The “sparkle” in Sparkling Hill emanates from 3.5 million Swarovski crystal elements.

June, 2012     Click here for PDF version

Whether it’s relaxing beside a pool, wine tasting in the Okanagan, fishing, golfing, hiking or biking in Western Canada, kayaking or canoeing in La Belle Province, or driving through Europe, we have all bases covered for summer travelers. Always dreamed of staying in a Lodge in the Canadian Rockies, a Chateau in France, Wilderness Camp on the West Coast, a Manor House in Quebec, or maybe a hillside monastery or converted farmhouse in Spain? We have that covered too!

Our new Quebec property Manoir Hovey, located about 130 km east of Montreal on Lake Massawippi, is adding an exciting new Inn-to-Inn Kayak or Canoe package. Visit its new website at www.manoirhovey.com

Take advantage of the ever diminishing value of the euro and travel in Europe this summer and visit our R&C hotels in France, Spain and Portugal.  Chateau de la Chevre d’Or is offering great summer packages. It’s 2-Michelin Star restaurant La Chevre d’Or made the 2012 Travel & Leisure 500 List. Relais & Chateaux Hotels in Spain & Portugal are offering an Agent Special. If agents book any room nights at R&C hotels in Spain & Portugal and let Moira Fitzpatrick know, their name will be entered in a contest to win 7 nights in the country they book AND they can decide their own itinerary based on space availability. Agents can submit one entry per each room-night booked. The contest will run all year. In addition to being entered in the contest, MF will provide an extra amenity for clients booked at the R&C hotels.

RELAIS & CHATEAUX HOTELS

THE POST HOTEL & SPA (www.posthotel.com)   This legendary hotel and spa in the Canadian Rockies will hold its eighth annual Wine Summit Lake Louise 2012, May 24 – May 27. A silent auction will be held to support the Kids of Cancer Care Foundation -- $370,000 has been raised to date. MF highly recommends Rocky Mountaineer’s rail tour from Vancouver to Jasper with self-drive to Lake Louise and the Post. After a few luxurious nights enjoying the hotel’s amazing cuisine and fine wines, and sampling the area’s many summer activities, travelers can drive to Banff and depart from Calgary. Two-night Spa, Gourmet and Romance packages are available. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.

MANOIR HOVEY (www.manoirhovey.com)   This award-winning, 5- star century-old Quebec manor is gearing up for summer, with three- course summer lunches on the terrace featuring panoramic views of the lake. Starting July 7 from 6pm (weather permitting) the hotel offers a gourmet BBQ every Saturday, featuring duck breast, lobster, rib steak or other flavorful entrées. In addition to the hotel’s popular Inn-to-Inn Biking package, for the first time this summer/fall, it is offering an Inn- to-Inn Kayak or Canoe package partnering with the 5-star Ripplecove Inn, which is situated about 13 km south on Lake Massawippi in another idyllic lakeside location. Starting at $195 pp per day (mid season) and $230 (high season), this 4-night package includes fine dinners, full breakfasts, a picnic lunch, lunch at the inns and gratuities. CHATEAU DE LA CHEVRE D’OR - Virtuoso (www.chevredor.com)   The award-winning Chateau in the village of Eze is offering Love in Eze, a one- night romance package that includes accommodation, continental breakfast, welcome champagne and fruit basket, romantic bath with essential oils and candles, and surprise gift from 275 euros pp dbl. The Gourmet Discovery Package includes two nights’ accommodation, American breakfasts, welcome gift, lunch on the terrace, and dinner in hotel’s 2-star Michelin restaurant – starting from 845 euros pp dbl. The hotel also offers pre- and post cruise packages for 2012 from Nice and Monte Carlo. Please contact Moira for bookings and an amenity in the room.

