Adventure to expand your horizons
By Michele Peterson
New in Nevis
Nevis, the tiny sister island to St. Kitts in the West Indies, has remained relatively untouched by mass tourism but is fast drawing attention due to “Hamilton” the smash Broadway hit.The musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the most influential of the Founding Fathers of the United States.Today, visitors to Nevis can explore special exhibits at Hamilton’s childhood home (now a museum), enjoy afternoon tea in restored plantation estates, and stroll among 18th and 19th century Georgian-style buildings in the capital of Charlestown. Of special interest is the scheduled return of horseracing at Indian Castle racetrack this winter.With its grandstand offering views of palm trees, coastline and the distant island of Montserrat, the home of Nevis Turf and Jockey Club offers plenty of racing excitement. www.Nevisisland.com
Melia Hotels celebrates 60th anniversary
For its 60th year of operations in 2016, Melia Hotels International is launching 25 new hotels in 15 different countries on four continents, adding more than 6,000 rooms to its portfolio. Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and now a world leader with seven brands such as Gran Melia, ME by Melia, Sol Hotels and Paradisus Resorts present in 40 countries, the company continues to solidify its position at the industry’s forefront by revitalizing its mature properties, creating innovative new concepts such as city hotels catering to business and leisure travellers as well as expanding into new countries such as Iran and Mongolia. Register for MeliaRewards online and earn valuable travel points when you book a stay. www.melia.com
Visitors’ terrace at Frankfurt Airport reopens
A popular attraction in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main Region is once again available for tourists and local residents to enjoy.Having received a thorough facelift in recent months, The Visitors’ Terrace at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) offers thrilling views of aircraft landing and taking off, and the bustling activity at one of the world’s foremost aviation hubs.The Visitors’Terrace can accommodate up to 800 guests and includes a modern reception area, comfortable seating and a new stainless steel mesh fence with apertures for taking pictures.A day-pass costs three euros per person, with children younger than four and disabled persons with proof of status and an authorized escort, being admitted free. www.Frankfurt-airport.de
Celebrate Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic voyage
Admirers of Ernest Shackleton will want to join Aurora Expeditions, the polar cruising experts, for a special centenary expedition honoring the renowned explorer who led his team to safety after they were stranded in Antarctica for more than a year. Departing London in August 1914, the sea captain and his crew battled deprivation and the elements before reaching Stromness Whaling Station in May 1916. Months later, Shackleton made the legendary rescue of his remaining men from desolate Elephant Island. Aurora Expeditions’ final In Shackleton’s Footsteps voyage will take place in March 2017, enabling history buffs to experience Antarctica from the explorer’s perspective, walking the final leg of the Shackleton expedition from Fortuna Bay to Stromness, South Georgia, one of the world’s most remote wilderness regions, home to elephant seals, penguins and albatross. This epic 18-day trip is a journey of discovery. www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk
Vantage launches soft adventure tours
Well known for its river cruise offerings,Vantage Deluxe World Travel has launched a new collection of soft adventure tours aimed at active, older adults.With more than 20 land excursions and small ship journeys to choose from, the carefully curated tours offer insider access to local experiences. For example, participants might enjoy cultural perspectives in India or Cuba, or focus on food and wine in Australia and New Zealand. Adventure Connections connect participants to local people with activities such as home-hosted meals, village and school visits, lectures, concerts, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and more. Flexible itineraries allow guests to travel at their own pace and budget. www.vantageadventures.com n
Michele Peterson is a Toronto-based travel journalist.
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