Breezes Curacao

Breezes Curacao Resort Spa & Casino is the first Super-Inclusive resort in the Southern Caribbean. The Dutch flavor of this island will add a new twist to the active Breezes vacation our guests have enjoyed for years. Only a 90-minute flight from Montego Bay, this divers paradise is located off the coast of Venezuela and with only 10 miles from the international airport, this beautiful resort, with 341 rooms and suites, is adjacent to both the pristine Undersea National Park and entertaining Sea Aquarium. This Breezes Resort comes to life on the beautiful island of Curacao with it’s own 1500 feet of private white sandy beach and crystal clear waters. Here you’ll enjoy wonderful accommodations, all imaginable water sports, premium brand drinks and a variety of dining options ranging from Japanese cuisine at Munasan to the never-ending Jimmy’s Buffet. Of course, like all Breezes resorts, everything is included in the price and tipping is not allowed.

Breezes Curacao welcomes singles, couples and families with children of all ages.

Resort at Singer Island…

Distinctive residential sophistication and chic contemporary style meet on the tranquil white sands of Singer Island. Set amidst the aquamarine waters of Florida’s heralded Gold Coast, The Resort at Singer Island redefines oceanside elegance – and is the newest gem in The Luxury Collection.  Savor the distinction of the hotel’s 239 one- and two-bedroom all-suite accommodations that combine classic décor with rich dark wood tones, stainless steel appliances in each kitchen, marble baths, and majestic views that are indigenous to South Florida. An 8,500-square-foot world-class spa, exquisite dining options, two sparkling pools, cabanas, and a kid’s club enrich guests’ experiences.

Atlas Exclusive Amenities:

• Full breakfast for two daily / $50 spa credit per booking / Welcome amenity
• Upgraded room category at check-in when available
• Early check-in and late check-out when available

We have 2 retail locations about 10 minutes away from the resort, and can give you great ideas for sightseeing, shopping and dining in Palm Beach County.

Holland America Culinary Arts Center

Holland America invites chefs from all around the country making them part of the guest enrichment program. While onboard, guest chefs and experts offer cooking demonstrations, tasting and hands-on cooking classes to guests.  In partnership with Food & Wine Magazine, Holland America schedule over 60 celebrated chefs and wine experts to sail in 2009. On cruises that do not have a guest chef onboard, classes and demonstration in the show kitchen are held by Holland America chefs.

A state-of-the-art “show kitchen at sea,” the Culinary Arts Centers resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. Each facility features a theater-style venue, with two large video screens to display overhead and close-up video views of food preparation, and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from the masters. Culinary demonstrations also are filmed and aired on in-stateroom televisions. Holland America Line invested more than $13 million to create and install the Culinary Arts Center facilities on each of its ships as part of a $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative.

This season Holland America Line will welcome well-known personalities
such as Captain Keith Colburn from Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch”
sailing on ms Westerdam June 7 – 14 on the Alaskan Explorer; George Duran of “Ham on the Street” on the Food Network sailing aboard ms Amsterdam Aug. 29 – Sept. 5 in Alaska; “Top Chef” contestant Richard Blaise sailing on ms Maasdam Oct. 23  & Nov. 6 in the Caribbean; and Christina Pirello of “Christina Cooks” on PBS sailing aboard ms Zuiderdam Aug. 8 – 15 in Alaska, Glacier Inside Passage cruise.

In addition to world-famous chefs, the Culinary Arts Program includes cookbook authors, as well as chocolatiers and tablescape experts.

A selection of participating chefs and experts in the continuing 2009 season include:

• Oliver Reschreiter, executive chef at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., sailing on ms Ryndam June 19 – 26, Alaska.

• Lee Hilson, executive chef at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., sailing on ms Oosterdam June 24 – July 6, 12 day Mediterranean Romance.

• Randy Lewis, executive chef of La Provence in Lacombe, LA., sailing on ms Noordam June 28 – July 8, 10 day Mediterranean Enchantment

• Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the “Ultimate” cookbook series sailing on ms Prinsendam July 3 – 17, British Isles.

• Stewart Woodman, executive chef at Heidi’s in Minneapolis, Minn., sailing on ms Maasdam July 18 – 25, Canada & New England Discovery.

• Scott Tycer, executive chef at Gravitas in Houston, Texas, sailing on ms Rotterdam Aug. 11 – 23, Baltic. (12 day Scandinavia & Russia Adventure)

• Olga Krasnoff, Designer/Writer/Lecturer of Tabletop Landscapes, San Diego, sailing on ms Eurodam Aug. 27 -Sept. 6, 10 day Colors of Canada & New England.

