Destinations – Page 10

Canada’s billion-dollar casino announces grand opening

June 9, 2023 No Comments

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto officially opens June 20, 2023.

This landmark development will revolutionize Toronto’s entertainment landscape, creating an exhilarating experience for gaming enthusiasts and entertainment lovers alike.

With transformative architecture, the new, modern Great Canadian Toronto encompasses a staggering 328,000 square feet of gaming space, including more than 4,800 slot machines and 145 table games, solidifying its position as the largest casino in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

With an unparalleled variety of gaming experiences, exclusive VIP rooms, and state-of-the-art sports betting kiosks, Great Canadian Toronto promises an entertainment experience like no other.

A Vegas-style casino in Canada

Situated adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack, this all-encompassing resort will seamlessly integrate a modern, Vegas-style casino, a 400-room hotel, 5,000-person live entertainment venue, and an array of exceptional on-site dining options.

Great Canadian Toronto will deliver superior gaming, entertainment, and hospitality experiences, all within its impressive 33-acre domain, conveniently located near the interchange of Highways 401 and 427.

Casino Woodbine will continue to operate without any interruption until the grand debut of the new Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. This seamless transition ensures that guests will continue to enjoy gaming experiences until the new facility opens.

5 reasons to visit Cappadocia at least once

June 5, 2023 No Comments

Cappadocia is one of the most breathtaking regions in Türkiye, attracting tourists with its breathtaking natural beauty and historical locations.

This ‘fairy-tale region’ offers a unique experience every season with its cave hotels, colourful hot-air balloons, peculiar cultural stops, and thousands of years old viticulture and pottery-making heritage. Here are five reasons why you should not miss a trip to Cappadocia.

Fairy Chimneys: The Symbol of Cappadocia

‘Fairy Chimneys’ are ancient rock formations that are emblematic of Cappadocia, and can be spotted from anywhere in the region. The finest examples of fairy chimneys are in Paşabağ, where their conical bodies with ‘hats’ are formed of hard rocks.

The best way to experience the breathtaking view of these rock formations is from a hot-air balloon. As the balloon gently ascends at sunrise, you will have the chance to see the spectacular valleys of Cappadocia beneath your feet.

Choose your room in the cave hotels

Staying in a ‘cave hotel’ is one of the most unforgettable experiences that Cappadocia offers its visitors. The unique architecture and design of the cave hotels adds a charm to the place, making it a must-visit destination for travellers. Watching the sunset while sipping your coffee in these hotels, where the historical and natural textures of the region blend with modern luxury, will make your Cappadocia trip unforgettable.

Magnificent underground cities that take you back in time

Cappadocia is home to significant remnants dating from the Hittites of the second millennium BCE to the continuing dwelling of civilisations.

Göreme Open Air Museum, on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1985, is remarkable for its sacred sites carved into the rocks and frescoes depicting significant scenes from early Christianity.

The underground cities are in fact the main attraction that make trips to Cappadocia indeed spectacular. Originating from the seventh and eighth centuries AD, the underground cities were used by the early Christians to openly worship.

The cities of Kaymaklı, Derinkuyu, Özkonak, and Mazı have survived for decades and take you back in time, offering a look how the people in these underground cities lived, with their tunnels, rooms, barns, wine cellars, dining halls, churches, and food warehouses. The Gomeda Valley, stretching along the Üzengi River, contains churches carved into rocks, dovecotes, vines, and an underground city. The ‘Three Beauties,’ which are three adjacent fairy chimneys defined as ‘the father, mother, and kid’ at Ortahisar Castle and Ürgüp district, are also must-see spots in Cappadocia.

World-renowned hot-air balloon tours

One of the most popular activities to do in Cappadocia is definitely a hot-air balloon tour. However, your options for adventures in this beautiful city are endless. Off-road safari experiences allow a closer look at the region’s valleys, rock settlements, and fairy chimneys. Exciting hiking trails are perfect if you want to explore Cappadocia on foot.

