A Bird in the Hand
I know why the caged bird sings. It’s because she wants to be fed. And now she descends upon me, wings spread, talons outstretched. She lands gracefully on my gloved hand and nips quickly at the bit of meat that lured her to perch on my arm. Her weightlessness and strong grip are both startling; the effect is like attaching a balloon to your arm using a binder clip.
Her name is Miss Piggy, and she is a Harris hawk at the British School of Falconry in Manchester, Vt., one of only a couple of places in the United States that teaches falconry. Manchester, located between Albany, N.Y., Rutland, Vt., and Manchester, N.H. (and a lovely drive through New England greenery from both Burlington, Vt., and Boston), is also home to the Equinox, a resort and spa that offers a variety of packages in conjunction with the school.
Dawn Kelly, one of the instructors, goes over the falconry gear — a glove worn by the handler and a bell, band, and leash worn by the bird. “All these things, except for the band, have been more or less the same over the 3,000 or 4,000 years that falconry has been practiced,” she says. “It started in the Far East — China and Mongolia — moved to the Middle East, and then during the Crusades it was brought to Europe, where it became a sport of kings. But originally it was a way of putting food on the table.”
The school boasts 15 birds of prey, including Miss Piggy, who could care less about her handler so long as there’s a morsel in it for her. The birds are motivated by food, so the school constantly manages their weight to compel them to hunt. Lessons are offered year-round, and group programs, which make for a unique business retreat, are available. Summer activities at the school include Hawk Walks through the area’s woodlands and hunting expeditions accompanied by a bird dog.
On the hunts, the birds do most of the work, but the Equinox provides plenty of rewards for handlers after a day of flushing out game and beating the bush. Breakfast in the Colonnade is great for fueling the hunt, and the dinner options in the Marsh Tavern match fine New England cuisine with decor reminiscent of the Green Mountain Boys. It’s an experience almost as engaging as the Equinox’s Spa, which offers everything from a fitness center and indoor heated pool to saunas, steam baths, and massage treatments. You deserve all this pampering; after all, you’re participating in the sport of kings.
— John Patrick Pullen
(Unheard Of)
Star of the Sea
Twenty-eight miles off the coast of Bristol, England, the Isles of Scilly comprise an archipelago of 100 tiny islands. Reachable by sea plane or ferry, the biggest island, St. Mary’s, offers visitors nine miles of narrow roads and trails, along with treasures like puffin sightings and the chance to snorkel with seals. Sandy beaches, pubs, cafés, shops, and a church illuminated by candlelight line the Old Town Bay. Perhaps the island’s best-kept secret is the Star Castle Hotel. Built in the 16th century, the structure is in the shape of an eight-pointed star and includes a lighthouse and two restaurants, along with four surrounding acres of private gardens. star-castle.co.uk — Erin La Rosa
Berlin
Chew Down That Wall
In the years when the infamous wall separated the western and eastern sides of Berlin, Germans still knew where to find the city’s sweet center. From a gold-rimmed shop in the historic Gendarmenmarkt, confectioners Fassbender & Rausch make delectable chocolate scale models of local landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building that are as intricate as their inspirations — and infinitely more savory. The secret ingredient in all the store’s intoxicating creations — from the exquisite assortment of truffles to the exotic pralines and creamy bars — is a rich imagination. Last September, they brought their renowned specialties to dinner, opening Europe’s first fine chocolate restaurant, serving a variety of sumptuous cocoa-infused entrées. Just be sure to save room for dessert. fassbender-rausch.com — Owen Baker
Tampa
Clockworks and Oranges
Time melts when you’re viewing art. This year the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla., 22 miles southeast of Tampa, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a series of exhibits showcasing some of the more than 2,100 pieces in what has become the most comprehensive collection of works by the flamboyant surrealist outside of his native Spain. The museum’s spacious galleries display a wide range of Dalí’s output, including witty, sometimes grotesque, but always thought-provoking works from his surrealist period, like his famous melting clocks and “living” still lifes. The artwork is supplemented by special events like concerts, Family Fun Saturdays, breakfast tours for young kids, and morning Coffee with a Curator sessions. 727.823.3767; salvadordalimuseum.org — Roger Cox
