At the beginning of the month, celebs took a break from their usual red carpet to attend the Elephant Parade charity auction, of which Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a strong supporter. Stars including Elizabeth Hurley, Goldie Hawn, and Princess Beatrice of York hit the grass to show their support of the protection and conservation of endangered Asian elephants. Despite the rough terrain, fashion did not suffer. Sporting colorful dresses and forever high wedges and heels, these celebs looked almost as good as the painted model baby elephants (all of which were on sale at the event, including Anantara’s own ‘Little Bird’). The auction marked the end of the Elephant Parade in London, which earned over $1.5 million dollars for this great cause!

Remember when we told you about the Elephant Parade, the installation of model baby elephants scattered around London? Run by Elephant Family, the goal of the charity is to raise awareness of the declining population of the Asian Elephant.

‘Little Bird,’ the baby elephant representing Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, is somewhere throughout London.  Now there is a little extra incentive to finding her, as the Director of Elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle, Mr. John Roberts, has announced that he would give out a free dinner to the first person to send in a photograph of themselves with ‘Little Bird’.   And that’s not all!  Elephant Family is offering the chance to win a vacation for two to none other than Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle where the lucky winners will train with mahouts at the resort’s famed elephant camp and learn about these gentle creatures. To enter, visit http://www.elephantfamily.org/how-can-you-help/events/competition/, fill out the petition, correctly answer the questions, and tweet a message to encourage your followers to sign the petition. The competition closes on July 9^th, so hurry before it is too late!

The elephants are on the move! As the Elephant Parade comes to a close, 62 of these life-size, model baby elephants will be migrating from their positions around the city and congregating in Leister Square. July 3rd will mark the end of the parade, when these magnificent pieces of art will be auctioned off in hopes of raising over $2 million!

The Elephant Parade officially began in London this month. How will they fit, you might ask?

Well, the Elephant Parade is actually an open air art installation of life-size, model baby elephants positioned around the city. Elephants are painted by artists and celebrities, such as Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi and Lulu Guinness to inspire awareness of the plight of the Asian Elephant. With a current population of only 1,500 in the wild in Thailand (down from 300,000 at the turn of the last century), they face a severe risk of extinction.

Run by the small charity Elephant Family, these efforts require serious support from their patrons, which include Goldie Hawn and Sarah, Duchess of York. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a sponsor and champion of this cause, and has a little baby of its own, known as ‘Little Bird,’ placed somewhere around Londontown. All elephants are for sale by auction and Elephant Family aims to raise over $2 million.

This is London’s biggest outdoor art event on record and runs from May to July 2010. If you are hanging out in Trafalgar Square or Green Park, these colorful creatures will be impossible to miss. So, enjoy the exhibit because it may be the only time you see an Asian elephant in London!

We know everyone has been waiting for the upcoming Sex and the City 2 movie, especially since we saw Aiden showing up in the trailer.  So when we heard our gals Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda, the forerunners of all things glamorous, selected Abu Dhabi as the new “it” place to go, we couldn’t help but wonder where they might end up.  In anticipation of the May 27 opening in theaters, we speculated a few ideas of our own.

For urbanites (the Carries of the world), the opulent Emirates Palace is fit for a Sheikh, an ideal place to escape the desert heat. What’s more, the Anantara Spa is a great place to pamper with rejuvenating body treatments and therapies in a luxurious, Moroccan inspired space.

Sybarites (Samantha-esques) can journey to the majestic Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara, built into the ancient dunes of the Liwa Desert.  The “Mirage Palace” creates the perfect setting for a desert romance, with sweeping views of ocher dunes as far as the eye can see and stately rooms intricately designed with opulent Arabian décor.  Guests can enjoy gourmet cuisine at the hotel, or go off into the desert for an exotic Bedouin tent dinner under the stars. Sumptuous fruit-soaked tajines and succulent kebabs are prepared over an open flame and Arabic coffees and sweet teas help immerse you into the enchanting desert atmosphere. 

If you’re a Miranda type, you will feel right at home on Sir Bani Yas Island, where Desert Islands Resort & Spa is the epitome of island luxury (well, it’s not exactly Brooklyn but close!).  Founded as a wildlife reserve for endangered species of Arabia by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (the founder of the United Arab Emirates), this 33-square-mile island is a diamond in the rough.  Home to over 30 free-roaming species, Sir Bani Yas Island provides numerous island activities, like kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, and guided game drives in the Arabian Wildlife Park.  Back at the resort, guests can relish in luxuriously appointed accommodations, numerous dining options, or at the spa.

And lastly for the Charlottes out there, who don’t want to rough it but still want the experience, we have some good news! Two new luxury lodges are scheduled to open on Sir Bani Yas Island: Al Barari, “Savannah,” will have a safari atmosphere highlighted with roaming wildlife, and Al Yamm Lodge, “The Sea”, will have beach front lodges overlooking a tranquil lagoon with frequent visitors… flamingoes!

