Lufthansa Serves Wine from Gérard Depardieu

Cabernet-d’Anjou from Chateau de Tigné as summer wine in Business Class on
flights in Europe

Lufthansa Business-Class passengers on European routes are now enjoying a very special wine appellation from the Loire valley: A Cabernet-d’Anjou 2009 from the Chateau de Tigné estate owned by celebrated French film star Gérard Depardieu.

Gérard Depardieu is a film legend indisputably but acting is not his only passion. Well before his sympathetic incarnation of the overgrown Obelix, popular among younger audiences, he discovered a love and enthusiasm for the fine wines of his native France. A few years ago, Gérard Depardieu acquired a historic chateau in the Loire Valley, which has survived religious wars and revolution in a chequered history. He was enraptured with the vineyard and wine cellars attached to the estate and, from that moment on, became a vintner. Each year, the vineyard crafts the choicest of wines to the delight of wine lovers. But working the poor soil of the region is hard graft before valuable vines can be enticed to grow and be harvested as the grapes mature. Whereas elegant whites are produced from Chenin Blanc, a superior cuvée from red grapes like Gamay, Grolleau, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cabernet-Franc turns out juicy rosés and strong reds.

The rosé Cabernet-d’Anjou 2009, pressed from the two Cabernet vines, develops a distinctive flavour reminiscent of fine citrus fruits and raspberries. It is noted for its stimulating character and is delightful to the palate. An outstanding summer wine, it is currently being served in Business Class on Lufthansa’s European flights.


“Vinothek Discoveries“ – New finds for wine lovers

No gourmet menu is complete without quality wine to match the exquisite food. But noble and tasteful as a wine may be on the ground, it loses its characteristic notes in a wine lover’s perception at cruising altitude in the aircraft cabin. Low pressure in the aircraft adversely affects the sense of taste and the development of a wine’s bouquet and aroma. Not all wines fly well. So to ensure the fruit of the vine delights passengers in-flight. Lufthansa relies on advice from Sommelier World Champion Markus Del Monego, For “Vinothek Discoveries“ – Lufthansa’s award-winning wine programme, he puts together a selection of exceptional wines every two months. Markus Del Monego travels the world exclusively for Lufthansa in the quest for the finest treasures of the wine-world to recommend and be discovered by First and Business-Class passengers as they settle back in their cabin seats. In the catering sphere, Lufthansa has assumed the role of global ambassador for the best of German wines. These are chosen at blind tastings attended by Markus Del Monego and other recognised wine experts. Each year, Lufthansa offers around 40 vintages hand-picked from more than 30 German vineyards on long-haul routes alone. All told, around 3.5 million litres of wine from top estates are served in all travel classes yearly.

Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines operate flights via 12 getaways from five origins in Australia. Within Europe, the Group’s airlines fly to over 150 destinations, offering Australian travellers the most extended network of all airlines.

For more information and high res pictures, please contact:
Harriet Waugh or Franziska Kaestner, ICON International Communications
Tel: + 61 2 8235 7600
Mobile: + 61 450 964 670 (Harriet) + 61 424 328 260 (Fran)
hwaugh@iconinternational.com.au

Captain Cook's New Cruise Viva - Tapas and Cocktails

 

Tapas, Cocktails and Rumba on Sydney Harbour

 

A hot new Tapas and Cocktail cruise, Cruise Viva, is coming to Sydney Harbour every Saturday night this August and with a special starting price of only $82 per person, that's 40% off the regular price, you really can't go wrong.

 

Cruise Viva combines an amazing Tapas dining experience on a spectacular cruise ship, the MV Sydney 2000, with the addictive DJ rumba dance beat.

 

The party starts with a free Mojito cocktail – a sensational blend of rum, mint, sugar, lime, and soda first created in Havana, Cuba, or Mexico's famous Corona, one of the most popular beers in the world. Then enjoy free house beer, wine, sangria and soft drinks until 10.00pm.

 

Tapas dining has become a way of life in Spain and the all-inclusive Tapas menu allows passengers the opportunity to sample the different flavours of the diverse Spanish cuisine. The Tapas menu includes platters of seafood, meats and vegetarian Spanish dishes like garlic sautéed prawns, chorizo, tuna croquetas, char-grilled baby octopus, grilled spiced chicken, and traditional crumbed zucchini and pimentos cooked to perfection.

