TOKYO (May 9, 2019) — Long lauded as one of the most esteemed hotels in Japan, Palace Hotel Tokyo will soon boast one of the country’s most sought-after dining establishments. The iconic Japanese property is teaming up with DUCASSE Paris, founded by world-famous chef Alain Ducasse, to unveil a brand new restaurant on its premises – scheduled to open on November 1, 2019.

After more than half a century in operation, Palace Hotel Tokyo’s signature French restaurant, Crown, will permanently close its doors on July 28 to make way for the new venue. The new restaurant, which will bear the name ESTERRE, is set to become the first collaboration between a Japanese hotel and the world-renowned chef and restaurateur when it debuts at the beginning of November following a complete redesign by SIMPLICITY, the design studio of award-winning Japanese interior designer Shinichiro Ogata.

Chef Ducasseand his team will be overseeing the new restaurant, where patrons can look forward to a new contemporary approach to French haute cuisine – an approach which aims to re-establish the connection with nature not only by bringing out the original, natural flavors of ingredients, but also by promoting the procurement of sustainable, organic, local ingredients.

“Omotenashi and hospitalité. I believe Japan and France share a sense of hospitality,” said Ducasse. “Whatever the apparent differences between the two cultures, their souls have the same vision of striving for excellence to anticipate their guests’ expectations and offering them a moment of pure happiness.”

“ESTERRE at Palace Hotel Tokyo will deploy nature to the table,” he explains. “It will celebrate the best ingredients that Mother Nature has to offer each season and enhance the very essence of them. We will employ French culinary techniques that turn exceptional ingredients into sublime, elegant, contemporary dishes that are at once healthy, harmonious and sincere.”

About Ducasse Paris

With thirty restaurants in seven countries – from authentic bistros and casual brasseries to three Michelin-starred restaurants – a network of more than 500 addresses selected by les Collectionneurs in Europe, an international education division in culinary and pastry arts, handmade bean-to-bar chocolate shops and handmade coffee-tree-to-cup coffee shops, Alain Ducasse has developed, over thirty years, a different vision of the food service and hospitality industry re-grouped under Ducasse Paris, which he founded in 1999.

For more information, please visit ducasse-paris.com.

For many British parents, the months of July and August loom large in the imagination, summed up neatly by two longed-for and yet simultaneously intimidating words: ‘School. Holidays.’

Six whole weeks of scheduling activities, organising play-dates and frantically checking the weather forecast only to confirm that yes, it is just as you expected, the U.K. will indeed be experiencing all four seasons over the course of a 24-hour period… I suppose that means a trip to the seaside is out?!

But happily, a short hop across the pond to Montana will bring you to a place that seems a million miles from the rest of the world. Where frazzled minds unwind in 37,000 acres of wilderness by day and marvel at the vast canopy of stars blanketing Big Sky Country each night.

It’s a place where ‘camping in the woods’ means sumptuous bed linens, en-suite bathrooms and a chef and butler serving up rustic ranch fare at meal times.

Where ‘taking the kids for a quick dip’ means wild-swimming in the Blackfoot river or bubbling away under the stars in your ‘Big Timber Home’s’ private jacuzzi.

Where an afternoon stuckbehind the wheelmeans kicking up dust with your ATV on a dirt-track road and where guests swap herding family members for herding cattle.

And, where iPhones, iPads, and i-don’t-know-what-to-dos are cast aside in favour of making real memories.

No other resort in America offers families as many adventures as The Resort at Paws Up; we call it home, some call it: The Last Best Place

Japan is on the tip of most people tongues at the moment with the arrival of the NEW Emperor, and many tour operators are reporting record numbers of visitors to Japan especially during the peak seasons.

Taking place in October, tying in perfectly with the arrival of the stunning autumn colours in Tokyo, will be a the official enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito’s so whilst everyone will be heading to Tokyo for this state occasion starting on 22^nd October and ending on 26^th October, the outlying regions such as Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai will be a pure delight for nature lovers in search of incredible autumn colours to rival those of the spring Cherry blossom which is Japan’s most iconic season.

Autumn foliage season begins in mid-September in the northern most islands of Hokkaido and spreads south during October with the best viewing times for Tokyo being mid to late October.

As temperatures dip after the hot summer, the colours of the leaves turn a vibrant range of colours from orange and red to yellow and brown which has been the inspiration for artists and poets for centuries.

In Japan the natural phenomenon is called koyo or momiji (meaning red leaf) and many locals join in a search for the most distinctive shades with an activity named Momigari (red leaf hunting).

