John Dekuyper & Sons – Crave Chocolate Liqueur

Mark your calendar … January 3 is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day. Yum ! Chocolate covered cherries are a big hit during the holidays, and a common gift, to those that “Crave” the smooth, rich chocolate cherry flavor.

To celebrate National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day hopefully you were one of the lucky ones and received a bottle of Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur that unveiled in October. Beam Inc. launched John DeKuyper & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Liqueurs featuring three tempting flavors – Chocolate Cherry, Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Chili.

This premium chocolate liqueur with its sweet cherry taste takes center stage complimented by hints of cocoa … leaving a delectable taste of fruit, vanilla and bittersweet chocolate. Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur is delicious when served over ice, with a splash of milk or as a yummy addition to any cocktail.

Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur

Bring in the New Year right and celebrate National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day and try anyone of the tasty cocktail recipes listed below. Additional recipes and information can be found at http://www.dekuyperusa.com/crave.

BOOZY CHERRY CHOCOLATE MILK

Ingredients:

· 2-3 parts JDK & Sons ™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur

· Milk

Instructions:
· Pour liqueur in a collins glass and add ice-cold milk to taste
· Stir & enjoy

CHOCOLATE CHERRY MARTINI

Ingredients:
· 1 1/2 partS JDK & Sons ™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur
· 1 part Premium Vodka (regular or vanilla)

Instructions:
· Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice
· Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass
· Garnish with Maraschino Cherry (optional)

GROWN-UP CHERRY HOT CHOCOLATE

Ingredients:
· 2-3 parts of JDK & Sons ™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur
· Hot Chocolate

Instructions:
· Pour liqueur in a warmed coffee mug and add hot chocolate ot taste
· Top with whipped cream

LUSCIOUS CHERRY RUSSIAN

Ingredients:
· 1 part JDK & Sons ™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur
· 1 part Premium Vodka (Effen recommended)
· Milk or Half & Half

Instructions:
· Build ingredients over ice in an old fashioned glass
· Add a splash of milk (or half & half) to make it even more luscious

CHERRY MACAROON MARTINI

Ingredients:
· 1 part JDK & Sons ™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur
· 1 part Cruzan Coconut Rum
· Soda Water

Instructions:
· Shake all ingredients (except Soda Water) with ice
· Strain into a martini glass and top with a splash of soda water
· Garnish with Maraschino Cherry (optional)

DESSERT MANHATTAN

Ingredients:
· 1 1/2 parts JDK & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur
· 1 part Jim Beam® Bourbon

Instructions:
· Build over ice, stir gently, and serve

Inn By The Sea

Looking to vacation in a winter wonderland? Maine is the place to go to discover New England’s pleasures while taking in the splendor of the majestic, inland mountains and spectacular, rocky coastline.

Enjoy the beauty along the Maine coast while staying at the Inn by the Sea, a luxurious new Beach Suite with a sea view, a roaring fireplace and a soaking tub on scenic Cape Elizabeth. The hotel has combined all these amenities to create their Winter Warmer package which also includes a stay in one of the Inn’s new 700-square-foot Beach Suites overlooking Crescent Beach.

This luxurious package offers guests a warm welcome drink and a new pair of L.L. Bean “Wicked Good Slippers,” as well as a Casco Bay Hot Stone treatment at the SPA and Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich’s cheese fondue in the Fireplace Lounge. If you are so inspired to venture out of the Beach Suite, Portland is just a 15 minute drive away. As part of the Winter Warmer package, you will be offered more than $100 in savings.

Inn By The Sea – suite

The Inn, with its 57 one and two bedroom suites, and now its newest line of Ocean View Beach Suites, was named as one of Travel + Leisure’s top 50 hotels in the 2012 Worlds Best List and Forbes Traveler’s list as one of the Top Ten Green Hotels in the U.S. and Canada.

If you are fortunate enough to enjoy a luxury getaway on the Maine coast this winter, you will want to select Inn by the Sea where you can relax in your room snuggled next to a warm fireplace and delight in dramatic sea views.

The Winter Warmer package at the luxurious Inn by the Sea includes:

Two nights in a one-bedroom Beach Suite, with an ocean-view, fireplace and a soaking tub in an oversized bathroom.

