Fun Travels in Europe

AUSTRIA

Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) --

of the World ski destinations not offer travellers world-class skiing, but the “championship” level service, comfort and quality synonymous with the luxury brand. The following resort is just a taste of the breathtaking worldwide ski resort hotels that SLH has to offer ski aficionados: 

Kristiania Lech Hotel

Over-looking the pretty ski resort village of Lech in the Austrian Alps, Kristiania Lech was opened in 1968 by the gold medallist slalom skier Othmar Schneider and his wife. Since then, the hotel, now run by Othmar’s daughter, has been dedicated to providing the perfect home-base for skiers and guarantees an intimate and personal luxury experience. With the slopes literally at your doorstep and the knowledgeable guidance of the Ski Butler on hand, you can plan you skiing from dawn until dusk. Here you can enjoy the quintessential delights of a true European ski resort. At the end of a busy day, retire to the hotel and enjoy pre-dinner drinks in one of the hotel’s bars - sample excellent Austrian Malts, port and Schnapps before a delicious traditional meal complemented by fine local wines.

For more information, check web site www.slh.com/kristiania) (All ski lifts running)

Euro 2008 with travel packages from Roadtrips    

Soccer fans are anxiously anticipating Euro 2008 after the soccer world converged on Germany in the summer of 2006 for a wildly successful World Cup. Roadtrips, the Ultimate in Sports Travel, has released travel packages for all Euro 2008 games, including the Euro 2008 Championship Finals in Vienna, Austria.

Big saves and unbelievable goals are mixed with national pride and pure fan passion as Europe's best players pull on their country's jersey and play for more than just bragging rights. While billions will watch the tournament on TV, only a special few will be there to witness in person the passion, excitement and drama on the world stage.

"We experienced the excitement of the World Cup in Germany first hand last summer," said Dave Guenther, Roadtrips' President. "We know that soccer fans want great seats and first class accommodations. Our travel packages in each of the cities give fans options on what matches they want to see, where they want to sit, and where they want to stay."

All Roadtrips' Euro 2008 travel packages include guaranteed tickets to the chosen UEFA EURO 2008 match, 3 days/2 nights accommodations in a choice of 3-Star, 4-Star, and 5-Star Hotels, 3 Day Unlimited Use Local Transportation Pass, plus the expert travel and concierge services of the Roadtrips At- Your-Service Desk. Complete Euro 2008 Round Robin and Quarter Final Packages available from $1965, while packages for the Euro 2008 final start a $5965 (prices based on double occupancy).

For more information, call a sports travel experts at 1-800-465-1765 or visit www.roadtrips.com.

A recognized leader in the sports travel industry, Roadtrips has been creating memorable experiences to exciting sporting events and games for over 16 years. Roadtrips offers a wide variety of sports travel packages to the biggest events in sports, including trips to the Beijing Summer Olympic Games, Super Bowl, World Series, and 'Getaway' packages to all major league regular season games in 89 North American cities. For more information call 1-800-465-1765 or visit www.roadtrips.com.

BELGIUM

EVENTS:

Maanrock:

Maanrock (Moon Rock) is a free pop and rock festival catering to young people on Saturday and families on Sunday is held in Mechelen on four different stages August 23 and August 24, 2008. Last year's line up included: Shameboy, Magnus, Stijn, Jerboa and Billy King. A twenty minute train ride from Brussels Mechelen is known for its carillon school and is thriving with quaint shops, car-free areas and pleasant little squares.<http://lyris.globescope.com

And for those who would like to rock at the museum check out It's not only Rock 'n' roll Baby! an exhibition held at the Center for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels to mark the 33rd anniversary of the legendary rock festival, Rock Werchter. The exhibit reveals the little-known visual side of some of the most popular rock and pop bands and provides insight into the role of visual art in the creation of their music. The exhibition features work by bands and musicians from the 1970s through today, such as Brian Eno, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Pete Doherty and many others. Brussels through September 7, 2008. Throughout the exhibition live activities, including poetry readings, performances and unplugged concerts will also take place.

For more information go to www.visitflanders.us

Bruges Various Museums Offer Superb Collections

One of the great charms of the museum collection of the City of Bruges is its splendid diversity: from the Flemish Primitives to contemporary art, from classic ‘fine arts’ to archaeological finds, furniture, silver, folklore… In short, something for everyone!

Groeninge Museum and Arents House

Artistic works from the 15th to 21st century are grouped in the Groeninge Museum and the Arents House.

Brugge Museum --

is the museum platform for contemporary arts. The Bruggemuseum (Bruges Museum) is a general title encompassing all the different historical museums: Gruuthuse, the Welcome Church of Our Lady, the Archaeological Museum, the Gentpoort, the Belfry, the Town Hall, the Liberty of Bruges, the Museum of Folklore, the Sint-Janshuis Mill, the Koelewei Mill and the Guido Gezelle Museum. Here you can find a veritable treasure trove of art works and each collection tells the history of Bruges from a different point of view.

Hospitaalmuseum --

is the collective name for two historical hospitals: the 8 century old Saint John's Hospital, which is now known as Memling in Sint-Jan museum and O.L.V.-ter-Potterie (Our Lady of the Potteries). Memling in Sint-Jan is famous for its collection of paintings by the great master of the Flemish Primitives, Hans Memling, while Our Lady of the Potteries is better known for its Baroque church and its outstanding silverwork.

Musea Brugge is the umbrella organization for 16 museums with diverse collections. The locations are subdivided into three groups: the GROENINGE Museum (Artistic Works), the HOSPITAALMUSEUM (historical hospitals with among others the Memling collection) and the BRUGGEMUSEUM (historical museums). Every year, almost 800,000 local and foreign guests visit one or more museums of the City of Bruges.

Musea Brugge is also responsible for Raakvlak (the intermunicipal archaeological service for Bruges and surrounding area) and for the Bruges cultural inheritance department.

More soon 

CZECH REPUBLIC

TREASURES OF PRAGUE: EXCLUSIVE CASTLE TOUR WITH MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PRAGUE

Mandarin Oriental, Prague has launched an exclusive two-day Treasures of Prague package, priced at EUR 579 (approx. $800) per room per night. Featuring a guided tour of the newly revealed cultural riches of Prague Castle, with private limousine transfers, a champagne lunch at a palace, a memorable keepsake and a soothing Oriental foot massage.

Accompanied by an expert private guide, guests are taken on a day-long exploration of what once truly was a city within a city. After visiting the Castle’s most spectacular buildings such as the Gothic St. Vitus’ Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace, a champagne welcome and private catered lunch await on the terrace of the Lobkowicz Palace on the Castle’s eastern side, affording panoramic views of the city; this is followed by a tour of the Palace’s spectacular collections. The Palace, the only privately-owned building within the Castle walls, is the ancient domain of the Lobkowicz noble family whose history is closely tied to that of Prague and indeed, the Czech lands.

In an exclusive partnership with Mandarin Oriental, Prague, visitors who book the Treasures of Prague package will receive a special keepsake accompanied by a card personally signed by Prince William Lobkowicz, providing a lasting memento of their visit. The day will stylishly conclude with a Mercedes S-class limousine transfer back to the hotel and a refreshing Oriental foot massage at the Spa to soothe away any lingering signs of ‘cobblestone fatigue’.

For seven centuries, the Lobkowicz Princes were important political figures and equally significant patrons of art and music, amassing valuable collections of old master paintings, decorative arts, original musical scores and instruments and rare arms and armor. Presented in their ancestral home for the first time, the newly-opened exhibition (entitled the Princely Collections) includes  masterpieces such  as the  magnificent Haymaking by Pieter  Brueghel  the Elder, two world-renowned paintings by Canaletto, and a number of portraits by Velázquez. An installation focusing on music features the manuscripts of several of Beethoven’s symphonies dedicated to the 7th Prince Lobkowicz, as well as Mozart’s own re-orchestration of Haendel’s Messiah. The Princely Collections revives an important cultural site in the heart of Europe by increasing public access to some of the world’s greatest works of art.

Prague Castle is the city’s premier landmark and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Towering above the city and within walking distance of Mandarin Oriental, Prague, it has served for centuries as the imposing seat of Czech kings and presidents. This unique architectural complex dating back as far as the 10th Century and consisting of multiple churches, palaces, burgers’ houses, medieval towers, courtyards and splendid gardens was the site of several dramatic events with a profound effect on European history. 

Rates for the two-day Treasures of Prague package start at EUR 579 (approx. $800) per room per night based on double occupancy; the rate includes breakfast but excludes 5% VAT. Additional nights are available.

Mandarin Oriental, Prague   

Mandarin Oriental, Prague is situated in a former Dominican monastery with origins dating back to the 14th Century. To this day, the building carries the features of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The hotel’s 99 spacious guest rooms and suites offer refined residential ambience enhanced by original architectural detail. Equipped with the latest technology, the guest rooms’ design combines restrained elegance with subtle Asian touches. The hotel also includes a holistic Spa located in a former Renaissance chapel, the Essensia restaurant, and Barego bar.      

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 16 under development in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Hainan Island, China (2007), Barcelona, Boston and Beijing (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman and Costa Rica (2009) and Guangzhou, Taipei and Paris (2010). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development almost 9,800 rooms in 21 countries with 16 hotels in Asia, 13 in The Americas and seven in Europe and North Africa.

ENGLAND

Latest Happenings

2008 is an exciting year for London, with new events, attractions, and openings creating buzz across the capital city and drawing tourists from the US and Canada. From inspiring Olympic ceremonies to internationally renowned art and museum exhibitions, London is poised to cater to every traveller’s wish list this year. Visit London has created a special summary below on everything you need to know to explore the newest that London has to offer this year.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK OFFERS NEW SPA PROGRAM FOR JET LAGGED TRAVELERS

In recognition of its many international jet set guests, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has launched a new “Time Traveler” program to help ease the effects of traveling across different time zones, priced at GBP 210 (approx. USD 418).

