TRAVEL+FOOD

Redmont Hotel

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The Redmont Hotel, a historic hotel property in Birmingham, Alabama, and part of Curio Collection by Hilton has selected Rebel Hospitality to engage in hotel management services.

Rebel Hospitality, a leader in the hotel management of independent and soft branded lifestyle properties, offers a progressive new management option that aligns owners’ interests with operational excellence to deliver enhanced guest experiences and peak financial performance. Rebel’s growing portfolio of managed properties includes hotels in destination and gateway markets throughout the United States.

“As Rebel Hospitality continues its rapid growth, we are proud to be chosen to manage The Redmont Hotel, one of the preeminent properties and top-rated hotels in the vibrant destination of Birmingham,” said Brian Sparacino, President, and CEO of Rebel Hospitality. “With our experienced operations team, we look forward to engaging with this exciting property that features beautiful historical architecture, well-appointed modern guest rooms, and the best rooftop bars in the city with stunning panoramic views of Downtown Birmingham and the surrounding areas.”

The Redmont Hotel was redeveloped by Birmingham, Alabama-based, Rhaglan Hospitality LLC. Rhaglan’s experience in development and hotel management totals over $200 million of completed commercial buildings, including numerous core branded hotels totaling over 850 rooms, with a focus on historic preservation.

Located in the heart of downtown, The Redmont Hotel is the oldest hotel in Birmingham. Newly restored, the 14-story historic landmark features 120 renovated guest rooms that embrace the glamour of the 1920s. The Redmont Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, offers guests a boutique hotel experience within walking distance of the flourishing downtown Birmingham entertainment district. The Redmont has many unique spaces for any occasion; the property boasts 3,600 square feet of meeting space which includes two boardrooms as well as two luxurious ballrooms connected by a charming mezzanine and New Orleans style balcony overlooking 5th Avenue. Each meeting space is equipped with built-in audio-visual equipment.

The city of Birmingham is considered to be the up-and-coming food destination of the South. The Redmont’s dining options, and exciting rooftop lounge with breathtaking city views, highlight the best of the city’s culinary experiences.

About Rebel Hospitality

Rebel Hospitality offers a progressive new paradigm for hotel management. Rebel Hospitality blends modern technologies with management excellence to create a one-stop, full-service hospitality management biome spanning operations, revenue management, procurement, human resources, marketing distribution, and investment and development partnerships. The unrivaled technology, expertise, and fee transparency make Rebel Hospitality an emerging leader and premier partner as a niche hotel management platform that is philosophically aligned with hotel investment strategies. For more information, please visit their website.

About Curio Collection by Hilton

Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 100 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts in nearly 30 countries and territories. Curio Collection properties offer travelers authentic, curated experiences through distinctly local offerings and elevated amenities while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. To make reservations, travelers can visit curiocollection.com. Read the latest brand and hotel stories here, and connect with Curio Collection on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Rhaglan Hospitality

Rhaglan’s experience in development encompasses over $200 million of completed projects, including core branded hotels totaling over 850 rooms. Rhaglan focuses on redeveloping and repositioning unique buildings irretrievably linked to the history of their communities.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces “EMBARK – The Series”

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The third episode of the five-part docuseries provides a behind-the-scenes look at how onboard and shoreside team members are coming together to prepare for a defining moment in the brand’s 55-year history. The episode showcases how NCL is preparing for its great cruise comeback with contactless technologies designed to enhance the guest experience and support elevated health and safety protocols as well as highlight new product offerings and experiences. Viewers will also have a first look at the Company’s new cruise terminal at Port Miami, an iconic beacon on the Miami skyline.

This “All Hands on Deck” episode also follows executives including Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Harry Sommer, brand president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, as they visit Norwegian Gem to discuss the upcoming renovations to the ship. Norwegian Gem will be the first ship to sail from the new NCL terminal in Port Miami, when she returns to service on Aug. 15, 2021.

