Compagnie du Ponant

For golf and travel enthusiasts who are looking to combine their two passions, Compagnie du Ponant invites has just the package for you.

Compagnie du Ponant introduced its nine-day “Nice–Nice” voyage that sails to eight ports and visits five stunning courses in Italy and France aboard the three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant.

The 290-foot Le Ponant is a luxurious 64-passenger yacht that cruises the Mediterranean Sea. The yacht features intimacy and luxury with a full roster of high-end amenities that are sure to deliver a memorable sailing experience.

During port stops, golf lovers can play rounds at popular courses including La Pevero, considered one of the world’s “best kept secrets,” and Cannes-Mougins, nestled within the protected lands of the Valmasque Forest.

If golf is not your game, you are in luck. Enjoy stops in Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome; Viareggio, a placid Tuscan seaside resort town; and Calvi, home to the Genoese Citadel.

Compagnie du Ponant is offering three differenet “Nice-Nice” Golf Themed Cruises, departuring May 6, 17 and 25.

These luxury golf themed cruises are designed for the golfer looking for a little adventure and the traveler looking to exceed the bounds of traditional cruising — unspoiled destinations, less-visited ports and out-of-the-way locales.

Cruise fares are priced from $4,841 to $5,453 per person, double occupancy. Golfers pay an additional $760 per person for golf course fees.

· Acquabona Golf Club – set in hilly countryside bordered by oak pines and eucalyptus trees, this nine-hole course with double starting ground challenges guests with uphill and downhill shots complicated by crosswinds from the sea. Situated on the Island of Elba, halfway between Portoferraio and Porto Azzurro, the course offers stunning panoramic views of the gulf and inland landscape.

· Le Pavoniere – the former playground of Lorenzo de’Medici, this relatively flat course in the old Tavola Farmhouse Estate Park is surrounded by holm-oak woods, cluster pines and Tuscan cypresses. Designed in 1986 by Arnold Palmer, the course suits golfers of all skill levels.

· Pevero – a creation of Robert Trent Jones Sr. is renowned for the beauty of its tree-covered hills and rocky coastline and has been ranked in the top 50 courses in the world by Golf Magazine. The innovative layout incorporates the natural challenges in the landscape, from the Mistral – the northern wind that shaped the rocks in the area – to vegetation, lakes and 70 bunkers that dot the 6,688-yard course.

· Sperone Golf Club – comprised partly of rocky scrubland and partly linked, this 18-hole course is considered to be one of Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s masterpieces – and is ranked 6th in all of France. The course offers three signature holes: the 10th, where your drive must carry the water; the 15th, which has a cliff-top green; and the 16th, named one of the world’s most stunning Par 5 holes by Golf Magazine.

· Golf Country Club de Cannes-Mougins – nestled within the heart of the Valmasque Forest and traversed by the Boullide River, this 6,906 yard, 18-hole course offers a round that is as breathtaking as it is complex. Founded in 1923, the course was rebuilt in 1977 by golf architects Peter Allis and Dave Thomas and has since organized the Cannes Open, serving as a highlight on the European Tour.

All of Compagnie du Ponant’s ships and cruise itineraries are designed to protect marine wildlife, coastal environments and local flora and fauna. For additional information or to make reservations, please contact us at:

St Regis, Mardavall

Mallorca’s timeless beauty is visible across the landscape, from the secret coastal coves and turquoise waters to the fairytale villages of the interior.

The island possesses stunning natural beauty along with a surprisingly vibrant and inspiring culture; a colorful yet modest hideaway perfect for a weekend retreat. Teamed with the luxury resorts and services offered there, stunning scenery and professional pampering lie in easy distance of each other.

Finding the perfect place to wind down in Mallorca, Spain is of optimum importance. Luxury hotels in Mallorca like the St Regis, Mardavall offer a multitude of services and spa therapies within the resort, so you won’t have to worry about travel or planning on a short break. A wide range of opportunities and services are available, eliminating any planning stress or time wasting.

