Departures
IN NUMBERS
COOL COMFORT
It may be almost 36 times smaller than the USA, but it seems New Zealand can’t get enough of ice cream. They are predicted to ‘scoop’ the title of the world’s biggest consumer of the frozen treat this year.
TRY THIS… TRY THIS…
ZIP WIRING
Zip wiring has gone to another level. Thrill seekers can now glide almost a mile above mountain valleys, at speeds of more than 100mph (okay, it depends on your weight) and across a distance of 1.4 miles. The company behind the latest sensation, Fantasticable (+33 (0) 329 600 922, fantasticable.com), has zip wires in France (Châtel), Portugal (the longest, in Ribeira de Pena) and Italy (between Castelmezzano, left, and Pietrapertosa). Prices from €18 (£14). Now, you really can get a bird’s eye view.
FOOD
HAUTE POUTINE
POUTINE, A LOCAL FAVOURITE IN QUEBEC CITY, IS THE COMBINATION OF FRENCH FRIES, CHEESE CURD AND GRAVY – BUT DON’T BE PUT OFF. THIS YEAR, ON THE CITY’S 400TH ANNIVERSARY, THE DISH IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY TRENDY. TRY A GOURMET MAKEOVER OF IT AT RESTAURANTS SUCH AS AU PIED DE COCHON (536 DULUTH EST, MONTRÉAL +1 514 281 1114), WHERE IT IS SERVED WITH FOIE GRAS.
photos: PHILIPPE VOIRIN / STOCKFOOD
EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT…
GETTING HITCHED
THE SUMMER’S HOTTEST WEDDINGS, FROM FRANCE TO NEW YORK
KATE MOSS AND JAMIE HINCE
THE STORY SO FAR…
Will supermodel Kate Moss tie the knot with her The Kills guitarist beau this year?
THE LOCATION
If she goes ahead, Moss has a soft spot for the Cotswolds where she has a country home. There is also talk of an A-list studded after-party at The Wapping Project, a former hydraulic power station and now restaurant-cum-gallery in East London.
THE STYLE
Goth-chic? Few could get away with it.
THE DRESS
The brief was a vintage rock ‘n’ roll, full-skirted dress in purple or black.
GUEST LIST
Sadie Frost, Davinia Taylor, Kelly Osborne and other members of the Primrose Hill gang.
COLEEN McLOUGHLIN AND WAYNE ROONEY
THE STORY SO FAR…
The Manchester Utd striker and his childhood sweetheart tied the knot in true WAG style in June.
THE LOCATION
The 17th-century Villa Durazzo, in Santa Margherita Ligure, was the setting of the £5m affair. A second wedding party for rowdier family members (banned from the Italian ceremony) took place in Croxeth, Liverpool.
THE STYLE
A full-blown footballers’ wives affair, with a £2.5m magazine deal to boot.
THE DRESS
Three gowns including a £200,000 Marchesa gown, with pearls and crystals.
GUEST LIST
Footballers Steven Gerrard, Wes Brown and Michael Carrick, and boxer Ricky Hatton.
BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIE
THE STORY SO FAR…
Despite their growing brood, it has taken four years for the Mr and Mrs Smith stars to contemplate life as a real Mr and Mrs.
THE LOCATION
They’ve decided to raise the twins in the South of France, so it is a natural choice for their wedding. They are planning a ‘low-key’ affair, with a £25 million villa, a £10 million yacht, and music and food from each of their children’s native countries.
THE STYLE
Typical Brangelina – private, eclectic and kids in tow.
THE DRESS
After donning strange get-ups at her two prior weddings, Angie is planning on a (slightly) more conventional dress.
GUEST LIST
George Clooney, Mariane Pearl (who Angelina played in A Mighty Heart) and James Haven.
MARIAH CAREY AND NICK CANNON
THE STORY SO FAR…
A diva isn’t content with just one wedding. After a secret Bahamas ceremony in April, reports are that Mariah Carey is having a more OTT extravaganza this summer.
THE LOCATION
Rumour has it, more than 2,000 guests will attend a star-studded New York City event and that $4 million (£2 million) is being splashed on a fairytale ceremony, complete with 14 bridesmaids. If the first wedding is anything to go by, it will be Dom Pérignon Champagne and lobster galore.
THE STYLE
Think
Liza Minnelli and David Gest’s wedding, with sass.