This region is also known as the ‘land of beautiful horses,’ where you can explore the area riding horses familiar with the territory. Pottery is another unique experience that Cappadocia offers to its visitors, who can attend a pottery workshop in Avanos, which is famous for its soft and oily clay that comes from the riverbeds of Kızılırmak.

Unique Gastronomy Experiences

Cappadocia, where local delicacies turn even the most ordinary meal into a ‘feast,’ is a famous attraction for gourmet travellers.

Testi kebabı is a must-try delicacy of Cappadocia cuisine, which is rich in recipes prepared with vegetables and fruits that are grown in the region’s fertile lands. Other regional specialities include apricot stew, rice pudding with turmeric, Nevşehir mantısı (a type of ravioli), and clotted cream.

Cappadocia also has a deep-rooted winemaking heritage that dates back thousands of years, and wines made from endemic local grapes are a must have!

Desert oasis opens in the United Arab Emirates

June 2, 2023 No Comments

For travellers seeking unparalleled opulence in true Emirati style, the desert oasis of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the United Arab Emirates is now offering the chance to stay in complete privacy amid the dunes at the all-new four-bedroom Sahra Villa and two-bedroom Al Sarab Villa complete with its own private majlis.

Located a few minutes’ drive from the resort in a secluded area offering unobstructed views of the fiery-red dunes of the Empty Quarter, both villas are part of the exclusive villa compound designed to offer utmost privacy and discrete service.

The 5,263 square-foot Sahra Villa is a palatial hide-away furnished in noble hues that can accommodate up to eight adults in its master bedroom and three twin bedrooms, each with their own private terrace. The villa also boasts a private swimming pool with a cabana and sprawling indoor and outdoor living spaces including a magnificent terrace.

In addition to two elegant bedrooms accommodating a maximum of four guests, the lavish villa comes with ample space to entertain both indoors and outdoors, including a grand reception majlis and a fireplace to enjoy starry desert nights.

On the outdoor terrace, a dining table sits alongside a fully equipped barbecue area, with sun loungers circling a private pool overlooking the dunes.

Guests staying at Al Sarab Villa can also choose to book the private majlis situated in a separate building close by, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows maximising the natural light. Warm and inviting, the space is designed for entertaining in true Emirati style amid contemporary Arabian design and artworks, with a team of butlers on hand to attend to every need.

With a seating capacity of up to 20 guests indoors and an additional outdoor entertainment area, the sumptuously appointed majlis is ideal for private events and get-togethers.

In addition to having access to all the comforts of the luxury accommodation, guests staying in villas belonging to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara’s Exclusive Villa Collection can enjoy 24/7 dedicated personal butler attention, a private entrance with shaded parking, Apple TV, Nespresso machines, pillow and soap menus, and other exclusive amenities.

Corporate groups looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city can revel in the resort’s new ultra-secluded villas and experience a tranquil destination that blends Arabian heritage with desert zen, for gatherings, workshops, and soul-soothing retreats. As well as the ultimate luxurious accommodation, groups can expect personal butler service and international gourmet cuisine from the resort’s multiple dining destinations.

For reservations, visit https://www.anantara.com/en/qasr-al-sarab-abu-dhabi/villas.

5 things to do in Israel this summer

May 31, 2023 No Comments

With tourist numbers exceeding 2019 statistics by 22 per cent, Israel is one of the hottest destinations to visit this summer.. As you think of your next vacation, Israel offers the ideal package – diverse landscapes, bustling culinary scene, and great weather.

Here are six recommendations from a much longer list of well known attractions and unique experiences for this summer:

1. Jerusalem

Take the high-speed train for a 25-minute door-to-door ride or experience a Sherut (shared taxi shuttle) straight to Jerusalem.

Drop off your bags and head straight to Jaffa Gate of “The Old City” and take a walking tour of Jerusalem’sdistinct 4 quarters – experience the Arab market that winds its way through the ancient walled city. It is recognized as a key UNESCO World Heritage site, where thousands of years of glorious history seamlessly intertwine with modern day life.

