Thursday, August 26, 2010

BAOBAB EXPEDITIONS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ORANGUTAN APPEAL

SABAH, BORNEO (8/10) Discover the Orangutans with Baobab Expeditions new Borneo adventures in collaboration with the Orangutan Appeal. With the Orangutan and Turtle wildlife expedition, adventurers will delve into the rainforest of Borneo in search of the orangutans before reaching Selingan Island, one of the most important turtle breeding grounds in South East Asia. And, Baobab will offer a generous donation to the Orangutan Appeal with every booking of the trip.

Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, guests will unwind at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu before exploring the capital city of Sabah. The next day, the real adventure begins in the Danum Valley, Sabah’s largest protected Lowland Rainforest. Adventurers will journey through the forest, stopping along the way to catch sight of impressive flora and fauna, chameleons, gibbons, and orangutans. During their treks, they will also discover ancient Kadazandusun burial grounds. Guests will stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, a stunning lodge edging on the Danum River.

The next stop is the charming Bukit Melapi Lodge, from where guests will set off down the Kinabatangan River at dawn to explore the wildlife by boat. Here, native Proboscis monkeys may be seen swinging among the trees, and the rare Pygmy Elephant may be spotted by the water.

Travelers will reach the Sepilok Nature Resort the next day. Established in 1964 to return orphaned orangutans to the wild, the resort now offers public educations on conservation and research with other endangered animals as well. During their stay, guests will visit the Orangutan sanctuary, learn about the orangutans, and find out how to spot those which have been rehabilitated.

After two days, adventurers will travel on to Selingan Island, one of three “turtle islands” lying off the northeast coast of Sabah. The island is a safe haven for the endangered Green Turtle and Hawksbill turtle, both of which only lay their eggs in their original birthplace. Guests will spend the day enjoying the water and the evening observing the turtles laying their eggs.

Finally, travelers will return to Kota Kinabalu, where they can unwind on the beach, shop for souvenirs in the vibrant marketplace, or simply explore the city before catching their flight home.

Baobab’s ten-day Orangutan and Turtle adventures are set for November 9th, 2010 and April 3rd and November 9th, 2011. Pricing begins at $3,321 per person based on double occupancy and includes all accommodations, breakfast daily, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers on arrival and departure, all park and conservation fees, the services of professional guides, a generous donation to the Orangutan Appeal and to the carbon offset program, and membership to the Royal Geographic Society. International and internal flights, medical and travel insurance, all personal expenses, and tips are not included.

For full itinerary details, please click here. To find out more about Baobab Expeditions or to book, please call 516 622 2279, email reservations@baobabexpeditions.com or visit www.baobabexpeditions.com. For information on the Orangutan Appeal, visit www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

ROBIN POPE SAFARIS TO OPEN MKULUMADZI LUXURY SAFARI LODGE IN MAJETE WILDLIFE RESERVE, AN UNKNOWN AREA OF MALAWI

LILONGWE, Malawi- In Fall of 2011, Robin Pope Safaris will open family- and eco-friendly Mkulumadzi Lodge and eight luxury chalets on a 17,000-acre private concession within the 173,000-acre Majete Wildlife Reserve in Southern Malawi. Situated at the confluence of the Mkulumadzi and Shire rivers, the reserve is dominated by mixed bushwillow woodlands and mosaics of riparian forest. The spacious chalets, designed with unique vegetated green roofs, are tucked beneath the surrounding riverine forest of marulas, leadwood and star chestnut trees.

Majete Wildlife Reserve was established in 1955, and has been under the aegis of the non-profit African Parks Network since 2003. Robin Pope Safaris is the only company which has received permission to build within the reserve. Remote, pristine and exclusive, Majete offers a safari experince that is unique.

Four of the Big Five -- elephant, black rhino, buffalo, leopard – are to be found in Majete and the fifth, lions, are to be re-introduced in 2012. Other animals include the eland, nyala, zebra, sable, hartebeest, baboons, vervet monkeys, hyenas and many more. Some 250 species of birds inhabit Majete including the rock pratincole, Pels fishing owl, the Lappet-faced vulture and the African skimmer, to name a few.
Those who prefer the active life can enjoy game drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and to nearby Elephant Marsh and game-viewing from a hide.

