Spring is in full swing for most of our member hotels, who are celebrating with specials that take full advantage of the warming temps. Doors have flung wide on dining terraces while new packages invite outdoor adventures. We hope you'll be inspired to launch an adventure or two of your own.
Warmest regards,
The Schwabs
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A Gourmet Deluxe Experience - Expo 2015
Genoa's Hotel Bristol Palace, in the heart of Italy's pesto homeland, has created a two-night Gourmet Deluxe Experience for visitors to Milan's Expo 2015. It includes a culinary tour of Genoa's old town, a traditional Ligurian dinner, and a one-day Expo pass. The package is valid throughout Expo 2015, May 1 - Oct. 31. For those who act fast, the Bristol Palace offers a front-row seat for this year's Tour of Italy bicycle race, which will pass directly by the hotel on May 10. Guests who book a suite can watch the action from their own private balcony or terrace.
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A "Grand" Mother's Day in Vienna
What better way to let the world's best mother know how much she means to you than treating her to a luxurious stay in Vienna? The historic Grand Hotel Wien and its stylish sister, The Ring Hotel, are each offering two-night Mother's Day packages that include a floral bouquet, breakfast, and three-course gourmet dinner with a glass of Brundlmayer sparkling wine. Moms staying at Grand Hotel Wien will dine at the elegant Le Ciel (pictured), while those at The Ring will enjoy the bold flavors of at eight. (Mention "Elite" in your website booking for special amenities.) Valid May 8-10.
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Take a Dragon Ride Above Lucerne
Lucerne's historic PALACE LUZERN has launched a two-night package for those seeking an aerial thrill ride. The Pilatus Dragon Package includes a boat trip on Lake Luzern followed by a ride up Mount Pilatus on the world's steepest cog railway. From an altitude of 2,132 meters, guests enjoy spectacular views on the brand-new Dragon Ride cableway, which will take them back down the mountain in time to enjoy a three-course dinner at the hotel's brand-new Marlin. Valid through Nov. 22.
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Baur au Lac, Zurich
For more than 170 years, Baur au Lac has presided over Lake Zurich as one of the world's top luxury hotels, offering unequaled hospitality to royalty, celebrities and international travelers. This extraordinary hotel has been in the care of one family for six generations. High-tech amenities blend seamlessly into the elegant interiors, which afford spectacular lake views. Baur au Lac guests enjoy the best of Zurich: Michelin-starred dining, a rooftop fitness area, the city's most prestigious salons for meetings and events, and a private park setting at one end of the fashionable Bahnhofstrasse shopping and business district.
The hotel's exclusive River Gauche Terrasse has opened for the summer season, serving cocktails and light fare al fresco. And on Mother's Day, an elegant brunch buffet will be accompanied by live harp music.
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Blogger Wandering Carol reports on her Urban Foraging Experience at Cape Town's Table Bay Hotel. Led by executive chef Jocelyn Myers-Adam and urban forager Charles Standing, her adventure spanned from sea to land, as they harvested edibles from sea lettuce and mussels to hibiscus blossoms.
On May 1, PALACE LUZERN's signature restaurant, Jasper, will become Marlin. The stylish new dining venue will focus on fresh seafood specialties, making the most of its Lake Lucerne views (which can be enjoyed from the terrace in fine weather).
The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel and Spa is turning 150 this year (we'll credit good genes and fresh country air for this grand dame's youthful appearance). As the hotel puts the finishing touches on its anniversary festivities, you can toast the milestone with a special cocktail "150" at the elegant La Terrasse.
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On the Road
We were thrilled, as always, to spend time with so many of our travel agency partners this month at the annual Elite showcases.
With stops at Benoit in New York City, the Everest Club in Chicago, CHAYA in San Francisco, and the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles (pictured), it was a whirlwind week for the Schwabs and for the hoteliers who traveled with us.
Congratulations to those who won fabulous stays at Elite member hotels, and a sincere thank you to all who attended.
We'll share more photos in the next issue of Insider.
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Hot Spots
What to do and see in Elite destinations this season:
mumok
Vienna, Austria
Feb. 12 - Sept. 13, 2015
Victoria & Albert Museum
London, England
March 14 - Aug 2, 2015
Multiple venues
Bern, Switzerland
March 16 - May 23, 2015
Various venues
Milan, Italy
May 1 - Oct. 31, 2015
Various venues
Prague, Czech Republic
May 12 - June 3, 2015 Il Tavolo food festival Various venues (including Baur au Lac) Zurich, Switzerland June 24-28, 2015 Mercedes-Benz Fashion WeekCape Town International Convention Center Cape Town, South Africa July 24-26, 2015
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Trending in Travel  The BELLEVUE PALACE in Bern has a prestigious new accolade and a gleaming new trophy to polish. The historic hotel was awarded the #1 "Most Welcoming Hotel in Switzerland" in the luxury city category by Prix Bienvenue Awards 2015. General Manager Urs Buhrer (pictured at right) accepted the award. We're proud to report The Beaumont has made Conde Nast Traveler's coveted 2015 Hot List. Meanwhile, The Style Saloniste gives the London hotel this great review.Follow @LuxeTiffany to read about her recent African adventure at Sun International's three Sunlux Collection hotels (all of which are Elite members!). Her story starts at The Palace of the Lost City, here. Time Out New York explains why New York City is "the greatest city in the world for spring." Book a stay at The Lombardy and check out all 26 reasons.
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