At the same time, the city’s strikingly modern attractions promise around the clock excitement and pleasure for all lovers of culture, arts, music, and culinary delights. Whether simply for the cultural experience, history & archaeology, street food bites exploration, or to experience true religious pilgrimage, Jerusalem offers something for everyone.

2. Israel National Parks Authority

Whether fans of history and archaeology, or simply to connect with the diverse geography and topography presented throughout Israel.

Hikers, mountain bikers, bird watchers, rock climbers, jeep safari or camel riders, and those choosing to simply connect with nature and camp under the stars. One of the major projects is The Ancient Sussita (Hyppos) archeological site, recently reopened to the public.

3. Culinary journey

From the vast array of street food inspired by ethnic flavors, or international fast-food chains, to larger culinary hot spots where innovative Israeli chefs are making their mark.

Where to eat is part of the buzz factor generated by the local population and for visiting tourists.

Most consider Tel Aviv as the food capital of Israel with its over 4,000 eating establishments just in greater Tel Aviv to choose from. As for line-ups around the block, in 2011, Israeli Chef Eyal Shani added another to that growing number. Miznon was opened in Tel Aviv, and in 2023, Miznon expanded into Canada’s upscale Yorkville, Toronto neighborhood location. Miznon is known to be a strong supporter of fresh local farm-to-table ingredients to create a new kind of Mediterranean street food experience, even in Toronto. Grabbing a connection to Israel via a unique Israeli inspired experience does work to inspire culinary foodie travel to the places where it originated.

4. Taste a non-Scottish single malt

In an off-the-beaten-path commercial building on the edge of Tel Aviv sits M+H (Milk & Honey) Distillery.

One of their popular spirits, M&H Elements Sherry, was recently voted the world’s best single malt whisky at by the 2023 World Whiskies Awards.

It is made using the finest sherry and ex-bourbon casks and is crafted with great care and attention to detail. The M&H Elements Sherry is the first and only single malt whisky in the world, aged in kosher sherry casks. This single malt reveals robust flavors of red fruit, dark chocolate, and oaky notes. M+H products are available at fine liquor merchants across Canada and around the globe.

5. Mediterranean Cruising

For centuries the Mediterranean coastline of Israel has been the landing spot for travellers and even conquerors. From biblical times to the Knights of the Crusades and centuries onward including Emperor Napoleon, Israel has been a hugely desired destination for all sorts of cruises. There is a growing popularity to explore the new nautical and land frontier for enriched travel.

Major international cruise companies landing or sailing from Israel’s two cruise ship ports at Haifa or Ashdod, offer pre-cruise and post-cruise options for multi-day or shorter tours. Such opportunities draw on carefully designed itineraries specially crafted to highlight the natural beauty and spectacular culture and uniqueness of Israel.

A new luxurious clamping experience just opened in Tibet

May 29, 2023 No Comments

Songtsam, a collection of boutique luxury Hotels, Resorts & Destination Management Company in the Tibet & Yunnan Provinces of China, announced the official opening of Songtsam Glamping Palpa, its first glamping property in Tibet.

Located in Baiba Village (home to just 37 houses) situated on the Niyang River in Nyingchi, the glamping property provides guests with a luxury outdoor camping experience, where they are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests and pastures.

Accommodations

Songtsam Glamping Palpa has 30 accommodation tents, four dining tents and 1 public leisure tent. All tents in the camp are made of Tentipi, the top outdoor brand in Nordic. Tentipi tents have a unique patented ventilation design which features an opening and closing of the top ventilation cap that can also be adjusted according to the weather conditions, the wind resistant level can reach to level nine.

Accommodation tents

Aurum33 is a Swedish-made tent that reaches 33m² (approx. 355ft²), which ensures that guests never feel constrained inside.

Each tent is equipped with an outdoor table and two outdoor chairs on the balcony outside the tent, a private bathroom, 24 hours of continuous hot water, an exquisite copper wash basin, and the toilet not only automatically flushes, but also has heating and other functions.

