tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84155878923677498052024-03-04T21:59:30.836-08:00Travel and Tourism news UKAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-88923406902228747502013-05-04T06:44:00.001-07:002013-05-04T06:44:14.471-07:00São Paulo restaurants creating a new Brazilian cuisine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAZci8mVAPQASIz-9gIcs2sQJjr5n6suxPVtJcw6b6fjCuZydJyBfGcJ6_e0SBWfEyTZuaYsaEsPrLHIfBTgekgnnVIEKkYhoeXpy8iiJfOs0LSuvZFEbdarAPz37M6YL6P8jLy-DkyQ/s1600/DOM-chef-Alex-Atala-in-th-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAZci8mVAPQASIz-9gIcs2sQJjr5n6suxPVtJcw6b6fjCuZydJyBfGcJ6_e0SBWfEyTZuaYsaEsPrLHIfBTgekgnnVIEKkYhoeXpy8iiJfOs0LSuvZFEbdarAPz37M6YL6P8jLy-DkyQ/s400/DOM-chef-Alex-Atala-in-th-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
DOM cook Alex Atala is redefining Brazilian culinary art victimisation exotic ingredients sourced within the Amazon timberland. Gavin McOwan meets him and visits a number of the opposite São Paulo restaurants leading the approach.<br />
Last month Alex Atala was named one in all Time magazine's one hundred most powerful folks within the world for absorbing "the huge task of shaping a higher food culture for geographical region. His philosophy of victimisation native Brazilian ingredients in culinary art has enchanted the continent." on, DOM, his São Paulo eating house, was voted the sixth-best within the world (down from fourth last year) and therefore the best in South America.<br />
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So however did a former punk, DJ and acknowledged party animal WHO became a cook virtually by chance (while bumming around Europe he applied to try and do a cookery course in Kingdom of Belgium therefore he may get a visa), and from a rustic with very little name on the planet food scene, modification the approach folks believe Brazilian food?<br />
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Atala says his bulb moment came once he accomplished that, despite coaching in France and European country, he would ne'er, as a Brazilian, be ready to cook those countries' cuisines (which dominate the fine-dining scene in São Paulo) additionally as a native cook. however perhaps he may cook Brazilian food higher than anyone ever had. additionally as having the cheekiness and self-belief, he was blessed by the country's abundance of distinctive natural ingredients.<br />
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Here's the issue regarding Brazilian food. whereas the raw materials – meat, fish, fruit, veg – are often nearly as good and as varied as anyplace within the world, most the factory-made foods on supply square measure industrial and bland – cured meats, dairy, oils, brew … even occasional. they will have AN awful ton of occasional in Brazil, however it always tastes bloody awful, too.<br />
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So Atala stopped aping culinary art that depends on imports or poor substitutes, and turned for inspiration to his country's natural resources, specifically to the Amazon. The world's greatest system is home to a copiousness of ingredients (and several species of plant still undiscovered), and this is often wherever he stocks his stowage. therefore on the menu at DOM square measure some weird and howling Amazonian foods. Tucupi may be a yellow sauce extracted from a manioc root that has got to 1st be cooked to get rid of the toxins; jambu leaf numbs the lips and tongue and, says Atala, "makes everything style bigger". There are a number of the world's largest seafood, and a tremendous honey that, in keeping with the Brazilian food standards agency a minimum of, is not honey the least bit.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-62082543064536024372012-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:002012-08-12T07:27:00.557-07:00The saddle saga: convulsing with cold in Kyrgyzstan<P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">From the affecting low of our displacement from Uzbekistan, we were now adverse the concrete high-point of our campaign forth the Silk Alley - Kyrgyzstan's arty Pamir abundance range.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">Before extensive the age-old city-limits of Kashgar, we would accept to cantankerous four abundance passes over 2900m during winter. Thoughts of avalanches, alarming active and barbaric dogs kept me alive at night.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">We larboard the bound city-limits of Osh, departure from beneath the adumbration of Mount Suleiman in which it lies. The snow and ice covered the tree-lined streets and our bikes danced about beneath us as if they had minds of their own. Anon abundant we larboard the sounds of the city-limits abaft and were on the ascent.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">My anxieties were anon adequate though. There were abounding arresting villages lining the Alay Valley, and we met abounding affable humans to breach with (quite clashing their pet dogs). The accouchement would hunt afterwards us, waving, acutely blessed admitting their acrid surroundings.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">In a alternation of aciculate switchbacks, the alley began to snake up appear the 3600m Taldyk Pass. It was actuality that we had to dismount, our way was covered in ice and we were clumsy to anchor the surface. It was alone 3km to the canyon but it still took two hours afore we accomplished the top.