Departures
WISH YOU WERE HERE…
No sleep till Majorca
Close your eyes and imagine yourself beside a deep blue pool with 90-degree views of the Mediterranean until you drop off into peaceful slumber. Except it’s no dream: the Hospes Maricel, just outside Palma, Majorca, has introduced a Learn to Sleep Programme based on 10 steps. It is aimed at time-poor, sleep-deprived travellers looking for a boost of spa treatments, sun and siestas. So where do we sign up? www.elegantresorts.com
For more spa treatments, turn to our spa special on page 89
Magic faraway trees
MORONDAVA, MADAGASCAR
No, this is not the attack of the 80-foot trees or a scene from Land of the Giants. These weird and wonderful baobabs can grow to 30m tall and are the real deal in Morondava, on the west coast of Madagascar. The island is teeming with wildlife, too, such as the world’s only wild lemurs (yes, the animal from the animated comedy hit Madagascar that likes to ‘move it’). Sail there in December with Costa Cruises (www.cruisethomascook.com) and you can spot more of the species in the port of Diego Suarez.
SCI-FI
Everybody’s Talking about… Space
With two intergalactic animations and the world’s first spaceline set to launch, 2010 is going to be out of this world
With the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s ‘giant leap for mankind’, the world has gone a little future fantastic. First up, coming to UK cinemas on 4 December, Planet 51 is a 3D animation about Chuck, the first human to travel to Planet 51. He’s surprised to find it inhabited by little green people (voiced by Gary Oldman, John Cleese and Jessica Biel), living in a world that looks like suburban 1950s America – complete with white picket fences.
Then, in January, comes another 3D animation, Astro Boy, based on the Japanese cartoon of the same name. It’s the story of a boy robot, created by a brilliant scientist as a replacement for his late son, who uses his superhuman powers when the Earth is threatened by aliens, with the voices of Nicolas Cage and Samuel L Jackson.
But if you’re looking to get your own cosmic fix, you can make a booking for your very own space odyssey (www.elegantresorts.com). After three days of medical checks and training in the Mojave Desert, you’ll blast off, 110km into space, from Spaceport America, currently being built by British architects Foster + Partners in New Mexico.
You’ll experience zero gravity, and be able to gaze back at the Earth, through the large viewing windows. The passenger spaceship is still undergoing testing, but could be ready for take-off as soon as next year. It will set you back US$200,000 (£175,000), not including flights, transfers or accommodation at the base camp, but it’s a small price to pay for the chance to boldly go where none of your neighbours has ever gone before. Helen Davies
TREND
Holy merchandising, Batman
Secret identities, superhuman powers, fantastic form-fitting costumes – who doesn’t love a superhero? But now they’re really going beyond the call of justice. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark opens on Broadway in February with music from U2’s Bono and The Edge, direction from Julie Taymor (The Lion King), and starring Alan Cumming and Evan Rachel Wood.
In Paris, Superman and Batman masks are used as lampshades and sold in the lobby of the Philippe Starck hotel, Mama Shelter, (€12 (£11), +33 14348 4848, www.mamashelter.com). And Reebok has released Wonder Woman-style Super Chic Freestyle trainers (£65, www.schuhstore.co.uk) so that the ladies can release their inner super-strength too. Kapow!
WATCH
Rachel McAdams
Five years on from Mean Girls, the 31-year-old starlet is finally making her way back onto Hollywood’s A-list
It’s been a rocky few years, but 2009 was definitely Rachel McAdams’ time. Her portrayal of the beleaguered wife in The Time Traveler’s Wife, opposite Eric Bana, both brought audiences to tears (in a good way) and also catapulted her back into stardom.
But it’s not the first time the actress, who wouldn’t look out of place in the pages of Vogue, has had a ‘moment’. In fact, you might remember her best for her role as the meanest of the Mean Girls five years ago alongside Lindsay Lohan. Since then, she has starred in the sweet, coming-of-age drama The Notebook. She’s also done rom-coms (The Family Stone), comedies (Wedding Crashers), thrillers (Red Eye) and political dramas (State of Play).
But McAdams has also been selective when it comes to choosing her roles. She reportedly turned down lead parts in big-budget blockbusters such as Casino Royale and Iron Man, and famously refused to appear in the buff on the cover of Tom Ford’s Vanity Fair issue alongside (then) budding starlets Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley.
But all that’s behind her now and, on 26 December, she will make headlines again as the femme fatale Irene Adler in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. And this time she’s ready for the limelight.
