WORLD TRAVEL NEWS ROUND UP APRIL 2011
Posted March 30th, 2011
ARUBA
Aruba Celebrates 25 Years of Status Aparte –The quest for independence began in 1947, when the island was presented its first constitution for Aruba's ‘Status Aparte’, however it was not until 1986 that Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and officially became a country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the first elections held for Aruba's inaugural parliament.
Aruba raises a Blue Flag - Aruba will become a member of the Foundation for Environmental Education in November 2011 and raise its first Blue Flag. Already an affiliate member since 2006, the Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label, recognised in more than 40 countries across the world. The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education. It works towards sustainable development at beaches and marinas through 32 strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and management, and safety and other services.
11th Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival 25-30 May 2011- Join soul music lovers from around the world and take part in amped-up nightclubs, sizzling beach parties and music concerts. Held at the end of May for the last 10 years, the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival is a star-studded event. Previous acts have included some of the world’s most famous high-octane R&B artists, such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Fox, Wyclef Jean, Estelle, Sean Paul, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill and Chaka Khan. Visit www.soulbeach.net
2nd Aruba’s International Film Festival10-18 June 2011- For eight days Aruba will be the centre of attention in the world of cinematography. Actors, producers, film-makers and members of the international press will be present on island to witness the second AIFF.Visit www.arubafilmfest.com.
AUSTRALIA
Musical tours of Australia -The landscapes, people and experiences of Australia provide the inspiration for a new online marketing campaign by Tourism Australia, which is using talented musicians to showcase the destination.
Making Tracks sees four international classical musicians from the YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011 each paired up with a contemporary Australian musician and sent on a journey of discovery across Australia. Each musical pair was tasked with composing a piece of original music inspired by the trip and their creative collaboration.
Between them the musicians travelled to every state and territory in Australia and participated in a range of experiences, which included surfing at Bondi beach, swimming with dolphins off Rockingham, enjoying the sun set over Uluru, penguin-spotting on Kangaroo Island, taking a helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles, trekking across the Western Wilderness in Tasmania, hot air ballooning over Canberra and 4-wheel driving on Fraser Island.
The paired musicians: Australian guitarist Luke Webb (from the Blue Mountains, NSW) and English cellist, Desmond Neysmith travelled together through NSW and Western Australia; Australian pianist and keyboardist Andy Bull (from Sydney, NSW) and Taiwanese clarinetist Irene Chen travelled together through South Australia and Northern Territory; Australian guitarist Dewayne Everettsmith (from Hobart, Tasmania) and American viola player Jasmine Beams travelled together through Tasmania and Victoria and Australian pianist and guitarist Stu Cullen (from Melbourne, Victoria) and American bassoonist Sam Blair travelled together through ACT and Queensland.
View the four Making Tracks videos by visiting Tourism Australia’s website or Facebook site:
www.australia.com/campaigns/makingtracks/index.htm
or
www.facebook..com/SeeAustralia
AUSTRIA
Pop in Vienna - Last year's first ever Popfest on Vienna's Karlsplatz was a resounding success. 2011 will give concertgoers another opportunity to catch up with the latest developments on the capital's music scene - absolutely free of charge. The square in front of the Baroque Karlskirche church will be transformed into an open air stage from 5-8 May. Visit www.popfest.at
Vienna's Danube Island Festival is one of Europe's largest open-air festivals. Taking place for the 28th time in 2011 from 24-26 June it will offer more than 300 hours of free entertainment on 13 stages, covering all the genres from traditional Schrammelmusik to chart toppers. The festival site, which covers the stretch of the Danube Island between the Nordbrücke and Reichsbrücke bridges, is easily reached with the U6 and U1 subway lines. Visit www.donauinselfest.at
Panda Debut - Panda cub Fu Hu is the undisputed star of all the new arrivals at Schönbrunn Zoo – and at long last he is ready to face his public. Panda fans have had a long wait for the chance to see Fu Hu up close. Born on 23 August 2010, he spent the first few months of his life safely cocooned in his cubbing box. And now the little ball of fluff, which will one day grow up to be a giant panda, has finally made his way into the enclosure. It is impossible to say when - or even if - the panda cub will put in an appearance as Fu Hu still spends the best part of the day sleeping. His keepers say that the chances are highest at around midday.
