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April/May 2018

Tips, Trips, and Happenings from Friends of

Travel Classics Writers Conferences

Québec Celebrates 125th Anniversary of Le Château Frontenac

In 2018, we'll be celebrating a momentous milestone in the rich history of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac--our 125th Anniversary! Over the years, this legendary hotel played host to everyone from rock stars and royalty, to discerning travelers from around the world. We have lined up special events and exhibitions that will show what "la vie de Château" is all about! Detailsabout 125th anniversary activities. Visit quebecoriginal.com. Media contact: Yves Gentil, 212-598-1160

Grand Hotel Serbelloni Celebrates 100 Years

2018 will be the Centennial Celebration of the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio. The Bucher Family hopes you will make plans to commemorate our 100 years of hospitality as well as the modernity of our amenities and cuisine. A special package to celebrate the occasion has also been designed. Visit villaserbelloni.com. Media contact: Noel M. Carroll, 914-961-0334.

El Guero Canelo's Sonoran Hot Dog Wins James Beard

The Sonoran Hot Dog at El Guero Canelo, which attendees of the Tucson conference had an opportunity to taste, was announced as a winner of one of five America's Classics James Beard awards to be given out in Chicago on Monday, March 7. El Guero Canelo, which opened in 1993 as a food cart, has three Tucson locations. Visit visittucson.org. Media contact: Dan Gibson, 520-770-2133.

Explore Desert Blooms with The Boulders

For a peaceful vacation, far removed from the crowds but just a short drive from Scottsdale, the Boulders is the place to see the desert wildflowers bloom in vivid colors. The new "Sonoran Explorin" Tour takes guests to remote areas to encounter friendly wildlife and plentiful sightings of the Sonoran desert's colorful birds. "Desert Photo Tour" and "Walk the Rock" tours are also offered. Visit theboulders.com. Media contact: Debi Bridges, 480-306-4242.

Coming soon: Royal Ride Wengen in Bern

An experience from the valley to the summit. Starting in the summer of 2018, the visitors will be able to ride on the gondola cabin roof from Wengen up the Männlichen. This chain of experience, now presented in a fresh new way, runs from Wengen train station to the base and mountain station up to the "Royal Walk" at the summit. Visit madeinbern.com. Media contact: Priska Renold, +41 31 300 33 00.

Art Goes Outdoors With New Scottsdale Public Art Installations

Suspended above Scottsdale's Arizona canal at Scottsdale Waterfront, "Reflection Rising" is a reminder of nature's continuous movement. The precursor of November 2018's Canal Convergence, two spring events on the weekends of Feb. 23-24 and March 2-3 will feature six large-scale art installations, live music, two unique outdoor dance performances, artist-led workshops and talks, and an extended beer, wine and food garden. Visit scottsdalepressroom.com. Media contact: Laura McMurchie, 480-429-2253.

Canyon Ranch Joins New Wellness Tourism Association

Thomas Klein, President and COO of Canyon Ranch has joined forces with a group of seasoned wellness industry executives to create the Wellness Tourism Association. The new association will be a network of and for members of the wellness tourism industry, with a mission to support and further develop this booming travel sector through networking, education, communication and marketing. Visit canyonranch.com. Media contact: SarahVan Zee, 520-749-9655 ex. 4628.

Wild Sonoran Foods on Menu at Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Reflecting the creativity behind Tucson's new designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, winter menus, by Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain's Executive Chef David Serus, embraces wild Sonoran foods. Both the Forbes Four Star-rated CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar and the lounge, Ignite, feature small plates such as Crispy Confit Duck Legs with tepary bean ragout and mole and Blue Corn Shrimp Tostada with cholla bud, nopales, and aji amarillo chile. Visit DiscoverMarana.org. Media contact: Laura Cortelyou, 520-382-1988.

No-Hassle Baggage Handling to Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Enjoy the freedom of traveling "hands-free" to Bora Bora! Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora has partnered with Luggage Free to provide guests with a seamless travel experience to French Polynesia. Bags are picked up from the desired location and delivered directly to the Resort, eliminating the need to deal with baggage check lines, customs or baggage loss by the airline. Visit fourseasons.com/borabora. Media contact: Brad Packer, 310-712-1493.

2018 SonoraFest Comes to Sierra Vista June 16-17

Sierra Vista is hosting the 2018 SonoraFest, June 16-17, at The Mall at Sierra Vista. Co-sponsored by the Sierra Vista Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, this two-day mega-region festival showcases art, culture, music, and food of Sonora, and emphasizes the positive and interdependent relationship between Southeast Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. Enjoy music, dance, food, and artisan wares at this free event. Visit explorecochise.com. Media contact: KateCox, 520-439-2209.

​​​​Holland America Line Adds Acclaimed Chef to Award-Winning Culinary Council

The line is amplifying the star power on its award-winning Culinary Council with the addition of Seattle chef Ethan Stowell. The Seattle-based premium cruise line chose the hometown chef to enhance its culinary offerings aboard its fleet of 14 ships, including the line's newest ship Nieuw Statendam, which begins sailing Dec. 5, 2018. Visit hollandamerica.com. Media contact: Jerrol Golden, 206-626-7324.