ART
For something completely different
Celebrate the anniversary of one of art’s coolest museums
This autumn marks 50 years since one of the world’s most distinctive art institutions, New York’s Guggenheim Museum, first opened its doors to the public. But when it was first built in 1959, Frank Lloyd Wright’s strikingly curved building didn’t go down too well, to say the least. Critics then compared it to a washing machine, or something from outer space, while 21 well-known contemporary artists signed a petition against it. But it didn’t take long before New Yorkers came to love this icon of modern architecture that has become an essential stop on any tourist’s itinerary.
One of the highlight events of the half-centenary celebrations will be a new site-specific installation by the highly acclaimed Indian-born, British sculptor Anish Kapoor. You may have seen his huge structure of red PVC that stretched across the Turbine Hall of London’s Tate Modern in 2002. His new work, Memory, promises to be equally impressive. A giant, acorn-shaped steel tank, it is nearly 15m long, and weighs 24 tons. In fact, it will be so huge and fill the gallery so completely that it won’t be possible to see the whole structure at once. The idea is that it’ll leave visitors feeling strange and unsettled – just like those 1950s New Yorkers did when they first saw their space-age landmark. Helen Davies Memory is on show till 28 March 2010
GADGET
Sound bites
If you’re serious about your music, you’ll be familiar with the award-winning Zeppelin iPod dock from Bowers & Wilkins with its high quality sound and even higher price tag. But now the speaker experts have developed their first travel-friendly version of Le Zep so you can listen to your favourite tunes on holiday in superior style without having to pawn your entire music collection. It even comes with a USB socket so you can download your new holiday anthems, too.
Zeppelin Mini, £299, www.bowers-wilkins.com
ACTION
A bit of all-white
Looking to really get off the beaten piste? These four unlikely slopes offer a different kind of skiing adventure. And they’re affordable, too
MOROCCO
WHERE? OUKAÏMEDEN
THE SEASON JANUARY-APRIL
Tell me more… Africa’s highest ski resort (yes, there are others) is located an hour-and-a-half drive south of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains. Don’t expect St Moritz in the chic stakes, but ski lessons will only set you back a pocket-friendly £3-8 an hour and donkeys transport you between lifts.
Difficulty rating All levels. Skiers and snowboarders alike can chose from three black, eight red, four blue and three green runs.
Après-ski For a sundowner with mountain views (but without the cold), head to the Sunset Bar terrace at the newly opened Mandarin Oriental Jnan Rahma, back in Marrakech (+212 524 3283, www.mandarinoriental.com/marrakech). The palatial hotel has a fantastic view of the majestic Atlas Mountains.
TURKEY
WHERE? SAKLIKENT
THE SEASON JANUARY-APRIL
Tell me more… When you’ve had enough of the heat, take to the cool slopes of the Beydag Mountains. The ski centre, 50km north-west of Antalya, isn’t a massive resort, but it lives up to its name (Saklikent literally means ‘hidden city’), with an Alpine charm that’s a stark contrast to the sun, sea and sand of the Mediterranean coastline below.
Difficulty rating Beginners to intermediates. First-timers can master their moves on two undemanding runs, and there’s also a half-pipe for budding boarders.
Après-ski If bling is your thing, the lobby of Europe’s most expensive hotel, Mardan Palace (www.thomascook.com), is the place to be seen sipping Cristal. Based on Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, its gold, crystal and marble interior will remind you of the Titanic.
LAS VEGAS
WHERE? LEE CANYON
THE SEASON NOVEMBER-MARCH
Tell me more… Go from Strip to slope in just 45 minutes. The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort (www.skilasvegas.com) is southern Nevada’s only ski resort and, from £52 for a day’s skiing, including rentals, it’s less of a gamble than a day at the poker table.
Difficulty rating Intermediate to advanced. About 80% of the 11 trails are more challenging, but there are a few bunny slopes for beginners, plus a snowboard terrain park and half-pipe.
Après-ski The under-the-radar Downtown Cocktail Room (111 Las Vegas Boulevard South at East Fremont Street, +1 702 880 3696) is worth seeking out. The dark, seductive lounge is hidden from the bright lights of the Strip, and the bartenders know how to mix a decent martini.