“The last year has been an incredible journey, and we are beyond ready to welcome our guests back in just a few weeks when Norwegian Jade becomes the first ship in the fleet to return to service,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our return has been 500 days in the making, and now we are putting the finishing touches on every detail of the guest experience to ensure we come back in the best and safest way imaginable.”

“All Hands on Deck” will stream live on Thursday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET here and on their Facebook. Viewers will also find the first two episodes of “EMBARK – The Series” and the full suite of EMBARK with NCL episodes, spotlights and stories highlighting the passionate people and partners of NCL on the site.

NCL will commence voyages beginning July 25, 2021 in Europe and Aug. 7, 2021 in the U.S. The Company’s restart efforts continue in partnership with local governments and are guided by the robust protocols of the SailSAFE™ health and safety program, which at its cornerstone includes that all crew and guests must be fully vaccinated to embark voyages through Oct. 31, 2021. Working with the leading experts of the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, the robust protocols will regularly be evaluated and modified as needed, making science-based decisions to protect guests, crew and the destinations it visits. As protocols evolve and additional information becomes available, updates will be published here.

Travelers seeking the latest details about NCL’s redeployment should click here.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit here.

White Villas Reopens in Turks & Caicos

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The Turks and Caicos Islands have always been synonymous with luxury, relaxation, and adventure. And now they are also one of the few places in the Caribbean that have received a designation of Alert Level 1 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lowest possible Covid-19 risk level. The wish list vacation destination is eager to welcome guests back to experience their trademark white-sand beaches and azure blue waters, free from pandemic anxieties.

With 65 percent of the destination’s population having received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 55 percent of the adult population being fully vaccinated, Turks and Caicos can proudly say that it is one of the most inoculated countries in the world. This is welcome news for the team behind White Villas, the collection of private villas with an all-inclusive style experience.

“The desire for decompression, family connection, and new experiences is stronger than ever. Travel is on everyone’s mind,” says Simon Hénault, owner of White Villas. “We’re thrilled that Turks and Caicos islands are considered a CDC Level 1 destination, one of the very few in the Caribbean.”

White Villas is the ideal option for travelers who want to ease their way back into simple, safe, and stress-free travel. In addition to full kitchens and private pools, guests have direct access to car rentals and boat excursions, private chef services, spa treatments, an outdoor movie theater and gym, and a long list of outdoor adventure activities. Visitors get the comfort, privacy, and warmth of staying with close friends and family, with all-inclusive simplicity and high-end amenities.

The White Villas team ensures that friends, couples, and families all have a safe, unique, and nurtured return to travel experience.

For more information on the CDC’s Travel Health Notices, please visit cdc.gov.

For more information on White Villas, please visit whitevillas.net.

Images can be found here.

Beau-Rivage Palace Celebrates 160th Anniversary

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The Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel marks its 160th anniversary with a gender revolution.

When Lausanne’s iconic Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel opened its doors on the shores of Lake Geneva in 1861, it was financed by men, managed by men, promoted by men, and staffed almost entirely by men. Women were engaged to make beds and wash dishes.

What a difference 160 years make. In 2021, the Beau-Rivage Palace’s general manager, its resident celebrity chef, and its chief concierge are all women. And today, it is largely men who clean the hotel’s guest rooms, schlepp the luggage and park the cars.

MAKING HISTORY

The site of many milestone moments in history, it was the Beau-Rivage Palace’s Jacques Tschumi who, in 1893, opened the Lausanne Hotel School in order to train his hotel staff. Now, 128 years later, the École Hôtelière de Lausanne continues to be regarded as the best hospitality school in the world, and many of its students still undergo on-the-job training at the Beau-Rivage Palace. The hotel’s Cinq Mondes spa was totally refurbished in 2020, ready to underscore the hotel’s growing devotion to wellness.

