On Thursday, 21st June 2012, Cornwall’s quintessential family hotel, the Polurrian Bay Hotel, celebrated the
launch of its stunning new Vista lounge. Featuring floor to ceiling windows and glass doors, the Vista offers an incredible outlook over Mounts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Tipped to become one of the best‘rooms with a view’ in Cornwall, it has large, comfy sofas, a bright, airy atmosphere and is the ideal spot to switch off, and absorb the ever-changing skyline and seascape, whatever the weather. An all-day menu of tempting light snacks and sandwiches is available as well as a great choice of drinks ranging from morning coffee to sundowner cocktails. Titan (0800 988 5867, www.titantravel.co.uk) has unveiled its brand new 2013 brochure of award-winning river cruises for independent travellers in an exclusive partnership with Uniworld.
The new brochure has been rebranded as the ‘World’s Best River Cruises’ and showcases over 30 outstanding river cruise itineraries for 2013 aboard Uniworld’s fleet of floating boutique-style hotels to some of the grandest and most scenic waterways of Europe, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. The name ‘World’s Best River Cruises’ recognises the supreme quality of each ship with sumptuous interiors, award-winning service, spacious and beautifully appointed staterooms, fine cuisine (including complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the majority of the cruises) and choice of shore excursions included at every major port of call plus a range of splendid on-board amenities, including a Serenity Spa, available on eachvessel. The brochure features five new itineraries including the 8-day ‘Venice and the Po River’ itinerary on the newly refurbished River Countess. This is the first time that Uniworld has featured Italy in its programme and following a stay in Venice the trip continues along the River Po to include a visit to Bologna for a pasta making workshop, as well as a city tour of Verona and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ravenna. The holiday will operate from April to November 2013 and costs from £1,999 per person (including a saving of £200 if booked before 30th September 2012) and includes flights, a 7-night full board cruise, excursions, transfers and Titan’s unique VIP Home Departure Service. A second Italian itinerary, the 13-day ‘Splendours of Italy’ travels from Venice to Rome and includes the 7-night cruise from Venice along the River Po followed by two nights in Florence and three nights in Rome. In each city there is a chance to take in its architectural splendours on guided walking tours with a visit to the Accademia in Florence and the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Cathedral in Rome. There’s also time for a spot of wine tasting en route from Florence to Rome at Castello di Verrazzano, one of Tuscany’s greatest Chianti wineries. Prices start from £3,699 per person (including a £500 saving for bookings made before 30th September 2012). Operating from April to November 2013, the holiday price includes flights, a 7-night full board cruise, accommodation in Florence and Rome, excursions, transfers and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. The Danube features in two new itineraries – the 17-day‘Grand Danube and Prague’ (from £3,699 per person) itinerary which travels from Prague to Belgrade, and the shorter, 8-day ‘Highlights of Eastern Europe’, travelling from Vienna to Belgrade. There are eight departures on each itinerary betweenApril and September 2013 and prices start from £2,099 per person for the shorter itinerary on the River Ambassador (including a £200 per person saving for bookings made before 30th September 2012). The cost includes flights, a 7-night full board cruise, excursions, transfers and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. In addition, the brochure introduces a brand new vessel –the Queen Isabel, which will be launching on the Douro River in Portugal from March 2013. With departures from March to November 2013 there are two Douro itineraries – the 11-day ‘Lisbon and the Beautiful River Douro and the popular 8-day ‘A Week on the River Douro’ – and the new vessel is set to be the most luxurious river cruise ship on this scenic river next year. With a boutique hotel feel, its elegant suites and junior suites will have full balconies and the restaurant will have panoramic windows to admire the scenery whilst enjoying the sumptuous dinners. There will also be an area for Al Fresco dining and a small pool on the sundeck. Prices for ‘A Week on the Douro’ start from £1,799 per person (including a saving of £300 for bookings made by 30th September 2012) and include flights, a 7-night full board cruise, excursions with English speaking guides, transfers and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. Outside Europe, the brochure features a series of Egyptian river cruises travelling weekly from January to May and again from August to December 2013. These include the 12-day ‘Splendours of Egypt’ and the 12-day‘Jewels of the Nile and Lake Nasser’ which leads in at £3,099 per person (including a £300 saving for bookings made by 30th September). The cost includes return flights, a 4-night cruise on Lake Nasser and 3-night Nile cruise, transfers, excursions and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. In response to the increased demand for cruises along the Mekong and in order to provide greater capacity on the popular ‘Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong’ cruise, Uniworld is launching a second vessel in January 2013. The River Orchid will then join the River Saigon for the 7 day journey from My Tho to Kampong Cham, which has departures throughout the year and costs from £4,299 per person to include flights, a 7-night cruise, nine nights in hotels, transfers, most meals, excursions and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. China is also featured in the brochure