The newly introduced “Time Traveler” program entails a 50-minute treatment in the morning between 7.30am and 9.30am, and a 50-minute treatment in the evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on the same day. The morning treatment begins with an invigorating Oriental Salt Scrub to overcome the sluggishness caused by jet lag by stimulating blood flow to the brain. Firm massage to the feet and lower legs follows to help combat fluid retention and deep vein thrombosis. Focus on the lymphatic system will help to reduce Oedema, the swelling caused by fluid retention often associated with air travel.  Focus on the circulatory system reinvigorates blood flow which will help combat deep vein thrombosis.  In the evening, the program ends with an hour’s soothing massage using aromatherapy oils to help bring about a serene state of relaxation thus aiding a peaceful night’s sleep as guests adjust to the new time zone.

Guests are also encouraged to arrive 30 minutes ahead of their treatment time to make full use of the Heat and Water oasis, access to which is provided at both stages of the “Time Traveler” program, in order to benefit from the healing powers of heat and water. The Heat and Water Oasis includes a Sanarium, Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, Vitality Pool, and Zen Colour Therapy Relaxation Area. The jet lag resolving “Time Traveler” program has been tailored to suit both guests retiring to the hotel’s sumptuous rooms, and local residents for whom limousine transfer can easily be arranged.

This program is subject to availability. For reservations, please contact The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London directly on +44 (0) 207 838 9888 or go to web site www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

DRAYCOTT HOTEL OFFERS LONDON CULTURE AND DINE-AROUND PACKAGE

The Draycott Hotel, situated in the heart of London's fashionable Chelsea, has an enticing offer for those who prefer to pepper their travel with culture and fine dining.

Through December 31st, 2008, guests who partake of the London Culture and Dine-Around Package will receive three nights stay at the stylish Draycott Hotel, two admission tickets to the Churchill Museum and Benjamin Franklin House, two theatre tickets to the best available show, and a full English breakfast. In addition, the package, which allows plenty of time for sightseeing, shopping and museum-going, provides a dine-around option where guests will be treated like VIPs each night at a choice of three out of five of London‚s trendiest eateries. Options include a three-course menu at Daphnes, an Italian restaurant that is a favorite of the smart set; a delectable Spanish meal at El Balson; a five course tasting Indian menu at the world-famous Chutney Mary or the Michelin star Amaya; or experience exquisite contemporary Scottish cuisine at Boisdale of Belgravia.

Package rates based on double occupancy are US $2,165 for a Deluxe Double or US $2,905 for a Suite, inclusive of VAT. All prices are subject to availability.

The Draycott epitomizes the warmth and hospitality associated with a smart boutique hotel where personalized service is key. Originally three grand Edwardian brick-faced houses on Cadogan Gardens, they were combined to create an intimate hotel which captures the elegance of the past with great style. The concierge staff is on call day and night to ensure guests‚ every need is anticipated and totally satisfied.  Elegant and refined, the Draycott features modern conveniences, such as free high speed internet and Wi-Fi connection, as well as traditional courtesies˜treating guests to complimentary tea and homemade biscuits at 4 pm, a glass of champagne at 6 pm and hot chocolate before bed. 

For information or reservations, email reservations@draycotthotel.com or call 1-800-747-4942 or 011 44 207 730 6466. The web site is www.draycotthotel.com.

Visit London puts ‘Local’ spin on gay tourism with announcement of new LGBT web site

Visit London has launched a new LGBT web site www.visitlondon.com/rainbow, continuing its long standing commitment to the gay and lesbian community. The new LGBT website is designed to give gay and lesbian tourists a chance to experience London just as the locals do.

The new web site will introduce LGBT tourists to places, events and activities from the perspective of gay and lesbian locals. From bars and restaurants, many historic royal residences and parks, to world-class shopping and free-to-visit museums, London offers something for every interest.     

Celebrated as one of the leading gay and lesbian capitals of the world, London has the largest gay and lesbian population in Europe. Recently, London was named the most visited international destination for gay and lesbian travelers residing in the US, according to the 12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Survey conducted by Community Marketing, Inc., San Francisco, CA.

Martine Ainsworth-Wells, Marketing Director, Visit London commented, "Our local LGBT community helped London become the gay capital of the world, so it's appropriate that we let our US friends know how to do London Like A Local."

The web site will encourage visitors to “Do London like a Local” as personalities present activities they enjoy the most, as well as providing tips and suggestions to make the dollar go further. Whether you fancy a stroll through one of London’s renowned outdoor spaces, are in need of help finding nightlife options, searching for a list of shopping hot spots or tips on where to find the best organic restaurants and green hotels in the city, Visit London’s locals will show gay and lesbian visitors how to make the most out of their vacation.

To mark the launch of the new web site, Visit London has rolled out a print campaign appearing in local publications in several major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago as well as promoting the campaign with online media.

Gay and lesbian visitors wanting to “Do London like a Local” should go to visitlondon.com/rainbow.

Beijing Olympic Games Handover Ceremonies through Sept 2008

ATTRACTIONS:

The Rhizotron and the Xstrata Treetop Walkway through Late 2008

The Saatchi Gallery opened Spring 2008

EXHIBITIONS:

For Your Eyes Only Through March 1, 2009

Francis Bacon 1 Oct 2008 – 4 Jan 2009

Hadrian: Empire and Conflict Through 26 October 2008

The Courtauld Cézannes Through 5 Oct 2008

Paths to Fame: Turner’s Watercolour Landscapes 30 Oct 2008 - 25 Jan

Flemish paintings in the Royal Collection Oct 2008

Theatre and Performance:

Centenary of West End Theatre Throughout 2008

EVENTS:

Beijing Olympic Games Handover Ceremonies

24 August 2008 - Beijing Olympic Games Closing Ceremony

17 September 2008 - Beijing Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony

The first major events for London 2012 are the Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. During each of these, in a formal handover the Olympic Flag is passed from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London. The Handover Ceremonies officially mark the start of the London 2012 Olympiad. More details about the ceremonies will be announced at a later date.

K West Hotel

K West hotel is offering a My Time Spa package, ideal for those wanting to unwind after a hard days shopping, the package costs $265 per person and includes one night’s accommodation in a deluxe room, a 60 minute spa treatment, full English breakfast and unlimited access to K Spa.

Harvey Nichols Screening

You can even keep up the fashion theme while eating in London. Harvey Nichols will be screening the highlights of the shows just hours after they happen on the screens in the restaurant. Diners can therefore work on their spring fashion wish lists while tucking into breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or just a glass of champagne.

Berkeley Hotel Pret-a-Prtea

How about some beautiful fashion that’s good enough to eat? The Berkeley Hotel offers Pret-a-Portea, a fashionista’s afternoon tea inspired after various fashion collections. The tea comes in the form of a delectable selection of miniature mouth-watering savory skewers, “taster” spoons, elegant canapés plus cakes and biscuits which are in the style of work from the world’s finest designers.

Donovan Bar

As for drinking, London is considered by many to have the most fashionable scene in the world with champagne and cocktail bars found throughout the capital. Many bars are launching their own fashion cocktails to coincide with London Fashion Week. The Donovan Bar at Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel, for example, will be unveiling its latest collection of Fashion Cocktails in September which include The New York, The London, The Milan and The Paris.

Metropolitan Hotel's Lobby Lounge

In The Lobby Lounge at The Metropolitan hotel hosts The Lobbyists, a venue for after work drinks which has a different theme each month. During September the theme is fashion, where there will be cocktails created by the designers exhibiting at the hotel during London Fashion Week, various fashion exhibitions, and special guest DJ’s from the world of fashion spinning their favorite catwalk tunes.

Shopping Areas Abound

Fashionable shopping areas can be found throughout London, whatever styles or trends you are into, be it vintage, high street, designer or trendy. With over 40,000 fantastic shops to choose from, London’s streets can become your catwalk. It’s a shopaholic's dream come true and the perfect place to get the ultimate additions to your bursting wardrobe and ensure you are bang on trend.

ABOUT VISIT LONDON

Visit London is the official visitor organization for London. Its role is to promote London as the world’s most exciting city, targeting domestic and overseas leisure and business visitors as well as Londoners. Visit London works in partnership with the Mayor, the London Development Agency and the commercial industry. www.visitlondon.com.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY McCARTNEY FOR GUESTS OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is proud to announce an exclusive arrangement for guests providing access to a private photo shoot with celebrated photographer Mary McCartney. To ensure exclusivity, availability will be limited to just ten guests as part of a luxury experience priced at GBP 20,000 (approximately 40,250 USD.) 

Highly sought after, Mary McCartney’s professional portrait work has included iconic commissions of such high profile individuals as Tony and Cherie Blair, Jude Law and Ralph Fiennes. At the beginning of this year, Mary was appointed official photographer for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s ‘I’m a Fan’ brand campaign which features the hotel group’s celebrity ambassadors, such as Liam Neeson and Darcey Bussell, captured in their favourite locations.

During the course of a two night stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious feature suites, guests will be treated like royalty with fully chauffeured transfers, discreet access through the hotel’s Royal Entrance, indulgent pre-shoot spa treatments, and award-winning dining to top the experience.  

Terms and conditions:
Based on double occupancy, the ‘Mary McCartney Portrait Experience’ is priced from GBP20,000.00 (approximately 40,250 USD) + VAT and 5% discretionary service charge, and includes:
·         Two nights accommodation in a feature suite overlooking Hyde Park, with private butler
·         Full Champagne English Breakfast daily
·         Photo shoot with Mary McCartney
·         2 x Two Hours Advanced Time Ritual at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental to prepare
·         Round trip transfers to any airport or heliport within 75 mile radius of the hotel
·         6 hours chauffeur driven Mercedes OR full NCP parking
·         A la carte dinner for 2 in Foliage with 1 glass of house Champagne per person 
·         One bottle of vintage champagne, hand made chocolates and flowers in-room on arrival
·         Privileged hotel access through the Royal Entrance

Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 235 2000.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London - With the tranquillity of Hyde Park on one side and the sophistication of Knightsbridge on the other, the historic five-star Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London claims the city’s most perfect location. Breath-taking views of the park are offered from many of the sumptuous suites, as well as the hotel’s award-winning restaurants; Foliage and The Park, whilst Mandarin Bar is the epicentre of the capital’s nightlife with a wide range of cocktails, exotic nibbles and live jazz music until 2am. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers a haven of tranquillity in the heart of Knightsbridge where East and West blend in harmony, and a series of tailor-made treatments known as ‘Time Rituals’ draw on exotic therapies and philosophies from around the world.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 16 under development in Hainan Island, China and Riviera Maya, Mexico (2007), Barcelona, Beijing and Boston (2008), Chicago, Costa Rica, Dallas, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, and Turks and Caicos (2009) and Grand Cayman, Guangzhou, Paris and Taipei (2010). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development almost 9,800 rooms in 21 countries with 16 hotels in Asia, 13 in The Americas and seven in Europe and North Africa.

