Celebrate Your Love Story at Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg

Not quite worked out how to woo your loved one yet this Valentine’s Day?  All is not lost…  The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg will celebrate big love stories and make them last forever.  With Celebrate Your Love Story, the luxury hotel offers lovers from today a fascinating night in the world of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, protagonist of one most famous love stories.  For even more romantic privacy, the floating spa area may be used exclusively and awaits the couple for treatments and a signature milk bath with under the stars.

As in the days of spacious Egyptian palaces, the lovers will enjoy the luxury and privacy of the huge The Ritz-Carlton Suite.  In the evening, romantic togetherness becomes key.  The hotel’s floating spa pontoon, with its breathtaking view on the harbor, awaits its two guests only for an exclusive spa night.  Surrounded by a sea of burning candles and spoiled with fine champagne, exotic fruits and canapés, the setting is just perfect to celebrate a true love story.   Plus, two dedicated spa-butlers will take care of every wish the couple may have.

Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg

What are you waiting for?  Book your very own bona fide Bridget Jones’ mini break now!

The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg is located in the centre of Autostadt, the world’s first custom-designed celebration of automotive innovation encompassing architectural originality, scientific advancement, artistic inspiration and lifestyle aspiration.   The 13th and 14th of February 13th is now bookable on www.ritz-carlton.com/wolfsburg or by calling +49 (0)5361-607000.  Prices start at 2,250 Euro for two people.

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Cycle Through South Eastern Serbia

As the avid readers of Charlotte’s VVeb will know, I visited Serbia for the first time last year and was blown away by its beauty, culture, food and drink – everything this website is about!  If you aren’t so sure then perhaps consider taking an organised tour and  I don’t mean a bus tour…  There is a lot more to touring these days than coach trips!  For example, Travel the Unknown organise incredible hiking and cycling tours through Serbia’s valleys and gorges.  On such a tour you can discover the ghoulish skull tower of Niš, visit a 200 year old water mill, and stop off to rejuvenate your muscles in a Turkish bath.

Travel the Unknown Serbia Cycle Tour

Plus, you’ll have the chance to experience the cosmopolitan café culture of modern Belgrade and hike through remote regions of Serbia, sampling local wines, brandies, breads, meats and cheeses along the way.  While overnight you will stay in small lodges (pensions) and discover true hospitality in a traditional rural homestay.

There are currently two dates set for these tours (22 to 29 April; and, 16 to 23 September); however, if these don’t suit you, contact the company and they will organise a trip to suit your individual needs.  And if Serbia doesn’t take your fancy, Travel the Unknown offers lots of other touring experiences!

Find out more at Travel the Unknown

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Swissôtel Expands into Ukraine for 2012

When I stayed in Kyiv (Kiev) there was no doubt about it, there was a distinct lack of accommodation and a great deal of opportunity for some of the major hotel brands.  So I was pleased to hear that Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is building a new deluxe hotel in the Ukrainian capital, scheduled to open in 2012.

The future Swissôtel Kiev will form part of the “Sky Towers”, a mixed use development comprised of twin towers of 34 and 47 storeys.  Sky Towers is located in Peremogy Avenue, centrally positioned close to Kiev city centre and the main train station, and is comprised of hotel facilities, serviced residences and offices.  The Swissôtel Kiev is anticipated to welcome guests for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship and features 513 guestrooms and suites, 14 serviced residences, 4000m of conference space, as well as a 3000m spa.  Business travellers and independent tourists alike will enjoy a selection of dining experiences ranging in selection from the fine dining restaurant to the all-day restaurant Café Swiss, as well the lobby lounge and a contemporary bar.

Kyiv Swissotel

If you plan on visiting Ukraine in 2012, make Swissôtel Kiev the place to stay!

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Visa Free Ferry Line Stockholm to St Petersburg

Going to Russia, while exciting, is always a bit of a hassle due to the visa restrictions.  That was until now!  A few weeks ago the St.Peter Line announced the opening of a new visa free ferry line, the “Stockholm – St. Petersburg”.  Starting from April 2011 St.Peter Line expands its traffic to Stockholm by presenting the new cruise ferry “Princess Anastasia”, to be deployed on the Stockholm – Saint-Peterline, twice weekly.

St Peters Line

The ship former Viking Line Pride of Bilbao, now the “Princess Anastasia”, has been extensively renovated and can accommodate up to 2353 passengers.  The cruise ferry features 834 cabins of different types and price categories and a car deck which can accommodate up to 580 vehicles.  The ferry will also feature a spacious SPA, Russian and European cuisine restaurants, authentic Russian shows of Music Hall cabaret, bars, discotheques and casino for onboard entertainment and multilingual services for the guests.

