The Wauwinet, White Elephant

Celebrate Nantucket Island’s rich literary past, present, and future at the island’s first Nantucket Book Festival, June 15 – 17. The weekend’s celebration will include panel discussions, readings for adults and children, pig roast at Cisco Brewery, and opportunities to meet notable authors in person, plus much more.

A handful of local Nantucket authors will be participating including Elin Handbrand, whose books are ideal beach reads, Nancy Thayer, author of 21 novels with her latest Heat Wave due out in June, and Nathaniel Philbrick, New York Times bestselling author of seagoing books.

Stroll down Broad Street and pop into Nantucket Bookworms to buy a book for your literary-themed weekend. (May we suggest Moby Dick?). Rest your head at The Wauwinet or at the White Elephant, both which offer cozy libraries – perfect for leafing through your new book, with a complimentary glass of port of sherry in hand.

To book overnight accommodations, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com.

For more information about the Nantucket Book Festival, click here.

Crystal Cruises is surely doing their part to help make the world a better place. It all started in January 2011, when they introduced the “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program where guests and crew can be directly involved in worthwhile causes in the destinations they visit, including opportunities such as assisting with poverty relief, education, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and more. In May, Arun Gandhi joins guests aboard Crystal Symphony for a Iberian Peninsula sailing.

Few names in world history evoke such powerful images of integrity, courage, social harmony, and – perhaps most of all – hope. Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace-maker and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi. A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities, and corporate and civic organizations. His unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world. Arun is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history’s most influential leaders.

From May 9 – 21, 2012, join Gandhi aboard Crystal Symphony’s  ”Iberian Journey“ sailing from Barcelona to London, with calls in Mallorca/Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and Málaga, Spain; Tangiers, Morocco; Lisbon and Oporto/Leixoes, Portugal; and Bordeaux, France. You too can help make the world a better place!

January to April, 2012 dates are:

January – 1/19-21

February – 2/2-4; 2/9-11; 2/16-18; and 2/23-25

March – 3/1-3; 3/8-10; 3/15-17; 3/22-25; and 3/29-31

April – 4/5-7; 4/12-14; 4/19-21; and 4/26-28

So jump on the bandwagon, and find out for yourself why everyone is talking about Santa Fe!

To see if your favorite U.S. hotel made the list, click here!

Lucky fans will get the thrill of their lives upon meeting the “Queen of Suspense” herself,  author Mary Higgins Clark, on Crystal Cruises’ “Beyond the Bosporus” sailing  from Venice to Istanbul September 7 – 19.

Known for keeping readers on the edges of their seats, Clark will share tales of her life, her novels, and what it takes to make the suspense come to life.

Two-for-one fares start at just $7,485, and guests can save on verandah and penthouse staterooms as part of Crystal’s big fall fare sale. All bookings include air transportation from 24 North American cities and $2,000 “As You Wish” shipboard credit per couple.

Is the suspense killing you? Book today for the thrill of a lifetime!

Little (and big) Francophiles don’t have to stop learning this summer just because the school year is over. The charming Pavillon de la Reine, set in the heart of Paris’ Marais, is offering a new getaway package that includes daily French lessons.

Dormir (Sleep): The impossibly chic Pavillon de la Reine is the only hotel located on the historic Place des Vosges. Originally built in the 1600s as part of the Place Royale by King Henry IV, each of the 54 individually designed rooms are a brilliant combination of antique pieces and sleek contemporary design – cozy yet stylish, sophisticated but comfortable.

Apprendre (Learn): Enjoy 20 minutes of fun and engaging daily French instruction, as well as a French-English dictionary, so one can expertly declare, “je voudrais un croissant” or ask, “où est Le Louvre?”

Jouer (Play): The beloved ivy-clad hotel is steps away from the three-Michelin-starred Ambrosie restaurant, and close to such landmarks as the Pompidou, the Picasso Museum, and Notre Dame. Pavillon de la Reine is ideal for those who love the life and activity of the Marais – not to mention the amazing cafés and boutiques in the neighborhood – perfect for that caffeine boost before a day of shopping in Paris’ oldest designed square in the city.

Rates start at €350 including accommodations, French lessons, dictionary, breakfast and private parking. The package is available July 15-August 15, 2011 and can be booked by calling 33(0)1 40 29 19 19 or visiting www.pavillondelareine.com.

Crystal Cruises ahora ofrece su entera 2011 formación de crucero (211-pages) como un Atlas lleno del español-Idioma. If you can read that sentence, it’s all you need to know…. If not, we wanted to share that Crystal Cruises is now offering its complete 2011 cruise atlas in Spanish. Crystal is the only luxury line to publish a full atlas in Spanish and they hopesto start a trend!

Crystal noticed a growing interest from 23 primarily Spanish-speaking countries, and hopes the new atlases will make it easier for native Spanish tongues to understand all of the details within a Crystal itinerary. Crystal prides itself on being the ultimate service-oriented cruise line– and the new publication extends its service to the millions of Spanish-speaking travelers worldwide.

sitka.net

Just in case you still need another reason to consider a Crystal Symphony sailing to Alaska this summer, how does helping rebuild the state’s famous salmon population sound? As part of the line’s You Care, We Care program, interested guests will visit the Sitka Sound Science Center and help with the operation and/or maintenance of the salmon hatchery or marine-life exhibits. The hatchery is the only of its kind in Alaska and provides training for hatchery professionals and releases up to 2.5 million fish, including four species of salmon each year. (The grizzlies will appreciate the efforts too!)

Nature lovers of all ages are invited to explore the wildlife found in the Himalayas this Saturday through the paintings, sculptures, and other objects on display at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York. After seeing all the species which call the diverse terrain home, guests are welcomed to sculpt their favorite animal of the day as part of a collaborative installation.

Want a preview?  Sikkim is home to the endangered red panda, snow partridge, Himalayan cuckoo, snow and clouded leopards, and over 650 species of butterflies, while Ladakh has native populations of red fox, ibex, snow leopard, Tibetan gazelle, and Chiru antelope.  Kumaon is within the Corbett National Park and the natural protected habitat of the snow leopard, blue sheep, and mountain goats. Shakti can arrange walks through each of these areas for the best chance of spotting these animals in their natural habitat.

Food for thought, the likelihood of seeing the peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain, is the same as seeing a tiger in the jungle… about 70 percent.

Send home a postcard that is likely to stay on the fridge for months to come (not because of the clever picture or, sorry, your stories!). Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is offering a calligraphy workshop led by Khaled Al Saai April 7-9 with lessons in theory, history, and practical application. To avoid writer’s cramp, participants will also be given plenty of free time to enjoy the Abu Dhabi resort’s spa and hammam, desert activities, and dining facilities. Now that’s something to write home about!

The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City is inviting families to create their own Himalayan towns and stupas this Saturday with clay, fabric, and mixed media. The museum will provide photographs of Himalayan villages, tents, temples, and stupas, but then it’s all up to the imagination! Get those creative juices flowing!

Or make the picture a reality on a family trip with Shakti.  Customize an itinerary based on your families interests in three distinct regions of India’s North: Kuamaon in Uttarakhand; the tiny state of Sikkim, and Ladakh, in Jammu-Kashmir.  Ideal for active and engaging family travel, guides will lead travelers on daily walks and exploration of temples and monasteries.  In Ladakh, adventurous types can try their hand at rafting down the Indus River, camping out under the stars, or riding an indigenious Bactrian camel through the Nubra. You might need a few more supplies, but we’re certain the personal treks will leave all ages inspired.