A Luxury Travel Blog

The 2007 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest will have a new feature this year, called ”The Gallery Wing”. A multitude of art galleries in the Hudson Valley have been invited to exhibit during the festival taking place at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds from 7th-9th September 2007. Heading into its sixth year, the event brings together more than 200 wineries, gourmet food and fine art and craft vendors. There will be wine tasting seminars, gourmet-cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and great musical entertainment.

Ingredients:

• 4 luxury langoustines
• 1 lemon (cut into thin slices)
• Salt & pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 stalks rosemary (in short pieces)
• 2 tbsp flaked almonds
• 4-5 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Bring the langoustines to room temperature for approximately 10 minutes. Rinse briefly under cold running water and pat dry with kitchen paper.

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Place half the lemon sliced into an ovenproof dish large enough to hold the langoustines, place the langoustines on top and season with salt & pepper. Sprinkle with garlic, rosemary and almonds and drizzle with oil.  Place in the centre of the oven for 15-18 minutes (do not overcook or the delicate flesh will become tough. Remove from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes.

To enjoy them simply twist off the tail, squeeze the tail along the length and pull off the shell with your fingers.

Serve whole with crusty bread and a leaf or tomato salad.

Serves 4.

Source: Donald Russell

Please give this recipe a try and let us know what you think by clicking on the comments link… thank you!

The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos, located on the world-renowned 12-mile Grace Bay Beach, offers a special Palm d’Or Package designed for those who relish a Caribbean escape and yearn for sun, sand and gourmet indulgence. The Regent Palms’ package features a 4-day / 3-night stay in a Luxury Room, One or Two Bedroom Oceanfront or Oceanview Suite; one dinner for two in the resort’s signature restaurant, Parallel23; entrance to the fitness centre and tennis court, lit for night play; non-motorized watersports; buffet breakfast daily; a deluxe welcome amenity and roundtrip airport transfers.  Package rates start at $1,125 for a Luxury Room through until 19th December 2007. Rates are based on double occupancy and include room tax and service charge.

A Tahitian Escape package from Accor French Polynesia offers guests an indulgent solution to the question of where to stay, with a three-island package. This specially-designed experience allows you to explore the different facets of French Polynesia. Created for romance, you’ll be showered with VIP extras and experiences for two. The package includes:

• 2 nights in Sofitel Tahiti Resort, including a VIP welcome with tiare flowers garland and cocktail
• 3 nights in Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort, including a VIP welcome with tiare flowers garland and cocktail, a romantic dinner for two at K gourmet restaurant, and a room category upgrade (subject to availability)
• 3 nights in Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, a private island, including a VIP Tahitian welcome with tiare flowers garland and cocktail, a romantic dinner for two at the Manu Tiki gourmet restaurant, and a room category upgrade (subject to availability).

For more information on rates for this package, follow this link.

What’s a wine connoisseur to do when they’ve got to submit their expensive, hand-picked vintages to the harsh treatment of airline bag handlers, hot runway tarmacs and the like, without an adequate wine carrier or wine case? Since a wine bottle exceeds new TSA restrictions on how much liquid a passenger can carry onto an airline, it’s forced wine lovers to put even a single bottle in their luggage. But stowing costly wine bottles in luggage can lead to problems including breakages and compromised quality due to rough loading, unloading and other travel-related disturbance. These restrictions have savvy wine connoisseurs adopting a new approach to traveling with cherished wine bottles. One new wine bottle carrier that’s catching on with connoisseurs is designed to completely safeguard wine from travel-related shock, vibration, temperature fluctuation and even compromising light or air exposure. Developed in response to TSA regulations for airline check on luggage, a new type of TSA-compliant wine bottle carrier by WineCruzer, a Montclair, California-based innovator of protective wine transport cases, protects valuable wine against all elements in a hard shelled wine case with an unconditional lifetime warranty.

Marvel at the five star InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort on Matira Point on the main island of Bora Bora.

Why not live the ultimate dream and relax in this stunningly beautiful corner of the South Island of New Zealand? Situated on 60 acres of land designated as an area of “outstanding natural beauty”, Buchanan Lodge provides the perfect hideaway. It has the snow-capped peaks of the Buchanan mountain range on one side and the shores of Lake Wanaka on the other, so in whichever direction you look you are assured of a stunning view.

Shiver me timbers! Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort in Antigua, is offering a Pirate Adventure Package until the end of October 2007. The package consists of 7 nights in an Oceanview Suite, all meals included, a Pirate Movie Night under the stars, a Private Island Treasure Hunt, a Caribbean Beach Party, a Sunday Pancake Party and loads more besides. Rates start at $950 per night for two adults and one child under 12.

The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois is proud to announce that its own Chef Jack Delby has earned the coveted 2006 Marriott International Award of Culinary Excellence (why it takes until over halfway through 2007 to announce, I don’t know!). Delby, a veritable culinary industry guru, manages all endeavors related to catering and restaurants for the hotel. Each year, Marriott International evaluates the nominations on the supporting information provided on criteria including measurable improvement in overall quality of dining, outstanding achievement in culinary excellence, creativity and innovation, training of others, leadership and personal development.

Heather Holman is the owner and architect of Hotels of the Rich and Famous. She currently resides in the United States near the Capital of Washington D.C., has travelled to over 20 countries and visited hundreds of luxury hotels. Her hobbies include wine tasting, shopping, photography and, of course, travelling. Heather hopes to one day open her own luxury hotel in either the United Kingdom or France, two of her favorite countries.

