Costa Rica: Chiquita Glamping & Pacuare River Raft vacation is the latest of over 30 “online-only” trips featured on Austin Adventures’ award-winning website.
BILLINGS, MT –The best of all worlds, including creature comforts while glamping in the wilderness, come seamlessly together on Austin Adventures’ new 8 day/7 night Costa Rica: Chiquita Glamping & Pacuare River Raft vacation. This is the latest of over 30 “online-only” trips featured on its award-winning website: https://www.austinadventures.com/.
With its newest Costa Rica program, year-round departures are flexible and may be arranged when it best fits participant’s own schedule, on a space-available basis. The per person double rate (based on a party of four or more) is from $3,998 for the core experience. Options exist to customize the itinerary to the guests’ wishes.
This luxury trip, without a lofty price tag, brings curious travelers to a country on the forefront of land and wildlife conservation. Over 25 percent of the country has been protected by the establishment of preserves, sanctuaries, refuges, and national parks. Costa Rica also offers one of the most biodiverse places in the world, Carara National Park located in the transition zone between Costa Rica’s wet southeast and hotter, drier northwest. The adventure begins here as guests explore the river basin of the River Tárcoles, which hosts one of the largest remaining populations of wild scarlet macaws in the country.
Guests then journey by boat to Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort, far off the usual tourist track. Home for three pampered nights, each large platform tent accommodation is equipped with a king bed, day bed lounger, private shower and bathroom with double sinks, and spacious lounging deck with stunning ocean views. From this isolated island, guests visit Curú National Wildlife Refuge with pristine beaches and abundant wildlife while gliding through the still waters of a protected bay in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, watching tropical birds soar overhead. One morning guests transfer to Tortuga Island where white sands contrast with brilliant Caribbean blue waters. Snorkeling is popular here, as guests marvel at surprisingly colorful crabs and lobsters as well as vibrant tropical fish.
A local flight back to mainland beckons guests to engage in the premier whitewater rafting adventure in Costa Rica – on the Pacuare River (rated by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 river trips in the world). Here they visit the Cabecar Indian village and meet with the largest indigenous tribe in Costa Rica. A family of the community shares traditions they have used for centuries. After zip lining comes more rafting, leading to the deluxe, eco-sensitive Pacuare Lodge, accessible only by whitewater raft. Located at the center of a series of over 1.2 million acres of wildlife reserves, the lodge is both secluded and beautiful. Guests may opt to dine 60 feet above the forest floor in a platform built on the branches of a century-old Kapok tree. This lodge enjoys National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World status.
After two nights at the lodge and a final morning on the river, guests are transferred back to San José for a last overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro, a “Tropical Victorian” house which features a world-class restaurant. Airport transfers are offered the next morning.
For more information please see https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/costa-rica-isla-chiquita-pacuare-lodge/.
This is one of multiple programs Austin Adventures offers in Costa Rica where it has enjoyed relationships with top tourism purveyors for over 15 years.
“Costa Rica has always been our top selling international destination,” says Dan Austin, Founder and President of Austin Adventures. “We’re always on the lookout and open to what our well-established in-country contacts have to share when it comes to new, unusual and cutting-edge adventure opportunities. Together, we look for experiences away from the usual tourist track and crowds. The key is developing tour itineraries that appeal and captivate our brand of intrepid travelers.”
In the print version of its catalog, Austin Adventures features 65 separate destinations representing over 100 published tour options with over 40 also offered as a Family-Focused version. The website also showcases over 30 additional trips and destinations (not included in the catalog) outlining core itineraries that can be customized upon customer request. These online-only programs include, in addition to the Costa Rica vacation:
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/arizona-havasupai/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/ireland-kerry-county/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/ireland-family-kerry-county/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/scotland-family-scottish-highlands/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/scotland-scottish-highlands/
To help plan, Austin Adventures’ 2018 catalog is available upon request. Order ONLINE or call 800-575-1540 or email [email protected]. For a full roster of 2018 trips that is frequently updated visit http://www.austinadventures.com.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 23 properties, resources and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The nominations reflect the striking diversity of New York State’s history and include the home of historic painter George Bellows in the Mid-Hudson Valley, a pocket park in Manhattan, one of the oldest tool and machine manufacturing facilities in Buffalo, and an 1855 eclectic Catskills retreat once home to “The Soda Fountain King” John Matthews.
“These nominations will help communities across this great state preserve the historic landmarks and sites that shaped New York’s rich heritage,” Governor Cuomo said. “By recognizing the very fabric of our cities and towns, New York is shining light on important sites and resources in every region, while supporting community development and encouraging residents and visitors alike to experience the diverse history and culture found in every corner of the state.”
