Wollombi's Perfect (Back) Drops! Sculpture in the Vineyards 2014

Ross Fletcher - Ponder. Image ©AP

Sculpture In The Vineyards

Monday 27 October - Sunday 30 November 2014. Wollombi, NSW.

Following Wollombi Valley's Sculpture in the Vineyards 2014 trail at the weekend was a real pleasure. From small (but ambitious) beginnings twelve years ago, the exhibition has grown to become an established highlight on the arts calendar, not only for visitors but for the entrants who spend time here installing their works.

The four major venues are the Wollombi Valley Wine Trail's vineyards – Undercliff Winery, Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Wollombi Wines and Wollombi Village Vineyard. Each winery provides its own superb setting and character for the rich diversity of mediums used by over sixty contemporary Australian sculptors.

Anne Gaulton- Untitled   Image ©AP

Curated this year for the first time by Christiane Keys-Statham, Sculpture in the Vineyards is a not for-profit organisation relying on volunteers, professional pro bono support and financial sponsorship   – this year from Destination New South Wales, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, Wollombi Valley Progress Association, Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, Cessnock City Council and more.

As Christiane says of the installations: "Showcasing their [the artists'] work in the stunning and historic landscape of the Wollombi Valley is a challenging proposition: the works are at the mercy of the elements and will inevitably respond to their environments in unpredictable ways."

Elyssa Sykes-Smith -Emotional Evolution  Images © AP

For the wineries and the owners who work so hard each year to make this exhibition happen, it is a chance to showcase their vineyards and wines and to help bring visitors to the region to discover the delights of Wollombi Village and the surrounding countryside. This is rewarding  driving country –  car companies are often seen filming along the roads here. (Find fuel  and more at Laguna's Great North Trading Post.)

Wollombi is just under a two-hour drive from Sydney, but those in the know book ahead to stay to enjoy time here to explore or to take part in the events associated with Sculpture In The Vineyards. This year the Education Program includes innovative workshops for schools including postcard making - kids draw or photograph their favourite sculpture and make it into a postcard.

Mike Kitching - Gai-um-Garm
 Image ©AP

Director Tara Morelos has been involved with Sculpture in the Vineyards for eight years and is delighted with the way it has evolved, attracting sculptors from around Australia including Queensland and Tasmania. Now with national recognition, it is gratifying to see the exhibition become an established fixture in the arts world –  a significant achievement  as Tara says. Word is also spreading internationally; one of this year's impressive line-up of judges, the renowned Janet Laurence, flew in from Germany especially for the judging weekend.

Tended and nourished by the wine-makers including founders Phillipa and Daryl Heslop of Stonehurst Cedar Creek and Jane and Peter Hampshere of Undercliff Winery, Wollombi's  sculpture trail is gathering significant traction with each year. With the necessary funding, Tara Morelos can see exciting new directions for the future to benefit the wineries, Wollombi village and New South Wales itself as a destination, attracting both sculptors and art lovers from far and wide.

Akira Kamada - Hira Hira  Image ©AP

Sculptors including Akira Kamada say they'll  be back to exhibit as they love the environment and the whole installation experience at Wollombi. Meaning weightless movement or fluttering in the wind, Hira Hira is the name Akira has given to a number of hanging pieces and this year he has used fabric and hessian tape for a bold creation strung between trees, symbolising renewed energy and freedom.

For the visitor, the first thing to do is to pick up a brochure ($5.00)  and then wend your way through the vineyards, taking time to discover the pieces, large and small, some obvious, some tucked away. The exhibition is designed to appeal to adults and children and includes a separate small sculpture exhibition in the Wollombi Fireshed and a night-time closing ceremony. Don't forget to vote in the People's Choice Award and to try the delicious wines and local produce as you go.

As well as inviting cellar doors, Wollombi has cafes, an iconic country pub, general store, a fascinating museum (check out the convict history) eclectic shops, plus tours to the Mount Yengo National Park with Ngurra Bu.