The Arabella Spa is a sanctuary of natural medicines and holistic therapies, drawing upon a rich variety of traditions and bringing together specialists from around the globe. Facilities like a spa and pool provide the perfect setting to relax at the beginning of a weekend break.

Mallorca’s stunning coast is a wonderful place to recline and refresh; a succession of curves and bays with an abundance of sandy coves and shallow emerald waters for swimming. The extent of the island’s coastline makes the beach easily accessible, with secluded, sandy spots to discover away from the popular stretches.

The range of dining possibilities will leave you suitably spoiled on a weekend break without being overwhelmed. Restaurants cover a host of cuisines from light snacks and tapas to a la carte and gourmet. Many local dishes are available, including freshly caught seafood and mouth-watering paella.

Fine wines from local grapes are served in the restaurants, the Balearics having been a major wine producer in classical times. Beautifully bodied Spanish favorites such as Rioja are also widely available.

If you would prefer to take in something of the Mallorcan culture and lifestyle then Spanish lessons are a fun way to immerse yourself. Qualified locals lead sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to pick up phrases to use when out and about. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what can be learned in a couple of hour-long sessions, and the rich beautiful language adds to the rolling, sensual landscape which surrounds you.

There are plenty of opportunities for interesting day trips if you are thirsty for culture and adventure rather than relaxation. Beautifully picturesque villages dot the mountainous landscape, with prehistoric ruins and iconic monasteries hidden in the interior.

There are also a number of hiking trails revealing stunning scenery and ranging from easy strolls to serious work-outs. Mallorca is home to some of the Mediterranean’s most magnificent mountain scenery.

A day hike will also allow you a look at village life which retains the customs and traditions of generations past; a real glimpse into the timeless elegance of Mallorca.

Castle Philipsruhe – Hanau, Germany

2012 is the year of music in Germany.  Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is celebrating the spirit of music with a German Choir Festival.  From June 7^th through the 12^th, thousands of singers will gather at Frankfurt into on majestic stage.   Joined by individual concert sponsors and churches, the eclectic fusion of music ranges from classical to hip-hop and experimental.  With over 400 ensembles of over 20,000 singers will participate in this choral event.

For Jazz lovers, there are three jazz festivals to choose from: the annual Jazz Festival in Bingen located in the famed UNESCO World Hertiage Site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley,” taking place from June 22^nd to the 24^th; swing, boogie, blues and jazz surrounded by the romantic atmosphere of local vineyards and gardens; Jazz Week in Oestrich Winkel from July 20^th to the 29^th; and open-air music festival known as Idstein JazzFestival from June 15^th through the 17^th at the rustic, romantic city center.

No music festival is complete without this one genre: rock and roll.  Feeding your inner Rock n’ Roll is the four-day European Elvis Festival from August 16^th to the 19^th.  Concerts, exhibitions, parades, guided tours will be offered to commemorate the life and art of Elvis.  Other concerts taking place is the Rheingau Music Festival and the Bach Festival in nearby Aschaffenburg.

Coinciding with the music festivals are culinary events with gourmet cuisine and wine tasting.  Internationally known art exhibitions and museums such as the “dOCUMENTA,” Städel Museum, Jugendstil Festival, and Castle Philippsruhe in Hanau, the Fairy Tale City will also be available to satisfy your artistic desires.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

When people think romance, Paris and Venice tend to be the first destinations that pop into most people’s heads.  But the splendor of Amsterdam can definitely give Paris and Venice and run for their money.  Rhine and Moselle River Cruise is offering a 15-day scenic cruise that takes passengers through the picturesque canals.  The liveliness of the vibrant city centers, small towns with rustic cobblestone streets and historic seaports are all part of the itinerary of the luxury ship known as the scenic “Space Ship”.

Ports visited include Venlo and its once-a-decade World Floriade Exposition; the fairytale town of Cochem; Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace wine region of France; and Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest and most prosperous countries.

