Category Archives: Travel

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Celebrates Earth Day and is Committed to Helping the Environment All Year Long

March 5, 2017 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Want to travel while also doing something good for the planet. On April 22, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe will celebrate the 36th annual Earth Day

Monterey, CA, March 05, 2017 — Want to travel while also doing something good for the planet. On April 22, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe will celebrate the 36th annual Earth Day, pitching in to clean up local roads and waterways, abandoned parking lots and city parks in what has become an annual rite of spring.

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa shows their commitment to the environment and their local communities with programs that ranged from a naturalist-led beach clean to shutting the lights in all unoccupied rooms, and employees turned out to volunteer at dozens of local green efforts. These activities take place throughout the year.

In honor of Earth Day, Friday, April 22nd, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Monterey is offering the following promotions:

The hotel will give out “Plant Your Pencil” to the first 100 guests who check in on April 22nd. #TravelGreen #InAHyattWorld. The pencils come in five different herb varieties including Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Cherry tomatoes and mint

TusCA Ristorante will be featuring menu specials appealing to locavores, vegetarians, and vegans using both locally grown and organic ingredients. In addition the hotel will offer specials paired with Twisted Roots sustainable wine.

Earth Day 2017 Specials

Mixed greens with endive, roasted pear, Laura Chanel goat cheese, spiced walnuts,

and Carmel Valley Honey vinaigrette.

Seared Chilean salmon, artichoke pesto, roasted heirloom potatoes,

grilled asparagus, herb salad.

Wine Pairing Includes:

Twisted Roots Chardonnay (a very light, “Chablis” style wine)

Cabernet Sauvignon, multiple award-winning

In addition, Hyatt has an ongoing commitment to green meetings. At Hyatt, we have the same commitment to caring for the earth as we do to caring for our guests. Follow these 10 steps to reduce the environmental impact:

1. Plan Ahead. Surprises are lots of fun, but not for meetings. Provide us with your meeting info and event orders 10 days in advance to reduce the use of last minute resources.

2. Please Recycle. Commit to using the recycling bins provided by the hotel at all functions, meetings, offices and guest rooms – making it easy to be green. Recycling services vary by property.

3. Print local. It’s better to print it there than bring it there. It’s even better to print on recycled paper – we’re here to help you coordinate all your printing needs and will provide you with a list of recommended environmental printing services.

4. Ship Less. Shipping meeting materials wastes fuel, paper, plastic, energy and water. So, no more than one pallet of materials can be shipped to the hotel for each 100 rooms occupied and no more than ½ pallet going home.

5. Take what you need. Rather than handing out pens and note pads, place all meeting materials in a central location so meeting attendees can take only what they need.

6. Ban the bottle. Drinking lots of water is good. But not from a plastic bottle. Instead, use reusable bottles and refill at conveniently located filtered water stations.

7. Waste not. While we’re at it, let’s eliminate the use of other disposable products at meetings. Exceptions can be made for Boxed meals and poolside service.

8. Keep it comfy by setting reasonable meeting temperatures. Set the meeting room temperature at an agreed-upon number and keep it there. Not too hot, not too cool is just right.

9. Eat Local. Don’t think of it as just a meeting, think of it as chance to sample the local flavor. Our seasonal banquet menus feature locally grown and sourced products.

10. Use Recycled Products. Your ideas will look just as smart on 100% recycled paper. Other items, such as menus and pens should have at least some recycled material too.

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel& Spa on Del Monte Golf Course:

Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well known attractions. With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/.

About Twisted Roots:

Certified Green Growers

At Twisted Roots, we believe in letting the grapes speak for themselves. Partners Josh and Julie Ruiz stated that, “We feel that our work in the vineyard is the genesis for the flavor and overall complexity of our wines. As Lodi Certified Green Growers we follow sustainable farming practices throughout the entire winemaking process.”

The certification of Twisted Roots as a green grower includes two components: The Lodi Rules practice standards, and a Pesticide Environmental Assessment System that measures the impact of all organic and synthetic pesticides used during the year. The vineyard is audited annually by a third party to verify farming practices, and may not exceed a maximum number of points calculated using the system.

Among the Certified Sustainable Practices are the following:

· Integrated Pest Management: Twisted Roots limits crop protection to only essential measures, and creates and maintains a habitat for natural enemies of certain pests. For example, the family plants specific types of grasses in its “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard to help attract beneficial insects.

· Air Quality Control: Twisted Roots plants cover crops of native grasses in and around its vineyards to minimize dust, and limits tractor usage to reduce air pollution and conserve energy.

· Land Stewardship: The family integrates the management of the vineyards with the ecosystem by providing riparian zones, maintaining vernal pools, protecting wildlife habitat, and installing nesting boxes for birds and bats. To combat a growing problem of coyotes chewing up irrigation pipes, workers began leaving buckets of water for the coyotes. Now the coyotes eat the rodents, leaving the irrigation alone.

· Water Management: Vineyard workers constantly monitor soil moisture and measure the vines’ water needs. They regulate water usage through careful irrigation scheduling, and constantly maintain and service irrigation systems to ensure maximum efficiency.

· Soil Health: Believing that healthy soil leads to great wines, Twisted Roots adds organic matter by planting cover crops and by utilizing compost. Experts control fertilizer and irrigation to maximize nutrition in the soil, which results in higher quality, more concentrated fruit. Each year analysts run soil and plant tissue tests to determine the needs of the vineyard.

· Human Resources: People are the foundation of great sustainably grown wines. Twisted Roots workers receive comprehensive training and development that enables them to perform their jobs safely and maximize their ability for year-round employment.

The Twisted Roots family creates a sustainable vision for the farm that provides the foundation for sustainable winegrowing. This philosophy helps ensure the long-term health, biodiversity and productivity of the farm and the surrounding ecosystem. All of the Twisted Roots’ farming practices can be evaluated to determine whether they move the vineyard toward or away from this vision.

In the end, sustainability keeps the Twisted Roots’ family close to its land, and helps ensure that future generations will get to enjoy that land and all of its bounty.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/

Travel

Overindulge on St. Patrick’s Day? A Spoonful or Two of Honey Can Help Make That Hangover Go Bye-Bye!

March 1, 2017 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Had a little too much fun on St. Patrick’s Day? Well, relief is just an arm’s length away in your own cupboard. There’s a sweet and simple cure for a hangover — honey. Yes, honey.

Carmel, CA, March 01, 2017 – Had a little too much fun on St. Patrick’s Day? Well, relief is just an arm’s length away in your own cupboard. There’s a sweet and simple cure for a hangover — honey. Yes, honey.

Honey is touted by natural health advocates and scientists alike for its ability to aid the body in quickly breaking down all the green beer and Irish whiskey you consumed on St. Paddy’s Day.

Hangovers are uncomfortable, because of the way the alcohol breaks down in your body, according to Dr. John Emsley of the Royal Society of Chemistry. It first turns into a substance called acetaldehyde, which has toxic effects on the body.

Emsley says that alcohol creates the euphoric feeling associated with drinking it, while the acetaldehyde is what causes the dire symptoms of a hangover.

Alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, which causes the nausea, possible vomiting and headache suffered in a hangover.

