The 12 ways of Orient-Express this holiday season

November 11, 8:23 PMInternational Travel ExaminerRita Cook

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Keswick Hall, Charlottesville, Virginia

Brandman Agency

Some seek the quintessential holiday experience, some look for a new spin on an old favorite, and others look to redefine the season altogether. With delightfully exceptional experiences awaiting at each Orient-Express Hotel worldwide, any kind of traveler will enjoy his or her time at these hotels, on any day of the holiday season.  www.orient-express.com

A Partridge in a Pear Tree - The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Maryland

Indulge in the harvest feast at The Inn at Perry Cabin, where the ‘partridge’ is replaced by a scrumptious turkey and the ‘pear tree’ a towering linden tree. The Inn’s Thanksgiving package includes luxury accommodations, daily a la carte breakfast for two in the award-winning Sherwood’s Landing restaurant, complimentary high-speed internet access, daily newspaper, and access to the Linden Spa. The spa, named for the Linden trees lining the hotel driveway, focuses on the botanical art of wellness, harnessing the healing powers of local plants and herbs to rouse guests from even the deepest of turkey-induced tryptophan dazes. Package rates from $405 per room, per night. Two night minimum. Valid November 25 – 28, 2009.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve packages also available as well as holiday activities such as Midnight Madness in St. Michaels. For more information, visit www.perrycabin.com.

Two Turtle Doves - Las Casitas del Colca, Colca Canyon, Peru

Slightly larger than turtle doves, but no less impressive are the majestic condors that call the Colca Valley their home.  Guests of Las Casitas del Colca in Peru can visit the nearby Cruz del Condor to witness these spectacular birds in their natural habitat.  Half-day and full-day trips can be organized for guests.  These excursions take guests to the Cruz early in the morning to witness the magnificent birds rising on the warm air currents.  Then, guests have the opportunity to visit Priest’s Cross and hike along an extinguished volcano crater, through cactus forests and a magnificent lagoon, home to many more species of birds.  Brunch is served after guests have returned from the crater.  Following brunch, guests can return to Las Casitas del Colca or continue on to the Sabancaya Ravine for a four-hour trek of the area. Rates from $500* per person, per night.

For more information on how to plan an adventurous holiday escape to Las Casitas del Colca, visit www.lascasitasdelcolca.com.

Three French Hens - La Samanna, St. Martin, French West Indies

An iconic Caribbean escape nestled on a secluded beach on the French side of St. Martin, La Samanna will reopen in November (after seasonal close) with three major enhancements: A new chef; an expanded wine cellar; and a revamped spa. Celebrated French chef René Bajeux takes the reigns as La Samanna’s Executive Chef, creating new menus for all outlets, including room service, and growing his own chef’s garden to be used for meal preparations. Already known as one of the finest and most extensive wine cellars in the Caribbean, La Cave will now offer an exclusive dining setting for private nightly dinners, as well as “The Chef’s Table,” a weekly dinner with wine pairings for a maximum of ten discerning guests. La Samanna Spa, formerly Elysées Spa, has been completely renovated and will offer a new line of products for treatments – Sisley. For guests looking for a taste of culture and some holiday warmth, the pristine beaches of St. Martin beckon. Rates from $995 per room, per night.

For more information on the La Samanna and its three French “amends,” visit www.lasamanna.com.

Four Calling Birds - Keswick Hall, Charlottesville, Virginia

If it is a traditional family Christmas gathering that calls, the charming Keswick Hall offers a magical holiday with fun filled activities for every member of the family. Fill the days exploring the 600-acre estate, seeking out the 80 different bird species which reside in Keswick’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certified grounds (those that haven’t already migrated to the warmer regions of the South, that is). Or stay out of the cold and cozy up inside by the wood burning fireplaces getting into the spirit with a variety of holiday festivities such as the annual tree lighting with Santa and his sleigh, gingerbread house building and roasting chestnuts and homemade s’mores. The Christmas at Keswick Hall package includes luxury accommodations, daily Continental breakfast for two, Christmas dinner for two, Club amenities, complimentary internet access, and daily newspaper.  Package rates from $385 per room, per night. Valid December 20 – 26, 2009.