The estimated travel time from Stockholm to St Petersburg is 25 hours.  As the schedule is made for the comfort of tourists, the new ferry line will be the most convenient and affordable way of traveling to Russia.  Plus the weekend trips are scheduled to make stops in Tallinn on the way from Stockholm to Saint-Petersburg.  Passengers from all over the world will be able to enjoy marvellous treasures of Russian North Capital Saint-Petersburg within 72 hours without Russian visa.

Passengers will then have an opportunity to stay in Saint-Petersburg from 1 to 3 days using hotel packages and both ships of St.Peter Line fleet.  Book now!

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Take a Short Break in Medieval Slovenia this New Year

Obviously, Slovenia is one of my favourite countries in which to holiday so I was excited to hear that for 2011, specialist tour operator, Just Slovenia, is offering short breaks over New Year to the pretty, medieval town of Radovljica, where the fourth generation of the Štiherle family welcomes guests to the charming Kunstelj inn for traditional celebrations and gourmet dining.

With its classic architecture, pavement cafes, healthy sub-alpine climate, several interesting museums, plus numerous footpaths, Radovljica has much to offer visitors, including spectacular views of the majestic Julian Alps, Mount Triglav and the River Sava running through the valley below. It is also just 10 minutes’ drive from picturesque Bled, where pletna boat rides across the stunning lake, kremsnita cream cakes and the 17th century castle are among the attractions.

On New Year’s Eve, visitors to the historic Kunstelj inn, where guests have been welcomed since 1873, will enjoy a delicious five-course gourmet dinner. Then it’s off for a drink or two and some live music and singing in the local bars, or maybe a short drive to Bled where food stalls, music and a firework display will help to see in 2011 in style.

Based on two people departing on 30 December for three nights, the price of £488 per person includes return flights from Stansted to Ljubljana, car hire, bed & breakfast, a welcome drink, three gourmet meals including dinner on New Year’s Eve and a traditional Slovene meal on New Year’s Day.

For further information, visit www.justslovenia.co.uk or telephone 01373 814230

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Why You Should Visit Dubrovnik this Winter

The Unesco World Heritage City of Dubrovnik in Croatia is a popular summer holiday destination, however, there are lots of reasons to visit in the winter too.  For one, during December the city shines with magical decorations and sparkles with fairy lights, creating the atmosphere of a fairy-tale renaissance city. In this month of gift giving a fabulous Christmas Fair takes place. Traditional handicrafts, Christmas decorations, candles, toys, glassware, embroidery, ceramics, porcelain and all the objects which the artists’ hands manufactured for Christmas are displayed. While caterers offer Christmas cookies, sweet delicacies, mulled wine, bruštulani mjenduli (candied almonds), and traditional Dubrovnik sweet delicacies including kontonjata (quince cheese), mantala (must cheese), prikle (doughnuts), hrostule (deep fried biscuits) and other delicacies prepared for this holiday time. To the accompaniment of Christmas songs, the fair will be opened from St Nicolas’ Day to Epiphany.

Then, on New Year’s Eve, 31 December, the musicians of Dubrovnik see the old year out with traditional Dubrovnik carols and a music programme lasting all day, which will be the best possible introduction to the wildest night. Numerous visitors to Dubrovnik begin the New Year 2011 entertained by Croatian stars. The finale is the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s concert in the Stradun on 1 January 2011. The orchestra will perform the most beautiful operatic pieces that will additionally enhance the unforgettable New Year’s fun in Dubrovnik.

So this winter, head to Croatia to enjoy a very different break in Dubrovnik!

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Enjoy a Magical Christmas in the Czech Republic