Visit London revamps web site as part of its 2012 preparations

Visit London has re-launched its web site as part of its preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and commitment to providing the best information about the capital to visitors and Londoners.

The new, fresh look has been designed to allow London’s visitors to navigate information quicker and easier, run more powerful searches, and book a range of products and services including hotel rooms, theater tickets and restaurants.

“As we prepare to welcome the world in 2012 it is important that we provide visitors with the best possible information and content,” Visit London Chief Executive James Bidwell said. “The Visit London website has been revitalized to ensure visitors get the most out of their stay in the capital and the most up-to-date information in one, easy to navigate location.

“This is only the first step in our digital plans in the lead up to London 2012. The next stages in the development of the Visit London website include the ability to post user-generated content, which will be available by the end of the year.”

A key highlight of the new Visit London site is the Explorer maps. London Explorer shows all the attractions, bars, restaurants, hotels in a defined area and allows users to search for what they’re looking for quickly and easily. A new ‘People like You’ section makes recommendations for different visitors – from family, youth and budget to luxury, gay and green.

“We’ve researched user requirements and built new features around what visitors tell us they want,” Visit London Digital Director Jose Adams said. “There are several additional new features in the pipeline focused on allowing users to personalize content, which will ensure that we continue to offer visitors the best online experience.”

London Goes Al Fresco

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to get out there and experience the fantastic al fresco dining opportunities London has to offer. While the sun is shining, grab your shades and head to one of the many cafes, bars or restaurants that have outside areas in which you can soak up the rays while enjoying some food and drink. These and many other suggestions can be found on the Visit London web site, www.visitlondon.com.

Even in central London there are a huge number of venues that are taking advantage of every outside space available to provide open-air areas for their customers. In Leicester Square alone there are almost 1,000 seats outside the world renowned hotels, bars and restaurants where you can watch the world and the stars go by. As the home of British cinema, Leicester Square is the perfect place to catch an afternoon matinee, followed by a cappuccino and conversation outside one of the many cafes and bars.

Roof terraces offer great outdoor eating and drinking combined with fantastic views of the city. No. 5 Cavendish Square opened its new roof terrace in June. The wrap-around terrace offers sumptuous views over Marylebone and the West-End and is the ideal way to escape the bustle of the streets below and enjoy a cocktail, after-dinner drink, or canapés. The rooftop at the Trafalgar offers similarly impressive views but this time over Trafalgar Square and the surrounding areas.

Terraces are also a great place to while away a few hours in the sun. Chelsea Physic Garden’s café has a terrace area with seating for 50 and a beautiful view across London’s oldest botanic garden. Perhaps you’ve had a day’s shopping and fancy a chilled glass of wine? The Sheraton Park Tower hotel in Knightsbridge is located just minutes’ walk from Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Sloane Street and has a Parisian-style café, The Terrace at Knightsbride, which is open from breakfast until late and has heaters, enabling guests to dine outside into the evening.

Perhaps one of the most well-known terrace restaurants is the OXO Tower top floor bar, where guests can enjoy extensive views of London as well as their imaginative bar menu and drinks list.

Along the Thames are a multitude of venues that take advantage of their waterfront location and have outside areas that offer magnificent views along the River Thames. The south side of the River offers a multitude of al fresco dining opportunities. Southbank and Bankside are both teaming with restaurants, bars and cafes in which to enjoy a snack or meal with family or friends. At Bankside, The Founder’s Arms pub has an outside terrace with spectacular views of the Thames. Alternative dining options in the area include Pizza Express and The Real Greek. In addition, the redevelopment of the 21 acre Southbank site has a pedestrian area bulging with bars and restaurants.

It doesn’t just have to be at the weekend when you can enjoy an outdoor lunch, there are many places, for example in the City, that have open air areas where workers can have a break from the office and get some fresh air whilst having a business lunch. Dion, situated near to St. Paul’s underground station, boasts of an award-winning wine and champagne list and has a newly extended outside seating area where customers can enjoy views of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Another option within the city is the bar at Addendum, at the Apex City of London Hotel.

Alternatively, you could just pack a picnic and enjoy one of London’s many parks. A third of London is made up of green land so you are never too far from a patch of grass on which to stretch out on. Central London parks include Regent’s Park, Hyde Park or St. James Park, alternatively try South London’s Richmond Park which comes complete with herds of deer, Victoria Park in East London, which is host to various fun fairs and music events over the summer or Regent’s Park in North London, which is just a stones throw from London Zoo.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London- -- BESPOKE WELLNESS SERVICES BY EXPERT CONSULTANTS

Responding to demand, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is providing guests with services from a vetted list of leading wellness experts, offering the following: 

Nutrition Advice

Medical Check-Up

Yoga

Pilates

Tai Chi-Qi Gong

Personal Training

Building on the range of holistic treatments available at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, the Spa’s concierge team will gladly build an overnight ‘Wellness Retreat’ from the above services, tailor-made to the needs of the individual. Equally guests are invited to request just one additional activity such as ‘Personal Training’ in the hotel’s state of the art gymnasium, ‘Tai Chi-Qi Gong’ in the fresh air and abundant green space of Hyde Park or a ‘Medical Check-Up’ in the comfort and privacy of a luxury room. Available all year round, this arrangement is ideal for guests looking for a bespoke health and wellness experience, rather than participating in a pre-structured group programme. 

Leaders in their fields, consultants lending their advice and expertise include Tai Chi-Qi Gong Third Duam Master, Tony Ulatowski, and acclaimed nutritionist Max Tomlinson. Tony Ulatowski has been practicing Tai Chi for over 20 years and is the British Tai Chi champion having been awarded a gold medal in ‘Stick Form’ and a silver medal in ‘Straight Sword’. Max Tomlinson combines practicing in Harley Street and Fulham Road clinics with guest speaking about natural therapies for UK television and writing for a number of the UK’s leading newspapers and magazines. 

The influence of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, with its sincere understanding of wellness and desire to provide an inspiration to all its guests for lifestyle change, has spread deep into the hotel’s culture. Complimentary yoga mats and healthy fruit baskets are available in rooms, fresh power juices and dairy-free options are served in The Park restaurant, and around the clock access is provided to state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment in the gymnasium.

Situated right on the very edge of Hyde Park and home to a spa regularly rated one of the best in the world, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is alone in its ability to offer a ‘rural’ Wellness Retreat in the comfort of luxury surroundings in the heart of London. Other activities to enjoy in Hyde Park include horse riding, swimming, tennis, roller-blading, roller-skating, rowing and cycling. 

Every effort is taken to ensure guests staying for a comprehensive ‘Wellness Retreat’ enjoy the optimal healthy experience and that they leave relaxed and restored, armed with expert tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. For best results, the consultants recommend booking two ‘Wellness Retreats’ at each end of a fixed period so that they may set guests’ goals, as well as measure and provide feedback and support on their results. 

Terms and conditions:

A two hour Time Ritual at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental costs from GBP200. Prices for additional Wellness Services range from GBP100. Room rates at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London start from GBP415 and suites from GBP675 excluding VAT and 5% discretionary service charge. It is recommended that enquiries are made as early as possible, please contact The Spa at Mandarin Oriental directly on +44 (0) 207 838 9888.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London offers a haven of tranquillity in the heart of Knightsbridge that combines harmonious design elements with therapeutic rituals. It is a place where East and West blend in harmony, and a series of tailor-made treatments known as ‘Time RitualsTM’ draw on exotic therapies and philosophies from around the world. Guests can relax within the Spa’s separate male and female heat and water areas which include; a Sanarium, Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, Vitality Pool, and Zen Colour Therapy Relaxation Room. Operating hours are from 7am to 10pm daily, with treatments held from 7.30am to 9.30pm.

Reservations: +44 (0) 20 7838 9888.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, a historic five-star hotel with 198 luxurious rooms and suites, boasts London’s most perfect location between tranquil Hyde Park and sophisticated Knightsbridge. Breath-taking views of the park are offered from many of the sumptuous suites, as well as the hotel’s award-winning restaurants; Foliage and The Park, whilst Mandarin Bar is the epicentre of the capital’s nightlife with a wide range of cocktails, exotic nibbles and live jazz music until 2am. The hotel is also home to the afore-mentioned spa.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 14 under development in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Hainan Island, China (2007), Barcelona and Boston (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Turks and Caicos and Grand Cayman (2009) and Guangzhou, Taipei and Paris (2010). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 9,500 rooms in 20 countries with 15 hotels in Asia, 12 in The Americas and seven in Europe and North Africa.

GBP100 TO SPEND AT HARVEY NICHOLS - From Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London -

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is delighted to offer fashion-focused guests a special shopping package; ‘Harvey Nichols 100’ – luxury overnight accommodation including a GBP100 Harvey Nichols gift certificate.

Situated directly opposite the hotel, this globally renowned luxury lifestyle store couldn’t be more perfectly located for guests wishing to shop during their stay. Deluxe hotel rooms on the ‘Harvey Nichols 100’ package provide tantalizing views across the boutiques of Knightsbridge and the offer of a late check-out allows dedicated shoppers to make the most of two full days’ retail exploration. 

Terms and conditions:

The ‘Harvey Nichols 100’ package is available from GBP499 and includes:

Accommodation for 2 people in a deluxe Knightsbridge room

A GBP100 Harvey Nichols Gift Voucher

Full English breakfast

Late check out subject to availability


Based on double occupancy, prices are exclusive of VAT and 5% service charge and valid until 30 December 2007, subject to availability. Reservations must be made ten working days in advance.

Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 235 2000, or through Mandarin Oriental’s worldwide sales and reservations offices or the Group’s direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london. 

WALKING iTOURS

Guests at The Milestone and ‘41’, two of Red Carnation’s five- star London properties in Central London, have long been accustomed not just to absolute luxury, but also to the last word in thoughtful extras. Now these last words have been added to by the shelfload, with a fabulous idea that will add enormously to guests’ experience of London.