Each tent is also equipped with a camping night light on the bedside table, a B&O portable Bluetooth speaker, multiple charging sockets, textured brass switches, matcha-colored soft leather sofas, Lhasa handmade wool carpets, and cozy bedding.

Dining tents

The four dining tents in Songtsam Glamping Palpa are the first four S72 (Stratus 72) tents in all of China. The S72 can accommodate up to 72 people dining at the same time. When the S72 is stretched open, it looks like a witch hat, earning the nickname “witch hat”.

The “witch hat” is known for its flexibility, allowing several tents to be set up together. The dishes served by the restaurant are all freshly prepared locally Tibetan ingredients including: fresh yak meat served with wild bamboo shoots and spices and local wild agera leaves; the steaming yak meat hot pot and the yak meat sashimi.

The camp also provides free afternoon tea, and welcomes guests to sit under a hawthorn tree, while tasting well-paired snacks and refreshments.

Activities

Songtsam Glamping Palpa has unique natural conditions and provides rich soil for adventurous outdoor activities.

Most of the villagers living in Baiba Village are Gongbu Tibetans. Guests are able to learn how to shoot a Gongbu sound arrow, and experience the daily life of “Gongbu people”, which has lasted for thousands of years.

In Tibet, horses are the locals’ inseparable companions. Under the guidance of professional coaches, guests can learn how to saddle and mount a horse, step by step. After proficiency in these steps, guests can also try the “Forest Ride” and explore the secrets depths of the Tibetan forest. About a 10 minute walk from Songtsam Glamping Palpa, guests will reach a flat river valley pasture where cattle graze leisurely. At dusk, guests may even encounter herdsmen milking cows.

In the coming months, more outdoor activities will be available at Songtsam Glamping Palpa, including the construction of a via ferrata (a protected climbing route), which will be the first via ferrata experience in Tibet. Other outdoor adventures soon to be added will include: rock climbing, ziplines, rafting, mountain biking, and off-road motorcycles.

See the best of Europe this summer with Four Seasons

May 24, 2023 No Comments

Which will it be? Private surf lesson in one of Lisbon’s lesser-known beach coves, an early morning hike to Budapest’s Castle District or a private cruise on Lake Como after exploring the lakeside views from behind the wheel of an Italian car?

This summer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts invites guests to explore the rich cultural, culinary and natural beauty of Europe through personalized discoveries across its iconic European properties.

Unforgettable Adventures

Stay in the heart of the city at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid to discover the local barrios (neighbourhoods) through the eyes of Leica as part of a newly launched photographic walking tour. This two-hour on foot exploration takes in every opportunity to both learn about and capture the local sights through the lens of a Leica camera, guided by a photography specialist. Four Seasons Hotel Baku is also providing guests with a unique way to discover the historical city and discover traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving. Adjoining to ancient walls and known as the “living room” of Icheri Sheher (Old City), Four Seasons Hotel Baku, is primely located to facilitate this private tour and hands-on, cultural experience under the guidance of a local skilled artisan, with the hand-woven carpet becoming a one-of-a-piece kind and a treasured keepsake for guests.

Further south in Sicily, guests at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel can embark on an adventure on the slopes of Mount Etna during a stargazing safari on a remote part of the mountain’s slopes to admire the night sky.

A Focus on Wellbeing

Venture into the wild beauty of the French Alps at Four Seasons Hotel Megève, where a guided, hillside yoga or meditation session within a geodesic dome allows guests to reset and refresh while soaking in the mountain vistas. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is also offering private yoga classes at the nearby beach in Costa da Caparica, just 30 minutes from the Hotel and a spot treasured by locals for its vast, sandy coastline that stretches for nearly 10 kilometres (6 miles). For those seeking a more adrenaline-filled activity, yoga can be swapped for a surf lesson in the same location, with each activity being followed by a lunch at a stylishly mellow, toes-in-the-sand beach bar that serves local favourites such as clams cooked in Portuguese Bulhão Pato sauce and grilled, line-caught fish from the Atlantic.

