From the second you enter Swinton Park Hotel, you will understand why it holds the White Rose Award for Hotel of the Year 2009.

This luxury castle hotel sits in 200 acres of landscaped parkland in the Yorkshire Dales, and has played host to many country house parties of legendary style and grandeur.

The castle dates from the late 1600’s with subsequent alterations by the Danby and Cunliffe-Lister families, combining both Regency and Victorian Gothic style and architecture.

Samuel Cunliffe-Lister bought Swinton Park in 1880, having amassed a fortune in the Bradford wollen mills. His great-great-great grandson, Mark (the current Baron of Masham), now owns the hotel and surrounding 20,000 acre estate with his wife Felicity.

Lavishly furnished with family portraits and antiques, the hotel combines all the traditional warmth and hospitality of a stately home with every creature comfort that a contemporary hotel could provide.

Relax and absorb the timeless elegance of a quintessentially English country house. Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the luxurious drawing room with its warming log fire where attentive staff will serve you delicious food. The hotel holds the Tea Guild Award of Excellence 2009 and boasts its very own blend.

It’s not just popping in for afternoon tea. Swinton Park offers thirty bedrooms, each individually designed, drawing inspiration from the nearby dales, castle, abbeys and towns.

Sweeping views over the surrounding gardens, parkland and gatehouse are in abundance.

Enjoy exclusive use of The Spa; an oasis of calm. Relax in the Jacuzzi pool, relaxation zone, or sit for a while in the sauna. The Treatment Rooms offer face, body, beauty and complementary therapy treatments. Individual treatments, day spa and spa accommodation packages are available throughout the year.

Try your hand in the Cookery School with celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager, using the freshest ingredients from the hotels own walled garden and surrounding countryside.

Recent Awards & Accolades:
Hotel of the year 2009, White Rose Awards
Sustainable Tourism Award 2009 (Highly Commended), White Rose Awards
Green Business Award 2009, Yorkshire Rural Awards
Tea Guild Award of Excellence 2009
Green Tourism Business Scheme 2008
Top Ten Cookery Schools 2008, Sunday Times
Taste of Yorkshire 2007, White Rose Awards
Top Ten European Castle Hotel 2007, Trip Advisor
Outstanding Customer Service Award 2006, White Rose Award
50 Most Romantic Hotels 2006, The Independent

Hotel of the Year 2004, Excellence in England Awards
Swinton Park Hotel
Masham, Ripon
North Yorkshire, HG4 4JH
Tel: 01765 680900
http://www.swintonpark.com

Written by: Ellen Dean

The beautiful Villa & Hotel Majestic in Paris, France made its debut on January 12, 2010.

As the luxury Paris hotel continues to celebrate the occasion, the Villa & Hotel Majestic has decided to extend its special opening offer through the end of 2010.

Rate start at 300 Euros per night for a Deluxe room and it’s based on double occupancy, This special price does not exclude either breakfast and the city tax.

The special price represents a 40% discount off the Villa & Hotel Majestic rack rates.

For patrons wanting to stay in Paris 15 days or longer, the luxurious Villa & Hotel Majestic rate is reduced to just 250 Euros per night.

The luxury Villa & Hotel Majestic makes a statement with its stylish interiors combining classic French design with contemporary abstract artwork and furnishings resulting in an entirely modern aesthetic throughout the hotel.

For more information, go to http://www.majestic-hotel.com/

Naples Italy was made for amore, especially once Romeo came to town – the Romeo Hotel that is!

Designed to reflect the new face of Naples – the Romeo Hotel, an eighty-three room boutique hotel is literally a work of art.

Alluringly masculine and yet sweetly seductive in design (just like Shakespeare’s young Italian lover), this Neapolitan boutique hotel juxtaposes modern architecture with soft, natural décor elements and a rare antiquities and art collection.

Further embracing its shared name, they have crafted a Valentine’s getaway guaranteed to sweep every Juliette off her feet.

Acting as guests’ contemporary “castle” from which to explore Naples, mornings can be spent strolling along the coast taking in views of Mt. Vesuvius.

Evenings allow for sharing tastes of fresh mozzarella, homemade pasta and local seafood delicacies guaranteeing an ending opposite of the final scene in the “Bard of Avon’s” classic tale.