Among the superb amenities in every room, guests will find a state-of-the-art Bose iPod docking station, with complimentary iPods available from reception. As well as being loaded with a massive selection of music from a wide range of genres and a children's audio book, these also include a fascinating selection of London audio walking guides.

Guests are invited to take to the streets, iPod in ear (couples can do the teenage lovers trick of a shared headset, but should watch out for the lamp posts), in order to find out all there is to know about a particular area or attraction. Each about two hours long, the walking tours available cover:

•         City of London – discovering the historic financial centre of Europe
•         Royal London – the palaces, parks, and parade grounds of Britain’s monarchs
•         Temple District – the special world of London’s fascinating and unique legal district
•         Banks of the Thames – from Millennium to Tower Bridge, a river in history
•         West End Night-Life – a vibrant evening jaunt from Piccadilly via Soho to Covent Garden
•         Westminster – the heart of London: Parliament, Whitehall, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square

Also available are expert guides to three of London’s most famous attractions – The Tower of London, The British Museum, and The National Gallery – to help visitors make the most of the myriad treasures each attraction contains. Although pre-loaded onto the iPods in English, the hotels are delighted to download guides in the language of guests’ choice wherever available.

This is a complimentary service to all guests, but to add to the attraction The Milestone Hotel in Kensington is offering a special Walk London deal as its perfect introduction to London. With a night’s accommodation, a glass of chilled Champagne and a fruit platter on arrival, English breakfast for two, a picnic hamper for two, and the use of the hotel’s iPod (with a brand new headset!) loaded with music and tours for the duration of the stay, prices, depending on room type, are from £280 to £800 per room, with extra nights available at special rates. In addition to the above, guests naturally also enjoy the wonderful luxury, comfort, and cuisine of one of Europe’s highest-rated hotels, including its incomparable 24-hour butler service.

For more information and Milestone reservations call the hotel directly at +44 (0) 20 7917 1000 or book online at bookms@rchmail.com.  For ‘41’ reservations call +44 (0)20 7300 0041 or book online at book41@rchmail.com.

For further information on Red Carnation’s stunning collection of five- and four-star luxury boutique hotels in London, Dorset, Geneva, Cape Town, and Palm Beach, visit www.redcarnation.com. Please note that the rates quoted above exclude VAT at the current rate of 17.5%.

Free booklet "Best of British Excellence"

Special one-time only offers and exclusive vacation experiences for Americans traveling to Britain this year are featured in a free booklet called Best of British Excellence. Available from the British Tourist Authority, these deals, available through a card which comes with the booklet, includes personal shopping tours, guided visits around museums and galleries, spa treatments, theater, and dining packages, plus transportation discounts.

The book identifies some of the finest shopping and food experiences throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, among them noted stores and shops in London’s fashionable shopping districts, jewelry, glass and woolen workshops in Scotland, and a world-renowned Irish distillery. In London, cardholders will have a tutored tasting of traditionally made cheeses at Paxton & Whitfield, Britain’s oldest cheese monger and holder of two Royal Warrants; and a complementary tour of the museum and private archives of Smythson, famed for the design and manufacture of leather-bound books, accessories and personalized stationery.

There’s much more. Send for the booklet by contacting the British Tourist Authority, 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 701, New York 10176 or call 1-877-899-8391.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Offers Gentlemen In-Room Tailoring Service        

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is offering gentleman guests an exclusive in-room tailoring service by haute couturier ‘Billionaire Italian Couture’ Creative Director, Angelo Galasso. 

At no additional cost, Angelo Galasso, will provide guests of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park with a personal measure and design consultation in their room or suite. As a mark of distinction, shirts tailored by Angelo Galasso for hotel guests will feature a discreetly embroidered gold fan, Mandarin Oriental’s logo. Guests wearing this shirt will subsequently be granted VIP access to the exclusive ‘Billionaire Club’ in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy. Guests will also be entitled to a guaranteed express five week delivery on made-to-measure suits and shirts (usually ten weeks).    
              

A collaboration between Formula One businessman Flavio Briatore and fashion designer Angelo Galasso; Billionaire Italian Couture was established in 2005 to offer haute couture to men. The couture house tailors slick, expertly hand-made suits, shirts, shoes and accessories in luxurious fabrics with obsessive detail in vibrant and classic colours, appealing to both the sartorially classic and the adventurous. Tailored shirts from Billionaire Italian Couture cost from GBP 420 (approximately USD 840) and tailored suits from GBP 2,600 (approximately USD 5,200).

Billionaire Italian Couture Creative Director, Angelo Galasso, said: “I myself have stayed at Mandarin Oriental hotels around the world and know their passion for exceeding guests’ expectations. This service will appeal to those guests who desire the very best in life, and for it to be delivered right to their door.”

General Manager, Christoph Mares, said: “This is the latest in a range of exclusive services we offer guests; experiences they could not find elsewhere. We can open stores outside of normal hours, arrange tours and lessons with experts in their field, and now – one of the finest men’s haute couturiers will consult with our guests in the comfort of their own rooms.”

Terms and conditions:

This offer is part of a range of Exclusive Services available only to guests staying at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Room rates at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park start from GBP415 and suites from GBP675 excluding VAT and 5% discretionary service charge. It is recommended that enquiries are made as early as possible.

Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 235 2000, or through Mandarin Oriental’s worldwide sales and reservations offices or the Group’s direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london. 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 14 under development in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Hainan Island, China (2007), Barcelona and Boston (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Turks and Caicos and Grand Cayman (2009) and Guangzhou, Taipei and Paris (2010). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 9,500 rooms in 20 countries with 15 hotels in Asia, 12 in The Americas and seven in Europe and North Africa.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON PRETTY IN THE CITY

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has launched ‘Pretty in the City’ an indulgent room package that includes a Daniel Hersheson Blow Dry and Chanel Make Up application, in the comfort and privacy of a sumptuous hotel room.
Allowing guests to sink back and savour every moment cocooned within their luxurious room, a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne will be placed on ice while hair and make up are teased into perfection by a Daniel Hersheson Hair Stylist and Chanel Make Up Artist. Opulent Victorian furnishings, swathes of rich satins and silks, white orchids, indulgent bath accessories, state-of-the-art entertainment systems and the legendary Mandarin Oriental service on tap, provide the perfect setting for this pampering experience.

While the ideal service for guests heading out to attend a glittering, high profile occasion, guests need not leave the hotel to make the most of their glamorous look. The stylish Mandarin Bar is the buzzing epicentre of Knightsbridge nightlife, serving cocktails accompanied by live jazz music until two in the morning. Equally popular, guests may dine at the award-winning Foliage, offering seasonal modern European cuisine in a classic contemporary setting, with stunning views over Hyde Park and immaculate Mandarin Oriental service.

After a fabulous night out, guests can look forward to relaxing in the Spa’s Heat & Water Oasis, a calming and reviving area consisting of a Sanarium, Vitality Pool, Amethyst Crystal Steam Room and Zen Colour Therapy Relaxation Room. For the ultimate in relaxation, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers treatments where East and West blend in harmony in a haven of tranquillity.

Terms and conditions:

Based on double occupancy, the ‘Pretty in the City’ programme is priced from GBP 499.00 + VAT, (approximately USD 998)and includes:
·                    Accommodation in a deluxe king bedded room for one night
·                    Full English Breakfast
·                    One bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne
·                    A full in room makeover by a Chanel Salon makeup artist, per room
·                    In room Blow Dry by a Daniel Hersheson Salon stylist, per room

Rates for the ‘Pretty in the City’ program are based on double occupancy, exclusive of VAT and 5% discretionary service charge, and is subject to availability. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 235 2000, or through Mandarin Oriental’s worldwide sales and reservations offices or the Group’s direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

FRANCE

For a romantic way to usher in the new year, travelers can escape to the stunning Château de Bagnols in the heart of France’s Beaujolais wine country, set among scenic vineyards, forests and rolling hills.  With its towers, moat, honey-colored stone known as pierres dorées and entrance across a drawbridge, Château de Bagnols is one of France's prominent historic monuments and a unique luxury hotel. Guests can snuggle up with a loved one in front of one of the Château’s grand fireplaces, while enjoying a glass of the region’s finest. Château de Bagnols’ New Year in Beaujolais package includes:

For further information and reservations check the Rocco Forte Hotels web site at www.roccofortehotels.com or call The Leading Hotels of the World at 1-800-223-6800.

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 to create a collection of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The collection is linked together under the Rocco Forte Hotels brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

The Rocco Forte Hotels collection includes:
- Hotel de Rome, Berlin
- Hotel de Russie, Rome
- Hotel Savoy, Florence
- The Balmoral, Edinburgh
- The St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff
- The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
- Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg
- Hotel Amigo, Brussels
- Brown’s Hotel, London
- Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt
- Château de Bagnols, en Beaujolais (managed on behalf of Lady Hamlyn)

Chateau de Bagnols Villa Rentals

Want to vacation in sheer luxury? Think aboiut renting an entire 21-room villa and invite a few friends at Château de Bagnols, for only $40,000 - $72,000

Château de Bagnols, with its dazzling views of orchards, vineyards, forests and the rolling green hills of the Beaujolais countryside, is considered France’s finest five-star deluxe château-hotel. The current owner, Lady Helen Hamlyn, discovered it in 1987 in a state of disrepair, and over a five-year period hired 400 specialist builders and craftsmen to restore and convert it into a hotel, now managed by Rocco Forte Hotels. This 13th century estate, with its honey-colored towers, moat and drawbridge entrance, is the perfect place to experience history first-hand and relax in luxury. The hotel’s 21 rooms and suites, adorned by antique tapestries, have been lovingly restored and feature original historic wall paintings. There are plenty of activities outside the Château such as walking, running or cycling through the trails that wind through the vineyards, horseback riding or golfing at one of the three golf courses that are within close proximity to the hotel. 

Enjoy Rocco Forte’s 13th century Château de Bagnols in its entirety, with an exclusive rental package for your family and friends, and spend an unforgettable Christmas together. Also, visit the traditional Christmas markets of the nearby city of Lyon with transfers and a guide.

