We are delighted to be looking after Press for new restaurant Cafe Luc

Cafe Luc opened in June 2010 in the heart of Marylebone and is owned and run by Julie van Oostende and her partner Laurent, overseen by Julie's father, the well known Belgian restaurateur Luc van Oostende after whom the restaurant is named. The beautifully renovated Victorian property Marylebone is a modern European brasserie, a vibrant, friendly dining room and bar open all day for breakfast, brunch, lunch afternoon tea and dinner.

With a fabulous menu of modern european and belgian delights - Cafe Luc is the ideal stop off at any time of the day, and a great place to refuel for a day's shopping on Marylebone High Street! On weekends, with the windows opens and sunlight streaming in, there are few prettier places for a lazy brunch with friends or family ( and we can confirm that their full english is spot on!)

To celebrate their new opening Cafe Luc will be holding a £1 Meal sale. There will be 10 £1 meals each day from 7th August to 7th September, but be quick - they will be snapped up! Sign up at www.cafeluc.com for all the details and to book.

The Hoxton has added to their 205 rooms with three brand new unique additions!

For almost 4 years the hotel's handyman had enjoyed use of a huge room on the top floor - but unfortunately for him, and fortunately for us, the hotel saw the potential to expand into this amazing space! They sent out a brief to a number of hand picked designers to create their own unique rooms at The Hoxton, the commission was to create room that fused the line between East London edge and Urban Lodge warmth, creating a welcoming hotel room that maintained that Hoxton cool.

They then chose their favourite 3 designers, Project Orange , Suzy Hoodless and Adrian Kilby of The Formation, who have produced their own individual rooms, each very different, each with their own direction and feel. Guests will be able to stay in the rooms and leave their feedback, and from those the top room will be picked, and the best features will be used in the new rooms when the Hoxton expands in the future.

Rooms will be available to the public, at regular prices of £1 upwards from September

Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall has introduced a wonderful new course this autumn - bee keeping!

The Bedruthan Introduction to Bee keeping course will give everyone, including complete beginners, the confidence and skills to keep healthy, productive honey bees.

They have teamed up with Henry J Kendall, an expert bee keeping with many years experience, who runs the Cornwall Bee keeping Society. On the course you will get personal attention and advice - and lots of time actually working with the bees!

If Bee Keeping does not appeal why not try Willow Weaving, Bread Making and an introduction the english Apple? Learn about about the huge variety of taste and texture of local apples and learn to identify many varieties from the scented Early Bower to the Sweet Merlin.

Guests will also learn about the history of willow weaving and try their hand at practical techniques of Cornish Willow weaving by creating their own harvest platter or willow decoration.

The weekend break will be completed with a Sunday morning baking session with a local master baker! Guests have the opportunity to knead, prove and bake in this introduction to breadmaking

This three night weekend break will be running on the 8th-10th October and the 19th-21st November. The cost is £261 for 3 nights and £209 for 2 nights per person for dinner, bed and breakfast, based on two sharing a double or twin room.

Follow in the footsteps of the greats and play on St Andrews this summer with Your Golf Travel.

Your Golf Travel are offering an amazing chance to emulate Louis Oosthuizen and play on the Old Course at St Andrews in this wonderful deal!

• 1 night bed & breakfast in the 5* 'The Old Course Hotel'
• 1 round of golf on the Old Course
• 1 round on the Dukes Course
• Full use of the hotel's spa and leisure facilities

All this for the wonderful cost of just £225 per player! Usual cost is £1650...so that's an 85% discount! This price is available until 31st August or until sold out..

Book now at www.yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 043 6644

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PROVENCE TRUFFLE HUNTING & VENDAGES   30 Jul 2010

This Autumn Hotel Crillon le Brave is offering long weekend packages for those interested in getting involved in the wine harvest and hunting for truffles.

The Vendange package will be the first to run offering two days hands-on experience with the winemaker Paul Chaudiere at the nearby acclaimed Château Pesquié. Guests will learn the art of viniculture, deciding exactly when to harvest the grapes, and then rolling up their sleeves for the Vendanges, fermentation and blending processes, with of course wine tasting of the finished product!

The Three night course caters for a maximum of 16 participants and runs from Thursday to Sunday on: 16-19 September & 30-3 October. Prices are from £540 per person half-board (€650) based on two people sharing with all Chateau Pesquié activities and a picnic lunch included.

The Truffle Hunting weekend is a fantastic opportunity to join one of Provence’s great ‘truffiers’ as he hunts out the black Périgord truffle known locally as the ‘black diamond’. A truffle cooking demonstration is included, as is a visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a tour and tasting and the option of squeezing in a visit to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for antique shopping.

This three night break takes between 12-16 participants and again runs from Thursday to Sunday on: 28-31 October, 11-14 November & 25-28 November. Prices are from £550 per person half-board (€665) based on two people sharing with all the truffle and wine activities and a truffle lunch included.

Hotel Crillon le Brave is the perfect base to explore the wine region. Residing at the top of a hill with commanding views over the countryside, the hotel is formed from a collection of old village houses linked together by cobbled streets. Marseille is a 75mins road transfer and is served by BA, easyJet, Ryanair or Flybe.

Bookings: www.crillonlebrave.com, tel. +33 4 90 65 61 61

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DAVID THOMPSON OF NAHM LAUNCHES 'THAI STREET FOOD'   30 Jul 2010

October 2010 sees the launch of celebrated chef, David Thompson’s, next recipe book ‘Thai Street Food’.

Published by Conran Octopus and priced at £40 this beautiful book will be crammed full of traditional recipes complimented by energetic street scene and food photography.

