Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008 - (Page 28)

TOURISM TRAVELERS LEARN TO COOK WHILE ON VACATION BY ROBERTA ROBERTI Culinary The Manor on Golden Pond, Holderness, NH F 28 OR A LONG WHILE, THE ART OF PREPARING FOOD SUFFERED SEVERE NEGLECT AS CONVENIENCE FOODS PROLIFERATED. But over the past decade, people have begun to rediscover the pleasures of food and cooking. And these pleasures have extended to the travel industry:Travelers are looking to combine vacation with education by going someplace where they can learn—or re-learn—to cook. As a result, culinary tourism has become an immensely popular travel niche. Home-Based Travel Agent has gathered some good options, in and out of the U.S., for your clients who want a vacation centered around food, wine and education. Note: Classes are seasonal at many properties. United States The White Barn Inn & Spa, Kennebunkport, ME The “Fork in the Road” cooking class packages include two nights’ accommodations; full gourmet breakfast, afternoon tea and a candlelight gourmet dinner daily; cooking classes each morning; a recipe book; and a culinary gift. Prices start at $600 per person. Call 800545-2141, e-mail info@manorongoldenpond.com or visit www.manorongoldenpond.com. Blair House Inn, Wimberley, TX This Relais & Chateaux property’s restaurant was recently awarded Mobil five-star status for the first time. Cooking lessons start at about $500 per person. The Guest Chef Series Packages include two nights’ deluxe accommodations; continental breakfast daily; afternoon teas; a welcome cocktail party; a two-hour cooking demonstration; an optional hands-on class in the afternoon; a six-course tasting menu dinner for two; a signed White Barn Inn cookbook; and a White Barn Inn apron. Call 207-967-2321, e-mail innkeeper@whitebarninn.com or visit whitebarninn.com. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, TX Theme-class packages at Blair House include a twonight stay at the inn, all food and beverages during your stay, cooking classes, recipes and all taxes and tips. Prices start at $715.88 per person, single occupancy, $609.88 per person, double occupancy (two cooking school participants in one room). The five-day classes start at $1,240.98 per person, single occupancy, $1,028.95, double occupancy. Call 877549-5450, e-mail info@blairhouseinn.com or visit www.blairhouseinn.com. Yates House Bed and Breakfast, Rocheport, MO The culinary program here is free to guests and emphasizes healthful cooking. Package options start at $1,455 per person. They include accommodations, tours of Hill Country organic farms, three meals daily and all activities and programs. Call 800-847-5637 or visit www.lakeaustin.com. Home-BasedTravelAgent JUNE 2 0 0 8 During the fall/winter season, Yates offers gourmet packages that include a Friday night reception; classes Friday and Saturday with dinner; a guest vintner discussion; and a tour of the local vineyard. This package is $150 per person. Accommodations are not included. For spring/summer, individual groups of eight or more can be accommodated with customized classes. Call Dixie Yates at 573-698-2129, e-mail yateshouse@socket.net or visit yateshouse. com/gourmet-weekends.htm. The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV Anyone who is familiar with the TV program Barbecue University with Steven Raichlen will recognize the http://www.manorongoldenpond.com http://www.blairhouseinn.com http://whitebarninn.com http://www.lakeaustin.com

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Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008 Contents Editor's Note Publisher's Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Indentifying Agents Delivering Documents Culinary Vacations Pacific Northwest Cover Story: Cruising Scandinavia Agent Access New Products

Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008

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