Included optional excursions give guests the option of sightseeing according to their interests, whether it is a visit to a German home for Kaffeklatsch (“coffee and conversation”) or a wine tasting in the French countryside of Barr Fares for the April 2, April 4 and Aug. 20, Oct 8 and 15 departure dates – and the reverse itinerary departures on April 18, July 23 and Sept. 3, Oct 22 and 29.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

Guided tours include the Anne Frank House, bike tour or a sightseeing canal cruise.  For the engineer-minded, the Middleburg’s Delta Works offers insiders’ look into the complex structure of dams, locks and barriers, built to protect a large area from the sea and declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Engineers.  For offers on Scenic Tours’ other European, Russia, and Egypt destinations, please visit their website, http://www.scenictoursus.com.

Sicily is Italy’s largest island and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s also a geographical and political region of Italy, famed for its beautiful beaches, cuisine, and fascinating history.

Prepare to be overwhelmed by Sicily’s contrasts, landscapes, beaches and amazingly diverse, ancient heritage. From its bustling capital of Palermo to age-old Roman and Greek ruins, the sun-drenched beaches and the towering, smouldering Mount Etna, this is one island that overflows with wonderful treasures.

When you think of Sicily, sprawling five-star resorts don’t usually come to mind, but that’s about to change. Next month, the most rustic of the Mediterranean islands will be home to the most luxurious resort in the region.

Set to host its first visitors in May, Verdura Golf and Spa Resort will be the only property in the Mediterranean to offer an across the board 5-star experience.

Boasting two championship golf courses, a first-rate spa, a yoga center, six restaurants, a private beach and 55 luxury private villas, the luxury Verdura Golf and Spa Resort is certainly upping the ante when it comes to Sicilian hotels.

Book your vacation now and stay at the luxury Verdura Golf and Spa Resort in Italy. Read our luxury blog to learn about the best luxury travel destinations in the world.

l’Austral – Compagnie De Ponant

The only thing that can complete the enjoyment of music by Jules Massenet, Mozart, Rossini, Puccini, Delibes, and Verdi performed by accomplished musicians, is actually cruising the places that inspired the beautiful music.

Compagnie du Ponant’s newest mega yacht, L’Austral, fulfills any opera enthusiasts’ dream by taking them from Suez to Venice on a 12-day Et Vogue l’Opéra cruise, departing on May 10, 2012. The intimate surroundings of the new ship allows an unique opportunity for the guests to spend time with the artists outside of the theater setting.

The music program on the ship is extremely rich in culture and operatic arts. Guests can also choose to attend Operatic-themed lectures from renowned experts such as Dr. Elizabeth Fresnel, an author and phoniatrician who specializes in the voice as related to memory. Artistic and Stage Director of works such as Le Comte Try, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Sound of Music, Carmen, Jean-Francois Vinciguerra will direct a selection of compositions on board and in private concerts ashore.

Featured performers include dancer Eugenie Andrin, known for her choreography work in Parisian musicals and operatic ballets; Swiss soprano Brigitte Hool, awarded the Parisian Prize Trofemina; and Fabrice di Falco, whose creative range has earned him performances before Denmark’s Queen.

Departing from the city of Suez, L’Austral will sail through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and explores Lebanon’s lively capital of Beirut. Guests will also get a taste of the beauty of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Greek port Colossus Rhodes. Also can be seen on this excursion is Nafplion, a Peloponnese peninsula seaport that served as the first capital of Modern Greece. Itea, Delphi Valley, and the picturesque beaches of Parga are all among the destinations on the itinerary.

The ship will also spend a day in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, an architecturally rich city of palaces, monuments and white stone churches, and visits the largest of the Dalmatian Islands, Split, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. At the final port of Venice, guests also has the option of adding a post-cruise tour of the famed St. Mark’s Square.

A shorter version of the cruise with a 7-day (May 10-16) itinerary is also available on sailing from Suez to Itea. A 6-day excursion (Mary 16-21) is also available from Itea to Venice. 30 percent discount is currently being offered under Ponant’s Bonus program. Reduced prices range from $3,910 to $9,885 per person, double for the full-length 12-day option; $2,542 to $6,459 for seven days; and $2,093 to $5,314 for six days. Included in the price are all meals with wine, beer and soda; Captain’s welcome aboard cocktail party and gala dinner; 24-hour room service; and all entertainment, events and shows as indicated within the itinerary.