But how does honey help a hangover?

Honey doesn’t “cure” a hangover. And total prevention of a hangover is only possible by not having those green beers in the first place! But honey does help with the symptoms.

Honey helps with a hangover in part because it provides sodium and potassium to your system, which helps it deal more effectively with the alcohol.

In addition, honey provides fructose that helps your liver more readily metabolize the alcohol into your body, thus ending the hangover period faster.

So honey, and lots of rest, are among the best cures for that throbbing headache and nausea.

Some people find that honey on a piece of toast does the trick. Toast can provide you with a little potassium and sodium, both of which aid in the task of digesting all that alcohol.

It’s also recommended that before you turn in, stir a couple of spoonfuls of honey into a glass of hot water and drink it.

When you wake up, take 2 to 6 teaspoons of honey and continue this dose every 20 minutes according to how severe the hangover is.

At breakfast, take another 4 teaspoons. This calms the effects that the alcohol has on the body and removes any cravings there are.

“The fructose in honey is an essential compound that helps the body break down alcohol into harmless by-products,” says Dr. Emsley.

And what better way to get rid of a hangover than by locally sourced, organic honey from the Carmel Honey Company, a company created by 14-year-old honor student Jake Reisdorf of Carmel?

Reisdorf, over the past four years, has ambitiously educated himself on the art and science of beekeeping, a hobby he has turned into a thriving family business as the teenaged CEO of Carmel Honey Company.

But his quest is more important than tending hives (he has 70) and peddling honey, which he currently sells in four varieties (orange blossom, sage, wildflower, and Meadowfoam) to more than 80 clients, including many of California’s best restaurants.

Jake is a passionate advocate of supporting and preserving bees and bee colonies, which are dying out at an alarming rate.

Crop pollination by honey bees is responsible for one-third of all of the food consumed by mankind, so if the bees go away, so will the earth’s foliage. If the plants die, scientists say, humans will follow within three years.

As if his efforts weren’t already noble enough, Reisdorf also has created a nonprofit charity, “Jake Gives Back,” from which he generously donates funds from Carmel Honey Company to organizations that promote honey bee research and education efforts.

His 2016 beneficiary was the National Honey Board, 2015 beneficiary was the El Nino Bee Lab at the University of California Davis, and the 2014 recipient was the Honey and Pollination Center at the Robert Mondavi Winery.

Carmel Honey Company has a wide variety of honey products, from honey sticks to small and large jars of honey.

So say bye-bye to that hangover with a sweet and simple cure — honey!

More information about Carmel Honey Company and “Jake Gives Back” can be found on the company website (which, of course, Jake built mostly by himself) at www.carmelhoneycompany.com, by calling 831-687-8511, or via email at info@carmelhoneycompany.com.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.carmelhoneycompany.com

Travel

Vendange Carmel Carmel-by-the-Sea’s only Wine Themed Hotel Celebrates March Madness Special Offer Every Sunday – Thursday in March

March 1, 2017 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Enter the MARCHMADNESS Promotional Code and Be Rewarded

Salinas, CA, March 01, 2017 – Vendange is celebrating March Madness with a special discount from March 1 – 31st. Book your stay directly on www.vendangecarmel.com between March 1 – March 31st for a Sunday – Thursday stay and receive 5% off your booking. Must put in promotional code MARCHMADNESS on the website. The 5% off is valid for all rooms except standard Queens.(Offer note valid on holidays and black out days. Promotional code must be entered at the www.vendangecarmel.com website for the discount to apply.)

Vendange’s unique partnerships

From the McIntyre Vineyards room with its impressive 100-year-old grapevine section to J. Lohr’s wine barrel on the balcony, every winery’s room offers a signature luxury experience. The participating wineries include: Blair, Cima Collina, Dawn’s Dream, Galante, Holman Ranch, J. Lohr, Joullian, Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, Tudor, Twisted Roots, and Ventana.

Each room boasts sleek, modern bathrooms, with imported Spanish marble. Sleeping areas have memory foam-top beds, deluxe linens, and high-definition flat-screen televisions. The separate Cottage Suite offers 650-square-feet of space, with a California king bed, 50-inch HD television, and a kitchenette. It’s the perfect place for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. The Inn offers breakfast daily and wine tasting on weekends.

Vendange is at 24815 Carpenter St. in Carmel, a short drive from the Monterey Peninsula Airport, just off of scenic Highway 1, with free parking for guests. It’s minutes from downtown Carmel’s shopping, fine dining, scenic 17-Mile Drive, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Telephone 831-624-6400; email: reservations@vendangecarmel.com

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.vendangecarmel.com

Travel

Cozy at the Clement this Winter

February 16, 2017 straightlinepr Leave a comment

The Clement Palo Alto, which opened in March 2016, warms up this Winter with its new “Cozy Up at the Clement Palo Alto” Package. Stay two nights and get a third night free!

Salinas, CA, February 16, 2017 – The Clement Palo Alto, which opened in March 2016, warms up this Winter with its new “Cozy Up at the Clement Palo Alto” Package. Stay two nights and get a third night free!

The luxury all-inclusive hotel that boasts 23 spacious and richly appointed one-bedroom suites, starts your weekend off in style this Winter. Guests can upgrade their stay with an extra day to enjoy the wonderful shopping, spas and dining in Palo Alto! Spend the day out and about and cozy up fireside at The Clement Hotel at night in your room’s naturally luxurious fireplace seating area.

* Complimentary third night with two consecutive paid nights (limit 1)

* Stay must include a Friday and Saturday

* Offer valid for stays prior to 5/31/17

Please call one of our staff member at (650) 322-7111 to book this special package or email reservations@theclementpaloalto.com.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.theclementpaloalto.com

Travel

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Weddings Announces Indian and Southwest Asian Wedding Celebrations

February 14, 2017 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Hotel also Hires New Wedding Specialists Jessica Longa

Monterey, CA, February 14, 2017 – The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa wedding planning offers something for everyone, from traditional wedding ceremonies to Indian and Southwest Asian wedding celebrations.

Whether you envision a simple gathering with a few family and friends or an elaborate formal affair, you’ll discover just what you are wishing for at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. Our team of expert on-site event planners will assist you from beginning to end, from selecting your wedding site and caterer to ensuring that no detail is overlooked.

Our event planners are well-versed in the unique requirements for Indian and Southwest Asian wedding celebrations.

“Our mission is a simple one…we aspire to exceed all of your expectations, creating imaginative and memorable experiences that will delight all of your senses,” said Jerry Malone, Director of Events and Event Services at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. “Our dedicated professional staff brings experience and desire to every event and thrives on making sure our clients are extremely delighted with our service.”

From an outdoor baraat reception, Choice of your own Indian catering, and the Hyatt’s world-renowned service, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa will bring your Indian Wedding dreams to life!