with a choice of departures between April and October 2013. The fascinating 11-day cruise and tour ‘Impressions of China & the Yangtze’, which travels from Shanghai toBeijing (costs from £3,199 per person, saving £500 if booked by 30th September 2012) includes flights, a 4-night cruise, five nights in hotels, transfers, most meals, excursions and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. The brochure leads in with a price of £1,699 (including a saving of £300 if booked before 30th September 2012) for the 8-day ‘Enchanting Danube’ cruise from Budapest to Passau aboard the River Beatrice. The ship was launched in 2009 and offers departures from March to November 2013. The cost includes flights, a 7-night full board cruise, excursions, transfers and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. For details or to book call Titan on 0800 988 5867 or visit www.titantravel.co.uk - Ends - For press and media information please contact Anthea Yabsley at IDeal PR on 0208 578 6777 [email protected] or Susanna Housden on [email protected] Richard Tarrant at Titan on 01293 450 680 [email protected] Celebrate the best of summer and look forward to Autumn with Whatley Manor's New Events Guide8/8/2012
Whatley Manor (01666 822 888, www.whatleymanor.com), the
luxurious Wiltshire retreat, has released its new Events Guide for summer and autumn, featuring details on a range of activities at the hotel and in the local area ranging from an evening with three Michelin starred chefs and an Austrian Wine & Dine to details on the hotel’s sponsorship of the International Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park, and an event to celebrate 25 years of La Prairie Skin Caviar at Spa Aquarias. Events Hospitality Action Charity Polo Day – 9thSeptember 2012 On 9thSeptember, guests will be able to join Hospitality Action’s third annual polo day at Beaufort Polo Club where a three-course lunch will be prepared by head chef Martin Burge along with Michael Croft of Calcot Manor, Hywel Jones of Lucknam Park and Sam Moody of Bath Priory. The event will begin with a champagne reception on the lawns of th club before the specially-created lunch. Grandstand seats will be reserved for guests to watch the final of the Solitaire Salver polo match before ending the day with a cream tea. The event costs £75 per person including a champagne and canapé reception, three course lunch and cream tea. To book contact Guiliana Vittaglio on 0203 004 5504 or email [email protected] An Evening with Three Michelin Starred Chefs – 11thSeptember 2012 Alternatively, on Tuesday, 11th September guests can see Martin Burge in action as he joins forces again with Hywel Jones from LucknamPark and this time with Richard Davies from The Manor House Hotel at Castle Combe for an evening of gastronomic excellence by three Michelin-starred chefs. The evening will begin with a Ruinart champagne reception from 7.00pm followed by a four-course dinner in ‘The Dining Room’, perfectly matched alongside each course by a selection of fine wines from CloudyBay. After dinner the chefs will join guests to discuss their individual course and answer questions. The event costs £156 per person to include a champagne reception, four-course dinner with wines, coffee and petit fours. 2013 Pastry Cookery Masterclass with Martin Burge – 4th or 5th February, 25th or 26th March, 8th or 9th July and 2nd or 3rdDecember Looking further ahead to 2013 the events guide has details of the popular cookery master classes offered by Martin Burge. In 2013, these will be a series of special Pastry Cookery Master classes where guests will have the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Martin creating delightful treats. Guests can choose from making handmade chocolates for St Valentine’s Day on either 4th or 5thFebruary, chocolate Easter eggs on either 25th or 26th March, a chocolate torte in celebration of Whatley Manor’s ten year anniversary on either 8th or 9th July and a traditional ‘Bûche de Noël’and Christmas puddings on either 2nd or 3rd December. Master classes cost from £135 to £165 per person depending on the master class and include use of the equipment, aprons, recipes and all ingredients. Whatley Manor International Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park – 14th – 16thSeptember 2012 Celebrating its 20thanniversary, Gatcombe Park will be hosting its annual International Horse Trials on 14th and 15th September featuring riders from all over the world. The event is a royal favourite, situated close to the home of HRH The Princess Royal. As sponsors of the event, Whatley Manor will be offering a special ‘International Horse Trials’ package from £820 for a two-night stay in a superior room including full English breakfast, dinner on one night in ‘Le Mazot’, early morning tea or coffee, daily newspaper, and full use of the hotel’s spa facilities. Celebrating 25 Years of La Prairie Skin Caviar – 8thOctober To celebrate 25 years of the La Prairie Skin Caviar collection, the hotel’s Aquarias Spa, will be hosting a day of glamour and indulgence. Following a short presentation from Rachel Simmonds, La Prairie’s training manager, guests will be treated to a Laurent–Perrier Ultra Brut champagne and caviar canapé reception with a two course set lunch and wine in the brassiere ‘Le Mazot’. In the afternoon, guests will experience a 30-minute La Prairie Caviar facial with a hand and arm massage to finish the treatment. The event costs £140 per person including tea or coffee on arrival, a short presentation, Laurent Perrier champagne and caviar reception, two course lunch, 30-minute facial, and a la Prairie goodie bag to take home. The event starts at 10:30am and will finish at approximately 5:30pm. A Wildlife Cameraman & his Adventures on Ice – Doug Allan at Whatley Manor on 23rd October 2012 BAFTA award winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan will join guests on Tuesday, 23rd October as he takes them behind the scenes of his 30 