Stonehurst Cedar Creek Cellar Door Image ©AP

Undercliff Winery: Pink lines in space (Greer Taylor -Inclusion), multi-coloured flying fish (Sharon Ridsdale-Pi-ces School of the Air), a caravan full of childhood memories (Freya Jobbins - Museum of Childhood Memory) and a playful female form doing a handstand (Selena Seifert - Regeneration) are just a few of the sculptures in this beautifully designed vineyard.

Wollombi Village Vineyard: A man's love for his poodle (Kerry Cannon- Poodle Love), humble materials (Jayanto Daminik - White Seeds), a thunderbird (Mick Martin - Thunderbird Sawing) and harmonious polished lines (Larissa Smagarinsky- Achievement) are among the sculptures to discover.

Wollombi Endeavour Museum: See a glass, wood and metal work (Alison Mortiss - Once Was).

Wollombi Wines: Dogs (Belinda Clarke - Companion), happy and colourful snakes ( Emilia Krumm - Asudem), Ned kelly ( Lyndsey Hatchwell - Ned Turns A Corner), grass painting (Anthony Sawrey - Chaos Latticework) a hollow throne ( Lou Steer - Hollow Throne) and getting your head around a rasta steel band (Jannese Parkes - Rasta Steel Band) are a few of the many works.

Stonehurst Cedar Creek: Kinetic fish (Phil Relf - Leonardo's Fish), flowing lines in stainless steel, recycled copper and galvanised pipe (Bev Chalmers - Fantasia & Phantasm), a scientific voyage corroborating the indigenous Australian belief that life came from the stars (Mike Kitching - Gai-um-Garm) a phoenix (Ludwig Micek - Resurrection), a giant wine bottle (Nigel James- Claret Bottle) and delicate intricacies (DoGsWooD - Utopia) are among the sculptures not far from the the cellar door.

Glimpses of DoGsWood - Utopia, left, Mike Kitching - Gai-um- Garm, right.
Image ©AP 

Sculpture In The Vineyards
www.sculpture in the vineyards.com.au

Undercliff Winery and Gallery
www.undercliff.com.au

Stonehurst Cedar Creek
www.cedarcreekcottages.com.au


Wollombi Wines
www.wollombiwines.com.au

Wollombi Village Vineyard
www.wollombivillagevineyard.com.au

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/.../Cessnock-Regional-Art-Gallery/17968944...

Mandy Pryse-Jones and Simon Savage - We Live In Your World. 'Kite' installation
(glimpsed left) in the vines.

Bonvillars Swiss Truffle market, 25 October 2014

Starring the Burgundy Truffle – truffle growers,  preservers and processors, chefs, nursery owners, dog trainers and all connoisseurs of this fragrant truffle. Also featuring on local menus ...

Where?
Cours de Bonvillars

When?
25 October, 2014

www.vaudtourisme.ch
www.lake-geneva-region.ch

Hong Kong Art Gallery Week 2014

Head for Hong Kong and enjoy the events at Art Gallery Week, 26 November to 5 December.

The Hong Kong Art Gallery Association announced today that the second edition of Hong Kong Art Gallery Week, sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Private Banking, will launch on 26 November 2014 with a city-wide public programme of events, talks, tours and exhibitions presented by about 50 member galleries.

Adriana Alvarez-Nichol, Head of the Hong Kong Art Gallery Week Committee and Vice-President of the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association said: “Hong Kong is one of the world’s fastest-growing cultural hubs and the leading art sales hub in Asia. HKAGA was founded with the aim of developing new connections and relationships within Hong Kong’s vibrant arts sector. Last year, the festival brought over 6,000 art professionals, collectors, university students and the general public together. For the second edition, we want to cement the week as a highlight of the art calendar in Hong Kong and across the region. There will be an enhanced focus on arts education and discovery, developing younger audiences and investing in the next generation of arts practitioners and gallerists.”

Studio Visit & Private tour of Hanart Square by Mr. Johnson Chang, Gallery Director of Hanart TZ Gallery. 

Hong Kong Art Gallery Association 

www.hk-aga.org 

Bank of China (Hong Kong) Private Banking 

www.bochk.com 

Leading lodge re-opens in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Okavango Delta

Images courtesy &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge.

