Introducing Fade The Public. The production collective emerge with the first instalment in a three-part series. The Baby One More Time cover theatrically sets up the musical tone of their production palette – haymaker basslines, point blank percussion, concise sampling and meticulous vocals.
Baby One More Time is set for a Friday 29th November 2019 release on all digital platforms.
For all things Fade The Public go HERE.
Air Italy offers up to 25% discount on flights to entire network with unique Black Friday promotion
Air Italy has unveiled a spectacular range of offers across its entire network lasting a full six days to celebrate “Black Friday”.
Until December 2nd, the airline is offering up to 25% discount off all flights operated from the United States and Canada to Italy from December 5th 2019 to October 24th 2020.
Dream destinations are just a click away, offering all travelers the chance to discover new and unexpected destinations at great prices from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Toronto such as Milan, Rome, Naples Palermo and Catania (Sicily), Cagliari and Olbia (Sardinia) and Lamezia Terme (Calabria).
All Air Italy flights from North America are operated by Airbus A330-200, equipped with 24 seats in the exclusive Business Class cabin, which allows you to fly with maximum comfort on fully reclining seats, accompanied by the excellent hospitality of the cabin crew and an exclusive service with typical Italian menus and wines, Wi-Fi service and a wide programme of in-flight entertainment.
The 228-seat Economy Class cabin offers Air Italy’s guests a very comfortable flight, highly personalised service, a new in-flight menu with the recently launched and dedicated “Le Delizie” brand, Wi-Fi service and a wide choice of movies and music.
For more details and information visit www.airitaly.com
Before You Book Your Next Vacation
When it comes to a vacation in Costa Rica, the experts advise that “you gotta know the territory.” But how can you if you’ve never been there?
Follow the tips of Western River Expeditions, soon to enter its 59th season of award-winning adventure travel. Here are a few of many questions this company suggests you ponder before booking a Western River Expeditions’ 9-Day Costa Rica Vacation Package.
This is the question that everyone asks and the answer is, “It depends!” Mid-December to April can often be drier, but due to this, and the fact that it’s a popular time to get away to warm destinations, the crowds can be greater. During May through the first half of December, daily rainfall is more common. It’s a period the locals refer to as “the green season.” During this period, you might experience different wildlife and fewer crowds. Generally, the rain doesn’t last all day and guests find periods of lovely sunshine each day as well.
But here’s a little secret! In some years, visitors reap the rewards of Costa Rica’s “Little Summer” (Veranillo de San Juan or Little Summer of Saint John) in July. Because of a little-known weather phenomenon that in-the-know wildlife lovers are keen to, July is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica. The secret is a drier break after the rains of May and June that yield flowering trees and fruits, which attract a lot of wildlife.
The Pacuare River (rated among the top 10 rivers in the world by National Geographic) offers 38 Class II-IV rapids over 16 river miles with the caveat that the excitement varies by how high and fast the river is flowing. During the dry season of January to April whitewater rafting in Costa Rica is more sanguine than during the misting and green months of May through December. That said, there can always be unpredictable rainfall any time of year that raises the water levels – and the excitement levels.
From a bird watching tour at the Pacaure Lodge, to the Mistico Hanging Bridges tour which boasts over 200 species of birds, to the Manuel Antonio National Park which is home to more than 180 different species visitors will find plenty of rare picture taking opportunities.
Experienced surfers appreciate the bigger waves of September and October on the Pacific Coast. Adrenaline-seeking travelers wanting to take optional surfing lessons while in Manuel Antonio (highly recommended), might appreciate the somewhat tamer surf during the remainder of the year.
You’ll likely find wildlife in Costa Rica no matter when you choose to visit. One of the top destinations on the Western River 9-Day Costa Rica itinerary is the Manuel Antonio National Park. Home to a variety of mammal species, it is a thrill to be personally greeted by multiple curious Mono Titi monkeys on a day tour.