The rate is $74,298 based on the exclusive use of the Château for two nights with up to 42 guests. Conversion rate to American Dollars as of November 13, 2006 is subject to changes. To purchase, call Château de Bagnols Reservations +33 4 74 71 40 00, or email info@bagnols.com.

A Tour of rungis, the world’s largest market and true belly of Paris

Situated on the outskirts of Paris, not far from Orly airport, the Rungis market is the largest of its kind in the world. Here is where Paris’ best meals begin; and for many critics the difference between a mediocre meal and something otherworldly starts with Rungis and a chef’s ability to secure the finest ingredients.

To learn more about Context visit web site www.contexttravel.com

HOTEL FOUQUET'S BARRIÈRE OFFERS "SPARIS" SPA PACKAGE: THE ULTIMATE INDULGENCE

Hotel Fouquet's Barrière, Paris‚ latest gem on the Champs Elysées, is also home to the equally spectacular U Spa - a calm oasis featuring a cutting edge fitness center, an aqua slimming trail, six massage and cosmetic treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, hammam and one of the largest indoor hotel swimming pools in the city. In order to indulge in what the U Spa has to offer, Hotel Fouquet's Barrière is now offering guests a new deluxe two-night spa package˜fittingly named "Sparis"˜which includes the following:

Personalized spa program with the choice of two Terraké ritual signature treatments (Terraké products are from France and exclusively used at Fouquet's Barrière)

"Fitness Breakfast": hot drinks, organic egg white omelet, fresh fruit or vegetable juices, dried fruits, soy milk and low-fat or soy yogurt, bread assortment and more...

"Fitness Lunch": healthy yet tasty options such as a smoked chicken and endive salad with pecan vinaigrette or a fresh crab salad

Special Terraké kit in the room˜includes an exfoliant, detox gel, vitamin-rich cream and the choice of a mask or serum

Luxurious robes in the room

40 minute personal training session with the hotel's fitness expert

The package is based on double occupancy and is priced at Euro 2,312 (approx. $3,050 US Dollars) for two nights and Euro 1,156 for each additional night.

A wide array of innovative and exotic treatments is offered at the U Spa, such as the Red Liana Slimming Treatment, where the body is wrapped in an intensely scented Peruvian red liana and Amazonian berry paste, or the Primeval Sea facial which uses Pacific red seaweed and Atlantic marine extracts to achieve deep, anti-aging hydration. Numerous types of massages, baths, manicures and pedicures, make-up application and waxing procedures are offered as well.

Located where the Champs Elysées meets Avenue Georges V, this five-star-plus hotel opened its doors November 2006 and is the first "palace"-style hotel to open in Paris in almost 80 years˜since the George V was unveiled in 1928. A unique combination of modern-chic and fin-de-siécle grandeur, Hotel Fouquet's Barrière exudes an intimate and posh ambiance that caters to all types of clientèle. Luxurious materials of velvet, mahogany, marble, silk and embroidered leather fuse beautifully with high-tech digital equipment - such as wall mirrors that magically transform themselves into televisions - and a special emphasis is placed on service, with personal butlers assigned to each guest upon arrival.

For more information on Hotel Fouquet's Barrière, visit web site www.fouquets-barriere.com

Context Paris Walking Tour Company Launches Lecture Series

Context Paris, a network of scholars living in Paris who organize weekly walking seminars for the general public, announces the spring launch of a series of lectures and special site visits geared specifically toward English-speaking residents and regular visitors to the city.

The events within the “Out of Context Series” include unique opportunities to visit sites normally closed to the public with curators, architects, and art historians intimately connected with them.

GERMANY

Live Like a King, Spend as a Pauper

Castles -

former hunting lodges and beautiful manor homes have been turned into bed and breakfast places and even youth hostels. All these castles are pleasant, historic and non-expensive getaways for everybody and definitely a good bargain. Many of these are hidden, but can be accessed through their associations.

The castles and monasteries, manor houses that have joined the Culture and Castles Association, a group of aristocratic families opening up their properties to the public, stand out due to their remarkable authenticity - and they provide timeless accommodations for great value, starting at 60 Euro per night. The services range from bed and breakfast, holiday apartments and wedding facilities to dreamlike locations for meetings and special festivities. www.culture-castles.de

Along the Castle Road, which expands over 600 miles from Mannheim/Heidelberg to Prague, some of the over 70 castles, palaces and castle ruins have been turned into hotels and are offering comfortable and fairy-tale like accommodations. For centuries the buildings have survived the vicissitudes of history and stand as reminders of emperors, kings and princes, of poets and thinkers, robber knights and romantic tales of chivalry. www.burgenstrasse.de

Youth hostels in castles are the essence of great value with a unique experience.

Stahleck Castle -

www.jugendherberge.de in Bacharach near the river Rhine is Germany's prime example of spending like a pauper but living like a king. This 11th century castle houses today one of Germany's top youth hostels with plenty of beds, a warm welcome, and an original medieval view. Prices for an overnight stay can be as low as 20 Euro. Other popular youth hostels can be found in the castles of Nuremberg above the city center www.jugendherberge.de

Altena --

near the Ruhr region www.jugendherberge.de, Ehrenbreitstein near Koblenz www.jugendherberge.de, and Rothenfels in the Main valley www.jugendherberge.de

Regional Focus: Baden Wuerttemberg and its Castles

The state of Baden Wuerttemberg in the southwest of Germany is home to many of the countries finest palaces and the birthplace of its most powerful dynasty: the Hohenzollern, who ruled Prussia and Germany for many centuries. Castles in Baden Wuerttemberg can not only be visited, they also serve as hotels offering their guests truly royal comfort and an unforgettable stay.

A luxury getaway is the

Castle-Hotel Buehlerhoehe.

The Five-Star-Hotel just outside of Baden-Baden is nested at an altitude of 850 meters, overlooking the surrounding wineries. With luxury accommodations, gourmet restaurants and unique flair, this castle hotel is one of Baden Wuerttemberg‚s shining stars and promises an unforgettable stay. www.buehlerhoehe.de

Along the castle road lie other unique hotels: A romantic stay in a real fortress promises

Castle Guttenberg.

Situated on a mountain top overlooking the river Neckar, the guest will not only sleep safe, but comfortable in this building from the 13th century. The castle has a rustic charm and invites the guides to medieval feasts and fares.
www.burg-guttenberg.de

Liebenstein -

the castle hotel is a special treat for all golf-players with its own 27 hole golf course. The castle was build in the 12 century and is situated in close proximity to the river Neckar. With its 24 rooms the hotel promises an intimate experience with personal service. www.liebenstein.com

Other castle hotels in Baden Wuerttemberg are

Staufeneck www.burg-staufeneck.de, Haigerloch <http://news.cometogerm

Reinach www.schlossreinach.de-

where guests can enjoy excellent meals, relax and indulge in the romantic surroundings.

From the castle hotels you can take trips to the impressive main castles of the Hohenzollern. The crown of the Prussian kings can be visited in Hohenzollern Castle, a majestic fortress overlooking its environment from the top of a mountain. Castle Sigmaringen, the Hohenzollern's former seat on the Danube is also a major landmark. The castle of the princes of Hohenzollern, stands high above the Danube on a white Jurassic limestone spur. All the Castles of the Hohenzollern can be discovered by following the scenic Hohenzollern route. Over a distance of 230 km it takes you through the countryside and to many sights that once made up "Hohenzollern country". The route starts from the Neckar valley in the north and runs down almost as far as Lake Constance in the south, traversing the Swabian Alb.

Besides the castles of "Hohenzollern Country", there are the impressive palaces of Heidelberg and Mannheim. Heidelberg Castle served as the residence of the Palatine Electors for over four centuries and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle and its courtyard are famous for celebrations and cultural events, such as the castle festival in the summer (through August 23, 2008).

Reopened last year, the Baroque castle of Mannheim is the pride of the region. Built in 1720 the castle has a long and turbulent history, being destroyed and rebuild several times. www.schloss-mannheim.de

For more information on castles in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg please visit www.tourism-bw.com. An overview of all castles in Baden-Wuerttemberg can be found on www.schloesser-magazin.de.

Heritage Feature: German Architects in America

Their marks are visible all over American cities and stand immortal evidence for the impact German immigrants had on the United States. The Brooklyn Bridge and the Met Life Building in New York, the Smithsonian in Washington DC, the Liberty One Tower in Philadelphia and the General Motors building in Detroit are national landmarks were planned by German architects, including Adolf Cluss, Johann August Roebling, Albert Kahn Helmut Mies van der Rohe and Helmut Jahn have had a major impact on the architectural landscape in the US.

Adolf Cluss was born in Heilbronn in southwestern Germany. In his twenties he became friends with Karl Marx and joined the Communist movement. After the failure of the German revolutionary movement in 1848, Cluss left for America. He settled in Washington D.C., where he became a major personality among the capital‚s architectural scene. Cluss is famous for his signature red brick style. His most famous construction though is the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall. www.germanoriginality.com

Johann August Röbling was born in Mühlhausen in the state of Thuringia and came to America in 1831 with his brother. After a few years of unsuccessful farming in Philadelphia, he got a job as an engineer. He created a wire rope system which he then integrated into all of his suspension bridges. His most important construction was the Brooklyn Bridge across the East River in New York - crossed daily by thousands of commuters and tourists. www.germanoriginality.com

Albert Kahn immigrated to the United States in 1880, arriving in Detroit without any promise of fame or fortune. At the age of 15 he moved to Chicago, where he started to work, first without pay, for the architectural firm of Mason and Rice. In 1895, Albert Kahn founded his own architectural company "Albert Kahn Associates." Major works of his company include Ford Motor Company‚s Highland Park, the Art Deco Fisher Building in Detroit as well as the General Motors Building.
www.germanoriginality.com

Walter Gropius is sometimes called the father of modern architecture and design. Famous for founding the Bauhaus, he came to America via London and taught at Harvard. The home Gropius designed for himself in Lincoln, Massachusetts became a museum and National Historic Landmark. After he retired from Harvard, he continued to design. Among his later works was the Pan Am (now, Met Life) Building in New York City. www.germanoriginality.com

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a pioneer and master of modern architecture and the last official head of the Bauhaus School before it was closed in 1933. His structures make use of modern materials such as industrial steel and plate glass to define austere but elegant spaces. The architect emigrated to the U.S. and became the director of the School of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is famous for iconic works such as the Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois and the Seagram Building on New York‚s Park Avenue. www.germanoriginality.com