Children of all ages will be welcomed at Mkulumadzi. Best times to visit for comfort: April to September Best times to visit for photography and birding: October to March.

For more information: contact Rita@robinpopesafaris.net.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

FOR LOVERS OF THE SWEET LIFE, AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. PRESENTS A DECIDEDLY TASTY CULINARY TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is popping up on more and more “bucket lists,” and no wonder – the country is a must destination for veteran travelers who want amazing, new and fulfilling experiences for themselves and their loved ones.

South Africa offers the pleasures of a wonderful climate, friendly people, great safaris, exciting cities, superb surfing, exotic landscapes, and, on top of all that, unforgettable culinary adventures that run the gamut from the messy-finger affair called bunny chow to such high-falutin’ dishes as springbok carpaccio served with truffle remoulade. And the wines? Mwah! South Africa is a wine lover’s paradise, largely because those French Huguenots who settled there in the 17th century brought vines from their homeland and the know-how to cultivate them.

To savor the eclectic cuisine and world-class wines of South Africa, African Travel, Inc., invites travelers on an exclusive Sweet Life Culinary Tour of South Africa’s finest. The itinerary includes private wine tastings, gourmet meals, local recipes, culinary secrets from top chefs, a tour of the vaunted Winelands, hands-on cooking lessons and enough leisure time to visit bustling Cape Town as well as to take an elephant-back safari under the stars.

The tour begins at the Steenberg Hotel & Winery, an historic, five-star hotel located in Constantia, one of the four great wine regions of the Western Cape.

Day 1 – Fly from JFK/US to Johannesburg and on to Cape Town.

Day 2 – Arrive at the Steenberg Hotel & Winery, winner of the 2010 Travelers’ Choice Award for excellence and ranked as one of the top 10 luxury hotels in South Africa. Settle in to your stylish, African art-filled suite.

Enjoy a light, late lunch at the Steenberg’s new and innovative cellar-door restaurant, Bistro Sixteen82, comprising a Raw Bar, a Wine Tasting Bar, a VIP Tasting Room, a Wine Tasting Terrace, and a Wine Tasting Lounge, where guests can relax in front of a crackling, wood-burning fireplace.

Executive Chef Brad Ball (formerly the cooking master of two of Cape Town’s best known eateries – the River Café and Olympia Café), orchestrates a symphony of healthy, raw food- sashimi, gravalax, ceviche, carpaccios, oysters and tartares, freshly prepared by designated sous-chefs, and harmoniously paired with Steenberg estate wines.

Walk the grounds and discover why the vineyards are bordered by white rose bushes.

In the evening, dine at Catharina’s, Steenberg’s newly-renovated fine dining restaurant, presided over by Chef Garth Almazan, a born and bred Capetonian and culinary whiz who is 10-time winner of American Express’ Award for Fine Dining. Choose from among his simply sophisticated signature dishes- caramelized king scallops served with cauliflower purée or roast pork sirloin with red onion marmalade, ciabatta crouton, asparagus, and wild mushrooms.

Overnight at Steenberg

Day 3 – After an elaborate buffet breakfast, drive to Cape Town to see the iconic Table Mountain and the historic Cape of Good Hope. Then take a four-hour lesson in Cape Malay cooking complete with shopping the local market. Learn how to whip up Bobotie, the classic Cape Malay spiced ground beef curry.

Return to the Steenberg for a refreshing spa treatment followed by a pre-prandial wine tasting on Bistro Sixteen82’s Wine Tasting Terrace. Savor the award-winning wines created by expert winemaker John Loubser- Steenberg’s Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and Catharina’s, a red Bordeaux blend.

Dine in Catharina’s Restaurant where Chef Almazan will discuss the evening’s menu and recommend the best Steenberg wines (or Graham Beck champagne) to pair with such melt-in-your-mouth dishes as Sautéed Prawns and Tempura Soft Shell Crab served with litchi aioli, sweet chilli and market greens.

Overnight at Steenberg

Day 4 – After breakfast, tour the Western Cape’s vaunted winelands. Visit the 300-year old Morgenster Wine Estate in Somerset West, a thriving olive farm and winery, producing Bordeaux-style wines and prize-winning extra virgin olive oil. Participate in an olive oil tasting and take home some of Morgenster’s excellent bottled oils or other olive products, perfect gifts for foodies back home.

