Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Travel Adventures

With Rosewood Escapes enjoy:
Our best summer rates + Complimentary daily breakfast for 2

Wiggling your toes in warm sands amid cool ocean breezes. Stargazing from your own
private plunge pool. Immersing in culturally vibrant cityscapes.
Treasuring singular experiences with a special someone or the entire family.
Making time to escape...

CARIBBEAN - MEXICO - CALIFORNIA - NEW YORK - DALLAS - SANTA FE - ATLANTA - CANADA -

Condé Nast Traveller has just announced their 2010 Hot List which covers the 66 coolest new hotels in the world – from Austria to Uruguay – and Tribe Hotel in Nairobi represented Kenya as one of this year's top picks!

"Tribe is Nairobi's first independent designer boutique hotel. Located in the city's safe, diplomatic Gigiri district, it is next to the Village Market, a popular mall filled with shops (food, fashion and jewellery), 19 restaurants, cinemas, waterslides, bowling alleys and a Friday Maasai market selling tribal bags and carvings. Family-owned and run, the hotel mixes contemporary city glamour with carefully placed African art and artefacts (statues, intricately carved tribal chairs, traditional musical instruments). It is dominated by a vast central atrium housing a stylish bar area with sexy chairs-for-two, high-backed sofas and long voile curtains that shimmer in the breeze, concealing secluded booths lit by chandeliers. There are 137 bedrooms, all decorated in similar earthy tones with different original artwork in each. Because of its location, most guests are business travellers (there are plans to add a conference room this year), but it has also proved popular with families and couples on safari (honeymooners are given roses, Champagne and chocolate-coated strawberries on arrival). The standard of service is superb, with plenty of personal touches. Epic restaurant serves simple Western fare (linguine, rib-eye steak, bangers and mash) made from local, organic ingredients. It is next to the pool, which has a waterfall, swim-up bar and several small islands for dining (there is also a private dining room for larger parties); cocktails are served on the rooftop terrace. The gym and spa were not open at the time of our visit but should be completed soon."

Oktoberfest in July? Absolutely! And more German bang for the summer travel buck.

More visitors per day, more variety, much more than just beer. The Largest Fair on the

Rhine in Düsseldorf – the older, lesser-known cousin of Oktoberfest – offers a lot more.

The enormous annual outdoor spectacle here called “Rheinkirmes – Largest Fair on the Rhine” takes place the third week in July (2010 dates: July 17 – 25) when the weather in

Germany

is at its best, and offers a serious alternative to the Oktoberfest in, well, October. However, there is nothing serious about it. In fact, you’ll find even more fun things to do here, which gives the LFOTR a destination appeal for a wider audience, including families, art lovers, and the LGBT traveler. After all, this fair has been developing for 500 years. That’s 300 more than Oktoberfest.

Don’t worry, there’s still a beer area, about 42 acres, to be exact, covered with tents serving the world-famous local Alt brew and many culinary treats, enough to spend days (and nights) eating and drinking. Then there are the rides. To accommodate the huge number of fair-goers, a temporary amusement park is erected right on the river that’s so big and modern it rivals some of the biggest permanent parks. State-of-the-art roller coasters and other amusement rides transform the skyline and turn the riverside into a kaleidoscope of lights and sounds. For even more excitement, on July 23, a major fireworks display will light up the Düsseldorf evening sky, to the awe of all who see it. There are also parades featuring thousands of marchers in uniforms and on horseback, as well as orchestra performances to complete the German fair experience and, like the city, bridge the traditional and the modern. Another example of tradition meeting today: For 20 years now, the Monday of the fair belongs to the LGBT community, and 50,000 members join the celebration, turning the day into “Pink Monday.” Truly an event for everyone.

All this is reason enough to stop in Düsseldorf with friends and family, but the city is not a place of one attraction only, and fair week is no different. An extensive city program supplements the fair, and highlights include art exhibits and lectures by German and Swiss sculptors in an effort to stimulate all parts of a visitor’s brain.

The visitor numbers reflect the appeal: 45,000 visit Düsseldorf daily during fair days – 6,000 more than Munich’s Oktoberfest. And many who come here take advantage of the short distances to other destinations, including the Rhine-Ruhr area, Cologne,

Belgium

, and the

Netherlands

. Düsseldorf International Airport,

Germany

’s third-largest, offers several non-stop flights from US cities, as well as convenient connections to many European cities and beyond. Find fair week specials for hotels and air fares at www.visitduesseldorf.de.

