San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge

Effervescent San Francisco more than lives up to its name, with hills and waterfront framed by the epic Golden Gate Bridge – and those cable cars!  Take the Powell-Hyde cable car to Nob Hill with breathtaking views of the Bay, a ferry to Alcatraz Island combines the experience of solitary confinement with spectacular city views, stroll the vast Golden Gate Park, browse the designer boutiques around Union Square, visit Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf - just as you’ve seen them on the silver screen; or just people-watch at a sidewalk café on Columbus Avenue.  Indulge yourself in restaurants serving cuisines from every corner of the world.  And visit the glorious wine country of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

The Fairmont San Francisco:

World-renowned, The Fairmont Hotel presents an awe-inspiring picture of historic San Francisco. The grandeur of the fully-restored hotel coupled with its reputation for impeccable service promises a truly memorable experience.  Central to the Financial District, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, the Fairmont Hotel is located at the only spot in San Francisco where each of the City’s cable car lines meet.  The Fairmont also offers two fabulous restaurants and lounges.  With a panoramic view of the City and the Bay from high atop Nob Hill, The Fairmont San Francisco holds an unmatched blend of elegance and superb service for an unforgettable stay.

The Fairmont San Francisco

From San Francisco take a flight on United Airways to Hawaii where Polynesia cultures collide with American enthusiasm.  You can relax, take it easy and enjoy the fine weather or explore the island and local scenery from Honolulu across the island to Sunset Beach.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort – Honolulu:

The Kahala Hotel & Resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, blending world class standards of pampered luxury with the traditions of Hawaii.  It enjoys a secluded location in Kahala, Oahu’s prime residential area, overlooking an 800ft stretch of beach and yet only 10 minutes’ drive from Waikiki.  This luxurious oceanfront resort features 343 rooms and suites, five stylish restaurants and a world-class spa.  Visit the leisure facilities, fitness centre, lush tropical gardens and the private lagoon with its own resident dolphins.  As Hawaii’s most luxurious and secluded beachfront hotel and resort, the tradition of impeccable service will make your vacation with The Kahala Hotel & Resort memorable in every way.

The Kahala Hotel and Resort Hawaii - Pool and Beach

Napa Valley Landscape

Set in the folds of northern California’s fertile hills, Napa Valley has become synonymous with fine wine. Hundreds of wineries offer wine tasting along California’s state route 29 and the Silverado Trail, and the top-notch spas and world-renowned restaurants sweeten the visit. If Napa gets a bit crowded for you, head to the smaller, family-owned vineyards of the Sonoma Valley to the west. Here life slows down, the winemaker often staffs the tasting room and the only problem you’ll encounter is settling on where to eat dinner.

Napa Valley is a wine lover’s dream. Embraced by the rolling hills of northern California and blanketed by Pacific Ocean breezes and fogs, this scenic region produces some of the nation’s finest wines. Visit tasting rooms along state route 29, including some of America’s largest name-brand vintners: Robert Mondavi, Beringer and Cakebread among others. Venture west to the Sonoma Valley for a slower, home-grown wine-tasting experience like that at Preston of Dry Creek.

French Laundry

Treat yourself to lunch at the sensational French Laundry in Yountville. Embark on a journey featuring two unique nine-course tasting menus – chef’s tasting and a tasting of vegetables – each a series of smaller, focused dishes. No single ingredient is ever repeated throughout the meal. Experience a sense of surprise when you taste something so new, so exciting, so comforting and so delicious. The French Laundry is a memorable experience, a memory that you will cherish for many years to come.

If you’re looking for a delicious, moderately priced meal in city-chic, lovely environs, try Bouchon, under the same Thomas Keller management. Thomas Keller opened this far more casual – but still delicious and very sexy – French brasserie featuring many French classics including steak frites, delicious quiche with bacon and onions, oysters and, maybe, a glass of Champagne. More casual than The French Laundry, Bouchon offers classic French cuisine rooted in tradition.

Soak up the stunning scenery as the day unwinds and you journey back to San Francisco; enjoy a picture stop at the Golden Gate Bridge to witness the awe-inspiring view of the city from the Marin Headlands – a picture perfect ending to one memorable day. As you approach Nob Hill and the famed Fairmont San Francisco Hotel, with sweeping views of the city and the bay from its location atop Nob Hill, the grandeur of the hotel coupled with its reputation for impeccable service promises another truly memorable experience!

Or continue your American road-trip to Sacramento, the capital of California. Continue along 49er to Dutch Flat where over $17 million of gold was found, before heading to scenic Lake Tahoe, beautiful in summer and stunning in the winter with snow-fall all around. From Lake Tahoe, travel again along the 49er trail before arriving in Yosemite to experience nature at its finest! Having enjoyed Yosemite and the Sequoia/Kings Canyon and the natural wonder that California is famed for, drive to the Pacific coastal town of Monterey before returning to San Francisco or travel south on the spectacular Pacific Coast Highway – often called Highway 1, to the glamour of Los Angeles.