Host to celebrities from Charlie Chaplin and Coco Chanel to Matt Dillon and Christopher Walken, not to mention Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and U.S. presidents, the hotel was and is host to world-changing events as well. Highlights of its history include:

1912 – Signing of the First Treaty of Lausanne (or Treaty of Ouchy) at the Beau-Rivage Palace, ending the Italian-Turkish War
1923 – Hosting of the conference of the Treaty of Lausanne that draws the borders of present-day Turkey
1945 – Coco Chanel lived at the Beau-Rivage Palace from 1945 to 1954 and is buried in Lausanne
1968 – Albert Cohen publishes his novel Belle du Seigneur, inspired by the romantic atmosphere of the Beau-Rivage Palace
2009 – Anne-Sophie Pic, the world’s most celebrated female chef, opens her eponymous restaurant at the Beau-Rivage Palace. In October, Michelin awards the restaurant two coveted stars
2015 – Nathalie Seiler-Hayez appointed general manager of the Beau-Rivage Palace
2015 – The months’-long negotiations at the Beau-Rivage Palace conclude with the Iran Nuclear Treaty.

IT’S ALL ABOUT 2021

The celebratory year will feature an array of special events and offerings focusing on wellness and healthy living, including:

On August 27, the now traditional Anne-Sophie Pic Market will offer the opportunity to discover local delights produced by the chef’s partners. A special highlight will be the signing of Michael Berthoud’s book on wild harvesting – Anne-Sophie Pic wrote the preface in homage to their friendship. An “eat and be fit” section will also be presented in collaboration with Jérémy Peltier to respond to the growing demand for health preservation through food, a subject dear to Anne-Sophie Pic’s heart.

From September 1, the Absolute Infusion Menu will be featured at the Beau-Rivage Palace’s Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant. An exclusive alcohol-free food and drink pairing offers an unprecedented new culinary experience.

Finally, on November 24th, Anne-Sophie Pic and team will present “1861,” an extraordinary three-course gala menu reinterpreting the dishes served at the Beau-Rivage Palace’s very first dinner, 160 years ago.

ABOUT THE BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE

The Beau-Rivage Palace is situated on ten acres of private gardens, adjacent to Lake Geneva with spectacular views of the Swiss Alps. The property’s two Michelin starred restaurant, Anne-Sophie Pic at the Beau-Rivage Palace, features France’s only female chef with three Michelin stars. Other amenities include two bars and terraces, two tennis courts and a special program for children.

Alpaca Expeditions Reopens Full Classic Inca Trail

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The Full Classic Inca Trail Reopens July 15th, 2021!

Alpaca Expeditions are thrilled to announce that the Inca Trail will restart for 2021.

The government of Peru has announced that the full Inca Trail will reopen July 15 and treks can resume on that date.

Applications for permits will open on June 25th and July 15th is the date when treks will begin. This means all 4, 5, and 7 day Inca Trail treks are now available to book, after a year-long closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2-Day short Inca Trail treks are already open, but now all treks on the Inca trail are open.

There are changes to the Inca Trail 2021 Treks, required by the Peru Government:

1.50% Reduction in Allowed Group Sizes: This means open trekking groups are only 7 guests max (unless booked specifically with more), 1 guide, and 14 porters. It means small groups and fewer crowds.
2. 50% Reduction in Available Inca Trail Permits: This means it’s important to submit your application for a permit so as to get your preferred dates in as soon as possible – there are 50% fewer permit slots available for 2021.
3. Everyone is invited: means tell your friends and loved ones! This is a great opportunity to hike this beautiful trail with smaller crowds. You do not need to have a previous reservation – you can book now.

For those who want to hike this year, please contact Alpaca Expeditions with your new start date and updated information ASAP to give them the best chance to secure your permits. Permits will go especially fast this year with these new limitations, and Alpaca wants to make sure all your dreams come true.

Come with Alpaca Expeditions and allow them to show you the magical land of the Incas!

About Alpaca Expeditions

Alpaca Expeditions, a 100 % Peruvian company, is a pioneer adventure operator diligently working to provide the best services available. Although they offer daily departures, it’s important to check with a member of their sales team to plan a trek. Please email them at info@alpacaexpeditions.com. They stand ready to help answer questions and help prepare for this amazing journey.

