24 Jun 2007
This summer InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is offering travelers a fresh look at the world, as the global hotel brand unveils its newest guest program, �Insider Experiences.� Designed to ensure guests have the chance to enjoy the authentic and the unexpected from over 100 destinations, this collection of experiences, the first of an ongoing series that will introduce fresh elements based on new happenings and seasons, are suggested by InterContinental�s most �in the know� experts�its employees.
From an exclusive visit to Paris� famed Chaumet jewelry museum, to creating a personalized blend of wine in Perth�s Swan Valley or literally going off the beaten track in Malta to find hidden gems throughout the island, the authentic activities featured in these special �Insider Experiences� have been inspired by InterContinental employees from around the world, ranging from the Concierge team to the most behind the scenes staff members. Guests will return home with memories of authentic and enriching experiences and local knowledge they�ve gained personally through their travel experience.
Following are a sample of �in the know� opportunities awaiting InterContinental guests that choose to take advantage of the brand�s new collection of �Insider Experiences.�
Dismiss the long standing stereotype of English food being an acquired taste after spending an afternoon with InterContinental London Park Lane�s celebrity chef Theo Randall. Travelers will have the opportunity to join Theo on a local culinary shopping spree through his favorite shops and London food markets and witness the intricacies of choosing the finest local and imported ingredients from the United Kingdom and Italy. Back in the kitchen, Theo will share his preparation secrets before sitting down to a gourmet three course lunch, leaving guests with a signed menu and special recipe serving as keepsakes of the day.
InterContinental Boston guests have two exceptional culinary tours at their fingertips for an inside peek at the city�s most authentic dining. Options include a walk through Boston�s historic North End with the city�s leading authority on Italian food, Michel Topor, to find treasures ranging from the best meats and cheeses to the most tempting biscotti and other confections, or an �off the beaten path� excursion in the city�s Chinatown to discover some of the area�s best kept secrets, hidden restaurants and shops.
Adrenaline craving guests of InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa are invited to add a little excitement to their stay by watching a shark feeding just off the island�s famous lagoon. This spectator sport provides an exceptional opportunity to witness the island�s native wildlife in action, up close and personal.
Travelers staying at the InterContinental Carlton Cannes can stimulate their senses with the glamour of Southern France�s C�te d�Azur, home to the world�s most famous fragrances. Guests will have a guided tour of the Fragonard perfume factory in Grasse, which offers rare varieties from which to choose a new signature scent not found in most boutiques.
Culinary connoisseurs can experience the basics of dim sum with InterContinental Hong Kong�s award winning chef Yan Toh Heen. Travelers are invited to join a cooking lesson on how to prepare su mei and ha gau, followed by a sit down lunch where they will be treated to a traditional dim sum meal which they have helped prepare.
Guests of InterContinental Sydney can choose to take surfing lessons at Bondi Beach, where they not only improve their skills, but simultaneously admire the locals� expert technique. A picnic lunch on the beach�s idyllic foreshore marks the end to a typical Australian day.
For more information on rates and availability or to make reservations, please visit www.intercontinental.com/experiences
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Note to Editors:
About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the luxury brand of parent company IHG -- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)]. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts was the first truly international hotel brand in the world, and quickly became the symbol of glamour, sophistication and success that years later, continue to define global travel. The brand is committed to providing its guests with memorable and unique experiences that enrich their lives and broaden their outlook. InterContinental offers services and amenities specifically designed for the international business traveler, while maintaining the delicate balance of luxury expectations with authentic local experiences that enhance the leisure stay as well. Located in more than 60 countries, InterContinental continues to expand in key destinations around the globe. www.intercontinental.com