Feb 2nd 2012. We are delighted to announce that the Massey Partnership is now representing the Llawnroc Hotel, one of Cornwall’s newest boutique hotels. The Llawnroc is tucked away in the peaceful little village of Gorran Haven on Cornwall’s south coast, an unspoilt and relatively undiscovered corner of Cornwall. The hotel features just 18 rooms and suites, all of which have been individually designed, some with sea views, balconies and seating areas. The chic, modern rooms are designed around comfort with crisp white sheets, fluffy towels and robes and all mod-cons including Playstations in every room!

The Gwineas Bar and Bistro are destinations in their own right attracting guests and locals alike with a menu featuring locally sourced and seasonal produce, signature cocktails and local beers including their very own Llawnroc Ale. During the Summer the terrace area comes alive with its comfy day beds and stunning views out over the green rolling countryside.

Double rooms start from £92 per night including VAT. This month the hotel is currently offerings a special Winter package which includes breakfast and dinner from just £150 per room.

Llawnroc Hotel,
Chute Lane Gorran Haven,
T AUSTELL, Cornwall PL26 6N,
Tel: 01726 843 461; www.thellawnrochotel.co.uk

One of Europe’s biggest annual winter sports event, the 13th Burton European Open, will take place in LAAX, for the 8th year in a row between 25th February and 3rd March 2012. For a week, the best snowboarders in the world - including Mark McMorris, Jamie Anderson and Kelly Clark - will return to the mountain Crap Soin Gion to share their moves with amateur riders and enjoy the best snow conditions in many years. Men, women and juniors will show off their skills in different categories of Halfpipe and Slopestyle, competing for prize money worth over £80,000.

The European Open is a unique opportunity for amateur snowboarders to achieve international attention with the sport’s main players focused on LAAX for the week. Competitors and spectators alike can train at the recently opened Freestyle Academy and enjoy LAAX’s restaurants and bars with an array of side events. Equally, visitors can hit the slopes between watching events and try out one of the resort’s four snow parks and Europe’s biggest half pipe. Friday 2nd March will see the Riders Palace Lounge transformed into a Space themed party venue and artists Trouble Andrew and Reptile Youth will give live performances at the Open’s finale on Saturday 4th.

To watch the event and try the latest on the slopes and the Freestyle Academy, stay at rocksresort from Sunday 26 February (www.rocksresort.com/en, +41 81 927 9797) with prices from £234 per person (336CHF), based on 5 people sharing a 2 bedroom apartment and staying for a week on self-catering basis.
Or stay 3 nights from Saturday 25 February at Riders Palace, rooms from £20 per person (29CHF) based on 5 people sharing a One-Eighty bunk room, accommodation only.
Flights to Zurich on easyJet, BA, SWISS & bmi – SWISS offer flights from £113 (Zurich is a 90mins transfer by train or road)

The “Festa do São Brás” is one of the oldest festivals in Bahia and Trancoso will be celebrating their patron saint from midnight on 3 February 2012. The 24-hour festival is one of the town’s greatest cultural expressions, a sign of the faith of the people of Trancoso that involves the entire village. Participants gather in a procession and sing religious songs to the sound of drums, carrying a decorated mast with the image of São Brás which is erected in front of the small white São João Batista church (Brazil’s second oldest church).

Festivities for 2012 will be similar to last year when Wilbert Das was given the prestigious title of festeiro (master of festivities), along with two other families from Trancoso, as nod to his continuous support of the community. Wilbert lent his talent to creating decorations for the party with images of religious and historic figures and colourful ribbons. He brought choreography to the Quadrado, the grassy 16th century town square of Trancoso, and painted the wooden mast alongside artist Valquer. The park-like Quadrado was filled with festivities including typical food and drink, games, and gifts – all laid on for free by Wilbert Das. Brazilian filmmaker, Cisma, was also invited to produce a documentary covering the 24 hours of the Festival, its preparations, and its historical context (viewed online at www.uxua.com)

Participate in this year’s São Brás festival: Original Travel (www.originaltravel.co.uk, 020 7978 7333) offers 2 nights in Rio de Janeiro staying at Santa Teresa Hotel and 6 nights in Trancoso at UXUA Casa with prices from £5,385 per person. Price includes breakfast at both hotels, international and internal flights, private transfers and a private one-day guide during the festival. Price valid for Sao Bras Festa though flight prices are subject to change

Translating Hotel du Vin’s ‘best of British’ brand ethics, Terre du Vin is the new line of bath luxuries created exclusively for the group by British perfumer, Lyn Harris, and her esteemed Miller Harris fragrance house.