THE DRESS
We expect something as figure-hugging as the Nile Cmylo dress first time around.
GUEST LIST
Naomi Campbell, and friends and family.
KIDS
LIGHTS UP
The American Idol attraction opens at Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, Florida, this autumn. Audition, compete against other contestants or, for the vocally challenged, be a judge.
BOOK NOW
TICKETS FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT AND UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THOMAS COOK AIRLINES CABIN CREW
photo: REX FEATURES
ON LOCATION
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
FROM UDAIPUR IN OCTOPUSSY TO JAMAICA IN DR NO, WHO DOESN’T LOVE A BOND LOCATION? HERE WE REVEAL THE SOON-TO-BE COVETED PLACES IN THE LATEST 007 ADVENTURE
ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX ROBBINS
BREGENZ, AUSTRIA
Bond stalks villains at the Bregenz Festival (bregenzerfestspiele.com) during a performance of Puccini’s Tosca. Catch the show from 23 July to 23 August and then dine at Manga, on the shores of Lake Constance. Manga und Chen’s Dining Bar am See, Seestr. 6, 6900 Bregenz, +43 (5574) 5280811, asiagourmet.at
LAKE GARDA, ITALY
The opening car chase is around Lake Garda. Those seeking a different kind of escape should check into The Villa Cortine Palace Hotel (available through Elegant Resorts, +44 (0)1244 897 777, elegantresorts.co.uk). On a hill in the heart of the Sirmione peninsula, it oozes grandeur – the kind of place Bond would romance a lady.
BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
An adventurer’s paradise, rugged Baja California is the backdrop to an aerial sequence involving DC-3 planes. Get your license to thrill on a 4×4 safari in the Sierra Mountains before tasting the local Tequila. +52 (624) 173 9500, cabo-adventures.com
SIENA, TUSCANY, ITALY
In the latest installment, Bond is at the Piazza del Campo, with the Palio horse race, in Siena (ilpalio.org), going on behind him. The event is held twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August, on the edges of this medieval square. Climb the Torre della Mangia bell tower, in the heart of the piazza, and admire the cityscape.
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
The UNESCO-protected Old Town is where villain Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) hosts an ecological-awareness benefit. Have your own party at colonial dungeon turned stylish bar Las Bovedas (Plaza Francia, Casco Viejo, +507 228 8068), the place for live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights.
ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE
Looking for true solace? You’ll find it in northern Chile’s breathtaking Atacama Desert, where the climax of the film takes place. To recover, try one of the scattered beaches around Mejillones, further north, past Antofagasta.
Quantum of Solace is due to be released in the UK on 31 October
CONSUME
TRAVEL MUSTS
STYLISH ESSENTIALS AND FUN FRIPPERIES THAT REALLY SHOULD FIND THEIR WAY INTO ANY DISCERNING TRAVELLER’S HOLIDAY LUGGAGE
MUSIC
LED ZEPPELIN
Those disappointed that a global tour was never announced can placate themselves with this first illustrated history of the supergroup. Out October. £25, Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin: The Illustrated History of the Heaviest Band of All Time by Jon Bream (Voyageur Press)
ACCESSORY
HOLISTIC SILK YOGA MAT
Execute your downward dog in maximum style. This mat smells of lavender, has a luxurious fleece top layer and a faux-leather base that makes it ideal for any surface. Feeling lazy? It also doubles as a comfy sun mat. £125, holisticsilk.com
GADGET
LIQUID IMAGE UNDERWATER CAMERA MASK
This diving mask has an inbuilt five-megapixel digital camera so you can take pictures and videos underwater, hands free. Very cool. $99 (£50), liquidimageco.com
ACCESSORY
BILLY BAG INDIAN SUMMER TOTE
Not only does this foldout, packable tote have a bright, on-trend floral print, it folds up small enough to fit into just about any pocket. The perfect beach accessory. £20
OUTDOORS
CAMPINGAZ CAMPING KITCHEN
Ditch the fast food and make your own grub, Jamie Oliver-style, at festivals this season with this two-burner portable stove. The lid also acts as a clever windshield. £39.99, campingaz.com
AVAILABLE TO BUY ONBOARD NOW
BARS
BACK TO BLACK
What colour bar suits you? In Paris, Black Calavados (+33 1 47 20 77 77, bc-paris.fr) has recently reopened its stunning all-noir bar and black-and-mirrors private club; London designer hotel Sanderson (+44 (0)20 7300 1400, sandersonlondon.com) has the Purple Bar; and Venice has an Orange Bar (+39 041 523 4740, orangebar.it). Now, what to wear? Simon Cropper
SPORTS LOVERS’ GUIDE TO…
MUMBAI
Mumbai – India’s financial and entertainment nerve centre, and home to Bollywood – is known for movies and money. But one other thing defines the city: cricket. It is the crucible in which some of the game’s biggest stars have been forged – and, if cricket is the glue that binds a billion Indians, Mumbai is the game’s proudest exemplar. Among other things, it is where Sachin Tendulkar – arguably, contemporary cricket’s greatest star – comes from.
