Ferry tale
Think about the Hong Kong of yesteryear and chances are romantic images of Victoria Harbour, the Star Ferry and The Peninsula hotel will come to mind. Once again, they can be combined, as the two time-honoured institutions have teamed up to bring us the seasonal Cruise and Dine package - now in its sixth year.
Every evening until March 15, tourists and locals can travel in a 1960s open-top bus to the Star Ferry's Shining Star sightseeing boat for a 45-minute cruise that leaves port at 6.15pm. As they take in the panoramic view of the harbour and the city's ever-more elaborate Christmas lighting, passengers can enjoy free-flowing champagne. Those looking for the perfect vantage point for the New Year's Eve fireworks need search no further than this nostalgically refitted ferry.
A three-course set dinner for two, with a complimentary glass of Peninsula wine or a non-alcoholic drink, is served upon return to dry land to the strains of The Peninsula Jazz Band (excluding Sundays).
Guests are invited to end the evening with a cocktail at the hotel's Salon de Ning (above), a heritage project inspired by the fictitious Shanghai bon vivante Madame Ning.
A pair of HK$300 spa certificates, redeemable at the hotel's Espa outlet, completes a lazy afternoon and evening at Hong Kong's oldest hotel and on our historic harbour.
