Lake Geneva Region News For Spring 2019

Visionary Gardens & Gastronomic Stars, Charlie Chaplin’s 130thBirthday and a Legendary Wine Festival

The Fête des Vignerons in 1999

The Fête des Vignerons (Winegrower’s Festival) July 18 to August 11, 2019 The Fête des Vignerons is an extraordinary theatrical spectacle that’s produced and performed once-a-generation by a cast of thousands in the Swiss lakeside city of Vevey. Recently named by UNESCO to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival features local actors and musicians. Organized by the Confrérie des Vignerons (the Brotherhood of Winegrowers), which has roots going back to the Middle Ages, it was first celebrated in 1797 and last held in 1999. There will be 20 open-air performances in a temporary lakeside arena built for 20,000 spectators. Beyond the show, the streets of Vevey will be taken over by live music, food stalls and open wine cellars featuring the revered local white, chasselas. Running from July 18 to August 11, 2019, this pageant was a prime reason that Vevey was singled out as “One of the 52 Places to Go in 2019” by The New York Times. Tickets for the 2019 performances are on sale and available at the website of the Lake Geneva Region while accommodation info can be found at the Montreux Riviera website. While the festival occurs only every 20 years or so, the wine culture that it celebrates can be experienced every day of the year, in vineyard walks and cellar tours and tastings. 

La grande Pimprenelle, a Lausanne Jardins exhibit to be located on Promenade Jean-Villard-Gilles

Lausanne Jardins June 15 to October 12, 2019 The 6th Lausanne Jardins festival will take place in the summer and fall of 2019. Running from June 15 to October 12, 2019, this is a citywide cultural event as much as a gardening exhibit. Lausanne Jardins, which started in 1997, combines inventive and artful landscaping with reflections on the concept of a city. This year’s exhibition is dedicated to the topic of open ground, so each exhibit looks at urban areas have never been paved over and have remained in contact with the earth below. The 20 featured projects, chosen in an international competition, will cover the city from west to east on a themed walk. Each will celebrate open ground as a cultural event, combining landscape architecture with urban planning. Exhibit gardens will be embedded in various urban spaces, from streets and squares to neglected plots, roofs and building facades. Underlying the exhibits are reflections on the challenge of reclaiming free space in city developments and notions of how gardens can be integrated into an urban environment. There will be free 24 hour access to all of the gardens from mid-June to mid-October.

Narcissi in Bloom in Montreux Riviera April to June, 2019 Wild narcissi bloom between April and June in the Lake Geneva Region, transforming the meadows above Montreux and Vevey into white, perfumed landscapes. The flowers appear as soon as the snow melts, and the white flowers of the narcissi (narcissus radiiflorus) are locally known as “May Snow.” On theMontreux Riviera website, there is information about designated paths for visitors, guided tours and a forecast for peak viewing. Tulip Festival in Morges March 31 to May 5, 2019 A true sign of spring is the Tulip Festival at Parc de l'Indépendance in Morges on the shores of Lake Geneva. This free display lasts six weeks and offers more than 120,000 tulips of 300 varieties that bloom in succession, one of the most beautiful spring events in Vaud.

Chef of the Year Marie Robert of Café Suisse in Bex. Credit Gault&Millau

The Stars of Swiss Gastronomy in Vaud The renowned French gastronomy guides Gault&Millau and Michelin award the best chefs for the quality and originality of their cuisine. In 2019, 101 Vaud restaurants with a total of 1423 points are listed in Gault&Millau while 14 restaurants with a total of 19 stars are in this year’s Guide Michelin. Among the highlights: Chef Marie Robert of Café Suisse in Bex was named “Chef of the year 2019ˮ by Gault&Millau and awarded two additional points (16/20). She was also awarded one star by Guide Michelin. Chef Cédric Bourassin, holder of the award Meilleur Ouvrier de France, also received a Michelin star for his restaurant Berceau des Sens. This is the training restaurant of the l’Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (Lausanne Hotel Management School).   At the restaurant Hôtel de Ville in Crissier near Lausanne, Chef Franck Giovannini is the fourth celebrity chef in a row to manage the restaurant’s excellent cuisine. For 2019, he received 19 Gault&Millau points and three Michelin stars. He continues in the footsteps of his predecessors Benoît Violier, Philippe Rochat, and Fredy Girardet. Stéphane and Stéphanie Décotterd took over the management of the Pont de Brent in 2011 and have dedicated themselves to serving 100% regional cuisine local products, with ingredients that are rarely found anywhere else in the region. For their efforts, they’ve earned 18 points in GaultMillau and two Michelin stars in 2019 at a restaurant that is also a member of Relais & Châteaux and Grandes Tables du Monde.