Indian Wedding Package Includes:

* Largest ballroom in Monterey and surrounding area

* Perfect path for the baraat

* Ample space for Mendhi & Brunch the day after the wedding

* Spacious, resort-like feel

* 550 rooms, including 32 suites, for the three-day long celebrations

* Ability to bring in outside caterers

* Large garden terrace for your ceremony or cocktail reception

Now when you celebrate your special day at Hyatt®, you can earn free honeymoon nights on us. Whichever honeymoon destination you choose, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime. Simply book and hold your wedding or commitment ceremony at a participating Hyatt hotel by Dec. 31, 2017, and you will earn World of Hyatt® bonus points. Points are redeemable for free nights with no blackout dates at any Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Weddings are treated as a one-of-a-kind event, and include:

· A professional wedding specialist

· A tempting array of food and beverages to fit whichever type of reception you select, including hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, plated dinners and wine service

· Choice of wedding sites throughout our Monterey hotel, for ceremony and reception

· Complimentary honeymoon suite for the bride and groom

· Variety of dining options featuring TusCA Ristorante and Fireplace Lounge

· Extensive activities for you and your guests, including golf, tennis, pools and more

· Beautiful backdrops for photographs, including our gazebo with fireplace and gardens

· Special rates in our spacious guestrooms for family and friends from out-of-town

· Complimentary parking

· Great location, adjacent to Pebble Beach Company’s 18-hole Del Monte Golf Course, with direct access to Cannery Row and Monterey Bay Aquarium

In addition, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa has hired Jessica Longa as its new Wedding Specialists.

Upon graduation from Sonoma State University, Jessica worked in both the fashion and wine industries in the Sonoma County area. Following her “event planning” passion, Jessica began her career with the Hyatt Regency Monterey as an Event Administrative Assistant focused on Social and Wedding Event coordination. She was promoted in 2016 to Events Sales Manager and Wedding Specialists. She loves working with a variety of couples to assist them in implementing their dream wedding (or Anniversary!) event.

Wedding Locations

Choose the perfect spot for your wedding from our extensive array of locations, ranging from outdoor gardens to elegant ballrooms. From the Regency Grand Ballroom to our spacious Garden Terrace Courtyard you’re sure to find just the right wedding location to suit your style and needs.

· Regency Grand Ballroom — Our largest wedding location, this expansive yet welcoming ballroom can accommodate the longest of guest lists. Enjoy a formal banquet, complete with dance floor and stage for entertainment, with seating for 800. The room easily divides into several separate salons, with capacity to seat from 70 to 400 guests.

Bordered on two sides by outdoor heated terraces, with natural lighting and vaulted ceilings (the highest ceiling of all hotels in the area), this ballroom provides a wonderful Monterey Bay location for both wedding reception and ceremony.

The adjacent pre-function foyer includes an outdoor heated patio and retractable awning — perfect for your cocktail hour.

· Monterey Ballroom — Prominent indoor and outdoor function space conveniently located adjacent to the hotel lobby and Main Building. Designed for that more intimate feel, select the entire room for a seated banquet with 300 guests or 600 for a classic reception. For smaller groups, the ballroom can be configured into various combinations to fit your needs. The ballroom is complete with an outdoor terrace and is located adjacent to the main building.

· President’s House — This very unique residence offers a secluded hideaway, perfect for a newlywed couple. This historic and luxurious residence offers over 2,500 square feet of living space, including four master suites, living room with stone fireplace, and library with fireplace and gourmet kitchen. A large covered lanai, extensive stonework and landscaping surround a private swimming pool. Select this one-of-a-kind locale for a special rehearsal dinner, cocktails for the wedding party or other exclusive events surrounding your wedding.

· Garden Terrace Courtyard — The perfect location for an outdoor ceremony or open air reception, conveniently located, adjacent to Hotel Hospitality Suites and Regency Grand Ballroom.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chatterbox Public Relations

Marci Bracco Cain (831) 747-7455

marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course

Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination hotel providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions.

With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort.

Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s House, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge featuring live entertainment, a 2,000-square-foot fitness facility, Monterey Bay Racquet Club, two pools and whirlpools, and 12,000-square-foot full-service luxury spa.

The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com

Travel

The Clement Palo Alto Celebrates Love and Romance with Special Valentine’s Weekend Package, Feb. 10-12

January 9, 2017 straightlinepr Leave a comment

The Clement Palo Alto, which opened in March 2016, celebrates love and romance for its first Valentine’s Weekend with a special package featuring a variety of amenities.

Palo Alto, CA, January 09, 2017 — The Clement Palo Alto, which opened in March 2016, celebrates love and romance for its first Valentine’s Weekend with a special package featuring a variety of amenities.

The luxury all-inclusive hotel that boasts 23 spacious and richly appointed one-bedroom suites, starts your weekend off in style with Welcome Amenities that include early check-in, champagne with cotton candy and flowers.

That evening, guests will be treated to a specially created three-course candle-lit dinner paired with fine wines. After dinner, you can toast each other under a gorgeous full moon at the hotel’s cozy rooftop pool deck with fire pits. Keep in mind that the full moon rises on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 11.

The morning after your romantic night, savor a full breakfast with mimosas or Bellinis delivered to your room. Then luxuriate some more because you have a late check-out that day!

To make your romantic weekend complete, you can also book a relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatment with our partners at nearby LaBelle Day Spa & Salon for an additional cost.

Rates for this special Valentine’s Weekend start at $429 per night available Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-12.

Please call one of our staff member at (650) 322-7111 to book this special package.

About The Clement Palo Alto

The Clement Palo Alto opened its doors March 2016 and is one of the most innovative, personalized and unique luxury hotels in the country.

With 23 spacious and richly appointed one-bedroom suites, The Clement Palo Alto sets a new standard for personalized luxury accommodations in a contemporary residential-style atmosphere.

While unparalleled service is key to any great luxury hotel, The Clement Palo Alto takes its impeccable service to another level with an all-inclusive concept, including personalized concierge services, breakfast, lunch and dinner in an on-premise location of the guest’s choice. All wine, beer and cocktails, in-room mini-refrigerator (stocked with the guest’s favorites), and fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock, are just a few of the amenities included in this all-inclusive experience.

In fact, The Clement Palo Alto is more than all-inclusive, it is all-exclusive, catering exclusively to the guest’s personal tastes and desires.

The Clement Palo Alto is ideally located across from Stanford University and next to downtown Palo Alto, with its award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping and upscale spas. It is just 45 minutes south of San Francisco and only 30 minutes north of San Jose, not only making it convenient, but easily accessible to the world-famous sights and myriad activities of both cities.

Overall, The Clement Palo Alto offers a unique, one-of-a-kind 6-star experience in the heart of Silicon Valley with unparalleled personal service, all-inclusive luxury and privacy in a warm, inviting and luxurious residential environment.

The Clement Hotel

711 El Camino Real

Palo Alto, California 94301

650.322.7111

www.theclementpaloalto.com

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.theclementpaloalto.com

Travel

The Clement Palo Alto Offers Exciting Guest Packages for 2017, Including Spa Treatments, Shopping Trips, Wine Tastings and Stanford University Tours

December 16, 2016 straightlinepr Leave a comment

The Clement Palo Alto, the area’s first and only all-inclusive luxury hotel, is pleased to announce four exciting special packages available to its guests in 2017.

Palo Alto, CA, December 16, 2016 — The Clement Palo Alto, the area’s first and only all-inclusive luxury hotel, is pleased to announce four exciting special packages available to its guests in 2017.

