Written by Lemongrass on 23rd Oct 2018
Liberate the palate: eat whatever, wherever and whenever at The Nautilus, the Maldives *New for January 2019*
Where: The Nautilus, The Maldives
The details:
- The Nautilus is motivated to liberate the palate, favouring personal interaction over strict menus and rules
- The three restaurants have no opening or closing hours, no dress code, and discreet menus for those who wish to make use of them
- As with everything throughout the island, guests are served by their House Captain, who, knowing intimate details about his or her guests is able to actively encourage guests to divert from the traditional menu and pre-empt guests needs before they are realised
- Guests are invited to dine in whatever location on the island they wish and at whatever time they please
- Should, for example, guests have an urge to enjoy their ‘grandmother’s chicken soup’ recipe on arrival at 2am, the House Captain will have this ready for their arrival
Rate: From $1,967 for two sharing a Beach House with pool on a bed and breakfast basis per night
For more information, please contact: Alana Fogarty or Tom Robins at Lemongrass Marketing
E: nautilus@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
From a cheese trail in Austria to a wine hike in Switzerland, discover the culinary delights across the four countries of Lake Constance
Where: Lake Constance, surrounded by Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein
The details:
- Experience the culinary delights of four countries surrounding one lake. The biggest USP of Lake Constance is that travellers can experience four countries in as little as four days with no heavy borders
- Dine aboard an historic Paddlesteamer – all aboard the Hohentwiel paddlesteamer, a superbly restored 1913 steamship and the only one of its kind on Lake Constance. With an extensive programme of culinary experiences, there’s something to suit every taste
- Walk the cheese trail in Austria – take the Pfander cable car to the summit of Pfander mountain and discover the 8km Cheese Trail, stopping along the way at various cheese mongers offing their own specialty cheeses. Even if they are closed, hikers can use the self-service cheese dispensaries
- Hike through vineyards in Switzerland – the 9km trail is a loop that starts and ends at Weinfelden train station and can be enjoyed all year around. Don’t forget to pick up a backpack from the customer services counter at the train station—it includes bread, mineral water and wine glasses, as well as a key to the wine safe, which holds traditional wines from the region such as the Blauburgunder and Müller-Thurgau
- Learn to make cheese Spätzle in Liechtenstein – learn to make this traditional cheese-based dish with roots in family history at the Hotel Turna in the heart of Liechtenstein.
- Tour a hops museum in Germany – for four generations the Locher family has produced the finest hops for breweries around the globe. Hopfengut N 20 in Tettnang combines hop production, a brewery, a museum, a shop, and a restaurant all in one
Getting there: fly London to Friedrichshafen from £178 per person with Lufthansa
For more information contact: Fredrica Slater and Carley Lee at Lemongrass Marketing
E: lakeconstance@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Grab a gourmet coffee while cruising down hidden canals in Hamburg: Germany’s coolest culinary hotspot
Where: Hamburg, Germany
The details:
- NEW hotel, the Tortue, opened this year with 2 gourmet restaurants inside its 19th Century red-brick walls
- Coffee culture is thriving in Hamburg. Speicherstadt Kaffeeroesterei works with Sumatran-grown beans in a project that helps conservation efforts for the Asian island’s Orangutan population. Meanwhile Public Coffee Roasters process and sell their coffee right from the water, by way of their houseboat
- Hamburg is home to the Chocoversum Museum and chocolaterie. Through their fascinating tours, guests learn about the history, processes and tastes behind their favourite treats. The samples on offer just sweeten the deal
Rates: Flights to Hamburg start from £46
For more information contact: Alex Liste or Charlie Mottram at Lemongrass Marketing
E: hamburg@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Little Tots Afternoon Tea for toddlers available for the first time at Martinhal
Where: The brand’s Cascais resort on the Portuguese coast, just 30 minutes’ drive from the bustle of Lisbon
The details:
- At Martinhal Cascais, families can now enjoy a new Afternoon tea experience in the Lounge Bar from 3.30pm – 5.30pm daily
- For little diners, Martinhal is offering a Little Tots Afternoon Tea featuring a selection of sandwiches, scones and herbal tea or hot chocolate
Rates: Prices start at EUR 10 per child for the Little Tots Afternoon Tea and EUR 17 per adult for the Family tete-a-tea. Rooms at Martinhal Cascais start from EUR 185 per night
