November 1-December 22
Saint Barthélemy, French West Indies—12th Annual Festival Gastronomique |
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Chef Sylvain Humbert of Chateau de Valmer, near St. Tropez, will have a starring role on St. Barts when Hôtel Guanahani & Spa presents its 12th annual Festival Gastronomique. Working with the hotel’s executive chef Philippe Masseglia, Humbert will create a nightly dinner menu that is included in the price of a night’s stay during the festival. With this culinary collaboration, Masseglia honors his roots, as his career began at Château du Domaine St. Martin. Gourmands will savor the talents of this dynamic duo at Bartolomeo, Guanahani’s gourmet restaurant which is now open year-round. In addition to the dinner, the gourmet festival rate includes breakfast and all taxes and service charges. Reservations can be made by calling direct at (011 590) 590-27-6660. For more information, visit www.leguanahani.com. |
November 1-December 3
Yosemite National Park, CA—Vintners' Holidays
This is The
Ahwahnee's annual celebration of fall and the
bounty of top vineyards. Each Vintners' Holidays session
features four prominent wineries and industry experts
through informative seminars, panel discussions and
wine tastings moderated by nationally recognized wine
authorities. The sessions conclude with a five-course
Gala Vintners' Dinner in the Ahwahnee Dining Room,
highlighting wines from the session's participating
wineries, paired with a custom gourmet menu by Ahwahnee's
executive Chef Percy Whatley. Participating wineries include Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars,
Dutton-Goldfield and Ravenswood. Hotel packages are
available for Vintners' Holiday guests. Be sure to
reserve your space early. Call 801-559-4884 or visit www.yosemitepark.com for further details.
| December 1-December 30 |
Ventura, CA—California-Style Sleigh Rides
Sail the waters of the Ventura Keys and Ventura harbor on a holiday sleigh ride—California style. Every night in December (except December 24 and 25), the good ship Dreamer departs for a "sleigh ride" past shoreline homes lit up with twinkling Holiday lights that cast picturesque reflections in the nighttime waters. Cruises take place nightly from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Each cruise offers a full bar, soft drinks and seasonal beverage concoctions such as “reindeer milk” and hot chocolate. Cruises cost $20 for adults and $10 for children two to twelve years old. For more information, call 805-642-7753 or visit www.venturaboatrentals.com. |
| December 4-December 6 |
Pomona,
CA—Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
Fairplex
Park hosts this annual, touring, indoor festival bringing
in art-and-craft talent from all over the country, not
to mention great eats from local restaurants, all presented
with live musical accompaniment. Check out the latest
in furniture, clothing, garden art, ornaments, jewelry (such
as the bracelet pictured) and more. The hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, 10
a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Tickets, which
are good for all three days, are $9 for adults and $4
for youth 13-17 years old. Kids 12 years old and younger
enter for free if accompanied by an adult. For more
information, call 415-447-3205 or visit www.harvestfestival.com. |
December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20
Fredericksburg,
TX—Holiday Wine Trail
Begin
your holiday festivities off right with a trip down
the Holiday Wine Trail in the heart of Texas Hill Country.
You can visit wineries decked for the season and stocked
with wines perfect for gifts, parties and special dinners. In addition, the wineries will each be doing
special food pairings, barrel tastings and art shows
as well as special releases of new wines. Wreaths are
limited and this popular event sells out every year,
so pre-registration is highly suggested. Buy a ticket
for yourself, or give it to someone as a present. To
purchase tickets, call 866-621-9463, or for more information
visit www.texaswinetrail.com.
December
5-6
Franschhoek,
SOUTH AFRICA—Franschhoek Investec Private Bank Cap Classique
And Champagne
Festival
Come
celebrate the "Magic of Bubbles" in the country's
gourmet capital. This year's festival will take place at the Huguenot Monument in the village of Franschhoek
and will host several celebrated Cap Classique producers
such as Pierre Jourdan, Graham Beck, Villiera and Simonsig,
as well as Champagne Houses such as Mumm, Laurent-Perrier
and Billecart Salmon. In addition, take in the music and cuisine. Bubbly will also be sold throughout
the two-day revelry. Tickets cost R150 per head. To purchase tickets or for more
information, call 27-021- 876-3603, or visit www.franschhoek.org.za.
December
6 |
Carmel
Valley, CA—Holiday Spectacular
For the holiday season, Chateau Julien Wine Estate presents
their "Holiday Spectacular," featuring the musical
entertainment of The Choral Project of San Jose amidst the near-ideal acoustics of the
aging oak barrels in the Wine Estate's Chai. A reception
of unique holiday gift ideas, hors d'oeuvres and wine tasting will follow in the festively decorated
Great Hall. The event is from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and
tickets are $40 per person. Go to www.chateaujulien.com to make your reservations online. Chateau Julien Wine
Estate is located at 8940 Carmel Valley Rd. |
| December 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 & 25 |
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Yosemite National Park, CA - The Bracebridge Dinner at The Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley is celebrating its 84th season. This holiday event transforms the hotel into a 17th century English manor for a seven-course feast and a performance from more than 60 professional singers and court characters telling the story of a Christmas feast with Lord Merrick of Bracebridge and his household. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and tickets cost $375 per person, including tax and gratuity. One- and two-night lodging packages for two at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and the Wawona Hotel are also available. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.yosemitepark.com/bracebridge or call 801-559-4949. |
| December 28-January 3 |
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia—The Taste Festival
Come let your taste buds soar at the week-long taste festival in Tasmania’s capital, where expectations strive to be exceeded each of the seven days and nights of this celebration. Hundreds of thousands flock to Hobart’s culinary and cultural event that has been thrilling locals and visitors alike for twenty years. Sights are filled with stalls of local Tasmanian produce and cuisine, while live performers and artists entertain. The traditional waterfront setting of Hobart brings together the highest quality food of Tasmania with culture and community for a festival to thrill all the senses. For more information visit www.tastefestival.com.au |
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to the Calendar
(Updated:
01/22/10 ET)
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