Kelly Ripa's looking more ripped than her husband on the beach

By Daily Mail Reporter

Rippling waves: Kelly Ripa and husband Marc Consuelos show off their ripped abs while enjoying the beach in The Hamptons, NY


TV host Kelly Ripa showed off her rippling muscles at the weekend as she enjoyed a family trip in New York.

The 39-year-old mum of three has a more toned physique than her actor husband Marc Consuelos.

Kelly and her family enjoyed a water filled day on the beaches of The Hamptons and revealed what her daily gym sessions has done for her body.

While Kelly looked stunning parading on the beach in her pink bikini, Marc bodyboarded and chased their two sons around.

The couple, who have been married for 14 years have 3 children together. 13-year-old Michael, Lola-Grace who is 9 and 7-year-old Joaquin.

They met on the set of soap opera All My Children and eloped to Vegas a year later.


Yummy Mummy: Mother of three Kelly Ripa looks in fantastic shape, pictured here with her sons Michael, 13, and Joaquin, 7. She also has a daughter Lola-Grace, 9


As well as their bodies, their relationship is in great shape too. The couple are said to be more in love than ever.

Kelly had admitted that she works out 7 days a week to keep her incredibly toned body in shape.

'I work out every day, and I make sure to do something different every day.'


Toned: 39-year-old Ripa credits daily workouts for keeping her in incredible shape


'I like to do SoulCycle, Physique 57, and I even like the Tracey Anderson Method. Throw them together, and there you go. I mix them all up.'

Ripa has also revealed that she eats little and often with a turkey sandwich for lunch, snacks on almonds and fruit and had eats protein and salads for dinner.

Kelly can boast that she has the body of a woman half of her age as she turns 40 next month.



source: dailymail

Pretty perfect on the beach, Julia at 42

By Simon Cable

Sunny days: Julia Roberts in her bikini on the beach in Hawaii, left, where she is promoting her new film, and with husband Danny Moder


Looking like this in a bikini would put a smile on any woman's face. So no wonder Julia Roberts, 42, seemed so happy as she frolicked on a Hawaiian beach.

The actress showed off a stunning figure virtually unchanged from 20 years ago when she made her name starring alongside Richard Gere in Pretty Woman


20 years ago: In Pretty Woman


Now a married mother of three, she has spoken out against the fashion for cosmetic surgery and insisted on growing older naturally.

'The secret ingredient of beauty is being happy. And maybe a little eye cream,' she has said.

It also helps if you don't mind setting a few trends of your own. Miss Roberts, it seems, still prefers unshaved underarms, a look she first showed off at the Notting Hill premiere in London in 1999.

Her husband Danny Moder, 41, and their children, five-year-old twins Hazel and Finn, and son Henry, three, joined her in Hawaii as she took a break after promoting her latest movie Eat, Pray, Love.

Miss Roberts plays a forty-something woman who travels to Italy, India and Bali searching for a new way of life after going through a painful divorce.


Pins-perfect: Julia shows off her 44-inch legs as she plays with son Henry, three


Romantic: Julia and Danny embrace in the sea


Splashing around: The family have fun in the water


source: dailymail

Boating through Britain: A trip down the Thames in search of Ratty, Mole and Toad

By Caroline Hendrie

Pristine: Sonning Lock is a delightful spot in rural Berkshire


As the sun burned through the morning mist, I sipped my tea and surveyed the scene from my chair on the deck of the African Queen. A pair of great-crested grebes performed dives, a swan and three cygnets paddled by and a heron took flight from a tree stump in dramatic fashion.

Less than 40 miles from London there wasn't sight nor sound of a car, just the gentle noise of a rushing weir and the sizzle of bacon in a pan. While the occupants of a nearby craft had to cook their own breakfast, the eight guests on our vessel - the only moving boat hotel on the Thames - were being waited on hand and foot.

No flinging of ropes, learning tricky manoeuvres or even pouring drinks for us. All we had to do was sit back and watch the landscape slip by, or hop off and become part of it ourselves on the towpath.

We joined the boat at Mapledurham, Berkshire, in the heart of Wind In The Willows country. Captain Andy gave a blast on his vuvuzela and was soon taking us through our first lock.

During the afternoon, as we admired the scenery, Andy's crewmates, Karen and Cherry, handed around glasses of Pimm's while the guests got to know each other.

Before we knew it, we were tying up in Sonning for the night. We had travelled six miles, and we would follow this delightfully gentle pace for the next four days. The dinner bell rang at 7.30pm and we gathered for a buffet of Cape Malay specialities cooked by Andy's South African wife, Bonny.