Spaceport America Experience Tour Returns

Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport located in southern New Mexico, announces the relaunch of the Spaceport America Experience Tour. In partnership with Las Cruces-based Final Frontier Tours, space enthusiasts and visitors can now have a hands-on, fun experience inside a real commercial space launch facility. Photo: Spaceport America, New Mexico. Visit SpaceportAmerica.com. Media contact: Peggy Bendel, 917-969-9919.

Modern American Painter Paul Reed Exhibit at Mountain Shadows

The Gallery at Mountain Shadows, featuring artists with strong ties to Arizona, brings in new exhibitions every two months. From Jan 5 - Feb 28, we're featuring modern American painter, and original Washington Color School member, Paul Reed (1919 - 2015), whose masterworks from the 1960's reflect a systematic increase in complexity through overlapping colors and new canvas shapes. Visit: mountainshadows.com. Media contact: Kristen Ahrens, 619-255-7069.

Vancouver Is For Film Buffs

Film fans, take note: Tourism Vancouver's recently launched film portal brings together key information about the city's thriving film tourism scene. Switch on Riverdale, Supergirl, The Flash, Deadpool, Fifty Shades of Grey or hundreds of other fan faves and you'll see countless scenes starring Vancouver's most photogenic spaces: Coal Harbour, the Seawall, the Vancouver Public Library and much more! Visit tourismvancouver.com. Media contact: Saschie MacLean, 604-631-2859.

Snow Sports, Music and the Arts Celebrated in Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb and Gibbons Whistler have newly partnered to revitalize North America's premier celebration of mountain culture, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, running April 10-15. In its 23rd year, this end-of-season event celebrates what makes Whistler great: snow sports, music and the arts. This year WSSF will see the return of the legendary Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, the world's steepest ski and snowboard competition; and for the first time, will host the World Championships of the Monster Energy Boarderstyle Tour. Visit whistler.com. Media contact: Mary Zinck, 604-938-2702.

Animation Festival Comes to Kilkenny's Medieval Streets Feb 23-25

Kilkenny Animated (February 23-25) is a new festival of visual storytelling, incorporating cartoons, animation and illustration in a series of exhibitions, talks, performances, workshops and experiences. The festival is hosted by twice-Academy Award-nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon and is set against and inspired by the backdrop of Kilkenny's medieval streets and slipways at the heart of Ireland's Ancient East. Visit kilkennyanimated.com. Media contact: Brian Tyrrell.

Big Snow = Big Fun in Courchevel, France

Located in Les 3 Valles, the largest ski area in the world, Courchevel's ski area has benefitted from huge snowfalls this winter, with 549 cm (18 feet) accumulated in the highest village at 1850 m (6000 ft). Come and enjoy incredible slopes, a warm welcome, a unique gastronomy and more than 50 activities, including Aquamotion, the largest aquatic centre in the mountains in Europe. Visit courchevel.com. Media contact: Nathalie Faure-Bernoud, 33479014418.

Québec Celebrates 125th Anniversary of Le Château Frontenac

In 2018, we'll be celebrating a momentous milestone in the rich history of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac--our 125th Anniversary! Over the years, this legendary hotel played host to everyone from rock stars and royalty, to discerning travelers from around the world. We have lined up special events and exhibitions that will show what "la vie de Château" is all about! Detailsabout 125th anniversary activities. Visit quebecoriginal.com. Media contact: Yves Gentil, 212-598-1160

Québec Celebrates 125th Anniversary of Le Château Frontenac

In 2018, we'll be celebrating a momentous milestone in the rich history of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac--our 125th Anniversary! Over the years, this legendary hotel played host to everyone from rock stars and royalty, to discerning travelers from around the world. We have lined up special events and exhibitions that will show what "la vie de Château" is all about! Detailsabout 125th anniversary activities. Visit quebecoriginal.com. Media contact: Yves Gentil, 212-598-1160

touRRoir in Galway Explores Links Between Travel, Culture and Food

In recognition of Galway, West of Ireland 2018 European Region of Gastronomy, Good Food Ireland will host "touRRoir", a cross-sector global forum on Food Tourism and Culture in NUIG April 23rd & 24th. In a unique exchange of experiences, touRRoir will discuss how the inextricable links between tourism, culture and gastronomy encourage companies to grow, local communities to flourish, and destinations to become more successful. Visit tourroir.com. Media contact: Margaret Jeffares, +353539158693.

Drama on the Lawn at Rathmullan House, Ireland

Every Summer, Rathmullan House on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way welcomes Chapterhouse Theatre Company to the front lawn. Guests can watch theatre classics with family in this idyllic location with perhaps a summer picnic and a glass of wine! This summer it is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on July 21st. Learn more. Visit irelandsbluebook.com. Media contact: Michelle Maguire, 35316769914.

Re-Discover Your Irish Roots with The Shelbourne Dublin

Allow The Shelbourne's qualified Genealogy Butler help you trace your ancestors in Ireland from the comfort of The Shelbourne Hotel. The unique Genealogy package, based on two people sharing, includes one night accommodation in a Deluxe room with breakfast and one-hour Genealogy Butler consultation. From €570 EUR. Available until November 1st 2018, subject to availability. Learn more about this special package. Visit theshelbourne.ie. Media contact: Yvonne Donohue, + 353 1 6634500.