Thanksgiving and New Year’s packages also available. For more information and details on the holiday festivities, visit www.keswick.com.

Five Golden Rings - Casa de Sierra Nevada, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Only one and a half blocks from Casa de Sierra Nevada hotel, the main city square of San Miguel de Allende is an epicenter of Mexican culture and artisan goods. During colonial days, San Miguel, then called San Miguel El Grande, was one of the wealthiest towns in silver-rich new Spain. During this season’s holiday shopping, upgrade by purchasing a one-of-a-kind piece of artisan gold jewelry for a loved one (or, with Peso-US Dollar conversion at wallet-pleasing rates, buy five!). Guests can retreat to the luxurious suites of Casa de Sierra Nevada without ever feeling like they have left the spirit of the town. The hotel, made up of six Colonial mansions, is integrated into the town itself, making for an experience akin to living in a beautiful, historic apartment. Rates from $255* per room, per night.

For more information, visit www.casadesierranevada.com.

Six Geese A-Laying - Reid’s Palace, Madeira, Portugal

Reid’s Palace guests can spice up their New Year’s celebrations by ringing in 2010 with an exquisite six-course meal offered at the resort’s restaurant, accompanied by the world-famous Funchal fireworks display. To ring in the New Year in style, the New Year Celebration package is available with nightly accommodations, roundtrip airport transfers in a limousine, daily buffet breakfast, one bottle of champagne per room, one afternoon tea service on the Tea Terrace, and one Gala dinner, per person, served on December 31, 2009 (including a selection of red and white wines).

Package rates from $1,045* per room, per night. Seven night minimum stay. Valid for arrivals on December 25 – 31, 2009.

For more information, visit www.reidspalace.com.

Seven Swans A-Swimming - Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia

Travelers appreciative of the classical ballet “Swan Lake” can experience a taste of the famous show at Grand Hotel Europe’s Tchaikovsky Nights at its L’Europe Restaurant. Every Friday night, this special performance features timeless melodies of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky presented by a 13-piece symphonic orchestra and the White adagio ballet segment from the famous “Swan Lake,” performed by a variety of local St. Petersburg ballet dancers. Grand Hotel Europe is a historical landmark dating from 1824 and is situated in the heart of St. Petersburg. The hotel is centrally located across from the Shostakovich Philharmonic, next to the Russian Museum and the Moussorgsky opera and ballet theater, and within walking distance of the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace Square. Rates from $764* per room, per night.

For more information, visit www.grandhoteleurope.com.

Eight Maids A-Milking - La Résidence d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

This October, La Résidence d’Angkor opens eight new luxury suites in a new wing of the boutique city resort, so guests can milk the luxury of Asia for all its worth just in time for the holiday season. Four “Spa Suites” and four “La Résidence Suites,” respectively over 1,080 and 970 square feet each, feature a large bedroom with a flat screen satellite television. Sliding opaque glass doors lead into a spacious bathroom with an enamel free-standing bathtub, separate walk-in rain shower, dual basins, dressing and storage areas. Spa Suites include a private 290 square foot external garden terrace, whereas La Résidence Suites are located on the second floor, each with its own large private balcony or terrace. Channel the Parker family from the 1983 movie, “A Christmas Story” by going the unconventional route for Christmas dinner and visiting the hotel’s Asian Fine Dining Restaurant for a turkey alternative. Holiday rates for Spa Suites from $642 per room, per night. Holiday rates for La Résidence Suites from $548 per room, per night.

For more information, visit www.residencedangkor.com.