The 100ft boat, a working barge built in Holland in 1924, now has seven cabins for guests on the lower deck, each with its own tiny bathroom, with five cabins sleeping two (at a bit of a squeeze). On the main deck there's a dining area and bar.


boat to... Henley: The African Queen has been sailing for almost a century


An unexpected excitement next morning was spotting the Swan Uppers, the Queen's splendidly scarlet-coated officials, on their annual journey upstream to count the Thames's swan population.

I cycled three miles along a muddy towpath to the next lock, using one of the bikes kept aboard our boat, arriving at the same time as the African Queen. There I met a retired couple from Nuneaton who had started their own narrowboat journey three months before and were now London-bound.

Back on board, I had a great view of some fabulous riverside villas on the approach to Henley. In the town, we spent a fascinating couple of hours in the River & Rowing Museum, which includes a Wind In The Willows exhibition. We were moored in Henley for the night, so there was time to stroll around the shops before dinner and see a memorial dedicated to singer Dusty Springfield - who lived here for the last few years of her life - at St Mary's Church.

Next morning, as we sailed back upstream, I mixed walking along the towpath with birdwatching on deck. Red kites soared above and I caught glimpses of kingfishers darting near the riverbank.

That evening, Hilary Thomson, a Blue Badge guide, came aboard to talk to us about life on the Thames 120 years ago, when Jerome K. Jerome captured the new craze for pleasure-boating in his classic novel Three Men In A Boat.

In the morning, we went to the Herb Farm garden centre at Sonning Common. Finding my way to the centre of its maze, I sat down and pulled out my own copy of Three Men In A Boat. While my disorientated shipmates pleaded for directions on the other side of high beech hedges, I read them a chapter from the book where Harris gets lost in the maze at Hampton Court Palace.

Later, we visited Mapledurham House, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. With its grand facade and fascinating history, it is one of several possible inspirations for Toad Hall.


Feathered friends: The upper Thames is home to a vast array of wildlife - including the kingfisher


On our last day, we passed Hardwick House - another contender for the inspiration for Toad Hall - and watched alpacas grazing. We were on the quietest and prettiest stretch of our trip - true Wind In The Willows country.

Ratty's words - 'there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats' - still ring true. But there is something that can be even more fun, and that's sitting on the deck while someone else does all the work, and then brings you a cup of tea.

Travel FactsSaga (0800 056 5880, www.sagaholidays.co.uk) offers five nights aboard the African Queen, from £739pp (no single supplement). The cost includes full-board and excursions. For further information, go to www.visitthames.co.uk.


source: dailymail

A Tuscan treat: Pisa, Napoleon, Shelley and the perfect family camping break - even if you can't get the children out of the pool

By Malcolm Herdman

Fit for an emperor: Tuscanyy has some wonderful (and unappreciated) stretches of coastline


'Dad! Don't be boring!' And with those four words went all hope of us spending our summer holiday in France, idling away the sunshine-filled days on a terrace with a good book, a bottle of local red, some pate and bread for lunch . . . I could go on but I'd probably become boring.

'We went there last year,' says ten-year-old Eleanor. 'Well, we did Disney one year,' I countered. 'Yes, but we went to France the year before. And the year before that,' said twin Daniel. 'And this year we want to go somewhere different.'

When their mum joined in, I knew all was lost.

'OK, so where DO you want to go?'

'Somewhere hot. With a nice beach. And where there'll be lots to do.'

'And where there's something to see that we've heard of. Not just random old stuff.'

'We could stop off in Paris and see the Eiffel Tower,' I suggested hopefully. Oh, for the undemanding days when going on holiday, anywhere, was enough to keep them happy.

However, after checking flights from our local airport and weighing up all the other important family requirements, my wife devised a way that she said would satisfy everyone.

And so it was that we found ourselves beside the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, which were lapping gently against the sandy Tuscan coastline as we lay reading and soaking up the Italian sunshine. The children had been splashing about happily in the waves for longer than we'd dared hope, as we relaxed, feeling the pressures of life back home begin to lift.

'This was a good idea, wasn't it?' I murmured.

'Yes, but don't forget whose it was!' replied my wife.

We'd decided on an activity holiday - accessed by a low-cost flight to Pisa and travelling with Canvas Holidays, a company that had provided us with several successful family holidays in France in the past.