State and National Registers listing can assist property owners in revitalizing buildings, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. Since the Governor signed legislation to bolster the state’s use of rehabilitation tax credits in 2013, the state and federal program has spurred $3 billion of investment in historic commercial properties.
“This designation is an important step in helping the owners and caretakers preserve and improve these assets,” said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “The preservation of these diverse places will help bolster prosperity and quality of life across New York State.”
The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 120,000 historic buildings, structures and sites throughout the state listed on the National Register of Historic Places, individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.
Once the recommendations are approved by the state historic preservation officer, the properties are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed and, once approved, entered on the National Register. More information and photos of the nominations are available on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.
Capital Region
Dunix, Cornwallville – The 1855 Catskill Mountain farmstead was purchased and transformed into a fanciful summer retreat for the family of “The Soda Fountain King” John Matthews (1808-1870), whose fortune was derived from pioneering soda fountain apparatus.
Whitehall Fire Station, Whitehall – The station was completed in 1913 to house the village’s first mechanized, gas-powered fire engine and moved by a team of horses to its present location in 1932 after its original site was claimed for the relocation of railroad tracks.
Central New York
Lipe-Rollway Corporation Building J, Syracuse – Constructed 1920-21, the building is a key site in the city’s diverse manufacturing heritage, known for round-the-clock production of transmissions for tanks and heavy equipment such as the 600-pound transmission for the M-4 General Sherman Tank.
Wampsville Presbyterian Church, Wampsville – The edifice of the first religious organization in Wampsville was built in 1830, altered in 1878, and expanded in 1891 and 1912-1915 while retaining many of its original architectural features.
Finger Lakes
The Lyons Downtown Historic District, Lyons – The district includes 256 resources that reflect the long history of Lyons from late 18th century settlement to early 19th century canal town and later as a governmental and industrial center that lasted well into the 20th century.
Long Island
The Japanese Bridge, Shelter Island – Built c.1905, the ornamental landscape feature designed by engineer and inventor Ernest L. Ransome is one of the only surviving traces of the estate of Francis Marion Smith, the owner of the Pacific Coast Borax Company.
Mid-Hudson Valley
George W. Bellows House, Woodstock – The house was built in 1921 as a summer residence by George Bellows (1882-1925), one of the most prominent young members of the “Ashcan School” of art, who was best known for this early work – typically of boxing matches and urban life painted in a rough, energetic, and bold style.
Kingston City Almshouse, Kingston – Constructed between 1872-1874, the Italianate style structure provided a home for Kingston’s aging and impoverished residents until 1948.
John H. and Sarah Trumbull House, Kingston – Built in 1876, the home was designed by noted architect Arthur Crooks, who blended Gothic features with the Stick style to create an impressive house nestled into the large rocks and ledges in the landscape.
New Guinea Community Site, Hyde Park – The archaeologically significant historic site within Hackett Hill Park was the location of an early free black community, active from ca. 1790 to ca. 1850 during the prolonged process of emancipation in New York, when rural settlements on or near established towns attracted recently freed black migrants who were looking for work, searching for family members separated during slavery, or hoping to find havens away from their former masters.
The Vernooy-Bevier Stone House, Wawarsing – The property includes a limestone house likely dating to the mid-point of the 18th century, as well as a remarkable collection of later 19th century farm outbuildings.
Mohawk Valley
The Upper Genesee Street Historic District, Utica – The buildings in the city’s commercial core embody the history of the community from 1825 to 1972, representing its years of economic success, subsequent decline, and efforts at rejuvenation as a pioneering project of the Urban Renewal program.
The Oneida Downtown Commercial Historic District, Oneida – The district reflects the historic evolution of the city, which emerged as a regional transportation hub and industrial center after the Civil Warthanks to the Oneida Feeder Canal and the Utica-Syracuse Railroad.
New York City
Earl Hall, Manhattan – Completed in 1902, the building was among the earliest structures erected on the Morningside Heights campus of Columbia College; it is also an important work by preeminent architecture firm McKim, Mead & White. Earl Hall is also important in LGBT history as the home of the Student Homophile League, officially recognized by the university in 1967, making Columbia the first university in the United States with a gay student group. Beginning in 1970, regularly scheduled gay dances in Earl Hall became one of the most important gay social events in New York City.
Greenacre Park, Manhattan – The 6,360-square-foot park on East 51st Street exemplifies the mid-20th century vest-pocket park movement, which promoted the creation of small urban parks to celebrate urban life after decades of urban renewal and the destruction of vast swathes of urban fabric.
