Dine in the world’s highest restaurant, become a secret agent for a day or live like a lord for a week in your own stately home. These are just some of the options on offer for 2011. This year will see the launch of new cruise ships and airline routes and the opening of theme parks, museums and gardens.
The sky-high restaurant, Atmosphere, a nerve-jangling 400m up on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, opens this month, as will the first gay resort, the Royal Palms in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which has its own spa.
Children will be in for a treat with new theme parks and rides in the US, the UK and Europe.
Legoland Florida (www.legoland floridaresort.com) opens in Orlando next October, and is geared to youngsters aged two to 12.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (www.buschgardens.com) has a new attraction from May combining up-close encounters with animals and a high-speed coaster. Cheetah Hunt launches riders up to 96kph in a matter of seconds as you race at the pace of nature’s fastest land animal. The record-breaking three-and-a-half-minute sprint takes you through the African landscape with twists, turns and vertical plunges into the abyss.
Disneyland Paris will stage its first Spy Camp (www.spy-games.com) on October 8. Budding James Bonds can put their skills to the test in a series of challenges ranging from code-breaking to a combat zone.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Disney Dream, Disney’s latest ship, sets sail from Fort Lauderdale this month (go to www.disneycruise.com). Mickey Mouse and his friends will be on board and the new AquaDuck ride will give children a thrill as it combines the ups and downs of a rollercoaster with the twists and turns of a water slide. Magic portholes on inside cabins will give real-time views outside the ship.
In the UK, the 2ha Nickelodeon Land (www.nickelodeonland.co.uk) will open in Blackpool in April, featuring SpongeBob’s Splash Back - guaranteed to give you a soaking - and Rugrats Lost River, a rollicking flume ride. The first 5D ride will be unleashed at the London Dungeon (www.thedungeons.com) in the (northern) spring in the form of a terrifying laser game in which participants take on an army of supernatural forces.
Meanwhile, a new hotel is scheduled to open at Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire (www.draytonmanorhotel.com). The park is home to Thomas Land and the hotel will have themed Thomas & Friends rooms, with the chance to have breakfast with your favourite characters.
Brittany Ferries (www.brittanyferries.com) is introducing a service from Portsmouth (UK) to Bilbao in Spain from March 27 aboard its luxury cruise-ferry Cap Finistere. There will be two weekly crossings in both directions.
P&O Ferries (www.poferries.com) will launch the largest ferry to cross the Dover Straits at the end of January. The Spirit of Britain can carry more than 1 000 cars.
History buffs can immerse themselves in the 16th Century by visiting the newly restored Kings and Queens’ apartments in the Royal Palace within Stirling Castle.
The six apartments, built during the reign of James V, will be decorated with hand-woven tapestries and damask curtains and visitors will be welcomed by stewards in authentic costumes.
Also for history enthusiasts, the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) is to open up one of its houses as a holiday let.
Shute Barton, a manor house in Devon’s Axe Valley, dates from the Middle Ages and has a medieval hall, castellated tower and Gothic windows.
The Great Kitchen contains the largest fireplace in the UK, big enough to roast two oxen side by side.
It sleeps up to 10 and can be rented from this month.
The trust has also recreated a 200-year-old maze at Cliveden, the stately home beside the River Thames in Buckinghamshire.
It opens mid-year and will be exactly the same size as the one made for King William III at Hampton Court in 1690, using 3m yew trees.
The secret underground tunnels beneath historic Dover Castle (www.english-heritage.org.uk/dovercastle), used during World War II to co-ordinate the rescue mission from Dunkirk, will be open to the public on June 4. - Sunday Tribune