HEAT WAVES × THE FUTURE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

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By: Andrew Shibuya

It seems as though only months or weeks pass nowadays between environmental global crises. While heat waves, floods, and the like are by no means novel, the twenty-first century has undoubtedly seen an unrelenting torrent of environmental disasters. In the past week alone, a record-breaking heat wave in the Pacific Northwest left nearly one-hundred dead, two separate oil fires burning on the surface of the ocean in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caspian Sea, and innumerable small fires blazing across the West Coast following Fourth of July celebrations.

The heat wave in the Pacific Northwest impacted Oregon the most, with a total of 95 heat-related deaths on Sunday alone. Temperatures throughout the state reached a record-high of 117 degrees, leaving those without air conditioning or access to a cooler environment the most vulnerable. The Oregon government attempted to mitigate the effects of the heat wave by offering numerous cooling centers and even air conditioners to those at risk of harm.

Of course, the June heat wave that struck the Pacific Northwest was not unusual, nor will it be an outlier in the future by any means. In talking about the heat wave, Oregon Governor Kate Brown most succinctly stated, “This is a harbinger of things to come.” Other Oregon officials echoed this sentiment, with Public Health Director Jessica Guernsey writing the following in a press release for the heat wave: “This tragic event is almost certainly a glimpse into the future for Multnomah County, Oregon, the nation and the world. The impacts of climate change with heat waves, severe winter weather, wildfires, floods, and other rippling effects are happening now and will happen with more frequency for the foreseeable future.”

And while these sentiments are hardly prescient, on the other coast of the United States, a similar heat wave scorched the Northeast. While likewise record-breaking in its own right, the intensity of the East Coast’s heat wave does not come close to matching the Northwest’s. And still, a heat advisory was issued in New York City, and Boston and Philadelphia both issued heat health emergencies.

Of course, this past week was only one of the first weeks of summer, and more heat waves and heat related disasters are likely ensuing. Another heat wave warning has been issued for this coming weekend in California, from the desert to the Bay Area. California also has yet to enter its own “fire season,” which annually typically sees a handful of newsworthy fires that continue for several weeks, ravaging local communities and habitats.

This does not, however, mean that there is a lack of fires. This past Fourth of July weekend saw a marked increase in human caused wildfires. Already under a fire warning, California alone has seen hundreds of fires in the past several days as a result of holiday celebrations gone awry.

And all this is without mentioning the current drought plaguing the West Coast. From 2012 to 2016, California experienced its worse drought in over a millennium. The current drought finds many questioning the future of many essential Californian industries, such as farming, which will undoubtedly affect the largest economy in the United States.

Though one may be curious about the origin of these disasters–namely the drought and heat waves–one needs to look no further for evidence than the two oil fires on the high seas this past week. The fires, one in the Caspian Sea and one in the Gulf of Mexico, were both caused by oil explosions. The former is said to have been caused by the eruption of a “mud volcano,” or possibly a mud volcano interacting with a nearby gas field. They are still investigating the cause of this fire.

The fire in the Gulf of Mexico, however, was solely and indubitably man caused. A gas leak from an underwater pipeline by Mexico-owned gas company Pemex saw the inferno come about just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. A Mexican official has stated that there was no spillage, but there is still no explanation for the blaze.

Given all this, and the increased quantity of these sorts of events yearly, one can only wonder what a solution might be, and if such a solution is even plausible. And as each new catastrophe arises, it seems as though they are becoming normalized, with no action taken besides Twitter outcry. Beside merely pointing fingers at each other and pushing the onus of the responsibility around, the multibillionaires, their corporations, and the government ought to be able to do something.

