Claremont Hotel Club & Spa
Posted on May 19, 2010 By Joseph
Joseph heads to Northern California to the other city on the bay – Oakland – where he stays at the newly renovated Claremont Hotel Club & Spa. The 1915 castle on the Berkeley Hills has recently spruced up its guest rooms, reinvented the Spa Claremont and, most notably, transformed their gourmet dining offering into the innovative Meritage. It’s in this venue that award-wining chef Josh Thomsen conjures up an array of delectable specialties served in half or full portions accompanied by a choice of appropriate wine vintages. A devotee of local products Josh hunts down the best of regional producers to give guests a real taste of Northern California. Discoveries such as Hog Island oysters pleasantly surprise and totally satisfy the most discerning diner. From a sunny spot at Meritage during breakfast Joseph enjoys stunning views of fog-shrouded San Francisco while speaking with marketing manager Mickey Khangsengsing about the new shine on this grand old lady.
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Claremont Hotel Club & SpaCultural Folk Tours
Posted on April 22, 2010 By Joseph
Cappadocia, in Turkey’s rural heart, is a natural wonder and a cultural treasure chest. It is where the East and West have collided and “fairy chimneys” — fantastic volcanic ash formations — have risen from the land and tower over beautifully carved valleys. The Travelscope TV episode will air as part of Season IV which begins airing on PBS stations nationwide on June 2010. As a preview to its release Joseph meets up with Bora Özkök of Cultural Folk Tours at the Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure show to talk about Cappadocia, Bora’s tours and the Cappadocia Suites — one of the finest and most unusual accommodations in Turkey.
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Cultural Folk ToursNew Brunswick, Canada’s Bay of Fundy Isles
Posted on March 30, 2010 By Joseph
The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world. The contrast between low and high tides may reach 45 feet. The people whose lives are most influenced by this amazing natural phenomena are the inhabitants of New Brunswick, Canada’s Bay of Fundy Isles – a string of scenic islands where lives are dependent on the sea and lived with respect for nature’s awesome power. Grand Manan, Deer Island and Campobello are the three most frequented islands. On this adventure Joseph visits all three and meets New Brunswick, Canada’s secret treasure—its people.
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New Brunswick, Canada’s Bay of Fundy IslesSouth Africa Adventure
Posted on March 30, 2010 By Joseph
Joseph heads out on safari at the Shamwari Wildlife Preserve then visits the town of Alicedale – where people power is thriving. Along the way he visits a Capetown area winery for some rest, relaxation and wine tasting.
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South Africa AdventureSwitzerland - Bettmerhof Inn
Posted on March 23, 2010 By Joseph
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Bettmeralp sits at 6,561 surrounding with the Valais region of Switzerland’s beautiful mountains. A four season destination, Bettmeralp is family-friendly and car-free – and typically Swiss. At the quaint village of Bettmeralp – dubbed the Better Alp by the tourism board – Joseph stayed at the Bettmerhof, which is situated near the chair lift which leads to alpine meadows in the summertime and excellent downhill skiing in the wintertime. Christian Iholster, his wife and two children were Joseph’s hosts and hostesses.
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Switzerland - Bettmerhof Inn