Kärnten IRONMAN Austria 2011 - an unparalleled rat race

The countdown is on! In only a few days' time, athletes from all over the world are once again going to gather in Klagenfurt for the 2011 Kärnten IRONMAN Austria - a unique show of strength that will take them to both their physical and mental limits.

The area around Lake Wörthersee is ideally suited for this competition, which has meanwhile become one of the major event highlights attracting an ever-increasing number of international contestants. With its three disciplines, the race is designed as a gruelling test of the participants' physical and mental endurance.

Started directly in the water, swimming constitutes the first discipline in this stunning competition. Athletes convene at the Strandbad Klagenfurt lakeside beach to cover a distance of 3.8km in the clear but at that time of the year still chilly waters of Lake Wörthersee. The swim is followed by the bike race that takes participants on a 180km course from Klagenfurt to Velden, Lake Faaker See, St. Peter and back again. Last but not least, contestants need to complete a 42.195km run along a rather flat route around the famous Lindwurm landmark, which is situated just a few metres from the ARCOTEL Moser Verdino Klagenfurt. Athlete starting slots have already sold out for this year's competition, which will not only see a host of top contestants but once again attract thousands of rapt spectators who are not willing to miss one second of this amazing race.

Place your online booking now and secure your room in the ARCOTEL Moser Verdino Klagenfurt. Experience the exhilarating 2011 Kärnten IRONMAN Austria firsthand. Please be aware that roads may be closed for traffic on the day of the event.

In the picture: the guestbook entry of Todd Crandell, who reinforced his new way of life at the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria 2007 - from addict to IRONMAN!

Normal is different – Christopher Street Day in Berlin

Self-tailored shopping-bag suits, glitzy oriental costumes, fantastic wigs in all conceivable colours and shapes, brightly painted faces – no outfit can be too daring for this Sunday's Christopher Street Day. Berlin's 33rd Gay and Lesbian Parade is a manifestation for tolerance and equal rights.

The famous parade takes place on June 25th in Berlin and attracts a very diverse group of people –gay and hetero, young and old, from Berlin and all over the world. The ARCOTEL Velvet Berlin is looking forward as a proud partner of World Rainbow Hotels – the first global community of gay and lesbian welcoming hotels – to receiving participants and visitors of the CSD Parade in Berlin.

With approximately 300,000 gay inhabitants, including its openly gay mayor, Berlin is the third largest gay metropolis in Europe. The thriving, dynamic and diverse gay scene of Berlin is legendary: around 150 bars and restaurants, dance studios, language courses, clothing boutiques, fast-food stands, radio broadcasts focusing on gay related topics, and even a gay museum and the TEDDY film award transformed the German capital into the new gay mecca of Europe.

This year, the wagons of the CSD parade make their way through the streets of Berlin under the motto Normal is different. The path leads from the historical Kurfürstendamm avenue to the Brandenburg Gate. The final act begins at the end of the parade, during which both the political messages and the entertainment continues. Around 400,000 people gather around the main stage, where prizes for civil courage on the fight for gay, lesbian and transexual equality are awarded.

The detailed CSD program with all events, parties and concerts can be found at the official CSD Berlin website.

WIMBERGERs Jazzbrunch

A Viennese legend since over 20 years. The most famous and oldest brunch in the federal capital of Austria is the Jazzbrunch at the typical Viennese restaurant WIMBERGERs wia z'Haus of the 4-star-hotel ARCOTEL Wimberger Vienna. The much-loved WIMBERGERs Jazzbrunch is known for all kinds of culinary delights out of WIMBERGERs cuisine combined with excellent musical entertainment from Jazz to Blues and Soul , right up to Swing.

Welcome to a traditional Viennese restaurant!
At the traditional restaurant WIMBERGERs wia z'Haus in the event and conference hotel ARCOTEL Wimberger Vienna you will feel just like at home: one may enjoy typical Viennese dishes and wines in a cosy atmosphere. Not only will guests be spoilt with culinary delights, but also with the famous Viennese snide humour, charm and joy of living! Aside from fresh and regional products, genuine Viennese dishes and originality are the special ingredients that matter most for Executive Chef Peter Lerner.

Hot Jazz
Jazz aficionados are already looking forward to 11th September 2011, when the Hot Jazz Ambassdors will kick of an all new and swinging season of WIMBERGERs Jazzbrunch and lots of other exciting events. The repertoire of the formation includes on the one hand songs and melodies of the "American Songbooks" from popular composers like Irving Berlin, Hogey Carmichael, W.C. Handy, Cole Porter et al., and on the other hand also compositions of the clarinetist of the band, Günther Graf.

