Vitality Week is coming up: one hotel takes it very seriously

The week of March 20-26 has been designated Vitality Week. By whom I have no idea, but Swissôtel Sydney has taken the idea seriously and will deliver "a range of inspiring healthy menu items and activities" designed to help guests maintain their mental and physical wellbeing.

During this week guests will enjoy locally-brewed Kombucha tea on arrival, a fruit and vegetable lobby display ripe for the picking, popular breakfast bowls and the option to partake in daily walks hosted by staff members.

The five-star hotel's executive chef, Joshua Askew, has also introduced a new $25 weekday Vitality Lunch, with a goal to deliver a nutrient-filled dining experience on an ongoing basis to health-conscious Sydneysiders and hotel guests.

Chef Askew's Vitality Menu features a gut-cleaning detox shot such as spirulina, wheatgrass, beetroot or acai, followed by either a Vitality Bowl, Power Protein Salad or Sandwich, plus an accompanying drink including cold-press juices.



All menu items are made with fresh seasonal ingredients, including honey direct from Swissôtel Sydney's rooftop beehive, and will alternate on a weekly basis to ensure the best use of local produce.  

Chef Askew's Vitality Week menu features poached chicken Vitality Bowl with green tea soba noodles, avocado, cabbage, Asian herbs, sesame seeds and edamame; and pan-seared Ora King salmon; power protein salad with fennel, radish, asparagus, labneh, roasted almonds, wild rocket and dill oil; as well as a rooftop honey-glazed ham sandwich with tomato, Swiss cheese, seeded mustard, pickles, grilled zucchini on sourdough.

"All of the ingredients in this menu have been carefully considered," the chef says. "Something as simple as quinoa can be excellent for travellers in relieving altitude sickness due to its rich oxygen-carrying iron whilst proteins, such as low-GI beans, fish, chicken and beef, will keep the stomach satisfied for longer, and keep the brain alert with essential amino acids." 

Last time I looked visitors to Sydney were not at great risk of altitude sickness, but a healthy approach certainly can't be a bad thing.

Vitality Lunch is available weekdays from noon-3pm for $25. To book call (02) 9238 8888 or email jpb.sydney@swissotel.com

On the right track: Japan railway trips soar

Japan has become one of the hottest railway destinations for visitors from Australia and New Zealand, Rail Plus has reported. 



As someone who recently caught several trains in Japan; fast, clean and efficient, that comes as no surprise. 

With numbers up by over 10% during winter (ski season) and Sakura (cherry blossom) season always popular, rail is an increasingly popular way to travel for visitors. 

Ingrid Kocijan, commercial director of Rail Plus, says while Japan's rail network has a solid reputation for being one of the world's safest and most punctual, increased accessibility in and around Japan also plays a large part in the steady growth in visitor numbers.

"Japan has always been a fascinating country for many Australian and New Zealand travellers thanks to the country's spectacular mix of culture, ancient traditions, cutting-edge technology, infrastructure, quirks and cuisine, among other interests," says Kocijan.



"With more affordable and frequent flight options made available complemented by lower rail travel costs, there is no doubt we'll continue to see the numbers grow in healthy double digits."

Kocijan says more travellers are appreciating and enjoying the bonuses and savings afforded by Japan Rail Passes. They include free seat reservations, outstanding on-board services and facilities, the free use of certain bus lines, ferries and airport trains, as well as free entry to popular attractions such as Tokyo Tower, Mt Fuji and Himeji Castle among many others.

Rail Plus currently offers the lowest prices for Japan Rail Passes in Australia and New Zealand, with the 7-day consecutive pass starting at $178 for children under 11 and $355 for adults. Passes are valid for non-Japanese
residents and must be obtained before travelling to Japan.

For details see Rail Plus: www.railplus.com.au. 

Hunter Valley winemakers practice their Italian accents

Hunter Valley winemakers are brushing up on their Italian accents and pizza-making skills ahead of the annual Broke-Fordwich Little Bit of Italy in Broke Festival in April.