Fu Hu, whose parents are Schönbrunn Zoo pandas Yang Yang and Long Hui, was born three years to the day after big brother Fu Long. Fu Long's birth caused a media sensation back in 2007, as he was the first naturally conceived panda to be born in a European zoo. And now this endangered species has repeated the feat at Vienna zoo with the birth of Fu Hu. As part of an agreement between China and Austria, Fu Long was moved to a new home in China on 18 November 2009. Like every giant panda, Fu Hu is in fact owned by the People's Republic of China, but for the next two years at least he will remain in Vienna.
But Fu Hu is not the only newborn at the world's oldest zoo: a two-toed sloth is currently the youngest of the new arrivals. Baby elephant Tuluba (born in August 2010) and Poitou donkey foal Richelieu are extremely popular with visitors. Vienna zoo's Rockhopper penguin breeding program is another major success story - in early 2010 Schönbrunn welcomed 10 chicks of this highly endangered species into the world. Visit www.zoovienna.at
GREECE
Rhodes - A new state-of-the-art marina is scheduled to open in June and be fully operational in 2012. The €100 million (£87 million) investment is situated on the east side of Rhodes Town and will be open to both yacht owners and visitors. Currently the island only has one yacht harbour, usually crowded with local and charter yachts.
Rhodes’ new marina will serve as a five-star tourist attraction with the ability to host more than 400 crafts, including the largest new mega yachts. On-shore facilities will include VIP suites, a conference centre, a bank, shops, restaurants, cafés, a gym, a spa with swimming pool, green areas and a beautifully landscaped promenade along the marina's main pier. The complex will also offer shipyard maintenance services, as well as access to high speed broadband and triple play services including Internet, IP telephony and IPTV. Visit www.rodosisland.gr
HOLLAND
Keukenhof flower gardens until 20 May
Around seven million flower bulbs have been planted during the past months and as spring breaks, these will provide the traditional colourful splendour of the world-famous international flowering bulb exhibition.
For several years now, Keukenhof has chosen to feature a different theme country each season. Last year Russia was highlighted with the theme ‘From Russia with Love.’ In 2011, Keukenhof stays a bit closer to home. This year the focus will be on Holland’s eastern neighbours with the theme “Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers.”
The most popular draw at this year’s Keukenhof is sure to be the flower bulb mosaic of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Inspirational gardens with a German feel and a special 1½ km (approx. 1.3 miles) themed route meandering throughout the park have also been created. Another highlight is the Holland-Germany Experience, an exhibition at the Juliana Pavilion in which the many aspects of German-Dutch solidarity will be expressed. Image, light, sound and decor will make this exhibition a truly special experience.
There are also some great activities going on such as the regional flower parade on 16 April, a traditional Dutch costume festival from 1-3 April, the Summer-Flower Bulb Market from 8-10 April and a colourful Vincent van Gogh's Flower mosaicon display from21-25 April.
Since the park opened in 1949 it has become one of the most popular attractions in Holland, attracting people of all ages. The nine week exhibition in 2011 promises visitors a unique ‘spring experience’, with thousands of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils in bloom alongside other carefully selected spring bulbs.
The Keukenhof is open to the public until 20 May 2011 daily from 8:00am to 7:30pm (ticket office open until 6:00pm). The entrance fee is €14,50 for adults and €7,00 for children. The Keukenhof can be reached by car or by train and bus and combination tickets are available when travelling by bus from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Visit www.holland.com or www.keukenhof.nl.