Helmut Jahn followed in Mies‚ footsteps and emigrated from Germany in 1966 to study at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Some of his better known creations include McCormick Place in Chicago and One Liberty Place in Philadelphia. In 1991 he was chosen as one of the Ten Most Influential Living American Architects by the AIA. Jahn also designed the new built Potsdamer Platz in the center of Berlin.
www.germanoriginality.com

Air Berlin - Düsseldorf Special

Fly Air Berlin and enjoy greater connections from New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Ft Myers to Düsseldorf and many cities throughout Europe. Book by April 1, 2008 and receive a free Düsseldorf welcome card which provides you with free use of all public transports (on German Rail second class) within the city of Düsseldorf and discounts on all major museums and exhibits. Air-fares start as low as 211 US$ for one way travel based on city of departure, space availability and dates of travel.
www.airberlin.com

King Ludwig Bavarian Excursion with Picasso Tours

Enjoy private guided tours of the fairy-tale castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, a romantic carriage ride through Hohenschwangau‚s beautiful landscape and a visit to Mary‚s Bridge. This package also includes a sumptuous five-course meal, two nights accommodation at the hotel of your choice, daily breakfast buffet and a traditional Bavarian four-course dinner. The rates for 3 days/2 nights start from $384 per person double occupancy. The offer is valid for travel through October 31. www.picassotours.com

History is Alive in the Castles of Germany's Magic Cities

Palaces and castles in Germany are all original. There is not just a handful of well-preserved ones, but several hundred from all epochs and of every genre. Taking a quick spin through Germany's nine Magic Cities from Munich in the South to Hamburg in the North, many of the castles host great museums where visitors can explore the past or discover something new.

The City of Munich boasts various glorious palaces, but Nymphenburg, formerly the summer residence of the Bavarian Wittelsbach Dynasty, with its museums is at the top of the city's sights. Among its attractions are King Ludwig I's Gallery of Beauties and the great Hall with lavish Rococo decoration. The Marstallmuseum houses a collection of historic state coaches and gala coupés, ceremonial sleighs and riding equipment. The Porcelain Museum, also called the Bäuml collection, documents the development of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Factory from its foundation in 1747 until 1920. The hunting lodge Amailienburg, located in the Nymphenburg Park, is an exquisite example of rococo and was a present from Elector Karl Albrecht to his wife Amalia. In downtown Munich, the Residenz, the former main castle of the Wittelsbachs, houses fascinating attractions, such as the Antiquarium. The castle has the largest secular Renaissance interior north of the Alps, and the treasury shows Bavaria´s crown jewels. The Residenz had grown from a small moated castle in 1385 to the present castle complex that was finished in 1918. www.muenchen.de

In Stuttgart, the Old Palace stands on the site where Duke Luitolf of Swabia once grazed his horses - the name Stuttgart and the city's coat of arms come from the old German word Stutengarten meaning a stud. With its cloistered courtyard, the palace reflects the splendor of the former ducal town. Nowadays it is home to the Württemberg State Museum where the crown jewels remind visitors that Württemberg was once a kingdom. www.stuttgart-tourist.de

Close to Stuttgart is the residence castle in Ludwigsburg, which was originally built by Duke Eberhard Ludwig of Württemberg, the uncle of Carl Eugens father. This castle to the north of Stuttgart, originally a hunting lodge completed by 1733, is one of Germany's largest and most magnificent baroque palaces consisting of 18 buildings set in a 32 hectare park. The castle grounds today are home to the porcelain factory founded in 1758, the garden show ŒBlooming Baroque‚ and the renowned Ludwigsburger castle festival taking place every summer. www.schloss-ludwigsburg.de

Dresden is home to the Zwinger Palace, a lovely baroque building in the heart of the old quarter. It is one of Europe's foremost late-baroque buildings. The Crown Gate with its golden dome has become a famous Dresden landmark. Not only the building itself is impressive, but also the exhibitions housed in the palace's twelve world class museums. www.dresden.de

On the occasion of the city's anniversary in 2006, the Historic Green Vault, the former treasure chamber of August the Strong, has opened its doors in the West Wing of the Palace. Extensive restoration work and partial reconstruction allow the historic interior to shine in new splendor. In harmony with the festive architecture, 3,000 artworks are presented standing freely against a background of richly embellished and mirrored display walls and on ornamental tables. www.dresden.de

Located in the upscale Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district in West Berlin, Charlottenburg Palace was once the summer residence of Prussian kings. The 300-year baroque palace is the largest and most elaborate of the Hohenzollern residences in Berlin. Across from the palace, two historical buildings designed by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV and built by his star architect Stüler, will present major art collections in early 2008: From Spring 2008, the Scharf-Gerstenberg Museum will be open in the Eastern Stülerbau, with a permanent exhibition on surrealism, featuring over 250 masterpieces portraying the history of Surrealism from Piranesi to Dalí. In the Western Stülerbau, Heinz Bergguen‚s collection "Picasso and his Time" will reopen in its extended exhibition space in the spring of 2008, displaying over 160 masterpieces of classic modern art by Picasso, Klee, Cezanne and van Gogh and others. www.smb.spk-berlin.de

In Frankfurt the Emperor's Hall inside the Roemer was once the site of the coronation banquets of German emperors. Although not a castle, it was here where all the kings, dukes and other high-ranking noblemen got together in and elected the Emperor and even established the first democracy in 1848. Today visitors can see the room where the Holy Roman Emperor celebrated after getting elected. Its walls were lined with the 19th Century portraits of 52 German Emperors beginning with Charlemagne and ending with the last Emperor Franz II. www.frankfurt-tourismus.de

Further west, in Düsseldorf, Elector Karl Theodor built his summer residence Castle Benrath in the 18th century. The remarkable ensemble of palace and park forms an architectural synthesis of great cultural-historical importance. The spacious park with a mirroring pond, an English landscape park and French baroque garden invites visitors for a stroll. But in the castle itself there is more to discover: The Natural History Museum in the west wing was opened in 1929 and is still open to the public. The Corps de Logis is in the central building which was erected for the Palatine Elector Carl Theodor and can as well be visited. The east wing houses the Museum for Garden Art and its exhibition ranges from the villas of Greek and Roman history to the Italian Renaissance. www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de

Right outside of Cologne the Augustusburg palace and Falkenlust hunting lodge are amongst the most impressive princely residences in Germany, and have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site sice 1984. Set in 74 hectares of parkland, designed by Girard and Lenne, the foremost late baroque and rococo buildings were built at the beginning of the 18th century by the archbishop of Cologne, Clemens August of Bavaria of the Wittelsbach family. Today the Augustusburg Palace, which was the favorite residence of the archbishop, can be visited all year long and is also home to the most important and comprehensive motorbike collections in Europe. The museum focuses on motorcycle history boasting a wealth of unique exhibits. Falkenlust has been open to the public as a museum for falconry since 1974. The falconer's daily life is presented in a recently fitted-out falconer's workroom. www.augustusburg.eu

Further north, Hannover was the seat of Hannoverian kings as well as to the House of Guelph. The baroque gardens of Herrenhausen are among the largest and most important baroque gardens in Europe today. The unique gardens are a wonderful backdrop for the 'Festival Weeks' in Herrenhausen featuring concerts and musical performances. The International Fireworks Competition during the summer time is the fifth biggest in the world. Marienburg Castle, which is nowadays the residence of King Ernst August of Hannover and his wife Caroline, is located half an hour south of Hannover. It is open to the public for guided tours as well as concerts. www.hannover-tourismus.de

In Hamburg the classical Jenisch house was built at the beginning of the 19th Century and today serves as a branch of the Altonaer Museum. It is located in the beautiful Jenisch-Park beside the river Elbe, and displays historic examples of upper middle class home furnishings from the 16th-19th Centuries in 14 exhibition rooms on several floors. Among them are impressive halls for prestige purposes, which are decorated in the Classical and Biedermeier styles, as well as many pieces of furniture, paintings and crafts from the late renaissance period. The beautiful art nouveau furniture is also worth seeing. www.hamburg-tourism.de

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MUNICH COMPLETES ROOMS RENOVATION

Mandarin Oriental, Munich has completed a comprehensive renovation of all 48 guest rooms and 25 suites and an upgrade of the exterior facade, designed to maintain the hotel’s dominant position in the marketplace.

Highlights of the refurbishment showcase elegant, contemporary design using the finest woods and rich fabrics with touches of Asian style. All guest rooms feature sleek cherry wood furniture in neo-Biedermeier style, with subtle Asian influences reflecting the Oriental heritage of the luxury hotel group. In addition, state-of-the-art entertainment such as Bang & Olufsen flatscreen televisions with over 600 channels, as well as seamless customer-centric technology systems, a hallmark of Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide, is available throughout.   

The two exclusive Mandarin and Oriental Suites benefit from new conservatories, created by incorporating the original patios, affording an airy, light-flooded atmosphere and unique views of the cityscape and landmarks. Each suite also contains a variety of striking Asian objets d’art .

Michael Ziemer, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Munich, commented on the refurbishment: “The elegant and sleek design of the new interiors and the best of all modern conveniences, combined with Mandarin Oriental’s highly individualized service, provides our guests with a delightful experience.” Ralf Clausen of CM Design, was the lead architect responsible for the project.

Mandarin Oriental, Munich

Centrally located, Mandarin Oriental, Munich is a haven of Neo-Renaissance charm and elegance, providing the highest levels of personalized service. The award-winning hotel redefines luxury within the city’s most historic setting. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Munich, within the city’s old town, only steps away from a host of museums, the Bavarian Opera House, theatres and the famous Hofbraeuhaus (beer hall and gardens). It is also within Munich’s most exclusive area for fine restaurants, designer boutiques, charming cafés, art galleries and picturesque farmers’ markets. Unique to Mandarin Oriental, Munich are its Michelin starred restaurant, Mark’s, and its rooftop terrace and heated swimming pool with spectacular 360 degree views over the city towards the Alps.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 16 under development in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Hainan Island, China (2007), Barcelona, Boston and Beijing (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman and Costa Rica (2009) and Guangzhou, Taipei and Paris (2010). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development almost 9,800 rooms in 21 countries with 16 hotels in Asia, 13 in The Americas and seven in Europe and North Africa.