Little St. Simons Island -- Little St. Simons Island is one of the most unique barrier islands on Georgia’s coast. Only 20 of the island’s 10,000 acres are developed, and six cabins, some dating back to 1917, offer accommodations for just 32 overnight guests. A privately owned island has remained virtually untouched for centuries, and the owners’ commitment to preservation and stewardship has even been recognized with the “Benchmarked” certification by Green Globe 21, a global benchmarking, certification and improvement program for sustainable tourism and travel. This certification has been presented to only two organizations in the United States. Little St. Simons Island features ancient maritime forests with 1000+-year-old live oak trees, tidal marshlands and seven miles of pristine beaches. A staff of seven naturalists leads guests on birding walks (more than 280 species of birds call the island home during different periods of the year), hikes through the maritime forests, strolls down one of the few beaches on the Eastern shore board that is actually growing rather than eroding, and a variety of additional activities.

The Kessler Collection -- Few individuals, much less hoteliers, possess a passion for the arts as does Richard Kessler. Kessler, CEO of The Kessler Collection, is both an avid art collector and master hotelier. His award-winning boutique hotels are widely known for their distinctive experiences in unique destinations. He has amassed a private art collection of more than 10,000 pieces ranging from oil paintings and glass objects to bronze sculptures and wood carvings and has brilliantly incorporated his passion for the arts with his experience in the hotel business. For example, Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando features hundreds of original works of art, displayed in the hotel’s art gallery, lobby, restaurant, and even the guest rooms. Seven of Kessler’s properties 11 were recently selected to join Marriott’s newest brand, Autograph Collection, a portfolio of independent hotels and resorts that caters to clientele around the world who desire high-quality, intimate, and distinctive experiences.

Annually, thousands of visitors enjoy the scenic beauty and relaxed atmosphere of Georgia’s state owned Jekyll Island, renowned for its carefully preserved natural and historic resources and extensive beaches. By state law 65% of the island remains undeveloped. Island guests enjoy golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, dolphin watching, bird watching, kayaking, and a host of other recreational activities. The island remains one of the premier affordable destinations in the southeast. Currently, Jekyll Island is undergoing a $150 million public-private revitalization that will feature new hotels, public parks, a retail village, a new convention center, and more! In 1971, the Jekyll Island Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1978 it was elevated to National Landmark status. Since its renovation in 1987, the Jekyll Island Club has operated as a full-service hotel offering superb resort accommodations and outstanding service. Other fine hotels and motels on the island offer accommodations for a variety of tastes and budgets.

VisitEngland Spotlights Quintessentially English Experiences As Country Celebrates its National Day

St George’s Day on April 23 Marks Anniversary of the Death of England’s Patron Saint,

VisitEngland, the official tourism body for England, is highlighting events and activities quintessentially English as the country prepares to celebrate St George’s Day on April 23, England’s national day remembering its patron saint St George. According to legend, St George was a soldier in the Roman army who killed a dragon and saved a princess, and while visitors are unlikely to experience anything quite so dramatic,

England

offers an abundance of inspiring attractions which make the country truly unique.

A source of inspiration to William Shakespeare, the Heart of England moved the world-famous bard, whose birthday falls on April 23, to write no less than 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Fans of the man commonly regarded as the finest writer in the English language can visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, a haven of beautifully preserved black and white, half-timbered buildings. Stratford-upon-Avon is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, one of the greatest theatre companies in the world, which is currently undergoing a huge transformation to create a new auditorium, complete with dramatic thrust stage.

Home to a number of notable castles, the East of England boasts many fine examples of the ultimate medieval symbol of power and wealth, such as Castle Rising Castle built in 1140, located in the pretty village of Castle Rising, featuring a preserved Norman church and 17th century Almshouse. At Orford Castle in Suffolk, visitors can climb its spiral staircase leading to a maze of rooms and passageways and hear the tale of the legendary Orford Museum, while at Framlingham Castle, where Mary Tudor waited to hear whether she or Lady Jane Grey had been declared Queen of England after the death of Edward VI, guests can tour the striking wall-walk, explore the magnificent mere and admire the ancient castle gatehouse.

