Travel news from the sources

Bird watching and golf on Scotland's west coast

News from Connoisseurs Scotland

Inver Lodge, overlooking the quiet village of Lochinver, and Blanefield House, an exclusive-use property a stone’s throw away from the island of Ailsa Craig, have joined Connoisseurs Scotland’s impressive collection of properties – and Inver Lodge is celebrating with a special offer for the coming season.

Both provide luxury accommodations on the breathtaking west coast. Each offers a unique experience defined by stunning vistas, award-winning cuisine and outdoor activities ranging from championship golf to bird watching.

Hotel rooftop bees support Charlotte pollination

The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, N.C, has built a home for bees on its green, vegetated roof.

The roof, where 18,000 sedum plants enhance insulation for the hotel and a chef’s garden provides organic herbs, now is home to two new beehives that will generate honey for hotel culinary use.

The two fully-contained hives will be home to up to 60,000 honeybees by the time they are fully developed this summer.

Eat like your spa wrap at Hawaii Four Seasons

Now that's a Wrap!

Restaurant menus sometimes are so descriptive they read like literature. And with all the scrumptious-sounding descriptions of foams, emulsions, purées and reductions, it's tempting to bathe in the dishes rather than eat them.

Now you can. Order a treatment from the new Apothecary Menu at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai's Spa, and both your body and spirit will benefit from Hawaii's freshest local ingredients.

When you book a wrap or scrub at The Spa, which has just undergone a $7 million facelift, a Spa Concierge will create a custom blend just for you. Featuring more than twenty Hawaiian ingredients, the Apothecary Menu takes its inspiration from the Big Island's long tradition of healing with natural elements. Your custom blend will be based on physical characteristics, scent preferences and overall needs for well-being.

Need some exfoliation? Try crushed macadamia nuts, coconut or volcanic pumice. Craving a detoxification? Kona - a green, deep sea clay - should do the trick. Ready to be soothed? (And really, who isn't?) Your custom blend might include essential oils of juniper, birch, rosemary, lavender, Vitamin E and grape seed.

To get into true aloha spirit, visit The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and get personal with some of Hawaii's freshest and healthiest ingredients. 
 

Oasis of the Seas to cruise with 24 daily menus

New ship to include al-fresco seating and My Time Dining, says Royal Caribbean

 

When it is launched in December 2009, Oasis of the Seas will offer more variety and flexibility than other ships, with 24 dining choices, ranging from an exclusive signature restaurant to neighborhood-themes.

“Oasis of the Seas showcases the evolution of Royal Caribbean dining,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With so many options, guests could choose a new place to dine for every meal.”

Passengers can find a variety of food and beverages, available at no extra charge, at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner reservations can be made in advance through new features on royalcaribbean.com starting July 7, 2009.

In Central Park

 

150 Central Park. The most exclusive dining venue on Oasis of the Seas, 150 Central Park will provide an intimate dining experience that will combine leading-edge cuisine with modern design, creating a trendy upscale ambiance. Signature features will include a tasting menu with customized wine pairings. Open for dinner; $35 cover charge.

Caribbean's five special restaurant tables

Summer brings bargains off-season to hotels in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Here are five special tables for eating well this summer, as recommended by Andria Mitsakos, a travel expert, president & CEO of AMPR, a public relations firm that represents clients in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

 
Simmer Down
The Marley Resort, Nassau, The Bahamas
www.marleyresort.com
If you’re lucky, Mama Lur, the Marley’s family cook (yes, the one that cooked for Bob himself), will make her Sautéed Vegetable Roast Fish with Candied Sweet Potatoes and Mint Asparagus. Local seafood, organic produce and Marley family favorites (Rita’s choice is the lamb) round out the menu. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
 
Daphne’s
Adjacent to The House, Barbados
www.daphnesbarbados.com
Princess Diana frequented its London counterpart, and now this beachfront location next to The House hotel has foodies flocking. Chef Marco Festini Cromer’s modern Italian food is perfectly matched to current trends. Try the Iced Plum Tomato Soup and gorgeous Marinated Fish Carpaccio of the Day. Lunch and dinner.
 

Kentucky lists top historic restaurants

Here are seven dining spots, with historic settings, that may interest visitors, says Kentucky's Department of Travel.

 

Boone Tavern, 100 Main St. N, Berea, KY 40403, 800-366-9358   

 

Boone Tavern, naturally named for Daniel, celebrated its 100th anniversary in March and continues to provide guests with traditional and creative southern cuisine.  Their signature “Chicken Flakes in a Bird’s Nest”— a rich, creamy dish served in a nest of crispy potatoes -- and the much-loved, melt-in-your-mouth spoonbread served piping hot, maintain prominent positions on the menu.  The restaurant is part of the hotel that was originally built to accommodate visitors to internationally famous Berea College.  Berea students have always played a big role in Boone Tavern, which was constructed from bricks made by students and built by the college’s Woodwork Department. Nowadays don’t be surprised if you are served by friendly and courteous students in the dining room.  The college provides a tuition-free education in exchange for student’s work at the Tavern and other venues.  For more information about Berea, a charming Appalachian foothills town.