Early morning adventures go hand in hand with city-sightseeing at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest through the Buda Before Breakfast workout, where members of the Four Seasons management team accompany guests on a hike up Gellért Hill or the Buda Hills for the best city views and a chance to learn about must-visit locations during a stay in the historic city.

A Celebratory Summer

Following the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, Four Seasons UK Collection continues the wave of celebrations through a series of summer experiences designed to capture this momentous occasion. Indulge in the time-honoured British tradition of afternoon tea with the Crown Jewels Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square or celebrate summer at Bloom – the rooftop lounge in the Hotel’s elegant Crown Residence. This floral pop-up is abuzz with summer energy, offering unparalleled views over the River Thames and the city, light bites and refreshing beverages.

Alternatively, complement a discovery of the capital’s heritage with the serenity of the British countryside by combining a stay at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire as part of the properties’ Town and Country offer.

Take to the Water

From the Athens Riviera to Lake Como, cruising on the Bosphorus and the scenic shores of the Vltava River in Prague, there’s no better place for boating adventures than Europe in the summer. Depart from the jetty of Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens for a full day exploration of the famous Greek islands of Hydra and Spetses. Journeying by the award-winning Praevado power cruiser, swim in crystal waters, have lunch at a seafood taverna and enjoy harbourside shopping, before a final dip at Zogeria Bay while recounting the day’s adventures.

In Istanbul – the city where Europe and Asia connect – hop aboard the Sea Shuttle to cruise across the Bosphorus river and take in the panoramic city views across the two continents while travelling from Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet in the city’s Old Town and the sea-front, former Ottoman Palace that is Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. Also offering guests the chance to capture the city panorama from the water is Four Seasons Hotel Prague, with a river cruise along the Vltava in a charming wooden boat. Sip a glass of prosecco and enjoy breakfast, lunch or a light snack with family or friends on this scenic excursion.

For a journey that spans both land and water, Four Seasons Hotel Milan provides an exclusive opportunity to take the driver’s seat of a of a 1961 Giulietta Spider or of a Lancia Fulvia Coupè Rallye on a drive out of the city to Lake Como. Cruise top-down for unparalleled views while zipping through scenic back roads, before pulling over for lunch at a Concierge-recommended restaurant near the lake and to browse the local shops before a private afternoon cruise on Lake Como.

Destination Dining with Four Seasons Europe

Just in time for summer, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel has launched a new Nomad Dining Experience overlooking the Cap Ferrat peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea. In this picturesque setting of the Hotel’s vegetable garden, guests can savour creative dishes prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Yoric Tièche while taking in sublime views of the French Riviera. Summer is also the ideal time to visit the Versailles vegetable garden of Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, which is cultivated with the composting from Le George restaurant’s food waste. Guests will be taken from the Hotel to the garden in a Porsche electric car and will spend time with the Hotel’s Green Michelin Star chef, Simone Zanoni. Together with Simone, guests will handpick vegetables and cook them in an open-air kitchen before enjoying a picnic-style lunch on site, all while learning more about Simone’s secrets of the trade and his passion for sustainability.

By evening, stylish rooftop restaurant Izumi at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva is the ideal spot to enjoy the warm summer nights and soak up panoramic lake views, while a golden-hour dinner on the Ponte Vecchio can be arranged for guests of Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. Nestled in the heart of Florence with views over the Arno river, dine on the open-air terrace of the famous Ponte Vecchio with an unforgettable dining experience prepared by Executive Chef Paolo Lavezzini.

Air Canada now flying non-stop from Toronto to Yellowknife

May 22, 2023 No Comments

Air Canada is starting non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife in December.

The new, three-times weekly service will provide convenient connections between eastern Canada and the capital of the Northwest Territories.

Customers will also be able to seamlessly connect onward from Yellowknife on Air Canada’s interline partner, Canadian North.

Service between Toronto and Yellowknife will begin December 1, 2023, operated using Canadian-made Airbus A220 aircraft. It will be configured with 137 seats in a Business and Economy cabin, with onboard Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment systems featuring hundreds of hours of content and live TV at every seat.

