A NEW AND EXCLUSIVE WORLD TRAVEL EVENT |
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Join us on a luxury mega-yacht, revel in the treasures of the Adriatic in partnership with the Pinault Collection Palazzo Grassi, and be there in person for the world famous Venice Art Biennale |
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Wine, dine and live in style on Le Bougainville, as if on a private yacht: it's all included. |
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The crowning glory will be to sail into the Grand Canal in Venice and stay in luxury for two nights, to enjoy the 60th Art Biennale, which already promises to be sensational. We shall enjoy private views of the spectacular collections in the Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana, accompanied by art experts from the Pinault Collection
For all who love contemporary art, classical archaeology and architecture, as well as the idea of soaking up the Mediterranean sun, sea and sky in early summer as if on a private yacht, this exclusive event will be unmissable
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Venice, like a scene from Canaletto, awaits: we shall be there to visit the prestigious Art Biennale. |
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This culturally rich nine-day event is from June 17 to 25, 2024. It is so exclusive it will soon increase in price. As a CountryClubuk Member, you have exclusive preferential rates starting from £3,769 per person, and saving from £700 to £1,600 each. For you this includes not only the full itinerary, delicious full board French cuisine, fine wines, Champagnes, spirits and more in an open bar, but also return flights from London and transfers. For full details of this exceptional cultural extravaganza, please read on!
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Palazzo Grassi houses one of the world's most important contemporary art collections, the Pinault Collection: we shall enjoy a private view. |
Dear Member,
Join us for an unforgettable, exclusive event: a six-star, nine-day cruise of the treasures of the Adriatic, in partnership with the world's most celebrated modern art collection, the Pinault Collection Palazzo Grassi, to Venice. Arriving on our mega-yacht in the Grand Canal, and staying for two more luxurious nights on board, we shall be there in person for the world's most prestigious and oldest-running art festival, the Venice Art Biennale.
We shall also receive private views of both the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana, museums which hold the world's most important contemporary art collection, accompanied by Pinault Collection art experts. For lovers of fine art, travel and mega-yachts, we can hardly think of anything more inspirational!
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Palazzo Grassi is one of the most sophisticated, classical palaces on the Grand Canal; frescoes by Alessandro Longhi line the staircase. |
We shall be sailing as if on a private yacht, with the luxury French cruise specialists Ponant—another jewel in the Pinault Collection crown—aboard the latest state-of-the-art Explorer class cruise yacht of only 92 staterooms and suites, the luxuriously chic Le Bougainville. Launched in 2019, Le Bougainville is herself a work of art as well as of sophisticated maritime engineering. She is what the yacht specialists call 'eye sweet', with sleek exterior lines and a refined, open-to-the-sea design which is perfect for summer in the Med. Her interior décor is exquisite. |
Voyage of art, culture and style to the most beautiful places in the Adriatic in one of the most elegant cruise yachts, Le Bougainville. |
Furthermore, Le Bougainville features one of the latest maritime wow factors—two 'blue eyes' set into her hull, revealing the marine life below as she sails—not only sight, but sound. The crystal waters of the Adriatic offer ideal viewing conditions. This is a yacht combining luxury and cutting-edge marine engineering with discovery of Art and Nature.
We shall enjoy a luxurious stateroom or suite, fine French cuisine, excellent and unlimited Champagne, wines and spirits—all that is left for us to do is relax and enjoy the experience.
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French cuisine designed by Alain Ducasse is served with Champagne, wines and more—all complimentary aboard your luxurious mega-yacht. |
Even the ports of call have been selected for their incomparable cultural and environmental treasures, which will be highlighted in advance by the art experts onboard with us.