The packages available so far include a special shopping outing at the world-famous Stanford Shopping Center; a half-day pampering experience at Palo Alto’s renowned LaBelle Day Spa & Salon; two special tours at the award-winning Thomas Fogarty Winery in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains; and tours of the famed Stanford University campus, located just across the street from The Clement Palo Alto.

(Optional quote)

“We have carefully curated these packages to give our guests the best possible experience when they stay at our hotel,” said xxx, Clement Palo Alto xxx. “And we’ve made it easy for our guests to take advantage of these special packages. Once they sign up for one, we take care of everything, from beginning to end.”

Here are the special packages that will be available in 2017:

The Stanford Shopping Center Package

The famed Stanford Shopping Center recently completed a multi-million dollar redevelopment project, with world-renowned Bloomingdale’s moving to a new location to make way for the improvements. The three-level, 125,000-square-foot reimagined Stanford Shopping Center store includes 68 designer shops, over 100 new brands, and a refreshed assortment of stylish essentials for women, men, children and home.

The 25 new retailers to set up shop in the new area include: Anthropologie; Allen-Edmonds Shoe; LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics; Luisa Spagnoli, a Italian women’s fashion boutique; AllSaints, a British fashion house; lululemon; Everything But Water, a designer swim and resort fashion boutique; The North Face; Uno de 50, a Spanish jewelry shop; and Vineyard Vines, a clothing and gift store; Japanese lifestyle retailer Muji and girls’ retailer Brandy Melville.

Three new eateries were also part of the renovation, including the vegan/vegetarian restaurant True Food Kitchen; Tender Greens, which features fresh local produce; and Minamoto Kitchen, a shop that will sell artisanal Japanese desserts.

Several of Stanford Shopping Center’s existing retailers also moved to expanded locations in the mall, including Victoria’s Secret, BCBG/MAXAZRIA, J. Crew, Solstice and Tommy Bahama.

A new outdoor plaza, which was part of the renovation of the shopping center’s common areas, features gardens, a stretch of lawn where people can sit and a water feature with infinity edges.

One of the three anchor stores in the Stanford Shopping Center is the iconic Bloomingdale’s. The Clement Palo Alto is now offering an exclusive shopping trip to this celebrated store. This exciting experience can include such things as:

Complimentary Style Advisor (personal shopper) appointments and beauty consultations (advance reservations required)

* Little Brown Bag welcome amenity

* 15% off Savings Certificate (see in-store for details and restrictions)

* Exclusive event invitations

* Car pick-up service

About Bloomingdale’s

Bloomingdale’s is America’s only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store and a division of Macy’s, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 38 Bloomingdale’s stores and 16 Bloomingdale’s, The Outlet Stores, in California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. In addition, Bloomingdale’s has an international presence with a location in Dubai. Be sure to follow @bloomingdales on social media, become a Loyallist, and for more information, or to shop any time, visit www.bloomingdales.com.

The Perfect Pampered Day Spa Experience

After a long day of travel or a week of seemingly endless meetings and appointments, what could be more relaxing and rejuvenating than a soothing spa treatment at LaBelle Day Spa & Salon?

Start off your day with breakfast in bed with your favorite morning delicacies. A private car waits for you, then whisks you off to the relaxing LaBelle Day Spa & Salon at the nearby Stanford Shopping Center.

Enjoy a half day of pampering with a 60-minute full-body massage and a 60-minute oxygen facial along with a silky foot peel. Or you could opt for a pedicure that includes a 15-minute massage. Once you’re fully relaxed and glowing, you’ll get your hair washed, blow dried and styled, followed by a professional daytime make-up application.

You’ll then return to the hotel for a refreshing glass of champagne and lunch at The Rooftop Pool & Cabanas. You could enjoy the afternoon shopping at Stanford Shopping Center, which features some of the Bay Area’s finest stores, or just stay at the hotel and relax. For the evening, make plans for cocktails and dining on-site or now that you’re rejuvenated, go for a night on the town.

Cost for the spa package is $375, and includes transportation and a goodie bag filled with travel-size beauty products. Price does not include the cost of the suite, please give our Guest Experience Specialist 48 hours to book this package.

To book a room with a spa package, contact Oscar Gonzalez, our Guest Experience Specialist, at ogonzalez@theclementpaloalto.com Monday thru Friday or call (650) 322-7111.

Thomas Fogarty Winery Packages

These packages celebrate one of California’s signature agricultural products and all that vintners and growers bring to the economy, culture and lifestyle of the Golden State. If you are a wine lover, this is a unique experience you won’t want to miss, available only at The Clement Palo Alto.

Antonio Galloni of The Wine Advocate has high praise for the wines and wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains: “There is no doubt in my mind the Santa Cruz Mountains is the greatest and most overlooked terroir in the United States. Period.”

Few wine regions on earth can match the climates, soils and breathtaking views of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.

One of the top wineries in that region is the acclaimed Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyard, which has been named “Winery of the Year” and listed as one of the top 100 wineries in the world in 2014 by Wine & Spirits magazine. The Fogarty winery has been producing some of the most critically acclaimed estate wines in California since 1981.

Situated at 2,000 feet above sea level, the Thomas Fogarty Winery offers a rare confluence of great vineyard sites, sweeping panoramas of the San Francisco Bay area and some of the best wines in the world.

The Clement Palo Alto is pleased to be able to present two fascinating experiences for wine lovers at the extraordinary Thomas Fogarty Winery, located just directly west of Palo Alto and Stanford University in the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains.

One package offers vineyard tours and a private tasting of Fogarty’s current release wines and some choice library selections. The second offers a private moderated tasting of several of Fogarty’s wines with the owner and winemakers in the winery’s tasting salon.

Experience No. 1:

Guided Vineyards Tour & Tasting

This down-to-earth experience involves an intimate tour of Fogarty’s eight micro-vineyards covering 25 acres of ridge top and steep southeast- and east-facing hillsides on the property.

These 35 to 40-year-old organically farmed vines produce the small, allocated quantities of Thomas Fogarty’s award-winning, single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

As you visit each of the eight vineyards you will learn about the history and organic farming practices of the winery, which dates back to 1978 when Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor, Thomas Fogarty, planted his first grapes and in 1981 established a commercial winery in the mountainous area.

Following the tour, you will convene in the proprietors’ tasting salon for a moderated tasting of current releases and selections from the winery’s library.

This tour takes about three hours, involves some light walking and climbing in and out of a military-style all-terrain vehicle. Participants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and active attire. The tour is limited to eight people. $500 per person.

Additionally, and at extra cost, you can end the day at Palo Alto’s renowned Zola restaurant, where Chef/Owner Guillaume Bienaime and winemaker Tom Fogarty Jr. will prepare a menu of dishes paired with Thomas Fogarty wines.

Experience No. 2:

Private Tasting in Proprietors’ Tasting Salon

Participants will enjoy a private tasting of Fogarty’s allocated current release wines and some choice library selections in the Proprietors’ Tasting Salon with either owner Tom Fogarty Jr., winemaker Nathan Kandler or cellarmaster Marshal White. The tasting will be moderated and the seven to 10 wines included will be chosen in advance based on your preferences and with your input.

