by Editor | Oct 26, 2009 | Accomodations, New Articles, Restaurants and Food, Spas
By Elena del Valle, photos by Gary Cox
Frankfurt was our gateway to Germany's Black Forest
Earlier this year, my husband and I had an opportunity to visit the famed Black Forest and nearby areas of southwestern Germany. We were pleased to discover several small family owned and managed hotels, part of the Romantik chain of 200 independently owned and managed hotels and restaurants in 11 European countries, offering comfortable and modern accommodations including some with spa facilities. We were especially delighted with the friendly and welcoming hosts and their staff, striking scenery and outstanding foodie havens we visited during our two-week drive through the countryside.
Although neither of us speaks German we had visited that European country in the past and were confident we would have a pleasant trip. In past trips to Germany most of the business people we encountered spoke some English so we were surprised to discover that once we veered off the urban core of Frankfurt, English was scarce. So we made do with our few phrases of German and many smiles. Almost without exception locals made us feel welcome with their warm and friendly attitude. Whether it was fellow guests, staff or strangers in public areas someone was always willing to listen to our broken German and communicate with us.
A quiet area at Bollant's Spa
Petit fours at Passione Rossa
After landing in Frankfurt and picking up our spiffy German rental car with heated seats (it was late winter/early spring and definitely cold) and global positioning system (GPS), we headed to the village of Bad Sobernheim where we spent two nights recovering from the jet lag and being pampered with good food and spa time at the Romantik Hotel BollAnt’s im Park, Bollant’s Spa at at BollAnt’s im Park Romantik Hotel and Vital Spa and Passione Rossa restaurant.
Jörg Glauben and Birgit Neumueller at Tschifflik restaurant
We also visited the Romantik Hotel Landschloss Fasanerie on the outskirts of the town of Zweibrucken near France. Once again we took advantage of the property’s spa services and sampled its outstanding local and continental cuisine. Before leaving we had a gourmet dinner at the well known Tschifflick.
The lobby at Residenz am See in Meersburg
A delicate fish course at Casala
Behind the scenes at Residenz am See
From there we headed south through snow covered mountains to Meersburg, a small and picturesque village with cobblestone streets on the shores of Lake Constance. We thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay in a penthouse suite at the Romantik Hotel Residenz am See, one of our favorite properties during the trip for sheer friendliness, a well appointed suite and delicious food. While we were there we attended a German pastry baking class in German. With the help of our small group of fellow students and the pastry chef’s interjections we learned a little and had a fun morning baking delicious regional and German treats. Meals at the hotel restaurants including dinner at Casala Restaurant, were outstanding!
The Romantik Hotel Sackmann Spa pool
One of the delicious dishes we tried at the Restaurant Schlossberg
From there we returned to the Black Forest to the Romantik Hotel Sackmann in the municipality of Baiersbronn. We especially liked the hotel’s riverside location, gourmet restaurant and fabulous spa facilities.
We would recommend the region to scenery, spa and gourmet food oriented friends and acquaintances willing to venture to areas where English is not commonly spoken. As an added bonus this part of Germany offered great value for money compared to urban areas in Europe.
by Editor | Jul 27, 2009 | Accomodations, Books, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles, Products, Restaurants, Spas
Lions at Rattray's
Many travelers familiar with luxury safari lodges in South Africa know of or may have stayed at the Mala Mala Reserve, one of the oldest reserves within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. The well known reserve fronts a fenceless portion of the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger.
A vigilant kitty at Rattray's
Our team's suite at Rattray's
The family owned property offers accommodations for 54 guests in the Mala Mala Main Camp . Nearby there are exclusive luxury accommodations at Rattray’s, an eight suite fenced lodge for guests 16 and older with a fitness center and swimming pool. Click here to read about our team’s impressions during their most recent visit in a dedicated article about Rattray’s.
by Editor | Jul 13, 2009 | New Articles, Restaurants
Exterior view of Hout Bay Manor and Pure restaurant
On a recent trip to South Africa our team went to Hout Bay, a coastal village near Cape Town, for the first time. They stayed overnight at the Hout Bay Manor (Baviaanskloof, Off Main Rd Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa 7872, +27 21 797 9393, www.houtbaymanor.com), a 21-room newly renovated historic hotel known for its chic and modern style, and dined at the property’s gourmet restaurant Pure.
