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Asia, Cuisine

Unleashing the magic of sake, with master brewer Takumi Sato

October 11, 2022 by Luxury Gold No Comments

We invite you to meet master brewer Takumi Sato and discover the magic of sake. This unique drink holds a special cultural significance in Japan, entwined with many of the country’s traditions and customs.

On our Majestic Japan luxury guide tour, you have the pleasure of meeting Takumi Sato for yourself. Take a special guided tour of his brewery in Oirase, and learn the history and importance of sake to Japanese culture.

Oirase

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A simply stunning location, Oirase Gorge is a river valley that runs for 14km between Yakeyama, at the foot of Hakkoda-san, and Nenokuchi, on the shore of Towada-ko (Lake Towada), in Northern Japan. It boasts some of the most picturesque surroundings you will have the delight to ever experience. Drawing visitors from far and wide, this is one of Japan’s most-revered nature havens.

“I know how special this location is,” Takumi Sato says. “And I believe that our sake represents that in a particular way. We capture the essence of Oirase at the brewery and that’s how we share it with others. This is my personal motivation – letting others feel that magic.”

Travel with Luxury Gold and as well as visiting the sake brewery, explore the spectacular Oirase Gorge, a place of special scenic beauty. Wander along the crystal-clear Oirase Keiryu stream, admire the cascading waterfalls and marvel at the seasonal colors of the indigenous forest.

Related content: Mind the culture gap: the Chefs who make worlds collide through food

Meet Takumi Sato

“My inspiration to become a master brewer came from the former owner of the kuromato (brewery) here in Oirase,” Takumi Sato explains. “He had a phrase that translates roughly as, ‘local sake is the crystal of local food culture’.”

“I began making sake in 1990, but I did not become a toji (master brewer) until 2004,” he continues. “Becoming a toji is not simply about passing the examination. Personally, I believe that you must understand how sacred sake is and be mindful of the traditions that have been passed down through generations. I have pursued these traditions with a particular devotion and will continue to do so every day until I die.”

A brief Japanese sake history

Sake manufacturing in Japan began sometime after the introduction of wet rice cultivation to the country in the 3rd century BC. The first reference to its manufacture dates from the 8th century. The technique to ferment rice into an alcoholic drink was originally developed in ancient China.

Sake was produced primarily by the imperial court in ancient Japan, in temples and shrines. Japanese people have continuously refined production methods throughout Japanese sake history to create this truly unique drink, with manufacture by the general population beginning from the early 12th century.

Sake is often (incorrectly) referred to as a wine. This is easily done because of its appearance and alcoholic content.  It is in fact made in a process known as multiple parallel fermentation, in which a grain (rice) is converted from starch to sugar. It is then converted to alcohol. Special strains of rice are precisely milled to remove the outer layers, a process that reduces the grain to 50-70 percent of its original size.

Related content: From London to Tokyo: Where to sample the world’s best street food

A sacred beverage

“Sake is the national drink of Japan, not simply because we like drinking it, but because we see it as a blessing from the gods,” Takumi Sato explains. “It is inherent to our culture and way of life, from the religious rites of thousands of years ago to the dinner table today.”

In Japan, sake is served with special ceremony. Before being served, it is warmed in a small earthenware or porcelain bottle called a tokkuri. It is then usually sipped from a small porcelain cup called a sakazuki. Premium sake, of a delicate flavour, is served cold or on ice. Sake is best when consumed less than a year after bottling.

“We commemorate every occasion with sake, from births and weddings to New Year celebrations, Memorial Day and funerals,” Takumi Sato tells us. “Some people drink sake every day, and of course you can, but it is usually served with meals and enjoyed with others. When you drink sake with friends or family, you must not pour it for yourself. First serve others and then someone else will serve you.”

The unique flavor of Oirase

“The unique flavor of our sake is a direct result of the environment here in Oirase,” Sato affectionately explains. “Here, you’ll see we’re near the lake, and the water that flows through the Hakkoda mountain range to Oirase is some of the purest on Earth. Not only is the landscape breathtaking, but the sake produced here is at the highest level. It reveals the distinct umami in dishes.”

“When you travel through the Towada-Hachimantai National Park to Oirase, you can immerse all five senses on your journey. The Japanese culture will enrich and enthrall you. I personally look forward to welcoming you here and sharing with you our sacred drink from the gods.”

Related content: The world’s friendliest cities

Learn the magic of sake, revel in the beauty of Oirase and meet Takumi Sato for yourself on our Majestic Japan luxury guided tour. Be captivated by the beauty and traditions of Japan over 11-days. Travel to Kyoto, bask in the serenity surrounding the iconic Golden Pavilion and see the Giouji Temple. Visit Hiroshima and Mount Fuji. In Tokyo, learn how to make sushi rolls during a private cooking class. Stay in exquisite hotels, travel on the bullet train and enjoy exclusive experiences along the way.