“Our guests experience Costa Rica by the activities they choose, such as river rafting, zip lining over the rainforest canopy and a 3km walk over 15 bridges suspended from the ground to the treetops. But guests are also taken to the base of the Arenal Volcano where they can soak in therapeutic cascading hot springs, through the sights and sounds of primitive rainforests and jungles as well as to Manuel Antonio National Park (named one of the world’s 12 most beautiful national parks by Forbes). This park is home to 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds. Here on the Pacific Ocean are the sandy beaches and gentle surf that fulfill the requirements of a great vacation,” said company CMO Brandon Lake.
The basic rate is from $3,705 per person, double inclusive of transfers, hotels, activities, 11 meals and most activities. Western River Expeditions’ core Costa Rica program can be arranged for just two people or for up to 25 and can be customized by lengthening or shortening the trip and by adding or deleting activities. Year-round departures on a space-available basis can be tailored to travelers’ schedules.
The tour utilizes four distinguished properties selected for panache, location and comfort. In the gateway city of San Jose is Hotel Grano de Oro. At Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort guests enjoy a swim-up bar, local and international gourmet cuisine and they are positioned to explore the geology of Arenal Volcano and nearby hot springs. While on the Pacuare River guests enjoy Pacuare Lodge (National Geographic Traveler World’s Best Ecolodge). Tulemar Bungalows (a Travel + Leisure World’s Best award winner) in Manuel Antonio National Park offers and ocean and beaches.
For details please see http://www.westernriver.com/costa-rica-vacation-package.
For more on how Costa Rica weather varies from season to season, see http://www.westernriver.com/costa-rica-vacation-package/weather.
To request a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019-2020 catalog and for questions, availability and reservations, call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669), or visit the award-winning website at: http://www.westernriver.com/.
About Western River Expeditions
Western River Expeditions is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).
Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah and Idaho rafting, and international multi-sport trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. It has been named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company is the proud recipient of the “Best of State” award through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program for sixteen consecutive years.
Follow Western River Expeditions:
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/WesternRiver
On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?
On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/
For the seventh year in a row, Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside has been recognized as the best ski hotel in Canada by consumers and leading industry professionals. Held on November 23rd, in Kitzbühel, Austria, the World Ski Awards – regarded as “the Oscars of the travel industry” – honoured the all-suite, lodge-style hotel for its impeccable and personalized service, outstanding amenities, and unrivalled location steps from gondolas to both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
The World Ski Awards were created to elevate standards within the ski industry, recognizing, rewarding, and celebrating excellence in ski tourism across the globe. Awards span across the world’s top 25 ski tourism nations, with categories that include ‘Best Ski Resort’, ‘Best Ski Hotel’, ‘Best Ski Boutique Hotel’, and ‘Best Ski Chalet’. Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourism professionals, skiers, and media cast their votes for their favourite ski tourism destinations and brands; and this year, winners were celebrated at the three-day awards gala that took place between November 22nd and 24th.
Pan Pacific Whistler overcame a strong mix of contenders from across the country, defeating properties such as The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The Rimrock Resort Hotel, and Post Hotel & Spa. Neighbouring properties, including Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler, and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, were also nominated for the national award.
“Our team is so humbled and beyond thrilled to once again be named the best ski hotel in Canada”, said Julie Lanteigne, general manager of Pan Pacific Whistler hotels. “It’s so gratifying to have been nominated among such an elite group of properties across the world and to know that this prestigious title is a result of votes from our visitors and industry peers alike. An award such as this continues to motivate us to elevate the experience of each guest as they discover why Whistler is regarded as the world-class ski destination that it is.”
The property’s sister resort – Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre – located in the heart of Whistler Village, received a nomination for best ski boutique hotel. The property also has a selection of suites with a private residence feel, complimentary daily breakfast buffet for all guests, and easy access to all adventures Whistler offers. For more information or to book at either property, click here.