A must for Beatles fans is the city of Liverpool, this year celebrating the life of John Lennon with a two-month cultural program marking 70 years since the birth of the musician who was born in the city, and 30 years since his death. From October 9, 2010, which would have been Lennon's 70th birthday, to December 9, 2010, the day after the 30th anniversary of his assassination, Liverpool is to host a series of live music, film, poetry and art events including “Lennon Remembered,” a tribute concert and a birthday celebration at the Cavern Club, as well as a Lennon-inspired international poetry competition, film festival, lecture program and visual art exhibitions at Liverpool John Moores University. “White Feather: Spirit of Lennon,” an exhibition about life with John Lennon by his son Julian and former wife Cynthia, has also been specially extended.

Now an iconic part of the London skyline, The London Eye is celebrating 10 years since its massive steel structures were assembled on the bank of the river Thames making one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. Offering visitors an incredible view of the city, the world's largest observation wheel has attracted more than 36 million visitors since its opening in 2000. On a clear day, customers look out over the Houses of Parliament, the TowerBridge and St. Paul's Cathedral during the 30 minute ride, as the huge wheel rotates slowly at 26cm per second.

Aside from its stunning ancient architecture, the spectacular city of Bath, which spans 2,000 years, is famous for its natural thermal waters. Located in the heart of the World Heritage Site is Thermae Bath Spa, where guests can discover how the Romans used to bathe in the mineral-rich waters, while enjoying the impressive views from the open-air rooftop pool. Between September 17 and 25, Bath, where the much-loved English author Jane Austen used to live and set two of her novels, will welcome the Jane Austen Festival, celebrating its tenth birthday in 2010, featuring over forty events including a special 10^th birthday dinner at The Guildhall and other events such as a country-dance, dance workshops, walking tours, musical evenings, afternoon tea, plus talks and amusements throughout the nine days.

Steeped in history, York was one of the most important Roman cities in

Britain

and for a period at the end of the 3^rd Century was the capital of the Roman Empire. At the Yorkshire Museum, reopening in August 2010 after a £2 million refurbishment, which will totally transform the interior of the remarkable building, the fascinating early history of York – the capital of the North of England – will be told through groundbreaking research and internationally important collections featuring jewels, statues and weapons. The might of the Romans, the power of the Vikings and the wealth and romance of the medieval period will be revealed inside the new look museum which will include a learning level and audio visual introduction to the history of York in its 300 seat auditorium.

Located in the South East of England, the New Forest National Park is home to some of the countries most picturesque countryside. With shaded paths meandering through ancient woodland, quaint villages dotted amongst the landscape and stunning coastal routes, the New Forest is a paradise for walkers, campers and cyclists.

England

’s newest designated national park, the South Downs, is also situated in the South East and guided walks can be booked throughout the year giving extra insight into the natural history and wildlife in the areas.

Once patrolled by soldiers from all corners of the Roman Empire, Hadrian's Wall in

England

’s North East, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of

Britain

’s most breathtaking monuments. Built in 122AD, Hadrian’s Wall still holds its position as the largest free-standing structure in

Britain

. Originally 80 Roman miles (about 73 modern miles) long and up to 20 feet high, visitors can walk or cycle along much of its route, admiring the sweeping views of peaceful moorland and pasture and learn about Roman life in forts and museums along its length.

Used as a location during filming of the Da Vinci Code as well as Pride and Prejudice, England’s East Midlands is soon to be in the spotlight for Ridley Scott’s upcoming action-adventure movie Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, in theatres May 14, 2010. In Nottinghamshire, travellers can follow in the footsteps of the real Robin Hood at Sherwood Forest CountryPark which covers 450 acres and features ancient areas of native woodland. The forest is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and more than one thousand veteran oaks - most of which are over 500 years old, with the largest and most famous being the Major Oak, linked throughout the world to Sherwood’s legendary hero - Robin Hood. To celebrate the film’s release, from now through October, NottinghamCastle has an exciting Robin Hood exhibition of costumes, props and behind-the-scenes memorabilia from the new film.

Further information about visiting

England

can be found at visitengland.com.