ITALY
Museodel Barolo Barolo, Piedmont –A new museum dedicated to one of the most famous red wines in the world: the Barolo, the “king of wines”. Barolo was created by the Marquise Julia Colbert and became the official wine of the Savoy Court in Turin. The museum, housed in the renovated and imposing Castello Faletti, illustrates the history of Barolo - the cultivation methods of the vines, the production process, the finished product, wine-tastings and the links that Barolo had with the music, art, cuisine and theatre throughout the years. Visit www.barolodibarolo.com/musei_museodelvino.asp
Beautiful Italy. 'Art and identity of the capital cities', in Turin - until 11 September 2011. Within the impressive setting of the Scuderie Juvarriane at the Reggia di Venaria, more than 300 Italian masterpieces reveal the progress of art from the medieval period to the eve of 1861 by looking at the pre-Unification capitals of Turin, Florence, Rome, Milan, Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Naples and Palermo.
The exhibition shows the image of the various cities – their culture, traditions and historic-artistic heritage – as seen by the major historical artists: Giotto, Beato Angelico, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, Botticelli, Bronzino, Titian, Veronese, Correggio, Caravaggio, Rubens, Tiepolo, Canova,Hayez and others.
NAMIBIA
Namibia Tourism is holding an evening dedicated to Namibia, at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 on 6 April 6pm – 10.30pm. The event will provide the opportunity to hear more about this fascinating country and hear from expert speakers in the field, along with the opportunity to win a trip to Namibia. Guest speakers are Garth Owen-Smith and Dr Margaret Jacobsohn, founders of IRDNC, as well as Conservancy Safaris along with Mr. Simpson Urikhob, coordinator of Save the Rhino Trust (SRT).
The raffle prize is two places on an expedition researching the wildcats of Namibia with Biosphere Expeditions and Land Rover worth £1,900 per person plus an additional flight budget.
Purchase tickets online at www.eventelephant.com/namibiaevent2011 or call +44 (0) 20 7367 0962. Tickets cost £15 which includes a complimentary alcoholic or soft drink. For information on Namibia Tourism Board visit www.namibiatourism.com.na
UNITED KINGDOM
London
Kew Gardens Easter Fun - Join in the Easter Egg Hunt (Sunday 24 April from 9.30am to 1pm), and seek out Buzzie Bee, Slipper, and Venus, the friendly characters from Climbers and Creepers, who will be hiding around the gardens for youngsters to pick up the tokens needed to collect a delicious Green & Black's Easter chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny.
Visit the Easter chocolate making workshops (9 April – 2 May at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm) and let the children get some hands on experience in sculpting chocolate, while learning about the huge variety of plants that go into producing a tasty bar.
Chocolate taster sessions, delivered by in-house caterers Peyton & Byrne take placeon 9 and 24 April. Afterwards drop into one of the hands on sessions in the secluded glasshouse (9 April – 2 May, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays 2pm to 4pm) exploring the origins and uses of the Theobroma cacao (chocolate tree).
Kew Gardens, 14 – 15 May -kicks off its vibrant summer festival with an energetic weekend of music, dance, and ritual, in celebration of the many different worlds which exist within the gardens. From the heat of the Brazilian rainforest to the cool of the Alpine region, and from the elegance of Japanese architecture to the arid wilderness of the desert regions, a trip to Kew will introduce visitors to climates and regions from around the world.
Visitors are invited to experience: The Tropical Rainforest (The Palm House): Breathtaking aerialists in the magnificent Palm House;Colourful bird and flower inspired stilt walkers; FestiveSouth American musical act ‘The Pagody Band’ playing outside the main entrance to the Palm house;AnInstallation of carnival birds and insects; A Soundwork of rainforest sounds andflavours of ‘carnival’ sounds.
The Orient (The Japanese Landscape and Minka House): AJapanese Tea Ceremony in the Minka House which involves a demonstration of the traditional Japanese way of making tea and performing tea ceremony;An enthralling show combining Japanese rhythms and techniques with eclectic, and original compositions at the Japanese Gateway;AnInstallation of Japanese kites andaSoundwork of Japanese sounds in the Minka House.