Czech RepublicIf you want to get yourself in the mood for Christmas then why not head to the Czech Republic to enjoy a little festive cheer? Festivities begin on the 28th November when Christmas trees are lit up on town squares, cities are covered in Christmas decoration and the craft markets open.  There is no more magical Christmas tree in the world than that at Prague Castle. While if you want to get your Christmas shopping done, there is an abundance of unusual gifts available at the traditional craft markets.  There are displays of old Czech crafts such as woodcarving of sculptures and wooden kitchen utensils, making of straw Christmas ornaments and straw dolls, pottery, beeswax candles, original jewellery, and glass Christmas-tree decorations. A little bell made on the spot by a blacksmith in their stall could be an original Czech souvenir. Should you become hungry while shopping taste some traditional delicacies. Those with a sweet tooth will certainly enjoy the ‘trdelník’ (sweet pastry made from rolled dough usually topped with sugar and walnut mix) or roasted chestnuts. Visitors prefering something more savoury can try some meat dishes such as various kinds of sausages accompanied with Czech bread. And finally to keep yourself warm purchase a hot drink – a cup of mead, mulled wine or punch are typical for this time of year. For those who want to celebrate the religious nature of the holiday season there are thousands of nativity scenes displayed around the Czech Republic in the Advent time. Even live nativity scenes with real donkey and sheep can be seen on squares. The Czech Republic also has several museums that specifically focus on nativity scenes. Probably the most famous “Mecca” of nativity scenes is Třebechovice pod Orebem.  The collections of this museum include over 300 nativity scenes created from various materials, the most prized of which is Probošt’s mechanical nativity scene. It is created from more than 2,000 mechanical parts.  The Museum of Paper Crèches in Zábrdí u Husince in Southern Bohemia is undoubtedly worth seeing. There are around 800 paper crèches created all around the world. The biggest crèche measures almost 4 metres, while the smallest can fit in a matchbox. The museum is open all year round and admission is free. Christmas in the Czech Republic also means listening to Christmas and Advent melodies. This year people will sing carols together on Pilsen’s main square on the 15th December. As with every year it will be the largest mass carolling in the Czech Republic. Czech Christmas is inherently connected with the Czech Christmas Mass by Jakub Jan Ryba, Czech composer from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Estates Theatre in Prague will present this work, also known as Hail, Master! on the 19th December. Then on 25th December you will have the opportunity to listen to the Czech Christmas Mass played by the Prague Chamber Orchestra in the Church of St. Simon and St. Jude on Dušní Street in Prague. The Prague State Opera will also be performing classical Czech Christmas pieces for its audiences. The Kühn Children’s Choir will sing songs from the works of Bohuslav Martinů, Vítězslav Novák, Zdeněk Lukáš, Petr Eben and Václav Trojan. For that final bit of cultural magic, take some time to visit the Czech castles and chateaux, such as Křivoklát, which are open to public during Christmas time. From the 1st December, visitors will also be able visit the Museum of Nativity Scenes. You can enjoy the festive atmosphere at Loket Castle as well on the 10th and 11th December when the traditional craft markets will take place at the castle courtyard.Then on the 18th December let yourself be enchanted by Baroque atmosphere of Wallenstein-style Christmas at the Mnichovo Hradiště chateau. Alternatively, special Christmas tours are prepared from 26th to 31th December at the chateau in Horšovský Týn. Christmas tours are also held on the first three Advent weekends at the Hořovice Chateau. You will be welcomed by guides in costumes who will relate to you the history of Christmas, its traditions, and Advent. Need to get into the Christmas spirit?  Get yourself to the Czech Republic!  You’ll be willingly partaking in festive cheer in no time!

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A Colourful December 2010 in Maribor

This December Maribor in Slovenia will start to glow in festive atmosphere with the switching on of the Fairy’s Ball Festive Lights throughout the old town.  The Colourful December festival offers a rich event programme including numerous art productions and concerts in a number of cultural institutions and churches, street performances and open air music concerts of popular artists, a lively children’s programme, festive fairs and the biggest live nativity scenes in Slovenia. The Festival’s highlight is the popular New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Maribor’s old town core with the top Slovenian ensembles and soloists and a large midnight fireworks show. Check out the programme in full below…

Colourful December 2010 Programme:
3rd December: the festive switching on of the holiday lights
3rd – 5th December: St Nicholas Fair
11th – 25th December: a Christmas – New Year Fair
10th – 30th December: a Colourful December program for children
20th – 30th December: street performances
25th December: a Christmas concert
28th – 30th December: concerts by Slovenian music stars
31st December: a big open-air New Year’s Eve celebration with the best Slovenian ensembles and soloists, as well as a firework display at midnight

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SalzburgerLand’s Via Culinaria – A Fabulously Foodie Trip

Via CulinariaGastronomic tours are more popular than ever before.  What could be better than exploring a country’s culture through its best-loved food and drink?  That’s why I was excited to hear about SalzburgerLand’s Via Culinaria, a truly fabulous trip for foodies.  Via Culinaria offers a wonderful pathway to culinary enjoyment whatever your taste, from fish lovers to those with a sweet tooth. There are seven mouthwatering trails offering a total of 184 select culinary addresses of which 12 have Michelin stars and 63 are internationally acclaimed. Other delicious billets on the trails include 21 alpine huts and farms, 15 patisseries and cafes, 10 breweries, six schnapps distilleries, 36 food producers and 21 traditional inns serving hearty regional dishes.