Old Town of Flushing Burial Ground (Martin’s Field), Queens – The burial ground is the final resting place for approximately 1,000 individuals buried between 1840 and 1898, most of whom were Flushing’s poorest citizens, with a large percentage of African American and Native American descent.
The Ridgewood Reservoir, Brooklyn/Queens – Constructed beginning in 1865, the main distributing reservoir for the City of Brooklyn provided water to allow Brooklyn to become the third largest city in the country by 1890, supply the steam engines that made Brooklyn an industrial powerhouse, and become the largest beer producing city in the United States.
The Saxe Embroidery Company Building, Bronx – The 1904 factory building was initially constructed for a family-owned business specializing in embroidered medallions and monograms and ultimately housed a range of small-scale local manufacturing enterprises.
LANAI, Manhattan – Built in 1911, LANAI (now known as ARGO) is the oldest known surviving example of a shallow draft luxury houseboat designed by renowned built builder John Trumpy, built at the Mathis Yacht Building Company.
Western New York
Ingleside Home, Buffalo – Erected in 1929, the Colonial Revival building was designed to serve the institution that provided social and psychological counseling services as well as health care exclusively to women in need through 1976.
Niagara Machine & Tool Works Factory, Buffalo – The 1910 factory is one of the oldest and most important tool and machine manufacturing facilities – specializing in presses, punches, and rotary sheets for government defense contracts – built and operated in Buffalo in the 20th century.
Westminster House Club House, Buffalo – The 1909 building is one of the only remaining buildings in the city affiliated with the Settlement House Movement, whose social workers conducted extensive community outreach within the surrounding neighborhood, as well as offering educational and recreational programming at the club house.
The West End Historic District, Springville – The intact enclave of residential and religious architecture that grew up west of the village center during the 19th and 20th centuries, spurred by the 1878 opening of the Springville & Sardinia railroad.
Puerto Rico is open for tourism as it kicks off its winter season on December 20th and just in time for the holidays.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – December 12, 2017 – Puerto Rico is open for tourism as it kicks off its winter season on December 20th and just in time for the holidays. More than 100 hotels are open and operating. More than 4,000 restaurants are taking orders. Major tourism attractions Island-wide have been cleaned up and restored. All this just in time for travelers to experience the longest holiday season in the world, one which will be celebrated stronger than ever this year. This announcement was made today by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), the official governing body of the tourism industry.
“It’s been the continued collaboration with Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s team and tourism industry partners that has resulted in tremendous progress and we’re thrilled to be officially open for tourism,” said José Izquierdo, Executive Director of the PRTC. “Tourism is a vital contributor to the Island’s economy, so reaching these milestones not only will help build a stronger, better Puerto Rico, but showcases the resiliency in our people and destination.”
Major milestones important for leisure and business travelers:
Airports:All airports are fully operational. There are approximately 70 flights per day across 27 different major commercial airlines. San Juan International airport (SJU) continues to have daily nonstop service from 17 major airports in mainland U.S. Additional nonstop flights are operating from Canada, Germany, Panama, Colombia, Dominican Republic and other islands from the Caribbean.
Hotels:Over 75 percent of hotels are operational and taking reservations. As first-responders staying at hotels in San Juan prepare to depart, this frees up rooms for travelers. Not only are iconic hotels like El San Juan Hotel re-opening, but new hotels are also opening, like Solace by the Sea in Ponce.
Cruises:Close to 60 cruise shore excursions are available. These excursions have helped San Juan secure over 70 transit calls from cruise lines through the end of January 2018. Furthermore, 80,000 homeport passengers have embarked from San Juan over the last two months, and 85,000 more are expected to do so through January 31, 2018, proving once again the importance of Puerto Rico as a major Caribbean hub and sightseeing destination.
Tourism Attractions:There are 107 operating tourist attractions across the Island, including major sites like Old San Juan, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Cueva Ventana, among others.
Restaurants:The restaurant industry leads with a total of 1,673 open restaurants in the San Juan area and thousands more across the Island. So whether you’re looking for a bar, lounge or restaurant, there’s plenty to choose from.
Getting Around: Ground transportation is operating as usual. If arriving by air or sea, taxis and public transportation are readily available. And, 24 major car rental companies are open, with dealers across the Island should travelers want to venture off and explore.
The PRTC is inviting travelers to let Puerto Rico re-enchant them this holiday as the Island prepares for a very special season and festivities ahead. Beyond Christmas, the holidays are extended through January 6, with Three Kings Day as the Three Wise Men travel throughout the Island visiting families. Old San Juan, meanwhile, holds its biggest holiday celebration, and continues through the end of January for the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, a culmination of the holiday season full of music, food, and drinks.