Gourmet breakfast for two daily

Welcome Spiked Hot Chocolate in the Fireplace Lounge

Two pairs of L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers

Two 60-Minute Casco Bay Hot Stone Massage treatments at the SPA

Chef’s Cheese Fondue for Two in the Fireplace Lounge

The Inn by the Sea package is offered from January 2 to March 31, 2013 and is priced at $515.62 per night, based on a minimum two-night stay and double occupancy.

For more information go to www.innbythesea.com

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your New England travel request. We will promptly get back to you.

The Fairmont Orchid in Kamuela, is a luxurious, lush oasis that is poised on 32 tropical acres on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Adjacent to the Francis H. I’i Brown Golf Course, this oceanfront property is a first class resort featuring luxurious guest rooms, full service spa, spectacular dining, swimming and championship golf.

The 540 guestrooms feature teak-wood furnishings, sliding-glass doors that open to private furnished lanais with ocean or garden views. Bathrooms feature dual marble vanities, complimentary toiletries, bathrobes, phones and separate showers and bathtubs.

Nightly hula shows and Hawaiian music accompany the Hawaiian cuisine served at Brown’s Beach House.

The Orchid Court provides buffet-style breakfasts and a la carte selections, while Norio’s Sushi Bar & Restaurant boasts tempura, fresh sushi and teriyaki.

Oceanfront massage cabanas and waterfall massage houses are hosted at Spa Without Walls, where pampering services include the Big Island Coffee & Vanilla Exfoliation Treatment and the Lomilomi Massage.

A 36-hole championship golf course is featured, while 10 tennis courts reside at the property’s K-Swiss Resort Academy. A fitness center contains free weights and cardiovascular equipment.

Kayaking, surfing and snorkeling are available on site, with additional amenities including two lava-rock spa tubs, a sand-bottomed children’s pool and a 10,000-foot oceanfront pool. Children’s activities include the Keiki Aloha program, offering nature walks, snorkeling and arts and crafts activities for a fee.

Don’t forget to ask about special package discounts at the The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, such as 6th Night Free, Keiki Program, Bed & Breakfast, Family, Spa and Golf Packages.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request. We will promptly get back to you.

Food University at Caesars Palace – Las Vegas

Are you a creative cook with the makings of becoming a chef but you lack the experience, or maybe you just need a little training; regardless, before entering the world as a professional cook you need both experience and education. Here is the answer to your problem, and who knows, you could end up being a future “Top Chef” star.

Food University is offering a new inaugural class scheduled for March 27-29, 2013 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Join the fun-loving foodies from across the country and in just 72 hours you may go from a cook wannabe to a competition-ready chef.

The Food University classes range in topics from wine and cheese pairing to classic Italian to mixology will be offered. Every essential cooking technique from knife skills to Mastering Beef to Seafood 101 and beyond will be covered, plus you will be given a private VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the brand new Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace, as well as the Southern Wine and Spirits Hospitality Mixology program with Mixologist Francesco LaFranconi, usually available only to hotel and restaurant executives.

Among those attending will be philanthropist and hospitality industry leader Larry Ruvo, Food Network co-founder Robin Leach and veteran culinary entertainment producer Richard Gore. Also in attendance will be high-profile chefs along with Food University’s culinary faculty. Other special guest appearances will be named in coming weeks. The prestigious hospitality school from the University of Nevada Las Vegas will provide student volunteers to assist with preparations for this event.

This festive event will accommodate up to 80 culinary scholars in what will be Food U’s first graduating class. Each student will receive the Food University “Enlightened Palate” diploma, and if you enroll in the first classes, you will receive a private VIP invitation to tour some of Napa Valley’s never-before-seen prominent wineries.

Tuition is $1,995 per person for the three day sessions which includes all food, beverages, and course instruction. For more information visit www.FoodUniversityLasVegas.com

Proceeds from Food University “admissions” will go to Keep Memory Alive, committed to finding cures for brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and ALS.

Black Limited Editio​n

Men and women alike are attracted to Rolex watches, and what a better way to celebrate that special occasion than to give a Rolex watch as a gift … something others will notice.

Now Black Limited Edition, under the Day Dreamer Projects umbrella, is launching a limited edition series of customized Rolex watches. Alejandro Alcocer, a watch enthusiast and design entrepreneur, locates vintage watches and works with skilled watchmakers to tailor each one of them into an all-black creation.

Each Rolex watch are put through a specialized process of deep cleaning after which they go through a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating process which adheres a micron thick layer of metal compounds to metal and other materials to form a black matte finish.  To increase strength, a Diamond Like Coating (DLC) is applied.  Rolexes coated in PVD and DLC will continue to increase in value over time.  Because they are so desirable, this makes the watch a good investment.