News update from &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge 

Rebuilt to combine spectacular design with exceptional wildlife adventures, &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge re-opened its doors on 1 September 2014. Situated on a private concession in the magnificent Okavango Delta, Sandibe boasts exclusive traversing rights over a vast stretch of land adjacent to the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve. The most architecturally magnificent lodge in the Delta, Sandibe combines outstanding design, exceptional wildlife viewing and warm local hospitality. The Okavango Delta has recently been named the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site and the design for this incredible new lodge draws its inspiration from this unique natural setting.

In spite of the lodge having been closed for the extensive rebuild during much of the year, &Beyond Sandibe retained its title of Botswana’s Leading Safari Lodge for the fourth year running at the recent 2014 World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean gala ceremony. This prestigious achievement is even more notable in view of the fact that it was bestowed on the lodge by fellow travel and tourism professionals worldwide, who cast their votes in the World Travel Awards in order to reward commitment to excellence.

Latest in sustainable technology
In keeping with &Beyond’s core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People, Sandibe has been designed with a light footprint and a heavy focus on sustainability and efficiency. Situated in a remote area without easily available electricity, instead of relying on a generator to supply the lodge’s extensive energy needs, Sandibe’s combined solar electricity and hot water systems will produce in excess of 200 000 Kwh of energy per year. This will save the lodge 67 000 litres of diesel per year, which translates into a carbon footprint saving of 180 tons of CO², an amount that the lodge would have had to plant 4 615 tree saplings to offset.

For more information see: http://www.andbeyond.com

 Source: Press Release 

Settling in nicely ... at stunning Dormy House, Broadway

Just had lunch in the Potting Shed... delightful, as is the whole hotel. The Cotswolds' Dormy House recently re-opened after extensive refurbishment, with a fabulous spa. Take a look ...

Sundowner at Elie, Scotland

Elie, Fife, Scotland ©Alison Plummer

Writing about travels in Scotland  – time out in Elie is a joy! Lovely holiday rental cottages, cafes, delis, and everyone's favourite, The Ship, a great harbourside pub ...

Sunsail celebrates forty years

www.sunsail.com.au

Whether you prefer walking the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, lazing on the white sand beaches of St Lucia, or observing the Temple of Poseidon perched above the Saronic Gulf, we’re certain you’ll find something to inspire your next sailing adventure.

www.sunsail.com.au

Sunsail offers a wide choice of sailing holidays with over 800 yachts in 27 locations.















For more information on sailing holidays, visit www.sunsail.com.au <http://www.sunsail.com.au>   or speak with a member of the Sunsail Team on 1800 803 988

www.leboat.com.au

Le Boat
Le Boat is proud to be Europe’s No.1 boating holiday specialist, offering a fantastic selection of self-drive cruising itineraries along Europe’s beautiful rivers, canals and lakes.

The long March to October cruising season ensures plenty of sunny days to enjoy the unique history, culture and heritage of your cruising region. Lie back and relax or step ashore to explore the remote hilltop villages, world-renowned vineyards, ancient castles and country markets that line the route.

From couples to parties of 12, we have the biggest and most modern fleet in Europe that can cater to all tastes and budgets – and best of all, on nearly all routes no boating experience is necessary as we give hands-on boat and route briefings before you set off.

From the Shannon in Ireland, through France's Canal du Midi, all the way to the Masurian Lakes in Poland, discover a different side to Europe on your next holiday with Le Boat.

Escape to Cambodia with Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Ankor, Siem Reap

les Hotels & Resorts

SPECIAL 25% OFF WITH BED AND BREAKFAST AND GUARANTEED UPGRADE IN PHNOM PENH & SIEM REAP UNTIL 31 OCTOBER 2014 

July 2

Cambodia – a destination with awe-inspiring temples, an ancient culture and fascinating stories to tell, delicious cuisine and beautiful scenery – is the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway. Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap are two luxury hotels synonymous with the destination. Both have recently won TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for hotels with exceptional service in Cambodia.