This experience involves no walking, takes about 90 minutes, is limited to eight people and is $250 per person.

The Concierge can assist you in customizing your experience. The Clement team is also happy to arrange Uber for an extra fee.

The new wine packages are available for booking in conjunction with a hotel stay. Rooms begin at $995 per night for the first guest and $150 per person for additional guests. (Rooms accommodate up to four guests.) To book a room and one of the new wine packages, contact Oscar Gonzalez, our Guest Experience Specialist, at ogonzalez@theclementpaloalto.com Monday thru Friday or call (650) 322-7111.

The Stanford University Package

Stanford University is one of the most prestigious and highly respected universities in the country. Its sprawling, tree-lined campus is also one of the largest and loveliest in the country and well worth a visit. And as luck would have it, The Clement Palo Alto is located just across the street from the university campus.

The Stanford University Package includes one or more of the following experiences:

·A tour of the university, founded in 1891, starts at the Stanford Visitors Center at the corner of Campus Drive and Galvez Street. From there, guided one-hour walking tours are held seven days a week at 11 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

·A tour of Stanford would not be complete without a visit to its most visible landmark, the 285-foot Hoover Tower, located a short walk from The Quad, the school’s academic center. From the 14th floor of the Hoover Tower Observation Platform you’ll be met with spectacular views of the campus, the city of Palo Alto, the foothills and the San Francisco Bay Area to the north.

·Art lovers will be tempted to spend all day at the Cantor Arts Center and the adjacent Rodin Sculpture Garden. The Center has 24 galleries devoted to a wide range of art spanning 4,000 years, from ancient Chinese ceramics to 19th century American drawings to contemporary sculptures.

·The Rodin Sculpture Garden contains the largest collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures outside of Paris, including the astounding 20-foot-high bronze “The Gates of Hell.” Inside the Center there are even more Rodin works, almost 200 in total for both sites, mostly bronzes, but also works in wax, plaster and terra cotta.

·Dedicated in 1903, Stanford Memorial Church is at the center of the campus and is the University’s architectural crown jewel. It was one of the earliest, and is still among the most prominent, interdenominational churches in the West. It is open to visitors weekdays and on Sundays with ecumenical worship featuring choir and organ music.

·For the scientifically inclined, a trip to the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center just west of the main campus should be on everyone’s must-do list. The versatile astrophysics laboratory, which has more than 3,000 scientists, six of whom have been awarded Nobel Prizes, may be best known for its two-mile long linear accelerator, which is currently the longest in the world. Regular guided tours are available weekdays at the Visitor Center.

·If a little physical activity is more to your liking, The Dish is one of the most popular destinations for joggers and walkers on campus. Named after the prominent old radiotelescope that is visible throughout the area, The Dish offers a paved path that climbs the rolling hills and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, including, on a clear day, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and the East Bay. The main loop is a 3.5-mile trail that takes about 90 minutes to walk.

Contact:

The Clement Hotel

711 El Camino Real

Palo Alto, California 94301

650-322-7111

http://www.theclementpaloalto.com

About The Clement Palo Alto

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.theclementpaloalto.com

Travel

Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites celebrates its Ongoing Partnership with Monterey County wineries by offering Unique packages for 2017

December 4, 2016 straightlinepr Leave a comment

In Carmel, it means a celebration of the bounty of Monterey County’s vineyards at Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites.

Carmel, CA, December 02, 2016 – In France, vendange means the annual grape harvest. In Carmel, it means a celebration of the bounty of Monterey County’s vineyards at Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites.

Vendange creates a unique guest experience through its partnership with 15 local wineries, each sponsoring one room or suite by providing their own creative touches.

For 2017 Vendange has put together some interactive packages that combine the luxury and convenience of the inn’s Carmel location with the adventure and romance of the nearby wine country.

Holman Ranch Vine to Wine experience

Stay in the Vendange Holman Ranch Room and add on a Holman Ranch Vine to Wine experience that consists of a series of educational tours for wine lovers. The tour will take guests from the Holman Ranch Tasting Room to the vineyard for an in-depth look at how their estate grown wine is made — from barrel to bottle. Each tour is 2 hours and by reservation only.

Vine to Wine Tour includes:

● Begin at the Holman Ranch Tasting Room at 19 E. Carmel Valley Road with a full tasting of Holman Ranch wines.

● Holman Ranch will give you an ATV tour of the vineyard to experience the vines and learn about how Holman Ranch makes wine.

● End at the exclusive Holman Ranch estate for small bites, your favorite glass of wine, and time for questions and answers with the owners and winemaker.

● Tours are from 2-4 p.m. available daily and by reservation only. 48 hour notice required.

● Cost is $100 per person.

● Add promotional code WINETOUR when booking the Holman Ranch room.

Twisted Roots wine experience

Stay in the Twisted Roots Room at Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites and add on a Personal Wine Tasting Experience with Twisted Roots winemaker Josh Ruiz.

Step into the beauty that is the Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room in Carmel Valley to experience a wine journey like no other. Vendange guests get a rare chance to indulge their senses, and experience the winemaker’s passion and knowledge of his craft. Sit in the Twisted Roots Mediterranean-inspired courtyard, meet the winemaker, and taste hand-selected wines.

● Minimum of 2 people Saturday and Sunday only

● Cost per person to upgrade $75

Vendange’s unique partnerships

Special discounts through March 31

Vendange is celebrating the wine with a special discount from January through March 31. Book your stay directly at www.vendangecarmel.com during the months of November and December and receive 10 percent off your booking. Must enter the promotional code ILOVEWINE on the website. The 10 percent off is valid for all rooms except standard queen rooms.

Offer not valid on holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as blackout days. Promotional code must be entered at www.vendangecarmel.com in order for the discount to apply.

About Vendange

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.vendangecarmel.com

Travel

Vietnam is shaping up as one of the Most Attractive Destinations in Asia

November 4, 2016 straightlinepr Leave a comment

New cruises and resorts bump up luxury travel in Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam, November 03, 2016 – Luxury travel on the rise, Vietnam adds luxury cruises, seaplane, helicopter, hotels and experiential travel. Luxury Travel Ltd. (luxurytravels.asia) promotes world’s most authentic experiences in Vietnam and Southeast Asia countries in the upcoming WTM London from 7 to 9 Nov 2016.

Many British travel experts say Vietnam is now one of the top ten destinations in Asia, with luxury the fastest-growing segment. The beauty of Vietnam is that it continues to evolve without diluting its cultural heritage, achieving that delicate balance between modernity and the past.

Pham Ha, founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravels.asia), one of the country’s first luxury travel and tour operators said, “Today’s luxury travelers want to be entertained and stimulated, rather than simply pampered, and Vietnam offers a magical mix of tropical beaches, post-colonial charm, a string of World Heritage Sites, stunning inland scenery, world-renowned cuisine and a home-grown flair for hospitality. Britons look for authentic experiences, Vietnam has all to offer.”

The luxury traveler is being tempted with new cruises in Nha Trang, hotels such as Le Meridien Saigon and the Reverie Hotel Saigon, experiences and tours, such as flying to Halong Bay from Hanoi by sea plane or helicopter service in Danang to Son Dong Cave or Nha Trang. Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh makes adventurious travelers crazy to explore it.

Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure has improved dramatically, a fast-growing list of modern luxury and spa destinations and recently opened golf courses, the launch of luxury yacht and river cruise services ensure stress-free journeys away from the busy roads. More airlines fly to Danang and Nha Trang and other hubs such Hanoi and Saigon, such improvements account for the the country’s recent growth in popularity especially with visa wavers for 6 European countries.

So what are some of Ha’s top hotels and activities in Vietnam? He says his personal favorites are Amano’i Ninh Thuan, near Nha Trang and an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, one of the country’s highlights and his favorite authentic cruising experiences in Nha Trang.

Luxury travelers now have the opportunity to cruise in Nha Trang Bay, not just in Halong Bay and along the Mekong. Being recognized as the pearl of the South Central Coast of Vietnam, Nha Trang has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam because of its natural beauty and superb climate with 300 days of sunshine.

According to this travel guru, the all-inclusive Emperor Cruises Bai Tu Long Bay is the most authentic new cruising experience in Vietnam in 2017. Being treated as kings and queens, indulging in services such as music, fine arts, architecture, culture, cuisines, history, and outdoor activities where everything is all included on the overnight 8 all suite cabin.

“The top ten that seem to leave travelers in awe are the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel, La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa, Banyan Tree Lang Co, InterContiental Sun Peninsular Danang, the Nam Hai in Hoi An, the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Nha Trang, Princess d’Annam Phan Thiet, Six Senses Con Dao and Amano’i Ninh Thuan,” he said.

Pham Ha and his Luxury Travel team attend the upcoming WTM London to promote the authentic travel experiences in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Discover more at www.luxurytravels.asia

Contact:

Nguyen Huyen

Luxury Travel Co., Ltd (Vietnam)

Hanoi Head office

05 Nguyen Truong To Street

Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam

84.4. 3927 4120. Ext 113

marketing1@luxurytravelvietnam.com

http://luxurytravels.asia

Travel

Monterey Symphony’s six-concert season opens in October, celebrates Shakespeare, Big Sur

August 18, 2016 straightlinepr Leave a comment

The magic of one of the world’s most-celebrated coastlines was the inspiration for Big Sur: The Night Sun, an original piece by Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass that will highlight the first of six concerts comprising the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony.

Monterey, CA, August 17, 2016 – The magic of one of the world’s most-celebrated coastlines was the inspiration for Big Sur: The Night Sun, an original piece by Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass that will highlight the first of six concerts comprising the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony. The three-time Daytime Emmy winner composed the music in honor of the Carmel Centennial Celebration, with the support of the Big Sur Land Trust, to premier at the Symphony’s season-opening program, scheduled Oct. 21-23.

The season, entitled “Shakespeare in Music,” will run through May under the direction of Monterey Symphony Music Director and Conductor Max Bragado-Darman. Each concert will feature at least one work influenced by Shakespeare.

MAIN CONCERTS:
Concert times
The six concert programs, which run October 2016 through May 2017, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. at Sherwood Hall in Salinas on Fridays, and at Carmel’s Sunset Center on Saturdays (8 p.m.) and Sundays (3 p.m.). A pre-concert lecture will be offered an hour before each event.

Youth Concerts
The Symphony’s long tradition of youth outreach and education continues this season with eight free Monday Youth Concerts on October 24, November 21, and April 24 at Sunset Center and March 20 at Sherwood Hall. Youth Concerts are held on Mondays at both 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., allowing thousands of students from Monterey, San Benito and south Santa Cruz Counties to experience the magic of Great Music Live. Contact dross@montereysymphony.org to reserve space for your school group.

Tickets
All Subscription packages (6 concerts/4 concerts/3 concerts) are available now by phone or online. The 4 concert mini-series option requires selection of the concerts when purchased and the same seats are guaranteed for each concert; whereas the 3 concert flexpass option allows concert selection at any time with the same seats attempted, but not guaranteed.

Single Tickets may be purchased beginning September 1 by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the box office at Sherwood Hall or Sunset Center.

General admission tickets for Friday concerts at Sherwood Hall (940 N. Main Street, next to the Salinas Sports Complex) are priced at $25.

Tickets for 8pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $80, $60, $40 and $30.

SUNSET CENTER

Saturdays at 8:00 PM 6 CONCERTS 4 CONCERTS 3 CONCERTS SINGLE TICKETS
Sundays at 3:00 PM Full Series Mini Series Flexpass

TIER 1 $474 $316 $237 $80
TIER 2 $354 $236 $177 $60
TIER 3 $234 $156 $117 $40
TIER 4 N/A N/A N/A $30

SHERWOOD HALL 6 CONCERTS 4 CONCERTS 3 CONCERTS SINGLE TICKETS
Fridays at 7:30 PM Full Series Mini Series Flexpass
GENERAL ADMISSION $120 $80 $60 $25

Concert I: Oct. 21-23
The Monterey Symphony gloriously opens its 71st season with Big Sur: The Night Sun, a commissioned orchestral work from local Emmy-winning composer John Wineglass, written for the Carmel Centennial Celebration in conjunction with the Big Sur Land Trust. Wineglass, a Washington D.C. native, lives today on California’s spectacular Central Coast, 20 minutes from Point Lobos, one of the breathtaking locations he says inspired Big Sur: The Night Sun, which he characterizes as a “symphonic tone poem.”

Ludwig van Beethoven’s magnificent concerto for Piano, Violin and Cello in C Major, Op. 56, the “Triple Concerto”, will showcase the talents of three rising stars: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello, in an exciting performance of the only concerto that Beethoven composed for more than one instrument.

In a season that honors Shakespeare in Music, exactly 400 years after the great artist’s death, the second suite from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet adds a moving and profound tone. This work utilizes some rarely used instruments in the orchestra, such as tenor saxophone and cornet, and concludes a colorful and riveting season opener!

Pianist Anna Petrova, a native of Bulgaria, has been honored at numerous international competitions, including the José Roca (Valencia), Val Tidone (Italy) and Maria Yudina (St. Petersburg) Competitions, and was a semifinalist at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition in Belgium in 2010, where she performed as soloist with the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia under Paul Goodwin.

Violinist Rebecca Anderson is a versatile soloist and chamber musician whose recent performances range from solo appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, contemporary music premieres with A Far Cry and eighth blackbird, and collaborative projects with Questlove and Ben Folds. She has appeared as a soloist with the Oregon Symphony, Olympia Symphony, and Columbia Symphony orchestras, and in Europe with a recital concert at the Conservatorio de Bologna in Italy. Most recently, she was a first-prize winner at the 2013 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition for senior division violin.

Cellist JeongHyoun Christine Lee, a native of Seoul, Korea, has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Korean Broadcast Symphony Orchestra, and Calgary Symphony Orchestra, among others, and has served as the Co-Principal of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Lee has performed in Europe and Asia with Curtis on Tour and was recently featured as a Young Artist at Music from Angel Fire and a Caramoor Rising Star at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. She recently performed with Juilliard’s contemporary ensemble, AXIOM, and has attended summer festivals such as the Taos School of Music, Encore, the Great Mountains Music Festival, Orford, and Hotchkiss Summer Portals. She has participated in Prussia Cove Master Classes with Ralph Kirshbaum and the Académie Musicale de Villecroze with Miklós Perényi.