Our itinerary begins on Mon, Jun 17, 2024, with our flight from London to Malta, boarding Le Bougainville in Valletta from 20:30, ready to sail on the evening tide; Tues, Jun 18, Syracuse, Sicily; Wed, June 19, Otranto, Puglia, Italy; Thur, Jun 20, Dubrovnik, Croatia; Fri, Jun 21, Kotor, Montenegro; Sat, Jun 22, Hvar, Croatia; Sun, Jun 23, to Tues, Jun 25, Venice.
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The choice is then ours: to fly back to London, or to stay extra nights in a palazzo in Venice to fully absorb the sights and sounds of Venice during the Biennale and then fly back to London—or take the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, departing on Jun 29 for Paris, connecting with the Eurostar to London, adding perhaps the apogee of sophisticated indulgence to our journey. |
Luxury refined: the latest open-to-the-sea design adds extra light and space to staterooms and suites, all with a private balcony. |
First, the cruise: As we relax and enjoy our first four-course dinner with wines in Le Bougainville's restaurant we shall leave Valletta, Malta's capital, bound for Sicily. Our first port of call is a worthy first course to the cultural feast which awaits us: Syracuse, named by Cicero as 'the most beautiful city in the world'. |
Syracuse, where we shall see a thrilling, marvellous collection of historical treasures, starting from ancient Greek and Roman. |
As one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, Syracuse is a thrilling, marvellous collection of historical treasures from ancient Greek and Roman times and beyond. At her height Syracuse rivalled Athens as a power centre, and became home to a succession of civilisations: Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish. All make this city extraordinarily rich in sights, sounds, fragrances and flavours, from its stunning Duomo to its Greek and Roman ruins, archaeology park and flowering gardens. |
Otrante, Italy's easternmost transalpine town. Behind mediaeval ramparts, taste the sweet life of Salento, the 'heel on Italy’s boot'. |
Early next morning, we shall awake to see a vision of historic Otrante, scene of ancient fortress walls, a beautiful castle and cathedral, an historic lighthouse, crystal clear waters and sandy beaches. Inhabited since antiquity, this seaside town is filled with history, still visible as we meander along the narrow cobbled streets of its old centre. With its magnificent 12th century ornamental mosaic tiling, the cathedral is one of its most exquisite treasures. Stroll along the ramparts, sit and relax at a café . . . or take a ride to famous Lecce, the 'Florence of the South', considered one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. |
French wines are naturally de rigeur on Le Bougainville, selected by your sommelier. Prefer even finer wines? You can upgrade to premium!
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As we return to Le Bougainville to relax as she sails into the night, there is time also to explore the elegant pleasures of what is almost a private super-yacht, suffused with French flair. We shall enjoy classic French cuisine, dining on an ever-changing menu, expertly created by leading French chefs under the auspices of Michelin Star chef Alain Ducasse, and with fine French wines and sommelier service: and remember, all but premium drinks are included—if you enjoy good Champagne and wine, this is for you!
It is too soon to know the exact menus on board, but a sample would be an appetiser of Cep and chestnut velouté, starter of Lobster, celery 'rémoulade' and truffle. For the main course there may be Langoustines with pepper and tender fennel; or perhaps Beef Rossini, Anna potatoes and candied shallots, served with sauce Périgueux. And for puddings, we may enjoy Ponant's speciality chocolat-praliné. And when the evening's enjoyment is over, we shall retire to our sumptuous suites, ready to wake to a new dawn in Dubrovnik, Lord Byron's 'Pearl of the Adriatic'.