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">The coast down the apparent southern face was terrible. We were both dehydrated from the accomplishment of the ascend and convulsing with cold. The wind thrashed snow into our faces. The afterimage of wisps of it slithering beyond the bedrock would accept been beautiful, had we not been so cold.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">Our next canyon out of Sary Tash, 50 afar from the Chinese border, was beneath of a ascend but ridges of snow and ice fabricated advance apathetic and treacherous. Husks of ashore trucks lined our way, reminding us of the absolute blackmail of getting squashed beneath a juggernaut clumsy to stop in time aloft the Teflon-like alley surface.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">After giving our brakes a absolute conditioning on the slopes we assuredly fabricated it to the Chinese border. Actuality our expectations of an arty aggressive presence, CCTV and bouncer dogs were dashed. Instead of the People’s Liberation Army we were greeted by a tracksuit-wearing adolescence who ushered us forward.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">Bemused, we pedalled to the community building. Inside, an English-speaking bouncer accustomed us to China and abreast us that, for our own safety, we would accept to yield a HGV to the boondocks of Wuqia (Ulugqat) area our passports would be stamped. Then we'd be chargeless to aeon anywhere in China (apart from Tibet, of course!)</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">The bikes were loaded, admitting our protests, into a HGV and Matt and I arranged into the cabs of two altered lorries.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">Cyclists and HGVs accomplish at adverse ends of the alley food-chain. The HGVs boss the alley and cyclists just accept to accord with that, we are accustomed enemies. This was axiomatic from the chill atmosphere in my truck.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">The driver, a beatnik anticipation by the debris accumulated top aloft the passenger's seat, resented my attendance and said nothing. I attempted to breach the ice with a scattering of Mandarin I'd accomplished but his connected adamant blackout assertive me that he did not apperceive the way to a auberge and I could not accept any noodles.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">The drive was four hours forth some of the roughest anchorage yet. Not that this dissuaded our drivers from attempting to ability 60mph at every opportunity. Riding in the cab was like demography a circuit in a tumble dryer.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">140 km after and we had our passports formed at Wuqia; apparently the world's longest bound crossing.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">Wuqia is in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Province, the better arena of China - about the aforementioned admeasurement as Iran. The citizenry is assorted but bedeviled by the Muslim Uyghurs and the Han, indigenous Chinese.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">The Uyghurs allege a Turkic accent absolutely altered from Mandarin. They are discriminated adjoin in employment. As a aftereffect over 90 per cent accept to scrape a active from the barren acreage and relations amid the two are poor; alone two canicule afore our accession into Kashgar, 12 humans were murdered in indigenous riots just south of the city.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">We begin Wuqia to be agnate to axial Asian towns we visited, except that the earlier Uyghur barrio stood alongside avant-garde Han appointment blocks. The government encourages clearing to these bound of their authority in adjustment to acclimatize the population.</P><br /><P style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT: medium 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">As we began the abbreviate ride to Kashgar we wondered if the course of Han had active the Uyghur ability as the bank of the all-inclusive Taklamakan arid had active abounding above Silk Alley cities, or if there remained a trace of the appreciative humans or spirit of the Silk Road.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-87897111599394560532012-05-25T00:39:00.001-07:002012-05-25T00:41:21.125-07:00How tourism can help tackle poaching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HdIQOxDPZZh_nM35Ewrs0HLSf8lCTk3Zs7JOGRJlYz_w_IOV491oK8pxGh0Me3xUW7jkzprWoYDTqFRIW1kQfvfrbi8KgDow6xswRroVb59adGVXRa6aEsGM4gMCaw2IFUzreu-515g/s1600/iancraig_2204764b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HdIQOxDPZZh_nM35Ewrs0HLSf8lCTk3Zs7JOGRJlYz_w_IOV491oK8pxGh0Me3xUW7jkzprWoYDTqFRIW1kQfvfrbi8KgDow6xswRroVb59adGVXRa6aEsGM4gMCaw2IFUzreu-515g/s400/iancraig_2204764b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I firmly believe that the one-off legal sale of 105,000 tons of ivory to the Far East in 2009 stimulated a demand that was previously not there. It had a catalytic effect from which the whole African continent is now suffering. <br />