LEBANON
WHERE? KFARDEBIAN
THE SEASON DECEMBER-APRIL
Tell me more… The chicest of Lebanon’s ski offerings (and arguably the Middle East’s), Mzaar is a 45-minute drive from Beirut and offers some of the best views of the surrounding Mount Lebanon scenery. There might be a five-star luxury resort up here, but a full day’s lift pass starts at a respectable $31 (£19) for day-trippers.
Difficulty rating All levels. With 42 slopes and 80km of tracks, there is something for everyone, but those looking for a challenge can venture off-piste with a guide.
Après-ski Sky Bar (Biel Centre, Downtown Beirut, +961 1 995 555) is still the hottest dance spot with the young, beautiful jetset, boasting unrivalled views of the Med. But the crowd here parties until 4am, so you’re more likely to see the sun rise.
TAKE THREE
Snow essentials
Snow+Rock selects the best new ski accessories
Smith I/O Goggles, £139.95
“These innovative goggles combine full lens interchangeability with a sleek, rimless design and superb optical clarity, and feature Smith’s patented anti-fog lens technology.”
Salomon Impact Custom Air Helmet, £119.95
“This helmet will give you a custom fit, thanks to an inflatable air bladder. It also features active ventilation to help keep your head cool.”
Lib Tech Banana Magic Snowboard, £585
“The Magic’s extra float lets you make heavenly ‘pow’ turns, while the catch-free ride will up your freestyle skills for effortless heel-edge turns and spins.”
SPORTS LOVER’S GUIDE TO…
VANCOUVER
More than 350,000 visitors are set to visit the Canadian city in February for the Olympic Winter Games, says John Lee
Eighty countries, several thousand competitors and three billion worldwide punters are poised for a feast of 86 events from luge to curling. But, Olympics aside, Canada’s scenic West Coast metropolis has year-round treats for sports fans.
First up, ice hockey. The religiously supported Vancouver Canucks pack the downtown GM Place from October to April. Book ahead (www.canucks.nhl.com) or try the lower-league – and cheaper – Vancouver Giants at Pacific Coliseum (www.vancouvergiants.com).
Next, football. BC Lions, who play at BC Place stadium, the venue for the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, are one of the country’s top Canadian Football League teams. A form of American football, the family-friendly game includes entertaining side attractions such as cheerleaders. The season runs July to November.
If catching ‘real’ football is your goal, you’ll have to call it ‘soccer’. Moving up to the top-flight MLS league in 2011, the Vancouver Whitecaps (www.whitecapsfc.com) play USL matches from April to September at the suburban Swangard Stadium. UK ex-pats stud the outdoor stands, where ‘crowd trouble’ means a minor squabble over who buys the hot dogs.
If fast food and beer served by wandering vendors is your idea of North American sports, catch some sunny baseball at Nat Bailey Stadium from June to September. The minor-league Vancouver Canadians (www.canadiansbaseball.com) knock them out of the park at this little wood-built diamond, the cosiest spot in town to rub shoulders with locals, top up your tan and perhaps even watch a few innings.
WILDLIFE
Hero in a half shell
It’s true that tortoises are not really known for their speed. But for Lonesome George, the famous giant tortoise from the Galápagos Islands believed to be the last of his species, you could say this quality has worked against him. At an estimated 90 years of age, the bachelor tortoise hasn’t been able to mate. Until now (hopefully). At the end of July, five precious eggs were discovered in the enclosure he shares with two female companions. The incubation period is 120 days, so hopefully they will hatch by the end of November. Fingers crossed, when it comes to fatherhood, slow and steady wins this race.