For more information contact: Ellena Johnstone and Charlie Mottram at Lemongrass Marketing
E: martinhal@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Motel One embraces hyperlocal at NEW Motel One Glasgow, with coffee roasted just 20 metres away
Where: located right next to Glasgow Central Station, Motel One Glasgow is Scotland’s largest hotel
The details:
- Motel One Glasgow prides itself on offering local fayre to guests, giving a real flavour of Scotland’s most vibrant city
- Motel One’s guests’ coffee comes from Thomson’s of Glasgow – Scotland’s oldest coffee roaster- based under the Argyle Street Arches right next door the hotel. Essentially, the hotel’s coffee is roasted just 20m away
- The granola is hand-baked in Aberdeenshire by The Good Granola company, with triple berry muesli from Edinburgh-based brand Stoats, and dairy products from Graham’s Family Dairies in Stirlingshire
- The hotel sources its’ fruit form The Glasgow Fruit market, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting local traders and integrating into the community
Rates: rooms start at £69 a night
For more information contact: Ellena Johnstone or Charlie Mottram at Lemongrass Marketing
E: motelone@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Lausanne Switzerland welcomes the return of the Fête des Vignerons for the first time this Millennium
Where: Lausanne, Vaud Region, Switzerland
When: 18 July – 11 August 2019
The details:
- The Fête des Vignerons is a fabled celebration of the Vaud region’s wine and its makers organised by a committee known as Confrérie des Vignerons (Brotherhood of Winegrowers)
- The committee are bound to only organise five celebrations each century, meaning that the festival truly is a once-in-a-generation event
- 2019 marks the first celebration to be held in this Millennium, with the previous iteration coming in 1999
- The first festival was held in 1797, so there is a strong sense of tradition and local pride that comes bubbling up when each generation the event is announced
- The region is famed for its wine and, just this year, Lausanne was named as the 10th member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, joining powerhouses of the wine world such as Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley
- Lausanne’s Lavaux Vineyard terraces, a UNESCO world heritage site, have unique terraced vines that slope to the very edge of Lake Geneva’s dark waters. The Alps rise dramatically in the distance to create one of the most stunning vistas visitors will ever see
- Due to the slope, Lavaux’s vines cannot be harvested by machine and must be hand-picked
- Switzerland only exports 1-2% of its wine each year, so 2019 really is the best time to head to the Fête des Vignerons and sample it at the source
- The festival runs from 18 July – 11 August 2019
Rate: Flights to Geneva start from £40 (40 min train to Lausanne)
For more information contact: Alex Liste or Charlie Mottram at Lemongrass Marketing
E: lausannetourism@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Lausanne à table – the best the region has to offer in a year-long celebration of taste tingling food and culture
Where: Lausanne, Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva
The details:
- Lausanne à Table is a gastronomic food festival that celebrates local talent, local produce and local dining establishments with unique experiences and creative flair at the forefront
- It features talented chefs, dedicated producers of artisan foods and open wine cellars
- Bringing thousands of people to the city – the second largest city on the shores of Lake Geneva and regarded by many as one of Europe’s hidden gems – Lausanne à Table is one of Europe’s most innovative food festivals
- The line-up of events, with appeal for all ages, runs from April through to December, and includes everything in the culinary spectrum that could ever be imagined: Beer tastings, farm visits, simmering tales with words and foods, chocolate workshops, sensory dining experiences, healthy brunches and street food markets to name but a few
Rates: Flights to Geneva start from £40 (40 min train to Lausanne)
For more information contact: Alex Liste or Charlie Mottram at Lemongrass Marketing
E: lausannetourism@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
From farm to table, in praise of local seasonal produce, Castello Del Nero welcomes their own honey products and new honey experiences
Where: With the hyperlocal trend in full swing, travellers seeking authentic Tuscany will find themselves immersed in the renowned beauty of the Chianti wine region and discover the rich flavours of seasonal harvests at 5* Castello Del Nero, Torrigiani, restored to the highest levels of luxury while preserving its 900 years of architectural heritage.
