all the dish that’s fit to print
spring is (or soon will be) in the air
Despite the snow this past week, DC will surely thaw out before NY, and the Cherry Blossom Festival is actually right around the corner, end of March! The breathtaking scene around the Tidal Basin is rumored to make even cold-blooded lobbyists crack a smile. A true sign of spring in the air is Park Hyatt Washington’s annual Spring Blossom Package (available now through April 26). Take advantage of a room upgrade, a pot of Cherry Blossom Green Tea from the hotel’s Tea Cellar, choice of valet parking or breakfast, and a backpack for the kids filled with sightseeing supplies and gifts.
Spring in DC (before the swampy summer) is also perfect for the obligatory sightseeing tour of our nation’s capital. In this historic year, it means more than ever. With Park Hyatt Washington as a home base it’s easy to get around and explore everything from the monuments and museums, to galleries and boutique shops. The hotel wraps it up nice in the Culture at the Park package – room upgrade, behind-the-scenes tour of “Portraying Lincoln” on display at The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., tickets to George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Estate and Gardens, homemade apple pie from its award-winning Blue Duck Tavern, and drinks for two in the Lounge (American Martini or Bourbon Sampler anyone?).
*Spring Blossom package available through April 26, 2009, with rates starting at $329.
**The two-night, Culture at the Park package is available through October 31, 2009, with rates starting at $749.
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will yodel for spring
One can still hear yodelers calling from the Alps in Switzerland. In a country with such a rich relationship to the outdoors, that’s not surprising.
But who knew that there are three major music festivals a year in Lucerne? The first festival took place seventy years ago, in the gardens of Richard Wagner’s villa. Now an Easter festival, Summer festival, and Piano festival round out the year in this beloved Swiss city.
First up is the LUCERNE FESTIVAL at Easter, from March 28 to April 5. The mix of sacred and secular music, much of it performed in churches around the city, just might lift everyone out of their winter blues. Among the headlining events is the soaring conclusion to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and performances honoring the 200th anniversary of the death of Haydn and the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel. A new spin on a ‘spring awakening,’ for sure.
As an added pleasure for culture-lover, several events will take place at the KKL, the Culture and Congress Center. The KKL was designed by Jean Nouvel, an edgy architect who was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2008. The KKL has outrageous acoustics and overhangs Lake Lucerne. The spot is so sensational that it may just inspire a little yodeling.
Come home to the Palace Luzern, just across the lake from the KKL. Feast at their Michelin-starred restaurant Jasper and hear a little night music at the bar, where the musicians tend to hang out after-hours. Finally, curl up in the Suite of Arts and wake up to a Swiss spring.
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new year brings new adventures … in bhutan!
Eggnog, latkes with crème fraîche, holiday hams, cookies … the holidays can be a time of over-indulgence. As sugar levels start to stabilize, the new year leaves us hungry (well, maybe that’s not the best word …) to do something that is not only invigorating but also authentic and meaningful. So for 2009, why not commit to one of Uma Paro’s eleven Adventure Retreats that are sure to shake off the post-holiday blues? (more…)
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real (if forced) relaxation in bali
Although we here at AMPR love NYC, we admit that it can be a very noisy, distracting city. For instance, the deafening sound of jackhammers right outside our office window! If only we were in Bali…
To honor the Balinese Lunar New Year, (March 29th, 2009), the entire island shuts down with a “Day of Silence.” This Hindu holiday, called Nyepi, is a holiday of mediation and self-reflection, and is observed by Hindus and non-Hindus alike (even tourists are not exempt, although rules are lax within hotels). For Balinese residents, anything that could possibly interfere with self-reflection is restricted; no speaking, no obnoxious entertainment, and best of all, no ear-splitting construction!
And while this might be a scary leap for those physically incapable of detaching themselves from their Blackberrys, we see Nyepi as the ultimate gift: real, if forced, relaxation. Uma Ubud, one of two luxe COMO outposts on the island, embraces the holiday by offering guests two complimentary yoga classes to practice reflection and meditation, as well as a traditional Rijitafel feast at the Kempiri restaurant.
Visit http://uma.como.bz/ubud.
thai cuisine 101
For someone visiting London for the first time, it might come as a surprise that on any city street corner, one is just as likely to spot a Thai restaurant as a traditional English fish-n-chips shop. It seems that even the pickiest meat and potatoes eaters have succumbed to the exotic flavors of the east. If only we knew how to cook Thai food ourselves…
Fortunately the Halkin hotel of London is offering a series of Thai cooking classes for 2009 at its restaurant, nahm – the very first Thai restaurant in Europe to earn a Michelin star.
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masters of food & wine
The Malbec will be flowing February 10-15 2009 at Park Hyatt’s annual Masters of Food & Wine festival. Located in Argentina for the third year in a row, Palacio-Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires and Park Hyatt Mendoza will open their kitchens for a series of intimate gourmet meals and wine tastings, highlighting the best of Argentina while combining the talents of guest chefs from around the globe (Alain Passard and Jean-Francois Rouquette, for example).
This five day culinary celebration serves up lunches, dinners, and culinary demonstrations held in spectacular settings such as private homes, vineyards, and distinguished local establishments, all at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Mendoza’s wines will be the feature as acclaimed sommeliers and wine experts present special wine pairings at each day’s repast.
For more details, visit http://www.mfandw.com.ar.
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muy sabrosa in santa fe
Say no to the Southwestern fast food restaurants that serve up burnt beans and boring salsas, and learn how to prepare the cuisine yourself. Santa Fe’s Inn on the Alameda has teamed up with the Santa Fe School of Cooking to create the very tempting Muy Sabrosa package. Meaning “very tasty,” the Inn’s culinary package includes a 2 ½ hour class of exceptional recipes, professional instruction, and a complete demonstration of the menu, followed by the savory lunch prepared just moments before! (more…)
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celluloid travels
Fan or foe of the many period films made in England these days (Becoming Jane and The Duchess, to name but two), there is no denying the moody allure of the backdrops. With a wealth of preserved grounds and estates at the ready, filmmakers go straight to the source, forgoing the dreaded green screen. This holiday, take a trip full of cinematic intrigue and visit one of many National Trust properties that have played roles in the iconic films of our time.
Make the deal a little sweeter with some pre-trip planning: savvy travelers who join The Royal Oak Foundation, the US affiliate of the venerable National Trust, gain FREE access to all the properties featured below. Individual Royal Oak Foundation memberships cost only $55; pay only $90 for an entire family membership. Don’t wait, though – buying a membership pass in the UK means paying double, as an individual membership costs a whopping £46!
The most recent films shot on location at National Trust properties include…
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not your average conference room
While the old adage suggests that one should never mix business with pleasure, we believe it’s wise to “never say never” (when it comes to hotel accommodations, at least). Luxury hotels offer meeting-goers the best in technology, sustenance, and experience – not to mention plush bedding and great views. And while the conference may be the most important part of the trip, corporations are able to add value and meaning to the retreat. Not only will meetings be efficient, morale will soar. (more…)
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pachyderms in action
One of Anantara Golden Triangle’s biggest draws is their on-site elephant camp, a conservation effort for re-habbing Thailand’s street elephants under the watchful eye of philanthropist John Roberts. Check out all the action here, on Anantara’s live elephant cam.
Read here for more on Anantara’s largest residents, and go here for information on John Roberts and the Asian Elephant Foundation.
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