year career producing TV shows such as ‘Frozen Planet’ and‘Planet Earth’. Having spent more time at the Poles with his camera than any other man Doug will be recounting his adventures with a presentation in the hotel cinema and will then join guests for a three-course dinner in ‘Le Mazot’.The event starts at 7.00pm and costs from £85 per person including a signed copy of Doug’s book, ‘Freeze Frame’, the presentation by Doug and the dinner. Austrian Wine & Dine with Michael Moosbrugger – 20th November 2012 The perfect event for wine lovers, join Michael Moosbrugger from Schloss Gobelsburg as Whatley Manor hosts its fourth Austrian wine & dine event. Michael will give guests an insight into the winemaking of three varieties of wines and to complement these wines, Martin Burge will create a delicious three-course meal. The evening begins at 7.00pm and costs £75 per person to include an aperitif, three-course set menu, wines, coffees and petit fours. Regular events Tuesday Garden Tours 2012 – 14th August Whatley Manor is set in 12 acres of gardens. This summer head gardener Barry Holman is offering his private garden tours in order for participants to fully appreciate the beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds. Following a welcome reception and two-course lunch using ingredients from the Kitchen Garden, Barry will lead a private tour through all 26 of Whatley Manor's distinctive English country gardens, providing insight along the way into each garden's design, inspiration and planting schemes. Tours last for an hour and a half and conclude around 4pm. Participation costs £42 per person, to include welcome reception, lunch and the tour itself. Sunday cinema screenings and jazz events, with lunch or dinner in Le Mazot Weekends are always a cause for celebration at Whatley Manor. The hotel stages monthly movie screenings throughout the year, with all viewings taking place on Sundays in the exclusive ambiance of Whatley Manor's private, 40 seater, on-site cinema. Highlights for the current season include War Horse (22nd July), starring Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis, and Emily Watson; Sherlock Holmes – A game of Shadows (29th July) starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, Tinker Taylor, Soldier Spy (12thAugust) starring Gary Oldman, The Iron Lady (30th September), starring Meryl Streep and Richard E Grant; and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (25thNovember), starring Daniel Craig and Stellan Skardgard. All movie screenings cost £39 per person, to include a three-course lunch or dinner, and popcorn. Jazz fans may prefer the regular Jazz Sunday events, which sees ‘Le Mazot’ restaurant brought to life with upbeat and inspiring musical performances. The Solent City Jazzmen are back this summer on 19th August with their varied repertoire ranging from Hot Club Jazz through to traditional 1940s New Orleans-style tunes. Looking ahead to January 2013 they will be returning to the hotel with a series of dates throughout the year starting on 13thJanuary. These events also cost £39 per person, to include a three-course lunch and the jazz performance. Packages Escape the London Olympics 2012 For those who want to enjoy the Olympics but escape the mayhem of London Whatley Manor has put together a relaxing four-night midweek stay with the fourth night offered on a complimentary basis. The package costs from £1,125 per room based on two guests and includes full English breakfast, daily newspaper and use of the spa facilities plus the opportunity to watch all the sporting action in the hotel’s private cinema, 'Here Come The Girls' Whatley Manor has updated its package for girls to catch up with friends and experience the perfect girls night in. Start the relaxing, one-night, midweek mini-break in style with a bottle of Deutz champagne, then delve into the hotel’s DVD collection and sit back to watch a classic movie followed by a 60 minute spa treatment in the hotel’s Aquarias spa. This girly getaway costs from £590 per room (based on two sharing) and includes accommodation in a Superior Room, full English breakfast, champagne on arrival, the spa treatment and full use of the award-winning spa facilities at Spa Aquarias. A one night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £305 for a standard room including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the award winning spa Aquarias. For guests attending any of the events a ‘Special Events Room Rate’ starts from £240 per standard room and from £440 for a Suite and is offered subject to availability. For further information and to book call Whatley Manor on 01666 822 888 or visit the website at www.whatleymanor.com To book events call 01666 834 026 or email [email protected] Whatley Manor is a member of Relais &Châteaux - Ends- For further information please call Anthea Yabsley at IDeal Public Relations http://www.ideal-pr.co.uk on 020 8578 6777 or email [email protected]or contact Eloise Gordon on 01666 827086 or email [email protected] Notes of Editors: Whatley Manor opened in July 2003 following three and a half years of extensive restoration. The Landolt family independently own Whatley Manor - Mrs Alix Landolt and Mr Christian Landolt. Since March 2004, Mr Peter Egli, General Manager oversees the overall management and operations. Recent Accolades include: AA Inspectors Choice Hotel – Five Red Stars - Four Rosettes Two Michelin stars retained by head chef Martin Burge Grand Chef Status Relais & Châteaux Grands Chef Trophy 2011, Relais & Châteaux Champagne Taittinger ‘Most Excellent Restaurant 2012’ awarded by Condé Nast Johansens Good Food Guide 2012 8/10. Top 20 restaurants in the UK Condé Nast Traveller ‘Best UK Leisure Hotel’ 7/20 Condé Nast Traveller‘Best Spas in the UK Hotels’ 6/15 The Dining Room 23/100 – The Sunday Times Food List 2011 in association with Harden’s 4th‘Best Leisure Hotel in the World’ – Bilanz Magazine |
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