all the dish that’s fit to print
alice (marshall) in wonderland
© NTPL/Cristian Barnett and Andrew Butler; © Walt Disney Pictures
To commemorate the movie (which debuts on March 5) the National Trust is transforming Antony into the fantasy land envisioned by Lewis Carroll.
In collaboration with the Dodgy Clutch Theater Company, the National Trust has created a family-friendly extravaganza showcasing key elements of the stories of Alice. Visitors will enjoy imaginative installations set amidst the lush Antony gardens, Alice-inspired events, and extended hours.
Take a trip down the rabbit hole for the stunning gardens and vistas that inspired Tim Burton to choose Antony for the film. As always, members of The Royal Oak Foundation – the U.S. affiliate of the National Trust – get in FREE to the grounds and house (although some events may cost a small fee). Read through a selection of wonderland highlights below:
Alice and Alistair Day
When: March 6
What: Any child named Alice or the male equivalent of Alastair (American boys might be at a slight disadvantage), or anyone decked out as a character from Alice in Wonderland, will be admitted free. Can’t make it to Antony? Check out the 13 other participating sites across Devon and Cornwall.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties
When: March 6-7, every weekend, and Bank Holidays
What: Families will enjoy workshops, games, and dressing. Take time for tea and snacks in the tea-party marquee on Antony’s vast Cork Oak Lawn. Cost is an additional £5 per person.
Antony House Opening
When: March 16
What: Begin at the beginning and go on ‘till you come to the end: then stop. Heed the King’s expert advice and explore Antony House for a sneak peek of the rooms appearing in scenes of the film, including Alice’s bedroom.
The White Rabbit Easter Trail
When: April 2-9
What: Follow the trail of the elusive White Rabbit throughout Antony’s magnificent landscaped gardens. (Attention chocoholics the trail is hosted by Cadbury so it has to be good!) Cost is an additional £1.50 per child.
Explore Your Own Wonderland
When: May 29-June 3
What: I’ve often seen a cat without a grin; but a grin without a cat! It’s the most curious thing I ever saw in my life! Make friends with the Cheshire Cat and the rest of the Alice in Wonderland gang with a week of Alice themed children’s activities. Seek out the giant chessboard and become a queen, king, or knight in your own life-size game of chess.
Weird and Wonderful Tea Parties
When: June 27
What: Look for special tea parties being held all across Devon and Cornwall at the following participating National Trust properties: A la Ronde, Castle Drogo, Killerton, Lydford Gorge, Park Estate, and many more.
Croquet Workshops
When: July 21, 28; August 5, 19, 25
What: Learn how to play croquet on the lawn at Antony (but without a flamingo as your mallet!) Let off some steam in a Caucus Race – no rules or instructions just run at random per Lewis Carroll’s direction.
The Royal Oak Foundation is the United States affiliate of the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Royal Oak members gain free entry to over 300 important historic houses and gardens. The Foundation supports National Trust conservation projects and offers a series of lectures and other public programs in U.S. cities on topics including British history, architecture, gardens, the fine and decorative arts – as well as other programs in the UK.
park hyatt puts spring in your step
Despite the onslaught of ‘Snowmaggedon’ this week, D.C. will surely thaw out in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival at the end of March! The breathtaking scene around the Tidal Basin is rumored to coax a smile from even the most steel-hearted of lobbyists.
Spring in D.C. (before the swampy summer sets in) is perfect for the obligatory sightseeing tour of our nation’s capital. With Park Hyatt Washington as your home base, it’s easy to explore everything, from the monuments and museums, to galleries and boutique shops. Book the hotel’s annual Spring Blossom Package available from March 5-April 25.
Take advantage of an upgrade to a Park Deluxe room, a pot of Cherry Blossom Green Tea from the hotel’s Tea Cellar, choice of valet parking or continental breakfast for two, and a backpack for the kids filled with lots of sightseeing goodies!
Package rates start at $349 plus tax. Maximum occupancy for guestrooms is three people. Guests can reserve the package and a second room for children 16 years and under for an additional $75 a night.