The Mountains (The Alpine House): A traditionalBavarian ‘Oompah’ band with a yodeller and an Alpine horn;An installation of Alpine birds;ASoundwork of Alpine sounds.
The Mediterranean (The Mediterranean Garden): A vibrant group from Seville and London, who combine dance and guitar and will create the rhythms and emotions of Flamenco; Beautiful floral displays
The Desert (The Princess of Wales Conservatory): AnInstallation of ‘Day of the Dead’ shrines; ASoundwork of the desert andflavours of ‘day of the dead’ sounds.
The Californian Redwoods (The Arboretum): Soundwork of the amplified sounds of a redwood forest. Visit www.kew.org
ZSL London Zoo,Penguin Beach, 27 May 2011 - More than 100 penguins will flock to ZSL London Zoo this summer with the opening of England's largest ever penguin pool, Penguin Beach. The Zoo's brand new flagship exhibit for 2011 will be home to nearly 150 Macaroni and Humboldt penguins. The new penguin pool will be four times bigger and three times deeper than the current one and will hold more than 450,000 litres of water. Added touches include underwater viewing areas and a seating area for the Zoo's famous penguin feeds. Visit www.zsl.org
London Transport Museum, May 2011 - March 2012 - Developed by the Royal College of Art, this new exhibition at London Transport Museum will comprise of a series of dynamic displays which will illustrate how new ways of sensing London's transport, energy and information systems can allow us to understand and access the City in new ways.
Museum of London Docklands, 20 May - 30 October 2011 -From Treasure Island to Pirates of the Caribbean, discover the truth about the real pirates who ruled our seas over 300 years ago. Through maps, letters and illustrations, follow the true story of the infamous Captain Kidd in this family-friendly exhibition and learn how Kidd's legend still shapes our idea of pirates today. Visit www. museumoflondon.org.uk
Lincolnshire
Burghley House - Some of Europe’s most important ceramics, a new-look restaurant and fun-packed family events aim to make England’s greatest Elizabethan house even more of a visitor favourite this year.
Launching its new season Burghley House will combine the best of old and new to provide tasty homemade treats in the refurbished Orangery Restaurant plus a chance to see part of the acclaimed Burghley Collection in the stunning Treasury gallery.Add in a packed events programme ranging from summer evening concerts and classic car rallies to children’s festivals and cutting edge modern sculptures in a historic garden setting.
Still lived in by descendants of the original Lord Burghley, William Cecil, the house provides a packed family day out with a combined ticket giving access to the House plus two gardens, including the Tudor-inspired “trick” Garden of Surprises.
Once again its world-famous treasure trove of works of art feature in Burghley’s exhibition.Last year's display featuring the ‘Buckingham China’ - the three jars recently just revealed as some of the oldest examples of European porcelain - put Burghley firmly on the map for European porcelain collectors. The Burghley Collection also includes a remarkable variety of highly prized ceramics from British and European manufactories, all collected by the Cecil family since the building of the house by Queen Elizabeth’s Lord Treasurer, William Cecil, in the 16th century.
For 2011, the ‘European Ceramics at Burghley’ exhibition offers a chance to see pieces normally spread throughout the House.
Old and new will also be complementing each other in Burghley’s refurbished Orangery restaurant. The Orangery was originally designed by ‘Capability’ Brown.
On the new menu will be everything from morning coffee with homemade cakes and pastries to hand cut sandwiches and more traditional lunch of roast beef and yorkshire pudding along with fun pasta lunches, salads - and an English Tea with finger sandwiches and homemade cakes.
And once again Burghley has lined up a host of events for 2011 including the return of Abba tribute band Bjorn Again for a June evening concert in the parkland to the ever-popular children’s favourite Festival of Surprises in August as well as the annual free-to-enter Burghley Fine Food Markets at Easter, summer and Christmas. Visit www.burghley.co.uk.