So take in a few days in Tokyo admiring the beautiful avenues of trees and parks adjacent to the Imperial Palace where the Enthronement Ceremony will take place before heading out of town to hike amongst the beautiful wooded landscapes on the shores of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park, just as Sir Ernest Satow (British Envoy to Japan from 1895-1900) did when he built his own villa by the Lakeside.

‘Cook locally, cook sustainably’ that’s our philosophy.

Big Sky Country is abundant withcherries, wild chamomile, elk, bison and trout and our Executive Chef, Sunny Jin, is passionate about utilizing these culinary riches. Just like the scenery, our cuisine changes with the seasons and guests delight at the innovative ways in which our chefs make use of Montana’s bountiful offerings.

The term ‘farm-to-table’ has been bandied around somewhat over-zealously of late as restaurants bewilder their customers with fanciful pedigrees for every morsel. Indeed, one might roll their eyes at the suggestion that ingredients arrive on their plate fresh from the pasture at the oh-so-trendy inner-city restaurants.

And yet, in a place far far away from the hubbub of the big city and its revolving door of food-centric fads, lies 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness where one can enjoy exquisite culinary fare whilst gazing out upon a landscape of looming mountains, vast green pastures and meandering rivers from which it was sourced.

A couple of hundred black angus cows still roam the rolling meadows of the Resort at Paws Up, making their way from pasture to plate in the form of chili dusted, black angus steaks. Huckleberries freshly picked from slopes of the surrounding mountains glisten atop a mound of French toast and hand-made sausage at breakfast time and Rocky Mountain trout fresh from our very own Blackfoot River, sautéed with herbs and paired with a crisp Napa Valley Chardonnay serves as a fine lunch-time feast.

Forget farm-to-table, this is table-to-farm, done the Montana way!

Aurora Expeditions, a world leader in polar voyaging, has responded to guest feedback by launching two new itineraries for its 2020/21 Arctic programme. Flexible in their approach to expeditionary voyaging, and crafting itineraries that focus on the environment and wildlife, their customers have always been an intrinsic part of the voyaging experience.

In light of this commitment to their clientele, Aurora Expeditions asked for their help to decide which itineraries they would like included in the 2020/21 programme. Close to 1,000 people voted and chose the ‘West Greenland Explorer’ and ‘Iceland Circumnavigation’ as the top two itineraries to undertake with Aurora Expeditions on board their new ship Greg Mortimer launching in October 2019.

Iceland Circumnavigation

Departing 2 June, 2020 | 11 days | Reykjavik – Reykjavik

Over the course of 11 days, Iceland Circumnavigation allows guests to chart the dramatic, undulating volcanic topography of the region. Voyagers will discover some of the most remote bays and fjords, take in the breathtaking sights of Europe’s largest glacier, black sand beaches, glacial lagoons and a chance to spot whales in Húsavík. During this expedition, wildlife enthusiasts will experience the abundant birdlife and reindeer population of Vatnajökull National Park. Those seeking the ultimate active adventure can hike to mountain peaks and go sea-kayaking (additional cost applies). After intrepid adventuring, voyagers have the chance to soak in the geothermal waters of Mývatn Nature Baths.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offer an 11-day Iceland Circumnavigation itinerary from £6,300 per person based on two people sharing.  

West Greenland Explorer

Departing 18 May, 2020 | 11 days | Nuuk -Nuuk

West Greenland Explorer offers an intrepid experience through Greenland exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord, with an optional helicopter flight over the immense icefjord (additional cost applies). Aurora Expedition explorers will take Zodiac-cruises along the striking coastline, crossing icebergs and breath-taking glaciers, observing the crystal-clear waters and watching for whales as they go. Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, is famous for its cosmopolitanism; brightly-coloured houses and up-and-coming boutiques & restaurants. Here, guests will discover the cultural histories of the Inuit community at the Nuuk Art Museum, gaze at ancient artefacts in the National Museum, and uncover the antiquities of the 1849 cathedral.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com|  0808 189 2005) offer an 11 day ‘West Greenland Explorer’ itinerary from £6,300 per person based on two people sharing.

In 2017, Blue Planet II jolted more than 62% of the UK population into awareness of the complexity and plight of the oceans. The ground-breaking footage revealed the precarious state of life below the waves and provoked a surge in interest in wildlife and ocean conservation.