So pack up those Manolos, and maybe some flats too, because Abu Dhabi is the place to be! Etihad Airways can get your there, with direct flights from three North American gateways: New York, Chicago, and Toronto.

Four adorable cheetahs were born on Sir Bani Yas Island, part of Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, Abu Dhabi. This was a result of a successful breeding program attempting to bring back the population of cheetahs, extinct in the United Arab Emirates and vulnerable worldwide. The proud parents of the cubs were raised in captivity, but were trained to hunt and be self-sufficient before being released into the Arabian Wildlife Park and are now able hunt and fend for themselves without human interference. Their cubs will be raised completely in the wild. Safira, the cubs’ mother, is keeping a careful watch over her progeny and hasn’t moved them from their birthplace in a small cave in the mountains. Once the cubs start venturing beyond the cave, visitors to the island will be able to see them roaming the 10,131-acre park. Guests can also take guided tours through the park and learn about the Arabian free-roaming animal inhabitants. The Arabian Wildlife Park is the only one of its kind in the region and has successfully reintroduced hyenas and the Arabian Oryx. The Oryx was the flagship specie on Sir Bani Yas and was introduced in 1971 and declared extinct in the wild by 1972. Now, there are around 400 Arabian Oryx on the island roaming freely in the park.

Picture this: you’re kneeling in the fading twilight with camera in hand, eye-to-eye with an African ostrich. Sound wild? Make this your reality with Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara’s exclusive Stay and Click photography course, March 18 – 21. Set amidst the rugged beauty of the Royal Nature Reserve on Sir Bani Yas Island, this three-night, two-day landscape and wildlife photography class brings both novice and experienced photographers close to nature with cameras and critiques.  Students have a chance to photograph the more than 20 different free-roaming species that grace Sir Bani Yas’ shores, including Arabian oryx, antelope, and gazelle.

Join famed photographer Ira Block, who has worked with National Geographic Magazine and National Geographic Books, as you hone your skills and explore the rich wildlife and landscape with your lens.   

What’s more, in celebration of the hotel’s one-year anniversary, Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is giving away one free spot in this exclusive course!  Simply submit your favorite desert or wildlife image by uploading it here by Sunday, February 28.  Ira and Anantara will announce the winning picture on the website on Sunday, March 7.

Not the winner? Not to worry, you can still reserve a space in the class!  Individual rates start from AED 6,550++ ($2,052 inclusive of tax and tourism charge), double rates from AED 8,600++ ($2,716 inclusive of tax and tourism charge).  Package includes the two-day photography course, three nights of accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner in The Palm restaurant. Photographers participating in the two-day course must have a digital SLR camera, lenses, and all necessary cables along with a laptop computer and editing software.

These unconventional end-of-year getaways will scratch the travel itch. Rounded up here are cozy and kid-friendly locales for families, unique spots for adventurers and enriching destinations for those craving cultural stimuli.  

Family Festivities

WHAT:  Getaway to a Country Cottage

WHERE: National Trust Holiday Cottages – UK

WHY: Because a trip to the English countryside with a family membership in the Royal Oak Foundation to see old castles and gardens (for free!) could just be the best present for the Harry Potter-loving kids (or parents).

DETAILS, DETAILS: With over 360 cottages from which to choose, here are a few:

• Emley Farmhouse in Surrey sleeps up to 10 and has a traditional country kitchen, perfect for that big Christmas dinner. A three night stay starts at $740.35, a seven night stay, $1416.75.
• 89 Church Lawn in Wiltshire sleeps up to seven and has exclusive access to the National Trust’s stunning winter gardens. You can even go fishing in the beautiful lake. A three night stay starts at $590, a seven night stay, $1065.50.
• Abermydyr in Wales sits on the banks of the River Aeron and sleeps up to six. Brings the kids here for the Christmas food and craft fair at Llanerchaeron, a Trust protected gentry estate. A three night stay starts at $493.50, a seven night stay, $957.30.

WHAT: Swiss Family Reunion

WHERE: The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa – Interlaken, Switzerland

WHY: Christmas dinners, a Children’s Party for New Year’s Eve, and Dad treating Mom to a Festive Foam Bath with winter aromas and champagne all conspire for festive fun.

DETAILS, DETAILS: Splash Hour at the pool, the Zurich Zoo and the St. Beatus caves will thrill the kids, and fitness classes, Turkish baths, and professional childcare will restore their parents’ sanity. Rates start at $877 per night for double occupancy.

Adventurers Only

WHAT:  Arabian Eco-experience

WHERE: Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa – Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE

WHY: It feeds the craving for sun while heeding the call of the wild.

DETAILS, DETAILS: Home to one of Abu Dhabi’s largest Arabian wildlife conservancies, guests can go hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, take a game drive, or learn archery. Double occupancy rates start at $537 per night; book at least 30 days in advance to receive a 15% discount.