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Europe, Luxury Journeys

A royal welcome: What to expect when you meet Princess Anita Von Hohenberg

October 7, 2022 by Luxury Gold 1 Comment

When you first meet Princess Anita Von Hohenberg, you will be bowled over by her warmth and charm. With your exclusive Founder’s Collection invitation, you get to step inside the majestic yet welcoming Artstetten Castle, home to Princess Anita and her family. Once inside, get ready for an unforgettable royal rendezvous filled with personal insight into key moments of history.

One of the exclusive encounters as part of Luxury Gold’s Founder’s Collection, this is a meeting like no other. For the Princess’ great grandfather was Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, who was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, leading to the outbreak of World War I.

These exclusive travel experiences were personally curated by our founder Mr. Stanley Tollman, calling upon his extensive connections and inspired by his life in travel.

Discover this on: Harmony of Central Europe

 A warm welcome

She may be royalty, but Princess Anita will welcome you into her home, the beautiful Schloss Artstetten, as if you were family. With a love of talking to Luxury Gold guests about the past, the Princess also looks to the future with her ever growing family.

Refreshingly down to earth, Princess Anita comes from a long line of Habsburgs, one of Europe’s oldest sovereign families, dating back to the 15th century. She lives with her family in Schloss Artstetten the whole year round and running the estate is a real family affair.

There is a warm sense of home at Artstetten Castle, and Princess Anita Von Hohenberg likes to stress to guests that it is not only a castle but a family home. They have everything from official meetings to family feasts here and the Princess has a great love of gardening.

 For inspiration: Austria destination guide

 A regal setting

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An enchanting sight, Artstetten Castle is situated high above the Danube in a charming park and is flanked by seven characteristic towers. The former summer residence of the Imperial family, the castle today is open to the public and serves as the final resting place of the Heir to the Throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este, whose assassination in 1914 set off a chain of events that led to World War I.

The first record of the name Artstetten was in the mid-13th century. Soon afterwards the medieval fortress became a castle that had a rapid succession of different owners, until Emperor Franz I. acquired it in 1823. Archduke Carl Ludwig (a brother of the Emperor Franz Joseph) extensively redesigned the house inside and outside from 1861 onward. Since 1913 Schloss Artstetten has presented itself as we know it today.

 The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este

@schloss_artstetten. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his nephew Carl, 1913/Archiv Schloss Artstetten.

Once inside the castle, take your time to view the family portraits, past and present, that surround the regal Red Salon Room. It is in this magnificent, yet intimate setting, that the Princess first receives her guests. Such personal décor will urge you to ask more about Princess Anita’s intriguing, yet at times painful family history.

The historic event is one that not only changed world history but devastated the Hohenberg family. Princess Anita’s grandfather Maximilian and his brother Ernst were later deported to the concentration camp at Dachau after the annexation of 1938 and Artstetten was confiscated from the family until 1949.

Beyond political and historical considerations, Princess Anita Von Hohenberg also wants to help reveal another side of her ancestors. Today she is keen to talk about the more romantic side of her family history and the ‘scandalous’ love between her great grandfather and her great grandmother, Sophia Duchess of Hohenberg. Her eyes glistening, she will tell you how there was quite a fuss at the time.

There was drama with the fact Franz Ferdinand was from an imperial family and Sophie from a family of Counts. With the law at the time meaning royals could only marry other royals, Franz Ferdinand had to make an oath that his descendants would not be of royal blood. That’s why the family is now called Hohenberg and why the chief of the family is a Duke.

Related content: 7 ways Luxury Gold makes your travel experience completely stress free

The Luxury Gold Chairman’s Collection

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Available on selected departures of our luxury guided tours, choose a Founder’s Collection departure of Harmony of Central Europe and have the privilege of meeting Princess Anita Von Hohenberg for yourself. One of the amazing people you can meet as part of our Chairman’s Collection, these exclusive encounters include Italian nobility, an English Duchess and a distinguished Peruvian politician.

Often one of the most rewarding aspects of travel is the people we meet. These cherished interactions forge an unforgettable connection with a destination and create lasting memories. And these exclusive meetings really set Luxury Gold apart.

Read more: Royalty & Noblemen: The fascinating people you’ll meet in Europe with Luxury Gold

 To see who you could be meeting on your travels, take a look at our exclusive Founder’s Collection and our Harmony of Central Europe luxury guided tour.

 

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Latin America, Luxury Journeys

Step inside Peru’s blissful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

October 5, 2022 by Luxury Gold No Comments

When it comes to exquisite hotels, you’ll be talking about the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru for a lifetime. Much more than culture and fabulous Inca ruins, Peru is a land of legends, wildlife and ancient vows. And at this Machu Picchu Hotel, you’re invited into a storybook world. Set high in the Cloud Forest, in its own intimate Andean village, with terraced hills and waterfalls, be prepared for the most incredible stay.