To get a glimpse of what the holidays in Puerto Rico are like, the PRTC is launching a holiday-edition video series across its See Puerto Rico social channels that spotlights what makes the longest holiday season in the world also the most special. To take a peek, search #PuertoRicoAtoZ on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
While progress continues throughout the Island, visiting, especially during the festive holiday season, is very much encouraged because tourism is a vital contributor to the Island’s economy. There are also voluntourism opportunities scheduled in January to help the island rebuild.
For more information, including details on open attractions, hotels, Puerto Rico’s most popular restaurants and more, visit SeePuertoRico.com. And, for information on other Island updates (related to hospitals, ATMs, supermarkets, etc.), visit http://status.pr/.
Visitors with questions can call the PRTC hotline at 787-522-5960, or talk via Live Chat online.
Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Salvator Mundi, which was purchased by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, will be exhibited at the Louvre Abu Dhabi alongside another da Vinci masterpiece, La Belle Ferronnière, which is on loan from France’s Louvre (PRNewsfoto/Abu Dhabi Culture & Tourism)
ABU DHABI, UAE, December 8, 2017 – Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has announced that it has acquired Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Salvator Mundi. The work, hailed as one of the greatest artistic rediscoveries of the last 100 years, will go on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi, alongside another da Vinci masterpiece, La Belle Ferronnière, which is currently on loan from musée du Louvre.
Painted by one of history’s greatest and most renowned artists, Salvator Mundi is one of fewer than 20 known surviving paintings by the Italian Renaissance master. Dating from around 1500, it is an oil on panel painting depicting a half-length figure of Christ as Saviour of the World, facing the viewer, and dressed in flowing robes of lapis and crimson. The figure holds a crystal orb in his left hand as he raises his right hand in benediction.
When the painting sold at auction at Christie’s for $450.3 million in mid-November, becoming the most expensive painting in history, no one knew the buyer or its fate.
“We are delighted to be displaying Salvator Mundi, part of Leonardo da Vinci’s rich legacy, at Louvre Abu Dhabi,” His Excellency Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture & Tourism said. “his is in line with our ambition to share this extraordinary museum with the world, and our mission to inspire a new generation of cultural leaders and creative thinkers to contribute to our rapidly-changing and tolerant nation.”
“Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Salvator Mundi fits perfectly into the narrative of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum to break down the barriers between the different civilizations,” Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said. “ It will be on display alongside our growing collection, and will be an exceptional treasure that no doubt will be enjoyed by our visitors.”
The museum is also preparing to open its inaugural special exhibition, “From One Louvre to Another: Opening a Museum for Everyone,” on December 21, 2017. It traces the history of musée du Louvre in Paris in the 18th century. Divided into three sections, the exhibition will look at the royal collections at Versailles under King Louis XIV; the residency of the Academy and Salons in the Louvre, converted into a palace for artists; and the eventual creation of the musée du Louvre. The exhibition will feature approximately 150 significant paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and other pieces, mainly from the collections of musée du Louvre, but also from the Château de Versailles.
Louvre Abu Dhabi includes 6,000 square metres of galleries, exhibitions, a Children’s Museum for visitors aged 6 to 12, a research centre, a restaurant, a boutique and a café. Architect Jean Nouvel’s’museum city’ (Arab madina) under a 180-metre dome, comprised of almost 8,000 unique metal stars set in a complex geometric pattern. They can walk its promenades overlooking the sea beneath the dome as the sunlight filters through, creating a moving ‘rain of light’, reminiscent of the overlapping palm trees in the UAE’s oases and traditional souqs.
Dramatic Journey of ‘Salvator Mundi’
The Washington Post reported Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi, “disappeared several times over the course of history, most recently in 1958 when it was sold alongside the rest of the Cook Collection in London. By then, though, the painting’s origin had been obscured due to overpainting and it was credited to da Vinci’s follower Bernardino Luini. It sold for only 45 pounds or about $125 today, CNN reported.
“New York-based art collector and da Vinci expert Robert Simon and art dealer Alexander Parish found the painting in Louisiana in 2005 and purchased it for $10,000.
“It then underwent a six-year restoration and verification process.
“In 2013, a consortium of dealers including Simon, Parish and Warren Adelson sold “Salvator Mundi” for $80 million to a company owned by a Swiss businessman and art dealer Yves Bouvier, Bloomberg reported. Bouvier, in turn, sold it to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $127.5 million in 2014.
“Rybolovlev owned the painting until Nov. 15, when Prince Bader made it the world’s most expensive painting by shelling out $450,312,500 for it. Picasso’s ‘Les Femmes d’Alger’ (“Women of Algiers”) held the previous record of $179,364,992.”