 

Then get ready to Rumba! In the sultry melting pot of Cuba, where African slave rhythms were fused with traditional Spanish dance, the heady beat of Rumba was born. Our contemporary Australian dance version is the ultimate party shaker with an addictive beat that will keep you on the dance floor all night long.

 

The Tapas and Cocktail cruise departs every Saturday night in August at 7.30pm from No.1 King Street Wharf Darling Harbour, returning at 10.00pm and 11.00pm.

 

Throughout August prices are only $82 per person instead of $138 per person and includes a Mojito cocktail or Corona starter, Tapas platter dining, reserved table seating, open bar of house beer, wine, sangria and soft drinks until 10.00pm and a Rumba beat dance DJ.

 

Journey to Asia with Travel the World

Luxury cruises, scenic land tours and pampering retreats

Experience Asia in all its wonder and intrigue on a newly released selection of premium cruise, tour and resort holidays from Travel the World. Featuring packages by Holland America Line, Tauck, Compagnie du Ponant and Chiva-Som, travellers can immerse themselves in the culture, history and scenic vistas of this exotic region.

Discover the jewels of South East Asia on a 28-night Grand South East Asia fly/cruise package, which features a 25-night Hong Kong to Sydney cruise on Holland America Line's ms Amsterdam. The Packages depart on 17 October 2010, descending from Hong Kong through Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Cambodia and Singapore. Then Indonesia, Semarang, Komodo Island, down to Darwin and the Great Barrier Reef, before sailing to Sydney via Brisbane. The package includes a one-way airfare from Australia to Hong Kong, 3-nights accommodation at The Langham Hotel Hong Kong, all transfers, cruise NDA's and taxes. This itinerary is priced from AU$6,489 per person twin share ex Sydney; AU$6,479 ex Melbourne; AU$6,499 ex Brisbane; AU$6,489 ex Adelaide and AU$6,299 ex Perth.                      

Hot springs, bullet trains and tea houses feature on Tauck's 12-day Essence of Japan tour from Tokyo to Osaka. Guests will experience ancient traditions first hand, including an exclusive visit to a local Kyoto home where they will enjoy an Origami demonstration and learn the art of calligraphy. Other highlights include trips to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, legendary samurai residences and Geisha districts. Departures are available on 3, 10 and 17 September 2010, as well as select dates in May, June, July and September 2011. This tour is priced from AU$7,216 per person twin share. Guests who book a 2010 departure before 15 July 2010 can also enjoy last minute special pricing of AU$6,615, which represents savings of AU$602 per person off the brochure price.

Tauck also offers a comprehensive tour of India filled with cultural treasures. Travelling from north to south, the 18-day A Portrait of India tour visits Old Dehli and amazing temples in Khajuraho and cruises through Kerala's beautiful canals. Guests are treated to a private dinner and boat ride in Varanasi to witness spiritual ceremonies along the River Ganges. Priced from AU$10,108 per person twin share, this tour departs on 10 September; 1, 8 and 22 October and 17 December 2010, as well as select dates in 2011 from January through to April, September and October.

Premium French cruise line, Compagnie du Ponant will be sailing to Asia this year for the first time in the company's history. Experience French joie de vivre on the 9-night Diamonds of Siam and Pearls of Malacca cruise which sails from Phuket to Singapore on 23 November 2010. On this cruise, magnificent landscapes, untouched forests and idyllic beaches feature on the six Malaysian ports of Langkawi, Penang, Belawan, Pangkor, Port Kelang and Malacca. This cruise is priced from AU$3,275 per person twin share, and guests who book before 31 August 2010 will receive 25 percent saving.

For those seeking much needed relaxation, Travel the World has a 6-night Wellness Retreat fly/stay package at Chiva-Som Luxury Health Resort. Available for stays from now until 20 December, guests can enjoy 6-nights at the award winning health resort, which offers daily fitness and leisure activities, pampering massages and 3 spa cuisine meals per day. Guests will also enjoy return economy airfares flying Qantas and private car transfers from Bangkok to Hua Hin. This package is priced from AU$4,845 per person twin share ex Sydney; AU$4,865 ex Melbourne and Brisbane; AU$4,865 ex Adelaide and AU$4,665 ex Perth (flying Thai Airways).