Chaplin's World

Charlie Chaplin’s 130th Birthday   A little more than two years after it opened, Chaplin’s World by Grévin won the award for the best museum in Europe 2018 by The European Museum Academy. To mark the great actor, director and composer’s 130th birthday, Chaplin’s World has organized a series of events. Chaplin Personal is a photo exhibition from February 20 to May 5 by photographer Yves Debraine of Chaplin family photographs, many of them never published before. In the fall of 2019, a new wax figure will be introduced in Chaplin’s World, an upright figure of Chaplin with his typical cane and costume. The Chaplin’s World Cinema will also be screening a documentary on Chaplin from 1966, when he was interviewed by LIFE magazine reporter Richard Meryman. The film by Peter Middleton and James Spinney highlights the life and work of the pioneer of the silver screen. Visit Chaplin’s World for more details.

A Tasting at Open Cellars overlooking Lake Geneva

Open Cellars June 8 & 9, 2019 Stretching from Bonvillars to Chablais, from La Côte to Vully, and including the Lavaux and Les Côtes de l’Orbe, Open Cellars offers six wine regions, six varied climates and more than 300 wine cellars that will welcome visitors. The Open Cellars Pass is CHF 30 ($30.25) and gives visitors access to two days of tastings in the cellars of the canton of Vaud, free use of public transportation and the opportunity to discover the vintages from the 2018 harvest at a preview. It’s a unique opportunity to explore this wine region that’s rich in tradition.  Lausanne à Table April to December 2019 Lausanne à Table  is a public celebration of traditional and cutting-edge gastronomy in this vibrant city overlooking Lake Geneva. The celebration is back for the eighth year, from April to December 2019, with fondue dinners, street food and gastronomic experiments. There will be hikes, brunches with sports activities, cooking workshops, tastings of regional products, and samplings of artisanal beers and wines.   MIAM Festival June 8-10, 2019 The MIAM Festival is a crowd-friendly culinary event in Lausanne that will take place for the third year and runs from June 8 to 10 at the Place de la Riponne in Lausanne. It will bring together the crème de la crème from the culinary field: restaurants, caterers, food trucks, craftspeople, producers and purveyors who have been carefully selected by the Lausanne à Table association.

The Lake Geneva Region (Canton of Vaud) is located in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland, a timeless, picture-postcard destination of classic mountain beauty, refined cuisine and legendary hotels. Visitors come for wine tastings in the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They dine in celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and local brasseries and visit lively farmers markets. Outdoor opportunities range from hiking and biking to sailing and swimming in Lake Geneva. Major ski resorts include Les Diablerets, Villars and Leysin. The region is famed for the Vallée de Joux, the center of Swiss watchmaking, and for such unforgettable museums as Chaplin’s World and The Olympic Museum. The Fête des Vignerons, an extraordinary spectacle that celebrates the region’s wine growing traditions, is performed once a generation by a cast of thousands in the city of Vevey and will run from July 18 to August 11, 2019. Visit the www.lake-geneva-region.ch for more information. @lakegenevaswiss

Travelore News: Wow Air Ceases Operations, Leaving Passengers Stranded

London (CNN Business)Icelandic budget carrier Wow Air has ceased operations and canceled its flights, leaving passengers stranded on both sides of the Atlantic.

The airline announced the closure in a statement posted to its website on Thursday. It advised passengers to book new flights on other airlines, and said some may be eligible for compensation.

Saurabh Aggarwal, who was due to fly from Toronto to Reykjavik on Wow Air, described a chaotic scene at Toronto airport.

Aggarwal said customers were given conflicting information about the flight's status before it was canceled at 10:55 p.m. He said passengers were not provided with accommodation and no refunds were issued.

"This really scared everyone, at that point we were finally given back our bags and no money as of now has been issued back to me," Aggarwal told CNN.

It wasn't until the following morning that she received an email from Wow Air informing passengers that the airline had ceased operations and all flights were canceled.

Other affected passengers also criticized Wow Air on social media over the lack of communication.

"Just found out about this news," tweeted Jonathan Koo, who was stuck at Newark Liberty Airport after his flight was canceled. "They didn't even notify any of us directly, had to find out from twitter and reddit."

A second passenger described "pandemonium at the gate" as he waited for the same flight in Newark. Others tweeted photos of crowds as passengers tried to find out what to do.