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Lord Byron named it the 'Pearl in the Adriatic', George Bernard Shaw said, 'Those that seek paradise on earth should seek it in Dubrovnik.' |
Dubrovnik juts like a silver finger into the blue sea, beneath green, cypress-clad mountains, warmed by long hours of sunshine. Beautifully restored after the war damage inflicted in the early 1990s, it is one of the most spectacular fortified cities in the world, filled with honey-coloured houses, cobbled mediaeval streets, aristocratic palazzi and Baroque churches, surrounded by that azure sea. Here in this Croatian city, without a car in sight, you really do feel as if you have stepped back in time: Dubrovnik is the Mediterranean as it used to be, yet not without a modern vision: Croatia's finest modern and contemporary art is here. |
A world first, the Blue Eye multi-sensory viewing lounge is state-of-the-art: specially developed hydrophones pick up sound 5 kilometers away. |
Back on board Le Bougainville, we shall wine and dine, enjoy the pool, the beauty salon, spa and hammam, perhaps music or a show—or take in Nature's show in Le Bougainville's relaxation lounge, watchingthe sea life below us through the 'blue eyes' and listening, thanks to the sound system. Bottlenose dolphins perhaps; turtles, leatherback, green and loggerhead; seahorses, groupers and sharks. And of course, the pleasures of a relaxing evening in your own private suite and on your balcony, taking in the long balmy twilight and sea air. An evening cocktail perhaps, or more Champagne, and then to sleep, awaking next morning to the unforgettable cruise into magical Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. |
Magical, picture-perfect, the Bay of Kotor is one of the most beautiful in the world: we shall be there to enjoy it all on the year's longest day. |
The impressive gap between two mountain ranges is home to a veritable inland lake with a magical atmosphere; the mediaeval city of Kotor and its many historical monuments are its jewels. Kotor is indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans, its old town a maze of cobbled narrow streets, stone churches and terracotta-roofed houses, surrounded by a fortification wall and set against the backdrop of those towering mountains. |
One of the world's most beautiful islands, Hvar is a feast of Nature, architecture, history—and the fragrance of fresh lavender. |
In this the night of the Summer Solstice, we shall slip through the crystal clear seas to Hvar, the most famous and beautiful of the Adriatic islands, known for its lavender, which turns whole swathes of land into a fragrant riot of colour in this, the early summer. Off the coast of Split, Hvar will surprise you by its traditions which have not changed since Antiquity. The country’s oldest town, Stari Grad, is here on this Dalmatian Island. The town nestles by a cove on the north-west coast, surrounded by dry stone wall structures on the Stari Grad plains. These have been designated a Unesco World Heritage site as they were built in the time of the Ancient Greeks. From these parcels of land still come the local wines and olive oils, traditionally made by hand. |
The most breathtaking of cruise finales, we arrive in Venice in time for the Art Biennale, the most prestigious art exhibition in the world. |
The grandest of finales, our mega-yacht will enter Venice the Serenissima via its lagoon. We are timed to be here for the 60th edition of the most prestigious and oldest-running art biennial,
showpiece of art from around the world. We shall be free to take our own line to explore the pavilions and the riot of art which throngs the city—and we shall benefit in particular from private views of the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana, accompanied by our Pinault Collection art experts.
We shall have two glorious nights in Venice aboard Le Bougainville, to appreciate the Biennale and also explore Venice at our leisure: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges Palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas, the small interlacing streets, canals and squares all await us during this awe-inspiring event, which will undoubtedly live in the memory for ever.
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Venice Art Biennale is beyond anything else in the world: it's a glorious, wild, freewheeling festival which cannot fail to inspire. |
YOUR EXCLUSIVE CLUB MEMBER RATES START AT ONLY £3,769—OR £6,297 TO UPGRADE TO A DELUXE SUITE!
This nine-day event includes economy flights from London to Malta; the eight-night, nine-day Ponant 'The artistic Adriatic and the Pinault Collection—Palazzo Grassi' cruise from Valletta to Venice, all meals while on board ship, complimentary 'open bar' including pouring wine, house Champagne, alcohol except premium brands; private views of the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana; economy flight, Venice to London, and all airport-ship-hotel transfers. The dates are June 17 to 25, 2024.
Below are some of the suite categories and exclusive Club rates. Rates are per person, for two sharing, including all the above (subject to availability at time of booking).
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¶ You may wish to extend this trip with additional nights in Venice (or Malta), and take the return journey on the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. All these things can be organised at Club rates (all subject to availability at the time of booking). Please contact Member Services on 020 7399 2960 for details.