About Pan Pacific Whistler
Pan Pacific Whistler is a haven of comfort with two thoughtfully designed properties nestled between Whistler’s majestic mountains and anchoring its vibrant village. Both Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside invite guests to replenish and experience true contentment with an array of comforting and convenient amenities. Every one of its suites is a fully outfitted home-away-from-home with modern amenities, fully-equipped kitchens, and warm accents blended to create a comforting oasis. Visitors can enjoy the warmth of their in-room fireplace or take in breath-taking mountain and village vistas from their own private balcony. www.panpacific.com
The Josie Hotel Named Canada’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel at 2019 World Ski AwardsRossland’s ski-in, ski-out boutique resort wins coveted World Ski Award
The Josie Hotel — the Kootenay Rockies’ home base for adventure on RED Mountain — has been awarded Canada’s Best Boutique Ski Hotel in the 2019 World Ski Awards. Canada’s Best Boutique Ski Hotel is one of the most coveted categories in the prestigious World Ski Awards competition. This year, a record number of votes were cast, and The Josie stood apart from the over 1.6 million votes cast by wanderlusters and adventurers alike craving fresh powder and alpine air. Topping it off, the Noble House Hotels & Resorts property was also named one of the top three resorts in the World’s Best New Ski Hotel category.
Inspired by Rossland’s rugged peaks, lush forests and 3,850 acres of unfettered ski and snowboard trails, The Josie entices those who crave adventure with luxe amenities, personalized service and an unbeatable location — just steps from RED Mountain Resort, one of the top 10 largest ski resorts in North America. Since opening in November 2018, the hotel – situated along the world-renowned Powder Highway – has attracted global interest among ski and snowboard enthusiasts seeking pristine powder and terrain that fulfils adrenaline rushes.
The World Ski Awards aims to raise the bar within the ski industry by recognizing and rewarding organizations that demonstrate leadership in the field of ski tourism. Votes for the World Ski Awards were cast by professionals working within the ski and snowboard industry, including senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media; as well as by consumers with a hunger for winter wanderings. The winners, now considered the best in the world, met at the annual World Ski Awards gala, which took place this year in Kitzbühel, Austria, from November 22 to 24.
“It is such an honour to be named among the best in the world and receive the coveted award of Canada’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel,” said Jesse Crockett, general manager of The Josie. “Sharing Rossland’s story with the world is one of our top priorities — the local culture that is deeply embedded in our hotel is one of the reasons we think we stand out. It’s the rich history and friendly atmosphere (not to mention prime skiing and snowboarding) that brings people to Rossland. It is extremely humbling the World Ski Awards has recognized not only The Josie, but also Rossland, for excellence in ski tourism.”
The Josie invites all who are on the hunt for winter thrills to visit and experience a quintessentially Canadian winter, packed with acres of untouched powder, rolling vistas and warm and luxurious suites to rest one’s head. The uncrowded terrain backed by a landscape of snow-capped peaks and forests will certainly satisfy one’s quest for adventure. Those looking for even more adventure in the backcountry can also take advantage of untouched territory with RED’s one-ride cat ski experience. The cat whisks advanced skiers to areas of Mt. Kirkup inaccessible by chairlift to 1,600 feet of vertical spread across nearly 200 acres; best of all, the thrilling journey won’t break the bank with a one-ride ticket priced at $10.
To book a winter getaway and experience the heart of the Kootenay Rockies — the epitome of Canadian winter adventures — visit thejosie.com.
About The Josie Hotel:
Experience the true soul exhilaration of living for today at The Josie hotel (The Josie). The Josie is a boutique ski-in/ski-out hotel located at the base of RED Mountain Resort (RED) in Rossland, British Columbia. With 106 guest rooms and suites, crackling fire pits, a premier spa, fitness facility and ski concierge services; The Josie merges boutique accommodations with authentic Red Mountain adventure and the distinct spirit of Rossland. After a day on the slopes, guests can experience The Josie’s signature cedar barrel saunas, which promote muscle relaxation, improved circulation and feel-good endorphins. The destination hotel — named Canada’s Best Boutique Ski Resort in the 2019 World Ski Awards and the second best ski hotel in the 2019 USA 10Best Awards — also boasts more than 1,500 square feet of unique venue space and an adjoining terrace, all with stunning vistas of RED and the Rossland range. The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge (The Velvet), The Josie’s full-service dining establishment, serves locally-inspired craft cooking. To meet The Josie, please visit thejosie.com and follow @thejosiehotel.
About Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd.:
A privately held company for more than 35 years, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by owner and chairman Patrick R. Colee as a commercial property development group, later transitioning in 1994 to the dynamic hospitality ownership and management company it is today. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington and continuously growing, Noble House owns and manages an upscale portfolio of 18 distinct and visually captivating hotel properties, over 50 hotel restaurants, bars and lounges, the Napa Valley Wine Train, and a collection of spas, marinas, and private residences spanning the U.S. and Canada. Beachfront resorts spanning California and Florida are complimented by luxury retreats in Jackson Hole, Colorado, and British Columbia and balanced with a collection of urban hotels in Seattle, San Francisco, and College Station, Texas. Built upon a philosophy that emphasizes location, distinction, and soul, Noble House Hotels & Resorts dedicates itself to creating and managing exceptional properties that celebrate the local destination that surrounds. For more information, visit NobleHouseHotels.com or call Noble House Hotels & Resorts at 877-NOBLE-TRIP.
About William Cole:
William Cole is a boutique, full-service private real estate development company headquartered in Bryan, Texas. Formed in 1996 and named for the two sons of the founder, William Cole focuses on the development, acquisition, marketing and operation of carefully selected, hospitality-focused real estate including boutique hotels, private golf clubs, wellness facilities and entire master planned communities. From the initial vision through commissioning, William Cole delivers projects of lasting significance to their communities. For more information, visit WilliamColeInc.com or call William Cole Inc. at 281-580-2085.
The 97th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting held on the Ellipse in President’s Park (home to the White House) is taking place onDecember 5th! Co-presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, the tree lighting is a timeless tradition that brings everyone together to celebrate and reflect on favorite holiday memories.
A part of the #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque movement, this special event inspires visitors to incorporate national parks into their holiday traditions. This year, alongside additional performers, country music star Jessie James Decker will be hosting and performing at the holiday event where attendees will get to experience the living, 30-foot Colorado blue spruce National Christmas Tree from Pennsylvania. In addition, there will be 56 smaller trees featuring one-of-a-kind ornaments that represent every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia.
The lighting will be broadcasted on Ovation and REELZ on Monday, December 9th (8:00PM ET on REELZ and 9:00PM ET on Ovation).
Have a Nautical Holiday in Morro Bay: Citywide Crab Pot Tree Lighting, Lighted Boat Parade Weekend, Artisan Shopping along the Embarcadero & Paddling Fun in the Bay
Whatever Morro Bay creates, they do it in their own style. This goes for holiday events, gifts for everyone on your list, and fun new ways to get moving outdoors! Brimming with 15 holiday trees made from old crab pots, brightly decorated boats sailing the harbor, and Santa Claus hanging out in his house on the waterfront Embarcadero, Morro Bay celebrates its true nautical roots during this festive period.
This year the Friends of the Harbor Department will build a huge Crab Pot tree made of commercial crab pots on the waterfront in Anchor Park. Anchor park is in the heart of the Embarcadero with uninterrupted views of the bay and Morro Rock – perfect for the family holiday photo-op.
Getting out of town during the holidays can offer a much-needed change of pace, and the chance to make completely new and unforgettable holiday memories. Take part in any of the Morro Bay holiday events during December, complete your holiday shopping in Morro Bay’s unique boutiques, and find the perfect outdoor activity for everyone in your family along the Embarcadero.
Winterfest 2019 Events
Visit Santa’s House
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | December 6 – 22, 2019
Santa’s coming to the Embarcadero! Come visit and get a picture with Jolly ol’ Saint Nick. Take a photo with St Nick with you, your kids or your fur-kids at no charge. You can find the man of the season in his house located next to the Giant Chess Board on the Embarcadero every weekend in December until Christmas. Hot coco and snacks will be available for purchase by various non-profit organizations.