Next, visit Groot Constantia, the oldest wine farm in South Africa, dating to 1685. The elegantly-gabled Manor House is the finest surviving example of Cape Dutch architecture and now houses a cultural history museum containing a superb collection of Cape furniture, porcelains and maritime art.

On the grounds of Groot Constantia is the beautifully-appointed Simon’s Restaurant, offering indoor and outdoor dining options. If the weather is warm, relax on the rolling green lawn with a boxed picnic lunch that can be pre-ordered twenty-four hours in advance (021-794-1143) and collected from the picnic kiosk.

Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight at Steenberg

Day 5 – Leave from Cape Town Airport for Johannesburg and on to Hoedspruit where you will be met by a guide from Camp Jabulani, a super-chic Relais & Chateaux, five-star safari camp that supports a world-class endangered species center.

After settling into your chalet, enjoy a light lunch served on your personal deck beside a sparkling plunge pool.

Take an elephant-back safari under moonlight with the shimmering Milky Way as backdrop. Your groom carries a searchlight for spotting game as your elephant tramps through the wilderness. Before night falls, you’ll dismount from your comfy saddle to enjoy sundowners (pre-ordered) and canapés served from a buffet table set in the bush. Safari over, visit the elephant stables and feed your favorites.

Dinner will be served in the stylish main lodge with the chef making suggestions on the day’s offerings.

Overnight at Camp Jabulani

Day 6 – Join fellow guests in the main lodge for a South African-style buffet breakfast.

Visit Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre to see the Vulture Restaurant (vultures are endangered, too, and these poor, put-upon birds need to be fed), Lover’s Lane (where the female cheetah chooses her mate), and the large pack of family-oriented wild dogs, one of the most endangered species in Southern Africa.

Lunch at Hoedspruit.

Return to Camp Jabulani for a delicious spa treatment on your deck or in your room.

Dinner in the lodge is a communal affair, where international guests can exchange travel adventure stories, “best bets,” and “must-sees.”

Overnight at Camp Jabulani

Day 7 – Breakfast at Camp Jabulani followed by a drive to Sabi Sabi, a luxury game lodge within the 160,000-acre Sabi Sands section of Kruger National Park, a wildlife paradise. Settle into your lodge.

Lunch

Afternoon game drive to observe at close quarters the Big Five and other species of African animals and birds.

Dinner at Sabi Sabi is served in your lodge or on your private deck, if you so choose.

Overnight at Sabi Sabi

Day 8 – Early morning game drive is followed by breakfast.

Afternoon at leisure.

A barbecue-style dinner tonight takes place within the boma, a fence-enclosed area used for outdoor meals and parties. Of course, at Sabi Sabi, the basic boma is elevated to a fabulously memorable communal meal in a sublimely romantic torch-lit setting. You’ll drink in the atmosphere as much as the fine wine.

Day 9 – Breakfast at Sabi Sabi then drive to Hoedspruit/Fly to Johannesburg

Settle in to the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa, chosen by Conde Nast Traveler as the best boutique hotel in Africa. The Saxon was originally a private mansion and it’s where Nelson Mandela stayed after leaving prison. Such luminaries as former president Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are frequent guests.

Enjoy a light lunch around the pool.

A scintillating dinner a deux will be served at the Chef’s Table set in the Saxon’s newly-expanded main kitchen. Saxon’s sommelier will be on hand to suggest wine pairings, and the lucky twosome can watch the kitchen magic conjured by the Head Chef, who believes in using only the freshest local ingredients, transmuted into colorful and experiential dishes.

Overnight at the Saxon

Day 10 – Morning starts with a breakfast buffet composed of seasonal fruits and berries served fresh or made into compôtes and coulis.

Tour the Saxon’s wine cellar and tasting room.

The cool, wide Pool Terrace is an inviting area for relaxing and whiling away the late afternoon, sipping sundowners and taking in the spectacular sunsets. From there it’s easy to gravitate to the Olive Bar, beyond which you will find the well-stocked, impressive koi pond that never fails to amaze.

Dinner at the Saxon

Overnight at the Saxon

Day 11 – Breakfast in your room.

Enjoy a sybaritic spa treatment at the Saxon’s Spa & Studio, named by the Tatler as one of the top 100 day spas in the world.