Relais & Chateaux properties in Spain (19 hotels; 9 Grand Chefs) and Portugal (7 hotels; 1 Grand Chef) are sprinkled over different regions – each with its own traditions, cuisine and culture.   READ’S HOTEL & SPA (www.relais.com/reads)   The 5-star, 23-room Reads Hotel in Mallorca is surrounded by 20 hectares of palm, olive, and almond trees, and its own vineyard. Located at the foot of the Tramuntana Mountains, just minutes from some of the island’s best beaches, this 16th century manor house features the luxurious Vespasian Spa, along with fine dining in Bacchus restaurant and more casual dining in Blues Bistro. The hotel features an array of 4-night packages, including a cooking package that offers two 2-hr cooking classes, visit to a local market, a surprise menu of 10 courses, and 4-day car rental. The hotel is situated 20 km from Palma International Airport and 2 km from Santa Maria Train Station.       SON BRULL HOTEL & SPA (www.relais.com/sonbrull)   This family- owned, former 18th century monastery in the north of Mallorca, offers 23 rooms complete with Jacuzzis and views of the olive tree orchards and the Bay of Pollenca. Facilities include a spa that uses essential oils derived from the island flora, a swimming pool, tennis court, and hiking trails. Organic produce, including olive oil, wine, citrus fruits and vegetables, is cultivated on the grounds and served in the restaurant. Nearby activities include golf, biking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and water sports. The hotel is located 55 km from Palma International Airport.       RESTAURANTE – HOTEL FERRERO (www.relais.com/ferrero)   This 19th century converted farmhouse, offering 3 rooms and 9 suites, nestles in the mountains of the Sierra de Mariola, Mallorca. Facilities include a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts where guests can receive lessons from personal coaches of the owner – ex-number 1 tennis champion in the world, Juan Carlos Ferrero. The restaurant offers avant-garde cuisine and a selection of more than 400 wines from around the world. Nearby activities include hot-air ballooning, biking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The hotel is situated 75 km from Alicante and 90 km from Valencia International Airports. The train from Madrid to Villena takes approximately 2 1⁄2 hours.         LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTELS   CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS RESORTS & SPA –Virtuoso (www.wildretreat.com)   This safari-style luxury tent camp and adventure resort offers nature lovers everything from deserted white sandy beaches to forest fern gardens. The Resort’s current guests are busy enjoying all of the wonderful outdoor activities! New this year are paddle boards, helicopter tours for hiking, fly fishing, photography and a new adrenalin pumping River Raft, which is already proving to be a big hit. A few dates are still available in July for active families and best dates for couples and romance are available in September. Agents receive booking commissions of 10% on the total value of resort packages. Please contact Moira for bookings and receive a shipment of BC Sockeye smoked salmon.

EXECUTIVE HOUSE HOTEL (www.executivehouse.com)   This European-style boutique hotel is ideally located in the heart of historic downtown Victoria, BC, and its Inner Harbour, where throughout the summer, visitors can enjoy the International Jazz Festival, Canada Day Celebrations, including fireworks, Festival of Food & Wine, International Buskers’ Festival plus Dragon Boat, Fringe and Beer Festivals. And a must for summer visitors are the splendid gardens of Victoria, including the world famous Butchart gardens. Activities in and around Victoria include hiking, biking, whale watching, and golf. Please contact Moira for a special amenity in the room.

SPARKLING HILL RESORT (www.sparklinghillresort.com)   The hotel is offering exciting new Helicopter Wine Tours for half-day and full-day that include private wine tasting at the Okanagan’s most beautiful wineries. Guests can enjoy lunch overlooking the vineyards or even atop a glacier. Also new is an 8-day Healthy Weight Loss Program that focuses on nutrition, integrative medicine and fitness. The program includes accommodation, 2 universal contour bodywraps, 3 naturopathic physician consultations, a kinesiologist consultation, meals, meditation classes, unlimited movement classes and access to all facilities. Please contact Moira for bookings and a nice bottle of Okanagan wine in the room, for those on the non-weight-loss program!   VILLA LA VEDETTA (www.villalavedetta.net)   This romantic 18-room/suite, five-star hotel sits atop Piazzale Michaelangelo, offering an ideal base for summer travelers who wish to explore Florence during the day and spend the evenings relaxing in a quiet urban retreat with amazing city views. The Villa’s Onice Restaurant is regularly mentioned in Italian and international gastronomic guides for its haute cuisine.Facilities include a swimming pool with Jacuzzi and panoramic view of Florence, outdoor bar that serves meals; an Italian Garden; spacious century-old park and secluded garden walkway, and fitness room with daily fruit basket and mineral water. Please contact Moira for best available rate and bottle of Chianti in room.

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