Customers will be able to earn and redeem Aeroplan points and eligible customers will enjoy premium services where available, including priority boarding and baggage handling, and Maple Leaf Lounge access in Toronto.

Flight schedule

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of the Week
AC1169	Toronto 21:00	Yellowknife 23:54	Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
AC1168	Yellowknife 00:50	Toronto 7:20	Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

Daily service for Vancouver and Edmonton

The new service will complement Air Canada’s existing twice daily service between Yellowknife and Vancouver and daily service between Yellowknife and Edmonton.

Customers connecting for travel beyond Yellowknife can take advantage of Air Canada’s bilateral interline agreement with Canadian North, which allows travel on a single, through-checked ticket that includes baggage transfer.

Destinations available via Canadian North include Cambridge Bay, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Gjoa Haven, Taoloyoak and Inuvik. Customers travelling on Canadian North can also earn and redeem Aeroplan points.

Discover Utah’s dark skies and starry nights

May 17, 2023 No Comments

Utah — which prides itself on easily enabling tourists to enjoy star power in the truest sense — is now eagerly promoting a temporary disruption of celestial rays.

A state that is home to more internationally accredited dark sky parks and places than anywhere else on the planet — 24 at last count — will offer prime locations to view the Great American Solar Eclipse on Oct. 14. The eclipse will pass over several national parks and monuments in Utah, creating distinctive viewing locations, such as from the famed hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park and through an arch at National Bridges National Monument – the world’s first Dark Sky park.

“It’s a full total eclipse so it should be quite phenomenal,” Rachel Bremer of the Utah Office of Tourism said during a recent Toronto event. “For eclipse enthusiasts, this is a big deal. People from all over the world travel to see this kind of thing.”

Hotel lodging will now be hard to come by in prime viewing locales for the actual eclipse but other accommodation options will be available, with some homeowners in those areas turning their homes into temporary AirBNB dwellings.

A Dark Sky venue

Utah has been enthusiastically promoting itself as a great Dark Sky venue, with Bremer stating that a combination of altitude, dry air and a somewhat smallish population of around 3 million people — resulting in little light pollution — enables visitors to easily spot star-studded nighttime skies, views that are denied to many people in other parts of the world.

“To be able to walk out of your hotel and see stars is pretty unique for many,” she said during the Toronto visit, billed as a Utah Star Party and which coincided with International Dark Sky Week.

The Utah delegation then continued to Calgary and Vancouver.

Utah tourism authorities are determined to help others see the constellations, with the Canadian tour not going the common route of giving event attendees gift bags, instead donating money that would have been spent on the swag to The International Dark Sky Association and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Bremer acknowledges that promoting the eclipse is a “little bit of the opposite” from her office’s more traditional Dark Sky tourism. “It’s kind of cool.”

More stars in Moab

Melissa Stocks of Grand County Economic Development, which includes the city of Moab, noted her area is among destinations that can leave visitors somewhat star-struck, thanks to regional parks.

“The parks and monuments of southeastern Utah share some of the darkest skies remaining in the contiguous 48 United States,” tourism authorities state. “In recent years, three of Moab’s most popular parks — Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park — have been recognized as International Dark Sky Parks. Park staff routinely provide programs celebrating the night sky, from walks under the full moon to gazing through telescopes at objects millions of light-years away.”

For more information visit: discovermoab.com/moab-night-skies .

Visit Cedar Valley

Becki Lewis of Visit Cedar City — found 250 miles south of Salt Lake City — in turn said that culturally inclined sorts can do some star-gazing while in Cedar City, home to the annual Utah Shakespeare Festival, which dates back to 1962 and this year starts in June and continues into October.

Three theatres are used for it, including a “replica of a replica of the Globe” theatre in London in which Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. That roof-less Cedar City theatre provides sightings of starry skies to those taking in nighttime performances, Lewis said.

More information about the festival can be found at bard.org.

Lewis added that Utah has plenty of venues for people to enjoy nature.

“Most of the state parks would be national parks in other states,” she said. “They’re just beautiful.”