City Wide Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
December 6, 2019 | Beginning at 3:30 pm | City Park & City Wide
Starting at 3:30 pm in City Park, enjoy holiday performances and festive treats. There’s a chance to visit with Santa, and of course the main event…the lighting of the City Park tree for the holidays. Crab pot trees throughout town will also be lit, so after the celebration explore the village and see if you can find them all.
Lighted Boat Parade Weekend! Participate or just enjoy the fun.
Friday Night Lights
December 6, 2019 | 6 – 8 pm | Embarcadero
Make your dinning reservation for a night of great food and holiday sights as local large vessels and commercial boats cruise up and down the Embarcadero waterway. U.S, Coast Guard Cutter, Pappagallo, Chablis, Black Pearl, Sub Sea vessels 1 and 2, Morro Bay Harbor Patrol and the crowd pleaser Bonnie Marie. The parade of holiday spirit starts at dusk. A local affair, Friday Night Lights is brought to you by these waterfront restaurants: Blue Sky Bistro, Dutchman’s Seafood House, , Giovanni’s Fish Market & Galley, Hofbrau, The Libertine Pub, Port House, Toggnazini’s, STAX Wine Bar & Bistro, Window’s on the Water. Be sure to call and make reservations in advance! The public is welcome to join in the fun with their lighted vessels from 6-8 pm but this is not the official lighted parade.
Lighted Boat Parade
December 7, 2019 | 6 – 8 pm | Embarcadero
Don’t miss the 34th Annual Lighted Boat Parade along the waterfront. The Morro Bay fishing, leisure, and yachting community compete for cash prizes by stringing up mesmerizing lights that celebrate holiday cheer. It’s the night to celebrate holiday wonder along the Embarcadero. The parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Morro Bay. Watch from a waterfront hotel room, restaurant or on a commercial vessel offering tours. Register your own boat for a chance to win!
Holiday Paddle Parade
December 8, 2019 | 11 am – 1 pm | Embarcadero
The 3rd year of the non-motorized paddle parade rounds out a great weekend of festive parades on the bay. Open for anyone to join, Kayaks, Standup Paddleboards, small sailboats, surfboards, or any craft that floats take to the water. Sign-up to paddle a vessel for a chance to win cash prizes or come watch the spectacle and feel the holiday spirit. Either way, costumes, boat décor, and lots of fun are in store! The Annual Paddle Parade is brought to you by The Rock community radio station – a local Morro Bay non-profit. All funds raised from the paddle go to support the station. Your Grand Marshall on the water will be The Paddleboard Co owners Sandi and Ken Twist. To register click here.
Locally Made Artisan Holiday Shopping #morrobaymakers
If you’re looking for gifts outside the big-name box shopping centers, discover Morro Bay’s artisan makers. From handmade glass beads, craft olive oils, baked goods to custom leather goods and fresh saltwater taffy, Morro Bay has a distinct #craftculture and is filled with unique products that make great gifts for the holidays. Click here for more holiday shopping ideas!
Fantastic #OutdoorGoals Holiday Destination
If you like to travel, get out and make waves in the winter, Morro Bay is your holiday destination! Mild weather and an abundance of outdoor activities keep locals and visitors moving and shaking over the holidays. From hiking, cycling and kayaking, to kite surfing or paddleboard yoga, there is an adventure to suit everyone in your active family. Check out these #outdoorgoals video shorts!
Click here to find rates and availability!
For more travel information follow Morro Bay Tourism on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
About Morro Bay
A true #outdoorhub, this active seaside fishing village with bustling waterfront offers a fun and funky getaway for travelers who seek great wine, seafood and outdoor adventures filled with wildlife watching. Located along coastal Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County just south of Big Sur, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Morro Bay offers year-round activities in an unspoiled slice of California. From ocean-side golf, kayaking, sailing, hiking, fishing, surfing, biking, and bird watching, to kite flying, shopping, dining, wine bars, local craft brews and miles of unspoiled beaches, there is something for everyone.