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi is a universal museum on Saadiyat Island that exhibits art and artefacts from ancient times to the present day in order to celebrate cultural exchange and diversity. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum represents an Arab madina (city) with its 23 permanent galleries, temporary exhibition space, Children’s Museum, auditorium, restaurants, retail and a research centre. Surrounded by the sea, visitors can walk the promenades beneath the museum’s stunning dome. They can experience Nouvel’s enchanting ‘rain of light’, inspired by the shadows of overlapping palm trees in the UAE’s precious oases where travellers once crossed paths.
Art works on display originate from civilisations all over the world. They have been brought together to highlight universal themes and similar influences. This marks a departure from many traditional Western museums which clearly separate objects from different civilisations. Themes at Louvre Abu Dhabi include: the portrayal of power; the representation of the divine; exploring unknown lands; and the dawn of globalisation. Louvre Abu Dhabi has acquired more than 620 objects to date including individual works, series and collections. Some of these will be exhibited alongside 300 works on loan from 13 leading French institutions.
Louvre Abu Dhabi was created out of an intergovernmental agreement between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France in 2007. The agreement stipulates that the name of Louvre is on loan for a period of 30 years; art works from French institutions for 10 years on a decreasing basis as the permanent collection grows; and the programming of temporary exhibitions for 15 years.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) “conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of the emirate… The Department drives the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programs relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. DCT supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honor the emirate’s heritage. A key role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close coordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.”
This holiday season, check out “Behind the Screen: Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, “An Antique Christmas” at the Taft Museum in Cincinnati, “A Brandywine Christmas” at Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford PA, explore “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” at the Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI, or “Home for the Holidays at Carolwood” at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. These are just a few of the 18 holiday-themed exhibits from around the country showcased on the new ArtGeek.art search engine.
For the first time, art-lovers have one-stop access to exhibition listings around the country, to help plan vacation travel as well as spontaneous weekend excursions and day-trips.
Developed by two travel-loving museum-goers (and Santa Fe locals) for people like themselves, ArtGeek.art is the first free, constantly-updated on-line directory of the thousands of temporary art exhibitions scheduled at more than 1000 US museums.
ArtGeek.art’s robust search functionality makes it easy to discover compelling exhibitions, to bookmark favorites, and to maintain a personal list of possibilities.
What this means is that instead of visiting a city and searching for what exhibits may be going on, you can check what major exhibits are underway around the country, and design a trip around it.
By using ArtGeek.art as a one-stop search engine for exhibits, art-lovers have free access to:
1000s of exhibition listings all in one place, simplifies discovery
1000+ museums nationwide, including hundreds of lesser-known gems
The ability to search by location (state, city, museum), dates, genre, medium and artist with results displayed in a simple, easy-to-navigate format
Bookmarking, to capture appealing listings to the user’s personal list
Exhibition catalogs and other art book suggestions, with purchase link to Amazon
On-the-go discovery with the site’s fully-optimized mobile platform
To demonstrate the power of ArtGeek’s searchable database, and as a tribute to the many spectacular holiday displays around the country, its editors curated a wonder-filled list of holiday activities: 12 holiday-themed exhibitions and displays
And because there are some “must-see” art exhibitions scheduled at US museums this Winter—from Caravaggio, Michelangelo and Vermeer, to Aztecs, to Oscar—its editors created a second list of highly-recommended shows art lovers will want to know about:18 outstanding exhibitions to see this winter
“Whether planning a trip to California, New York City, or anywhere in-between, ArtGeek makes it easy and fun for art-lovers to discover art exhibitions of any type, anywhere, any time. It’s a site art-lovers will return to time and again to plan vacation travel and special art trips.”
Festningen Hotel & Resort in Norway, the 17th-century fortress bursting with majesty, won Historic Hotels of Europe’s Historic Hotel Castle Award for 2017.
Historic Hotels of Europe announced the winners of its 6th annual awards honoring the most unique, important and cultural properties spanning across the continent across eight special categories, from weddings to fine dining.
Festningen Hotel & Resort in Norway, the 17th-century fortress bursting with majesty, won Historic Hotels of Europe’s Historic Hotel Castle Award for 2017.
Romantik Hotel Castle Rheinfels based in Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine Valley, won Most Romantic Historic Hotel of the year.
The ceremony took place in November at the legendary Barberstown Castle near Dublin, Ireland. Originally built as a fortress in 1288, the castle’s most famous owner was Eric Clapton during the 80s. Its current host Ken Healy hosted the gala dinner, which was attended by the first three nominees in each category and dozens of representatives from the finest historic hotels.