For further information, please contact Travel the World on 1300 857 037 or visit www.traveltheworld.com.au

Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ is Giving You the Chance to Win YOUR Dream Holiday

Where would your dream holiday take you? Would it be the delights of far-off shores with a shimmering azure sea, or the intoxicating sights, sounds and smells of an exotic, far-flung city such as New York, Beijing or London? Would it be powder-fine, white ski slopes with awe-inspiring alpine views, or driving through picturesque olive groves and vineyards stopping to taste the local delicacies and sip the finest wine?

Holidays are a vital part of our lives and a very personal choice. At Small Luxury Hotels of the World ™ we would like to give you a little more time to think about it. Simply browse through our website and create your own bespoke, fantasy itinerary at www.slh-competitions.com [SLH competition website], click 'submit' and you could be the lucky winner of our dream itinerary competition and have the chance to make your dream holiday come true. When building your own fantasy itinerary, why not take the chance to browse through other dream holidays for inspiration and vote for your favourite? The more votes your itinerary gets, the better chance it has at winning the fantastic grand prize.

As our lucky First Prize winner, you will enjoy your own customised dream itinerary holiday, staying in up to three Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ on a 14-night holiday, with £8000 towards travel experiences included. As our runner-up, you will enjoy a luxury 5-night stay at your choice from over 500 of our stunning worldwide properties. You can also win a luxury 5-night stay from our worldwide portfolio if you upload your favourite original holiday photograph.

So be our guest and take a moment to immerse and indulge yourself, and take a trip through our website to explore, contemplate and plan your next adventure. Will you choose a design hotel in Berlin, or would you prefer a spa retreat in the Maldives? With over 500 options we appreciate it won't be easy. Feel free to enjoy a little escapism as you write what you would do at each amazing destination.

About Small Luxury Hotels of the World: The Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) brand is an unrivalled portfolio of some of the world's finest small independent hotels.  Comprising over 500 hotels in more than 70 countries, the diversity of the individual hotels, and the experiences that they offer, is exceptional.  From cutting-edge design hotels to palatial 17th century mansions, city centre sanctuaries to remote private islands, historic country houses to idyllic resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers only the very best.  Reservations can be made at any Small Luxury Hotels of the World property online at www.slh.com, via the SLH iPhone app or by contacting your favourite travel planner. You can also call a Small Luxury Hotels of the World reservations office; to view a listing by country please click here: http://slh.com/reservationnumbers.html.

Sydney Opera House launches French and German tours

Sydney Opera House today announces the introduction of French and German language versions of its most popular visitor experience, The Essential Tour.

Operating three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) the hour long tours are an interactive audio-visual experience which bring to life the dramatic story of one of the world's busiest performing arts centres.

The tours have been introduced in response to increasing demand from the European market said Sydney Opera House commercial director Maria Sykes,

"Germany and France are important markets for Sydney Opera House, providing the largest number of international visitors outside of the UK, USA and Asia.

 We anticipate that the number of visitors coming from these countries will grow over the coming years so it is vital that we continue to expand the range of available experiences to meet the needs of our guests."

In 2006 Sydney Opera House became the first tourist attraction in Australia to offer daily tours in Japanese, Korean and Mandarin and it is anticipated that tours in other languages will be introduced over time.   More than 320,000 visitors take a tour of the building each year.

The new tours are the latest addition to the range of tourism experiences at the global landmark, which welcomes 7.4 million visitors annually.

In recent years the tourism business at Sydney Opera House has seen a major resurgence with a number of new products created for the domestic and international market.

Recent introductions include Show Plus dining and accommodation packages, a partnership with leading restaurants and hotels which combine dining, accommodation, tour and parking options in a pre-paid package.

The Opera and Koalas experience provides access all areas at two Australian icons.  The morning starts with a backstage tour of Sydney Opera house, where visitors visit areas normally off limits to the public before travelling by water taxi to Taronga Zoo for an in-depth interactive look at Australian animals.

A partnership with Sydney Seaplanes combines two of Australia's most breathtaking features, Sydney Opera House and Sydney harbour.  The Backstage Tour and Sydney Secrets package offers a behind the scenes exploration followed by a coastal flight.  The Essential Tour and Sydney Highlights combines a flight over landmarks such as Bondi Beach followed by a tour.

For more information visit or to make a booking sydneyoperahouse.com or call + 61 2 9250 7250.