The festival aims to bring the essence of Italian hospitality to this tranquil corner of the Hunter Valley with an abundance of fresh, authentic cuisine, local produce, cooking classes, workshops, demonstrations, vineyard tours and the region’s renowned local wines, even though Valpolicella and Soave are not the main styles in the Hunter. 

Stretching across 11 picturesque venues, the highly-anticipated event is now in its 12th year. Set in the stunning rural scenery and boasting a welcoming vibe, the festival is described as "the perfect foodie escape".



This year the Broke-Fordwich community is launching signature event, La Grande Festa to be held in the award-winning Margan Barrel Room on the Saturday evening. Guests will join local winemakers, vignerons and producers for a night to remember, beginning with Italian cocktails and antipasti under
the stars in the Margan courtyard, followed by a four-course menu of Italian regional cuisine featuring the best estate-grown produce and live entertainment. 

Many of the venues are teaming up with local restaurants for the festival to bring the very best offerings to visitors, with a host of options available. 

Greenway Wines will offer mouth-watering picnic boxes to share on the long table; Broke’s Promise has Italian meatballs, sausages and a feast of Italian patisseries and espresso from Ray the Butcher; Krinklewood will tempt diners with wood-fired pizza and gelato in its Tuscan-inspired courtyard; while at Catherine Vale Wines visitors can build their own antipasti platter or indulge in pork or lamb from the open Italian fire pit. 

There’s also plenty on offer for those who love cooking and creating as much as eating, with gnocchi-making classes, cooking schools, the Margan garden tour and lunch, olive oil pizza-making demonstrations and Vermouth cocktail masterclass.



Food for thought has also been taken care of. Krinklewood Vineyard will host a biodynamic walk and talk, while Whispering Brook has a vineyard, winery and olive grove tour and Catherine Vale Wines will host an olive tasting and preserving workshop. 

A number of fringe events will be held in addition to the main program, including the Big Italian Dinner at Catherine Vale on Friday night and breakfast at Nightingale Wines on Sunday morning.

Transfer buses will pick visitors up from a wide range of accommodation in the Cessnock, Rothbury, Lovedale or Pokolbin areas, with shuttle buses running between festival venues over the course of the weekend. 

The full program and more information can be found at www.italyinbroke.com.au.

A Little Bit of Italy in Broke will be held on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9 with some fringe events on the Friday night. 

Does wine taste different when you are flying?

Does wine taste different when you are flying at high-altitude? Virgin Australia and leading Barossa winery St Hallett have embarked on an exercise to find out.

Virgin has unveiled a wine that has been designed specifically for enjoyment in the sky and The Duo will be served exclusively in business class. It can also be sampled in Virgin lounges.

Environmental shifts at altitude, including atmospheric pressure and drier air, can affect the taste of both food and beverages. The Virgin team worked with St Hallett winemaker Shelley Cox to create a wine that delivers both balanced acidity and texture when consumed in the air.

Cox says The Duo, a blend of Barossa and Eden Valley shiraz, would complement the menus of Virgin Australia resident chef Luke Mangan.

"The drier air in a cabin can make it really hard to capture a wine's aroma," Cox says. "This is where the Eden Valley component comes in. The higher altitude of the Eden Valley means cooler conditions and creates shiraz with lovely overt floral aromas. You only need a small component to really lift the blend.

"We played around with a lot of different options to ensure the acid and texture balance was right. It was a great experience and we are confident the wine will deliver."

I won't be in Virgin business for a while, so please let me know your thoughts if you do get a chance to try The Duo.

The wine is on board Virgin Australia aircraft and in lounges this week. www.virginaustralia.com.au. 

    

Six destinations you must visit in Peru

From ancient Inca civilisations to the rainforest jungles of the Amazon, to the desert wilderness of high-altitude Andean villages and the colonial European-style architecture in cities like Lima and Arequipa, Peru is a world in one country.

Lake Titicaca

Well worth a long trip, this huge lake straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes and is one of South America's largest lakes. It is regarded as the world’s highest navigable body of water.

