Australia's Gold Revolution

SOVREIGN Hill has announced that its new multi-sensory sound and light show Aura will officially open on February 8th, 2019. The new show, featuring state-of-the-art projections and detailed historical sets, will place the visitor right in the centre of the action, as stars explode in front of eyes, land is transformed by the gold rush, and the Eureka Rebellion comes to life as never before.

Designed by Accolade, the brains behind White Night and the Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies, together with Sovereign Hill’s own historical experts, Aura is the story of how gold revolutionised Australia, and will take guests of all ages on an adventure as they witness the creation and discovery of the world’s most precious metal. Be one of the first to experience how gold changes everything.

aurasovereignhill.com.au

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Amazing Thailand New Year Countdown Display

MORE than one and a half million people turned out in Bangkok to watch a spectacular, five-minute fireworks display that ran along the length of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River for more than 1,400 metres at midnight on 31st December 2018 as part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's "Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019" celebrations to mark the arrival of 2019.

The dazzling New Year countdown display, the largest of its kind ever organised in #Bangkok, lit up the sky along the river. It was viewed by locals and international visitors from riverside hotels and unique travel destinations. 



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

From literary classic to modern favourites

THE theme of Kendal Torchlight 2018 is ‘Books & Authors, from literary classics to more modern favourites. Kendal’s Torchlight Carnival is one of a kind to be held this year on September 14. 

Every year people line the streets to watch the procession, which involves local businesses, schools, organisations and clubs. From decorated floats and all manner of vehicles, to dancing troupes and marching musicians.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Summer of fun at Legoland Windsor

THE LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be hosting its first-ever 'Summer of Fun' event, set to thrill families throughout the school holidays. The two-month long event will invite guests to join an awesome Beach Party built just for kids, hosted at the resort's all-new 10m long sandy beach, with a host of beach activities for all the family to enjoy.

Plus, the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be unveiling its first-ever giant sand sculpture. The 20 tonne creation will be sure to wow guests, who can watch the sculptor in action (07 – 10 July) as he builds the spectacle, before the final creation is revealed on 11 July.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Only in LA . . .

THE Museum of Selfies (Glendale) – Open for a limited time in Los Angeles, The Museum of Selfies is an interactive museum that explores the history and cultural phenomenon of the selfie - an image of oneself taken by oneself - with historical roots dating back 40,000 years to the first depiction of human art. 

From cavemen drawings to a "Narcissist" installation to a vertigo-inducing rooftop selfie illusion, the museum touches on a variety of points in human history that examines the intention of the selfie and what it means to the artist and its viewers. The interactive exhibit will allow visitors to create art of their own through the lens of history, art, and immersive vignettes. 

The exhibition will be open for a limited run from April 1 – May 31, 2018. 

www.themuseumofselfies.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Contrasts of classic and contemporary

FEW historic houses can offer wonderful vistas, ancient woodlands, peaceful sounds of wildlife and at the same time be a vibrant centre for contemporary art.  A paradise of art and nature, Brantwood in the #LakeDistrict has all the above and more.

Each year the former home of one the great visionaries of the 19th Century, John Ruskin, hosts artists and craftmakers who develop special exhibitions and new displays inspired by the very spirit of Brantwood.

The first of 2018 is Fair and Foul, Jill Rock’s interactive exhibition of 'vegetative grotesques' which takes its name from Ruskin's book Fiction Fair and Foul.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Shining a light on Uluru

ARTIST Bruce Munro’s immersive installation, Field of Light Uluru has been extended for a further period and will now remain in place until 31 December 2020. The award-winning exhibition, located at #AyersRock Resort in the spiritual heart of #Australia, opened on 1 April 2016 to critical acclaim, and has since exceeded all expectations proving to be a stand-out drawcard to the destination.

The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara, is Munro’s largest work to date, with more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of nine football fields. It is also the artist’s first work to be illuminated entirely through solar power. The spheres, connected via illuminated optical fibre, bloom as darkness falls. Pathways draw viewers into the artwork, which comes to life under a sky brilliant with stars.

The award-winning exhibition has received extensive media attention during its two seasons, significantly featuring in 2017’s Qantas Safety Video with over 90 million views worldwide.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Pintrest

New museum opens at Ammunition Hill, Jerusalem

A new museum has been inaugurated at Ammunition Hill, Jerusalem, presenting insight from the Six-Day War, Battle of Jerusalem, in 1967. This includes information about the Israeli Air Force, the Jerusalem Brigade, the Harel Brigade and the Paratroopers Brigade who took major parts in the war. 