Thai Street Food takes you on a whirlwind tour of the curry shops, stir-fry stalls and floating markets that make up the street food culture. Tracing the rhythm of the day each chapter focuses on dishes that are likely to be found at that time – Thai Cup Cakes for breakfast, Kanom jin Noodles with Fish and Wild Ginger at noon, to Sweet Roast Pork in the late evening. Its pages are full of passion and flavour and is a landmark publication that is both epic and comprehensive.

Australian-born chef David Thompson, is widely recognised as the ambassador for Thai food and culture. In July 2001 he opened nahm in London’s Halkin hotel which was the first ever Thai restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star and remains the only UK Thai restaurant with a star. In September he will be opening a second nahm in central Bangkok at The Metropolitan.

Restaurant reservations: nahm London: +44 20 7333 1234 (The Halkin) nahm Bangkok: +66 2 625 3388 (The Metropolitan)

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WELLBEING WEEKENDS LAUNCH AT THE SCARLET for AUTUMN   30 Jul 2010

Eco sensation The Scarlet hotel has teamed up with long time friend and mentor, Nick Baylis – a psychotherapist at Cambridge University - to offer a series of life improving breaks that ‘Apply the skills of Wellbeing’.

The aim is to share the ways in which our lives can be brought into better balance and encompass social, emotional, intellectual and physical ‘good health’.

The Scarlet team first worked with Nick when contemplating how the hotel could best care for the wellbeing of its guests and provide an escape where life could be put into perspective and where people would come to find balance through sharing laughter and time together.

3 or 5-day long breaks give guests a chance to compare notes on how they are leading their lives and how they can bring it into a gentler balance and thereby add depth, breadth and colour to their relationship with life. Guests will learn how to overcome fears and negative habits (emotional, physical or interpersonal) and how to nurture passions and renew friendships. In short, The Scarlet Wellbeing Breaks are about discovering how to fall back in love with life and continually refresh and enhance that relationship. New dates coming for November and the New Year.

Rates start at £655 full board, per person (for two sharing)

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AUTUMN BIRD MIGRATION AT HELL BAY   30 Jul 2010

Vast skies, white sand beaches, wildflowers and soaring seabirds – all found on a God-given spot on the edge of the Atlantic: Bryher.

A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this wild and untamed isle is at its most awesome during early autumn when the wildlife is in unparalleled abundance.

Visitors will spot seal pups clambering ashore, pods of Porpoise, dolphins and even whales taking respite in neighbouring waters and the odd Puffin squawking on a craggy islet. But best of all – as any ornithologist will tell you – is the sighting of rare migrating birds as they make their seasonal long-haul journey. Famous for migrants such as raptors, waders, warblers, pipits and wagtails – Bryher is twitcher’s paradise, with the handsome Hell Bay hotel at the heart of it.

Staying in its beautiful New England styled, Atlantic facing suites – avid bird-watchers and beginners alike are invited to join a 5-night Autumn Migration Break, led by professional Ornithologist, David Rosair. Boat excursions to the outer islands and access to the famous Abbey Gardens and the Great Pool on Tresco will guarantee some great sightings, after which it’s back to base for a little alfresco dining (on the freshest seafood catch) and unwinding.

Costing from £895pp, including 5 nights’ half board accommodation with boat excursions to the outer islands, entrance to the famous Abbey Gardens and guided tours throughout.

Running Sept 25th – Oct 5th 2010. Contact David, at Island Ventures: 01227 793501; drosair@aol.com

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MALMAISON SUMMER SALE   30 Jul 2010

Choose from one of twelve luxury boutique hotels in the UK, perfect for stylish city breaks or business trips. Enjoy fantastic locally sourced food in the brasserie, fine wine and cocktails in the bar, then head to your room or suite to enjoy luxuries including a power shower and toiletries to take home. That's Mal Life!

Special summer rates of £79 room only or £99 eats, drinks and sleeps (excluding breakfast)

Available from 18th July to 5th Sept 2010. To book please call: 0845 365 4247

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A TASTE OF YORKSHIRE   30 Jul 2010

Discover a Taste of Yorkshire with Hotel du Vin Harrogate

A 2-NIGHT WEEKEND ESCAPE: with a night at Hotel du Vin York and a night at Hotel du Vin Harrogate costs £198 PP based on two people sharing a Superior Room. That's £396 for two people SAVING OVER £150!

What better way to see Yorkshire than from two of the best hotels in the County? Both hotels are ideally located in the heart of the town. Hotel du Vin York is in an area known as the Mount; the grade II listed building dates back to the early 19th Century. York is renowned for its stunning architecture, quaint cobbled streets and iconic Minster. There are many attractions to explore such as the York Dungeon, rail and air museums and numerous Art galleries. York is also home to the Knavesmire Racecourse if you wish to try your luck on the horses.

Hotel du Vin Harrogate is located opposite the famous 200 acre common stray, the hotel is made up of eight Georgian town houses. The historic Spa town has lots to offer from its ancient architecture and stunning public gardens to numerous privately owned, boutique shops, bars and restaurants. Just beyond the town is truly stunning Yorkshire Countryside if the hustle and bustle of the town gets too much.

The package includes 2 nights bed and breakfast with a three course dinner at both hotels and a bottle of wine on arrival at the first hotel. The price also includes two 1-day Yorkshire Passes (free entry to the top 70 attractions in the County).

Offer running indefinitely; to book your first night in York, call 01904 557362, quoting 'Slice of Yorkshire' OR to book your first night in Harrogate, call 01423 856805. (Subject to availability)

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