Travel Agent - April 14, 2008 - (Page 22)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 nished period rooms and suites that have all the modern creature comforts like satellite TV and home theater, air conditioning, minibars and spacious marble bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs. Surrounded by 120 hectares of lovingly manicured formal gardens and private forest, the hotel features a tennis court, heated swimming pool and an impressive restaurant. A member of Relais & Châteaux hotels, the château is owned by the Gombert family; Philippe and Stéphanie Gombert (stephaniegombert@ chateauxdelatreyne.com, 011-33-05-65276060) are the hotel managers. Each room is unique and full of character, like the Soleil Levant chamber, housed in the former chapel. And talk about rooms with a view! Book the Dordogne-facing rooms and your clients won’t stop talking. The prettiest river view is from the magnificent Louis XIII suite, which features a four-poster bed, parquet floors in the style of Versailles, a sitting area with garden views, a gorgeous armoire from the era of Louis XIII and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower. Other rooms with views over the Dordogne include Duc, Scribe, Louis XVI, La Tour, Fénelon, Turenne, Prison Dorée and Cardinal. For families traveling together, choose the Prison Dorée (“Golden Prison”) apartment, perfect for a group of five. Situated at the top of the 14th-century Square Tower, the Prison Dorée is comprised of a large bedroom, a separate salon with a sofa bed for two kids, a second bedroom with a single bed and two bathrooms. Also note that the La Tour suite can connect with the Vendanges room. Dining is a true pleasure at Château de la Treyne, and a meal enjoyed on the outside terrace overlooking the Dordogne is not to be missed. As to be expected from a chef who was awarded a Michelin star in 2001, Stéphane Andrieux’s plates exhibit a poetic harmony of flavors and artistic presentation. Three special menus highlight the region’s rich flavors, with signature specialties including seared foie gras with walnuts and quince compote served with a medley of lobster and artichoke hearts; scallops cooked in their own shells with a citrus confit; and Millefeuille of Aubrac beef layered with Cahors wine-marinated duck, served with a soufflé of apples and locally harvested mushrooms and morilles. Then there’s the tasting of foie gras presented in four different ways: gently cooked in Cahors wine; marinated with salt and star anise; served in a terrine with spices; 22 | TravelAgent April 14, 2008 Château de Mercuès, whose orchards and gardens date back to before the French Revolution and boiled in a pot-au-feu. Château de la Treyne is the perfect spot for weddings, with a professional team on hand to organize the event. In fact, your clients can take over the entire castle—the château can sleep 40 to 50 people comfortably, and there are six additional rooms available at the Château du Bastit to accommodate between 12 and 18 persons. From Château de la Treyne, your clients can easily access all of the wonderful sights in the region, and Stéphanie Gombert is happy to make the arrangements. There’s plenty to do right outside the front door: fishing, hiking or picnicking along the riverbanks. Canoeing along the Dordogne is the best way for your clients to discover the area, and Gombert makes reservations with the Société Copeyre. She also recommends a guided tour of the 14th-century Moulin de Caugnaguet, a visit to the nearby caves at Lacave and a tour of the local goat farm. Of course, the château is happy to arrange transportation to all of Dordogne’s famous sites by private car or minibus, with or without a guide. Gombert even can arrange hot-air-balloon or helicopter rides directly from the castle gardens. Another magical château-hotel is Château de Mercuès (http://chateaudemercues. fr), home of the bishops of Cahors for seven centuries starting in 1212. Just 10 kilometers from Cahors, the Château de Mercuès survived the Hundred Years’ War and the 16th-century Wars of Religion and has now been converted into a hotel and gastronomic restaurant, where food lovers are introduced to Quercy products and flavors. Chef Philippe Combet serves up regional specialties like truffle risotto, duck foie gras marbled with morilles and confit, veal with cèpes and vegetables from the garden and http://chateaudemercues.fr http://chateaudemercues.fr

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Travel Agent - April 14, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: The châteaux-hotels of the Dordogne and Quercy in France Middle East: Although Dubai is Expanding, it is not Bursting at the Seams Pacific/Asia: Pattaya is Southeast Asia’s Sunny Paradise Pacific/Asia Briefs Las Vegas: New York City Dining Comes to Sin City Hawaii: Accommodations in Hawaii for the Entire Family Central & South America: Cayo Espanto is the Private Island Resort for Clients to Get Away from it All Caribbean: Iberostar Property Opens in Rose Hall, Jamaica Running El Casino at the Sheraton Old San Juan Africa: Africa Travel Association’s 11th Annual Symposium Spotlight on the Djibouti Palace Kempinski Cruises: Experts Share Views on the Direction Cruise Pricing is Heading Cover Story: Home Counsel Car Rental: Vacation.com Joins with Hertz to Grow Car-Rental Sales Transportation Briefs Northeast USA: Brooklyn’s Hotel Le Bleu Agent Profile: Gary Mansour of Mansour Travel Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Violent Protests Halt Travel to Tibet Celebrating Company and Agency Innovations Sheraton Upgrades Brand through Renovations and Redesign Earning Opportunities and Agent Recognition In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - April 14, 2008

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