vacation ideas

Culture Traveler's Dream: Spoleto in Charleston

Filed under: Events, Art

The good life is well lived in Charleston, South Carolina during the Spoleto Festival USA, which brings the world's highest caliber opera, theater, music, and dance to one of America's most elegant, historic and beautiful downtowns, bursting with culinary and shopping gems. Become a high level supporter, and you'll also get treated to some Southern hospitality at private soirees to meet the artists. And for the culture vulture who likes to break a sweat kitesurfing, it's all just a 10-minute ride from the beach.

Highlights of this year's festival, which runs from May 28 to June 13:
* The Dock Street Theater, one of America's first (pictured at right), reopens after a three-year renovation with a work selected to re-create and celebrate history: the English ballad opera "Flora," which, in 1835, in Charleston, was the first opera performed in the American colonies. Neely Bruce conducts.

* The Milan-based Colla Marionette Company works its small-scale, big-impact magic with "Philemon and Baucis", a marionette opera composed by Franz Joseph Haydn for Prince Esterházy on the occasion of a 1773 royal visit by Empress Maria Theresa.

* The young New York-based Gallim Dance, with Juilliard-trained dancers, performs "I Can See Myself in Your Pupil." This dance troupe won raves last summer at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

* Under the stars and a canopy of oak trees, Lizz Wright and Fabiana Cozza will be among the sultry performers in an outdoor jazz series.

* Sample a range of string ensembles, from the post-classical quartet Brooklyn Rider, associated with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, to the banjo- and fiddle- players the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

With 45 productions total, the festival will have you either in the audience or discussing a performance morning, afternoon, and evening. Don't forget to make time for a stroll down the cobblestone streets, and taking in historic sites. Fort Sumter, where the first engagement of the Civil War took place, still guards the harbor. Tickets available at http://www.spoletousa.org/

Source

Tags: brooklyn riders, charleston, lizz wright, south carolina, SouthCarolina, spoleto, vacation ideas, VacationIdeas

Buy a Private Island

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

When you're in the market for a private island, there is more to consider than just location. The expense and availability of transportation, supplies and housing all can impact where you ultimate decide to go. But with what might just we the world's smallest private island, you can bring the island to you. In fact, you can put it in your yard or even your office. The island is equipped with two realistic, 2-meter high palm trees, and is just the right size for a double hammock (included). It can withstand all weather conditions, though you might want to secure it during hurricane season if the storms impact your area. The trees have an integrated misting mechanism concealed amongst the coconuts that will help to keep you cool on hot days, too. The only downside is, of course, that a private beach is not included. Price: $8,280.

Source

Tags: gadget, hammock, island, islands, mini vacation, private island, relaxation, summer, toy, vacation, vacation ideas

The Millcroft Organic Dinner Experience

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Wine

The Millcroft Inn and Spa in the Caledon Hills region of Toronto is a scenic retreat in what was once a knitting mill. The Millcroft is a four-diamond resort that offers unique culinary experiences including a Winemaker's Dining event taking place on June 16 in the timbered dining room in the Main Mill. The event includes a five-course organic meal paired with organic wines. The Millcroft also boasts a 9,000-square-foot spa with17 separate treatment areas and treatments from manicures and pedicures to body wraps and hydrotherapy. Other activities at the spa include fly fishing, golf and hot-air ballooning. Rates for the organic dinner event start at $237 Canadian per night.

[via Caledon Citizen]

Source

Tags: canada, millcroft, toronto, travel, vacation ideas

Echo Valley Ranch Birding Package

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Of the many reasons to visit a destination spa, birds aren't usually on the list. They are the star attraction this month at the Echo Valley Ranch in British Columbia. Their Birding package which is only available in April, is a chance to observe and learn about birds in the raptor family. Their birding package includes falcon training demonstrations, looks at the nesting areas of the great gray owl and the golden eagle,a guided marsh walk and plenty of opportunities for general bird spotting. Only two four-night packages are offered each April, with a total of ten participants per package. The package includes four nights accommodation in Dove Lodge or Lookout Lodge, meals which are prepared in an open kitchen, use of ranch facilities including an outdoor hot tub, sauna, indoor heated swimming pool, fitness center and a games room with pool table. There is also a morning Thai stretching class and the opportunity to help with the ranch animals. This unique destination spa is run by Norman and Nanthawon Dove. He was a mechanical engineer originally from England and she is from Thailand where her mother was a practitioner of Thai medicine. The ranch offers both Western and Thai spa treatments as well as a Thai night with authentic Thai food and traditional Thai dancing. The birding package costs $1116 (Canadian) per person.

Source

Tags: adventure, birding, canada, nature, spa, tourism, travel, vacation, vacation ideas