New for winter 2014 is the Charm of  Siem Reap and the Charm of Phnom Penh which includes:

• Guaranteed late check out until 6pm

• 25% discount in the hotel’s bars and restaurants

• Stay 3 nights and enjoy a complimentary 50 minute Khmer traditional massage or a complimentary lunch at Cafe d’Angkor for two people at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor or a complimentary lunch for two people ar Restaurant Le Royal at Raffles Hotel Le Royal

• Valid for new bookings until 31 October 2014

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is the place to stay in Siem Reap as it has the best location in town - overlooking the Royal Gardens and opposite the Royal Palace. It is only a short distance from Angkor Wat - the capital of the ancient Khmer Empire and its astonishing temples.  Back at the hotel, take a dip in Cambodia’s largest swimming pool – inspired both in design and size by the ancient bathing pools of the Khmer Kings in Angkor, and enjoy a traditional performance of Khmer dances and martial art on the Apsara Terrace.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal dates back to 1929 and is one of the best addresses in Phnom Penh. An elegant French colonial building, it is an excellent base from where to explore this fascinating and colourful city. At Raffles, relax by the swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens and dine at Restaurant Le Royal with is fine-dining French and Khmer cuisine or at the à la carte Café Monivong with its Asian and European dishes.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh

For bookings for Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please call +855 23 981 888 or email bookus.phnompenh@raffles.com and for bookings for Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, please call +855 63 963 888 or email bookus.siemreap@raffles.com. For further information, visit www.raffles.com

For further information or to book visit

http://www.raffles.com/offers/the-world-and-you/june-september/

Raffles Dubai Ranked Number One on Tripadvisor.com

The prestigious Raffles Dubai takes on the coveted number one position on the renowned travelling site TripAdvisor.com, competing with 472 hotels in Dubai. Categorized as a landmark property, Raffles Dubai has gained vast recognition within the local as well as the international market due to its great guest dedication and service standards.

www.raffles.com  

Pop to popism, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Summer 2014

Roy Lichtenstein In the car 1963 

Oil and magna on canvas, 172 × 203.5 cm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, purchased 1980 © Roy Lichtenstein Foundation. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney

Martin Sharp  Still Life: (Marilyn) 1973
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 117 x 91.5 cm National Gallery of Australia
© Estate of Martin Sharp

Pop to popism

1 Nov 2014 – 1 Mar 2015

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney

The most extensive exhibition of pop art to be showcased in Australia, Pop to popism will be presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of the 2014-15 Sydney International Art Series. 

The Sydney International Art Series, which is managed by the Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, is now in its sixth year and continues to be a signature event on the Sydney and NSW Major Events calendar.

Art Gallery of NSW Director, Dr Michael Brand said: 'Pop to popism is among the most expansive and ambitious exhibitions ever undertaken by the Gallery and will consume an entire floor with over 200 works on display by 70 artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Martin Sharp and Brett Whiteley.

‘This will be the most comprehensive survey of pop art to be seen in Australia and reflects the decisive role played by pop in the development of contemporary art,’ Dr Brand said.

‘The exhibition will present Australian pop artists alongside their international peers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe and extends beyond the period of classic pop art into the eighties, giving audiences an insight into pop’s enduring legacy both here and abroad,’ he said. 

Pop art was defined as ‘popular, witty, sexy, gimmicky and glamorous’. The movement exploded in the 1950s and 60s, exploring the pop culture world of advertising, film, television, music and mass-produced consumer goods. It irrevocably broke down the boundaries between high culture and popular taste, changing art forever. 

The exhibition explores both classic pop art and the new wave of artists in the 1970s and 80s who built on the legacy of classic pop to both celebrate and critique consumer culture. These artists include Jeff Koons, Howard Arkley, Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince and Tracey Moffatt.

The works featured in Pop to popism have come from 35 lenders around the world and include such icons as Andy Warhol’s Triple Elvis 1963, Roy Lichtenstein’s In the car 1963 and his first ever comic book painting Look Mickey 1961, David Hockney’s Portrait of an artist 1972, Robert Indiana’s Love cross 1968 and Howard Arkley’s Triple fronted 1987.

'Pop to popism is a fine example of the Government’s commitment to generating world-class exhibitions exclusively for Sydney,’ said Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Andrew Stoner.