Creating a bespoke fragrance is the ultimate luxury in perfumery and using Miller Harris’s unique skills in matching scent with setting – Terre du Vin captures all the qualities of Hotel du Vin in a rich, luxurious fragrance packed with British delights, from culinary and garden delicacies to those irresistible vices of cigars and fine wine.

The scent offers crisp notes of orange bigarade, bergamot sicily and fruity notes of grapefruit - all fused with herbs from an English feast; rosemary, sage and thyme on a base of rich vetiver Haiti and a hint of tabac noir. Lyn's style reflects her love of naturals and the delicate use of them is evident in this creation.

Said Nicola McSorley (Group Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships), “Our aim is to enhance the ultimate bathing experience and capture the DNA of our brand in a bottle. We’ve found the perfect gender-neutral balance of day and night for all seasons and an aroma that can evoke memories of good times for our guests. I sincerely hope they like it. To have worked with such a respected and classically trained perfumer and her quintessentially British brand is a great privilege.”

Launched from January 5th 2012, across all 14 Hotel du Vin properties, the Terre du Vin range comprises a shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, body lotion and soap.

Edinburgh has two very exciting new residents at the zoo - two giant pandas! Tian Tian and Yang Guang - or Sunshine and Sweetie - have been getting used to their new home in Edinburgh Zoo since arriving from China on December 4

Malmaison Edinburgh have put together a great panda pacakge, giving guests the opportunity to visit Edinburgh Zoo and meet the new arrivals. Set in 82 acres of sloping parkland, the Zoo is situated three miles to the west of Edinburgh city centre. Apart from getting close to over 1,000 rare and endangered animals,you can experience a busy programme of educational events and activities including hands-on animal encounters!

The pacakge is from £160 per room inclusive of overnight accommodation, full Scottish breakfast and two admission tickets to Edinburgh Zoo, an Airport Bus Pass which goes from the city center ands stops at the Zoo and admission to a total of another 29 Edinburgh attractions.

On 29th February, Crillon le Brave reopens its doors for 2012, and to see in the new season is offering 50% off all rooms until 1st April 2012. At 50% off, bedrooms start at £104 per night and the top bedrooms and suites will never be more affordable.

Tucked away in a little known area of Provence, Crillon le Brave is the ultimate escape just 30mins from Avignon in the heart of the Cote du Rhone wine region. Formed from a collection of seven medieval houses, the hotel resides in a hilltop village with commanding views over the surrounding vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields and the majestic Mount Ventoux – gateway to the Alps.

The cobbled alleyways, bridges and hidden courtyards lead guests to terraces, dining area and outdoor pool whilst the nearby sleepy villages entice with farmers’ and antiques markets. Life is slow and the delight of jumping on one of the hotel’s bicycles exploring the countryside is therapy in itself. Guestrooms and suites are decorated in soothing chalky hues with some featuring giant freestanding baths.

Prices are from £104 per room/night (€125) on a room-only basis. Offer valid throughout March (hotel open between Wed– Sun (4 nights) during March). All food, drink and other hotel services are charged at normal rates.

Described by Kirsty Allsop as the 'crack cocaine of craft' Lou Gardiner is bringing her stunning brand of machine embroidery to Bedruthan Steps this year.

Having recently been offered a place to exhibit at Space at COLLECT at the Saatchi Gallery in May, superstitcher Lou is at the cutting edge of craft design.

Lou with guide and show you how to draw with your sewing machine,and you will go home with your own machine embroidered picture. For more information about the break click here.

20th - 22nd April & 6th - 8th July from £324 per person for a 2 night break including lunch both days and a three course meal on both evenings.

Food lovers will know there is nothing more satisfying than eating the fruits of your own labour, which is why Hell Bay on Bryher in the Isles of Scilly has come up with a Wild Food Foraging Break. The package includes six diverse foraging walks across these untamed islands, where an abundance of wild seasonal foods grow , talk about a free lunch!

Led by Wild Food expert Rachel Lambert, who is well known for her knowledge of the countryside, participants can be sure to find a feast of unique and rare plants which they will take back to the hotel�s restaurant. Here the experience continues with Head Chef, Glenn Gatland, using the best of the wild seasonal tastes to produce an elegant, mouth-watering dinner.

Each day guests have the option to join one or two leisurely walks where they'll discover the secrets of wild food across the Scillies, take in the views and forage for their dinner.

New autumn dates are imminent, running October 13 - 17, 2011 or book ahead for next spring, running April 21 - 25, 2012.

Trips cost �865pp, including 4 nights at Hell Bay with return helicopter flights, dinner, bed & breakfast, 6 wild food walks, entry to famous Abbey Gardens and boat excursions throughout. Book on: 01720 422947

Leading luxury eco destination, the Scarlet Spa in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall has launched a set of authentic personalised Ayurvedic wellbeing programmes to get the mind and body back on track.