The fourth annual Hawaii FOOD & WINE Festival brings together top chefs, sommeliers, winemakers and mixologists from around the world. Several notable events take place at the Harper-recommended Halekulani resort, including an over-the-top “Caviar & Krug Dégustation,” a lavish six-course dinner prepared by “Chefs Who Cook to Compete,” and an exciting white Burgundy tasting titled, “Masters of the Chardonnay Universe: Through the Eyes of Kermit Lynch.”
Queen Elizabeth II herself is Chieftain of the Braemar Gathering, a day of Scottish Highland games dating back some 900 years. Spectators can enjoy caber tossing, hammer throwing, tug-of-war and Highland dancing and piping competitions, among other traditional events.
Aside from Carnevale, Venice’s most exciting and colorful celebration is the annual Regata Storica, which starts with a grand procession of traditional boats including the famed Bucintoro, the galley of the Doge. A series of lively boat races up and down the Grand Canal follows, with expert rowers powering heavy rivergoing caorline, slim pupparini and speedy gondolini.
One of the world’s most important riding competitions, the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials also boasts one of Britain’s most impressive settings. Over these four days, riders and horses compete in dressage, cross-country and show jumping events in the shadow of the palace where Sir Winston Churchill was born.
Vinos & Bodegas is a major wine exhibition attended by representatives of most of Argentina’s top wineries. Certain hours are restricted to the trade, but public ticketholders can taste many of South America’s best wines each day between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Though one hardly needs an excuse to visit Burgundy in glorious September, the Fête de la Pressée (Festival of the Wine Press) in Chenôve provides yet another excellent reason to go. Observe wine presses dating to 1238 in action, watch (or join in) traditional dancing, sample top-notch Burgundies and feast on local specialties such as gougères, escargots, grilled andouillette sausage and roast suckling pig.
Three of the loveliest Gilded Age “cottages” in Newport, Rhode Island, host events for the annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival. Start with a stylish evening wine tasting at Rosecliff on Friday, followed by Grand Tastings on the grounds of Marble House, featuring hundreds of wines as well as cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs such as Martha Stewart and Sara Moulton. Only 60 guests can attend the exclusive Collectible Wine Dinner held at The Elms on Saturday, and Sunday’s elegant Winemaker Brunch, held in the Gold Room at Marble House, also has limited availability.
Monterey, California, hosts the 57th annual Monterey Jazz Festival this weekend at the county fairgrounds, and it always draws top-tier talent. This year will see performances by Michael Feinstein, Herbie Hancock, The Roots, Gary Clark Jr., Booker T. Jones and Cécile McLorin Salvant, among many others.
Barcelona celebrates its patron saint during the Festival of La Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy) with concerts, dancing, markets and street performances. Perhaps most memorable are the castellers, who build nail-bitingly tall human towers, and the correfoc, a wild procession including firecracker-wielding groups dressed as devils, giant sparkler-breathing dragons and various other costumed revelers and pyrotechnic displays.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
1 (800) 375-4685
Open M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM CT