There has been such progress here in changing people's views about wildlife and conservation. In 1990, when the ivory ban was introduced, African communities were not beneficiaries of tourism, but in northern Kenya this has radically changed, through the work of the Northern Rangelands Trust (an umbrella organisation that helps more than 60,000 pastoral farmers in Kenya derive an income from their environment), Tusk and other groups, as well as a radical shift in government policy led by the Kenya Wildlife Service. In the past week the Kenyan government, following the escalation of poaching in northern Kenya, has brought in all the chiefs in the areas most heavily affected to discuss how to apprehend the perpetrators of the poaching within their communities. This would never have happened 20 years ago. <br />
Tourism plays a huge role in persuading local people that there is a future in community-led conservation; there is now a series of lodges available to holidaymakers, run by local people, for local people, that are the equal of anything national parks can offer. <br />
These communities now realise that when an elephant is killed, they are losing an asset. It is becoming, in effect, a neighbourhood-watch scheme: local communities are on the lookout and will challenge their brothers. If welfare, education and employment are being jeopardised by the outside killing of an animal, they won't let it happen. <br />
Yet, despite all these efforts, poaching in northern Kenya last year was at its worst since NRT's records began in 2006. What angers me is not that it happens but why it happens. By and large, these poachers are not criminals, but opportunists. They are desperately poor; they see the enormous amount of money that can be obtained for horns and ivory on the black market, and they will risk anything to get it. <br />
Demand is fuelled by an ill-informed desire in the Far East for ivory trinkets and a culture in which rhino horns are believed to have healing properties. That is a myth. <br />
The current upsurge of elephant and rhino poaching is undermining new economic opportunities for communities, while eroding the national assets that form the backbone of Kenya's tourism-based economy. But this is now a global issue: everybody needs to fight this war; communities, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts are not enough. It is senior politicians that need to get involved. It is a fight that simply cannot be won in the villages, hills and plains of Africa. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-14326318124124048542012-04-27T07:43:00.002-07:002012-04-27T07:46:27.301-07:00London 2012 Olympics: hotel rates in the capital expected to fall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dN63C4cL_LQ-Cy5EkYsmZoyQQuXTNHB3jJEQfrSfkrtIzYoJyFGPNxkfZh8_sNiqLWpbSxsXTBH9gK9cR2-ujq8hHuSvX50c94-or3il_KHlV7xD6kh2LjJ8Lo0zav_ZBdB6I4LHzlE/s1600/london_2203870b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dN63C4cL_LQ-Cy5EkYsmZoyQQuXTNHB3jJEQfrSfkrtIzYoJyFGPNxkfZh8_sNiqLWpbSxsXTBH9gK9cR2-ujq8hHuSvX50c94-or3il_KHlV7xD6kh2LjJ8Lo0zav_ZBdB6I4LHzlE/s400/london_2203870b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>More than 8,000 rooms were surrendered by LOCOG in January, prompting a 25 per cent fall in average rates, and a further 12,000 are to go back on the market, according to the online travel agency Expedia. <br />
"A number of rooms have been released by LOCOG, so the average daily rate of a hotel room has been coming down," said Andy Washington, Expedia UK’s managing director. "It’s been around 8,000 since the start of the year but we expect another 12,000 to come soon." <br />
He said the average price of a room in London during the two-week Olympic period is currently £208 per night, down from £280 at the start of the year. <br />
"We have seen this rate drop by six per cent in the last two weeks alone," he added. <br />
Even without the additional batch, there doesn’t appear to be any shortage of hotel rooms in the capital. The Expedia websites lists around 4,000 that are currently available for each day of the Olympics. <br />
The cheapest hotel on offer through its website is The Euro Hotel, a one-star property in Harrow, where a room costs £45. The cheapest room in central London – found at the Generator Hostel, a two-star hostel in King's Cross – costs £84. <br />
The four-star Presidential Apartments in Kensington, where a room during the Olympics costs £750 a night, is the most expensive hotel with availability. <br />
Mr Washington also revealed that a large number of overseas visitors are shunning expensive flights into Heathrow and flying into Britain’s regional airports. Flight bookings into Manchester and Glasgow during the Olympic period have risen by 40 per cent compared with the same two weeks last year. <br />
"There are better flight prices, and people are then travelling down by train,” he said. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-77560185094521809922012-04-18T05:19:00.001-07:002012-04-18T05:22:40.997-07:00Wah! Wah! Girls at the Peacock Theatre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X9WCdF3_mJSU7T4TUfDqwUKuaXj7KNATI1jEo4xhqTTxYY5WaXLNNOkHZg19ZFDpbEUc3XkWYiJxE3jjRWdOWVhPKsclPsOG7fwFuw8uhJpo85hU3DBeZ7teQOZ7KzlOUNumykZWNMU/s1600/134402_2_preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X9WCdF3_mJSU7T4TUfDqwUKuaXj7KNATI1jEo4xhqTTxYY5WaXLNNOkHZg19ZFDpbEUc3XkWYiJxE3jjRWdOWVhPKsclPsOG7fwFuw8uhJpo85hU3DBeZ7teQOZ7KzlOUNumykZWNMU/s400/134402_2_preview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The world premiere of Wah! Wah! Girls, an exciting collaboration between Sadler's Wells, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Kneehigh, brings a vibrant new musical to the London stage.<br />
British Bollywood shines in this colourful musical from acclaimed playwright Tanika Gupta and director Emma Rice.<br />