• David McMillan, corporate executive chef of Consilient Restaurants, Dallas,  sailing on ms Prinsendam Sept. 6 – 20, Western Europe. (14 day European Tapestry)

• Ryan Hardy, executive chef of Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., sailing on ms Rotterdam Oct. 3 — 17, Mediterranean.

• Jacques Torres, Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier, Owner of Jacque Torres Hudson Street, sailing on ms Oosterdam Oct. 17 – Nov. 2, Transatlantic. (16 day European Serenade)

• Maria Hines, Executive Chef of Tilth in Seattle, Wash., sailing on ms Zuiderdam Oct. 24 – Nov. 3, Panama Canal Sunfarer

Bruce Weinstein & Mark Scarbrough, Authors of “Ultimate” cookbook series, sailing on ms Veendam – Nov 19, South America Explorer.

Giada’s Italian Holiday

Did anyone catch the latest episode of Giada’s travels? Giada’s Italian Holiday, a 1 hour special on the Food Network, visited the Italian cities of Venice, Parma a short stop in Perugia and ended in Rome. From glass blowing in Murano, making Parmesan cheese in Parma to sightseeing and romance in Rome, the show just gives a brief highlight of all that these cities have to offer.

We offer a great selection of tours that visit Venice and Rome, including train travel for those weary of a bus tour, but not many tours visit Parma. Parma is a beautiful Italian city known for its monuments, castles, opera and gastronomy.  Barilla pasta factory opened in Pama in 1877. The region is also well known for it’s prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano.

Globus’ Discover Italy package is a 17 day covers Northern and Southern Italy with 3 nights in the Parma region. The 10 day Buon Taste and Flavours features wine tasting, cooking classes and a full day in Parma, including a visit to the factory Giada visited, where the world famous Parmigiano Reggiano is produced. Also overnight in Perugina and enjoy a cooking lesson and chocolate tasting.

You can also stay in Venice or Florence and take a drive for the day, or we can set up a custom itinerary with private car and driver. The distance to Parma from Venice is about 104 miles. The distance between Parma and Florence is 84 miles.

Spain Vacation: Tapas! Authentic Spanish Cuisine

Tapas are canapes served day in & day out in every bar & cafe in Spain. They can be served cold or warm. You can have them as appetizers, or combine them for a full meal. Popular items for tapas are cheese, omlettes, ham, sausage, meatballs, seafood, veggies & bread.

Tapas is a tradition that is believed to have begun in the 19th century in Andalusia, where single slices of cheese or ham were used to “cover” glasses of sherry to deter flies (Spanish verb Tapar means to cover). After finishing their drink people would eat the ham or cheese. Tapas are so much a part of the culture & social scene in Spain, that they invented the verb tapear which means to go & eat tapas!

Want to experience authentic tapas in Spain? You can travel November through March on a 6 night package to Barcelona & Madrid for as low as $619 per person for the hotel, taxes & train between both cities. Or why not prepare your own Tapas in Spain on the Catacurian: Wine & Cruise of the Priorat as featured in Gourmet Magazine, May 2008?

Spanish Tapas Video 

Burt Wolf Travel

Burt Wolf to travel on a series of 10 river cruises with Avalon Waterways to raise money for PBS. All itineraries include special events and lectures conducted personally by Burt throughout the cruise such as wine tastings, introduction to architecture and classes on pairing food and wine.

Burt Wolf, the host of the public television series Travels & Traditions, invites you to join him on one of these Avalon Waterways’ river cruises.

A message from Burt Wolf:

Dear Members of Ensemble Travel Group,

I would like to personally invite your valued clients to join me as we navigate the rivers of Europe in a series of 10 cruises aboard Avalon Waterways. Together we will visit my favorite places, have a beer or a glass of wine with friends who own unusual pubs and famous vineyards, taste the regional delicacies, and generally “hangout” with my pals.

Ensemble Travel Group has been given an exclusive opportunity to sell these outstanding European programs. This is a unique chance for your clients to travel with me, see the sights, and experience the places where my television shows were filmed.

And the best part: A significant donation will be made to help support your client’s local Public Broadcasting Station.

BURT WOLF CRUISES FOR 2009
For full trip details on all of the Burt Wolf 2009 cruises, please call us at 1-800-942-3301.

TULIP TIME CRUISE
March 28 to April 5, 2009
Holland & Belgium
Cruise priced from $2,859 to $3,378 pp (plus airfare).

RHINE RIVER CRUISE
April 18 to 26, 2009
France, Germany, Holland
Cruise priced from $3,131 to $3,650 pp (plus airfare).

CRUISING THROUGH FRANCE
May 24 to June 4, 2009
Nice to Paris, France
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,959 to $4,608 (plus airfare).