Anchorage
A Room with a View
From fresh air to fresh seafood, the Millennium Alaskan Hotel is in sync with the outdoors. How much so? It even has its own floating plane dock and can arrange air excursions to Mount McKinley or the Chugach Mountains, or to a glacier for one-of-a-kind views of the landscape and native wildlife. For some more grounded activities, downtown Anchorage is only a 10-minute drive away. But for an aeronautical experience, check out the hotel’s Flying Machine Restaurant, which serves up spectacular vistas along with fresh Alaskan seafood and homemade ice cream. millenniumhotels.com — Tami Swartz
Loreto
Fish Story
The fish have the anglers far outnumbered in Loreto, Mexico, in Baja California Sur. Of course, they have the advantage of living in the Gulf of California, dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau. Snorkelers get an eyeful in these waters, home to 891 fish species and 39 percent of the world’s marine mammal species. For landlubbers, there’s climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. The Sierra la Giganta beckons, and the caves of Sierra de San Francisco, a Unesco World Heritage site, house some impressive ancient rock paintings worth exploring as well. In addition, the colonial missions of San Javier and Nuestra Señora de Loreto are also open to visitors. — Randy B. Hecht
Marsh Harbour
Grand Days Out
More than 700 islands make up the Caribbean nation of the Bahamas, and the best way to see them all is by boat. Anchor yourself at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour in Marsh Harbour. If you don’t have a yacht to mingle with the 190 other boats in the Bahamas’ largest marina, the resort will rent you a decent-sized motorboat so you can zip off to Guana Cay, Hope Town, or any of the other destinations in the Out Islands. And when your day of exploring is through, the hotel’s AAA Diamond–rated restaurant, Angler’s, will refuel you for the next day’s outing. Just don’t forget your life preserver. abacoresort.com — Martin Lieberman
Boston
City Cognoscenti
Often, by the time a traveler finally gets comfortable in a new city, it’s time to leave. But InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is putting a lot of effort into changing that — and its 424-room property in Boston, which opened last fall, gets the job done. Located on the waterfront, directly across from the site of the Boston Tea Party, the stunning mirrored glass structure houses innumerable amenities — from Boston’s first 24-hour restaurant to one of the city’s most comprehensive hotel spas. But it’s InterContinental’s new concierge program that will really help visitors feel at home. Before arriving, guests can view Digital Destination Tours of Boston (and currently 10 other InterContinental cities) to acquaint themselves with the surroundings. The result? A line of hotels that puts you in a room and in the know. intercontinentalboston.com — J.P.P.
Tokyo
Plugged In
Tokyo is known for high-tech innovation, so it’s no surprise that the city’s next hotel, the Peninsula Tokyo, will push the envelope when it comes to modern conveniences. Opening in September, the Peninsula offers guests a variety of digital amenities like mobile phones; a video-on-demand system in each room with information on train schedules, directions, and local cultural attractions; and a bedside panel that allows guests to adjust room conditions. Plasma televisions deliver hi-def entertainment along with a 5.1 speaker system, and the suites’ marble bathrooms are equipped with TV, radio, and hands-free phone capabilities to keep guests connected. The perks even extend to the dressing room, where a display screen streams the latest weather information. The hotel began taking reservations this spring via its Web site. peninsula.com/tokyo.html — O.B.
Orlando
The Right Stuff
You don’t need a degree in astrophysics to participate in the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, about 65 miles south of Daytona Beach and 45 miles east of Orlando. The daylong interactive program lets visitors take a simulated space flight in a twirling multi-axis trainer and enjoy the illusion of walking on the moon in a one-sixth gravity chair. It also includes a briefing by a member of the astronaut corps and the chance to tour rarely seen areas of the Space Center. It culminates with a space shuttle “mission,” as each crew member executes his or her assigned role in the full-scale shuttle mock-up or the realistically outfitted mission control room. Two-day family programs are also available, and reservations are required. kennedyspacecenter.com — R.C.
Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go Explore” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your vacation, contact Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.