Of course, it’s not as simple as expecting those groups to fix these global issues, as it is wholly a worldwide effort. As trite as it might seem, solutions to global issues require the actions of whole global populations. But besides recycling, eating with the environment in mind, and similar small (yet important) actions, what is the average person to do? Still, corporations such as Amazon are allowed to pollute and produce millions of pounds of plastic waste a nnually without consequence. Furthermore, former president Donald Trump once pulled out of the Paris Agreement in the name of America’s economic interests.

And so, just as Robert Frost once pondered if the world would end in ice or fire, the answer to his question seems to be becoming most clear now. As economies and profits seem to be more important than humanity’s future, the world will continue to burn, oceans will continue to rise, and people will continue to die. And as is true with many great problems, the issue is easy to see and difficult to solve–whether humanity will rise to its challenge is another issue entirely.

THE BUFFET AT BELLAGIO REOPENING

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After much anticipation, The Buffet at Bellagio makes its return on Friday, July 16. Open for brunch seven days a week, guests will be able to indulge in Bellagio’s aspirational dining experience filled with fine cuisine and live-action stations. Bellagio’s Buffet presents a variety of stations to satisfy any craving. Highlights include the resort’s beloved Omelet Station, traditional breakfast items, pasta and pizza as well as extensive Eggs Benedict options, Fried Chicken and Waffles and a Toast Bar.

A premier seafood selection of Alaskan King Crab, Poached Shrimp, Smoked Salmon and Scallop Ceviche will complement Far East delicacies such as Hong Kong BBQ Buns and Shrimp Shu Mai. Those who prefer a heartier brunch can enjoy the Carving Station slicing up Marinated Flank Steak, Rotisserie Chicken and St. Louis Style Ribs. To cap off the feast, discerning dessert fanatics will be able to lose themselves in fresh pastries and a personalized gelato stand.

Beginning July 16, The Buffet at Bellagio will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Pricing:

Monday-Thursday: $39.99
Friday-Saturday: $45.99
Children 5 years of age and under eat complimentary
Children 6-11 years of age eat for 50 percent off

Airports During a Pandemic

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By: Carly Cohen

At last, it’s time to start traveling again. But safely!

We created a list of the top 10 safest airports to travel into during a pandemic.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is particularly considered one of the safest because it offers different baggage drop locations and provides many options for social distancing to protect yourself and others.

John F. Kennedy International Airport

JFK located in New York City is surprisingly another safe and great option for traveling. Using the word “surprisingly” because New York City is a very populated area but there are countless contactless options and offer rapid test areas. Restaurants, spa services, and lounges are all officially starting to open back up for an enjoyable travel experience.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the best and safest option while traveling in and out of Texas, and is also the first “Carbon neutral airport in North America.”

Los Angeles International Airport

Like JFK, LAX is a very populated area but is considered one of the safest options while traveling in and out of California. They offer fast-track security to make a speedy and safe visit.

O’Hare International Airport

O’Hare International Airport located in Chicago has the second-highest score worldwide in safety. They strictly follow all Covid-19 protocols.

Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark and JFK go hand in hand. Offering rapid test areas along with contact tracing, fast security, multiple contactless options for an enjoyable experience.

Boston Logan International Airport

Another safe and effective way to travel is through Boston Logan International Airport. Giving options for free on-site testing. They have also been given “ACI Airport Health Accreditation.”

Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport

This airport in Atlanta, Georgia, is known for being one of the busiest airports. However, they have made it a safe and healthy environment to travel to during the pandemic. They became the first airport to provide “hygiene-tracking technology from GP Pro” to allow the best travel experience and reputation.

Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia International Airport has prioritized sanitizing and disinfecting boarding areas, gates, restaurants, waiting areas, bathrooms, and everything to make it safe.

San Francisco International Airport

SFO has taken and is still taking precautions in their airport to make things as safe as possible. Constantly disinfecting and always requiring the use of masks on and off planes.

Safe travels!