From the 400 exceptional stays throughout Europe, the winners of the sixth prestigious Historic Hotels of Europe Awards are:
In the Historic Host of the Year category, Dalen Hotel in Norway came in top. Known as the ‘fairytale hotel’ with its dragonheads, spires, towers, and balconies – the hospitality is equally dream-like.
Winner of the City Historic Hotel Award was the incredible four-star boutique Heritage Avenida Liberdade, located in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal.
From cosmopolitan retreats to sprawling vineyards, L’Unicorno Agriturismo in Italy won the Historic Hotel Countryside Award.
Sundbyholms Slott in Sweden received an award for its outstanding castle weddings in the Historic Hotel Wedding Experience category. With its very own chapel, cake services and cannoneers who shoot real 17th-century gun salutes on reception, the hotel was a worthy winner.
Another historic treasure crowned was Festningen Hotel & Resort in Norway. Perched on an iconic hill overlooking Finnskogen forest, the 17th-century fortress is bursting with majesty, landing it the Historic Hotel Castle Award this year.
Dedicated to the revival of the traditional cuisine and aromas of Mani and within luxurious surroundings, Kyrimai Hotel Restaurant was the foodie’s choice. The wonderfully restored 19th-century building complex on the southern tip of rural Greece surrounded by water, was crowned with the Historic Hotels Gourmet Award.
Romantik Hotel Castle Rheinfels topped the 400-strong collection of historic hotels for its sheer heart-stealing ambience. Based in Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine Valley, the four-star castle won Most Romantic Historic Hotel of the year.
Historic Hotels of Europe celebrates high standards of cultural and historical-hotel-keeping throughout the continent, so the Historic Hotel with ‘A Story To Tell’ award is very special. This year, it went to Allegory Boutique Hotel, a truly unique small property in the medieval town of Rhodes, Greece with just 6 units named after the Ovidian characters.
“The winners of the 2018 Historic Hotels of Europe Awards represent an inspiring group of hoteliers with exceptional historic properties and outmost dedication to authentic hospitality spanning across Europe”, said Barbara Avdis, Chairman of the Historic Hotels of Europe. “The Hotels receive their merit with the organization’s highest honor, a guest’s choice, the Historic Hotels Awards.”
Historic Hotels of Europe is a membership organization representing unique places to stay in Europe. Encompassing castles, chateaus, palaces, monasteries, convents and more, they have almost 400 members dotted across 11 countries. Each property within the association has been handpicked for its historical architecture and the unique stories it tells.
“Whether you’re living like a lord or lady at a 16th-century manor, or a spa-based bliss in the Med, the aim is to give guests that ‘something special’ – a genuine, one-of-a-kind experience.”
Enjoying a private tour of the Doge’s Palace in Venice on the Ultimate Italy itinerary.
RYE, NY– Life-changing, exclusive experiences are the hallmark of Luxury Gold, whose collection of 42 exceptional small-group journeys offer guests the chance to visit extraordinary destinations, meet remarkable local people and have immersive adventures that are not available to the average traveler.
In 2018 Luxury Gold takes exclusivity to the next level with the launch of its new Chairman’s Collection, a curated selection of truly memorable encounters with European nobles in stunning locales that are available on only 12 Luxury Gold departures in France, Italy, England and Austria.
Inspired by the golden era of travel, Stanley Tollman, chairman of The Travel Corporation (Luxury Gold’s parent company), leveraged his extensive personal connections to give guests the opportunity to meet with counts, duchesses and princesses, and go behind the scenes at some of Europe’s most celebrated castles, estates and cafés.
Alnwick Castle in the UK is visited by 800,000 people every year, but only Luxury Gold guests on the brand-new British Royale itinerary get a private tour of the castle’s gardens from the lady of the manor herself. Over the last 20 years Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland has spearheaded the restoration of her beloved Alnwick Garden to its former 18th century glory, and personally committed her time and energy to upholding her family’s legacy. Guests also meet the head gardener, Trevor Jones, and learn about the various features of the garden such as the labyrinth, the serpent garden and the ornate fountains. Afterward guests enjoy a seasonal lunch and explore the 11th century castle, whose striking medieval architecture was featured in the Harry Potter films. Available on August 9 and September 13 departures.
Café Procope is the oldest continuously operating café in Paris. On select departures on Luxury Gold’s two exciting new journeys in France, French Vogue and French Impression, guests will dine at the 400-year-old café with Count Rémy de Scitivaux. Between bites of coq au vin and other classic French specialties, Scitivaux will regale guests with tales from Procope’s colorful history, explain why it’s one of his favorite eateries in the City of Light, and talk about his noble background and family estate outside Paris. Available on May 11 and September 14 departures for French Vogue, and May 5 and September 8 departures for French Impression.