This March, the new BBC epic, Blue Planet Live, dives deep beneath the Earth’s oceans to reveal dazzling vistas and amazing creatures, sharing startling new insights into the wonders of and challenges facing our oceans. Filmed in several locations, Blue Planet Live is presented by marine conservation heavyweights Liz Bonnin, Chris Packham and Steve Backshall, all long-standing expedition leaders for Steppes Travel.

Following her recent investigation into the catastrophic impact of plastics in the oceans, as shown in her BBC documentary Drowning in Plastic, Liz Bonnin will explore how new life is faring in the fragile environment of the Great Barrier Reef. Chris Packham will explore the ocean’s ‘Twilight Zone’ for the first time live on television, from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, whilst off a tiny island in the Bahamas, Steve Backshall will undertake a series of missions to broadcast shark gatherings, bringing us closer to the oceans’ top predators.

Blue Planet II educated, enthralled and shocked nearly 40 million viewers with its incredible footage and hard-hitting evidence of human damage to the oceans. This March, Blue Planet Live will propel the momentum even further, appealing to all ages and strata of society to help turn the tide and save our blue planet for future generations.

Don’t miss this, we all need to be aware of the damage our planet is enduring at the hands of ‘progress’.

We’re introducing some very special experiences

This Easter at The Resort at Paws Up Montana, we’re introduced some very exciting new activities. The whole family can learn survival techniques from our primitive skills expert Gary Steele, our ‘Outdoorsman in Residence’ or kids, young and old, might enjoy our sweet and savoury cooking classes whilst mum and dad join one of our Paint ‘n’ Pour classes strictly for the adults!

Gary is a blacksmith and a woodsman, and with a philosophy of learning beyond the class room, he will share a lifetime of experiences of fun things to do in the woods, as well as impart valuable survival skills and encourage an appreciation of the great outdoors in your kids.  Gary’s work-shops are designed to bring families together and foster confidence and responsibility in the young.

Whilst the kids are learning how to appreciate the great outdoors, adults could be painting it, at one of our Paint ‘n’ Pour classes recreating one of our memorable landscapes whilst enjoying a glass of wine to ease the flow of the brush. And if the kids are hungry and want to get hands-on in the kitchen they could try one of our Sweet or Savoury cook off’s hosted by our ‘Chef’s in Residence’ including Valerie Gordon one of the top artisan chocolatiers in the country or the James Beard Chef Steve ‘Nookie’ Postal who was a finalist in Around the World in 80 Plates.

The Easter Bunny is planning on making an appearance at Paws Up and one thing is guaranteed your Easter with us will be unlike any other.

The adventure awaits:Spring Break Special Offer

All guests staying at Paws Up will receive a $500 activity credit per person

Take advantage of a 20% lodging discount when booking a 4 night stay

A 4 night-stay at The Resort from April 17th-21st, 2019 for 2 adults and 2 children in a Meadow Home with our Spring Break Offer is £6,550 including taxes and resort fees (nett).

Palace Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo’s only wholly Japanese-owned luxury hotel, offers guests the opportunity to experience the electric atmosphere of Japan’s capital city using only self-generated and wholly renewable energy sources – powered by paddle, by pedals or indeed by pavement-pounding. ‘The hotel’s Palatial Pursuits: Energizing Tokyo’ package includes a three-hour bicycling or jogging excursion, or a two-hour kayaking tour of the city, tailored entirely to the clients’ interests and fitness levels.

With the Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Olympics fast approaching, Japan is entering into a period of great sporting significance and keeping active is now firmly on Tokyo’s radar. Palace Hotel Tokyo’s ‘Palatial Pursuits: Energizing Tokyo’ Package allows guests of the hotel to experience the famous buzz of the city in an invigorating and sustainability-focused way.

Palace Hotel Tokyo’s enviable location, set aside the resplendent gardens of the Imperial Palace, is the ideal starting block for an exploration of the city. Guests participating in the jogging or cycling tour might begin their journey by the sakura-lined gardens of the Imperial Palace then wind their way through the iconic urban landscape of the Marunouchi district, stopping by the Tsukiji Fish Market to grab a weird and wonderful crustacean en route. From here, they might head west past the famous Tokyo Tower to Shibuya Crossing to capture a much-sought-after selfie at the world’s busiest intersection. Tokyo is a city of great contrasts – narrow streets lined with miniature dive bars feed into giant boulevards bedecked with towering neon signs and the hotel’s jogging and cycling tours offer an intimate opportunity to see and experience the city through the eyes of a local.