Romeo Hotel’s St. Valentine’s Package includes:

* Two nights accommodations with breakfast “at your leisure” each morning to allow extra moments of peace before the “nurse” bursts in
* Champagne and roses upon arrival to set a festive tone
* Personalized Romeo Hotel City Guide to aid in exploring the city and uncovering its hidden secrets (each entry in the guide was hand chosen by the hotel staff to ensure it included the best insider recommendations)
* One gourmet dinner for two at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant Il Comandante, inclusive of a selection of wines from the hotel’s 1,000-label collection
* Complimentary entry to Romeo Wellness, the hotel’s spa and fitness space, to unwind after a day of touring
* Rates begin at 625.00 EURO for a Deluxe Harbor View Room and are based on double occupancy inclusive of two nights, service and all taxes.

Bookings can be made by calling the hotel directly at +39 081 0175008 or visiting www.romeohotel.it

For the first time in more than 40 years, London will host a major art exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh’s work. It will be held at London’s iconic May Fair hotel.

The May Fair hotel is offering a Real Van Gogh package that allows hotel guests to receive two tickets to ‘The Real Van Gogh: the Artist and his Letters’ exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts, which is just a short walk from the hotel.

It’s not just another “Starry Night” at The May Fair as hotel guests will experience an exclusive look into the famed artist, Vincent Van Gogh.

Guests can stay at The May Fair in an icon of expressive contemporary design, then view Van Gogh’s renowned works of art.

Room rates start at £269 (approximately $433*) per room, based on double occupancy.

The May Fair’s Real Van Gogh Package, available now through April 18, 2010, includes:

* Accommodation
* Full English breakfast daily
* A pair of exclusive open tickets to ‘The Real Van Gogh: the Artist and his Letters’ at the Royal Academy of Arts (valid any day, any time)
* Fast track entry to the exibit
* Gallery guide
* Ticket wallet

This spring is a great time to visit London; there is a rich array of art and cultural offerings that travelers can experience. Special exhibits running through April 18 include:

* Twiggy: A Life in Photographs, through March 24. Join the National Portrait Gallery in celebrating the 60th birthday of “the face of ‘66.”
* Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year, through April 11. View more than 40,000 pictures of nature from amateur and professional photographers competing from around the world.
* The Empire Strikes back: Indian Art Today, through May 7. This free exhibit at Saatchi Gallery features work by 26 emerging and established contemporary Indian artists.
* Chris Ofili Exhibition at Tate Britain, through May 16. Check out this exhibition that includes new canvases by the British painter who channels hip-hop culture, folklore and nature in his work.
* Painting History: Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey, February 24 – May 23. Catch paintings by the popular 19th century French artist at the National Gallery.
* Irving Penn Portraits, February 18 – June 6. Catch celebrity photos by the late famous photographer at the National Portrait Gallery.
* Kingdom of Ife: Sculptures from West Africa, March 4 – June 6. Stop by the British Museum to view more than 100 sculptures from 12th-15th century Ife (now Nigeria).
* Henry Moore, February 24 – August 8. Tate Britain will showcase more than 150 works by the famous sculptor.

For further information on The May Fair hotel, visit http://www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/ or call 011 44 20 7769 4041, toll free (800) 333-3333.

The luxury May Fair Hotel is a legendary five star hotel with a glamorous past.

The celebrated hotel’s 406 guest rooms bring an eclectic luxury style to the historic West End hotel that first opened in 1927 with King George V and Queen Mary in attendance.

May Fair Hotel also offers guests twelve of London’s most memorable hotel suites, a discreet spa, a fine-dining restaurant and the quintessential London Casino.

Set in the heart of London, The May Fair hotel is within close proximity to the city’s best shopping districts on Piccadilly and Bond Street; Knightsbridge, Green Park and Buckingham Palace.

From Fendi furnishings; Baccarat chandeliers, including the largest Baccarat chandelier in Europe; the largest private theater in London; to 12 new spacious signature suites, and the Asian-inspired May Fair Spa, The May Fair is leading a renaissance of luxury hotels in London.

For more information, visit: http://www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/

Cornwall is a historic county in England, that is rich in scenic beauty and British history.

Cornwall is quite a special place with its own culture, language and even its own micro climate thanks to the Gulf Stream which passes its shore. Famous for its impressive landscape, friendly people and Gaelic tradition or delicious seafood Cornwall is an ever popular holiday destination in the UK.

Another feature of Cornwall is the provision of quaint cottages which supply a welcome alternative choice to more formal forms of accommodation like hotels.

With a cottage in Cornwall, you put yourself right in the center of the best that Cornwall has to offer. There’s a large choice in terms of location, from remote farms to sea and hill top views. Choose to be close to a village or out a long distance from the hustle of modern life.

Naturally, that does not apply to modern convenience like broadband Internet and satellite television should you need them! By choosing one of the many luxury cottages in Cornwall you can take more control of your holiday, and stay somewhere actually special and remarkable.