The museum covers the events surrounding the battle depicted through personal accounts both from local Israelis and visitors from abroad. The displays include items from the battle, such as illustrations by fighters, the prayer book of Rabbi Goren and other personal objects as well as 40 multimedia projector displays, showing animation films, music and a new of performance of the song ‘Jerusalem of Gold.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Hong Kong Arts Month

HONG KONG'S flourishing arts scene comes alive in March and adds a unique edge to the shimmering city with an inspirational spectrum of events. From opera to ballet or art installations to seminars, there’s something to suit all tastes March 1-31.

Art Basel is an international art fair with three shows staged annually in Basel, Switzerland; Miami Beach, Florida; and Hong Kong. Each show is organised into sectors which showcase contemporary artworks by established and newly emerging artists. The 2018 edition will feature 248 premier galleries from 32 countries and territories. Underlining Art Basel’s commitment to the region, half of the participating galleries once again have exhibition spaces in Asia and Asia-Pacific. The show provides an in-depth overview of the region’s diversity through both historical material and cutting-edge works by established and emerging artists. March 29-31

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Ice Architecture in China

HEILONGJIANG, #China borders Siberian Russia and in the two coldest months of the year January and February sees the most fantastic carvings made out of ice. Set in Harbin’s coldest months, Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival features breathtaking temporary works of art, all created with ice by hand or laser. 

Between the four primary parks and amusement zones, there are a few thousand pieces, not to mention all the ice architecture created throughout the city for the winter. This festival is a must-see for families and gives a whole new meaning to the name Winter Wonderland.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Australian art comes to Tate Modern

WORKS by renowned Australian artists Gordon Bennett and Susan Norrie have gone on display at Tate Modern for the first time. They are among ten works of art which have now been jointly acquired by Tate and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in Sydney. The partnership, launched in 2015, is made possible through a $2.75 million corporate gift from Qantas and enables both museums to expand their collections each year, bringing the work of Australian artists to new global audiences.

Visitors to Tate Modern can find the works by Gordon Bennett and Susan Norrie on Level 2 of the Boiler House as part of the ‘Artist and Society’ display. This free collection display explores how artists respond to political contexts, raise awareness of social issues and argue for change in the world.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Face your fears at the Natural History Museum this Autumn

EXPLORE the visceral fear and ever-lasting fascination that venom evokes, in the Natural History Museum’s new autumn exhibition, Venom: Killer and Cure.

Opening on November 10, this groundbreaking exhibition will explore venom as the ultimate weapon found in nature occurring throughout the animal kingdom. Unlock the mysteries and the diversity of its world, as we explore how across cultures and time humans have attempted to harness and neutralise this terrible power, approaching it with both fear and fascination.

Venom will take visitors on a journey through the eyes of both predator and prey, exploring the effects caused by venomous attacks and the attempt to scientifically measure the power that venom holds. It will reveal the different biological roles that venom plays - from predation to mating, discuss the development of anti-venom, as well as ranking these venomous animals and the pain they inflict.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: amdubois01 138578145@N04/37026375252 Pacific Coast Parrotsnake via photopin

Lighting up the night sky

FOR the 29th year, the night’s sky over Macao will light up as the Asian city celebrates its prestigious International Fireworks Display Contest. 

As in previous years, the 2017 contest – adjacent to the 338-metre high Macau Tower – will be held each Saturday evening in September (2,9,16 and 23) with the fiery grand finale on Saturday, October 1. 

Other countries to compete for the annual crown are Austria, UK, France, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, Portugal and China.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: pintrest

Discover Tasmania Discover Dark Mofo

MONA, the Museum of Old and New #Art in #Tasmania holds an annual winter festival, Dark Mofo which first arrived on the scene in 2013. The #festival aims to connect old winter solstice rituals whilst exploring the links with modern day mythology, celebrating dark through large-scale public art, food, film, music, light and noise.

Taking place from June 8-21 across Hobart, on Tasmania, with major exhibitions at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), a public art playground at Dark Park, international musicians and artists performing around the city.

The celebrations include the City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast on Hobart's waterside docks, the ogoh-ogoh parade and burning on the solstice night, and the annual Nude Solstice Swim in the River Derwent at sunrise to welcome back the return of the light after the longest night.