'The Sydney International Art Series has attracted more than 1 million visitors to our exceptional art museums, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, since its inception.

'In addition to enriching the cultural fabric of the city, the Sydney International Art Series has delivered more than $80 million in visitor spend to the NSW economy with about 100,000 interstate and overseas visitors coming to Sydney specifically to see the exhibitions,’ he said.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the Sydney International Art Series continues to be a major drawcard for visitors to Sydney during summer.

'The Sydney International Art Series is just one of the wonderful events the NSW Government supports through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Our city hosts a spectacular summer season of events and celebrations, so it’s fantastic time to visit Sydney and take in some excellent exhibitions,’ Ms Chipchase said.

Pop to popism will run from 1 November 2014 to 1 March 2015 at the Art Gallery of NSW, and will be shown in conjunction with Chuck Close prints: process and collaboration at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia from 19 November 2014 to 9 March 2015, as part of the Sydney International Art Series.

1 Nov 2014 – 1 Mar 2015

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney

Aqua Expeditions Appoints David Thompson Executive Chef Aqua Mekong

Aqua Expeditions has announced the appointment of celebrated Australian culinary identity and Michelin-starred Chef, David Thompson as Executive Chef of the Aqua Mekong river cruise ship scheduled to launch on 30 September 2014.

Aqua Expeditions was the first adventure travel company to introduce 5-star luxury cruises to the Amazon River in Peru on Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon.

Aqua Mekong will be the cruise operator’s first vessel in Asia, taking guests on a journey on the Mekong River, between Cambodia and Vietnam on a 7-Night Expedition Cruise, 4-Night Explorer Cruise and 3-Night Discovery Cruise.

David Thompson gained an outstanding reputation for innovation and creativity in cuisine excellence in Australia starting with Sydney restaurant, Darley Street Thai, which he opened in 1991 and was voted Best Thai Restaurant for eight consecutive years in The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, before going on to continued success with Sailors’ Thai in Sydney’s The Rocks, opened in 1995.

Next came Nahm London where, in 2002, Thompson secured the first-ever Michelin star awarded for Thai cuisine. Two years later, he moved to Bangkok and opened the renowned Nahm Bangkok, recognised in 2012 and 2013 among the 'World's 50 Best Restaurants' by Restaurant Magazine UK.

Aqua Expeditions CEO and Founder, Francesco Galli Zugaro said, in announcing David Thompson’s appointment, he was “determined to identify the very best and most creative Chef in the region for my second river destination,” to continue the acclaimed culinary excellence being achieved by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Executive Chef of Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon.

 "As Asia's top ranked chef on 'San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants,' David is the perfect fit for the exclusive Aqua Mekong, because his unique culinary experience and first-hand knowledge of Asian ingredients and palates will enable us to provide guests with the authentic experience they expect from an Aqua Expeditions cruise,” Francesco Galli Zugaro said.

With a reputation for first-class cuisine influenced by Southeast Asia, Thompson will create an exclusive menu for Aqua Mekong guests, combining the culinary traditions of Mekong River culture with the freshest local ingredients plucked from the markets of Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

"Working with Aqua Mekong will be an exciting challenge and the food will be based on the cooking of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the countries which depend on the Mekong River,” David Thompson said.

“I look forward to setting sail."

The 3-Night Discovery Cruise is priced from US$3000 per person twin share including:
• Suite accommodation
• All meals while onboard Aqua Mekong
• All excursions
• Beverages (non-alcoholic, house wine and beer)
• Transfers to/from vessel and meeting points in Saigon and Siem Reap
• Entrance fees en route
• Internet wireless
For further information and reservations, call 1800 243 152 (Toll Free) or visit www.aquaexpeditions.com

Source: Press Release

Art Gallery of New South Wales appoints new food partner, Matt Moran

Leading Australian chef and restaurateur Matt Moran will be bringing his passion for quality food to the Art Gallery of NSW from 1 July 2014.

Moran and his business partner Peter Sullivan from MorSul (Moran and Sullivan), together with Bruce Solomon of Solotel, have been appointed as the new restaurant, cafe and event food partners for the Gallery.

Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan are widely known for their high-quality restaurants and will bring a contemporary food experience of the highest creative order to the Art Gallery of NSW, director Michael Brand said.

More than 1 million people come to the Gallery each year and are looking for great food to complement their rich art experience – whether at our buzzing cafe, at our restaurant with some of the best views of Sydney, or at one of some 250 functions we hold annually, he said.

MorSul is the restaurant and catering group owned and operated by Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan. It includes some of Australia’s most noted restaurants, including ARIA Sydney, ARIA Brisbane, CHISWICK and North Bondi Fish.

Moran and Sullivan take over all venues within the Gallery from July and have plans for a destination dining concept in the existing restaurant space to be announced later in the year.

This is an amazing opportunity for us to offer a fresh range of dining and event experiences within this inspirational art space, Moran said. Good, sustainable, locally sourced produce including the best food and wine from regional NSW will be at the heart of everything we do.

New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said the new Gallery food partnership would help build on Australia’s growing status as an international food and wine destination.

Having Matt Moran create wonderful food with fresh, local produce for Gallery visitors is a fantastic way to showcase the unique and exceptional dining experiences on offer in New South Wales, Mr Stoner said.

ABOUT MORSUL

MorSul is a restaurant and catering group owned and run by Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan. In 1999, the pair opened the award-winning ARIA Restaurant on Sydney Harbour followed by ARIA Brisbane in 2009. CHISWICK, located in Sydney’s Woollahra, which has its own 150-square metre kitchen garden from which most of its produce is sourced, launched in 2012. The casual, beachside eatery North Bondi Fish opened in late 2013. MorSul’s events arm, ARIA Catering, launched in 2010 and is the exclusive, resident caterer at the Sydney Opera House.

In July 2014, MorSul will move into the Art Gallery of NSW and operate the venue’s cafe, restaurant and function spaces. Solotel, a leading hospitality group, is also in partnership with MorSul.

Source: Press release.

The Athenaeum, London 2014 rates

The steady strengthening of the British Pound Sterling against the Australian dollar brings renewed relevance to The Athenaeum's 2014 AUD$ rates. Enjoy peace of mind and forget about exchange rate fluctuations!

The personable 164-room five-star property is family-owned and family-friendly and ideally located in fashionable Mayfair – opposite Royal Green Park, Buckingham Palace and the best shopping, restaurants in London.

The dollar rate is from $669 per night for a deluxe room and $1,109 for an apartment.  The daily rate includes full English breakfast, all drinks and snacks from the minibar, Wi-Fi, tax at 20%, and kids under 12 eat free.

One -way transfers from any London airport are complimentary for 3 night stay and two way transfers for a 5 night plus stay.

These rates are valid June 9th thru August 31, 2014 and represent, on average, a $150 savings on the most popular room categories.

An added sweetener – for the summer season guests can enjoy a complimentary bowl of delicious strawberries with every purchase of Lanson White Label champagne.  If you are choosing The Athenaeum's gorgeous suites  -- including the Rooftop Suite with sweeping views of London's skyline – enjoy a complimentary magnum of Lanson White Label!

The Athenaeum and its Apartments  -

The Athenaeum is a family-owned and family-friendly five-star 164-room hotel known for its exterior vertical garden wall and the Apartments at the Athenaeum.  The 18 one-bedroom apartments are ideal for business travelers and families, offering overnight and long-term guests the space, convenience and privacy of their own home along with all the five-star amenities of the hotel. The Athenaeum also features the Athenaeum Spa; the Restaurant; the Garden Room, home to an award-winning afternoon tea (voted “Best in London 2012”); and the Whisky Bar, which offers the most extensive selection of whiskies in London and a full-time whisky sommelier.    Other hotel highlights include complimentary Wi-Fi, minibar snacks and all children 12 and under who are staying at The Athenaeum can enjoy one complimentary meal from the specially designed kids menu with each adult meal purchased. Further information can be found at www.athenaeumhotel.com or info@athenaeumhotel.com, 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ.  The toll free reservation number is 1-800-335-3300.  Travel professionals may book via GDS (chain code YX).