Inspired by Mujra, a Mogul-era form of exotic dance that is still performed in India today, the Wah! Wah! Girls brings together an irresistible combination of British-Asian music and dance to tell a story about love against the odds in the East End.<br />
Those inspired by the musical can take advantage of free post-show Bollywood classes for ticket-holders on Tuesdays 5, 12 and 19 June.<br />
The Wah! Wah! Girls is part of the World Stages London Festival, a cross-cultural collaboration between leading playwrights and theatres in the capital.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-10967369179161561272012-03-04T01:03:00.002-08:002012-03-04T01:04:26.917-08:00E4 Udderbelly Festival 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIYhEDjVdS7j_cxvud09iM1gflyUdMc9tFWsIiEPpbM2imRlw_zeNgw27dEjCjPqqo2NcT2B390OM8kJpUC3tmYKcpdpodtXCFh4-vRUSdraAWBgQnq7vIUUcclh-azHNOJTH0N0r958/s1600/135143_2_preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIYhEDjVdS7j_cxvud09iM1gflyUdMc9tFWsIiEPpbM2imRlw_zeNgw27dEjCjPqqo2NcT2B390OM8kJpUC3tmYKcpdpodtXCFh4-vRUSdraAWBgQnq7vIUUcclh-azHNOJTH0N0r958/s400/135143_2_preview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Udderbelly returns to London's South Bank for a three month festival of stand-up comedy, cabaret, music and dance all staged in an inflatable purple cow.<br />
Back in London with its biggest line-up ever, the E4 Udderbelly Festival brings the best UK and international acts to London.<br />
Performances this year include <b>Tim Minchin</b>, <b>The Boy With Tape on His Face</b> and <b>The Vocal Orchestra</b>.<br />
The 410-capacity Udderbelly tent – in the shape of an upside-down purple cow – sits on the banks of the Thames between the London Eye and Royal Festival Hall. Don't miss fantastic shows at this unique venue.<br />
This year's Udderbelly shows range from comedy, to cabaret, to music, to physical theatre, to circus. Highlights include:<br />
<b>Tim Minchin</b> – the headlining and closing act of this year's festival, Minchin will perform in front of just 400 lucky people. 8 Jul<b>Andi Osho</b> – Mock The Week star and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Osho dissects the perils and pitfalls of dating. 29 May<b>Havana Rumba</b> – an unmissable night of Cuban dance and live music straight from Havana. 30 May-8 Ju<b>Friday Night Freakshow</b> – a showcase of the most dark, hysterical and bizarre cabaret acts around. Over 18s only. 27 Apr, 11 May, 22 Jun<br />
The Udderbelly Festival 2012 is part of the Southbank Centre's <b>London Wonderground</b> and <b>Festival of the World</b> programmes for summer 2012.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-79717064912277882592012-02-02T10:21:00.000-08:002012-02-02T10:21:00.062-08:00Disney on Ice: Princesses and Heroes at Wembley Arena Experience the magic of Disney on Ice at Wembley Arena.<br /><P>See some of your favourite Disney moments recreated live on ice in Princesses and Heroes.</P><br /><P>Enjoy magical scenes, each introduced by Tinker Bell the fairy, featuring eight Disney princesses including:</P>ArielBelleCinderellaRapunzelTianaJasmineAuroraSnow White<br /><P>The show includes breath-taking acrobatics, beautiful skating and stunning moments from much-loved Disney classics.</P><br /><P>Watch Sleeping Beauty's Prince Philip battle Maleficent as she turns into a fire-breathing dragon; cheer on Aladdin as he evades the palace guards; and go under the sea with Ariel and Prince Eric as they take on the evil Ursula.</P><br /><P>Don't miss this fantastic family show.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-90678545081355655892012-02-02T07:46:00.000-08:002012-02-02T07:46:00.320-08:00English National Ballet presents My First Sleeping Beauty<P>Introduce your children to the magical world of ballet at English National Ballet's My First Sleeping Beauty.</P><br /><P>This spring English National Ballet launches the My First… series of ballets for children, beginning with My First Sleeping Beauty.</P><br /><P>Created by award-winning choreographer Matthew Hart and performed by third year students from the English National Ballet School, the show is designed with young attention spans in mind.</P><br /><P>The dancers will wear the sumptuous costumes from the full adult production, but the story and choreography will be more approachable and fun.</P><br /><P>Children are welcome to dress up as a ballerina, an evil fairy or a prince, and they're encouraged to boo, cheer, laugh and even try some ballet moves for themselves.</P><br /><P>Tchaikovsky's musical score includes the tune made famous as Once upon a Dream in Disney's version of Sleeping Beauty.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-85611345240403538442012-02-02T05:14:00.000-08:002012-02-02T05:14:00.937-08:00The Duchess of Malfi at the Old Vic Eve Best stars in The Duchess of Malfi at the Old Vic this spring.<br /><P>Eve Best returns to The Old Vic this March, in John Webster's great Jacobean tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Jamie Lloyd.</P><br /><P>Best most recently played Beatrice to critical acclaim in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre's 2011 production of Much Ado About Nothing. The British actress won an Olivier Award in 2006 for her performance as Hedda Gabler at the Almeida Theatre.</P><br /><P>Her screen credits include the Duchess of Windsor in the Oscar-winning film The King's Speech and Dr Eleanor O'Hara in hit US TV drama Nurse Jackie.</P><br /><P>Best last appeared at the Old Vic in London opposite Kevin Spacey in A Moon for the Misbegotten in the 2006/2007 season.