Preview Luncheon with Guest Artists
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
Glen Deven Ranch, Big Sur, CA
$50/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Symphony of Flavors
Pre-show soiree pairing local musicians with featured local wine, beer, and tasty bites included with concert ticket
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Sunset Center Terrace
Concert II: Nov. 18-20
The Romantic music of Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn distinguish the Monterey Symphony’s second concert of the season, opening with Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56 by Brahms, an elegant and well-orchestrated theme and variations on the popular “St. Anthony Chorale” featuring the Honors Orchestra of Youth Music Monterey County in their annual Side-by-Side Program appearance, playing onstage with Monterey Symphony mentors.

This concert will also feature the Overture, Op. 21 and Incidental Music, Op. 61 from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a burgeoning stage that highlights the local talents of singers Mary Young Bragado and Angelique Zuluaga, actors Michael Jacobs and Doug Toby, and community chorus I Cantori di Carmel, directed by Dr. Sal Ferrantelli. You will not want to miss this exciting and entertaining collaboration celebrating Shakespeare in Music!

Mezzo-Soprano Mary Young Bragado, wife of the Monterey Symphony’s Music Director Max Bragado-Darman grew up in Princeton New Jersey and graduated as a singer/choral conductor from the University of Michigan. She has directed numerous works throughout the U.S. and in Spain. She has sung in recital and with many choral groups in the U.S. and Europe. Including the prestigious University of Michigan Chamber Choir, the Kenneth Jewell Chorale in Detroit, and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus.

Soprano Angelique Zuluaga has performed opera, oratorio, and chamber music throughout the U.S. and South America and can be found frequently collaborating with composers in new works. Performance highlights include: soloist in Brahms’ Requiem with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir; Handel’s Ode to St. Cecilia with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Zankel Hall under the direction of Ton Koopman; and soprano soloist with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas’ St. Matthew Passion Brazilian tour under the direction of Kent Nagano.
Actor Michael Jacobs received his B.A. from Whitman College, then went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West and became a member of the first graduating class in 1976. In New York, he studied at the Herbert Berghof Studios with Uta Hagen and Michael Beckett and in California he became a member of the Shakespeare Santa Cruz Company for 3 years, working and studying with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company from England. In 1987, he was cast in The Normal Heart at the GroveMont Theatre, which began a 27-year stint as actor-in-residence for what is now the Pacific Repertory Theatre.

Doug Toby worked as an actor in the film industry for several years and appeared in a number of films and television shows such as Hill Street Blues, The Rockford Files, and the 1984 film Red Dawn. Doug has been involved with many amateur productions since relocating to Monterey County including the Renaissance Festival and the annual Mystery plays of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony.
I Cantori di Carmel (Italian for The Singers of Carmel) conducted by Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, has been bringing choral classics to the Monterey Peninsula since 1981, performing concerts twice annually, in the spring and fall, at the Carmel Mission Basilica and at other venues throughout the year.

Preview Luncheon with Guest Artists
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
Sardine Factory, Cannery Row in Monterey, CA
$50/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Symphony of Flavors
Pre-show soiree pairing local musicians with featured local wine, beer, and tasty bites included with concert ticket
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunset Center Terrace
Post-concert Supper Club with Guest Artists
Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
Il Fornaio, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
$70/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Concert III: Feb. 17-19
The Monterey Symphony opens its third program of the season with one of Arturo Toscanini’s favorite works: the Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 by Ludwig van Beethoven. The tragic story of Gaius Marcius Coriolanus – who unsuccessfully invaded Rome – was dramatized by both William Shakespeare and Viennese poet and author Heinrich Joseph von Collin.

Acclaimed violinist Sergej Krylov will dazzle audiences with his exhilarating performance of the Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.47 by Jean Sibelius, the only concerto composed by the brilliant Finnish composer. Rounding out this program will be the legendary Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 by Johannes Brahms, an audience favorite that has thrilled listeners since it premiered in 1883. Do not miss this opportunity to hear three monuments of musical perfection!

Sergej Krylov, born in Moscow, began playing violin at age 5 as the son of an outstanding violin maker, Alexander Krylov, and a famous Russian pianist and teacher, Liudmila Krylova. He performs with world-famous orchestras such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and the Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Soloists,” among others. He was lauded by late conductor Mstislav Rostropovich as “one of the top five contemporary violinists”.

Concert IV: March 17-19
Bruno Aprea will guest conduct the Monterey Symphony for the fourth program of the season, featuring works by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, and Bernstein. The fiery overture from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Forza del Destino – or ‘the force of destiny’ – sets the tone for this musically broad and brilliant concert.

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture Romeo and Juliet and two movements from the dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet (“Love Scene” and “Romeo Alone”) by French composer Hector Berlioz, one of the greatest orchestrators of all time, amplify this performance of powerful and passionate themes. The Symphonic Dances from the ever-popular West Side Story by American composer Leonard Bernstein will conclude this rich and rousing concert.

Bruno Aprea, former Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Palm Beach Opera, began his musical career as a pianist studying under his father, Tito Aprea, at the Conservatoire of S.Cecilia in Rome. He met with considerable success at a very young age, paving the way to a career on the international concert circuit and playing on numerous occasions with the Accademia di S.Cecilia Orchestra.
He conducted at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, in a Gala evening with Mirella Freni and in a number of concerts at the Opera of Monte Carlo, including one in aid of Unesco, broadcast in Eurovision in 1979. In Italy he conducted all the main symphonic orchestras and toured in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania. In Israel, invited by Shlomo Mintz, he conducted the Israel Chamber Orchestra of Tel Aviv, in South Africa the SABC of Johannesburg, and in Brazil, invited by Eleazar de Carvalho, the Orquestra Sinfonica of Sao Paolo. He has also conducted the Philarmonia Hungarica, the Presidential Symphonic Orchestra of Ankara and the Bilbao Symphonic Orchestra.

Concert V: April 21-23
The fifth concert program in the Monterey Symphony’s Season of Shakespeare opens with the demanding arias of Desdemona from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Otello, with guest coloratura soprano Cyndia Sieden. Included are the famous “Willow Song” and the “Ave Maria” from Act IV.
Cyndia Sieden also appears in the monumental Symphony No. 4 in G Major by Gustav Mahler, one of his shorter symphonic works. Although the soprano is featured in the fourth and final movement only, this entire symphony was based on the song “The Heavenly Life,” which he composed for an earlier song cycle titled Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Don’t miss this chance to hear Mahler’s magical symphony and highlights from one of Verdi’s most mature roles in a spectacular Spring concert!

Soprano Cyndia Sieden studied with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in master classes in Carmel Valley, CA in the early 1980s and has moved among the Baroque, classical, romantic and modern/contemporary repertoire at most of the world’s great opera houses, including Munich’s Bavarian State Opera, Paris’ Opéra Bastille, Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, Brussels’s La Monnaie, and London’s Royal Opera House and English National Opera, as well as in Beijing and Australia. Her Metropolitan Opera debut was in the title role of Alban Berg’s Lulu, and she returned there in 2008 for the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte. With a great sympathy for the works of Richard Strauss, she often performs Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos (Munich, Japan, Vienna), Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier (Paris Châtelet) and Aminta in Die schweigsame Frau (Palermo).