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stuffing galore on nantucket
Let someone else baste the turkey this year and relax with a few great, last minute holiday deals from Nantucket Island Resorts. Stay at the White Elephant, where Hot Dates, Cool Rates will get you a room for $150 per night from November 25-29. Then feast with the family at the All-day Thanksgiving Buffet at Brant Point Grill for $65 adults, $32.50 kids 6-12yrs and $5 for 3-5 yrs.
Book online or call 800.ISLANDS and mention “Hot Dates, Cool Rates.”
Visit http://www.nantucketislandresorts.com for more information.
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winter deals in caribbean and mexico
It’s that time of the year: the leaves are gone, and Starbucks has the gall to bring out its holiday cups. So, at the risk of getting ahead of ourselves, we wanted to send out two new deals for the Caribbean and Mexico for early 2010 (!) escapes.
On the Riviera Maya, Rosewood Mayakobá just announced its ‘5 for 4’ offer for stays from January 3 through May 10, 2010. This is available for all room categories. The fifth (consecutive) night is complimentary, and the only blackout date is March 3 to 7, 2010. The resort just won a Five Diamond Award for 2010, on top of a slew of others, but the real reason to go is the tequila library.
More details and reservations here or call 888-ROSEWOOD
In Turks & Caicos, Parrot Cay has several new offers for stays from January 10 through September 8, 2010: ‘7 for 5,’ ‘4 for 3,’ and then 25% off of any of its packages. These are applicable to all room categories. Its packages include the Stress Management Program and the Ayurvedic Program at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, the all-inclusive Sun and Seclusion, and then the new Babymoon and Romantic Runaway packages.
More details and reservations here or call 649-946-7788
After last winter, we are resolved to build in some warm sun & turquoise water getaways this year. After all, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte only gets you so far.
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autumnal activities on nantucket
Are you lucky enough to be on Nantucket this weekend? If you are, do yourself (and the island) a favor and take advantage of one, or ALL, of the great events happening on island.
- Pork & Beer Tasting Tour at Cisco Brewery in honor of Hogtoberfest- Savor grilled sausage, bacon and other pork basics with beer pairings while touring Cisco Brewers, the region’s first micro- distillery.
- The 2009 Scalloper’s Ball at the Nantucket Yacht Club- Each year this hugely popular annual event on Saturday night draws all sorts of people looking to sip Cisco Brewers beer while noshing on local bay scallops, mussels, quahogs, striped bass, seafood stew and a raw fish bar all caught, cooked and served by Nantucket fishermen. Great music and a live auction (don’t forget to bid on that winter rental slip at the Nantucket Boat Basin!) keep this event jumping all night.
- Sunday’s Annual Chowder Festival- Almost every restaurant on Nantucket has clam chowder on their menu. It is New England after all! This Sunday, island restaurants will vie for the bragging rights of winning “Best Chowder on Nantucket.” Fill your Sunday afternoon (and warm your belly) with exceptional New England clam chowder.
- Golf Sankaty! – This is the first weekend of the season that non-members have access to Sankaty, one of the few true world-class golf courses. The famous Sankaty Head Lighthouse looms over the front nine and still shines brightly over the Atlantic Ocean, making golf on Nantucket truly spectacular. http://www.sankatyheadgc.com/
- Last call for the Farmers and Artisans Market– Quick, this Saturday is the last weekend of the year to wander over to the Nantucket Farmers & Artisans Market. Pick up locally grown vegetables, berries, and flowers, as well as, hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, crafts and more.
Need a place to rest your head after all this fun? Check out the Fall Special Rates at the new White Elephant Hotel Residences. http://www.whiteelephanthotelresidences.com/
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alternative holidays
Not looking forward to packing the beach gear or the skis this holiday season?
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.
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things that go bump in the night
Rattling pipes, creaky floorboards, and strange noises in general – these can all be part of staying somewhere other than one’s own bed. However, here’s a collection of places where there’s an actual reason for the sounds – ghosts! Get into the Halloween spirit this October with a stay in or visit to some of these haunted hotels and houses. Boo!
Jared Coffin House – Nantucket, MA
Check into Room 223 to bunk in with the ghost of a Whaling Captain (an experience you arguably can’t get at the nearby Whaling Museum!). Guests of Room 609 meanwhile have had nighttime visits from the apparition of a little girl. Other ghosts are known to roam the halls and rooms of the historic property in the heart of Nantucket town. Not a believer? Just ask the Innkeeper who has had a few “run-ins” with said spirits, including being pushed from behind while working the front desk – alone!