</P><br /><P>Webster's poetic masterpiece tells the dark and bloody story of a widowed Duchess who struggles to retain strength and dignity in the face of corruption and death.</P><br /><P>Set in the Italian Renaissance court of Amalfi, The Duchess of Malfi is the story of a recently widowed Duchess who acts against the wishes of her brothers and secretly marries her lover. </P><br /><P>Her marriage inspires a wave of cruel vengeance. Jealousy, madness and bloodshed surround her, but she retains a calm strength and dignity to the end.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-23494153471961733412012-02-02T02:31:00.000-08:002012-02-02T02:32:09.743-08:00Yayoi Kusama Wander through Yayoi Kusama's immersive installations at Tate Modern in London.<br /><P>One of Japan's best-known living artists, Yayoi Kusama's work spans more than six decades. This Tate Modern exhibition follows her career from early paintings of provincial Japan to the daring advances that followed.</P><br /><P>Kusama is known for her immersive artworks, and the exhibition features a series of rooms covered in hallucinatory polka dots, mirrors and more.</P><br /><P>Kusama was born in Matsumoto, Japan in 1929. She trained in traditional Japanese painting while also exploring the European and American avant-garde.</P><br /><P>After moving to the United States in the late 1950s, Kusama forged her own direction in sculpture and installation, adopting techniques of montage and soft sculpture, which influenced artists including Andy Warhol.</P><br /><P>In the 1960s Kusama moved from painting, sculpture and collage to installations, films and performances. In 1973 she returned to Japan, where she began a parallel career as a poet and novelist.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-45405657036351743352012-01-21T03:43:00.000-08:002012-01-21T03:43:00.728-08:00A Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre<P>Don't miss this new production of Shakespeare's glorious comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the perfect setting of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.</P><br /><P>Packed with humour, magic and fairies, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream remains a firm favourite among theatregoers.</P><br /><P>A quartet of lovelorn young people takes to the woods where they encounter a pair of quarrelsome fairies. A sprinkling of magic dust creates comic consequences, particularly when a troupe of travelling players, including the unfortunate Bottom, stumbles into the mix.</P><br /><P>The leafy environs of Regent's Park make the perfect setting for this tale of romance among the trees.</P><br /><P>For their new production of Shakespeare's enduring comedy, directors <B>Timothy Sheader</B> and <B>Liam Steel</B> will be sprinkling some of their own magic dust on the woods of Regent's Park. The pair previously collaborated on acclaimed productions of The Crucible and Into The Woods.</P><br /><P>A Midsummer Night's Dream plays in repertoire with the musical Ragtime, also directed by Sheader and Steel.</P><br /><P>Last year's hit production from the Open Air Theatre, Crazy For You, is currently on stage at the Novello Theatre in the West End.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-1295972967712707422012-01-21T00:57:00.000-08:002012-01-21T00:57:00.045-08:00Balletboyz: The Talent<P>The remarkable Balletboyz are back at Sadler's Wells in London.</P><br /><P><B>Michael Nunn</B> and <B>William Trevitt</B> formed Balletboyz in 2001. In 2011 they handpicked eight talented dancers from open auditions to star in an explosive feast of live dance.</P><br /><P>Now Adam, Anthony, Ed, Leon, Luke, Matt, Miguel and Taylor are back, performing this mixed programme of three works which premiered in 2011.</P><br /><P>The programme features:</P>Paul Roberts' haunting ensemble work <B>Alpha</B>Russell Maliphant's <B>Torsion</B>, a Balletboyz signature pieceThe return of <B>Void</B>, by Jarek Cemerek, who was selected by the boys to create this work for the company<br /><P>To book Balletboyz tickets online, simply click the green Book Now button.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-62190814713305690962012-01-20T22:57:00.000-08:002012-01-20T22:57:00.071-08:00Barclaycard Wireless Festival 2012 at Hyde Park<P>See Rihanna, Jessie J, Calvin Harris and Labyrinth at this year's Wireless Festival in Hyde Park.</P><br /><P>After her epic performances at The O2 last year, Rihanna returns to London to headline Wireless on Sunday. This is RiRi's only UK date in 2012, so don't miss it!</P><br /><P>Also on Sunday's line up are Jessie J, Calvin Harris and Labyrinth.</P><br /><P>The rest of the festival's line-up will be announced soon.</P><br /><P>Wireless Festival is a great day out. There are multiple stages where you'll see big name acts as well as up-and-coming artists.</P><br /><P>Add to that lots of food stalls and bars and you'll enjoy hours of musical fun in Hyde Park.</P><br /><P>Wireless tickets are selling fast. Book now to ensure you don't miss out.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-59311686601063433942012-01-20T20:10:00.000-08:002012-01-20T20:10:00.455-08:00British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A<P>In this Olympic year the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) celebrates the best of British art and design since London last held the Olympic Games, in 1948.