Lantern festival, Gourmet China tour   Just the Planet THE ONLINE TRAVEL
MAGAZINE FOR INDEPENDENT
TRAVELLERS


September '08
 
Parasols, Gourmet China tour   Lanterns across avenue of trees, Gourmet China tour   Decorative red roof, Gourmet China tour
Home | Editor's Column | The Team | Free Newsletter | Contact Us
 
Please browse through our collection of luxury hotels and villas.
Luxury Concierge China logo, Gourmet China tour

The tour is hosted by Luxury Concierge China, a specialist concierge company based in Shanghai. They provide bespoke packages and concierge services for the discerning traveller.

Woolworths TASTE, July issue cover, Gourmet China tour

GOURMET

 

TOURS:

 

GOURMET CHINA TOUR

Gourmet Home   Planet Food   Gourmet Tours   Markets & Delis   Cookery Courses   Food News
Gourmet China Tour Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou Beijing
Shanghai street at night, Gourmet China tour
Paul Pairet, Jade on 36, Gourmet China tour
Pizza, Jade on 36, Gourmet China tour

Gourmet China Tour:
8 - 18 November 2008



In celebration of all things eastern, we’ve put together this once-in-a-lifetime, luxury tour to Shanghai and Beijing, which takes in the vast array of gastronomic offerings presented by these two remarkable cities.

The tour is hosted by experienced Chinese hosts and concierge experts, Luxury Concierge China, who will share their insider knowledge as they whisk you from glam restaurant to private tea ceremony, to exotic food markets with a chef and a dim sum cookery course.

Experience the highs of inner city chic as well as the secret off-the-beaten track experiences known only to locals. Accommodation is boutique luxury with the emphasis on personal service and you will be accompanied by a guide, translator and private driver at all times.

As published in South Africa's leading food magazine, Woolworths TASTE.

Cost ZAR65,000 / USD8,125

Bookings close on 15 September 2008.



Text Michelle Snaddon
Photography Courtesy of iStockPhoto & Jade on 36
Published 5th July 2008

The itinerary in detail


8 to 18 November 2008



November 8


Travel to Shanghai


November 9


Morning
Arrive in Shanghai.
Transfer to Boutique Hotel accommodation at JIA Shanghai.
Meet your guide, translator and driver.

Afternoon
Choose from two options: take a gentle stroll down the Bund, with an architecture and history expert, or enjoy a traditional Shanghainese reflexology massage or spa treatment.

Evening
Shanghainese dinner in a beautiful villa in the French Concession. A tea ceremony shall be performed prior to dinner.


November 10


Morning
Take a morning stroll though Shanghai’s French Concession. Then join a cooking course at the Whampao Club (Fusion Chinese), followed by a degustation lunch and tea tasting with a tea sommelier.

Afternoon
Brief visit of the old town (Yu Gardens), neighbouring markets, and enjoy tea-time street nibbles. Optional: visit to Fabric Market.

Evening
Traditional Hot Pot evening.


November 11


Morning
Day outing to Suzhou via high-speed train.
Visit the contemporary Suzhou Museum, designed by IM Pei, and then enjoy a Suzhounese lunch.

Afternoon
Return to Shanghai.

Evening
Seafood Palace experience: a Cantonese restaurant, where guests choose their seafood from aquariums. A local and off-the-beaten track experience.


November 12


Morning
A morning outing to Shanghai’s Wet Markets to choose what you would like to eat in the evening. This is followed by a brief walk of Xintiandi, followed by a Dim Sum lunch, providing another take on Cantonese cuisine.

Afternoon
An introduction to Chinese Contemporary Art, with a visit to Moganshan Lu Artist Colony and other stand-alone galleries around town.

Evening
Dinner in the intimate and private lobby restaurant of a boutique villa in the French Concession. Prior to dinner, enjoy a wine tasting of China’s most renowned label.
November 13


Morning
Day visit to Moganshan, 40 minutes away from Hangzhou, to experience China’s authentic countryside and scenery.

Afternoon
Experience Moganshan mountain cuisine: cook and eat with the village inhabitants. After lunch, take a short walk around the West Lake in Hangzhou before returning back to the city.

Evening
Dinner at the French-Asian Jade on 36


November 14


Morning
Visit the Shanghai Museum and Urban Planning Showcase. Then enjoy lunch in a small, authentic Shanghainese restaurant, run by 2 brothers, one of whom is an artist (and has several of his works on the walls). Experience Shanghainese home cooking at its best.

Afternoon
At your leisure, or suggested shopping itineraries, or a ‘fashion’ tour (optional).

Evening
Catch the ERA acrobatics show before a French fusion degustation dinner at Sens & Bund, by the Pourcel Brothers. Enjoy breathtaking views of Pudong. This will be followed by drinks on the terrace of Shanghai’s notorious Bar Rouge.


November 15


Morning
Depart for Beijing.
Transfer to Boutique Hotel accommodation at Côte Cour SL.

Afternoon
Guided visit of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Evening
Enjoy a Sichuanese degustation dinner in a beautifully designed and refined courtyard style restaurant, down one of the capital’s Hutongs (alleyways).


November 16


Morning
Visit 798 Dashanzi Art District, and the newly established Ullens Center with an art expert. Then meet a senior local food expert, who will be offering an introduction to northern Chinese cuisine in a traditional courtyard setting, and will cook while guests watch and then eat together (participation is optional).

Afternoon
Visits to traditional tea houses in the city.

Evening
The night and food market followed by a Fusion Chinese dinner in the Green T House, with a menu based on tea.


November 17


Day
Visit the Great Wall and the Commune by the Great Wall (Kempinsky Hotel). You will be introduced by an expert to The Commune’s architectural attractions.

Afternoon
Lunch at The Commune will be followed by a visit to a private section of the Great Wall.

Evening
A traditional Beijing Duck dinner


November 18


Free until departure to airport.

BOOKING DETAILS




This is a bespoke gourmet tour for a maximum of ten people. Smaller groups are welcome but the rates will need to be revised accordingly.

Bookings close on 15 September 2008.

All accommodation, land transfers and meals are included, as well as the services of a guide, translator and driver.

Some drinks are included with meals. For more details please contact us.


For information on flight options:

Tel +27 (0)83 463 4435
Email michelle@justtheplanet.com






   
Gourmet Home   Planet Food   Gourmet Tours   Markets & Delis   Cookery Courses   Food News
 
Advertising | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap
©Copyright 2007 JustThePlanet - All rights reserved | Luxury Travel | Luxury Family Travel | Luxury Business Travel | Click here to make JustThePlanet your homepage!

Just The Planet Home | The Team | Free Newsletter | Links & Resources | Contact Us
Stop Press | In The Know | Hidden Gems | Travel Features | City Guide | Business Travel | Luxury Spas | Peace Through Tourism | Family Holidays
Best Books | Planet News | World Diaries | Writers' Cafe | LUXURY HOTELS & VILLAS