Ultimate Italy and La Serenissima are Luxury Gold’s two spectacular Italian itineraries. On four departures only, guests partake in an exclusive lunch with Count Francesco Mazzei at his centuries-old family estate in the Chianti region of Tuscany. The property is home to the Castello di Fonterutoli winery, one of Italy’s oldest family-owned firms, dating back to the 1500s. Guests will feast on pasta and wild boar hunted on the estate while learning about the Count’s family history and his approach to winemaking, then take a tour of the property and taste some of the award-winning wines. Available on May 19 and September 22 departures for Ultimate Italy, and May 10 and September 20 departures for La Serenissima.
Austria’s Artstetten Castle has a long and storied history. It was used as a family residence by generations of Habsburgs, including Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 sparked the beginning of World War I. It was later seized by the Nazis during World War II, but was returned to the Archduke’s descendants in 1949. One of those descendants is Ferdinand’s great-granddaughter Princess Anita von Hohenberg, the current occupant of the castle. The Princess, who is also a direct descendant of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, shares Hapsburg family stories during a private receptionwith guests traveling on select departures of the Harmony of Central Europe itinerary. Afterwards guests visit the historical museum and see the crypt where the Archduke and his wife are buried. Available on May 14 and September 17 departures.
Luxury Gold’s Chairman’s Collection “is made possible through the Tollman family’s century-long heritage in the travel industry, and demonstrates their unwavering pledge to provide incredible, unforgettable experiences for guests.”
For more information about the Chairman’s Collection and Luxury Gold journeys, contact your travel agent, call Luxury Gold at 1-888-862-5952, or visit www.luxurygoldvacations.com.
SANTA MONICA, USA – Would-be Indiana Jones-types, adventurous Nellie Bly hopefuls and Amazing Race wannabes are invited to apply to become one of 15 teams of two selected for The Global Scavenger Hunt, the world’s only real-life international travel adventure competition, April 13-May 5, 2018.
The 14th edition of the world travel championship event will once again match clever international travelers against each other in a challenging circumnavigation of the globe over 23-days visiting ten secret countries—it is A Blind Date with the World after all—while completing a series of culturally-oriented site-doing scavenges. Travel savvy teams will use their acquired travel IQ in an effort to earn the rights to the crystal trophy and The World’s Greatest Traveler™ 2018 crown.
“It took Phileas Fogg 80 days to travel around the world, we do it in 23 days! And our participants see and do more than he ever did.” says author and event CEO (that’s Chief Experience Officer), William D. Chalmers. “We annually turn the entire globe into a traveler’s dream where they visit hidden destination gems, uncover cryptic clues, carry out secret missions, hunt masterpieces, sample extraordinary cuisines, employ pre-industrial modes of transport and overcome life-enhancing challenges. It is indeed a highly hands-on and transformative adventure with a high wow factor for jaded eyes and busy people.”
The annual experience is designed to allow travelers to see their surroundings, and themselves, in an innovative way. Truly an international event, it attracts travelers from all over the globe while having visited over 75 nations to date. Previous world champions have hailed from: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, the Bahamas and the United States. The Global Scavenger Hunt is not a reality TV game show, it is all about authentic, challenging and participatory travel—life-changing travel.
Life-changing because participants are occasionally given opportunities to do good with half-day volunteering breaks scattered around the globe. Equally important, the event also serves as a platform to raise funds for interest-free micro loans, the building of medical clinics, and co-ed elementary schools in places of need. So far, event proceeds have helped thousands of families, built eleven schools and a medical clinic, in places like: Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ecuador, Niger, India, Haiti and Sri Lanka.
The 23-day around the world event is limited to 15 teams of two with a $25,000 per team entry fee that includes: all international airfare, first class hotels, 40% of meals, and special event-sponsored travel gear. Single travelers are welcome to apply and all travelers are interviewed for suitability. Contact GreatEscape Adventures at 310-281-7809 or apply online at GlobalScavengerHunt.com. (CST#2071053-40)
Ventura, Calif. — The City of Ventura is proud to be the host city for the Stage Two Start of the 13th annual Amgen Tour of California on May 14, 2018. The premier cycling race will take place May 13-19, 2018, during which the world’s best cyclists will compete for 600+ miles along roadways, highways, and coastlines making up the seven-stage race from Long Beach to Sacramento.
“Nestled along the Pacific Ocean with marvelous rolling hills as its backdrop, Ventura is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream and offers the most stunning landscape for the 2018 Amgen Tour of California. We are excited to host the tour and share our favorite sights in this beautiful city we call home,” said City of Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko.