</P><br /><P>Delving into the V&A’s unrivalled collections, this exciting new exhibition highlights significant moments in the history of British post-war design.</P><br /><P>British Design 1948-2012 brings together over 300 objects from the fields of fashion, ceramics, graphics, photography, sculpture, product design, architecture, furniture and fine art.</P><br /><P>The exhibition is split into three sections:</P><br /><P>The first explores the tension between modernity and tradition in three aspects of post-war British life: the city, the land and the home.</P><br /><P>It then moves on to examine the explosion of counter-culture from the late 1950s onwards, including pop, 70s punk and the creation of "Cool Britannia" in the 1990s.</P><br /><P>The final section demonstrates the innovation of British design, showing some of the iconic objects, technologies and buildings that have been created in Britain over the last 50 years.</P>Robin Day’s Polyprop chairA mural by John Piper from the Festival of BritainFine art by David Hockney and Henry MooreAn Alexander McQueen evening gownThe first E-type Jaguar car ever to be put on public displayA model of Zaha Hadid’s London Aquatics Centre in the London 2012 Olympic Park Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-57120319564546012322012-01-20T17:52:00.000-08:002012-01-20T17:52:00.852-08:00Diamond Jubilee Carriage Procession at St Paul's Cathedral<P>Take to the streets to watch The Queen's Diamond Jubilee carriage procession to St Paul's Cathedral.</P><br /><P>The Queen is the only monarch other than Queen Victoria to serve 60 years on the British throne. Londoners and visitors will celebrate this remarkable achievement during a four-day national holiday in June.</P><br /><P>As Queen Victoria did before her, Queen Elizabeth II will formally commemorate her 60-year reign with a Thanksgiving Service at St Paul's Cathedral. Watch as The Queen and members of the Royal Family travel to St Paul's in a formal carriage procession along the streets of London. </P><br /><P>The procession will arrive at Sir Christopher Wren's famous London landmark, St Paul's Cathedral, which has a tradition of hosting important royal events. The Queen has celebrated her jubilees and her 80th birthday at the Cathedral. It has also hosted several royal weddings, including the marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. </P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-63519065974749377192012-01-20T15:35:00.000-08:002012-01-20T15:35:00.846-08:00Hard Rock Calling 2012 at Hyde Park<P>Don't miss American legend Bruce Springsteen headlining this year's Hard Rock Calling festival at Hyde Park in London.</P><br /><P>After successfully headlining Hard Rock Calling in 2009, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band return this summer as headline act for the Saturday of the festival.</P><br /><P>Bruce Springsteen is the only confirmed act so far, with further line-up announcements soon.</P><br /><P>In previous years, Hard Rock Calling has featured some heavyweight musicians and bands, including:</P>Paul McCartneyStevie WonderPearl JamRod Stewart<br /><P>Tickets are on sale now for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band on Saturday 14 July. Book your Hard Rock Calling tickets securely by clicking on the green button above.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-5287402472782084712012-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:002012-01-20T13:00:05.502-08:00London Fashion Weekend<P>Following on from the prestigious London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend is a must for every dedicated follower of fashion.</P><br /><P>Attention style sirens: this February's Vodafone London Fashion Weekend promises to be every fashionista's dream event! </P><br /><P>Following London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend is held at the glamorous Somerset House.</P><br /><P>Come and experience a shopping mecca for the style-savvy, with some of Britain's hottest brands, hair and beauty labels and a range of cool pop-up bars and exclusive experiences. </P><br /><P>Make sure you're there to see the galleries of the spectacular neo-classical building transformed into an inspiring emporium of designer shopping, styling and beauty.</P><br /><P>Some of Britain's finest new talent is on show at London Fashion Week, alongside iconic and established labels. Designers include: </P>Jaegar LondonPringle of ScotlandLinda FarrowHolly FultonJames LongMaria Francesca PepaKat & BeeMelabelleLola Rose<br /><P>Want to emulate the celebrity fashion pack? London Fashion Weekend offers an exclusive chance to experience a trend-setting catwalk show and take in the spring/summer 2012 trends in the British Fashion Council Show Space.</P><br /><P>Other treats in store at Somerset House include:</P>The Vintage BoutiqueThe Cowshed Spa Toni & Guy Hair StylingLingerie Boutique by Rigby & PellerElizabeth Arden MakeoversThe Benefit Brow & Lash BarSomething for the boys!<br /><P>Simply click the green Book Now button to purchase tickets to this exclusive event through Visit London's secure online booking partner. </P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-13056632007738081262012-01-20T10:28:00.000-08:002012-01-20T10:28:00.397-08:00Luxury Camping at ZSL London Zoo<P>Spend a night in a luxury tent at London Zoo and wake up to the sounds of the animals with this very special package.