Much controversy is surrounding this years event in particular the planned killing of a bull in the Hermann Nitsch 150.Action which is scheduled for Saturday June 17. Nitsch has been a part of the Vienesse Actionist movement for over 50 years and is a highly respected international artist.

A number of events are free including the Hermann Nitsch 150.Action but they do require prior registration.

darkmofo.net.au

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Pintrest

Light up the sky in Malta

THE 16th Malta International Fireworks Festival is organised by the Ministry for Tourism and the #Malta Tourism Authority. 

This years annual event takes place between Saturday April 22 and Sunday April 30 in three different locations around the Maltese Islands, namely Xagħra (Gozo), Marsaxlokk and the grand finale in Valletta's Grand Harbour.

The festival includes #fireworks displays designed by foreign pyrotechnic companies as well as some of the best local fireworks factories. The displays can be enjoyed by all free of charge. 

www.maltafireworksfestival.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Discover Dolphins

SEAWORLD Orlando’s Dolphin Nursery will become more interactive in 2017, giving guests the opportunity to get up close to mother and baby dolphins in all new ways. 

Large-scale acrylic windows will offer up close viewing, including multiple levels to give kids a face-to-face perspective with dolphin calves. New slide out areas and lifting floor will also allow for easier access to mom and baby for the veterinary and animal care teams.

The next generation of multi-purpose digital displays will allow SeaWorld educators to share information about dolphin behavior, biology and conservation with our guests by interacting with video from the team’s educational and animal care content.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Traveller-Reini flickr.com/photos/129472585@N03/15932294968 Bottlenose Dolphin, Sea World Orlando via photopin.com

Magnificant Minerals at the Museum

ONE of the world’s most colourful and flawless large gemstones, the Ostro stone, will go on permanent show in the British Natural History Museum’s Minerals gallery from October 19.

The gemstone weighs in at an impressive 9,381 carats - around 2 kilograms, similar in weight to two bags of sugar. It is the first large cut topaz of its kind to go on display at the Museum and will go on show alongside specimens from one of the world’s most important mineral collections.

The Ostro stone will be available for the public to view at the Museum through a long term loan from philanthropist Maurice Ostro OBE. It has been in the family vaults for three decades since it was discovered in its natural form by his father gemstone pioneer Max Ostro in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is 15 centimetres in length, 10.5 centimetres wide and its vivid blue colour is exceptional as the various treatment procedures are commonly used for such stones and rarely result in such an intense blue.

Mike Rumsey, Senior Curator of the Minerals Collection at the Natural History Museum says:

"This stone is an excellent example of how as humans, we have crafted beautiful and desirable objects from the natural mineral specimens we find around us, like those that we preserve in the collections at Museum. It will be on display alongside some of our world leading collection of minerals and gems, which is studied by scientists here to find new sources of minerals, gemstones and metals."

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Andi Campbell-Jones 91333108@N02/15966811838 British Natural History Museum via photopin.com

Art at Kew

FLORA JAPONICA a new exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew opened in September and runs until March 5, 2017.

Featuring intricate and detailed botanical paintings by 35 of Japan's best contemporary artists will fill The Shirley Sherwood Gallery,.These stunning watercolours have been painted from specimens collected all over Japan, as well as a couple of works which have been painted from specimens collected within Kew Gardens. Also on display will be works never before seen outside Japan, including historic drawings and paintings by some of Japan’s most revered botanists and artists, such as Dr Tomitaro Makino (1863 – 1957), Sessai Hattori and Chikusai Kato (Edo period artists).

After Flora Japonica comes to an end in March 2017 it will move to the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo (September 12 to December 3, 2017), and Tokyo University Museum. Kew Gardens is also delighted to announce that The Japanese Embassy in London will hold a small satellite display of Flora Japonica this autumn (October 24 to November 30) highlighting the lasting relationship between Kew Gardens and Japan.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: 55Laney69 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42875184@N08/6203616740">Maple</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

Dinosaurs at Horniman

DISCOVER dinosaurs in a family focused interactive environment at Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, #London.

The temporary exhibition Dinosaurs: Monster Families ends on October 30 and shows how dinosaurs looked after their families, you can view a near-complete skeleton of a dinosaur hatchling and enjoy the interactive stations.

The Horniman Museum has been open since Victorian times, when Frederick John Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to visitors. Since then the collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as an acclaimed aquarium and natural history collection has grown significantly.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: 35034353562@N01/16662437686 Horniman interior via photopin.com