Alejandro Alocer states “I am not trying to make a vintage watch appear brand new. I place importance on the idea of recycling a classic, timeless object and giving it a second life. A well designed watch has always reminded me that we are given an unknown amount of time to realize dreams and fulfill visions.”

Black Limited Edition will develop and design these watches on a limited edition basis.  A total of six classic Rolex designs are available, with fifty pieces in each style.

Vintage Explorer – released in the early 1950’s and marketed as the watch used during the first climb of Mt. Everest.

Explorer II – a watch developed and marketed for explorers and travelers, and equipped with the ability to maintain two different time zones.

Submariner  – the classic Rolex watch used for diving and adventure.

GMT Mastera – a Rolex  specially designed for pilots with the ability to maintain the GMT time.

GMT Master II – a slightly larger version of the GMT with the ability to show another time zone, in addition to the GMT time.

Sea Dweller – the largest of vintage Rolex watches, designed for very deep diving.
These watches are a status symbol which equals beauty and fashion.

Also look for Alejandro’s new Black Limited Soap and Candles for Spring 2013.  The exclusive items are available in luxury stores Louis Boston and Pachute in NYC and come in fragrances including sage, sandalwood, and grapefruit.

Please use the Contact Form below to inquire about purchasing a luxury watch from Black Limited Edition.

Hurtigruten

Sailing on Hurtigruten and experiencing some of the most scenic and picturesque destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway’s coast and Europe in the spring and fall can be considered the world’s most beautiful sea voyage.

But now Hurtigruten has found another exciting and adventurous way to experience its exploration sailings … the latest being overnight camping in tents on the ice-covered landscape of the Antarctica. Full of nature and wildlife, it is home to millions of penguins, thousands of seals and is a rich feeding area for large numbers of whales that visit during the summer. Listen to the silence of nature and experience endless white landscapes … a powerful experience like nothing else on Earth.

Guests can opt for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and live through what it may have been like for explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Earnest Shackleton, with one slight modification, guests will have the perks of modern equipment and safeguards. Mona Ringstrand, Explorer Product Manager at Hurtigruten ASA states: “The idea is to offer our guests an authentic experience in the spirit of the great explorer, Amundsen.” This “bragging rights” adventure is priced at roughly $500 per person.

Hurtigruten

Also, special pricing, upwards of 25% off regular fares, is being offered by the company for their January 20 Weddell Sea sailing and four Classic Expedition ventures … a savings of $4,000 to $9,000 per couple. Experienced guides will be provided for every 15 participants and activities contingent on the situations will include … short walks, talks, listening to the polar sounds, offering hot drinks and a cold drink toast, wake-up calls for the White Continent sunrise, and more. Guests will take part in the setup of the two-person tents and all cold-weather needs will be supplied, except pajamas.

The company abides by IAATO guidelines in alliance with the Norwegian Polar Institute – all meals still on board the expedition ship MS Fram. Hurtigruten gives you the option of choosing from five different Antarctica itineraries with starting prices from $5,327 to $10,321.

10-day “Classic Expedition” focuses solely on Antarctica, sailing through the Drake Passage to landings that immerse guests in the remote landscape and exotic wildlife of The White Continent;
13-day “Polar Circle Expedition,” similar to the 10-day experience, spends its extra days traveling as far south as the Antarctic Circle;
13-day “Weddell Sea Expedition” follows the path forged by British Captain James Weddell, who reached 74º latitude in 1823 – a first for explorations;
17-day “Christmas Expedition” celebrates the season with traditional carols, festive meals, Santa Claus visits and a New Year’s gala and includes the Falklands and South Georgia;
19-day “In the Realm of the Great Explorers” explores the areas visited by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, and takes in the sub-Arctic eco-system of the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia.

Relax and enjoy the scenery and culture of your destination aboard one of the company’s fleet of twelve ships designed to bring guests closer to nature, wildlife and extraordinary experiences while sailing in polar waters. Each ship carries 100 to 646 guests to share magnificent sights and a lifetime of memories.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request or receive additional information and brochures. We will promptly get back to you.

Sorellina – Kim and Nicole Carosella

Sorellina is a jewelry design house that was founded by two sisters, Kim and Nicole Carosella. All of the stunningly beautiful pieces of their high-end jewelry collection are bespoke custom-made luxury designs.