The 466-foot L’Austral mega-yacht houses two restaurants with gourmet haute and country French cuisine, spacious lounges, theater, games area, two open-air bars, a swimming pool, library, fitness area, expansive sun decks, and a comprehensive spa. It also boasts over 132 staterooms, 124 with private balconies, and all the latest technology, including flat screen satellite TVs and Wi-Fi.

The luxurious opera cruise will surely provide an experience that will please the artist and the traveler.

Located in the heart of the Jardin Alpin – France, the five-star Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is well known for its old world charm.

Hotel de Charme Les Airelles had completed a 37 million Euro renovation back in December 2009.

The Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is designed in the spirit of grand chalets of the past. The hotel is perfectly positioned at the foothills of the mountain with convenient access to the ski slopes via Gloriette and the Relais des Skieurs.

The hotel offers its guest 37 guestrooms, 14 suites, plus a 5,900 square-foot private apartment.

Several of many guest amenities include: flat screen TV’s and built-in DVD players, video-on-demand service, sound dock, jukebox, in addition to wireless high-speed Internet access.

Enjoy the luxurious 7,000 square-foot Valmont Spa, the Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant and three additional dining options.

The hotel provides a beautiful Hermes designed horse-drawn carriage, a skating rink and carousel offering endless hours of fun. Shoppers can also find an exclusive Valentino boutique.

Hotel de Charme Les Airelles offers families an elaborate Kid’s Kingdom that provides hours of entertainment for children, under the direct supervision of a certified nanny.

Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is just five minutes from the nearby Courchevel Airport, thirty minutes from Moûtiers Rail Station, and approximately a two-hour drive from both the Geneva and Lyon International Airport.

For more information, please visit www.airelles.fr

Ulus 29

Looking for a unique, international social experience? In amazing Istanbul, Turkey you can see for miles and enjoy fine dining.

Ulus 29 opened back in 1993 and can be found on the scenic, hilltops of Ulus, Turkey. This incredible restaurant establishment offers patrons magnificent views overlooking the Bosphorus.

Ulus 29 both with its fine dining restaurant and Club 29, clearly establishes the luxury standard of indulgence and entertainment of Turkey.

Metin Fadillioglu is the owner of Ulus 29 and has created many classical trendy spots like, Çubuklu 29 and Hip Nişantaşı Brasserie. Fadillioglu is definitely a pioneer name in the Istanbul restaurant & entertainment industry.

Ulus 29 is a unique fine dining restaurant, where internationally acclaimed chef Mert Şeran features his very distinct techniques and creativity in avant-garde modern cuisine. Şeran is quite popular and one of the top chefs in Istanbul culinary scene.

The chef offers diners two signature menus: one with a wide sushi selection and the other with a list of Turkish and international favorites.

For wine lovers, you are in luck. Ulus 29 has highly experienced sommelier Stephane Vattepain, who will provide exquisite recommendations from the restaurant’s own wine cellar, which was awarded with Wine Spectator Award in 2011. The Ulus 29 wine list offers from over 4,000 fine wines to choose from.

The elegant and vibrant Terrace Bar and the Club section adjoin the spectacular view of the restaurant. The Terrace Bar is a great spot to have cocktails after work or your fine dining experience.

For a night to remember, on Fridays and Saturdays you can enjoy yourself at the Club 29 with its famous DJ’s and special cocktails. The Club is known as one of the world’s trendiest night clubs, with its music and its hip clientele including celebrities and many well-known international names.

Món Gastro-Bar – Valencia

What does recycled cardboard furniture that easily passes for a postmodernism art piece; Lumbrera lamp with the elegance of classical design and contemporary lighting efficiency; and the a funky Bold Type Chair that would excite any font junky have in common? They are all edgy creations of renowned Spanish design studio, Sanserif Creatius. Now, Sanserif Creatius is once again making headlines with their newest brain child: the Món gastro-bar in Valencia, Spain.