West Cornwall offers spectacular hills and countryside, as well as long golden beaches, authentic unspoiled towns and towns and a colorful history and cultural heritage. You can visit the mythical home of King Arthur ( Tintagel ) set on a remote cliff crown with waves crashing below, or visit the spectacular St Michael’s Mount, the romantic Sennen Cove, the preferred Eden project, monkey sanctuaries and plenty more.

Even when you’re on seemingly remote walks along cliff tops and moors civilization is never that far away, and finding great places to eat is never a difficulty. Sea food is very popular in Cornwall with locally caught produce a real favorite. Another culinary specialty of Cornwall is fudge which is produced in several places round the county to conventional recipes, and of course Cornish ice cream and cream teas!

One of the nicest things about staying in a cottage in Cornwall is that you get a genuine flavor of the local culture and strategy for living. Whether you plan a short stay of a couple of days, or a longer 2 week break cottage holidays in Cornwall are a great option for you.

When planning your trip, finding a great cottage in Cornwall is very easy. Most cottages now have websites and there are numerous directories to choose from, as well as official tourist websites which list details of hundreds of great places to stay.

The Hotel Banke is the ideal location to enjoy Paris – the City of Lights – in France.

The Hotel Banke is located in the 9th arrondissement, in Paris’ Opera area on Rue La Fayette. The hotel is in the heart of the Grands Boulevards quarter, close to the Place Vendôme and just ten minutes from the Louvre.

The Hotel Banke has been billed as “an exciting blend of the historic and the avant-garde of fabulous Paris, and just a short walk from the magnificent Place Vendôme and Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

The hotel is housed in the former headquarters of CCF Bank (a classic Belle Époque building).

The Hotel Banke is part of the Derby Hotels Collection, and has been beautifully restored for its new life as an urban resort.

The Banke has 93 rooms, some with panoramic views of amazing Sacré Cœur. For a small boutique hotel, the facilities seem quite expansive, including: two restaurants (one of which is gastronomic), a night club, a spa zone and gym, and art collection displayed on every floor of the building, showcasing art from all cultures and historic periods.

Fully soundproofed, hotel guest rooms are outfitted with all the latest technology: LCD television with 250 satellite channels, wi-fi, and individual air-conditioning and temp controls.

Hotel Banke guests can also take advantage of 24-hour room service, late breakfast served until 1 p.m. in the bar, and limo service around town.

With nearly 3000 years of history … Rome is truly the Eternal City. Across from the Temple of Vesta inside the Roman Forum, Hotel Fortyseven combines the best of old and new Rome.

Deep in the heart of this ancient city, Hotel Fortyseven celebrates recent Italian art, as each of the hotel’s five floors is dedicated to a different 20th-century artist (Mastroianni, Greco, Modigliani, Quagliata and Guccione).

Combining contemporary art with an ancient location, you can’t beat the Hotel Fortyseven setting in the historical center of Rome.

Look out the and enjoy incredible views of the 2,000-year-old city from the rooftop of the hotel’s Circus Restaurant. It’s been recently remodeled, and this fine restaurant can boast it’s one the best places to eat in the city. The restaurant also offers a wonderful Sunday brunch.

You can check out photos here.

A sample from the chef’s new Mediterranean menu can be found here:

Starters
Parma ham with green apple and raspberries sauce
Smocked beef angus with rocket salad, aged Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction
Squid salad with lime and crunchy vegetables, tuna bottarga and caper flowers

Main dishes
Home made tagliatelle with lobster sauce, Liguria olives and brised eggplant
Trofiette durum wheat pasta with basil pesto, pistacchio nuts and swordfish
Rack of lamb in crust herbs and braised spinach
Grilled salmon steak in a red Chianti wine sauce

Bordered by the majestic Rhone River on the west, Provence France is coincidentally a Province in France. The Rhone River forms a natural frontier with its neighbor Languedoc.

Provence France is a region of mountains, fertile plains and rivers that display all the magnetic beauty and contrast of Mediterranean mountain country.

The Rhone River borders the Provence France on the west which is a fast flowing river. The true artery of the Province of Provence France is the Durance River which was one a seasonally destructive torrent that has since been tamed by the use of dams.

The Durance River sluggishly curls around a broad valley like a snake. People who are interested in sight seeing on their trip, will definitely want to see these two rivers during their trip to Provence France.