Concert VI: May 19-21
Come hear Michael Noble – winner of the prestigious Carmel Music Society Piano Competition in 2013 – perform Antonin Dvorák’s Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33 with the Monterey Symphony! Dvorák’s violin and cello concertos receive ample stage presence, but the concerto for the piano is the most balanced of the three and a favorite of audiences and musicians alike.

The season of Shakespeare in Music concludes with the overture from Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, a German Singspiel based on the infamous Shakespeare comedy, and Belgian composer César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor, his most famous orchestral work. Make sure you do not miss this opportunity to hear an evening of beautiful, lively, and splendidly crafted music. Come close the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony in this concert programmed to delight fans of great classical music, live!

Pianist Michael Noble gave his first recital when he was six and has gone on to perform concerts across Europe, Asia, and North America. In addition to winning the Carmel Music Society competition in 2013, he was also the first-prize winner in the Crescendo Music Awards (Tulsa, OK) in 2009, and is a two-time laureate of the Chopin International Competition of the 1,000 Islands. He is a graduate of Idyllwild (Calif.) Arts Academy where he was awarded the Outstanding Musician Award of 2005-2006. In 2008, he attended the Paris Conservatoire to work with Nicholas Angelich, and made his debut with the Tulsa Symphony in 2011.

CHAMBER CONCERT SERIES:

Tickets
Single Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the venue.

General admission tickets for concerts at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Dolores & Ninth Ave, Carmel) are priced at $25 for general admission and $10 for students and active military.

General admission tickets for concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $50 for Premium Seating and $25 for general admission.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 1 – CHAMBER MUSIC WITH CLARINET
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The first program in the Monterey Symphony’s 2016/17 Chamber Series will feature the clarinet, including works by Kokai, Debussy, and Brahms. The music on this program may not often be heard, but it will be masterfully presented by musicians from the orchestra, including Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Steve Sanchez, clarinet; Tina Minn, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; and Drew Ford, cello.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 2 – MYRIAD FACES OF RUSSIA
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented as a part of the ICONS in Transformation International Contemporary Art Exhibit at All Saint’s Episcopal Church that runs from September 25 – November 20, 2016. An exhibition of contemporary art and traditional icons with 130 selects pieces by Russian-born artist, Ludmila Pawlowska.

This all-Russian program presented by our October concert Guest Artists: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello; will feature composers from around the turn of the twentieth century – Arensky, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev. Stravinksy’s Suite Italienne is an arrangement of music from his ballet Pulcinella for cello and piano, and the deep and dark Prokofiev Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano was composed for friends lost during the Stalin regime. The Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor by Arensky may not be well-known, but it is a highlight of the program!

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 3 – CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
December 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
This delightful program features concertos, sonatas, interludes and tangos! Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Bach’s Brandenburg No. 5 highlight this concert program that parries itself with the Hampton String Quartet’s Mozartian rendition of holiday favorites. Do not miss this performance of passionate players including guest artist Michael Peterson, harpsichord, and Monterey Symphony musicians including Dawn Walker, flute; Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Jessica Poll, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; Isaac Pastor-Chermak, cello; and Bruce Moyer, bass, in a concert that will also include works by Ibert, Leclaire, and Piazzolla.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 4 –
CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Sunset Center, Carmel
January 13, 2017 at 8:00 p.m & January 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Presented in cooperation with the Sunset Center.

CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – the Nina von Maltzahn Global Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music
Do not miss this special treat to hear some of America’s greatest young musicians from the renowned Curtis Institute of Music! Featured will be legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi and violist and Curtis president Roberto Diaz, along with five outstanding violin students performing Mozart’s five violin concertos – a truly unique and profoundly musical event!

Max Bradago-Darman, Music Director and Conductor of Monterey Symphony
Max Bragado-Darman has served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Monterey Symphony since July 2004. Mr. Bragado-Darman was Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Castile and León in Valladolid, Spain, for nine years. From its formation in 1991, he built it into one of the most prestigious orchestras in Spain. Under his direction, the orchestra performed for enthusiastic audiences in all the major cities of Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Germany. He recorded with this ensemble many unknown works of the Spanish repertoire as well as most of the orchestral works of Turina and Rodrigo on the Naxos label.

In May 1995, Max Bragado-Darman was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. Under his direction, the orchestra grew in popularity due to his rapport with audiences, the community in general, and his innovative programming. He has worked with distinguished artists such as Alicia de Larrocha, Teresa Berganza, Horacio Gutièrrez, Elmar Oliveira, Dubravka Tomsic, Andre Watts, Angel Romero, Gary Graffman, and Aaron Rosand among many others.

As a guest conductor, Max Bragado-Darman has performed in the United States with the symphony orchestras of Honolulu, San Diego, Nashville, Delaware, West Virginia, Cedar Rapids, Savannah, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Austin, Fresno, and Boulder. He has led the National Orchestra, the Radio Television Orchestra and most other orchestras of Spain, as well as orchestras in Portugal, England, Argentina, Germany, and Mexico. In the fall of 2003, he made his debut at the distinguished Wexford Opera Festival with the Granados opera “Maria del Carmen,” in a version he researched and edited himself.

His conducting career has been guided by the knowledge he received from teachers and musicians such as Robert Fountain, Robert Baustian, George Szell, Igor Markevich and Franco Ferrara. Most recently, Max Bragado-Darman has appeared on the podiums of orchestras in Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City. In the spring of 2009, in the heart of Andalucia he took on the challenge of presenting a fusion of flamenco and classical music featuring a pianist, guitarist, dancer, and full symphony orchestra. He has been the conductor for the prestigious “Iturbi Piano Competition” in Valencia, Spain for the last two editions.

Max and Mary Bragado have two children: Julio who was formerly a dancer with The American Ballet Theatre and is now studying acting in New York City, and Ilia who teaches dance in Valladolid, Spain and is married to José Manuel Concejo. They have two grandsons, 7 year old Max and 5 year old Alejandro. Both grandchildren are enchanted with their “Abuelito” and “Granny.”

The mission of the Monterey Symphony is to engage, educate and excite our community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music.

The Monterey Symphony, under the artistic leadership of Music Director & Conductor Max Bragado-Darman, is the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur, and San Benito County. It provides triple performances of a six-concert subscription series at Carmel’s Sunset Theater and Salinas’s Sherwood Hall, as well as youth education programs that include visits to classrooms by musicians and culminate in full-orchestra concerts for school children.

The Monterey Symphony is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, supported in part through the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony, and through grants from The Arts Council of Monterey County, The Berkshire Foundation, The Buffet Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Community Foundation for Monterey County, Frisone Family Foundation, Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, The Harden Foundation, The Todd Lueders Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Monterey County Weekly Community Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, The Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, Samson Foundation, The Robert and Virginia Stanton Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation, Alexander F. Victor Foundation, and many other generous foundations and individual donors.

For additional information, please call 831-646-8511 or visit our web site: www.montereysymphony.org.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.montereysymphony.org