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| Your Special Christmas Supplement |
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Recreating Christmas in Shanghai with Baubles and Bubbles |
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Christmas used to be an important tradition only in the west but with increasing juxtaposition of cultures between the east and west, it is becoming increasingly important for those in the east, including China. Christmas is a time for celebration, of feasting, drinking and merry making. The gaiety respite offered by festive decorations along the bustling Nanjing Street and Huaihai Road certainly lift the spirits of everyone during the cold winter season.
Christmas in cosmopolitan Shanghai often involves shopping frenzies and delectable year-end dinners. An opportunity to rejoice in the company of friends, family and acquaintances as we mark the end of a year of blessings, there is perhaps no better time than now to revel in this joyful Christmas season of reunion, over sumptuous feast and parties!
But why wrestle over the Christmas turkey or honey leg ham when your family and friends could dine a la mode at top restaurants in town? This Christmas, La Seine Restaurant (8 Jinan Road: 6384 3722; 3 Pudong Avenue: 6886 1309) will be presenting a lavish buffet spread that will impress even the fastidious gastronome on your guest list. Other than the customary roast turkey, think epicurean delights such as foie gras, fresh seafood offerings like oysters, lobsters, scallops and heavenly petit fours that will leave everyone with sheer sweetness on the palate. Who knows? One of you could be walking away with La Seine's top prize that night!
For more restaurant and promotional listings, check out Platinum Alliance (www.platinumalliance.cn), the first loyalty programme to reward members with exclusive benefits across international hotel brands in Shanghai covering 32 best hotels restaurants and golf courses. Whether you are on business or pleasure, Platinum Alliance allows you to accumulate points every time you present your card, and the points can be redeemed when you are ready, as a personal benefit. With an attractive points redemption rate of up to 20% of the total amount spent, you can now paint the town red with the platinum rewards and vouchers earned easily. What better time than to share and spread these festive cheers around now!
Add a good dose of spirit and champagne bubbles to the celebration and you can be assured of endless merrymaking as 2006 draws to an end. Cheers to all! |
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Seoul-inspiring Christmas! |
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For Christmas with a twist, why not head down to the city of kimchi, bulgogi and honey-filled rice cakes! Christmas in Seoul is a special time of the year, when the city gets brightly lit up with colourful lanterns and falls just after the Buddha's birthday.
With the infectious Christmas fever blazing across Seoul, you can be sure of catching on the spirit. If the colorful decorations do not take your breath away, take a stroll to City Hall where the plaza is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with an ice-skating rink year after year! Shopaholics take note: the Namdaemun Market and the shopping arcades at the Express Bus Terminal has some of the best buys in town, so your Christmas shopping woes can be settled quite easily!
If all these are not enough, Ascott's first serviced residence in Seoul will be the reason to travel to Korea now. Somerset Palace Seoul is elegantly furnished and located in a tranquil environment with a beautiful garden and view of the city. In addition to all the business conveniences one needs to have when on business (although we would strongly urge you to relax and take a break from work this time of the year), the serviced residence is easily accessible to restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues and even offers a chill-out spot!
Somerset Palace, Seoul
No 85, Susong-Dong, Jongno-Gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: 82 2 6730 8888
http://www.somersetpalaceseoul.com/ |
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Tokyo-letide! |
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Come this time of the year, Tokyo becomes magically illuminated in a kaleidoscopic of lights, transforming the pulsating city into the most enchanting wonderland. Although it is estimated that less than 1% of Japan's population are Christians, the Japanese certainly knows how to pull out all stops when it comes to getting everyone into the festive mood!
Not contented with the typical run-of-the-mill festivities, one can count on the Japanese to create dazzling Christmas events for everyone. For some of the best Christmas illuminations in town, take a leisurely stroll down Shinjuku Southern Terrace, Takashimaya and Times Square; or join the Roppongi Hills Artelligent Christmas Walking Tour (English guide available). Alternatively, check out Shibuya, the favourite hangout of young and quirky Japanese, for a spectacular explosion of lights and colors!
Not to be missed is the 20-metres Daiba Memorial Tree, probably one of biggest Christmas tree lit with 80,000 lights, definitely a magnificent sight against the starry magical skies. Some Christmas delicacies have also been given a Japanese twist. For a Christmas feast with a difference, there is a Japanese Christmas cake, made of sponge cake, strawberries and whipped cream, and mouth-watering roast teriyaki chicken in place of the turkey, and other local cuisine galore!
Worried if you cannot find accommodation in Japan over the Christmas period? Look no further. With two Ascott serviced residences right in the heart of Tokyo to serve your needs, you only need to concentrate on your holiday and we will take care of the rest.
Somerset Azabu East, Tokyo
No 1-9-11 Higashi Azabu
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: 81 3 5114 2800
http://www.somersetazabueast.com/
Somerset Roppongi, Tokyo
No 3-4-31, Roppongi
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: 81 3 3568 3939
http://www.somersetroppongi.com/
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Sniffing Around Cocktail Parties |
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Guide 101 to Creating that Perfect Christmas Party
Cocktail parties have been slowly but steadily finding its way into the homes of the Chinese elite. Unlike sit-down dinners that are often formal, elaborate and even ritualistic, cocktail parties are all about free and easy dining with half the hassle of a dinner party but double the fun!
So if you have been contemplating throwing a cocktail party for your newfound acquaintances in town, here are some winning formulas for a memorable evening of good music, good food and great company!
In the Mood
Amp up the party quotient with these little details:
•Dress up your house
A little can go a long way. Home décor can be kept simple with a party theme. Alternatively, a simple way to create a party setting is to line tables with tea lights and small bowls filled with fresh picked flowers for a sophisticated modern look.
•Play it again
Music is the heart and soul of any party, so plan your choice of music according to the party theme (jazz anyone?).
•Mix and match
Invite a diverse range of guests from various woks of life for an interesting evening. Conversations will no longer be confined to one topic and can go on all night long since the fun is all in the genre mix!
Drink and Be Merry
Get the bar drinks right and you've won half the battle.
•Serve a house cocktail upon guests' arrivals
Be it your best exotic martini, a sexy peach bellini, or a splashy kir royale, start with a bang and you'll get the crowd going.
•The DIY bar
A wine-only party may be convenient but we suggest laying more ammunition for a party of 10 and above. Simply lay your Belvederes and Absoluts beside juices like cranberry and orange, along with some ice and tonic soda and let everyone mix their own cocktails.
Posh Nosh
Food at cocktail parties should be kept light, like canapés and tapas, served with lots of flair.
•If wines are served, you may like to stand by an assortment of soft, semi-hard and hard cheese such as Gouda, Camembert, Comte or Reblochon. Don't forget to trim your cheeseboard with salami, grapes, fig or anything you fancy.
•For the ultimate flourish, throw in a dessert buffet of petit fours, mini cupcakes, brownies and the like. We won't tell anyone, even if you purchase it from that nearest supermarket of yours. Trust us, this ends the night on a sweet note.
Now that you have learnt all the secrets from us, what are you waiting for? We can't wait to hear about the next cocktail party in town, because we know you learnt it here.
What makes an excellent host? Someone who is savvy about setting the right mood for a party and entertaining a variety of guests. But being a good host takes practice. At Ascott International, residents get to pick up new skills – some relevant to home entertaining – enjoy a fresh perspective on life, establish new social circles and explore their new hometown through a variety of specially designed programmes. For more information on Ascott International's residents' programmes, enquire at the respective property's reception for details of the latest activities we have organised for our residents. |
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