Clockwise from top left: Vineyard in France, St Peter’s

Basilica in Rome, Wine Barrels, Gritti Palace Epicurean School

/ 11For our latest Special Offers – please contact your specialist Travel Agent, call our reservations team on 0161 491 7650 or visit www.carrier.co.uk

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Inspirations

Cook the Italian Way

Forget flashy techniques and exotic spices – Italian cuisine is all about cooking quality local ingredients well. It’s the tradition that Italians know best, and getting to know its secrets makes a memorable holiday experience. Two that stand out for sheer excellence are the Buono Buonissimo! cooking school at Villa San Michele near Florence and the Gritti Epicurean School in Venice. In just a short time, the Buono Buonissimo! course has taken the foodie world by storm, with Executive Chef Attilio di Fabrizio revealing the glories of Tuscan cuisine in small hands-on classes. This year, guests can even take the Kitchen Cook-Off challenge, going head to head with rival participants to be named chef of the day. Courses at the Gritti Epicurean School ofteninclude a visit to the ancient Rialto market to select seasonal ingredients for typical Venetian recipes, followed by an aperitivo at a local bacaro before the lesson. Hugely experienced Executive Chef Danile Turco presides over the proceedings.

Wine Tours

Being able to combine the wonderful landscapes of Provence and Tuscany with fascinating insights into the world of wine production is an oenophile’s dream. Here is just a selection of our top class wine tours, each suffused with rich wine growing tradition. In the gentle hills of the Chianti region experiences range from tours of intimate, family-run estates such as Poggio Amorelli to the decidedly medieval flavour of Castello di Volpaia, involving underground passages and wine cellars set within former churches. There are opportunities to dine in gourmet style during many of the visits – the Michelin-starred Osteri di Passignano on the Badia di Passignano estate meriting particular mention. Lovers of Brunello won’t want to miss the tutored wine tastings at Casanova di Neri. Meanwhile, beyond the lavender fields and olive groves of Provence lie unforgettable experiences such as the ‘Cru Classé’ of Chateau St Roseline and the

phenomenal rosés of Chateau d’Esclans where consulting oenologist Patrick Leon works with the legendary Sacha Lichine to create oak barrel-fermented rosés such as the Garrus – reputedly the world’s priciest.

Privileged Access

Quite understandably, the world’s greatest cultural showpieces attract visitors in their droves. Imagine then the immense privilege of being able to have these places all to yourself, visiting at specially arranged times with your own expert guides. In the Vatican, that means savouring the delights of the many priceless antiquities, maps and tapestries in private, visiting Raphael’s Rooms and roaming through centuries of treasures from Egyptian to Etrurian, Renaissance to Baroque. Gaze in crowd-free peace and silence upon Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, including his most cherished works – The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement.

The Apostolic Palace awaits with a private viewing of areas normally out of bounds to visitors, entering the Vatican State through a special entrance attended by Swiss Guards. Visit the usually inaccessible Sala Ducale and Sala Regia, taking the rare opportunity to admire two of Michelangelo’s late frescoes in the Pauline Chapel and even lingering awhile in the Room of Tears where the newly-elected Pope retreats in prayer. At the Colosseum you can walk in the footsteps of gladiators, accessing behind-the-scenes tunnels, cells, animal pens and passages, taking in basilicas, temples and triumphal arches in the company of outstanding art historians. A wonderful chance to sense the thrill, fear, dread and anticipation that the gladiators must have felt before they entered the baying arena. The adrenalin also flows at Siena’s famous Palio as the horses and their riders’ race at break-neck speed around the historic Piazza del Campo - yet for many visitors, the only view is of the spectator in front. With Carrier, privileged access is assured, viewing the parades and drama from a private terrace overlooking the

piazza, or if you prefer to be in the middle of the action we can arrange tickets for the boxes or on the terraces of the buildings that surround it. Races take place in July and August.

Monaco Grand Prix

Since that glorious inaugural day in 1929 when Britain’s William Grover-Williams sped to victory in his Bugatti, the Monaco Grand Prix has maintained its iconic status as the world’s most glamorous motor racing event. We are proud to be able to offer a choice of exclusive race viewing options, enhanced by deluxe accommodation in Nice or Monaco, helicopter or private chauffeur transfers and VIP access to the best F1 after-parties. Few trackside vantage points can match that of the Ermanno Palace 7th Floor Suite, with its birds-eye view of 70% of the circuit including the first turning and clear line of sight from the tunnel exit through to Rascasse. Alternatively, watch the race unfold from the lavish comfort of a tri-deck super yacht, enjoying superb cuisine and an open bar, plus an invitation to an exclusive on board party on the Friday. For the best of both worlds, take a VIP Combo Package to spend a Champagne Saturday on the yacht, moving to the Ermanno Palace for Sunday’s action.

Year-Round Whale Watching

To see a pod of dolphins carving through the water, or witness the giant slap of a whale’s fluke is one of life’s most thrilling experiences, and you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the privilege. The warm waters off the south-west coast of Tenerife are renowned for their populations of whale and dolphin, with as many as twenty four species migrating through the food-rich waters at different times of year. Sightings are virtually guaranteed and can include bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, minke and killer whales, together with many kinds of sea birds, turtles, sharks and rays. Leave all the arrangements to Carrier for a truly unforgettable trip.