Each of the 7 culinary pathways are taste themed. There is one for dedicated fish fans, one for gourmets, one for those with a sweet tooth, one for serious meat eaters, one for cheese freaks, one for beer and schnapps aficionados, and finally one that is perfect for skiers visiting 16 of the regions best ski huts along the ski slopes including:

Tennengau:
Karkogelhütte in Abtenau
Rottenhofhütte in Annaberg-Lungötz

Lungau:
Treff 2000 and Schi-Alm in Mauterndorf
Kösslbacher Alm in Unternberg

Pongau:
Burgstall Hütte in Flachauwinkel
“Zur Brennhütt’n” in Flachau
Oberforsthofalm in St. Johann/Pongau
Gehwolfhütte in Grossarl
Weitmoser Schlossalm in Bad Hofgastein

Pinzgau:
Panorama Alm in Hollersbach
Areitalm mountain terminal in Zell am See
Wieseralm in Hinterglemm
Panorama Alm in Saalbach
“Alte Schmiede” in Leogang
Bürglalm in Dienten am Hochkönig

So if you are looking for a trip to liven your taste buds visit www.via-culinaria.com to find out more!

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Great Value Ski Accommodation in Slovenia

If you are looking for a winter sports experience with a difference, then head to Slovenia where two new self catering properties have been launched by Slovenian Retreats in the Julian Alps area, close to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia’s best known ski-resort and home to annual world cup slalom and ski-jumping events.

Villas Planina and Nebina offer great value ski accommodation for either those looking for individual apartments or for big groups of up to 20 people wishing to hire out the whole properties.  Villa Planina is situated on the edge of the charming rustic village of Ratece. Each apartment within the villa are finished to an extremely high quality, with luxury features such as underfloor heating, flat screen TVs, DVD players, wireless internet and a shared pool table and ping pong table, as well as a kid’s communal soft play area. The villa is situated in a unique location with uninterrupted panoramic views from each apartment towards the Julian Alps and snow capped peaks of Jalovec and Mojstrovka mountains. Local facilities in the village offer a range of restaurants, traditional taverns (or ‘gostlinas’) and a supermarket, and the villa is just a five minute drive from central Kranjska Gora or even less to the slopes at Podkoren. Prices start from €60 (Euros) per night for a loft apartment sleeping between two and four people and based on a minimum stay of three nights.

Villa Planina

Villa Nebina has been designed in more of a ‘farmhouse style’ holiday rental property and has been reconstructed on the site of a farmhouse originally built over 150 years ago in the traditional Slovenian village of Ratece, just 5 minutes drive away from Kranjska Gora. The property includes four apartments and many of the original features of the building, such as vaulted ceilings and a traditional enclosed wooden balcony, have been retained at this high quality accommodation. The four apartments are furnished and equipped to an extremely high standard with alpine solid wood furnishings seamlessly combined with contemporary facilities such as flat screen TVs & DVDs. Apartment three has its own balcony access and other apartments have shared balcony access – with magnificent mountain panoramas. Prices start from €60 (Euros) per night for a ground floor apartment sleeping between three and five people and based on a minimum stay of three nights.

Villa Nebina

A Special Launch Offer from €69 per person, per week is available for house parties – Villa Planina can sleep between 12 and 20 people and Villa Nebina can sleep between 12 and 18 people so both offer great value ski accommodation for big groups. If you wish to get a discount on renting the whole of either Villa Planina or Nebina, then there is a special launch offer available. An offer of seven nights for the price of six is available if you book the whole of Villa Planina or Nebina for a week.

So, a week hiring out the whole of Villa Planina would start from €1,380 (discounted from €1,610) – this works out at just €69 per person, per week based on 20 people sharing – and for the whole of Villa Nebina it would start at €1,740 (discounted from €2,030)- this works out at just €97 per person, per week based on 18 people sharing. This offer is not valid for New Year.

Flights from London Stansted to Ljubljana with Easyjet are priced from £22.99 per person, or from London Gatwick with Adria. Another airport within an hour’s drive of both villas include Klagenfurt in Austria (serviced by Ryanair).

To make a booking call 0208 123 2898 or for further information go to www.slovenianretreats.com or email info@slovenianretreats.com

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