Discover this on: Treasures of the Incas

The mystical Cloud Forest

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The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is set in 12 acres of natural Cloud Forest beauty.  With their own unique ecosystems, Cloud Forests are both beautiful and bountiful. These tropical forests prominently feature a layer of dense fog at the canopy level. The result is a heavy mist around the treetops at all times, hence the name Cloud Forest.

@inkaterrahotels

Ethereal and mystical, the heavy fog both filters the sunlight and provides the underlying foliage with a source of moisture. This in turn creates an environment attractive to mosses and ferns and tends to be humid and boggy. In Peru especially, a staggering number of species thrive in cloud forests. This includes thousands of orchids, hummingbirds and a wealth of flora and fauna that has yet to be discovered.

@inkaterrahotels

The grounds of the Inkaterra Hotel Machu Picchu are home to 214 bird species, including the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock. The forest is also home to the world’s largest native orchid collection, with 372 registered species.

Related content: How your travels with Luxury Gold help conserve nature for future generations

An exceptional hotel

 

Perfectly located for those heading to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an exquisite retreat. Step into another world in this rainforest, bursting with terraced hills, waterfalls and stone pathways. The complex features 83 whitewashed “adobe casitas” tucked away in the cloud forest, for an unreal setting you’ve likely never experienced before.

Related content: Why New Orleans’ Ritz Carlton is a cut above the rest

Feel the outside inside

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Beautiful rooms and suites offer the perfect sanctuary for simple relaxation and here at the hotel, personalized comfort is assured. Decorated with local crafts and eucalyptus beams and a colonial style wardrobe, you will feel at one with your surroundings. Enjoy robes, Andean slippers crafted from recycled materials, plus environmentally friendly toiletries. If treating yourself to a suite you can also enjoy an outdoor shower, plunge pool, day bed and luxurious marble bathrooms.

Related content: In 2022, why do we crave the golden era of travel more than ever before

The incredible Unu Spa

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The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s sumptuous spa combines classic nurturing with a mystical Andean approach. Treatments use 100% natural products derived from local botanical extracts, such as mint, eucalyptus and of course the famous orchids. Providing a spiritual, sensual and soothing experience, Unu Spa means water in Quechua. Treat yourselves to a deep tissue exfoliation with sacred coca leaves or rejuvenate with facial hydration, hot stones and foot therapy. Guests can also relax and steam away any cares in the Andean sauna.

Related content: 6 of the best spas you can visit with Luxury Gold

Exceptional dining

@inkaterrahotels

Situated between the Machu Picchu train tracks, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant Café Inkaterra serves delicious fare under a traditional Amazonian palm-thatched roof, surrounded by regional crafts. The restaurant and adjacent terraces were built as a large glass house with an exceptional view of the Vilcanota River and the surrounding green mountains. A creative menu blends Andean cuisine with a contemporary approach, creating innovative fusion-style fare. The perfect place to unwind, far from the crowds, and share the secrets of Peruvian cuisine with a contemporary twist.

The delights of Peruvian cuisine

A magnificent melody of flavors, Peruvian food is often referred to as Criolla or Creole food because of the blend of Spanish, Asian, Incan and other European cuisine influences which are integrated into the recipes. Ingredients are based heavily on potatoes, beans, rice, beef, eggs, lamb, fish, corn, chicken and especially the Aji, or chili. Perhaps most famous (and exquisite) is Peru’s national dish Ceviche. When in Peru we also recommend trying the Lomo Saltado (stir fried beef) and Papas a la Huancaina (potatoes in spicy cheese sauce).

Related content: Mind the culture gap: The chefs who make worlds collide through food

The perfect base from which to explore Machu Picchu

One of the most sought-after destinations on earth and one of the most mystical, Machu Picchu stands proudly at 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a lush tropical mountain forest. The Lost City of the Incas was rediscovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911 after being forgotten for centuries. Now a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, much of its history and purpose remains a mystery even to historians.

Within this sprawling ancient citadel are famous sites including the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Three Windows. Here you’ll also find the Temple of the Condor, the Sun Gate and the Intihuatana rock, believed to be an ancient sun clock. Easily accessed by train, your first-class seats and panoramic windows make for sublime views en route to Machu Picchu village. Arrive before the day trippers and join your expert guide for an exclusive and fascinating journey back in time.

Discover this on: Treasures of the Incas

 Read more: 7 experiences to stir your soul in Latin America

 To enjoy the delights of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for yourself, take a look at our Treasures of the Incas luxury guided tour.

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