Tokyo is equally as fascinating from the water and the Tokyo Great Kayaking Tour takes guests right to the heart of the city. In spring time, the cherry-blossoms line the rivers and canals, creating a fragrant, floral archway above the intrepid paddlers’ heads. As the inner-city hums at dusk with the swarm of revellers heading out for the evening, kayakers experience a more tranquil view of Tokyo from its waterways, watching from afar as the bridges over the bay are illuminated and the sun sets over the water. The evening kayaking tour offers a unique perspective of Tokyo, leaving the buzz a whirl of the city behind to embrace a more sustainable view of its skyline.

Aurora Expeditions,is a world leader in polar cruising and is now launching its 2020/21 program aboard their NEW ship, Greg Mortimer, one of the most advanced expedition ships in the world.The new program includes a diverse mix of exciting itineraries and destinations, including Antarctica and the Arctic, Iceland, West Greenland and Costa Rica, and showcases why Aurora was recently awarded Editor Pick for ‘Best Itineraries’ by Cruise Critic.

Aurora Expedition’s Managing Director, Robert Halfpenny, said “Customers have responded overwhelmingly to Aurora’s expert-led and adventure-packed itineraries this past year, and we anticipate that they will be equally enthusiastic with the new program being released today”.

Highlights of the 20/21 program include:

NEW Solar Eclipse in Antarctica: 24 November – 15 December 2021

According to NASA, the best spot to witness the total solar eclipse on 4th December 2021 is well into the Weddell Sea, exactly where the Greg Mortimer plans to be! This once-in-a-lifetime voyage will visit the incredible white continent and the beautiful island of South Georgia.

NEW Costa Rica & the Panama Canal: 25 April – 6 May 2020

This voyage is an all-star event; with special guests including Aurora Expeditions co-founder and well-known explorer, Greg Mortimer, along with renowned wildlife photographer, Richard I’Anson. The voyage will explore some of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world and conclude with a guaranteed daylight crossing of the famous Panama Canal.

NEW West Greenland Explorer: 18 – 28 May 2020

Boasting the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, West Greenland offers an adventure-filled voyage to experience gleaming ice-filled fjords and unbeatable photographic opportunities.

NEW Iceland Circumnavigation: 2 June – 12 June 2020

Explore the flora and fauna of this unique environment. Spot breaching whales in Husavik, before exploring some of the most remote fjords and bays in Westfjords and the glacial lagoons, black sand beaches, and Europe’s largest glacier in Vatnajökull National Park.

NEW Franz Josef Land Explorer: 12-26 July 2020 & 19 July – 3 August 2021

Expeditioners will experience a rare chance to explore the frozen landscape of Franz Josef Land on this voyage, crossing the Barents Sea to a world few have seen. Passengers will enter the Russian Arctic National Park for an immersive wildlife viewing spectacle that includes polar bears, whales, walrus, and seals.

NEW Antarctica Complete: 22 January – 13 February 2021

The ultimate Antarctic experience, this epic journey will take passengers south of the Antarctic Circle, where few travellers have ever been. There will be countless excursions onto the frozen continent for sights of unforgettable vistas as well as the opportunity to explore the incredible island of South Georgia, known for its amazing sightings of penguin colonies and curious seals.

Family Life is just so much more than a Beach!

We believe that the greatest luxury is family;

Time spent together, away from techie gadgets, sharing and making memories

The words I’m bored just don’t exist on Paws Up’s 37,000 acre wilderness ranch and after the long winter filled with dark cold evenings, grab your family and head to Montana for a much needed breath of fresh air and some thrilling adventures.

Stay in one of our spacious luxury homes where you can gently rock on a chair on the porch and admire the view, or chill out by the fire and toast s’mores with the kids or jump into the hot tub and bubble away under the stars.

During the day action and adventure await. Choose from a huge range of activities including zooming around on an ATV or driving our herds of cattle from pasture to pasture from the comfort of your own horse. Head to the river to raft and try your hand at catching one of the Blackfoot’s many trout or take aim at our varied and challenging sporting clays course.

The younger members of the family could try out our newly revamped go-kart track or our thrilling high ropes course or the brave can jump on a mountain bike and take on the challenge of the bone rattle bike course in the woods. With a ton of family friendly action and adventure experiences on offer, no two days are the same.

The adventure awaits: Spring Break Special Offer

All guests staying at Paws Up will receive a $500 activity credit per person.

Take advantage of a 20% lodging discount when booking a 4 night stay

A 4 night-stay at The Resort at Paws Up from April 17th-21st, 2019 for 2 adults and 2 children in a Meadow Home with our Spring Break Offer is £6,550 including taxes and resort fees (nett).