World’s Largest Open-Air Bar

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Sweden Creates the World’s Largest Open-Air Bar

Following the success of the 2019 Edible Country campaign is the launch of Drinkable Country – the largest, open-air, world-class bar led by internationally acclaimed team at Tjoget, and other leading Swedish beverage experts. Starting June 15, visitors can book a seat at more than 16 tables located in some of Sweden’s most beautiful natural landscapes for a chance to enjoy a selection of drinks and DIY recipes reflecting the country’s 100-million-acre natural pantry.

The world’s largest, outdoor, socially distanced bar is opening this summer in Swedish nature. In 2019, Sweden launched The Edible Country, the world’s largest DIY gourmet restaurant, with recipes developed by Guide Michelin-awarded chefs. The concept, which until now, consisted only of food, is being expanded to include an incredible drinking experience. Drinkable Country features a combination of ready-made beverages that reflect local nature and produce alongside drinks those visitors can mix themselves with ingredients found in the surroundings based on recipes provided by Sweden’s foremost beverage experts. When booking a Drinkable Country experience, guests will have the opportunity to explore the area with local guides while collecting and mixing the ingredients, and then enjoy the various drinks.

“The DIY recipes enable visitors to explore Swedish nature through world-class taste experiences,” says Jens Heed, Program Director Food Travel at Visit Sweden. “The country’s 100-million-acre pantry of fruit, berries, vegetables, and crystal-clear spring water is open to everyone. We call it the Drinkable Country – the world’s largest open-air bar.”

The recipes have been developed in collaboration with four different beverage experts, each of whom has been given the responsibility to represent different regions in Sweden. Rebecka Lithander represents southern Sweden. Lithander has experience from the two-Michelin-star restaurant Daniel Berlin, where she raised the non-alcohol drink packages to the same high level as the food. The tables on the west coast are represented by Bar Bruno, a local gem of a cocktail bar; while on the east coast, it is the world-famous bar Tjoget that will compose the drink menu. Emil Åreng, a nationally and internationally acclaimed bartender and author of the world’s best cocktail book in 2016, represents the northern part of Sweden.

“It is a thirst-quenching journey through Swedish nature that is a completely new and fascinating way to experience cocktails and to discover the country and its natural environment,” says Leo Lahti, Bar Manager at Tjoget.

In Sweden, nature is everyone’s playground. It’s a place to linger – as long as you do not disturb or destroy it – thanks to the unique Allemansrätt – Swedens’s “freedom to roam.” With the Drinkable Country, Sweden invites everyone to experience their close-to-nature lifestyle over world-class food and drink.

More information about the experience: Visit Sweden

The Beverage Experts

Southern Sweden: Rebecka Lithander is an acclaimed sommelier who now works at the locally praised restaurant Mutantur in Malmö. Before joining Mutantur she worked at the two-star Guide Michelin restaurant Daniel Berlin.
Western Sweden: Bar Bruno, a small cosy bar that serves innovative cocktails with a home-bar feel.
Eastern Sweden: For the past five years, Tjoget has been on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars.
Northern Sweden: Emil Åreng with roots in Norrland was named Sweden’s best bartender in 2015 and has also won several international awards. Emil most recently came from Cardier Baren at the historic Grand Hôtel in Stockholm, where he was Creative Director. He is the author of the cocktail book Salongs i Norrland, which was named Best Cocktail Book in the World in 2016.

The Edible Country

‘The Edible Country’ is an initiative from Visit Sweden to highlight the natural and healthy pantry that Swedish nature has to offer. The menu suggestions of the do-it-yourself dining experiences are co-created with four of Sweden’s top chefs: Titti Qvarnström, Niklas Ekstedt, Anton Bjuhr and Jacob Holmström. The dishes are created with inspiration from Sweden’s varied landscape and shifting seasons. The over 20 tables are placed in Swedish Lapland, Stockholm Archipelago, the High Coast, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Sörmland, Värmland, Västsverige, Småland, Halland, Skåne and Gotland and you can find more information about the regions on our webpage. The initiative is an open invitation for everyone to experience the Swedish ‘close-to-nature’ lifestyle and take pleasure in the natural pantry that Sweden has to offer. Add-on services that will help you during your experience, for example, your very own personal guide or chef and a basket with the necessary ingredients to create the drinks or cook the recipes outdoors are available to book online.