Get Up & Go, Australia’s premier magazine for grown-ups is out and about now.

Winter reading to warm the cockles of your wandering heart, the glossy travel magazine features an Arctic odyssey (there’s a bear in there!); a royal resort in Thailand, delightful Dalat in Vietnam; a mellow river cruise in Europe, a journey through the Cook Islands and a pearl of a story about Mikimoto san.

Get Up & Go is inspiration plus. In Australia, there are great apples in Orange, large boulders in South Australia, and a ghost in the town of York in WA. And much, much more. Win a P&O Cruises holiday around the Pacific – how terrific!

MS EUROPA: Premiere "Restaurant Dieter Mueller" on Board

- „Restaurant Dieter Mueller" sets sail as of the end of September
- Starred chef Dieter Mueller is patron

The starred chef Dieter Mueller and the company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises are looking forward to a special premiere this coming autumn: Dieter Mueller will be the first starred chef to set sail with his own gourmet restaurant aboard the world's only 5-star-plus ship  MS EUROPA (rating Berlitz Cruise Guide 2010). Following a redesign on the occasion of a shipyard stay in Hamburg in September, the Euro-Asian restaurant „Oriental" on board the EUROPA will be converted into the „Restaurant Dieter Mueller". The starred chef will personally open the restaurant on 29 September in Hamburg.

Alongside MS EUROPA chef Stefan Wilke, who underwent training with the famous German 3-Michelin-star chef Harald Wohlfahrt and will continue to be in charge of three restaurants on board, the renowned starred chef will be the manager and patron of the new „Restaurant Dieter Mueller" and spend 70 days of the year aboard the EUROPA himself. The „Restaurant Dieter Mueller" with 26 seats offers set meals in the evenings and is included in the cruise price.

Dieter Mueller: "For me, this is a great challenge which I am happy to face in view of the extensive experience I have gained. As a premium chef and ambassador of good taste, I am delighted to be accompanying The World's Most Beautiful Yacht and her guests in culinary terms."

"The EUROPA sets standards on a worldwide scale. Since she was first put into service, she has developed from a traditional ship to a lifestyle product. This is also reflected by the gastronomic selection", explains Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. "We are very pleased to present the 'Restaurant Dieter Mueller', the only gourmet temple on the high seas run by one of the best starred chefs in the world."

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' exciting destinations and itineraries visit
www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings, inquiries or to request a brochure, please look here for your nearest sales agent in your country.

DEJA VU FOR MASTERCHEF MEGIHAN AT SOFITEL

GARY MEHIGAN RETURNS TO SOFITEL BEGINNINGS TO HOST CELEBRITY LUNCH AT GARDEN COURT RESTAURANT, SYDNEY

Television's Melbourne-based MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan can be forgiven for succumbing to a familiar French feeling when he arrives at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth next month.

The Masterchef – who in a past life worked as a chef at Sofitel in Melbourne – will return to his five-star hotel roots and the Sofitel Luxury Hotels brand to headline a celebrity chef lunch which will take place at sister hotel the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth's Garden Court restaurant on Thursday 15 July.

Prior to finding fame for his television appearances and two award-winning restaurants, Fenix and Maribyrnong Boathouse, Mehigan worked at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, where coincidentally he mentored his then apprentice and current MasterChef cohort, George Colombaris.

Sofitel's Celebrity Chef Lunch with Gary Mehigan at Garden Court will be held on Thursday July 15 from 12 noon at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

The luncheon offers an opportunity for food lovers to get up close and personal with their favourite MasterChef while being re-introduced to the new menu and offerings available at Sofitel's flagship restaurant, Garden Court.

After enjoying complimentary canapés and drinks on arrival, guests will be treated to a special three course menu designed by Gary Mehigan for the exclusive lunch event at Garden Court, concluding with a live cooking display showcasing the dessert de jour. He will be assisted on the day by Garden Court restaurant's Chef de Cuisine Vincent Girardin.

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth's magnificent restaurant Garden Court brings together an international team with classic French technique and experience. Curved around the hotel's semi-circular rooftop garden, the fifth-floor restaurant has been designed in the style of an urban conservatory, with a striking modern dining room overlooking the hotel's rooftop courtyard, an open kitchen and a stylish room for private dining.