CRUISING THE DANUBE
June 18 to July 1, 2009
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic
Tour/Cruise priced from $4,179 to $4,828 (plus airfare).

CRUISING THROUGH FRANCE
July 11 to 22, 2009
Paris to Nice, France
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,909 to $4,558 (plus airfare).

CRUISING THE DANUBE
July 29 to August 9, 2009
Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,799 to $4,448 (plus airfare).

CRUISING THE DANUBE
August 12 to 23, 2009
Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,799 to $4,448 (plus airfare).

RHINE RIVER CRUISE
August 22 to 30, 2009
Holland, Germany, France
Cruise priced from $3,339 to $3,988 (plus airfare).

CRUISING CENTRAL EUROPE
October 15 to 27, 2009
France, Germany, Czech Republic
Tour/Cruise priced from $3,909 to $4,558 (plus airfare).

CHRISTMAS TIME CRUISE
December 10 to 19, 2009
Austria, Germany, Czech Republic
Tour/Cruise priced from $2,934 to $3,490 (plus airfare).

ABOUT BURT WOLF
Since 1982, Burt Wolf has written and produced over 4,000 segments for Cable News Network (CNN), 800 segments for ABC (the American Broadcasting Company), 125 half-hour programs for the travel division of The Discovery Channel, 26 half hours for the Family Channel and 250 half hours for Public Broadcasting. During his 30 years as a journalist, he has written or edited more than 60 books and for a number of years authored a weekly column for The Washington Post. He has been nominated for two Cable Ace Awards and a national Emmy in connection with cultural history.

Burt’s shows have been translated into Russian, Polish, Mandarin and Korean and reach a worldwide audience in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Burt’s relaxed and personal style make both his programs and his role as “host” informative and entertaining.

INQUIRIES
The Atlas Staff, as well as the team at Burt Wolf’s office are there to answer any questions you may have prior to actually traveling on the cruise. They are equipped to answer all your questions, whether it concerns a passenger’s mobility or food allergy or even bringing children along!

Globus Tours – Food, Wine & Music Vacations

Globus recently released their 2009 brochure for Food & Wine vacations. With more than 80 years of experience, Globus can make your trip memorable & “delicious.” Travel to the vineyards of Tuscany, enjoy cheese tasting in France, learn about the story behind the baked beans of Boston, the sourdough breads of San Francisco, the sweets of Austria, and the lobsters of New England.

On a Food & Wine vacation, you’ll enjoy plenty of hands-on experiences. Take a cooking lesson that reveals the secrets of Italy’s timehonored dishes. Learn about the climate, soils, and grape varieties in France’s celebrated Bordeaux region. Indulge your senses at the Biarritz Museum of Chocolate, tour a maple sugarworks in Vermont, or find out what makes California’s sparkling wines bubble— and that’s just the beginning!

Boston Wine Festival

Boston Harbor Hotel

On Saturday, January 10, 2009, the Boston Harbor Hotel will proudly open its doors in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Boston Wine Festival – the nation’s longest running wine and food series led by Chef Daniel Bruce.

Giada’s Wine Country Weekend

Popular Food Network TV Chef Giada De Laurentiis, took her Oct. 2nd episode to the Napa/Sonoma regions. She experienced a balloon ride over the valley, olive oil tasting in St. Helena, wine tasting and biking along the country roads of Sonoma. No visit to the region is complete without going to COPIA: the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts.

Want to experience a similar trip but don’t know where to start planning?  Consider Collette’s California Wine Country package which is 7 days from $1,999 per person. The package includes 10 meals, accommodations at the Westin in San Francisco & FountainGrove Inn in Santa Rosa as well as lots of sightseeing. Highlights include a visit to Muir Woods, sightseeing in San Francisco and 4 nights in the wine country region. Enjoy lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine train, a visit to Korbel & Kendall Jackson Winter Center, walk around COPIA and enjoy free time

Globus offers a similar 8 day package San Francisco & the Wine Country.  Trip highlights include a San Francisco tour as well as a Bay cruise. In Sonoma  you visit Roche Winery, have a picnic at Viansa Winery & Italian marketplace, tour Sebastiani Vineyards, as well as food & wine pairing at Buena Vista Winery. In Napa have lunch aboard the wine train, visit Mumm, Envy Wine & COPIA. A farewell dinner is included at Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant…Prices from $1,989 per person.

“Wine to me is passion.  It’s family and friends.  It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.  Wine is art.  It’s culture.  It’s the essence of civilization and the art of living.” ~ Robert Mondavi, Autobiography, “Harvests of Joy”