About Visit Sweden

Visit Sweden is Sweden’s marketing company. Visit Sweden markets Sweden abroad as a destination to contribute to more jobs and economic growth. The company also provides and sells communication and knowledge services related to the hospitality industry, tourism, and travel. Foreign tourists spend approximately SEK 144 billion annually in Sweden and approximately 172,400 people are employed in the hospitality industry’s companies alone. Visit Sweden is owned by the Swedish state through the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation.

Lucia Restaurant & Bar New Menu

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LUCIA RESTAURANT & BAR CELEBRATES SUMMER WITH A PLANT-BASED BASH

NEW COLORS OF THE SEASON MENU FOCUSED ON GREEN, GORGEOUS & GASTRONOMIC

America’s love affair with the garden has exploded with 9.7 million people now fully immersed in a plant-based diet. In fact, 2021 is projected to be THE year this diet finally goes mainstream. From plant-based beverages to meatless burgers, this trend has no signs of slowing given the benefits to both one’s body and the environment. Riding this wave, chef Cal Stamenov is culling beets, chard, asparagus and fresh fava from the Lodge’s two-acre organic garden to debut the new Colors of the Season menu. Served in addition to the la carte and five-course tasting menu, Colors of the Season is available June 1 through July 31, 2021; prices range from $16 to $36.

NATURE’S BOUNTY

Crafting vegetable-driven dishes requires equal parts timing and finesse. Picked at their peak, kale, sweet peas, chard and fresh fava share short lifespans. Coaxing their distinct flavors while marrying ingredients into a leafy risotto, humble ratatouille or goat cheese terrine is an art. Take the elevated Red Striped Beet Spring Roll, a visual stunner with pops of cilantro, olives and creamy avocado, balancing texture and flavor for a full palate immersion. Purple Cauliflower Soup, blending purple basil and purple radish with fresh black beets puts a colorful spin on comfort food.

Other starters include lip-smacking Local Asparagus, steamed with saffron couscous, curly purple mustard and a passionfruit emulsion. The Backdoor Avocado Salad, spotlighting fruit culled from nearby Salinas Valley, delivers a mélange of quinoa, heirloom tomatoes, fennel and fresh basil lightly dressed in Meyer lemon-olive oil with a dusting of Big Sur Sea salt. There is also a spin on crudité, with the Colorful Pickled Veggies Around and an ethereal Beautiful Strawberries, pairing arugula, lemon confit and aged balsamic with a dollop of fluffy Italian burrata.

Green Gazpacho makes a showing on the new menu, with a deft blend of celery, cilantro, avocado and piquant Padron peppers. The Leafy Green Risotto, focused on kale, Swiss chard, spinach, chervil and fresh fava is a flavor explosion, as is the Portobello Wellington, stuffed with zucchini, kale, goat cheese and pine nuts with a rich butternut squash sauce. Corn hounds will love the Agnolotti Pasta, prepared with fresh yellow corn, just-picked sweet peas and shave or two of Australian black winter truffles. Rounding out the menu is a Stuffed Rainbow Chard, easy on both the eyes and palate, pairing green lentils du puy, zucchini, brown rice and goat cheese.

SOURCING SUPERFOODS

The switch to a plant-based diet is not a fad. According to Gallup, 77 percent of Americans have reduced their meat consumption in the past 12 months, with almost six in 10 Americans reporting transitioning to a more flexitarian or semi-vegetarian diet. This bodes well for chefs who have long refined their craft in this category.

There is no shortage of benefits for those who aligned with a vegetable-forward diet. According to Everyday Health, the nine scientific benefits from following this menu regimen include lower blood pressure, reduction in cardiovascular disease, weight loss, reduction in Type 2 diabetes, stroke and risk of cancer, and issues surrounding cholesterol. Living longer is another key benefit. The Journal of the American Heart Association study found that a plant-based diet lowers the risk of all causes of mortality by 25 percent. Finally, the noted benefits to the brain, largely due to polyphenols which are known to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Simply stated, the world is your (mushroom) oyster!