A trip to Mumbai acquires an extra edge if you visit Wankhede Stadium, the city’s showcase venue for international games. It’s not the most comfortable place in the world to watch cricket (though things have improved since Indian Premier League Twenty20 games began to be staged here this summer), but at Rs100 (a touch over £1) for the cheapest seat for a day, you shouldn’t whine too much.
Built in 1974-75, the stadium is usually full to its capacity of 45,000 when India plays and the atmosphere is always electric. This has been the scene of many heroic exploits, including England’s defeat of India in the Jubilee Test in 1980, aided by Ian Botham’s swashbuckling century and 13 wickets. Having a seat at the Wankhede when Tendulkar walks out to bat – and being witness to the outpouring of emotion, adulation and frenzied encouragement – is an experience every cricket fan (indeed, every tourist to India) should have: it defines the country and its relationship to the game. Turn up at the gates for a ticket (Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate, +91 22 2281 1795/7876/9910). After the game, walk to Leopold’s (Colaba Causeway, +91 22 2287 3362), one of the city’s most popular bars. Or hop over to the Taj Mahal Hotel – one of the world’s great luxury hotels – for a meal or, at least, a drink.
Soumya Bhattacharya is the author of You Must Like Cricket? Memoirs of an Indian Cricket Fan (Yellow Jersey Press)
WILDLIFE
SPOTTED
THE WETLAND AREA OF PANTANAL, BRAZIL, IS HOME TO BETWEEN 4,000 AND 7,000 JAGUARS. IF YOU YOU STAY FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER, YOU HAVE A 97% CHANCE OF SIGHTING THE ENDANGERED BIG CAT. PANTANALWILDLIFECENTER.COM
photos: NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/GETTY
WATCH ONBOARD NOW
OZ AND JAME’S BIG WINE ADVENTURE ON SELECTED FLIGHTS. SEE LISTINGS ON PAGE 24
TREND
ISLAND DREAMING
Artificial islands might not be an original concept (in fact, the earliest date back to the prehistoric ages), but they are getting bigger and better.
Dubai is home to some of the largest. The first phase of The World (theworld.ae), below – the ‘fake’ archipelago in the shape of 300 countries – was revealed earlier this year. The Palm Jumeirah (thepalm.ae), above, one of the emirate’s three palm islands, is showing off The Atlantis Palm resort this September. But they are in for a little competition.
Russia is constructing a 3,500,000 square metre complex in the shape of its own nation. The ‘mini-Russia’, located off the resort city of Sochi, will house athletes across 10 islands for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Zoran Island, a venture off the eastern coast of Phuket, Thailand, is in the early planning stages, but the idea is to create a luxury marina and resort on a manmade island.
However, the Middle East remains king of land reclamation. The Israeli government is in talks to have four such islands completed off the coasts of Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya and Haifa by 2013, to resolve overcrowding in the cities by creating homes for 20,000 people.
Doha’s The Pearl (thepearlqatar.com), a 4,000,000 square metre residential development, will be the first land in Qatar available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals when it is completed in 2011 – and Bahrain will add 579,000 square metres of living space in 2010, with Reef Island.
THEATRE
ALL EYES ON KATIE
MS HOLMES, RIGHT, MAKES HER BROADWAY DEBUT THIS OCTOBER, ALONGSIDE JOHN LITHGOW AND DIANNE WIEST IN ARTHUR MILLER’S ALL MY SONS. SHE WILL PLAY A WOMAN WHO VISITS THE FAMILY OF HER FORMER LOVER, A MISSING PILOT.
Photo: Tony French, Getty
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