</P><br /><P>The gorgeous tents at London Zoo accommodate up to two people, and include comfy beds, a bedside table, and a reading lamp plus all your bedding, linen and towels are provided. This is camping with a luxurious difference!</P><br /><P>During the evening, you'll enjoy mouth-watering food and fine wines while being entertained with exclusive animal and conservation talks, hosted by a wildlife expert. Each night will have a maximum of 20 guests.</P><br /><P>You'll then be taken on a torch-lit tour around the zoo, to find out what goes on when everyone else has left for the night. It's surprising to see who's still awake and actually more active at night than during the day.</P><br /><P>In the morning, you could be woken by a gibbon's call or the roar from a lion, before enjoying a full English breakfast!</P><br /><P>Afterwards you'll be taken on a morning tour to watch the animals waking up. You can then spend the rest of the day exploring the zoo. The zoo will store your luggage safely until you are ready to leave.</P><br /><P>Luxury camping at London Zoo is an experience that you'll remember forever... so book now! </P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-91048401601326855832012-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:002012-01-20T07:45:00.183-08:00Mayor of London Presents: A Summer Like No Other<P>This summer, the Mayor of London presents A Summer Like No Other, a fantastic series of free outdoor events to celebrate the London 2012 Games.</P><br /><P>London will host a huge outdoor arts festival to celebrate the London 2012 Games, with exciting free events taking place across the city.</P><br /><P>"We will welcome the world with thrilling events in every corner of the capital to create a summer like no other," said Mayor of London Boris Johnson.</P><br /><P>Local high streets, parks and outdoor spaces around London will come alive with amazing free performances by UK and international artists.</P><br /><P>Expect the unexpected as hidden gems in various London boroughs are transformed with performances, soundscapes and more.</P><br /><P>Look out for extraordinary pop-up events in Central London, which will surprise passers-by as leading artists and performers take to the streets.</P><br /><P>Some of London's best young musicians will be chosen to busk on the London Underground and in spaces around London, culminating in a live final in the summer.</P><br /><P>See the Olympic Flame as it passes through London with seven days of Torch Relays on the way to the Olympic Stadium for the start of the Games.</P><br /><P>Watch the triumphant Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes parade through the centre of London as they say thank you to Great Britain and celebrate competing in the Games.</P><br /><P>London will get a makeover this summer with London 2012 bunting, banners and more, bringing the colour of the Games to the city's streets.</P><br /><P>The Olympic rings and Paralympic agitos will appear on London icons such as Tower Bridge, and there'll be special projections onto the capital's famous buildings.</P><br /><P>Bridges along London's river Thames will light up with a dazzling display of colour during the evenings of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-78560623729094305522012-01-20T05:42:00.000-08:002012-01-20T05:42:00.184-08:00National Theatre Live<P>See major productions from London's National Theatre screened at a cinema near you, including the brilliant Comedy of Errors and She Stoops to Conquer.</P><br /><P>Now in its third year, the National Theatre is screening highlights from its current season at cinemas across London, the UK and internationally.</P><br /><P>Filmed and broadcast live, these fantastic screenings let you enjoy the wonder and excitement of award-winning National Theatre productions in some of London's most beautiful cinemas.</P><br /><P>Starring <B>Anthony Sher</B>, Travelling Light is an amusing and absorbing tribute to Hollywood's golden age and the Eastern European immigrants who helped it shine.</P><br /><P>Shakespeare's rambunctious comedy follows the confusion and hilarity when two sets of identical twins separated at birth collide in the same city. Starring <B>Lenny Henry</B> as Antipholus of Syracuse, Comedy of Errors has been a huge popular and critical success.</P><br /><P>A celebration of chaos, courtship and dysfunctional families, Goldsmith's masterpiece is one of the great comedies of the English language. She Stoops to Conquer has a brilliant ensemble cast featuring <B>Steve Pemberton</B> and Coronation Street's <B>Katherine Kelly</B>.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-81842170433970655582012-01-20T03:10:00.000-08:002012-01-20T03:10:01.532-08:00Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton at the V&A<P>London's Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) explores the back catalogue of Cecil Beaton, The Queen's favourite photographer for over 40 years.</P><br /><P>As part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the V&A shows highlights of Cecil Beaton's numerous photographs of the Royal Family.</P><br /><P>For over 40 years from 1939, Beaton (1904-1980) was a favoured royal photographer, capturing some of the most personal images of Queen Elizabeth II ever seen. He was chosen to take the first pictures of Prince Charles as a baby, and covered The Queen’s coronation in 1953. This exciting exhibition allows a glimpse into The Queen’s public and private life.</P><br /><P>See tender images of a young Princess Elizabeth with her sister and mother, and relaxing at home with her husband and young family. Contrast that with Beaton’s photos of the day she became Queen Elizabeth II, stately in her coronation robes.