Day at leisure, until it’s time to depart for Johannesburg Airport, where you can shop for South African wines and specialty packaged food items to bring home the memories.

Leave Johannesburg for return flight to US.

Friday, August 6, 2010

MANTIS’ ELLENBOROUGH PARK HOTEL & SPA IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN JANUARY 2011

Cheltenham, ENGLAND- The Mantis Collection is preparing to open the historic Ellenborough Park, a majestic country house situated adjacent to the famous Cheltenham racecourse in the village of Southam, just outside Cheltenham, England. Scheduled to open in January 2011, Ellenborough Park is a Hotel & Spa and will offer the highest quality service and luxurious accommodations in the midst of the English countryside.

With the new renovations, the hotel will boast 62 fully restored and new bedrooms, with suites of up to 700 square foot and one grand suite with private dining room. All interiors will be designed in a traditional yet sophisticated English country house style by internationally acclaimed interior designer, Nina Campbell.

Guests will have two dining options: Classical fine dining and casual brasserie-style dining.

The hotel will also feature a full service spa, complete with hydrotherapy pool; sauna and steam room; six treatment rooms; outdoor heated pool, and fully-equipped gym.

In addition, the luxury hotel will serve as an ideal venue for conferences and weddings. The board room will hold 16 people. For weddings, a church-like auditorium will lead into a private courtyard garden with access to the banqueting suite. The estate can also accommodate marquee weddings.

Ellenborough House has a rich history. Built in the late 15th Century, the house was bought and renovated in 1831 by Edward Law, Earl of Ellenborough and former Viceroy of India. Upon his death in 1871, the house was let to a series of tenants until it was sold in 1947 and became a private school for girls. When the property was sold again in 1972, the school was transformed into a hotel.

Room rates will start from $350 a night. For more information, please visit the website at www.mantiscollection.com. As reservations for Ellenborough Park are not yet open, please email graham.vass@ellenboroughpark.com to book.

BELFAST’S ICONIC HOTEL, THE MERCHANT, OPENING NEW CHAPTER IN HIGH STYLE WITH MORE ROOMS, A LUXURY SPA, ROOFTOP GARDEN AND JAZZ BAR

BELFAST, Northern Ireland– The Merchant, the most desirable hotel in northern Europe’s fastest growing city, Belfast, is adding 38 more luxury rooms and suites to its present number of 26. The New Chapter expansion is expected to be completed by the end of July. A member of the Mantis Group, marketers/managers of five-star hotels and resorts around the world, The Merchant is located in the heart of the historic Cathedral Quarter, once the city’s mercantile center, now its cultural heart, home to art galleries, festivals and performance spaces.

The new, $24-million extension, slated to open in July, was the vision of owner Bill Wolsey, who noted, “The New Chapter has been in development for a number of years with careful consideration afforded to every new element. We have created a landmark that the people of Belfast can take pride in.” Exterior design for the New Chapter was undertaken by local conservation architects, Consarc, who were behind the original sympathetic refurbishment of the hotel. Interiors are being designed by O’Donnell O’Neill Design Associates. Taking its inspiration from the Art Deco period which encapsulates sleek style and cool sophistication, The New Chapter of The Merchant Hotel has a sumptuous yet streamlined elegance of design.

The expansion will incorporate a new luxury spa, decadent jazz bar, roof top garden, new conference and event facilities, a state-of-the-art gymnasium and 38 new bedrooms, the largest guest rooms available in Belfast at 452 square feet each. When completed, The Merchant will cover an entire city block.

The luxury spa will contain five treatment rooms, a Champagne nail bar, a hydrotherapy area and dining facilities. It will be the first full spa available in Belfast city center and will be open to non-residents. The Jazz Bar will offer live jazz and an excellent menu. The roof top garden will be beautifully landscaped with native plants and outfitted with canopies for inclement weather. Six multi-purpose, self-contained meeting rooms and an events suite with superb facilities are designed for both business meetings and sumptuous weddings.