The Mandarin Oriental Introduces Health-Conscious Accommodation With New 'Spa Lifestyle Guestrooms."

Mandarin Oriental, Miami is delighted to debut a selection of “Spa Lifestyle Rooms,” specifically designed for the healthy-minded guest. Complete with an air purification system, in-room fitness program, personal lifestyle consultant and spa cuisine offerings, the new Spa Lifestyle Rooms aim to provide a balanced, stress-free environment for guests.

“We are delighted to offer our guests this innovative, wellness-focused option in accommodation,” said Jill DeMone, Director of Sales & Marketing. “The Spa Lifestyle Rooms are ideal for guests wishing to eat healthier, maintain their exercise routine, sleep more soundly and unwind and relax while away on vacation or a business trip.”
Each of the 16 Spa Lifestyle Rooms is equipped with an air purification system to breathe air free of allergens. The rooms receive a seven-step cleaning process, developed by Pure Solutions N.A., which treats the walls, the bedcovers and air itself. As a result, all Spa Lifestyle Rooms are certified as “allergy-friendly.” Guests will breathe easier and wake up more refreshed. The rooms also feature a selection of pillows from a “water pillow” to memory foam pillows to ensure guests’ total comfort.  

The in-room fitness program includes wellness dumbbell racks and wellness balls from Technogym, a world-class provider of fitness equipment.  Eco-Yoga mats, organic cotton yoga straps and yoga blocks are also provided for guests to enjoy a fitness class or workout in the comfort of their room.  A selection of fitness-themed TV channels, available 24 hours a day, offer classes of Pilates, Yoga and Body Sculpting as well as Guided Relaxation for Sleep.  Private yoga and meditation classes can also be arranged in-room or in The Spa’s Chi Studio by expert instructors from The Spa.  Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness centre which has been entirely renovated, with innovative equipment from Technogym.  It showcases The Cardio Wave, an innovative machine offering a similar motion to rollerblading or skiing. The gym is a high-tech, luxurious space, with stunning views across Biscayne Bay.

To address health and wellness concerns, Lifestyle Consultant Michelle Menendez will meet with guests and provide recommendations on various topics from nutrition and fitness to relaxation. Ms. Menendez can also arrange nutrition consultations, personal training classes, in-room massages, treatments at The Spa or bespoke spa experiences for guests.

Upon arrival, guests will be offered welcome green tea and a variety of organic foods including raw natural bars, all natural granola, dried fruits and dark extra fine chocolate to enjoy in the comforts of their Spa Lifestyle Room.  A special spa cuisine menu is available 24 hours a day through in-room dining.  Spa cuisine selections are also offered at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Café Sambal or at the poolside bar.
The Spa Lifestyle Rooms are located on the sixth floor of the hotel and each feature an expansive, private veranda with views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, a marble bathroom with separate glass shower, cherry wood furniture and a choice of king size or two double beds. Rates begin at $735 per room per night.

For reservations, please contact the hotel directly on +1 (305) 913-8288, toll free +1 (866) 888-6780; or Mandarin Oriental’s direct on-line reservations service at web site www.mandarinoriental.com

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Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 20 luxury hotels with a further 11 under development in Riviera Maya-Mexico and Hainan Island-China (2007), Barcelona, Boston and Grand Cayman (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech and Turks and Caicos (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, almost 9,000 rooms in 18 countries with 13 hotels in Asia, 12 in the Americas and six in Europe and North Africa.

Germany's Modern Cuisine

Classic German cooking conjures up images of heavy fare, but sauerkraut and sausages are not all the German cuisine has to offer. A strong organic movement, European fusion and new young chefs add a light and sophisticated taste to regional dishes.

Germany has an abundance of restaurants using top-quality products and ingredients for a food loving nation. Many chefs insist on using absolutely fresh, preferably free range meats, and organic vegetables coming from local suppliers and food markets. The country is, in fact, a leader in organic farming and food production methods. The dishes are light and are prepared in such a way as to retain their high vitamin and mineral content. On the menu are choices such as lukewarm white asparagus salad and vegetable vinaigrette, potato and cucumber soup, red cabbage salad and many more. Sometimes culinary lovers will even find organic wines to accompany the meal.

Modern German cuisine as well represents a central European fusion of tastes incorporating influences from around the world. Not only recipes and spices of other countries influence the recipes, the dishes also vary according to each German state's culinary tradition and its regional agriculture. Many chefs even specialize in exquisite regional cuisine with an international touch. In Hamburg, for example, the top restaurants Landhaus Scherrer and Jacobs Restaurant add a strong northern German undertone to the menu. In the restaurant Stuttgarter Staeffele and Traube Tonbach in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, gourmands will find handmade Swabian specialties and a selection of more than several hundred regional wines.

To the point, many believe that Germany's modern cuisine remains to be discovered. It is not without pride that Germans will happily point out that restaurants in their country have more than their fare share of Michelin stars and other culinary accolades. To indulge their senses visitors can for example dine at the Castle Hotel Lerbach in Bergisch-Gladbach, the Schwarzwaldstube in Baiersbronn in the Black Forest Region, the Waldhotel Sonnora in the Eiffel region or the Schlossrestaurant Berg, close to Trier. Even the very critical Michelin inspectors rated these restaurants with three stars, a dream of any chef and restaurant.

The Art of Dining with Meissen Porcelain

Before a drop of wine moistens the tongue, the eye already delights in the pleasures of the festive table. From the first course to the espresso, visitors can dine in Meissen's porcelain factory restaurant close to Dresden.

The porcelain factory in Meissen was established at Albrechtsburg Castle in June 1710 and brought fame to the town through the porcelain it exported around the world featuring the hallmark of two blue crossed swords.

As the story goes, King Augustus the Strong ordered his subjects to find a way to manufacture gold. After much experimenting, scholars finally discovered the next best thing - "white gold" or porcelain, which proved a blessing for both the King and Meissen. Today Meissen's craftsmen still produce 175,000 items annually in a new site at the district of Meissen-Triebischtal, close to the original factory in the castle.

A visit to the Meissen porcelain factory is a Œmust‚ for any visitor to the Saxon town. A spectacular wealth and variety of exhibits illustrates the history of porcelain manufacturing and demonstration workshops present the areas of porcelain handicraft. The former porcelain factory, the Albrechtsburg, today houses a museum featuring a permanent exhibition on Meissen porcelain. www.meissen.de

Lifestyle für Gourmets at the Schloss Hotel Elmau

The five-star superior hotel ŒSchloss Elmau‚ palace, located in the South of Garmisch-Patenkirchen, is opening its doors again. After three wings of the castle were destroyed by a fire in 2005, the castle has reopened. ŒOn board‚ of the cultural hideaway is star chef Michael Hüsken with six different restaurants designed to inspire: Gourmets can indulge at the a la carte gourmet restaurant, the gourmet menu with vinothek, the live cooking buffet, the family restaurant and the spa restaurant. A new culinary highlight is a restaurant, which was especially designed for cooking classes. Here guests, hobby chefs, and gourmets alike can learn about creative fusion gourmet cuisine from the award-winning chef, who shares his culinary art, ranging from inspired entertainment to regional cooking. www.schloss-elmau.de

Germany: A Land of Unusual Museums Where Everything is Possible

From science and technology to Easter eggs and everyday life in the former GDR - Germany;s museums have it all. The exhibitions are fun, unique and simply not to be found anywhere else in the world in quite the same way.

In northern Germany, find out how a tornado starts, why soap bubbles shimmer in such a colorful way and why every human being is unique. In the Universum Science Center in Bremen museum which resembles a giant whale surfacing the ocean, science fans can experience hands-on features such as a submarine for deep sea exploration and a special earthquake room. Check web site www.universum-bremen.de

On Lake Constance in southern Germany, a life-size reconstruction of the airship LZ 129 Hindenburg can be explored in the Zeppelin museum at Friedrichshafen. The museum houses the world's largest collection on the history of the airships. Check web site www.zeppelin-museum.de

In Berlin, everyday culture of the former GDR can be found in the city's new interactive GDR museum: Visitors can drive a Trabi, watch original films produced in the old East or smell some authentic East German aromas in pre-fab kitchens. Check web site www.ddr-museum.de

Leipzig too brings the historical experience back to life at the Stasi (secret police) Museum ŒRound Corner‚. The former Leipzig Stasi headquarter building hosts a documentation about the "power and banality" of the former GDR secret police. The building was one of the focal points during the Monday Demonstrations which lead the way to the peaceful revolution preceding German reunification. Check www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de

One hour south, the German Pharmacy Museum in the Heidelberg Castle contains unique pharmaceutical collections dating back four centuries. Check web site www.deutsches-apotheken-museum.de

In the west, just outside of Essen, the German Wallpaper Museum has a collection of historical wall coverings including gold skin wallpapers, flock and oilcloth wallpapers, end-leaf and binding papers, Chinese wallpapers and Tapa wall hangings. Highlights from the history of wall coverings and valuable objects from every continent dating back over the centuries are on display. Check web site www.tapeten-institut.de (German only)

On the Romantic Road, the history of traditional family Christmas celebrations is told in the German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Decorations from different eras, more than 100 Santa Clauses and an unparalleled collection of nutcrackers bring the magic of Christmas to life all through the year. Check web site www.weihnachtsmuseum.de

German Food, beer and wine

German food, beer and wine are in a class by themselves. Gourmets will be surprised by the large variety of food museums reflecting Germany's culinary diversion and specialties.