Shropshire
Shrewsbury’s International Cartoon Festival 14-17 April - Shrewsbury will once again play host to cartoonists from the UK and overseas who will turn the town into a giant ‘art studio’ –this year there’s a sporting theme in the run-up to the 2012 London Games.
Shropshire may appear an unlikely place to find the origins of the modern international Olympic Games, yet it was here, in 1850, that Dr William Penny Brookes first founded the Wenlock Olympian Society – the inspiration behind the revival of the modern Olympic Games. Read more by visiting
www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
Among highlights will be Cartoons in The Square featuring giant cartoon boards marking Shropshire’s role in Olympic heritage; Joking for Gold, a special exhibition of cartoons from Carl Giles - one of Britain’s most loved cartoonists - and Give us a Sporting Chance, an exhibition of recent cartoons by top cartoonist Jacky Fleming.And a number of cartoonists will be creating their Olympic-themed cartoon artistry on huge boards in Shrewsbury’s historic Square on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 April, with completed cartoons displayed in The Square from 11am –3pm on Sunday 17 April.
The festival, now firmly established as one of the leading events of its kind in the world, also offers an opportunity to buy work by some of the UK’s top cartoonists. A festival shop will sell cartoon cards, prints, books and other items while Festival cartoonists working in The Square and other venues will also sign prints and books of their work.
New for 2011, more comic cartoon fun will come courtesy of “'TwasOn A Dark and Stormy Night..." on Saturday 16 April. This Victorian ‘Melodrawma’, narrated and drawn live in The Square, offers a chance for visitors to marvel at drawings created at lightning speed by a ‘derring-do’ team of cartoonists. To find out more visit www.shrewsburycartoonfestival.com and www.visitshropshire.com
Warwickshire
Stratford upon Avon - From folk to flamenco, ballet to clog dancing, puppets, performers and strolling players, on 30 April and 1 May, Stratford-upon-Avon will be alive with carnival spirit and pageantry as the town celebrates the 447th birthday of William Shakespeare.
On Saturday 30 April the town will be buzzing with free street entertainment from 10.00am. Professional troupes and community groups will present a vibrant mix of music, drama and spectacle, from belly dancing and steel pan bands to madrigals and Morris dancing.
At 11.00 am the grand Birthday Procession will set off on the symbolic journey from Shakespeare’s birthplace in Henley Street, to lay flowers on the poet’s grave in Holy Trinity Church. International ambassadors and guests will join the children and people of Stratford in the traditional parade led by the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers. The action will pause briefly for the ceremonial unfurling of flags from nations around the world.
Following the success of last year’s People’s Procession, spectators are again invited to join the fun as costumed players, musicians and creative groups wend their way through the town towards the Bancroft Gardens.
Throughout the afternoon, the town will be filled with performances from local groups and visitors from as far away as Moscow and the USA. Shakespeare Live! will bring to life scenes from William Shakespeare’s plays in the Swan Garden, and the Outlaw Shakespeare Company will perform an extract from Twelfth Night in the Bancroft Gardens.
Families will find lots to see and do inside and around the Royal Shakespeare Company’s newly transformed theatres. Enjoy ‘Sweet Celebrations’, and see Shane Waltener's sugar craft turn a gallery into a giant birthday cake. Find the Love Seat and be enchanted with words of adoration, or relax on the river as an actor recites on the Sonnet Ferry. Activities for children will burst outside into Weston Square with make and take masks, Yorick skulls and Shakespeare colouring sheets. Look out for the animated character Billy and his pet pig Francis as they seek play-writing inspiration. There will be a Knights and Nymphs party for under-fives at Hall’s Croft at 1pm.
At 4.45pm, the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers will be Beating Retreat in Henley Street outside Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
On Sunday 1 May afternoon celebrations will take on a distinct Spanish flavour in honour of the Spanish writer Cervantes, who died on the same date as Shakespeare - 23 April 1616.