Sitting majestically between the beach and the harbor lays the iconic and historic landmark Morro Rock, welcoming travelers from miles away as they approach Morro Bay. Located just minutes from world-renowned Hearst Castle, historic missions, breathtaking Montana de Oro State Park, and surrounded by vineyards from Paso Robles to Edna Valley, Morro Bay is a destination designed to fit any style and budget for families, couples or groups. Morro Bay also offers a myriad of year-round events including food, wine and music festivals, art fairs and car shows unique to the town. For more travel information visit www.morrobay.org or follow Morro Bay on Facebook, Instagram, twitter and Pinterest.
Announcing Art Basel Season 2019 at the Frost Art Museum FIU
The Frost Art Museum FIU, the Smithsonian Affiliate in Miami, presents a spectacular season of exhibitions and programming for this year’s Art Basel Week in Miami.
From the groundbreaking exhibition Art after Stonewall, 1969-1989. Gallery image, artwork by Keith Haring, October 20, 1985. Acrylic on canvas tarp. Photo by Michael Pittman. ©Keith Haring Foundation.
Every December during Art Basel Miami Beach and Miami Art Week, the global spotlight shines on Miami for one of the world’s leading art fairs, attracting 70,000+ collectors, cultural leaders, artists and media influencers from around the world.
The Frost Art Museum FIU is ground zero again this year for headline shows and events, including the two exhibitions Art after Stonewall, 1969-1989, and South Beach, 1977-1986: Photographs by Gary Monroe, plus on the Sunday morning of At Basel week the 16th annual Breakfast in the Park, featuring Petah Coyne this year as the invited speaker.
16th Annual Breakfast in the Park Presents: Petah Coyne
Sunday, December 8th
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public, RSVP required in advance at this link.
This year, for the museum’s 16th Annual Breakfast in the Park (an official Art Basel event), the special guest artist will be sculptor and photographer Petah Coyne. This popular event attracts art collectors, patrons, gallery owners, cultural luminaries and artists from around the world, many visiting Miami for Art Basel.
Each year a noted sculptor is invited to speak. Guests enjoy a complimentary breakfast, informal lecture, and guided tours of FIU’s Sculpture Park.
Trend of Going Back to the Roots Praised by Michelin-Starred Chefs
Michelin-starred chefs from Italy were impressed by fine dining and food traditions they have discovered in Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania. The chefs pointed out reliance on roots and authenticity as the main strength of Lithuanian cuisine. They saw this as a trend that other countries are likely to follow.
The restaurants, food markets and delicacy shops of Vilnius attracted considerable attention of Michelin-starred chefs Andrea Aprea and Anthony Genovese, who visited the Lithuanian capital to attend the Lithuanian Gastronomy Forum. Both chefs agreed that a combination of authentic elements with modern cuisine sets Vilnius food tradition as an example to follow.
“Authenticity is important for the new generation of chefs we see coming at the moment. It is quite easy to get caught up in what the rest of the world is doing without figuring out who exactly you are as a chef and learning about your own heritage. Once you have this base understanding of yourself and your roots, your food will continue to evolve and thrive,” said Chef Genovese from the restaurant Il Pagliaccio, **Michelin Guide 2019.
According to Chef Aprea, when people make their traditional dishes they save and share memories of authentic food. People then learn from each other by making or tasting food of other cultures.
“I don’t have any memory of Lithuanian food, I don‘t know what is authentic Lithuanian cuisine, but the food itself and chefs who made it were telling stories. They combine the contemporary approach towards food with local traditional food elements. I think that coming back to the roots, saving and sharing memory is the way everybody should and will follow,” explained Chef Aprea from the restaurant VUN, ** Michelin Guide 2019.
During his food exploration trip, Chef Aprea was introduced to food served in Lithuania during the Middle Ages. He tried traditional cottage cheese, smoked pork fat, kvass and spit cake.