View image on Twitter

Mike Wendling@WendlingMike

20 min to board, @wowairsupport cancels the flight. But then sends an email that it’s just delayed until 9pm. Oh but the crew left because it was cancelled. Updates coming from the guy in the middle of this crowd.

3

7:31 PM - Mar 27, 2019

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Airlines including EasyJet and Norwegian Air were offering reduced fares to stranded travelers because of the difficult circumstances, according to the Icelandic Transport Authority.

The budget airline also said that passengers who bought tickets from a European travel agent as part of a packaged tour were protected. Others with travel insurance may also be entitled to claim compensation.

Wow Air said that it may pay compensation "in accordance with European regulation on Air Passenger Rights." If the airline declares bankruptcy, passengers can make a claim with the administrator or liquidator.

Alex Spence, a Wow Air passenger due to return to Toronto from Berlin on March 30, said she received no advance warning from the airline.

"Now I have to find a last-minute flight home that will likely be incredibly expensive," said Spence. "Honestly the worst part is that Wow hasn't even reached out to inform passengers like myself."

Founded in 2011, Wow Air was known for cheap trans-Atlantic fares on routes via Iceland. It's part of a group of Nordic airlines that drove ticket prices down thanks to no-frills service.

It's the latest in a string of airlines to suffer problems as the aviation industry is buffeted by fierce competition and shifting business models.

Primera Air ceased operations in October 2018. In February, German airline Germania filed for bankruptcy and British airline Flybmi stopped flying.

CNN's Gianluca Mezzofiore contributed to this report.

16 New Hotels Scheduled To Open In Philadelphia Area Through 2020

    

The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (top) and the W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia (above) are just two of many hotels slated to open in the Philadelphia region this year.

Credit: photos courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (left) and the W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia (right)

PHILADELPHIA – Big-name hotels are opening in Philadelphia—a sky-high Four Seasons, a dual complex of a W and Element—while just-in-Philly properties are strengthening the city’s boutique stock. Altogether, 16 new hotels are unlocking 2,700 new rooms in the city and surrounding four counties. All this new lodging comes at a time of high visitor demand: In 2018, Center City hotel demand grew 5.6% year-over-year, the largest growth in demand in seven years.

So, what else is coming? An ultra-efficient, 250-room micro hotel (Pod Philly) and a 14-room boutique hotel and private lifestyle club (Fitler Club), a historic New Hope redo (Ghost Light Inn), and more new properties in Philadelphia and The Countryside. 

Here’s a look at the hotels opening through 2020:

Just Opened:

1. Lokal Fishtown – Following the stylish formula it established in Old City, the Lokal in Fishtown operates with an “invisible service” boutique model. Guests receive highly customized concierge guidance without a front desk. staylokal.com

• Completed: January 2019
• Developer: Stay Lokal
• Units: 6
• Location: 1421 N. Front Street, Fishtown

Coming In 2019:

2. Fitler Club – This boutique hotel and members-only pool- and bowling alley-equipped lifestyle club will give new life to the former Marketplace Design Center. fitlerclub.com

• Expected Completion: March 2019
• Developer: David Gutstadt
• Rooms: 14
• Location: 2400 Market Street, Center City West

3. Holiday Inn & Suites Philadelphia W – Drexel Hill Hotel – On the edge of Philadelphia’s Drexel Hill neighborhood, this Holiday Inn & Suites will include an onsite restaurant, Starlight, complete with an outdoor beer garden, along with a fitness center and heated outdoor pool. ihg.com

• Expected Completion: May 2019
• Developer: Drexelbrook Associates
• Rooms: 98
• Location: 5400 Ferne Boulevard, Drexel Hill

4. Candlewood Suites Chester – Airport Area – Each of these pet-friendly suites will feature a spacious kitchen with a stovetop, dishwasher and full-size refrigerator. Guests enjoy close proximity to the Philadelphia Union’s home field at Talen Energy Stadium—just a five-minute drive away—and an outdoor grilling area in the hotel courtyard. ihg.com

• Expected Completion: June 2019
• Developer: Sunset Hotel Group
• Suites: 89, including six accessible rooms
• Location: 351 Welsh Street, Chester

5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Horsham Willow Grove – This four-story hotel will feature one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, along with an indoor pool. homewoodsuites3.hilton.com

• Expected Completion: September 2019
• Developer: Horsham Hotel LP
• Rooms: 112
• Location: 720 Blair Mill Road, Horsham

6. Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia – Guests arrive to the hotel’s sky lobby on the 60^th floor of the Comcast Technology Center via high-speed elevators. From there, they can ease into their stay with a wellness trip to the spa, fitness facility and infinity pool on the 57^th floor. Restaurants helmed by award-winning chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Greg Vernick will draw both nearby and visiting culinary enthusiasts. fourseasons.com

• Expected Completion: Summer 2019
• Developer: Comcast/Liberty Property Trust
• Rooms: 219
• Location: One N. 19th Street, Center City

7. Ghost Light Inn – Next door to the Bucks County Playhouse, this historic site—formerly the Playhouse Inn—will be revitalized this summer. The building will connect to the brand-new riverwalk, featuring some of New Hope’s best views of the Delaware River. visitbuckscounty.com

• Expected Completion: Summer 2019
• Developer: Bridge Street Foundation, Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC
• Rooms: 15
• Location: 50 S. Main Street, New Hope

8. Tru by Hilton Audubon–Valley Forge – Vibrant, affordable, comfortable rooms comprise this hotel, located seven miles from the King of Prussia Mall, the largest shopping mall on the East Coast. audubonvalleyforge.trubyhilton.com

• Expected Completion: October 2019
• Developer: Audubon Land Development
• Rooms: 121
• Location: 825 Forge Avenue, Audubon

9. Home2 Suites by Hilton – Delaware County’s newest hotel will offer 70,000 square feet of extended-stay suites with full kitchens. Guests will be able to get a workout and wash clothes in Spin2Cycle, the hotel’s combination laundry and fitness area. home2suites3.hilton.com

• Expected Completion: Fall 2019
• Developer: Roch Capital Inc.
• Rooms: 109
• Location: 75 Applied Bank Boulevard, Glen Mills

10. Pod Philly – The micro-hotel pioneer arrives in town via an efficient, 11-story Rittenhouse Square building. Philadelphia restaurateurs Greg Root and Michael Kennedy will operate a first-floor restaurant, coffee shop and rooftop restaurant and bar. thepodhotel.com

• Expected Completion: Fall 2019
• Developer: Modus Hotels & Parkway Corporation
• Rooms: 252
• Location: 31 S. 19^th Street, Rittenhouse Square

11. Home2 Suites by Hilton Ridley Park Philadelphia Airport South – With more than 100 suites, this extended-stay hotel will cater to both business and leisure travelers. home2suites3.hilton.com

• Expected Completion: December 2019
• Developer: 145 Stewart Partners
• Rooms: 113
• Location: 145 S. Stewart Avenue, Ridley Park

12. MainStay Suites/Ascend Hotel Collection – Locally inspired artwork will bring the city inside the hotel, and guests who still want a workout after traversing the walkable surrounding city area can pop into the fitness center. choicehotels.com/mainstay

• Expected Completion: Winter 2019
• Developer: Landmark Property Group
• Suites: 118
• Location: 917 Arch Street, Chinatown

Slated for 2020:

13. W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia – It took a full 24 hours to pour the concrete for each floor of this 52-story, dual-hotel complex. Each floor looks a little different than any of the others. hotel-development.marriott.com

• Expected Completion: Early 2020
• Developer: Chestlen Development
• Rooms: 295 in the W Philadelphia, 460 in the Element Philadelphia (755 total)
• Location: 15^th & Chestnut Streets, Center City

14. WoodSpring Suites – The 48,000-square-foot site of this extended-stay concept will feature fully equipped kitchens and a small exercise room. woodspring.com

• Expected Completion: Early 2020
• Developer: Brookwood Hotels
• Rooms: 122
• Location: Montgomery County, 101 Lee Drive, Plymouth Meeting

15. The Hyatt Centric Hotel – This 13-story new construction promises a large, rustic modern hotel. An outdoor terrace and onsite underground parking will complement the hotel’s proximity to Rittenhouse Row’s shops, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and bars. hyatt.com

• Expected Completion Date: Mid-2020
• Developer: DAS Architects
• Rooms: 322
• Location: 17^th & Chancellor Streets, Center City

16. Live! Hotel & Casino Philadelphia – This long-awaited complex will bring Philadelphia its second casino within city limits, near South Philadelphia’s trio of sports arenas. The $700 million, 1.5 million square-foot hotel and casino will have 2,200 slots, more than 150 table games and more than 200 hotel rooms. livecasinohotelphilly.com

• Expected Completion: December 2020
• Developer: The Cordish Companies
• Rooms: 200+
• Location: 900 Packer Avenue, South Philadelphia

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is  the region’s official tourism marketing agency.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.