Look out for a flamenco ‘flash mob’ at 3pm. For those tempted to join the dancing there will be free practice sessions led by professional flamenco teachers on 9, 16and 21 April at 1.30 at Stratford College.
Cervantes inspired Shakespeare and John Fletcher to write a lost play based on the story of Cardenio in Don Quixote. The RSC, who are presenting Cardenio in the Swan Theatre as part of their 50thbirthday season this year, will perform El Viejo Celoso, a short interlude by Cervantes on an outdoor stage in Henley Street. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will mount an exhibition illustrating the connection between Shakespeare and Cervantes in the Shakespeare Centre. To round off Cervantes Day the Picturehouse in Windsor Street will host a special screening of the Bolshoi Ballet’s Moscow production of Don Quixote at 6pm.
The orchestra of the Swan’s digital interactive project based on Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Four Sonnets 2011, will be premiered at Holy Trinity Church at 2.00pm. The sound project combines readings of the sonnets recorded by schools and Shakespeare-related organisations around the world, with music composed by Peter Wyer and improvisation from members of the orchestra.
On Saturday 23 April and Saturday 30 April the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will be treating visitors to cake both on Shakespeare’s actual birthday and on his official birthday, and inviting them to sign giant birthday cards at each of the five houses which tell the story of the playwright’s life in Stratford.
Stratford’s primary school children have also been invited with their parents to a free traditional birthday party on 23 April in Henley Street where they will be treated to a special flag unfurling ceremony and entertainment.
Shakespeare’s birthday is traditionally celebrated on the weekend closest to 23 April. As the 23falls on Easter Saturday this year, the main birthday celebrations are being held on 30 April.
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a county already renowned for its history and culture but now Wiltshire is promoting itself as an arts destination with a host of annual events, festivals and workshops taking place this summer. Highlights range from the acclaimed Salisbury International Arts Festival to the more unusual Sculpture Mad where items are created from recycled and used materials.
This summer’s arts themed events this summer include: Sculpture Mad: part of the Wylye Valley Art Trail which runs from 28 May – 5 June -will display surrealist sculptures made mostly with recycled materials. These include a procession of Ancient Egyptian gods walking towards bright blue pyramids and a 40 foot wide spider web with a 14 foot wide spider! These and many more sculptures are displayed across a two acre site. The exhibition will also take place in September when it moves to the gardens of Stourhead. Visit www.sculpturemad.com or www.wvat.co.uk
Salisbury International Arts Festival: the crème de la crème of arts related events in Wiltshire. This annual festival is one of the largest multi arts festivals in Europe. The 2011 event takes place in venues all around Salisbury from 20 May – 4June. The themes of the festival are China, Dance and Air which will see impressive performances from artists from around the globe. Up to 50 per cent of the performances are free. Visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk
Constable comes to Wiltshire: Also starting in May is a five-month special exhibition dedicated to Constable at Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum. For the first time in history a collection of his works of art, in particular those which depict Salisbury and the surrounding area, will be brought together under one roof. In addition to the exhibition visitors can also take part in special guided walks of Salisbury where they will be taken to beauty spots where Constable sketched and painted some of his pictures. Visit www.salisburymuseum.org.uk
Bowood through the artist’s eye: This beautiful stately home opens its doors to a special exhibition by local artists. All through last season a group of 20 artists photographed and sketched at Bowood. Each of the individual pieces will be brought together in a season long exhibition showing unique interpretation of the house, landscape and wildlife of Bowood. Visit www.bowood.org
Four day art courses: Between 23 – 26 May the Old Mill Gallery near Devizes is offering a four-day art course. Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists the course will tutor participants in the methods of landscape and coastal painting. Visit www.oldmillarts.co.uk; for accommodation go to www.willowtreebarn.co.uk
For a all events visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/art-in-the-countryside
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Capital Region
Shakespeare’s 447th Birthday DC Style - Celebrate William Shakespeare’s 447th birthday at the home of the world’s largest Shakespeare collection – The Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington D.C. On 17 April 20011 the festivities kick off at noon on and run until 4pm. With free admission and free cake for all, partygoers and well-wishers can celebrate with a plethora of Elizabethan crafts, professional and amateur performances of the famous works, behind the scene tours, games, music and a parade.