The details:
- Tuscany has a rich heritage of beekeeping and honey production and for the first time Castello Del Nero is introducing a selection of new honey experiences and packages, using honey produced from the bee hives on site
- The ‘Honey Experience’ includes a morning walk through the estate’s hiking paths and vineyards to visit the bee hives before sitting down to enjoy a Honey and Cheese tasting and a 4-course gourmet dinner at Michelin starred La Torre restaurant. The ESPA spa will also use the hotel’s honey in treatments, including the new ‘Honey Massage’; honey is the perfect ingredient to absorb the toxins present in the deeper layers of skin
- Seasonal produce is the heart and soul of Tuscan cuisine. At Castello Del Nero each season brims with endless gastronomic possibilities and the team at Castello are keen to share their knowledge and surroundings with guests via a number of culinary experiences, in and around the castle, available throughout the year
- Chef Giovanni Luca Di Pirro has recently launched his debut cook book, The Cuisine of Castello Del Nero
Guests can experience the local flavours of the region via a number of gastronomic experiences, including:
Honey and Cheese Tasting:
Castello Del Nero has two stone cellars which are part of the original 12th Century castle, each a deeply atmospheric space to enjoy the newest food offering – the honey and cheese tasting experience. Pairing fine local Chianti wines with a selection of cheeses from soft, semi-seasoned and aged with Castello Del Nero’s very own honey. Castello Del Nero tastings also include wine pairings and extra virgin olive oil tastings, a great opportunity to try local produce directly from the hotel’s estate devised by the in-house sommelier
Antonorini Wine Cellars in Badia a Passignano:
Antinori is one of the most prestigious names in Chianti Classico wine production. Guests are taken to their vineyards and the Antinori cellars in the 11th century Badia a Passignano Abbey; Lunch or dinner in their Michelin starred Osteria di Passignano is paired with Antinori wines.
Truffle Hunting:
Over three nights guests will discover the many sensual pleasures of Tuscany, overlooking the rolling Chianti countryside. Spend one morning exploring the forests searching for truffles in the company of a professional hunter and his loyal dog followed by lunch hosted in the truffle hunter’s restaurant. Available April – October
Gourmet Package:
“A Comparison of Chianti Classico Wines” tasting: Chianti Classico history, a tasting of the most important Tuscan red grapes, hosted by the hotel’s Sommelier who will share his expertise of and passion for Italian wines. The wines are accompanied by a range of delicious Tuscan cold cuts and Pecorino sheep’s cheese. Available March – December
Cooking Class:
Learn to cook even the simplest ingredients with Italian flair; Executive Chef Giovanni Luca Di Pirro presents engaging and rewarding classes in local Tuscan cuisine. Dishes are prepared together with Di Pirro and then guests enjoy the fruits of their labour over lunch, to share and understand the flavours needed to achieve at home. Anticipate making fresh pasta, ravioli or tagliatelle.
Rate: Prices start from £495 for a double room.
Return flights from London to Pisa start from £66
For more information, please contact: Alex Liste or Emma Lee at Lemongrass Marketing
E: castellodelnero@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Daily changing, seasonally inspired, vegan menus at Forsthofalm
Where: Forsthofalm, Salzburg, Austria
The Details:
- An extensive vegan menu is prominent alongside a focus on mindfulness and wellbeing at Forsthofalm
- The on-site vegan chef serves a variety of colourful, creative dishes directly from the KUKKA restaurant, with special five-course vegan menus created each day, inspired by the surrounding nature and environment
- Dishes on offer include bespoke herbal variations and experimental plates inspired by vegan trends and flavours with many dishes cooked on an open chargrill
- Guests can work up their appetite on the complimentary Mountain Life programme, where a range of activities including yoga, fitness classes, mountain hiking and cooking classes are offered daily
Rates: Rooms start from €128 per night.
For more information please contact: Ellena Johnstone or Tom Robins at Lemongrass Marketing
E: forsthofalm@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990
Launching in January 2019, W Dubai – The Palm is set to cause a stir in the international culinary scene featuring restaurants by Michelin starred Chefs, Massimo Bottura and Akira Back
Where: W Dubai – The Palm
The details:
- Ground-breaking chef Massimo Bottura will propel guests on a culinary journey to the 1960’s Italian Riviera at his Torno Subito restaurant, opening at W Dubai – The Palm in January 2019
- Offering sophisticated but laid-back dining, the restaurant will serve a selection of flamboyant Italian dishes (think gelato carts and pedalo picnics), sharing an insight into the man behind the thrice awarded World’s Best Restaurant
- Adrenaline-fuelled culinary master Chef Akira Back will also be bringing his modern tastes of Japanese cuisine with a twist of Korean flare to the Middle East for the first time at his Akira Back restaurant
- Four other restaurants and bars will serve a variety of international cuisine, including the signature WET DECK where food compliments an array of vibrant cocktails at the epicentre of the hotel.
Rate: TBC
For more information, please contact: Alana Fogarty or Tom Robins at Lemongrass Marketing
E: wdubai@lemongrassmarketing.com
T: 01865 237 990