Homes and Buildings of the UK National Trust (Visit for Free as a Member of The Royal Oak Foundation)
Crown Liquor Saloon – Belfast
Sharing a ’snug,’ (an individual wooden booth) with ghosts is not exactly the idea when meeting friends for drinks. On Great Victoria Street in the center of Belfast, tales of the haunted saloon are quite common. The Crown Liquor Saloon acted as a haven for weary Great Northern Railway travelers centuries ago, and the old watering hole still plays host to Victorian-era haunts today. One visitor recalled sitting with three ghostly men and a woman in one of the famed booths while waiting for her friends to arrive for cocktails.
Ham House – Surrey
“All Dogs Go to Heaven” may be the case for most; however, for one King Charles Spaniel, Ham House is his final resting place. The dog’s portrait hangs in the gallery, but a livelier version of the pooch can be “seen” meandering the halls. A recent investigation by the Ghost Club, a paranormal research organization based in London, concluded that there may be as many as fifteen ghouls (not to mention other ghostly dogs) dwelling in the property. The property kindly requests you leave your Fido at home.
The Old Post Office – Tintagel, Cornwall
The flickering lights in the old post office didn’t deter the custodians from their daily duties. However, it did inspire the use of the antique Spagnolli receiver, a predecessor to morse code, to make sense of the flashing lights in the converted manor house. The flashes spelled out the word “Noah” repeatedly – eerily enough, the surname of a previous resident.
Blickling Hall – Norfolk
“Oh, the lady signed for it… the lady in the Dining Room,” said two delivery men returning a painting to the estate home. The house administrator was supposedly the only person living in Blickling Hall at the time, so who could the ghost have been but that of Anne Boleyn, who called the property her childhood home. Following her inability to bear a male heir for Henry VIII, Anne was executed. Yet on the anniversary of her death each year, visitors can expect to see her ghost. The ‘Grey Lady,’ a nickname given to the apparition for her long grey dress with lace collar, has been spotted looking across the lake and riding up the drive in a coach drawn by a headless horseman.
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windfalls and walks
Picture bright fall foliage, stepping out into an orchard garden to collect and enjoy fresh fruit from the tree, or wandering the stunning landscape that surrounds a National Trust holiday cottage.
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move over metro
Reduce your carbon footprint and cover more ground around the capital with Park Hyatt Washington’s complimentary Bicycles at the Park program. Available for hotel guests, the rentals last four hours, allowing plenty of time for a scenic ride, and perhaps a picnic lunch. The new hybrid bicycles are comfortable and sturdy, no matter the terrain. For a leisurely ride, we suggest the flat towpath along the canal. For a more intense workout, try a rugged trail in Rock Creek Park. An historic route to take is the Mount Vernon Trail, which starts at Roosevelt Island and follows the Potomac River to Washington’s famous estate at Mount Vernon, and along the way goes through Old Town Alexandria (a perfect lunch spot) and Fort Hunt Park. The concierge will be sure to put you on the right path with a city biking map, bike lock, helmet, kickstand, and bottled water.
Bicycles at the Park will continue to be unveiled at more Park Hyatts around the world. We’ll keep you posted!
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father’s day getaways
Wondering what to do with Dad for Father’s Day? Send him away! We love you, Dad, and you’ve been at that desk for too long. Time for a much needed vacation!
Golfing at sea on Crystal Cruises
WHAT: Not Your Average Cruise
WHY: Think cruising is just for elderly ladies? Think again. All of Crystal Cruises itineraries feature an impressive list of activities for men that extend way beyond bridge, shuffleboard, and marathon eating.
MAN-TIVITIES: In a single day at sea, activities abound: paddle tennis, golf lessons with a PGA professional, jogging around the wide deck, poker in a world-class casino, a work out in a fully equipped gym, and cigars and scotch during ESPN’s Top Ten of the Week, to name but a few.
GOLF SPECIAL: For men who are glued to the green, Crystal’s 2009 High Tea and Golf Tees 11-day British Isles voyage gives guys the option of onshore golf excursions at up to six different golf courses in England, Ireland, and Scotland. (more…)
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