“As soon as I started to cook, I never wanted to stop and so I switched my apprenticeship to be a chef, and I’ve never looked back!” said Alex Mueller, executive chef of Pure and general manager of Hout Bay Manor. The thought of taking care of such an exquisite place excited me and of course this encouraged me to take up the challenge.”
Pure restaurant
Chef Mueller was classically trained and believes that every chef should have this base before starting to experiment. He completed an array of specialized culinary courses to develop and enhance his cooking techniques. Some of the courses include pastry, vegetable and fruit carving, ice-cream and desserts as well as artistic sugar and isomalt creations.
Our team liked the lovingly restored boutique hotel and stylish gourmet restaurant. Click here to read more about Pure restaurant.
by Editor | Jul 6, 2009 | New Articles
The Las Vegas skyline seen from the helicopter
On a visit to Las Vegas, Nevada one of our teams went on Wind Dancer, a Maverick Helicopters extended helicopter flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, including Lake Mead and stops at the Grand Canyon and the Skywalk at the Hualapai American Indian reservation in Arizona.
The Maverick seven-seat ECO Star aircraft
The Skywalk at the Hualapai American Indian reservation in Arizona
The day began with an early morning transport pick up at our team’s Las Vegas Strip hotel. They spent the better part of the day on the full flight excursion and returned to their hotel, filled with Grand Canyon memories and with dozens of photos, in the mid afternoon. Click here to read more about their experience with Wind Dancer.
by Editor | Jun 29, 2009 | New Articles, Restaurants
A table and view at The Roundhouse
Cape Town’s up and coming gourmet restaurant scene is flourishing. On our team’s most recent visit they dined at two outstanding “house” gourmet restaurants in the city suburbs, The Greenhouse, part of the large complex of the Cellars-Hohenort, and The Roundhouse, a newly opened and very popular hillside restaurant.
The Greenhouse
Each with its own charms offered quality food lovers a striking setting, friendly service and extraordinary meals. Click here to read our articles about The Greenhouse and The Roundhouse .
by Editor | Jun 22, 2009 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
Article by Elena del Valle and photos by Gary Cox
Elephants at Camp Jabulani
Carl met us at the Kapama Gate and we drove behind him to the camp where we would spend the next two nights. On our arrival, Elsie, his wife and camp co-manager, welcomed us with moist refresher towels. After a few minutes we followed our luggage across a quaint suspension bridge to our suite. We had arrived just in time for a quick bite and our first elephant back ride.
A short while later we met Rudolf Van Den Berg, the property’s talented chef who made us look forward to every meal. The day we left, Lente Roode, the enthusiastic conservationist behind Camp Jabulani, came to greet guests at the breakfast table.
Our luxury suite at Camp Jabulani
At 4:30 p.m., we and six other guests met Paul, the elephant handler, who introduced us to the elephants and their grooms. He also shared information about the herd including their origin, behavior, what we should expect during the ride as well as dos and don’t. He invited us to touch Jabulani, the elephant who led the herd and for whom the camp was named.
We were surprised to discover parts of his skin were amazingly soft while others felt thick and coarse. I even had a chance to feed him. Apparently this made him friendly because the next thing I knew his trunk was two inches from my face and he was breathing on me. His breath was hot but it smelled alright and although I was a bit disconcerted by the proximity of such a large and unfamiliar animal, I stood my ground. At Paul’s suggestion, I blew into his trunk, and he moved it away.
Lente Roode, one of the owners of Camp Jabulani
Soon, we were on our way. Paul had invited me to ride on Jabulani with his groom, a personable young Zimbabwean who told me a little about Jabulani, his life as an elephant groom and his homeland during the hour long ride. We were at the head of the herd which moved, single file, at a surprisingly comfortable and sedate pace. From the height of Jabulani’s back (there was a saddle that made the ride cushy) the bush had a different look and feel from the ones I had experienced on bush walks and safari drives.
Chef Rudolf Van Den Berg at Camp Jabulani
It seemed far away and at the same time as if we might see anything in the company of these gentle creatures. At sunset, we arrived at a lovely picnic spot where we dismounted to enjoy South African bubbly and snacks and share our thoughts on this newest experience and how special it had been. Click here to read more about Camp Jabulani.