Sorellina has definitely redefined the “everyday” piece of jewelry. Their jewelry work is neither subtle nor discreet, but are bold, statement pieces made for the urban, modern day woman.

The Carosella work with raw sapphires, vintage diamonds(pre 1940s) and stones all of which, can be custom-designed to be one of a kind pieces. They pride themselves on 100% U.S. craftsmanship, with a focus on sustainability, as nearly all materials are recycled, reused or re-purposed for later use.

Sorellina

Every piece of their luxurious jewelry collection can be worn by women who view fine jewelry as wearable art and believe jewelry should be enjoyed everyday and not only on special occasions. If you want that VIP lifestyle look, them you need to glam up your fashion, and particularly your jewelry.

Each stunning piece can be worn both day and night, making it the staple of a woman’s wardrobe which in turn, cleverly transforms clothing into the accessory.

Pricing for Sorellina’s debut jewelry collection ranges between $500 – $75,000. View the entire collection at www.sorellinanewyork.com

Mornings are magical. There’s an aura of serenity, innocence and freshness in the hours just after sunrise; it’s as though in the dark of night, when most of us were sleeping, breezes swept away all impurities, rewarding us with a clean tableau. Treat yourself to a sunrise sail.

During a sunrise sail, this feeling of renewal seems more pronounced when you’re sailing. Old salts will tell you the farther you are from shore, the more aware you are of the miracle that is nature.

About three dozen guests boarded the 55-foot sailing catamaran Trilogy VI for Trilogy Excursions’ Discover Lanai Sunrise Sail. We are all looking forward to a memorable experience and hopefully seeing many whales up close.

Daylight had just broken when we headed from Maui’s Lahaina Harbor across the Auau Channel to Manele Bay on the southern coast of Lanai. The wind and sea appeared to be dozing; their movements were barely perceptible.

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a woman standing on the starboard side shouted excitedly, “There’s a whale out there!” This was truly the ultimate, sunrise experience!

We turned just in time to see a spout of mist and part of a humpback’s dark blue-gray body rising out of the water. Another blue-gray form appeared beside it. Even though they were off in the distance, we were pretty sure they were a mother and her baby.

During our leisurely 90-minute trip to Manele, we spotted a few other whales; unfortunately, they were too far away for us to get decent photos, but it was thrilling just the same. One even lifted a fin as if to wave at us.

We arrived at Manele, anticipating a full day of fun. First, we took an hour-long van tour of Lanai City, the ambitiously named center of Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island.

No hustle. No bustle. As we drove through the heart of town past rows and rows of modest but tidy plantation houses, most dating back to the 1930s, it was clear life here moved at its own easy going pace.

W Los Angeles-Westwood

Based on today’s poor economic conditions, the best luxury hotels are going out of the way to make this upcoming holiday even more special. It’s time to celebrate the holiday season with a little joy and happiness.

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury stay, consider a haute holiday at either the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The St. Regis Atlanta, Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego or W Los Angeles-Westwood.

A developing trend is the occurrence of skating rinks appearing at chic hotel properties across the U.S. Celebrate the holiday season and skate amidst the desert’s Cactus Garden, glide over a high-tech, hybrid rink and relax in holiday styled cabanas like W Los Angeles-Westwood, enjoy a magical setting on the 7th Floor Grand Terrace above the Pool Piazza at St. Regis Atlanta, or experience a winter wonderland on the sand at Hotel Del Coronado.

Each property provides a unique and authentic holiday experience that reflects either their hometown or vacation spot. The ice skating rinks have become the hottest spots for guests and locals alike, as it’s now time to celebrate the holidays in style.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

* Desert Ice Holiday Rink at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is putting extra icing on the holidays with an all-new Desert Ice Holiday Rink at its picturesque Cactus Garden, November 27, 2012 – January 6, 2013. The 5,400 square-foot rink, made with real ice, is open daily to the public. The price per session is $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger and $5 for skate rental. A portion of the skating proceeds will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Magical and enchanting, this AAA Five Diamond resort transforms into a winter wonderland in the desert as a part of “Christmas at the Princess” with the all-new Desert Ice Holiday Rink, Lagoon Lights and Princess Express Train, hot cocoa, carolers, a gingerbread village, visits from Santa and a four-story musical Christmas tree shimmering with snowflakes. www.scottsdaleprincess.com