¶ All rates and options are subject to availability at time of booking, and bookings are made subject to the full Club Rules and terms and conditions, available on our website, as well as the terms and conditions of Ponant and other partners.
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¶ For some of Members' current favourite things, please read on!
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SOME OF OUR MEMBERS' LATEST FAVOURITE THINGS |
Excellent, critically acclaimed Château Moncets Lalande de Pomerol 2017: Members save a cool £110 per case of 12 |
90/100 – Wine Enthusiast
90/100 – Gilbert & Gaillard
90/100 – Andreas Larsson
Chateau Moncets Lalande de Pomerol 2017 is a fine example of the character, depth, complexity and age-worthiness of Merlot-based fine Bordeaux wines—and in this case, without the expensive price tag.
The Château Moncets vineyards march with Fleur de Petrus at more than £200 a bottle, and Château Gazin at £100 a bottle. At less than £20 a bottle delivered through the Club, this Château Moncets offers Members remarkable value. It’s a wine you will be proud to serve to even your most discerning guests!
The wine is made from the oldest vineyards on the Moncets-Chambrun estate, vines averaging 40 years over 44 acres first cultivated in 1770.
It is exceptional: smooth on the palate and filled with juicy dark cherry notes and ripe berry power, with vibrancy and crisp acidity. Complex and deep, with well-integrated oak tones, spiciness, and touches of grassy floral notes, this is an elegant Bordeaux wine you won't want to miss!
Delicious with roast beef, lamb, osso bucco and the like, it is great for Sunday roasts, including Easter, and is already listed and drinking well in the Pomerol lists of fine restaurants including Launceston Place (at £80 a bottle). It will continue to drink beautifully and improve for a decade or more. Buy enough to cellar some until 2030 or beyond. Case of 12 bottles. Code CM 17RW04. Non Members £350. CCUK £239 including UK mainland delivery. Click here now for full details, critics' reviews and to order.
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Exceptional Chavy-Chouet ‘Les Femelottes’ 2020 Burgundy: this is Puligny-Montrachet in all but name: only £229 per case of 12 bottles delivered |
90/100: Neal Martin
Better than many Puligny-Montrachets costing more than twice the price, Domaine Chavy-Chouet ‘Les Femelottes’ is a rounded, expressive wine of exceptional flavour and class. This gorgeous Bourgogne Blanc is literally a stride or two away from being named Puligny-Montrachet; the ‘Les Femelottes’ vineyards lie just across the road from the famous Puligny-Montrachet vines.
Tipped as Puligny-Montrachet’s ‘domaine to watch’ in the 1980s by Jasper Morris, Romaric Chavy is a brilliant winemaker staking a claim to be one of Burgundy’s next stars. This ‘Les Femelottes’—from a 40-year-old, single vineyard plot lying within Puligny itself—is a classy, dependable, and thankfully still affordable white Burgundy, and this 2020 is receiving great critical praise.
Awarding 90/100 points, the wine critic Neal Martin writes, ‘The 2020 Bourgogne Blanc Les Femelottes has a light, fragrant nose with yellow plum and citrus peel. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, the 10% new oak lending a very subtle creaminess towards the finish. Everything you want from a Bourgogne Blanc … and a bit more.’ Drinking beautifully now, it will be delicious for several more years to come.
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Finest Welsh Wagyu Sirloin Steak: Great Taste Awards Two Gold Star Winner: 10oz steaks, exclusive Members’ price |
The Welsh Wagyu Beef Sirloin Steak from Rick Stein Superhero Rachel Godwin at Alternative Meats is exceptional: winning Two Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards, it’s a Members’ long-time favourite—and as award-winning butcher Rachel says, ‘This is no ordinary steak!’