Take a charter boat from Puno to The “Floating Islands”, as the Uros Islands are known. These are man-made islands constructed out of reeds where villagers take the many visitors on short canoe rides and try to sell them locally-made goods. Further into the lake you'll find the small hilly island of Taquile, where there are no cars and people still live a traditional lifestyle.

Machu Picchu

The spectacular and well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most famous icons of the former Inca Empire. Dating back to the mid-15th century and completely awe inspiring, it is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world.

It is best to arrive early in the day (stay overnight in Cusco to be just a short bus ride away) to avoid the crowds and to come well prepared as there is a considerable amount of walking and climbing involved.

Cusco

This spectacular city, high in the Andes, is one of South America's treasures with its many colonial buildings and Inca treasures like the Temple of the Sun and Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

A tourist hotspot, Cusco is packed with high-quality hotels like the fabulous JW Marriott, recently named as one of the finest on the continent.

The RailPeru Vistadome train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu, is a lovely experience with great views and fabulous service, which included an impromptu fashion parade by train staff on our return journey.

Arequipa

Peru's second city is often overlooked in favour of more tourist-oriented destinations. That's a huge pity as Arequipa is a wonderfully cosmopolitan and elegant city with colonial buildings reminiscent of some the finest cities of Europe.

There are superb squares and alleyways with influences of Spain and Paris, excellent eateries (try ChiCha and La Benita) and magnificent viewpoints. A great city for strolling and/or chilling out for a few days.

Pisac Market

Every Sunday, members of the tribes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas descend on the small, dusty town of Pisac for the regional market. Many walk long distances to reach the market, and still wear traditional costumes.

The market specialises in fruits, vegetables and meats, along with ceramics and items made of alpaca wool. It is a riot of colour and well worth a visit.

Colca Canyon

A couple of hours' drive outside Arequipa, this is one of the world's deepest and most spectacular canyons and one of the best places on earth to observe condors and other birds of prey, which use the thermal currents to soar and dip. The Cruz del Condor is where we saw five condors and several hawks.

En route, you'll see wild vicunas, the siblings of domestic alpacas and llamas, and will pass several traditional villages, as well as Lagunillas, a lagoon packed with Andean flamingos.

THE FACTS

With 40 years of experience, Contours Travel is Australia’s most experienced and longest running Latin American travel wholesaler and agency, specialising in tailor-made, small group itineraries and special interest tours in Mexico, Cuba, Antarctica, South America, Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Learn more at: www.contourstravel.com.au

LATAM operates daily flights from Sydney to Santiago, Chile, via Auckland, with onward connections to Lima. LATAM also offers non-stop flights between Sydney and Santiago four times per week in a codeshare partnership. Call LATAM reservations on 1800 126 038, visit your local travel agent or go towww.latam.com

# This is an edited version of a much longer story that appears in Nourish Magazine

Head off the beaten track to discover Tasmania's lesser-known wineries

There are many small wine producers in Tasmania who do not have a cellar door.

For two days only: Open Vineyards Weekend (March 4-5), several of these wineries will join their better-known siblings in offering tastings, and, in some cases, food and entertainment.

New fewer than 62 wine producers, large and small, old and new, in the south of Tasmania and on the east coast will open their doors over the two days.

Some will merely put up a trestle table and unveil a pop-up; others will pull out all the stops with live music.

Among the producers featuring for the first time are Craigie Knowe at Cranbrook; Devil's Brewery at Margate, Domaine Dawnelle at Goodwood, Cold Blow Vineyard, Inverquharity and Back Paddock Vineyard, all Richmond.

Other star names without regular cellar doors include Kate Hill, Resolution Vineyard, Highland Brae and Pressing Matters, along with more familiar names like Stefano Lubiana, Devil's Corner, Domaine A, Derwent Estate, Home Hill, Pooley, Glaetzer-Dixon, Freycinet Estate, Spring Vale, Bangor Oyster Shed and Milton.

The line-up also includes Pagan Cider at Cygnet and Red Sails Cider at Middleton.

www.winetasmania.com.au