NIGHTLIFE
Party like it’s 1989
Five bars in which to celebrate 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall
1. Tausend
Enjoy a fancy-shmancy cocktail while you listen to world-renowned jazz and blues musicians. (Schiffbauerdamm 11, +49 30 4171 5396, www.tausendberlin.com)
2. SO36
With club nights, karaoke and even a late-night flea market, SO36 (pictured) is a must for rock fans. (Oranienstrasse 190, +49 30 6140 1306, www.so36.de)
3. CCCP
Obscure films, kitsch decor, friendly staff and cheap prices make this the place for a nightcap in trendy Mitte. (Torstrasse 136, no telephone)
4. Puro
The slick décor and incredible views over the city make this bar a firm favourite with West Berlin locals. (Sky Lounge Berlin, Tauentzienstrasse 11, +49 30 2636 7875, www.puro-berlin.de)
5. Berghain/Panorama Bar
You’ll find the number-one club in the world, as voted by DJ Mag, in a former power station behind the Ostbahnhof. The music is techno and don’t expect to leave before Sunday afternoon. Note: cameras are forbidden. (Am Wriezener Bahnhof, +49 30 2900 0597, www.berghain.de) Sophie von Oswald
KIDS
Hogwarts and all
It’s time to see what Harry Potter land would look like if JK Rowling got the planning permission. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens at Universal Studios Orlando in spring 2010, and fans will get a chance to venture inside Hogwarts Castle, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade Village, which will all be interwoven with rides, shows and shops in a magical world of their own. Expect some dizzy spells. www.universalorlando.com
IN NUMBERS
CHOC IT UP
Because the diet will wait…
£2.23bn
Value of the UK market last year1
96%
Growth in UK sales of dark chocolate over the last two years2
52%
Women who prefer it to sex3
9 out of 10
men would choose sex over chocolate4
45
calories in one square of Dairy Milk5
10%
of the recommended daily iron allowance is in 25g of cocoa6
25%
of Brits take chocolate with them on their travels7
CONSUME
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS CONSUME
Crank up the glitz and glam… it’s party time
MONGOLIAN FAUX-FUR SHRUG, £50, JANE NORMAN (www.JANENORMAN.CO.UK)
TRAVELER TURNTABLE, £81.25, CROSLEY (www.URBANOUTFITTERS.CO.UK)
POLKA-DOT BOW TIE, £15, JUNK DE LUXE (www.ASOS.COM)
SILVER ADICIA BRACELET, £24, OLIVER BONAS (www.OLIVERBONAS.COM)
AIR CONSTELLATION CANDLE SET, £59, MOLTON BROWN (www.MOLTONBROWN.CO.UK)
X-BRANDO MEN’S LEATHER BROGUE, £70, FAITH (www.FAITH.CO.UK)
CHAINMAIL CLUTCH, £25, ASOS (www.ASOS.COM)
RAINDROP SEQUIN PARTY DRESS, £150, FRENCH CONNECTION (www.FRENCHCONNECTION.COM)
SNAP BRIM TRILBY, £19, MARKS & SPENCER (www.MARKSANDSPENCER.COM)
ATOMISER, £10, TAVALO (TO BUY ONBOARD SEE PAGE 173 OF THIS MAGAZINE IN THE SHOP! SECTION)
LUTTER SHOE, £80, FAITH (www.FAITH.CO.UK)
MY PLACE OR YOURS GINA EDT, £25, BENEFIT (TO BUY ONBOARD SEE PAGE 142 OF THIS MAGAZINE IN THE SHOP! SECTION)
DESIGN
City limits
1 Murjan Tower, Bahrain, 1,022m, completion date to be confirmed
2 Burj Mubarak al-Kabir, Kuwait, 1,000m, 2016
3 Burj Dubai, Dubai, 818m, December 2009
4 Incheon Tower, South Korea, 610m, 2012/13
5 PJP Jakarta Tower, Indonesia, 558m, 2012,
6 World Trade Center, New York, 541m, 2013,
7 The Shard, London, 309m, May 2012
FESTIVALS
Take me higher
Is this the coolest festival of 2010?
If you love your beats as much as your boarding, you’ll want to book ahead for the inaugural Big Snow Festival in Andorra from 14-21 March. At an altitude of 2,560m, there are powder bowls, half-pipes, chill-out spaces and music from the likes of Judge Jules. +44 (0)844 879 8119, www.thebigsnowfestival.com
STYLE
Christina Aguilera
The tiny star with a big voice is back with a bang, and a new sound
Aside from her greatest hits album, Ms Aguilera has been understandably quiet since the birth of her son, Max. But in that two years, a whole new generation of divas has come to the fore: Lady Gaga, Leona, Taylor Swift, Santigold and M.I.A. With the 29-year-old yummy mummy back to reclaim her territory, where does that leave her?
If you can’t beat them, join them. Her forthcoming album, Light & Darkness, promises brand new material with a progressive electronic sound, featuring collaborations with the first ladies of the electro scene, Ladytron, Goldfrapp and Sia of Zero 7 fame. M.I.A. and Santigold are also rumoured to be onboard.
The album is set for a 2010 release. Meanwhile, she’s started filming her debut movie, Burlesque, alongside veteran showgirl Cher, also due out around the same time. It’s the story of a small-town girl attracted to the bright lights of an LA club. Until then, we’ll have to make do with her sultry, new fragrance Christina by Night for our fix and trust us, it’s what a girl wants.
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