“I’d definitely recommend Vilnius as a gastro tourism place. It’s interesting to discover both the modern cuisine with traditional elements and an authentic food experience tasting the food that Lithuanians served on the table in the Middle Ages. Not only I’d recommend Vilnius to my friends or other chefs but I also plan coming back here again myself,” reflected Chef Aprea.
Vilnius’ restaurants focus on seasonal cuisine, improvisation, and unique culinary experiences. And though they differ in flavours, concepts and traditions, they’re all contributing to the city’s budding food scene, which takes guests on delicious flavour filled adventures.
Most of the top-grade restaurants in Vilnius have some traditional Lithuanian elements in their menus. For example, restaurants Nineteen 18 and Sweet Root both base their cuisine specifically on a modern interpretation of Lithuanian culinary tradition. These restaurants were listed second and third, respectively, on the 2019 Top 30 Baltic restaurants list and given the Global Master Level by the White Guide Nordic. The best Lithuanian restaurant (according to a local rating) Džiaugsmas also serves creative reinterpretation of local food.
The menu of such restaurants features original interpretations of such Lithuanian everyday dishes as carp, schnitzel, beetroots and potatoes. Mushrooms – the must-have of the ordinary Lithuanian kitchen get into unexpected combinations as in dried boletus ice cream with hazelnut biscuit and fourteen months oak-aged apple vinegar served in Džiaugsmas. The fine-dining restaurants use local supplies of Lithuanian farmers or even develop their own farms.
Chef Aprea thinks that the popularity of local produce and food markets also adds to the high quality of food in Vilnius restaurants.
“When I visit foreign countries I first try to find out where people from that country are buying food. It helps me in understanding their approach towards food. It‘s important because food is our gasoline. Finding a nice and lively food market in a city or country is an important sign for me,” he said.
The trends and lessons of contemporary Lithuanian cuisine were further discussed at the second Lithuanian Gastronomy Forum which this year focused on multiculturalism as the foundation of the new Lithuanian gastronomy. Throughout the history Lithuanian cuisine was influenced by French, Italian and German gastronomic traditions as well as Jewish, tartar and other oriental cultures that reached Lithuania through its ethnic minorities. This mix of cultures and the cuisine that grew out of it were the main topics of all presentations and discussions at the forum.
ABOUT GO VILNIUS
Go Vilnius is the official tourism and business development agency of the City of Vilnius. The agency provides visitors, investors, relocating talent, entrepreneurs and businesses with all the essential information they need to know about the Lithuanian capital. Go Vilnius offers information on everything from real estate to leisure activities in Vilnius, simplifying the process of travelling, relocating to, or investing in Vilnius.
*Photo Credit: Irmantas Gelūnas
‘Take a mystical sleigh ride into a capricious world of architecture and history. An annual holiday event worth traveling across the country and world for.’ – 360 MAGAZINE
NYBG’s 28th Annual Holiday Train Show® Showcases Central Park, with New Replicas of Its Iconic Architectural Treasures, Including Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace, and the Dairy November 23, 2019–January 26, 2020 NYBG’s 28th
Annual Holiday Train Show showcases Central Park and its architectural features, including the Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace, and the Bow Bridge.
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show® showcases Central Park—the most popular urban park in America—in the 28th year of this much-loved holiday event. Visitors are transported to a miniature metropolis as model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. The Holiday Train Show runs Saturday, November 23, 2019, through Sunday, January 26, 2020.
New replicas of Central Park’s iconic architectural treasures include Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace, the Dairy, the Naumburg Bandshell, and two graceful pedestrian bridges. They are arrayed in a tableau with existing Central Park replicas in NYBG’s collection, including the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater and the Old Bandstand. In addition, famous New York buildings that are either next to the park or just inside it are on display, including the Plaza Hotel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space, part of the American Museum of Natural History.
This year, the Holiday Train Show is presented in an immersive indoor winter wonderland adjacent to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as the Conservatory’s palm dome undergoes restoration, part of the routine maintenance and operations of the Botanical Garden’s facilities. The spacious, climatecontrolled exhibition space is located on the Conservatory Lawn.