Other birthday highlights include the chance to perform your favourite bit of the Bard, in “Spontaneous Shakespeare”, scripts can be provided but feel free to bring along your own. Tour the Elizabethan Gardens where you can see plants popular in Shakespeare’s time and even try on 16th century ‘pumpkin pants’, ‘farthingales’ and ‘bumrolls’ from Shakespeare’s closet. There are also live Renaissance music performances and tours of the famous Reading and Founders’ Rooms. Visit www.folger.edu.birthday
Capital Region USA also offers a wide selection of transport options.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C&O) National Historic Park is one of America’s most distinctive and most visited national parks. The best way to experience the canal and its environment is from a boat pulled along by a mule on the towpath, as it would have been in the 1870s. The boat trips are guided by park rangers who tell stories of life on the 184.5 mile long historic waterway.
Immerse yourself further in this bygone era by booking into one of four restored historic lockhouses. Each house is over 170 years old and provides an insight into living conditions at particular times throughout the canal’s history. Visitor centres for the C&O National Historic Park can be found in Great Falls in Maryland and Georgetown in Washington DC. Visit www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/interpretiverangerprograms.htm
Enjoy the ease and convenience of Amtrak’s high-speed rail travel through the Capital Region. Take in beautiful spring-time scenery, whilst seated at one of the spectator windows, on a comfortable, high-speed train that offers quality on-board service. Amtrak’s route in the Capital Region offers a daily round-trip service from Washington, D.C. to Lynchburg, Virginia, with stops in several picturesque Virginia towns, including Manassas - from which visitors can discover some of the region’s Civil War history, and Charlottesville – home to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Visit www.amtrak.com
A unique way to glide around Washington DC’s parks, the White House, US Capitol and the Washington Monument is to take a DC Segway Tour. The Segway Human Transporter is a self-balancing, personal transportation device designed to go anywhere people do. Easy to operate, the two-wheeled high-tech gyroscope automatically responds to your body’s movements, "sensing" when it should speed up and slow down. Or why not combine a Segway tour with a DC Duck experience, where you explore the city from the Potomac River in an original WWII DUKW amphibious vehicle, for a truly different city sightseeing experience? www.citysegwaytours.com/washington-dc; www.dcducks.com. For Capital Region USA, visit www.CapitalRegionUSA.co.uk
Florida
Underwater music festival - Surrounded by the sea, the 120-mile island chain has staged one of its signature musical events underwater since 1985. The 27th annual Underwater Music Festival takes place on 9 July at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary located approximately six miles south of Big Pine Key.
Each year, the subsea songfest draws as many as 600 divers and snorkelers to explore the colourful diversity of marine life that characterises the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef. The marine musical event is staged by Keys radio station WWUS 104.1 FM, locally called US 1, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Music is broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned at the reef, and the playlist typically ranges from humpback whale songs to marine-themed ditties such as the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”. Fancy dress is worn by some of the participating divers — so mermaids, musicians and characters from films can sometimes be spotted 15 metres down, grooving to the beat.
While many festival “afishionados” are drawn by the undersea fun, the concert also promotes the serious cause of preserving the Florida Keys’ unique coral reef ecosystem.
Visitors can take part easily, since many dive and snorkel operators in the Lower Florida Keys offer jaunts out to the reef for the festival. To find one visit www.fla-keys.com/listing.cfm?id=12. For information about the Florida Keys & Key West visit www.fla-keys.co.uk
New York
Alexander McQueen’s Iconic Designs will be celebrated at the spring Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art between 4 May and 31 July 2011. The exhibition will celebrate the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. From his Central Saint Martins’ post graduate collection in 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010, McQueen challenged and expanded our understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. Visit www.metmuseum.org