The landscape of Provence is filled with many distinct contrasts and characters. You will find lush valleys throughout Provence. These lush valleys are commonly associated with areas with less fertile vegetation. The Alluvial plains are lined along the edges of the major rivers. The Camargue offers an interested landscape that is great for sight seeing as there is often a blurred distinction between the land and the sea. The wildlife of Camargue is similar to that of an African environment.

You’ll find carved caves between the limestone rocks in certain parts of Provence where the water meets the land. There are some really large and easily accessible caves located in Provence. These caves happen to be the some of the most popular tourist spots in all of Europe. In some located rivers have cut deeply into the limestone forming gorges. The Verdon Gorge is one of the most popular sight seeing gorges in the Province of Provence France.

You will find a very complicated range of mountains in the Provence France. These mountains lay west of the Verdon Gorge. This is the area where the Alpine and Pyrennean folds meet. You will also find Mont Ventoux in this region which is the highest peak in all of Provence. If you travel further south you will find the buckled mountain ridges of Montagne Ste Victoire. These mountains were one of Paul Cezannes favorite perspectives.

Provence France follows in suit with the rhythms of the common Mediterranean climate in which seasons tend to change in abrupt succession. You will find that the rapid autumn rains of autumn quickly end the extensive heat of summer. Winters really tend to be mild in Provence France. The region gets the most rainfall in the spring which is around the same time that the plant life explodes into growth.

The Province of Provence France happens to be located in the northern section of the Sahara Desert which means that the summers in this region tend to be brutally hot. The Provence would be nothing but Saharan without the Mediterranean which is a strongly salted inland sea that is almost tide less. There are times within the Algeria when there will be six months without rain. The Provence can go three months without rain at times.

Munich, Germany is full of popular beer gardens, magnificent public spaces and buildings with ornate stucco facades. Tradition and modernism rub shoulders in Munich as in no other German city.

The small town charm of many Munich districts stands in great contrast with the hectic pace of big city life on the Marienplatz or along the sidewalks of Maximilian Street. Quite aside from the famed Oktoberfest held each autumn, this city on the Isar River offers visitors an abundance of architectural treasures.

During the course of the last century, Munich has become one of Germany’s most important media and business centres. Munich’s unique combination of Blackberries and lederhosen have made the city one of the most popular business and tourism destinations in Europe.

From Petersbergl to Munich. Monks settled on the Isar in the eighth century, building Tegernsee Monastery at the place they called Petersbergl. The crypt of the church of St. Peter, Munich’s oldest, dates back to the early Middle Ages. In the twelfth century Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, founded the city of Munich around St. Peter’s. Under the command of this powerful duke, Munich became an important city. It was the official residence of the Bavarian dukes from 1255 and named the capital city of Bavaria in 1506.

A square for football celebrations. Just as Munich is the heart of Bavaria, the Marienplatz is the heart of the city, the most popular and best known of the many squares in Munich. The new city hall is on the north side of the square, with the old city hall, the Rathaus, on its eastern side. St. Peter’s is just a few meters away. The famous and beloved Bayern Munchen football team has traditionally celebrated its championship titles on the Marienplatz with thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Munich conjures up images of Oktoberfest, the Hofbrauhaus, shady beer gardens and people wearing lederhosen and dirndl. All of these images are accurate, but Munich is more than simply a bastion of Bavarian traditions. The city is one of Germany’s most important publishing and television centres, for example. Many publishing houses, radio and television stations, film production companies and music studios are headquartered in the media city of Munich. As a result, Munich is home to more actors, artists, TV producers and stars than any other German city.

Summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. The celebrities of the past, the Bavarian dukes, princes and kings, also resided in Munich. Their legacy has left the city with a number of fascinating historical drawcards. There are so many to choose from, visitors may have a hard time deciding which of the many sights to head for first.

Nymphenburg Palace and its park should be near the top of the list. The former summer residence of the Bavarian rulers, Schloss Nymphenburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria today. Its elaborate interior furnishings, including King Ludwig I’s almost surreally ornate “Gallery of Beauties” should not be missed.

Symbol of Munich. The twin towers of Munich’s most famous symbol, the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady), are 99 metres tall. Duke Sigismund laid the cornerstone of Munich’s most beloved church on 9 February 1468. Today the Frauenkirche is officially the Cathedral Church of the Archbishops of Munich and Freisling. Its towers can be seen for miles around, is in part because the city administration prohibits the construction of any building within Munich’s central ring taller than 99 metres. New construction of taller buildings further away from the centre has been permitted in the past, but is currently under review. Only the south tower of the Frauenkirche can be climbed. It offers a unique view of Munich, its surroundings, and the nearby Alps, which on clear days appear to be close enough to touch.