Central Park, designed in 1858 by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, occupies not only the middle of Manhattan but also a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers and in the American imagination. Visited by more people than any other urban park in the United States, it has been featured in hundreds of movies. Perhaps even more important, Olmsted and Vaux’s “Greensward Plan” inspired cities across the country to set aside large open spaces as public parks.
A striking feature of their design was the wide variety of buildings and architectural elements they included to complement the natural setting. The Belvedere Castle was built as a Victorian “folly” on the highest natural elevation in the park, offering visitors a “beautiful view”—the English translation of its Italian name. Completed in 1872, the turreted castle includes Gothic, Romanesque, Chinese, Moorish, and Egyptian motifs. In June 2019, the Belvedere reopened after a 15-month restoration.
Bethesda Terrace opens on the Lake at the heart of Central Park. The 1873 Angel of the Waters sculpture crowns the Terrace’s majestic Bethesda Fountain. In one hand, the angel holds a lily, a symbol of purity. Designer Emma Stebbins, the first woman to receive a public art commission in New York City, likened the healing powers of the angel to that of the Croton water system, which brought clean, fresh water to the city beginning in 1842.
The Dairy, built in 1870, was intended as a place where children could enjoy a glass of fresh milk, which was not always easy to get in mid-19th-century New York. The hybrid design is a playful combination of a Swiss chalet and a Gothic country church. The Naumburg Bandshell, a neoclassical structure of cast concrete built in 1923, has hosted performers from Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington to the Grateful Dead.
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater was Sweden’s exhibit at Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition in 1876. The enchanting Swedish architecture and craftsmanship, suggestive of a model schoolhouse, caught Olmsted’s eye, and he brought it to the park in 1877.
A theater designed for marionette performances was built inside in 1973. The Old Bandstand was a 1862 Victorian-style cast-iron bandstand designed by Jacob Wrey Mould. It was demolished in 1922 to make way for the Naumburg Bandshell. Also dating from 1862 is the graceful Bow Bridge, the first cast-iron bridge in Central Park. Spanning the Lake between Cherry Hill and the Ramble, its subtle shape is reminiscent of the bow of an archer or violinist. Designed by Calvert Vaux and originally built of white oak, Oak Bridge crosses Bank Rock Bay and is a popular destination for bird watchers. Both bridges are new to the Holiday Train Show collection.
In the Holiday Train Show, more than 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys hum along nearly a half-mile of track past re-creations of iconic sites from all five boroughs of New York City, the Hudson River Valley, and other locations in New York State. Artistically crafted by founding visionary Paul Busse’s team at Applied Imagination, all of the New York landmarks are made from natural materials such as bark, twigs, stems, fruit, seeds, fungus, and pine cones. American steam engines, streetcars from the late 1800s, and modern freight and passenger trains travel beneath overhead trestles, through tunnels, across rustic bridges, and past waterfalls that cascade into flowing creeks. Thomas the Tank Engine™ and other beloved trains disguised as large colorful insects delight children as they whiz by.
Founding Sponsors:
Victoria and Robert Zoellner
Sponsors:
Alpine Associates Management Inc.
LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust
Macy’s
The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach by Metro-North Railroad, bus, or subway.
HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW HOURS:
During the Holiday Train Show, November 23, 2019–January 26, 2020, The New York Botanical Garden is open Tuesday–Sunday, and Monday, December 16, 23, 30, and January 20, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Extended hours, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., December 26 and 29. The Garden is closed all day on November 28 (Thanksgiving) and December 25 (Christmas); it closes at 3 p.m. on December 13 and 24 (Christmas Eve).
PRICING:
All-Garden Pass tickets start at $23 for adults and $10 for children (ages 2–12) and differ during weekends and holiday weeks. Members and children under 2 are free. Advance timed tickets are strongly recommended and are available at nybg.org. Discounts available for groups of 15 or more; contact Group Sales at 718.817.8687. For more information, please visit our Web site at nybg.org