See Salt Lake City

Meanwhile, Ryan Mack of Visit Salt Lake said those visiting Salt Lake City can get up close and personal with some of the same terrain as athletes who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics did.

That includes both downhill and cross-country ski trails used for races.

“They (alpine trails that hosted races) won’t have the gates but they’ll be the same runs,” Mack said.

Skating and curling classes are available in the facility that hosted skating and curling competitions.

Mack said Salt Lake City’s successful staging of the Olympics boosted its tourism trade.

“In a lot of ways, it put Salt Lake on the international map as an outdoors destination,” he said.

Salt Lake City is expected to again host the Winter Olympics in 2030 or 2034, with strong community support, Mack added.

More information can be found at visitsaltlake.com.

Hard Rock opening massive casino in Deadwood, South Dakota

May 3, 2023 No Comments

Hard Rock International is bringing its unique brand of world-class entertainment to the historic city of Deadwood in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. The Rocksino by Hard Rock project will celebrate a grand opening on Aug. 8.

Hard Rock International executives, local community members and civic leaders will participate in the celebration of the newest economic driver in the region most famous for its gold rush history.

The Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood is a boutique hotel & casino experience, which includes most of what fans of the Hard Rock brand have come to know but on a smaller scale than its famous integrated resorts in gateway international cities.

Currently, the property is seeking several positions for its workforce including Administrative Assistant, Hospitality Manager, Executive Chef, all department supervisors including food and beverage, casino, and kitchen, public area attendants, housekeeping, bartenders, kitchen staff, and retail sales associates.

The property will feature a casino including 86 new slot machines, full-service restaurant and bar with amazing craft cocktails, and a delicious new menu that will include everyone’s most loved pizza in Deadwood which will be prepared in our brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen.

Diners can enjoy their meals on the Historic Patio, which will feature a wood fire grill, or inside at the bar or VIP mezzanine. Shop at the Rock Shop Retail Store for custom Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood apparel. Beautifully renovated luxury guest rooms are scheduled to open later this year.

New contemporary city hotel debuts in Dublin

May 1, 2023 No Comments

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas will officially make its debut in Ireland with the opening of Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.

Previously known as The Marker, a significant renovation has now been completed with a multi-million investment at the iconic Dublin hotel, which is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.

The property is one of the Irish capital’s most contemporary and architecturally impressive buildings and is located in the heart of the Docklands, a stylish and innovative part of the city that is home to some of the world’s most famous names in tech.

About the hotel

Overlooking the Waterfront on Grand Canal Square in the heart of Dublin City, Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel has a contemporary design and style with eight state-of-the-art event and meeting facilities and offers 187 renovated stylish guest rooms over six floors, comprising 124 Premier and Deluxe rooms, 18 Junior Corner Suites and three large executive suites.

The Roche Suite offers 1066 square feet of living space whilst the 990-square-foot Schwartz Suite, named after the square designer, features sweeping Grand Canal Square views. The spacious 1,389 square foot Presidential Suite is located on the fifth floor and boasts unobstructed views of Grand Canal Square offering two en suite bedrooms and separate living spaces.

Services include the Condé Nast award-winning spa, which offers an infinity pool, sauna and eucalyptus-infused steam room alongside a series of new signature Anantara Spa treatments inspired by indigenous Irish ingredients and healing traditions.

A stylish rooftop terrace with stunning panoramic 360º views across the cityscape stretching to the sea at Dublin Bay is the best rooftop in the city.

Recent refurbishments

The lobby and bar have been refreshed with the addition of new soft furnishings, bespoke cabinetry, and custom furniture.

A destination restaurant, ‘Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins’, welcomes hotel residents and city dwellers alike. The new restaurant will feature the very best of locally-sourced products served in a contemporary manner and with a uniquely Irish twist.

Close to the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel is a perfect cultural and business epicenter for travellers keen to experience classic Irish hospitality at its best.

Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel is the only five-star hotel in the area, which has recently emerged as one of the most vibrant, dynamic and modern parts of the city for living, working and socializing.