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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe, unveils December journeys for the first time. The midnight-blue carriage will traverse some of Europe’s most iconic winterscapes on one-night journeys to Florence, Paris, Venice and Vienna.
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The 10 routes available this December include classic journeys from Venice to Paris and Vienna to Paris, as well as recently launched routes to and from Florence. Trains depart Venice and Verona for Paris on Dec. 2 and 12. The Venice-to-Paris (via Rome and Florence) and the Florence-to-Paris routes depart Dec. 7. Journeys from Paris to Florence and Paris to Vienna leave Dec. 8, and the train from Paris to Vienna departs Dec. 17. Rounding out the end of the month, the Vienna-to-Paris trip departs Dec. 18, and the routes from Paris to Venice and Paris to Verona depart Dec. 20.
On these trips guests relax in the warmth of their own private cabin with a glass of Champagne in hand. Large windows allow for picturesque views of the passing frosted forests and sparkling winter wonderlands of Europe’s untouched countryside. Chef Jean Imbert serves winter-inspired seasonal menus featuring local ingredients from the scheduled routes, and guests can indulge in delicious cocktails and entertainment from the train’s longtime resident pianist in Bar Car 3674.
belmond.com
Leading Hotels of the World Welcomes New Members
From a designer den in Jakarta to a seafront hotel in Tel Aviv, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., adds seven new members to its collection of more than 400 independent, luxury hotels. Guests can book a stay at each of the new hotels on lhw.com, and Leaders Club members enjoy an exclusive preview of the hotel brand’s newest members through Leaders Club First Look.
“We are excited to welcome this superlative group of new members to our global collection,” commented Deniz Omurgonulsen, vice president, membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “The Autumn Collection represents several new locations for LHW: Jakarta, Zanzibar and Menorca as well as perennially popular destinations in Italy, Israel and Costa Rica. As always, our aim is to champion the very best independent hotels and to introduce visionary hospitality in all its forms.”
The Autumn Collection includes The Orient Jakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia; Villa Mara Carmel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; Dan Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv, Israel; Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa in Zanzibar, Tanzania; The Lido Palace in Lake Garda, Italy; Nayara Gardens in La Fortuna, Costa Rica; and Villa le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel in Menorca, Spain. Almost all of these properties are already open, with Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa opening in December.
lhw.com
Elevate Fall Adventures with The Fife Arms’ Outdoor Collection
Scotland’s The Fife Arms unveiled its new collection of outdoor gifts for the upcoming winter season. For brisk walks and hikes in the cold weather, look no further than The Fife Arms’ tartan cashmere blanket. Created by Scottish textile artist Araminta Campbell, this blanket incorporates deep greens with pops of yellow and gorse in a pattern loosely based on the Duke of Fife’s tartan. Campbell’s work also graces the tweed sleeve covering the stainless steel ghillie’s flask.
The Fife Arms revealed a new handmade walking stick for trekking along trails and moors. The Fife Arms commissioned Scottish artist and poet Alex Finlay to create the sticks carved with his own quotes to offer motivation when making the final ascent of your hike. Those who bring their dog along can use The Fife Arms’ new antique brass silent whistle made by English brand J Hudson & Co. Users can adjust the whistle’s frequency to hit the right pitch to train a dog.
On milder winter days, indulge in a picnic. No picnic is complete without an assortment of cheeses, and the cheese knife roll by Fernweh UK includes five stainless steel knives with handles made of ethically sourced red deer antler and Scots pine wood collected from around Braemar after a storm. This set is wrapped in Scottish waxed cotton and finished with an oak-bar tanned leather strap, making for an easy way to create an alfresco meal.
Permanent, Non-Stop Flight Links New York to Madeira, Portugal
Starting this month, Madeira, Portugal, welcomes a new non-stop flight from New York (JFK) to Madeira (FNC) by SATA Azores Airlines. The approximately seven-hour flight makes Madeira even more accessible for Americans seeking a European island vacation. The relaunch of this direct flight results from the success of its initial launch in fall 2021, which marked the first-ever direct flight to Madeira from a U.S. gateway.
The new flight departs weekly from New York on Thursdays at 9:20 p.m. and arrives in Madeira at 8:35 a.m. on Fridays. The flight from Madeira departs on Fridays at 5:05 p.m. and arrives in New York at 7:55 p.m. This flight schedule will change as the International Air Transport Association summer period begins in March 2023.
“This is a very happy moment for the Autonomous Region of Madeira regarding the groundbreaking Madeira-New York connection all year round. Such an important step for the market itself and people willing to travel all year,” said Eduardo Jesus, president, Madeira Promotion Bureau, and regional secretary, Tourism and Culture.
azoresairlines.pt
LATAM’s changes to its economy cabin service allowed the airline to eliminate more than 1,200 tons of single-use plastics, the equivalent to 26,000 500 ml plastic bottles. After this milestone, the airline continues to seek ways to implement a more sustainable cabin. New approaches include replacing cups, cutlery and trays with more sustainable materials like bamboo cutlery, reusable trays, kraft paper packaging for cutlery and certified sustainable paper cups.
“Caring for the planet is a challenge for everyone and a necessary destination for LATAM, which is why we reviewed our services and identified nearly 1,800 tons of single-use plastic on board our international flights. Our teams got involved to redefine all details of our service, making a positive change for our customers and also for our planet,” said Paulo Miranda, vice president of customers, LATAM Airlines Group.
These new changes have been incorporated on all LATAM’s regional and long-haul routes. LATAM aims to eliminate 100 percent of single-use plastics used in its operations by 2023. Romance in Venice at The St. Regis Venice
The St. Regis Venice unveiled its new Romance in Venice offer for guests wanting to experience the city in a new way. Available for stays through Dec. 31, the offer starts from €1,000 per night per couple.
Romance in Venice includes return private transfers by water taxi from any arrival point in Venice, a welcome bottle of local sparkling wine and flower bouquet, a romantic evening setup, daily breakfast for two and a farewell gift. While at The St. Regis Venice, don’t forget to admire the property’s new Ai Weiwei-designed White Chandelier, currently on display. When booking online, use promo code ROM to book this offer.
stregisvenice.com
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