</P><br /><P>The V&A exhibition also includes some of Beaton's rarely seen photographs, as well as his personal scrapbooks and diaries.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-74353419944044803632012-01-20T00:48:00.000-08:002012-01-20T00:48:01.080-08:00Ragtime The Musical at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre<P>The award-winning Regent's Park Open Air Theatre aims for another musical hit with its new production of modern classic, Ragtime.</P><br /><P>Based on the 1975 novel by EL Doctorow, Ragtime is a powerful, tragic yet ultimately triumphant tale set at the turn of the 20th century. </P><br /><P>Ragtime centres on three American families separated by race and destiny: a well-to-do white family, an African American couple and an Eastern European father and daughter.</P><br /><P><B>Terrence McNally's</B> book, along with <B>Stephen Flaherty's</B> music and <B>Lynn Ahrens'</B> lyrics, poignantly highlight the enduring contradictions and disparities between these families: of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice.</P><br /><P>The story of Ragtime features a number of historical figures, including escapologist Harry Houdini, automobile boss Henry Ford and political leader Booker T Washington.</P><br /><P>This new production of Ragtime is in the safe hands of <B>Timothy Sheader</B>, Artistic Director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, and his regular collaborator <B>Liam Steel</B>. </P><br /><P>Sheader's previous productions of Into The Woods and Hello Dolly! won multiple Olivier Awards, while last year's musical at the venue, Crazy For You, transferred to the West End's Novello Theatre where it is currently playing. </P><br /><P>Ragtime plays in repertoire with A Midsummer Night's Dream, also directed by Sheader and Steel.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-80019172732572481732012-01-19T21:51:00.000-08:002012-01-19T21:51:00.766-08:00Royal River: Power, Pageantry and the Thames at the National Maritime Museum<P>Explore the Royal Family's relationship with London's greatest thoroughfare, the Thames, at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.</P><br /><P>As well as being The Queen's Diamond Jubilee year, 2012 sees the 75th birthday of the National Maritime Museum. Royal River celebrates them both by exploring the relationship between British monarchs and the River Thames throughout history.</P><br /><P>As long as London has existed, the Thames has been used by British royals to display their power, pomp and pageantry. Royal River exhibits over 350 paintings, manuscripts and rare objects which throw light on this history, some of them on loan from the Royal Collection.</P><br /><P>Royal River is curated by one of Britain’s leading historians, David Starkey. His work includes several best-selling history books and television documentaries about Britain's famous monarchs. Starkey has curated two previous exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum.</P><br /><P>Located in Greenwich Park, the venue for London 2012 equestrian and modern pentathlon events, the National Maritime Museum is perfectly placed to welcome Games visitors. Royal River remains open throughout the Olympic and Paralympic period.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-77756829313156859642012-01-19T19:48:00.000-08:002012-01-19T19:48:00.036-08:00The Big Egg Hunt presented by Fabergé<P>Search for designer eggs at Fabergé's record-breaking Easter egg hunt across London.</P><br /><P>Russian jeweller Fabergé is organising the world's largest Easter egg hunt across London.</P><br /><P>From 21 February, 200 fibreglass Easter eggs will appear throughout the capital.</P><br /><P>Many have been created by famous designers such as <B>Vivienne Westwood</B>, <B>Giles Deacon</B>, <B>Diane von Furstenburg</B> and <B>Zandra Rhodes</B>.</P><br /><P>You're invited to try and find the eggs before the Easter deadline on 8 April. Pick up a map or download an app and get searching!</P><br /><P>After the end of the hunt, the eggs will be auctioned off with proceeds going to two charities: Action for Children and Elephant Family.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415587892367749805.post-30722898382045804422012-01-19T16:55:00.000-08:002012-01-19T16:55:00.196-08:00The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons<P>A unique and traditional event celebrating The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in London and around the world.</P><br /><P>Not since Queen Victoria has a monarch spent 60 years on the British throne. To celebrate the remarkable achievement of Queen Elizabeth II, at least 2,012 beacons will be lit across Britain, the Commonwealth and around the world.</P><br /><P>Beacon-lighting has a long tradition in Britain, and has been used to celebrate royal weddings, jubilees and coronations. Once a communication tool, a beacon chain has become a symbol of unity, connecting cities, towns and villages across the UK.</P><br /><P>As with The Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees, a beacon-chain will once more be lit on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.</P><br /><P>Her Majesty The Queen will light the final beacon at approximately 10.30pm in Central London, broadcast on live television.</P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174997890201077810noreply@blogger.com