* Astor Holiday Rink at The St. Regis Atlanta (Atlanta) – The Astor Holiday Rink has quickly become one of the community’s favorite holiday traditions, offering couples and families the unique, intimate and magical experience of skating in the outdoor setting of the hotel’s 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza. Protected from the elements by an ethereal sheer tent, the rink is adorned with whimsical white lights and features the soft sounds of festive holiday tunes. The Astor Holiday Rink will be open from November 21, 2012 through January 2, 2013. The rink will be open to all visitors from 12 – 9 p.m. (Monday – Friday) and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). Skating sessions will start every hour and be priced at $30 per hour for adults and $18 per hour for children under 16. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlxr-the-st-regis-atlanta/

* The Hotel Del Coronado (San Diego) – The Del is celebrating the eighth anniversary of Skating by the Sea, a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn will be transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily beginning the day before Thanksgiving. A portion of the skating proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of San Diego. Three-hour sessions cost $25 for adults and $20 for kids ages 10 and under. The two-hour matinee session costs $20 for adults and $15 for kids ages 10 and under (skate rentals are included in the price).

* W Los Angeles-Westwood (Los Angeles) – Bundle up and take a spin on “CHILL”, the coolest skate rink this season. The W Los Angeles – Westwood pool deck has been transformed into a winter playground featuring a hybrid ice skating rink called “CHILL”. For the 2nd year in a row, join us in our backyard as we bring the magic of the holidays to life. Sneaky surprises are in store including lessons and performances every Saturday by BH Skating Park’s Cabaret Ice Theater. Take a spin November 16 – January 3, 2012.

If you want to celebrate the holiday season in luxury style, plan a vacation at a luxury resort and reward yourself with a VIP lifestyle experience.

Don Julio

New Year’s Eve is quickly approaching and parties are planned all over the world. Leave all the stress in your daily lives and party like there is no tomorrow.

If you make plans to celebrate the New Year in your favorite, exclusive bar, then make sure they provide you and your party with “high-roller” Tequila Don Julio 1942 cocktails and bottle service.

Tequila Don Julio 1942 is an aged to perfection añejo tequila that is very popular with celebrities and makes the perfect drink to elevate your celebratory experience on this special occasion.

Are you staying home this New Year’s Eve? Then break out your cocktail shaker and mix up the following cocktail recipe to wow your guests. Either way, Tequila Don Julio 1942 is the perfect spirit to make you feel like a high roller this New Year’s Eve.

Try this great tasting cocktail with Tequila Don Julio 1942:

42 Minutes to Midnight

Ingredients:
1 1/4 ounces Don Julio 1942
1/4 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup
1/4 teaspoon of Chipotle Chili Powder
Sugar or Salt (to rim glass)
Lime Wedge for Garnish

Preparation:
1. Rim glass with sugar or salt to taste.
2. Combine Tequila Don Julio 1942, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and chipotle chili powder into a cocktail shaker.  Shake well.
3. Strain contents into a heavy rocks glass.
4. Garnish with lime wedge.

Ideal Serving Glass:
Heavy Rocks Glass

Yield:
1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

The luxury Ring Hotel is located in Vienna, Austria’s prestige location with a world of culture, art and shopping at your doorstep. In the heart of Vienna, The Ring Hotel offers wonderful views of the famous Ringstrasse and Vienna State Opera.

The Ring, Vienna’s casual luxury hotel, offers guests a warm and welcoming atmosphere by blending a new and contemporary design with charming historical features. This designer boutique hotel offers the perfect balance of style along with casual ambiance.

With a unique design experience, the 68 spacious guest rooms and elegant suites are a comfortable mix of contemporary and classical furniture complemented by innovative lighting. Many of the guest rooms reveal a fabulous view of the historic Vienna ring road – Ringstrasse.

Drings is the Ring Hotel’s stylishly chic bar and serves a novel selection of exclusive vodka cocktails. The restaurant, At Eight, offers a concept of ‘aroma cuisine’ consisting of various tasting components finished with herbal oils.

The Ring Hotel Day Spa is a relaxing sanctuary, comprised of breezy colors, warm woods. Your senses will be stimulated by a multitude of textures, gentle music and therapeutic lighting.

You can choose from various treatments at the Ring Spa, which includes a fitness area and private treatment room for soothing massages. There is also a steam bath and sauna with a fantastic view overlooking Vienna.

So if you are lucky enough to visit beautiful Vienna, stay at chicest and most modern design hotel in the city – The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel.

The Ring Hotel
Kaerntner Ring 8
A-1010 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 22 1 22
Fax: +43 1 22 1 22-900