Yeah – OK, it’s a cheap trick to cash in on someone’s lyrics, but this is something worth bringing to your attention.
The ‘big apple’ is busily converting a disused, elevated railway line that runs down the Manhattan Island’s West Side (meatpacking district) into a public park between 18 and 30 foot above street level. When complete the park will be a mile and a half long and no more than 60ft wide at its broadest. With a hefty $170m price tag the park will combine meandering concrete pathways, naturalistic planting, fixed and movable seating, lighting, water features, children’s play areas and viewing platforms to give the public space broad appeal. There will be three access points from street level (every two or three blocks) and most will have elevators in addition to stairways.
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When most of us think of the Maldives we conjure up visions of empty white sandy beaches, palm trees and luxury. Well, Havafen Fushi takes such visions to new heights, or should I say new depths with its claims to be the world’s first underwater spa.
The resort has found itself on the Conde Nast Traveler gold list in 2007, and named best beach resort by Harper’s Bazaar in 2008. So, what is all the fuss about?
Underwater spa
Firstly, the setting helps – its set in a lagoon on a pristine island (a 30 minute speed boat ride from the international airport). The ‘Lime Spa’ includes an under-water treatment room – seriously relaxing while you are having treatments, flotation pool, yoga pavilion, and six over-water glass-floored treatment rooms. There are a range of differently styled bungalows and pavilions to choose from – some over-water (with infinity pools and Jacuzzi), some on the beach, but are well equipped with Bose technology, plasma screens, Culti luxuries in the bathroom and a guide to dreams by your bed!
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Want an unusual, eco-friendly, but comfortable camping holiday? The Really Green Holiday Company have set up three luxury Mongolian-style yurts (and two bell tents) in the Afton Park apple orchard at Fairwater Bay on the Isle of Wight.
Yurts are more spacious than regular tents, with solid wood floors, a wood-burning stove, lanterns and pine furniture. There are two family yurts that are 16ft in diameter that will accommodate up to 5 (on a double bed, a sofa bed and a single fold-away bed) and a smaller yurt sleeping 2-3 (a double bed and fold-away). The 16ft bell tents have low beds, ethnic furniture and sheepskin throws, and have either a stove or gas heater. All are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities.
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Why not visit the Medway Sweeps Festival (Rochester, Kent, UK) for a very traditional / pagan British experience.
The Medway Sweeps Festival started life some 400 years ago, when it was commonplace for children (in addition to men) to be sent up chimneys as sweeps. As a diversion this holiday (traditionally held in May) was market by a procession through the streets of Rochester and a ‘Jack-in-the-Green’ ceremony which was held at Dawn and involved the ‘waking’ of a 7 foot character.
Fortunately the practice of child sweeps was outlawed in 1896 (by the Climbing Boys Act) and the festival ceased in the early 1900’s until its resurrection in 1981.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Thu 19th March 2009 at 01:24 AM, Filed in Europe, March
Annually in March (in 2009 it will be on the 28th March) the beautiful, rich and famous of Monaco attend the state’s famous Rose Ball at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club. Established in 1954 by Princess Grace (and now hosted by Princess Caroline) the Rose Ball is a charity event in aid of the Princess Grace Foundation, and is open to anyone who wants to / can afford to buy a ticket.
For a cool 750Euros a ticket you can dine, sup champagne, dance and be entertained and join in with the theme (in past years have included Jamaican Reggae and Spanish movida). The theme for 2009 is ‘Rock’n’Roll’. Whilst the tickets certainly aren’t cheap it isn’t every day you can buy the opportunity to mingle with Royalty and A-listers is it?!
Princess Caroline in an unpopular choice of dress at the 2008 Rose Ball.