Nine Ladies Dancing - Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Copacabana Palace’s new Bar do Copa boasts a busy live music calendar Wednesday through Saturday, including its own resident performers, the Copa Jam Band, performing classic and contemporary Brazilian music with a mix of international jazz and pop. After warming up with a few signature cocktails, take a stroll down the Bar do Copa’s bronze walkway and onto the large golden dance floor to try a hand at Brazil’s most famous dance, the Samba.  While in Rio for the holidays, there is no better place to ring in the New Year than at the Copacabana’s legendary New Years Eve Party. Enjoy dinner at the Cipriani or Pergula restaurants, followed by dinner and dancing and a prime view of the Copacabana Beach fireworks at midnight. Five-night New Year’s accommodation packages are available from $4,600&*.   Prices for New Year’s event tickets start at $820* per person.

For more information, visit www.copacabanapalace.com.

Ten Lords A-Leaping - Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, Katoomba, Australia

Forget flying reindeer – who needs Rudolph when the leaping lords of Oz await at Lilianfels Blue Mountains Hotel? Leave the mittens at home and head down under for a warmer holiday season. Guests of Lilianfels are sure to spot the national symbol of Australia gallivanting throughout this picturesque mountain region.  The resort can arrange excursions from simple bushwalks to mountain biking, repelling and Harley Davidson tours.  Excursions range from a few hours to full day tours and can be arranged through the hotel’s concierge. Rates from $334* per room, per night.

For more information, visit www.lilianfels.com.au.

Eleven Pipers Piping - Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston Place, South Carolina

Nix the season’s traditional songs with a visit to Charleston Place Hotel, where the Charleston Grill features live jazz nightly. The Christmas Celebration package includes luxury accommodations, two tickets to the Christmas Day Culinary Celebration, a $50 Gift Card for use in any of the hotel’s restaurants, high-speed internet access, and a complimentary daily newspaper. The child within will appreciate the miniature replica of an Orient-Express train set between the hotel’s signature Georgian open-arm staircase, a custom-design for Charleston Place complete with smokestack, whistle, and other true-to-life particulars, which covers more than 300 feet of track and travels at average scale speeds of 70 MPH. Package rates from $325 per room, per night. Three night minimum stay.

Thanksgiving rates and Celebrate with Savings package with 40 percent off a third night are also available. For more information, visit www.charlestonplace.com

Twelve Drummers Drumming - Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxford, England

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons’ guests can enjoy drummers drumming at its Society Jazz Quartet performance with music from decades past. At the two-night house party at Le Manoir, a combination of live music, dancing, and exquisite food and wine will help ring in 2010 with exceptional style. Le Réveillon – New Year Celebration Package is the 25th annual holiday package offered at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons for the 2010 celebrations. The celebration begins on December 30 with a champagne reception followed by live music from New Hot Cross Trio and dinner. To ring in the New Year, the hotel has arranged for a Gala Dinner the night of December 31, accompanied by live music from The Society Jazz Quartet – performing music from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s – followed by the dance band The Choice, performing major hits from all musical styles. New Year’s Day will be celebrated with a lavish breakfast brunch.

The package includes a two-day stay arriving on December 30, 2009, departing January 1, 2010. Package rates from $1,491* per person.

For more information, visit www.manoir.com.
 

* All rates subject to taxes and service charges. Restrictions may apply.

Orient-Express, (NYSE: OEH, www.orient-express.com) the name behind an elite collection of travel experiences, first came into being in 1883 as one of the world’s most exciting and indulgent train journeys.  Today those same two evocative words also embrace hotels, cruises and other luxury rail adventures in 25 countries, across five continents.  The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it first purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly afterwards, recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities.  Today, the company owns or part-owns and manages 49 businesses, 39 of which are highly acclaimed hotels, each unique in style, from the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and Rio’s Copacabana Palace, to the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg and Maroma Resort & Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.  There are two restaurants, including ‘21’ in New York, two river cruise operations and six luxury trains.