What is it that you do exactly?

I let people know where their favorite celebrities like to vacation by searching the popular media such as television, magazines and of course the internet. Also I receive tips from hotel guests and workers via my website.

A typical day for me… I wake up, let my dog out in to our yard, brush my teeth then off to work! Luckily for me I run Hotels of the Rich and Famous out of my home office so the commute isn’t too bad at all! I first check my emails and tips then get to searching for luxury hotels and celebrity hotel related stories. Afternoon I head to the gym and flip through celebrity magazines with my notebook ready to take any notes while on the treadmill or bicyles. When I get home I watch the travel channel and E! with my laptop on my lap. I’m a huge fan of Samantha Brown, I’d rather have her job but mine isn’t too bad!

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Traveling! Last summer my husband and I spent 2 months in Europe. This fall we have a cross country vacation planned in America. I also love talking with celebrities for interviews - it’s fun!

I wanted to combine two billion dollar industries in to one unique idea. People love hotels, people love celebrities – why not have both? Hotels of the Rich and Famous was born! I get excited when I get my tips via email of people spotting celebrities at hotels. It lets me know it’s not just me who loves to share their hotel and celebrity experiences and that I do indeed have a target audience.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Well, until my website is a bit more established my limit on a hotel room is $1,500 a night which limits me but I’ve still stayed in some pretty great places, Here are my favorite 3:

Chateau d’Etoges in the Champagne region of France.

The Borgata in Atlantic City – it really has brought a higher level of class to the whole town, the suites are amazing!

Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel – my husband and I were married here. It’s an amazing hotel with a deep history and is very luxurious.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I don’t know if this is because I just wrote an article on it and its fresh in my mind but Chateau d’Etoges comes to mind again. If you’ve ever eaten in France you know its quiet a culture shock with the level of service from waiters. I’ve been told the French like to be left alone while they eat and so the waiter only takes your order, drops off your food, and then gives your check an hour later. As an American, I hate this! What if I run out of beverage? What if something is wrong with my food? I don’t want to go chase someone down if I need something - I want to be checked on! At the chateau the wait staff almost out-numbered the dinner guests and it was almost a full house. They also took stand near the wall and watched to see if people’s drinks were low or there were any problems and dealt with this before I even noticed my glass was low. I loved it.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I’ve seen Eminem and his posse at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia, Jesse Metcalf from Desperate Housewives at The Borgata, I’ve also interviewed Hal Sparks from Queer as Folk and Mike Holman (no relation but it did get me the in to talk to him) from Jackass on MTV. I have a few upcoming plans for interviews but I don’t want to jinx them so I won’t mention them yet!

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

Japan! I’ve seen so many European countries, I’d like to start seeing some Asian ones! Also the country is so rich in history but still so technosavy! It will be a blast!

Thank you, Heather. And good luck with the site.

The Noosa Jazz Festival on the Sunshine Coast in East Australia will shortly run from 30th August to 2nd September 2007.  Some 90 jazz sessions across a variety of indoor (mostly in Noosa restaurants) and outdoor venues will be held, and will cover a variety of different music styles, from modern to traditional.  Tickets can be purchased online.

Abreu Tours is offering an exclusive package to Spain, with a private tour of one of Europe’s most famous porcelain companies. Lladró (the Spanish company that makes handcrafted porcelain figurines) has sponsored an exclusive program to Madrid & Valencia, including a trip to their factory outside Valencia. This 9-day Lladró Discovery Package includes guiding, four nights in Madrid and four nights in Valencia. The trip starts on 13th October 2007 and prices start at $2,179 per person.

Escape to the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa and enjoy some Southern hospitality with the Birmingham, AL hotel’s special rates for golf vacations. The summer presents the perfect opportunity for a relaxing round of Southern-style golf on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses. Even more appealing is the stunning Birmingham, Alabama resort small town setting. Surrounded by lakes and woodlands, guests can enjoy a summer solace with challenging play and Southern-style accommodation. Rates for all packages range from $424-$623.

Suite name: Presidential Suite (#415)
Resort: The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows
Size of accommodation: 1,932 sq ft
Cost per night: $6,500
Who’s stayed there? Everyone from Howard Hughes to Marilyn Monroe to Donald Trump
What makes it special? The Five Star “Pink Palace” is a classic, and this suite reflects that heritage, with Deco elegance at every turn and individualized service befitting of Hollywood royalty.

The Presidential Suite features classic wood furnishings and is bathed in soft tones of peach, mauve, sage, yellow, and beige - Classic Hollywood elegance at the hands of Los Angeles design firm Dianne Wong Architecture & Interior Design.  The suite has one king-size bed, gas fireplace, a spacious living room with dining area, den, and 1½ marble bathrooms with bidet, jacuzzi tub, and two stall showers. A spacious walk-in closet with his and hers dressers and separate vanity area completes the picture.  The long balcony overlooks a quiet, residential section of Beverly Hills and offers a view toward downtown Los Angeles.  Special amenities include a grand piano, Zenith plasma TV, Bose surround system and DVD player, and Magic Chef and SubZero appliances in the kitchen.

Guests in this suite are provided with standout service as well. For example, garage staff are trained to foil paparazzi, and a private elevator provides direct access from the garage to the fourth floor.  A commercial kitchen is available across the hall for guests who travel with private chefs, and a 24-hour butler is on hand to book any area attractions or reservations for velvet-rope Hollywood hotspots.