins beauty center. Botox and other medi-spa services. Hair extensions. Eastern treatments like Shiastu, Breema, ‘Singing Bowl Massage,’ and ‘The Five Tibetans.’ Golf lessons. Mountain biking. Color-light therapy saunas. An outdoor saltwater Jacuzzi. A 65-foot pool, topped with a skylight.
Come to think of it, it’s kind of a spa smorgasbord.
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our very own ‘top ten’ summer deals
It was a long winter. We won’t try to predict the rest of 2009, but we do know one thing for sure: we will all need a break this summer. Now that spring is here, let’s start daydreaming.
To help plant a few seeds, so to speak, we have gathered up the newest, best hotel deals for this summer. This is our very own “Top Ten.” One suggestion from us: this is the moment to rethink spots that were always seen as prohibitively expensive. Like Nantucket. London. Switzerland. Even Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos.
Some of these deals have already started, so if you want to just skip spring and go straight to a summery vacation, be our guest…
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Deal: A little something called “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” from Nantucket Island Resorts, which owns The Wauwinet, the White Elephant, the White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and the Jared Coffin House.
Breakdown: Specific dates throughout the high summer season have seriously low rates.
For example:
- Jared Coffin House: Normal summer rates start at $155 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $105
- The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin: Normal summer rates start at $490 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $175 per night
- White Elephant: Normal summer rates start at $615 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $195 per night
- The Wauwinet: Normal summer rates start at $680 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $225 per night
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because Nantucket is one of the prettiest islands in our country, and it has never been more accessible than it is this year. Once there, spend idyllic days bicycling, beach reading, and picking your own strawberries.
Fine Print: Rates are subject to change after April 15, so keep checking the website to see the latest dates and rates.
Book here
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Deal: “Muy Sabrosa” package at the Inn on the Alameda adds not only value but culinary spice to a stay in this kooky, lovely city.
Breakdown: Package rates begin at $376 for a two-night stay and include a two-and-a-half hour cooking demo and lunch at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, a $40 gift certificate to Mucho Gusto (a cozy Mexican café next to the Inn), plus breakfast and afternoon port and cheese daily.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: To get lost in the flowers at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Plus, Santa Fe averages 325 days a year of blue skies and sun, and is one of only nine cities in the world to be designated a “Creative City” by UNESCO.
Fine Print: Package is available for Sunday- Tuesday and Wednesday- Friday stays during specific dates through the year.
Get more details or call 888-984-2121 to book
Turks & Caicos
Deal: Parrot Cay’s ‘4 for 3‘ and ‘7 for 5‘ offers have just been extended through December 20, 2009. Summer rates go down, so you can stay longer for even less.
Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at $575 this summer (rather than $775 in the winter), which means two can stay four nights and pay $1,725. That rate includes daily breakfast, return airport transfers, and complimentary Pilates and yoga.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this resort is like rehab for the soul. The private island spans 1,000 acres, with white sand beaches and turquoise water in every direction. You can bone-fish, consult with the Ayurvedic doctor, or float in the pool all day.
Fine Print: You have to play it cool when swimming next to Bruce Willis and his newly-betrothed.
Book here or call 649-946-7788
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Deal: Rosewood Mayakobá just announced a “Spring Getaway” promotion for the month of April. Rates have been reduced by 25% for stays April 1 through 30, with no minimum stay, no advance booking requirement, and no blackout dates.
Breakdown: Lagoon Suites are now $590/night, Deluxe Lagoon Suites are now $790/night, and Deluxe Overwater Suites are $850/night. This rate includes daily breakfast for two (not normally included).
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this is for April, and last we checked New York still isn’t 80 degrees and sunny. Plus, does your apartment have its own private plunge pool and butler? Thought not.
Fine Print: Must be paid in full at the time of booking, and non-refundable. In other words: just go.
Book here or call 888-ROSEWOOD
London, England
Deal: Now through September 6, 2009, the Metropolitan and The Halkin are offering super-low fixed U.S. dollar rates. And we mean super-low.
Breakdown: A “City Room” at the Met is $199/night, rather than ₤375. A “Double Room” at The Halkin is $299/night, rather than ₤390.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because London is less expensive than New York to visit and live in for the first time since 2002. And with current exchange rates, it’s 25% less expensive for Americans to visit now than it was last year. So you can see London at its greenest, sunniest, and cheapest.
Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days. Must be paid in full at time of booking. Non-refundable.
Book the Met here and The Halkin here
English Countryside
Deal: Members of The Royal Oak Foundation get 25% off rates and breakfast at England’s three Historic House Hotels, plus a complimentary room upgrade.
Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at £160 (about $230) before the discount, so stay three nights for about $540, including the cost of Royal Oak Foundation membership.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because we don’t have many lush gardens and lovely estates like these in the U.S. This is a true escape from modern stressers like Blackberries, E-ZPass, and MetroCards. Just pack that novel you’ve been trying to read.
Fine Print: Valid for stays through October 31, 2009, with certain blackout dates
Book: There are three steps to this one, but they are well-worth it.
- Call 800-913-6565, ext. 205 to become a Royal Oak Foundation member (it’s $55 and there are many benefits).
- On the same call, ask for the promotional code needed to receive the member discount at Historic House Hotels.
- Reserve your stay in England.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Deal: The Victoria-Jungfrau is offering an ongoing “Internet Special” with steeply discounted rates. This is like a Swiss sample sale.
Breakdown: While normal nightly rates for two begin at €613 (about $786), “Internet Special” rates for two begin at € 250 (about $320).
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this legendary resort is nestled right smack in the middle of the Swiss Alps. Take one of the hotel’s mountain bikes, head for the hills, yell “Ricola!” at the top of your lungs, and then chill out in the 60,000-square foot spa.
Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay, non-refundable.
Book here
European Cruises
Deal: Book Crystal Cruise’s “European Celebration” promotion available on most Mediterranean and Baltic cruises this summer and save up to $1,500 per person. Plus enjoy the new “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” $2,000 per couple spending credit on twelve of the Med and Baltic sailings to spend on virtually anything while on board.
Breakdown: “European Celebration” fares start at $4,245 per person for 11-day Baltic cruises $4,080 per person for 12-day Mediterranean cruises. Savings is determined by cabin category selected; on most qualifying cruises, save $1,500 per person on a penthouse suite, $1,000 per person on a verandah stateroom, and $750 per person on a deluxe stateroom.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the convenience of unpacking once and traveling to multiple ports on a single itinerary will beat couch-surfing the Travel Channel every time.
Fine Print: “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” shipboard credit cannot be used for cruise deposits or casino gambling
Book at 888-799-4625 or contact a travel agent
Last but not Least: Two Far-Flung Spots That Won’t Break the Bank
Trang, Thailand
Deal: Stay three nights for the price of two at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa.
Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $169, so a three-night stay is $338.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the resort is on Changlang Beach, one of the most pristine of all Thai beaches and part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park. Dive into the waters of the Andaman Sea and rub shoulders with the sea cows, famous in this region.
Fine Print: Valid until October 31, 2009
Book here
Ubud, Bali
Deal: The “Ultimate Savings Offer” at COMO’s Uma Ubud means rates start at $195, including breakfast
Breakdown: Rates normally start at $260.
Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because just breathing this pure air is worth the trip. The hotel looks out over Tjampuhan valley in the deep lush forest of the Balinese hills, where you can pick your own orchids. We’ll resist the temptation to insert an Eat, Pray, Love reference here.
Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days. Must be paid in full at time of booking. Non-refundable. This isn’t valid from July 15- September 15, but otherwise is available until December 31, 2009.
Book here or call +62 361 972 448
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no room at the inn?
We’re as sad as anyone to hear that the Basel Zoo no longer has room for Farasi, the 220 lb. hippopotamus. In case this is news to you, Farasi actually beat Roger Federer to be “Swiss of the Year” in 2008 - he’s a personality of gargantuan proportions in this little country.
Farasi might do well to crash for a night at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, a short train ride from Basel. There are currently rooms available at this famed resort for 200 CHF, or about $168 per person. The spa wing spans 60,000 square feet and has wonderful hydrotherapy facilities. Our personal favorite is the outdoor saltwater Jacuzzi, though we admit to having mixed feelings about hot tubbing with a hippo.
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we’re having a swiss moment
New York is buzzing about the opening of Café Select, an authentic Swiss spot from the same owner as La Esquina. The New Yorker calls the cuisine “Swiss soul food” and that “it may not be the Jungfraujoch, but it does make for a lovely morning.”
We have a tip for feeling more insider-y next time you order up rösti and raclette in downtown New York: see the real Jungfraujoch for a song this spring, and stay in the hotel of those Swiss Alps. The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa has just introduced an ongoing Internet Special, offering unusually low rates. Nightly rates for two begin at € 250 (about $320); normal rates for two begin at €613 (about $786)…quel difference! Who said Switzerland is too expensive?
If you go soon, enjoy spring skiing with the free shuttle to the lifts. For those feeling less adventurous, all rooms have an outrageous view of the Swiss Alps, and all guests have full access to the 60,000-square foot spa.
Book at www.victoria-jungfrau.ch/en. You might feel a little homesick the next time you settle into the booth on Lafayette Street.
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