Programme 2011 | 2012
For friends of the Viennese design hotel
ARCOTEL Wimberger – and anybody who fancies being one – it is advisable to get the newest edition of WIMBERGERs Repertoire, which contains the complete Jazzbrunch and event schedule for the season 2011 | 2012. Just send an e-mail including your full address to E wimberger@arcotelhotels.com and you will receive your personal and free copy. Anybody who is eager to delight others may also be interested in the fact that all event tickets are available as gift vouchers at the reception of the ARCOTEL Wimberger Vienna under
T +43 1 521 65-0 or the above e-mail adress.

www.jazzbrunch.at
www.wimbergerswiazhaus.at
www.arcotelhotels.com/wimberger


Picture credit: ARCOTEL Hotels – publication free of charge

Hamburg: A cyclist’s paradise

Hamburg, Europe’s Green Capital 2011, offers all cycling enthusiasts the advantages of a big city as well as direct access to nature. It’s a rare treat to be able to enjoy both nature and the city so close together. Over the past years, Hamburg has become more and more cycle-friendly. Cycling is a very special way of exploring Hamburg either for business, for pleasure or as a tourist. You are close to the heart of the city and in the midst of nature at the same time.

If you are interested in guided cycle tours of Hamburg’s city centre and its surroundings, you will soon come across the name of Bernd Kaupert who offers four different guided tours. In his company, cyclists can explore the sights of Hamburg, cycle around the Outer Alster Lake or around the harbour basin or discover the city’s leafy suburbs all the way to Blankenese. Other travel companies such as Twietenkieker, Stattreisen, the ADFC and Globetrotter offer various tours of the city as well as cycle day trips while all those who prefer pushing the pedals independently can simply set off on their own. Some of the best destinations for trips are the Altes Land region, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery, the Vierlande and Marschlande regions, the port city and all of Hamburg’s sights such as the Michel church tower, the historic city centre with its Town Hall, the Landing Bridges, the Jungfernstieg area and the Binnenalster lake.

Of course, you don’t have to bring your own bicycle when travelling to Hamburg. There are several quick and easy ways of hiring a rental bike. With the stadtRAD bike hire system in Hamburg you register once at any one of the 70 hiring terminals and can set off on your bike immediately. At the approx. 30 terminals of nextbike 250 rental bikes can be hired by cycling enthusiasts by telephone day and night. Some good news also come from the HVV, the Hamburg public transport system, which does not leave cyclists out in the rain: Bicycles can be carried on buses and trains free of charge during off-peak hours.

If simply cycling around gets too boring and if you want to add a little spice to your next cycling tour, why not give a modern type of paper chase, the so-called geocaching, a try? In geocaching people hide containers holding small items and a little notebook anywhere in the world and then post the GPS coordinates on the internet. With the help of these coordinates the geocacher then sets off to seek out the hidden treasure. Another interesting alternative addresses solo travellers looking for company. They can place an ad online with the ADFC cycle group to find pleasant and like-minded company. Because of its central location the ARCOTEL Rubin on Steindamm 63 provides the ideal starting point for a cycle tour of the city of Hamburg and its outskirts.

Vodka tasting at the ARCOTEL Velvet with its own vodka brand

The VELVET LOUNGE renders tribute to the world of Vodka with a repertoire of more than fifty selected varietes.

The bar of the ARCOTEL Velvet Berlin offers a 2-hours vodka tasting, where participants get to know the range of flavours of one of the world’s most popular spirits.

The tasting involves around 5 types of vodkas, which belong to different price categories and allow for a clear identification of the flavour variations. To conclude, we introduce you to the exclusively for the ARCOTEL Velvet devised Vodka VELVET 52. Made in collaboration with the fermentation department of the Technische Universität in Berlin, the VELVET 52 is easily differentiated through its special notes of ginger – an explosion of fresh and strong flavours.

Our Velvet 52 is made from 100% wheat and was produced entirely manually. Thanks to its elaborated maceration process and in contrast to other products, the ginger aroma is not strong on the nose, but it develops firstly in the mouth. The intensity of the flavour depends largely on the length of time it is held in the mouth.

Experience an exciting journey throughout the world of vodka – ideal for those who strive for the unconventional.

If you wish to sign up, please contact us at velvet@arcotelhotels.com.

"John F Picnic & Bicycle" in Berlin

The summer feeling in Berlin is unique - what could be nicer than a bicycle tour through the city with a relaxing picnic to finish off? From next week, the ARCOTEL John F Berlin offers the new package “John F Picnic & Bicycle”.

Cycling is the best way to discover Berlin – multiple cultural attractions, open-air celebrations and concerts, beach bars and clubs by the river Spree, as well as the surrounding countryside and refreshing bathing lakes.

Enjoy a relaxing break with our picnic basket under the blue sky of Berlin – romantic, delicious, close to nature. Select one of the three available picnic baskets – Mediterranean, vegetarian or regional.

To finish a perfect day get spoiled in the ambiance of our junior suites.

Enjoy a different holiday with ARCOTEL John F Berlin.

Fresh Offers at ARCOTEL Allegra Zagreb

At the summer start we have started with our new refreshing offer! Escape the summer heat and enjoy the wide range of light dishes at Restaurant Radicchio or refreshing drinks at Joe´s Bar.
At the restaurant Radicchio we presented new innovative offer of light dishes which are best to enjoy during the hot summer days!
In addition to great cocktails at the Joe´s Bar, now you have the opportunity to try our refreshing lemonades with all sorts of different flavors.
And last but not least! Our team from all ARCOTEL Hotels collected best insider tips for every ARCOTEL destination! Visit our website, book your stay now within the "City Spots" Specials and discover hidden attraction of cities like Vienna, Hamburg, Berlin or Stuttgart!