The generously-proportioned main hotel building designed in Italianate style dates to 1860, and was originally headquarters of the Ulster Bank. Four impressive sculptures below its dome represent science, poetry, sculpture and music. The distinctive architectural exterior is complemented by interiors that are both high design and homey. In its conversion into a hotel, the spacious 21 rooms and five suites, were designed with period furniture, vivid colors and rich fabrics, and named after famous local writers. High ceilings and huge beds add to the feeling of High Victorian romance. The en-suite bathrooms are travertine marble. All accommodations feature high speed wi fi, flat screen TV, and air conditioning.

The Merchant offers a number of dining options and cocktail areas – from The Great Room’s elegant dining experience to the Cloth Ear’s casual but hearty fare to light selections at The Bar or in the Lobby of The Great Room. In 2009, The Bar snagged three world-class awards at the Spirits Awards in New Orleans: World’s Best Hotel Bar, World’s Best Cocktail Menu and World’s Best Drinks Selection, the first time a venue had won three awards at once at this prestigious event. The hotel offers cocktail-making lessons given by am in-house mixologist, so that guests can create these drinks at home.

To ensure that guests’ experience is one of luxury and indulgence, the hotel established more than thirty hallmarks representing the signature elements of their service. As Marketing Manager Petra Wolsey says, “We have hallmarks that relate to everything from how we welcome guests on arrival, to how turndowns must be executed.”

The Merchant will arrange for a VIP transfer from the airport to the hotel in its Bentley Amage. The Bentley and driver are also available for a day of touring with a picnic prepared by the hotel’s chef to include sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, smoked chicken salad, a cheese selection and pastries.

A meetings and dining room that holds up to 40 guests and the hotel’s central location makes The Merchant ideal for corporate planners.

Rates at The Merchant Hotel range from $225 and up per room per night. Suites rates are available from $675* per night. Rates include VAT and full breakfast. For further information, call +44 (0) 2890 234 888; email reservations@themerchanthotel.com; or visit www.themerchanthotel.com or www.mantiscollection.com.

MANTIS’ WHITE DESERT IS NOW OFFERING EXCLUSIVE DAY TRIPS TO ANTARCTICA

ANTARCTICA (07/10) White Desert, a member of the exclusive Mantis Group and the only property on the ice in Antarctica, is now offering once-in-a-lifetime day trips to the unique destination. With The Greatest Day package, adventurers will spend eight hours exploring the Antarctic ice followed by a champagne lunch in crisp -5°C temperature.

On November 28th, travelers will meet in Cape Town, South Africa for a safety briefing, which will provide adventurers with all necessary information and insure that they are fully equipped for the experience, including polar clothing and boots.

The next day, travelers will board a private flight to Unknown International Airport. Upon arrival, they will be taken to the White Desert camp on the edge of the Shirmacher Oasis, their home for the next eight hours. During their time on the ice, adventurers may indulge in a sauna at the Russian base, visit the penguins, explore the ice grottos, and gently trek across the mountainous landscape. They will then celebrate the end of the best day ever with a gourmet champagne lunch alfresco, imported from South Africa, before boarding the private jet once more for the journey home.

Travelers may add to their Antarctic adventure with the White Lions Itinerary add-on. With this package, guests will enjoy two nights at one of Mantis’ Last Word properties in Cape Town before departure to Antarctica and another night upon their return; a two-night stay at the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a five-star Mantis property just three hours from Cape Town in Little Karoo, South Africa; and a sunset cruise over Cape Town waters in The Princess Emma, an 85 foot luxury yacht. During their stay at Sanbona, guests will discover the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) and the only free-roaming White Lions in the world while on safari in complete luxury. They will also receive a complimentary massage at the Sanbona bush spa during their stay.

The day trip to White Desert is scheduled for the 29th of November 2010, with a training day on November 28th. Adventurers will pay $9,670 for seats in the main cabin and $14,505 for VIP seating.* Pricing includes round-trip flights from Cape Town International Airport to Antarctica’s Unknown International Airport, polar clothing and boots, all in-flight food and beverages, champagne lunch on the ice, and all activities. The White Lions Itinerary add-on is priced at $3,117.* This price includes all accommodations, all food and beverages (except premium brands) on safari, a massage at Sanbona, breakfast at the Last Word resorts, and a sunset cruise on the Princess Emma.

To learn more about White Desert or to make reservations, please visit the website at www.mantiscollection.com, call +44 (0) 800 110 5930, or email michelle.deklerk@mantiscollection.com.