Source: press release.

Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Brave New Worlds, My Utopia Your Dystopia Exhibition

On April 26, 2014, The Metropolitan Museum of Manila will be opening to the public its newest exhibition, Brave New Worlds. My Utopia Your Dystopia. This exhibition is made in partnership with the French Embassy and features Filipino and French artists

“BRAVE NEW WORLDS: My Utopia, Your Dystopia” is an exhibition that shows a convergence of Filipino and foreign visual artists with heavy themes on black humor and dystopic elements present in the heavily urbanized culture of today. Curated by Filipino painter Manuel Ocampo, this exhibition features at least 20 artists including French artists such as Damien Deroubaix, a writer and painter known for his violent images usually containing grotesque monster figures and graphics, Hervé de Rosa, who’s known for his works on vibrant and unique characters reflect his love for a low-brow, or “kitsch” art style, MyriamMechita, a teacher and artist who makes use of common objects like pearls, embroidery, and sequins to assemble contradictory images, and FabriceHyber, who accumulates his philosophical ideas on ecology and society and propagates it in his drawings, paintings, and even installations.

The exhibition is open to the public on April 26 and will run until June 12, 2014 at the MET’s Tall Galleries. Visit the MET at the BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Museum hours are from 10am to 5:30pm, Monday to Saturday; and closed on Sundays and holidays.
www.facebook.com/metmanila
Source: Press release

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!

PUBLIC VOTE SHAKESPEARE ENGLAND’S BIGGEST CLAIM TO FAME – AND IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY

William Shakespeare goes on display alongside 18 other claims to fame in a one-off exhibition to mark St George’s Day (23rd April)

Shakespeare, the most quoted writer in the history of the English-speaking world, has been voted England’s ultimate claim to fame. The nation’s bard has won The People’s Choice in England’s Hall of Fame with 50% more votes than any other claim.
The news comes in a big year for Shakespeare; it marks 450 years since his birth. It is widely believed that he was born on 23rd April, St George’s Day.
Shakespeare goes on display alongside Downton Abbey, Banksy, Glastonbury and many other claims in the hotly anticipated Hall of Fame exhibition which opens to the public on St George’s Day. Running for one week until 30th April, the free open-air exhibition will take place at Observation Point on London’s Southbank.
The search to establish England’s Hall of Fame began in February when the tourist board asked the public to submit their suggestions. The Hall of Fame app received almost 1,000 submissions from Harry Potter to Harry Styles, the mini skirt to the tuxedo, The Beatles to punk music, and Earl Grey tea to the Scotch Egg.
A panel of experts has awarded a bronze, silver and gold across six categories, to celebrate the best of what England has brought to the world and what makes the country such a diverse and fascinating place to visit and explore. The public were also given a vote, The People’s Choice.
England’s ultimate Hall of Fame consists of:

The People’s Choice
Shakespeare. The most quoted writer in the history of the English-speaking world and truly, the nation’s bard. His plays are brought to life by Stratford-upon-Avon’s Royal Shakespeare Company at the Royal Shakespeare and Swan theatres or at Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Family Houses in Stratford-upon-Avon too. You can soak up the atmosphere at the open-air Shakespeare’s Globe in London, whose spirited performances see interaction between actors and the audience.

History & Heritage
Bronze –The four surviving original copies of Magna Carta, sealed in 1215 at Runnymede, Surrey, and regarded by historians as the foundation of constitutional liberty in the English-speaking world
Silver –The smooth lawns and sweeping vistas of England’s landscaping master, Capability Brown, as seen at Northumberland's Kirkharle Lake and Courtyard
Gold – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the world's oldest industrial complex and a crucial part of England’s naval heritage

The Great, the Good and the Notorious
Bronze –World-renowned, elusive graffiti artist Banksy, whose original murals can be spotted on a guided tour of Bristol’s street art
Silver –Robin Hood, England's lovable outlaw, whose world-famous legend is rooted in Sherwood Forest on the outskirts of Nottingham
Gold –Founder of the National Trust, Octavia Hill, whose birthplace museum in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, is dedicated to her life and social reforms

Food & Drink
Bronze –The Bakewell Pudding, first made at a local inn in Derbyshire during the 19th century… and whose recipe was something of a happy accident!
Silver –England's oldest working gin distillery in Plymouth, whose guided tours provide a glimpse into the centuries-old process of gin making
Gold –The sandwich, an essential part of afternoon tea, which was named in honour of its ingenious inventor, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Enjoy them cut up into dainty fingers at Woburn Abbey, where the tradition of afternoon tea was popularised around 1840.