 WHAT: Modern Day Pilgrimage

WHERE: Uma Paro – Bhutan  

WHY: Because hiking to a Buddhist monastery sure beats waiting in line at a department store with frantic holiday shoppers.

DETAILS, DETAILS: One of its many active adventures includes a trek to Tiger’s Nest monastery, located in the sheer cliffs 2,700 feet above Paro Valley and a peaceful orchard picnic with spectacular views. For the month of December, double occupancy rates start at $330 per night.

WHAT: Chance to Step Foot on Antarctica

WHERE: Crystal Cruise’s Symphony departs from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile.   

WHY: Due to an upcoming ban on cruise ships in the Antarctic Ocean, this will be Crystal’s final voyage to the area.

DETAILS, DETAILS: In addition to visiting amazing locales in South America, six thrill-seekers will take the rare overland trip to Antarctica to see remote villages, a petrified forest, and a penguin breeding ground. Rates start at $8,995, double occupancy.

Cultural Cravings

WHAT: Revelation in the Red City 

WHERE: Royal Mansour Marrakech – Morocco 

WHY: It will be impossible to miss the carolers when exploring Djemma El-fna, a square in the historical district of town known for having the best musicians, dancers and storytellers.

DETAILS, DETAILS:  When in this city of cultural fusions be sure to visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and the largest souk (traditional market) in Morocco to bargain for spices or clothing or tea pots. Riads start at €1,500 a night.     

WHAT: Balinese New Beginning

WHERE: Uma Ubud – Bali  

WHY: What better way to start the year then with the New Year package’s complimentary massage on the first day of 2010.   

DETAILS, DETAILS: Guests will see the village decorated with traditional bamboo poles and banana leaves and enjoy a Balinese-inspired New Year’s Eve dinner, followed by a cocktail party with DJ at the pool bar. Rates start at $260 per night, double occupancy.

WHAT: A Resolution Well-Kept

WHERE: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand 

WHY: Utilizing those new Thai cooking skills back home will keep the post-holiday gloom at bay.

DETAILS, DETAILS: The cooking lessons are just the beginning of the cultural immersion; at the Elephant Camp (part of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre), a 30-minute lesson will teach adventurers to drive an elephant. Rates start at $520, double occupancy.

As easily as Meryl Streep and Robert Redford fell for each other in 20^th century Kenya, Thailand-based luxury resort and spa developer, Anantara, makes its historic entry into North Africa, announcing the development of two unique hotels in Morrocco.  Anantara Marrakech Resort & Spa and Anantara Mogador Resort & Spa, are both scheduled to open in 2011.

In addition to its expansion into Africa, Anantara debuts its second property in Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, this fall. With 206 rooms, suites, and villas, Qasr Al Sarab will be the company’s flagship property in the U.A.E.  In 2011, Anantara Al Madina A’Zarqa will open outside of Muscat, Oman, along the peninsula that bears its name.

Expansion seems to be the name of the game for Anantara, as in 2008, the company launched four properties in Asia and the Middle East: in April, Anantara Seminyak opened in the fashionable Island of the Gods district in Bali; in October, both Anantara Phuket on Mai Khao beach and Anantara Desert Islands on Sir Bani Yas off the coast of Abu Dhabi opened. In December, Anantara Si Kao along Changlang Beach south of Krabi opened, making it the company’s fifth resort in Thailand. In March, the company unveiled its newest addition to the family, Anantara Baan Rajprasong Serviced Suites, located in central Bangkok, making it the first of its kind for the Anantara group. For a list of all properties, please visit www.anantara.com.

Gazelles, giraffes, and oryx – oh my!  All are found on Sir Bani Yas island, just west of Abu Dhabi in the UAE where last month Anantara opened Desert Islands Resort & Spa. 

Once the private Royal Nature Reserve of the founder of the United Arab Emirates, the island is dedicated to the well-being of its wildlife.  Through hunting restrictions, veterinary care, and efforts to preserve the lush vegetation, the reserve is home to a variety of indigenous species such as the oryx, reem, antelope, cheetah, hyena, and desert wolf. 

True to its philosophy of offering authentic travel experience, Anantara’s new 64-room resort is at the forefront of environmental tourism featuring bespoke safaris along some of the region’s most exciting trails and snorkeling among the pristine reefs.  Kayaking, mountain biking, and fishing are also available. In addition to the beautifully designed rooms, the resort has four top suites – two Royal Villas and two Beach Villas, both of which come with a private, 24/7 butler and feature two bedrooms, living and lounge space, kitchenette, dining area, and private splash pools. 

Also onsite is a Safaa Spa with four treatment rooms (two for couples and two for individuals) and a number of dining choices.

Rates start at 2,300AED per night (approximately $630).  Visit dessertislands.anantara.com.