LUCIA RESTAURANT & BAR

Set in secluded Carmel Valley on 28 acres of sweeping lavender, grapevines and olive orchards, Lucia Restaurant & Bar has long set the standard for luxury dining along the California coast. Named after the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains which provide the dramatic backdrop to the 2,300 sq., ft., alfresco terrace, the contemporary 90-seat dining room is set in rich white Italian leather paired with rustic treatments crafted in marble, oxidized copper, teak and reclaimed wood. French wooden floors, chandeliers and stunning exterior fireplaces grace the mixed-use table layout with a focal point fireplace styled from Bagattini Oregon stone marking the main entrance. Paired with Stamenov’s light touch and artisanal integrity, the restaurant underscores the authentic relationship between food and terroir.

Classically trained with an eye to sustainability, Stamenov’s light touch and artisanal integrity are evident in every offering. Wielding an impressive resume working under the ardent eye of such culinary greats as Pierre Gagnaire, Michel Richard, Alain Ducasse, Eric Ripert and the legendary Masa Kobayashi, his California country cuisine plays off locally sourced product with the essence of the dish taking center stage. Subtle reductions and thoughtful flavor marriages are his mantra, paired with a back pocket of local farmers and foragers keeping Lucia’s kitchen at a steady simmer.

Culling from the Lodge’s two-acre backdoor organic garden and a private cache of 150+ fruit trees, heirloom vegetables, 180,000 Italian honeybees and resident Plymouth, Barred Rock, Rhode Island, Speckled Sussex and Ameraucana chickens, Stamenov’s seasonal spotlight menu is certain to please.

Colors of the Season:

Red Striped Beet Spring Rolls | cilantro, avocado, olives, spicy hummus | $16

Herb Goat Cheese Terrine | beets, carrots, celery root remoulade | $16

Beautiful Strawberries | italian burrata, arugula, lemon confit, aged balsamic | $18

Colorful Pickled Veggies Around | leeks vinaigrette, parmesan toast, garden herbs | $17

Local Asparagus | steamed, passionfruit emulsion, saffron couscous, curly purple mustard | $18

Swank Farm Purple Cauliflower Soup | purple basil, purple radish | $12

Backdoor Avocado Salad | quinoa, heirloom tomatoes, fennel, fresh-picked basil, olive oil, big sur sea salt, meyer lemon| $18

Australian Winter Black Truffle Risotto | carnaroli rice, glazed spring vegetables, chervil| $36

Baked Ratatouille | marble potatoes, rosemary, fresh spaghetti, olives | $32

Agnolotti Pasta | yellow corn, australian black winter truffles, sweet peas | $36

Stuffed Rainbow Chard | green lentils du puy, brown rice, zucchini, goat cheese | $34

Green Gazpacho | avocado, celery, cilantro, peppers, leafy greens, lime | $14

Leafy Green Risotto | kale, asparagus, chard, spinach, parmesan, fresh fava, parsley, chervil| $27

Portobello Wellington | kale, swiss chard, zucchini, goat cheese, pine nuts, butternut squash sauce | $36

Wild Mushroom | brown rice with roasted garlic, black truffle potatoes, parmesan, arugula | $32

Fresh Raspberry Vacherin | raspberry sorbet, baked lavender meringue | $14

Blenheim Apricot Tart | almonds, lavender-honey ice cream | $14

Christine’s Organic Strawberries | lemon verbena ice cream, sauternes granite| $14

A variety of coveted private dining venues from the casual Cooper’s Den to the 12-seat private Wine Cellar, exclusive five-seat Chef’s Table and 16-seat Magnum Room offer extensive tasting menus backed by an impressive 25,000-bottle wine cellar. Light dining is also available in Lucia Bar and patio.