ITALY, FRANCE, MONACO, SPAIN

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/ 73For our latest Special Offers – please contact your specialist Travel Agent, call our reservations team on 0161 491 7650 or visit www.carrier.co.uk

Clockwise from top left: Samaria Gorge–Crete, Lisbon,

Santorini, Spice Market in Marrakech

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/ 72Inspirations

Inspirations

Lisbon by Sidecar

You haven’t seen Lisbon until you’ve seen it from the unique perspective of travelling in the sidecar of a motorcycle. The narrowest of cobbled streets become accessible as you tour the medieval maze of the Alfama quarter, inspiration of many a Fado lament, or sweep uphill to the ramparts of Castelo São Jorge to take in the panoramic city vistas. Down by the harbour stand tributes to Portugal’s maritime heritage – the Moorish watchtowers and exotic sculptures of the UNESCO-listed Belem fortress and the Monument of Discoveries, commemorating the achievements of Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, Prince Henry the Navigator and other Portuguese heroes. Close by is the fifteenth century Jerónimos Monastery, containing the tombs of Vasco de Gama and poet Luís de Camões.

Similar ground is covered by those opting for a photography-based tour of the city in the company of a local professional photographer who will follow your motorbike and sidecar on his scooter to give advice on capturing the essence of Portuguese life and landscapes. From the city’s most spectacular ‘miradouros’ viewpoints to the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade, the atmospheric Barrio Alto and the attractions of the old port, this promises to be an exceptional experience. Both tours include a stop to savour traditional Pastéis de Belém custard tarts at Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, where you can take a look at the kitchen dating back to 1837.

Photography Tour of Marrakech

Colourful is a description that applies equally to Marrakech and Mauro Parmesani, the photographic guru who leads this immensely interesting photography tour. Those familiar with magazines such as Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Traveller and Vogue may already be familiar with his work which ranges from high fashion shoots to rugged photojournalism. Mauro will help you discover the most intimate secrets of the city, advising on setting, framing and

light as you move through vibrant markets such as the fabric and dyers’ souk or the wrought iron and brass souk, taking in the architectural confections of the Ben Youssef Koranic School and Sidi Bel Abbes mosque.

No shoot would be complete without an in-depth nature tour of the Jardins de Majorelle with their Moorish charm and hints of Art Deco. To end the day, Mauro will help you set up your equipment with a view to capturing one of the Red City’s most alluring sights – sunset over Jemma El Fna square.

Moroccan Cooking Class

Rich tajines, spicy couscous, sweet and savoury pastilla, b’ssara soup, fish chermoula…the mouth begins to water at the very mention of Moroccan cuisine. Ginger, turmeric, saffron and cinnamon abound, contributing to dishes that are both hearty and exotic, and currently enjoying resurgence among the world’s top kitchens. Learn how to create Moroccan cuisine at its best on the acclaimed cookery courses which take place at La Maison Arabe, in the heart of Marrakech’s medina.

Following a fascinating introduction into the history of Moroccan cooking and its importance within society you’ll get to try your hand at making some of the country’s classic signature dishes, including mains, salads, desserts and pastries. A translator is on hand to provide explanations and instructions, and each cooking station has a television monitor to ensure that you don’t miss a moment. Naturally, participants get to taste the fruits of their efforts after class.

Truffle Hunting in Istria

King of luxury gastronomy, the truffle is both mysterious and unmistakeable. At the right time of year its odour and flavour are intense, marking it out as the must-have ingredient for epicures and gourmets. Finding truffles, however, is no easy task, but you can learn the secret of successful detection on our exclusive Istrian truffle hunt around the village of Livade.

Dogs have now largely replaced pigs as the truffle-sniffers of choice, and on this private truffle hunt you will join a hunter and his dog to seek out the precious subterranean fungus. Afterwards you can dine at Restaurant Zigante which specialises in truffle-infused dishes and is owned by Giancarlo Zigante who in 1999 unearthed a Guinness World Record-holding white truffle weighing well over a kilogram.

Greek Island Hopping

This is undoubtedly Aegean island hopping at its most elegant. Crete contrasts glorious beaches with dramatic mountain landscapes, remnants of ancient cultures mixed with upmarket resorts and charming towns. The luxury hotels of Elounda attract discerning clientele with picturesque beaches and views across to the popular day escape of Spinalonga Island. For those who love the great outdoors a visit to Samaria Gorge is a must, with an undeniable raw beauty the gorge runs for sixteen kilometres making it the longest in Europe.

Dream-like Santorini – thought by some to be the real Atlantis – is a place of white-washed villages, blue-domed churches and exclusive cliffside restaurants and hotels. Famed for its multi-hued evening skies as the sun sets beyond the crescent moon of the volcanic caldera. Visit Akrotiri, the Minoan Pompeii to see the remains of a flourishing town buried under ash following a volcanic eruption in 1450BC.

Cosmopolitan and lively, picture-perfect Mykonos is famed for the white-washed windmills which overlook Mykonos Town, and the lively nightlife which centres around the harbour. Meander through a maze of tiny lanes peppered with boutiques, galleries and convivial bars, stopping off in Little Venice where two-storey Venetian houses and trendy cafes line the seafront. Also worth seeing in the town is the church complex of Panagia Paraportiani, located close to the old Venetian castle in Kastro.

PORTUGAL, CROATIA, MOROCCO, GREECE

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