The cost of the lunch event is A$150 per person. Following his appearance at the Sofitel Gary Mehigan will be hosting master classes in Sydney as part of the annual Sydney Good Food & Wine Festival (16-18 July).

For more information visit www.sofitelsydney.com.au or call 02 9228 9179 to make a reservation.


ABOUT GARY MEHIGAN

With his award-winning establishments, Fenix and Maribyrnong Boathouse, among some of the finest dining experiences in Melbourne, Gary's credentials command attention.

His natural leadership qualities came to the fore in Season One of MasterChef Australia, and this year Mehigan is back to put a whole new horde of cooking hopefuls to the test.

Having received training in world class restaurants, including The Connaught and Le Souffle in London in his early years, Gary has been based in Melbourne since 1991. He has headed the kitchen in some of the city's most prominent restaurants, including Browns, Burnham Beeches Country House and the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins before opening the award-winning Fenix in 2000.

Before MasterChef last year, Mehigan was teaching Australians to cook through the LifeStyle Channel's Boy's Weekend and Good Chef Bad Chef, and just recently crossed over to print with his cookbook Gary Mehigan's Comfort Food.

www.sofitel.com

Biggest Lufthansa lounge at Frankfurt Airport

First dedicated lounge area for children / Summer special for frequent flyers

Spacious with even more room and variety – all that and more add to the attraction of the Lufthansa Business Lounge in Departure Area B at Frankfurt Airport after extensive renovation. Newly reopened right on time as the holiday season gets underway, the lounge will spring a surprise on passengers at the Terminal in the shape of a very special innovation: On an area of close to 1,400 square metres, the lounge offers a first-ever "Jet Friends" lounge for children alongside the customary comfort, bistro and work areas.

Besides a spacious comfort area equipped with leather armchairs and TVs, the bistro in the completely refurbished lounge serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, fruit and meals in a menu that varies with the time of day. In a separate rest room, guests can unwind and relax in peace and quiet or get some work finished in preparation for a business appointment at their destination. They can also freshen up in one of the five shower rooms in the bathroom area.

Fun and games in the first "JetFriends" children's lounge

The biggest Lufthansa lounge in the airline's global route network has a surprise in store for children on the move: The youngest among its clientele now have their own dedicated area to romp about in and play. A kids' corner and playpen will keep the very young quietly occupied, while drawing tables, bean bags, a PC with Internet access and game consoles are available for the older children. For their entertainment, the lounge also has a children's cinema with comfortable leather benches.

Summer special for frequent travellers

Frequent flyers can also make use of a very special offer at the start of the holiday season: Between 24 June and 31 August, they will have the chance of taking their family with them into Lufthansa Business Lounges for a fee of 40 Euros (56 AUS dollars) and make their journey that much more pleasant and relaxed. The offer is valid for spouses or partners and children up the age of 18 in all Lufthansa Business Lounges in Germany and the USA.

Lufthansa lounges, worldwide

The Lufthansa lounge world encompasses around 60 lounges, worldwide, with total floor space of more than 28,000 square metres. Depending on their booking class and customer status, Lufthansa passengers can spend time prior to their flight, unwind, freshen up or work in four different lounge types – First Class, Senator and Business lounges or the Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt. Together with more than 800 lounges made available to Lufthansa passengers by Star Alliance and cooperation partners, Lufthansa offers premium customers a lounge network that ranks among the biggest in the world. To expand and enhance that offer, the airline is investing around 150 million Euros up to 2013 in the construction of new lounges or lounge refurbishment.

Currently, Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines operate flights via 12 getaways from five origins in Australia. Within Europe, the Group's airlines fly to over 150 destinations, offering Australia traveller the most extended network of all airlines.

Byron at Byron Winter Embrace

Be inspired by nature at the stylish and award winning Byron at Byron Resort and Spa. Set within a stunning sub tropical rainforest The Byron at Byron provides an idyllic escape in a relaxed atmosphere.

Byron Winter Escape - Two night winter package

Bordered by beautiful coastline and magnificent rainforest, the stylish coastal town of Byron Bay enjoys pristine beaches, crystal clear water, lively energy and a colourful community spirit. Award winning restaurants, markets, spa and wellness, a wide range of cultural and sporting events, shopping and friendly locals combine to create the unique Byron Bay experience.

For reservations or enquiries please call 1300 554 362