The German Bread Culture with more than 300 different types of bread, from light wheat bread to grainy black pumpernickel is presented in the Bread Culture Museum in Ulm. Check www.brotmuseum-ulm.de

In the center of Germany in the state of Rhineland Palatine, ŒAll about potato‚ is the motto of a special Museum in Fussgoenheim. Visitors can not only learn about the history and regional dishes, but also about the different species including their names: Linda, Selma and Sieglinde are ideal for salads and Irmgard and Maritta are highly recommended for dumplings. Check web site www.deutsches-kartoffelmuseum.de (German only)

For those who are interested in the story of German beer, the Beer - and Oktoberfestmuseum in Munich or the Brewery Museum in Dortmund are the places to go. Beer lovers can learn about the history and the production of beer, the purity law, and the unique quality of German beer. Check web site www.muenchen.de and www.city.dortmund.de

And what would Germany be without sausage such as Berlin's famous Currywurst? The story of the sausage which is served in thin slices, garnished with ketchup and dusted with a thin layer of curry powder will be the focus in the new Currywurst Museum in Berlin which opening its doors for the first time this summer. Check web site www.currywurstmuseum.de

And that‚s not all - Germany is also host to a Chocolate Museum in Cologne, a Spice Museum in Hamburg, a Salt Museum in Lüneburg, a Sugar Museum in Berlin, a Peppermint Museum in Eichenau, a Horseradish Museum in Nuremberg, a Dumpling Museum in Weimar, and much more. To find more information about this specific museums go to web site www.cometogermany.com

Special Deals Fly Drive Europe

Nothing matches the freedom and excitement of a self-drive vacation! Picasso Tours offers an "air plus car" deal to Frankfurt. The tour will give visitors the opportunity to explore the city and the surrounding Rhine region. The special offer includes one week Alamo economy rental car, economy airfare from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (no air taxes included), and a hotel room with double occupancy. www.picassotours.com

Sixt - 3 days Special ŒMega Drive‚

The car rental company Sixt offers the three day Special ŒMegaDrive‚ starting at Euro 115. Germany travelers can hire a posh car including comprehensive liability insurance and 466 free miles all year round. All over Germany there are more than 20 pick-up stations in the main cities, mostly at central locations like train stations, airports, and shopping centers. Enjoy the easy way of booking a car from home on www.sixti.com

CONTACT INFORMATION
For comments and enquiries, please contact the Information Center at the German National Tourist Office:

German National Tourist Office
122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168-0072
Tel: (212) 661-7200
Toll-free: (800) 651-7010
Fax: (212) 661-7174

Rocco Forte's Hotel de Rome

Enjoy Rocco Forte’s Hotel de Rome, the newest addition to the Rocco Forte collection. Perfectly located in the heart of this vibrant city, Hotel de Rome is housed in a stunning conversion of an existing building that was once the head office of the Dresdner Bank. If guests are seeking glitz and glamour this New Year’s, then Berlin is the place to be. Hotel de Rome’s New Year’s Eve de Rome package includes:

For further information and reservations please visit the Rocco Forte Hotels website: <http://www.roccofortehotels.com/>www.roccofortehotels.com or call The Leading Hotels of the World at 1-800-223-6800.

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 to create a collection of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The collection is linked together under the Rocco Forte Hotels brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

The Rocco Forte Hotels collection includes:
- Hotel de Rome, Berlin
- Hotel de Russie, Rome
- Hotel Savoy, Florence
- The Balmoral, Edinburgh
- The St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff
- The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
- Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg
- Hotel Amigo, Brussels
- Brown’s Hotel, London
- Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt
- Château de Bagnols, en Beaujolais (managed on behalf of Lady Hamlyn)

For more information, check web site www.coburg-tourist.de.

Or, for other inquiries, contact the Information Center at the German National Tourist Office, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168-0072; 212-661-7200
or 800-651-7010, or check web site www.news.cometogermany.com.

Special Events: Cultural Capitals and Christmas for the Business Traveler

One of Germany's most important cultural capitals, Dresden, offers attractions in great variety. The Zwinger Museum, designed for August the Strong, is home to 12 collections including the Old Masters Gallery and the world‚s largest porcelain collection. The Frauenkirche, Semper Opera House and the Royal Palace as well as other magnificent promenades on the bank of the Elbe round out wonderful cultural offerings. For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.dresden.de.

Hamburg, 1,200 years old, is loved for both its contemporary scene as well as for its cultural offerings. In between traditional trading houses and renowned theaters and the enormous port, the latest trends are always cropping up. The leading art museum in northern Germany, the Kunsthalle, is one of the most important in Europe with some 3,000 paintings in its treasure trove, along with some 400 sculptures. Some of its rare treasures date from the 14th century, including work by Bertram, the leading German master of the time. One section of the gallery also displays modern works, including art by such artists as Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys and Picasso. For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de. Hamburg shows off with a wide range of different markets over the Christmas period and especially beautiful are the Hanseatic and Historic Christmas markets in the city center.

For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.hamburg-tourism.de.

Frankfurt is known as an important center of commerce and transportation with the most imposing skyline in Germany. But the city in the heart of Germany has renowned museums on the banks of the Main. The Staedel, one of the leading and best known art museums in Germany, is a must for any visitor to Frankfurt. Over 700 years of European history are represented in a collection of 2,700 paintings, 600 sculptures and 100,000 prints and drawings by artists ranging from Duerer, Hohlbein and Cranach to Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne to Matisse and Picasso, Bacon and Baselitz, Serra and Palermo. For more information, check web site www.cometogermany.com or www.staedelmuseum.de.

For more information check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.frankfurt-tourismus.de.

"Drive Deutschland" New Germany Car Brochure

Germany's new car brochure highlights the diversity and richness of the country's car and motorcycle culture, production facilities, museums, car and motorbike scenic driving routes. History, passion and technology are the defining characteristics of Germany's car industry and its global brands. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Porsche and Volkswagen are world famous for their innovation and quality. In the new brochure, "Drive Deutschland" car enthusiasts can read about the more than 25 car museums complete with children's campuses; scenic driving routes; famous Formula 1 race tracks and company theme parks. In 16 colorful and informative pages, the brochure covers car attractions in the north, south, east and west of Germany including museums, state of the art production facilities, their opening hours and websites. There is also a map detailing exactly where all of the various car sites are located in Germany.

Taking a quick spin through Germany, one can start in the North in Wolfsburg with VW's futuristic production center. Children from three to 93 can take driving tests, experience car testing and view the company'‚s fantastic storage silos. For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.autostadt.de.

In Dresden, in the eastern state of Saxony, men in white coats and gloves put together VW's Phaeton, among other models, in the company's completely transparent (glass) factory. For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.glaesernemanufaktur.de In Dresden's city center, visitors can tour the city in Trabants (Trabis) from the former East Germany. For more information, check web site www.trabi-safari.de.

For those who like faster cars, Porsche builds its Cayenne models in Leipzig. Check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or web site www.porsche-leipzig.com, and right nearby is Zaha Hadid's new Central Building for BMW (web site www. news.cometogermany.com or www.bmw-werk-leipzig.de.

Heading west, one hour outside of Frankfurt, the Automobile and Technology Museum in Sinsheim has more than 3,000 exhibits, including vintage cars, racing cars, motorbikes, and even airplanes on display. For more information, check web site www. news.cometogermany.com or www.museum-sinsheim.de In Stuttgart the recently opened futuristic Mercedes Benz Museum has, for the first time, enough room to show the company‚s complete automobile collection. Combine the visit to the new museum with a behind the scenes tour of the Mercedes Benz Plant in Sindelfingen and a visit of the small museums on Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, the inventors of the world‚s first petrol-engined vehicles. Check web site www. news.cometogermany.com or www.mercedes-benz.com. The new Porsche Museum currently being built in Stuttgart is set to bring the history of Porsche to life. The old museum will remain open until the new museum is ready in 2008. For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.porsche.com Driving further south and east to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm in Bavaria, Audi combines both past and future in its two Audi Forums (check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.audi.com. And, one hour south in Munich, BMW looks forward to welcoming visitors to its new center, BMW World, in the spring of 2007. Check web site www. news.cometogermany.com or www.bmw-welt.com. Visitors also will enjoy the extensive car and motor exhibitions at the German Museum in Munich.

In addition to the thrill of the Autobahn, experience the challenge of a Formula 1 Race Track. The Nuerburg Ring, web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.nuerburgring.de and the Hockenheim Ring, web site www.cometogermany.com or www.hockenheimring.de, stage a wide variety of exiting events from Formula 1 and the German Touring Car Championship to the Motorcycle Grand Prix. Courageous car fans can actually take test drives with race car drivers and get behind the wheel themselves.

To order your new brochure or to plan an auto trip to Germany, go to web site www.ComeToGermany.com.

Germany's Magic Cities

On the runway in Germany's Magic Cities this fall are unusual shopping environments created in elegant promenades, charming passageways, historic buildings and futuristic, glass arcades. The cities of Germany's nine-member city alliance, including Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich and Stuttgart, are brimming with luxurious shopping and trendy fashions in a most unusual variety of market halls, passages and arcades

Berlin's grande dame of shopping, the luxury department store, KaDeWe, takes center stage next year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Kaufhaus des Westens (commonly called KaDeWe), today is the largest department store in continental Europe, and has seen Berlin through good times and bad. With merchandise ranging from high-end international fashion, to home design, from luxury paper goods to beauty products, leather goods, and accessories, there is nothing the sophisticated shopper can‚t find on the store‚s six floors of elegant retail space. For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.kadewe.de.

Renzo Piano's recently completed new Peek & Cloppenburg department store, or "Weltstadthaus," in Cologne is a civic monument to shopping. It resembles a huge glass worm in the middle of Cologne's busiest shopping area on the Schildergasse. The inside of the building is bathed in light and protected from the sun by various shades. The solar control panel fulfils the special demands of a trend setting department store: Rooms flooded with daylight to present the true colors of apparel and accessories.

For more information, check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.peekandcloppenburg.de or www.koelntourismus.de.

Now for secret passageways! One of Dresden's most special shopping areas is called the "Kunsthandwerkerpassagen," or Artisans‚ Passages. They are located on Hauptstrasse, Dresden's beloved pedestrian street, behind the beautiful baroque facades of the buildings 9 to 19. Behind these doors are six artisans‚ passages that are home to many small crafts businesses, including jewelry, leather goods, carvings, porcelain manufacturers and more, which you can buy and watch being created. For more information check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.hauptsache-hauptstrasse. The combination of the beautiful baroque architecture and the beautiful arts and crafts creates a wonderful experience. Check web site www.news.cometogermany.com or www.dresden.de.

In Duesseldorf, the shopping is big, bold and beautiful. The names of designers having an address on the Koenigsalle, or "Koe"read like the 'Who's who' of the fashion business. Separated by a river running through it, the elegant and ever so obvious Koenigsalle has two person