Inventions & Discoveries
Bronze – England as the birthplace of the steam locomotive, whose steam train attractions can be found chugging merrily around the country. A working replica of the world’s first operational steam locomotive can be seen in action at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge, Shropshire, whilst Birmingham’s Thinktank Science Museum is worth visiting for its exciting demonstrations of the steam engine's power.
Silver –Sir Isaac Newton’s family home at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, where the English physicist and mathematician first discovered his theory of gravity
Gold –Isambard Kingdom Brunel's engineering masterpieces in Bristol, including the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain passenger steamship

Sport & Leisure
Bronze –The annual BNY Mellon Boat Race (known also as the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race), established in 1829 and one of the world’s oldest sporting events
Silver – The home of tennis, from Hampton Court Palace in Richmond-upon-Thames, where the sport is thought to have been invented to Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Gold –The incidental birth of modern rugby during a football game at Rugby School in Warwickshire

Culture & Entertainment
Bronze – Glastonbury, the granddaddy of all festivals on Worthy Farm in Somerset
Silver–Hampshire’s elegant Highclere Castle, the real-life location of ITV’s hugely successful Downton Abbey
Gold –The Beatles, whose mop-top haircuts and irresistibly catchy tunes set fans’ hearts on fire in 1960s Liverpool


About Shakespeare’s England
Shakespeare’s England is the official destination management organisation for Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts. It is a public-private sector partnership representing the leading tourism businesses and organisations in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and surrounding market towns and villages. For more information visit please visit http://shakespeares-england.co.uk/about-us

About VisitEngland
• VisitEngland is the country’s national tourist board. We work in partnership with the industry to develop the visitor experience across England, plan national tourism strategy, grow the value of tourism in England and provide advocacy for the industry and our visitors.

More information can be found on www.visitengland.com

Birdman Dawn Chorus

Sprung: Spring!













Ragley in Warwickshire is inviting visitors to join their newly adopted “Birdman” for two special ‘Dawn Chorus Walks’ on Sunday 27 April and Sunday 11 May from 5:30am – 8:30am. Ashley Grove will lead a group of up to 20 people to see what birdlife can be identified in Ragley's Woodland Walk and Parkland areas.

Ashley will encourage visitors to spot the difference between familiar songsters such as the Blackbird and Song Thrush and will also point out a few summer visiting birds such as the Whitethroat and Blackcap. Ashley expects visitors to identify a list of around 40 species of bird before breakfast. After the walk, visitors can enjoy a hot drink, pastries and an opportunity to discuss the morning’s achievements.

Ashley Grove said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to see and hear a wide variety of bird species. Although it’s an early start, it is the best time to hear and appreciate these amazing species. Not only will the walk help visitors identify different birds, but it will also help people discover the wide variety species which live in and around the Ragley estate.”
The cost is £17.50 per person which includes a hot drink and pastry. To book a place please email Ashley Grove at ashley@experiencenature.co.uk <mailto:birdergrove@gmail.com>   or visit the website at www.vp.ashleygrovewildimages.co.uk/tours.php <http://www.vp.ashleygrovewildimages.co.uk/tours.php>

The Dawn Chorus Walks are the first in a series of ‘wildlife’ themed events taking place at Ragley in 2014. Other events throughout the season will include Wildlife Walks, Bat & Moth Nights and Wildlife Photography Workshops. For more information on Ragley please visit the website at www.ragley.co.uk <http://www.ragley.co.uk>

The best crab sandwich ...

courtesy of Newlyn crabmeat from Waitrose + lemon juice, just-right brown bread and butter. Heaven.

Addicted to the Audi A6

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