02 Dec 2009
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Compass Editor
Kensington can’t wait for 2010. We’ve been busy creating some extraordinary gourmet itineraries for the New Year. Enjoy a sampling of these tasty tours below.
Appetizing South East Asia
Gourmet Culinary Tour
15 Days from $4,651pp
Pamper your palate with this gourmet culinary tour of Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Travelers will stimulate far more than their sense of taste during this 15 day private guided adventure. Explore this exotic region’s highlights and hotspots while discovering, sampling and creating the various traditional cuisines of each delicious destination. Travel by long-tailed boat to a Thai house in a Bangkok suburb where you will participate in a professionally conducted Thai cooking course. Cruise through colourful floating markets and aromatic fruit plantations. Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam and visit Hang Da Market accompanied by a Seasons' chef to pick out ingredients for your Vietnamese cooking lesson. Composed of fresh Hue style spring rolls, shrimp paste on sugar cane, fish baked in a clay pot and banana flower salad, this delectable meal is easy to recreate once you get home. Take a bicycle ride through the villages and rice paddies of picturesque Hoi An. This cultural river town features tasty cafes, fabulous restaurants, unique shopping, inspiring art and nearby stunning beaches. Prepare a Vietnamese meal in a traditional kitchen at the Red Bridge restaurant on the bank of Thu Bon River under the guidance of an award winning chef. Fly into Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, and discover the exciting landmarks of the city as well as its scrumptious cuisine. A fascinating blend of diverse cultures, Malaysian food is unique because of its Malay, Chinese, Indian and Baba ingredients and spices. Take a local culinary course before you finish this epic trip of South East Asia in savoury Singapore. Enjoy a city tour of this appetizing hub, and visit the most colourful suburban town of Holland Village – a truly bohemian enclave. Try your luck in the local markets for art, antiques, spices and traditional Asian cooking equipment. Sample mouth-watering local dishes like Singapore’s famous Laksa or Nasi Lemak. Featuring a combination of four to five star hotels, seamless private transfers and Kensington's 24/7 support - this is a stress-free way to enjoy this mix of city, countryside and all the delicious culinary and historical highlights of South East Asia.
Mountains & Malbecs
Mendoza Vineyard Tour
7 Days from $2,408pp
Indulge your palate and other senses while discovering the secrets of the most important wineries in Argentina during this 7 day Mendoza vineyard tour. Arrive in Buenos Aires and spend 3 days exploring this vibrant city. Learn the origins of Polo, how to play and the horse selection process. Taste gourmet BBQ cuisine and immerse yourself in a seductive Tango show. Fly to Mendoza where you’ll spend a day soaking in culture while exploring the city's streets and sites with a private guide and driver. Travelers will receive an intimate look into 125 years of winemaking as they visit the vineyards and award winning wineries of Andeluna Cellers, Bodega Salentein, Ruca Malen, Belasco de Baquedano and Bodega Catena Zapata. Taste world renowned Merlots, Syrahs, Lambecs, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Semillions, Torrontes, and Malbecs, the flavours enhanced by the breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains. This sophisticated and savoury tour is the perfect addition to any South American adventure.
Chefs, Sommeliers & Savoury South Africa
9 Day Culinary Tour Of The Western Cape
From $6,995pp
Stimulate your senses while tasting the wonders of South Africa. This delicious 9 day private guided tour celebrates some of the most legendary vineyards, restaurants, chefs and cuisine the continent has to offer. Visit 9 estate wineries, 12 renowned restaurants, 4 artisanal fromageries, a chocolate tasting and even a cooking class led by a Michelin trained Chef. Savour delicacies, rest at fine hotels and take in the breathtaking sites and surroundings of South Africa. Stay at Cape Grace- Cape Town’s premier luxury hotel, Le Quartier Français- an exclusive boutique hotel situated in the heart of the wine lands of Franschhoek Valley and Birkenhead House- a beacon of elegance on the coastline where food and wine are treated with much reverence.