The annual professional cycling events (men’s and women’s races) carry the distinction of being the only U.S. races on the UCI WorldTour calendar and attract some of the most renowned cyclists and teams in the world. With seven new courses between them, this is the 11th consecutive year the event has featured an international platform for both men’s and women’s racing.
The Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau (VVCB) first set its sights on increased engagement with the Amgen Tour of California in 2016 when it organized a memorable community event to welcome and cheer on race participants as they passed through Ventura.
“Visit Ventura only had 20 seconds to make an impact in 2016 and with the help of hundreds of students who lined up to spell the largest rendition of Ventura’s brandmark ever made, we made it count. To hear that Amgen Tour of California took notice of our small beach town and felt charmed by the way our community embraced the event is a compliment we celebrate and uphold as a challenge to plan something even more special for 2018,” said VVCB President & CEO Marlyss Auster. (Video of the event in 2016 for which VVCB has since won a Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International award is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWMdkEHrVNY.)
Though the Amgen Tour of California has passed through Ventura in the past, this is the first time the City of Ventura will host a Stage Start. Details on the route have not been revealed but Stage Two, also known as the Queen Stage from Ventura to the summit of Gibraltar Road in Santa Barbara County, is considered a highlight of the men’s race. This challenging mountain stage with an uphill finish at 6,500 feet elevation takes place on day two of the seven-day race.
“The Amgen Tour of California has always shone a spotlight on some of the state’s most picturesque and enjoyable destinations. We’re thrilled to bring one of the world’s most prestigious cycling races to Ventura for the first time – we remember the warm welcome from the community when the race passed through in 2016. We look forward to partnering with a city as progressive and cycling friendly as the City of Ventura and to creating a memorable experience for the teams and fans,” said Kristin Klein, president of the Amgen Tour of California and executive vice president of AEG Sports.
Ventura’s host city information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/host-cities/ventura and a highlight video of all host cities is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxfHJyTpjkY with a downloadable HD broadcast press version available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/media-resources.
More information about the Amgen Tour of California and the full 2018 race schedule is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. More information about Stage Two, Ventura’s commitments, the Local Organizing Committee, and how to get involved will be made available at a later date.
Sports Tours International is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L’Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.
MANCHESTER, UK– Sports Tours International, the UK-based provider of vacations built around nail-biting, world-class cycling and running competitions, is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L’Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.
L’Étape du Tour 2018 is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Annecy, France. The finish is at Le Grand-Bornand, a resort in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This finish was used in the 2009 Tour de France on Stage 17 when Alberto Contador famously went against team orders and left Lance Armstrong on both the Col du Romme and the Col de la Colombière.
Riders experience highs and lows while traversing a distance of 169km and climbing to heights of up to 4,000km, just like the pros when the 2018 Tour de France begins on July 7 and runs through July 29. For example, the Col de la Colombière will be the final climb for Stage 10 (Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, 159km) on July 17.
Riders and their guests will enjoy a festival of cycling over the weekend in Annecy. Lake Annecy is a focal point of Annecy, an alpine town known for canals and cobbled streets. Annecy is well known for the heritage of its buildings and natural landscape. It is situated beside one of the purest lakes in Europe, at the foot of the Alpine massifs of the Aravis and the Bauges, but close to Switzerland and Italy.
Sports Tours International’s L’Étape du Tour 2018 four-day/three-night tour package includes guaranteed entry when booked through Sports Tours International. With direct-to-the-public entries nearly sold out, Sports Tours will become one of only a handful of operators who can guarantee entry to the event. Also included in the package are accommodations at a range of hotels, roundtrip airport transfers from Geneva, overland bike transfer, bike rental and storage, complimentary coach accommodations for traveling companions to witness the excitement, three breakfasts, and, depending on the hotel, three dinners, staff support along the race course and more. Per person, double occupancy rates begin at £519 and go up to £699 for four-star accommodations. Self-drive packages are also available. While guaranteed, an additional cost is the actual entry fee to L’Étape du Tour 2018.
For non-riders, a free coach from Annecy to the finish in Le Grand Bornand is offered with return to Annecy later in the day.
Sports Tours International is one of Europe’s leading specialists in sports travel. Since the company’s launch in 1973, it has hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide. With the tagline, Fanatical about Sport, the company’s initial roots came from a devotion to running when founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. Since the early 2000s, the company has embraced international cycling events and triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality. Clients often can participate in events with the pros and are encouraged to “unleash your inner hero” or when it’s not possible to compete, there’s the ability to be active spectators along the routes and “watch your heroes.”