Món is a 6,400 square-foot bar that blends eclectic postmodern art with tapas or intimate dinners with flashlights. The first thing guests notice is the masculine lines of the industrial concrete floors and brick walls. The decor is softened by slabs of wood that have been alternated with murals that represent most iconic cities in the world, from Tokyo, New York, Sydney, to London.

Architectural symbols of cities that dress the walls of Món and colorful beams further achieves the softening effect.

Even the position of Món signifies its eclectic theme. While the bar pushes the limits of modern design, its main entrance is actually located on the main road, San Vicente Street, that links central square of the city of Valencia with the medieval Old Town. Through the main entrance is Món’s cocktail bar and main tasting area with Solxluna leather bar stools.

To the left of the cocktail bar is an alternative private area with a Chesterfield sofa that’s definitive of American or British design. The dining area continues the eclectic atmosphere completed with the decor of fifties-style chairs like Tulip Arms by Eero Saarinen, Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen, and the latest creation of Ana Yago. Most of the furniture was created with green recycled or natural materials.

Wooden staircase lead to the second floor of Món, an open space, where guests can relax while waiting for their gourmet dishes to be prepared. The Món offers a complete dining and art appreciation experience.

With nearly 3000 years of history … Rome is truly the Eternal City. Across from the Temple of Vesta inside the Roman Forum, Hotel Fortyseven combines the best of old and new Rome.

Deep in the heart of this ancient city, Hotel Fortyseven celebrates recent Italian art, as each of the hotel’s five floors is dedicated to a different 20th-century artist (Mastroianni, Greco, Modigliani, Quagliata and Guccione).

Combining contemporary art with an ancient location, you can’t beat the Hotel Fortyseven setting in the historical center of Rome.

Look out the and enjoy incredible views of the 2,000-year-old city from the rooftop of the hotel’s Circus Restaurant. It’s been recently remodeled, and this fine restaurant can boast it’s one the best places to eat in the city. The Circus Restaurant also offers a wonderful Sunday brunch.

You can check out photos here.

A sample from the chef’s new Mediterranean menu at Circus Restaurant can be found here:

Starters
Parma ham with green apple and raspberries sauce
Smocked beef angus with rocket salad, aged Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction
Squid salad with lime and crunchy vegetables, tuna bottarga and caper flowers

Main dishes
Home made tagliatelle with lobster sauce, Liguria olives and brised eggplant
Trofiette durum wheat pasta with basil pesto, pistacchio nuts and swordfish
Rack of lamb in crust herbs and braised spinach
Grilled salmon steak in a red Chianti wine sauce

Savoia Excelsior Palace

For history lovers who also enjoy heritage hotels, your search is now over.  The iconic Savoia Excelsior Palace (part of the Starhotels Collezione) celebrates its 100^th year as a hotel, providing the perfect excuse to uncover the fascinating Italian city of Trieste and experience this iconic grand dame.

The Savoia Excelsior Palace epitomizes grandeur and glamour, and was built by celebrated Austrian architect Ladislaus Fiedler. The luxury property had first public opening back in 1912 and was recognized as ‘the most luxurious hotel in Austria-Hungary’.

Celebrating 100 years, Savoia Excelsior Palace houses over 20,000 meters of silk and velvet, over 6,000 porcelain antiques, plus room-upon-room of delicate period furniture, luxury reigns now as it did a century ago.

Savoia Excelsior Palace is located in Trieste, Italy. Many smaller Italian cities like Trieste are relatively undiscovered by the world’s travelers. Trieste has been part of La Repubblica for less than a century and is a fascinating melting pot of Italian, Mittel-European and Slavic cultures.

Historically tempting the ‘Grand Touring’ elite through its doors with the promise of panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea, from its south-easterly setting on the waterfront, Savoia Excelsior Palace welcomed many aristocrats, artists and diplomats.  Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary was a frequent guest and his apartments remain perfectly intact today.

Savoia Excelsior Palace went through an extensive renovation project between 2007 and 2009. The result was stunning as turn-of-the century frescos, precious mosaics and intricate architectural detailing have been restored to their former glory.

The restoration project brought an air of contemporary chic by sensitively working with the existing classicism of the building to ensure that it remains the must-visit address in Trieste 100 years on.