The Great Taste Judges had this to say: ‘This is a beautiful steak, well marbled and cutting very well. And the taste absolutely lives up to the promise of the look and the smell. It is full flavoured, with an intense rich layered beefiness and excellent texture. We found the outside was beautifully caramelised and the fat was meltingly tender and delicious, with a lingering rich satisfying meaty mouth-feel.’
Our Members have long recognised the quality. With 30 years of cattle management under his belt, Ifor Humphreys from Montgomeryshire has just the right knowledge and experience to raise his Japanese Wagyu cross cattle on the family farm—many would envy their lifestyle!
The minimum amount of cooking is necessary for this marbled steak—on a hot griddle or in a heavy based pan.
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Best price for finest fresh Oscietra Caviar from King’s Fine Food: Michelin Star chef favourite! Members save up to £530 per kilo—37% off |
This Oscietra caviar is simply one of the finest caviars available, and used by some of London’s top restaurants. It has a good-sized egg and the caviar has a wonderful golden sheen which is typical of Oscietra. This caviar is often chosen as the favourite in blind tastings. This is a caviar which will always impress.
With caviar, caveat emptor was never more true. It is vital to know the source. This fine fresh caviar is supplied by Laura King MBE, whose company King’s Fine Food are suppliers to Buckingham Palace, Michelin Star chefs and the leading London fine food emporia.
Some famous chefs say they will have no other caviar than King’s Oscietra. Tom Parker-Bowles names this caviar, ‘The greatest “farmed” in the world’. Chef Patron Al ain Roux adds, ‘Reliability and the finest ingredients work hand in hand with producing superb results at the Waterside Inn, that’s why we choose only King’s Fine Food Caviar’. Prices start at £37 delivered: please click here for full details and all weights.
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Members' favourite precious jewellery from Hatton Garden this month: Stunning natural aquamarines, gemstone for March, beautifully teardrop cut, surrounded by diamonds and 18ct gold, all beautifully craftsman made by hand |
Liquid beauty, radiance and elegance are words that come to mind when first one sees these stunning aquamarine, diamond and 18ct gold pendant earrings from the Diamond and Precious Gem Collection at London’s Hatton Garden.
They are exceptionally beautiful, which is why they are Members' favourites! The natural teardrop aquamarines, weighing a total 2.20 carats, are large, flashing, luminescent light blue pools encircled by 1.62 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds below a diamond leaf design, set in 18ct white gold.
The effect is eyecatchingly romantic—they make every woman look and feel more beautiful—and at 3.5cm they are the perfect length to make an impact and look gorgeous on any occasion. And of course they are a perfect gift for March, the month of aquamarine.
Natural aquamarine, teardrop cut, 2.20 carats. Natural diamonds, round brilliant cut, : 1.62 carats, high quality (F in colour, therefore very white and VS in quality, therefore flawless to the eye). Set in 18ct white gold. Beautifully craftsman-made by hand. Fully hallmarked in England, they carry an insurance certificate at the full retail value of £7,200.
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Just arrived: Club Members' favourite well-cut pure linen suits by our English tailors: exclusive Members' price |
The new season’s well-cut pure linen suit will make you want to put away your tweeds and saunter around the lawn with a glass of Pimm’s in hand. This is the classic, tailored linen suit—elegant, cool, and useful—perfect kit for nights in the Med or Monaco, and a steal at the Club price.
The suit is flatteringly cut in pure linen by expert tailors who have been in the business in England since 1784. It has excellent line and balance and comes in two classic colours, stone and navy.
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The jacket is single-breasted, two-button, and has traditional notched lapels, flapped and jetted pockets, and two rear vents. The half ‘buggy’ lining is designed to keep you cool as well as smart, with a stripy sleeve lining and two interior pockets, one buttoned for security. It looks great with the matching linen trousers, as well as being relaxed and stylish with jeans or chinos. Please order soon, because these linen suits sell out really quickly!
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Or call the Member Services team on 020 7399 2960.
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