Napa Valley Wine Tasting

Photographs courtesy of French Laundry

The Fairmont San Francisco

World-renowned, The Fairmont Hotel presents an awe-inspiring picture of historic San Francisco. The grandeur of the fully-restored hotel coupled with its reputation for impeccable service promises a truly memorable experience. Central to the Financial District, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, the Fairmont Hotel is located at the only spot in San Francisco where each of the city’s cable car lines meet. The Fairmont also offers two fabulous restaurants and lounges. With a panoramic view of the city and the bay from high atop Nob Hill, The Fairmont San Francisco holds an unmatched blend of elegance and superb service for an unforgettable stay.

With sweeping views, this famed luxury hotel has been providing a distinguished welcome to discerning travellers since 1907. Recent restoration has brought the city’s Grande Dame superbly back to life in its original turn-of-the-century opulence, with 591 guestrooms and suites reflecting classical elegance enhanced by 21st century amenities.

The Fairmont San Francisco Lobby

Dining in Style:

Crowned by three ornate domes, the Laurel Court houses a signature restaurant and bar featuring one-of-a-kind wines by the glass and speciality cocktails. Located in the hotel’s Lobby, the Laurel Court serves as the centrepiece of the hotel. The culinary talents of the Executive Chef are showcased, featuring the freshest of regional ingredients. The Laurel Court Bar hosts a lively crowd with daily drink specials. Taste one of the exclusive single vineyard designate wines while sampling the fresh and unique menu selections.

The Laurel Court offers a delicious way to kick-off the weekend with specially priced sushi every Friday from 5:00 pm. to 8:00 pm. A chef prepares nigiri sushi and speciality rolls served with homemade ponzu sauce and truffled wasabi in the elegant Laurel Court Bar.

The Fairmont Crown Room

The Tonga Room offers a tropical and festive atmosphere with live entertainment, dancing (and a rain storm) and serves exceptional Pacific Rim Asian cuisine in a tropical setting. It is the perfect escape after a busy day of meetings or shopping along Union Square. Be sure to try the Mai Tai, regularly recognised as the city’s best!

The Hurricane Bar:

The Happy Hour includes an extensive buffet of Pacific Rim delicacies with items such as mini spring rolls with plum sauce, chicken wontons with chilli sauce, vegetable chow mein, Kalua pork and cabbage, assorted cheese and crackers, sliced melons and tree ripened fruit, pineapple bowl and honey coconut dipping sauce, and Szechwan guacamole dip with prawn crackers. The all-you-can-eat buffet is a ‘steal’ with a one drink minimum. To complement this feast fit for kings and queens, the tropical restaurant and bar serves tantalising cocktails at Happy Hour prices. As you marvel at the exciting décor, be sure to hold on to your drink during the surprise thunder and lightning.

San Francisco, a California legend that’s both a city and a way of life; spectacular in setting and sophisticated in style!

Dining in Style

Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations in the world. Breathtaking views abound at every turn – mustard in the late winter, picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round and wineries of every stature dot the landscape. Whether you are wine tasting, dining at renowned restaurants like the French Laundry, pampering yourself with a mud bath in Calistoga, or just enjoying your stay at quaint bed & breakfasts, hotels or resorts … Napa Valley is your spot of heaven on earth.

Join one of many daily wine tours in the Napa Valley. Make new friends as you tour one of the most prized wine regions of Northern California. Spend the afternoon sampling wines at three or four wineries, sip on Champagne, and enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic lunch at a scenic winery location. Discover the best kept secrets of Napa Valley in the comfort of a luxury limousine!

Or treat yourself to lunch at the sensational French Laundry in Yountville. Embark on a journey featuring two unique nine-course tasting menus – chef’s tasting and a tasting of vegetables – each a series of smaller, focused dishes. No single ingredient is ever repeated throughout the meal. Experience a sense of surprise when you taste something so new, so exciting, so comforting and so delicious. The French Laundry is a memorable experience, a memory that you will cherish for many years to come.

French Laundry

Soak up the stunning scenery as the day unwinds and you journey back to San Francisco; enjoy a picture stop at the Golden Gate Bridge to witness the awe-inspiring view of the city from the Marin Headlands – a picture perfect ending to one memorable day. As you approach Nob Hill and the famed Fairmont San Francisco Hotel, with sweeping views of the city and the bay from its location atop Nob Hill, the grandeur of the hotel coupled with its reputation for impeccable services promises another truly memorable experience!

Photographs courtesy of French Laundry