Arriving at Pisa's Galileo Galilei airport, we easily find our promised rental car, and before we know it we're on our way to the Park Albatros camp site at San Vincenzo. It's about 60 miles down the coast and we've chosen it because Canvas Holidays not only offers a daily club here for the kids but also has a new series of activities for the whole family called Family Extra.


Making a splash: The Herdman kids barely left the pool all week


Unlike its normal club, Hoopi's, which offers all kinds of intelligent fun for children up to the age of 12 and is usually run by its own staff, Family Extra is operated by a specialist outdoor activities company. It promises things such as snorkelling, canoe-racing and, intriguingly, 'water-walking'.

Accommodation is a spacious mobile with a large area of decking, complete with our own chairs and table with parasol outside. Inside, though, there's a big living area and well-equipped kitchen and three bedrooms. The main one has an en suite toilet and shower room, while there's another bathroom next to the two smaller bedrooms.

I am anxious to explore the area beyond our site but the children are completely sold on the Family Extra programme of events. When I say I can't wait to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the reply is: 'Well don't hold your breath, Dad, 'cos today we're learning to snorkel!' And that's precisely what we do on our first morning in Tuscany.

By the way, if you've ever wondered how you stop a snorkelling mask from steaming up, the answer is you spit into it and smear the lens with enzymes that prevent condensation. 'Ugh, gross!' say the children, revelling, nevertheless, in an official excuse to do something normally forbidden.

From here on in, as far as the twins are concerned, it's a constant round of Hoopi's and Family Extra activities. They're loving it and so are my wife and I. At Hoopi's they do mini-Olympics, winning medals for their efforts. They learn a bit about Italy, building models of the Leaning Tower, and they design, build and fly model gliders. When I ask them if they now know all about aerodynamics, Daniel replies: 'Dad, Hoopi's don't do boring!'

At Water Walking, even I've been induced to climb into a large transparent bubble and try to walk my way across the swimming pool. Needless to say, it's all rather more difficult than it looks. I find myself tumbling about inside the ball like a large drunken hamster. It does, however, succeed in entertaining a large number of campers who've gathered round the pool to laugh uproariously.

We manage to prise the children away from all this fun to take a ferry from nearby Piombino, an unsightly port that is the gateway to the isle of Elba. A short boat trip drops us at the main town, Portoferraio. It's a lovely old place with steep streets that tumble down to an old harbour.

Up above the town is the house where Napoleon lived when he was exiled here.

However, along with his barely used summer palace a short journey inland, it disappoints slightly through its lack of original contents. The stunning views from the terrace, though, make it difficult to understand why the diminutive emperor was so keen to leave.

After one trip away from their beloved swimming pool, the twins are reluctant to venture out again to see Pisa. But I tell them we really can't come here and not visit the region's famous World Heritage Site, the Leaning Tower. So off we head and, amazingly in such a busy place, manage to find somewhere to leave the car near our intended destination.

Although Pisa is by no means Italy's most beautiful city (large numbers of medieval buildings were destroyed by bombing during the Second World War), the Piazza dei Miracoli is impressive.

The Torre Pendente, to give it its Italian name, stands alongside a beautiful Romanesque cathedral and a baptistry. The buildings are sited in a row across the piazza and, in fact, all three of them lean. Work done ten years ago to stop the lovely, white, marble-clad tower from falling over altogether is said to have made it safe for the next 300 years.


Got it, dad: Daniel rescues the leaning tower of Pisa - and just in time


But the twins aren't entirely convinced and, coupled with the fact that there's a five-hour wait if we want to climb the bell tower, we decide simply to enjoy it from the outside. Daniel contents himself with having his photograph taken, as most other tourists seem to be doing, looking as though he's attempting to stop the tower falling over.

Leaving Pisa, we head west again. I want to see if we can find any trace of the poet Shelley's connection with the nearby coastline. In 1822, he had been staying with his wife Mary, the creator of the Frankenstein myth, at Lerici on the Gulf of Spezia. But after visiting Livorno in his own sailing boat to see friends, Shelley - aged just 29 - and two crew members set off on the return voyage and disappeared in a squall.

Days later, his body was washed up on the beach of the seaside town of Viareggio.
'So who was this Shelby dude?' asks Daniel in a disgruntled tone. The twins want to get back to the pool.

'His name was Shelley! And he was a famous Romantic poet. "Hail to thee, blithe spirit!" That was one of his,' I offer in an attempt to raise their spirits.

'Dad, that doesn't sound very interesting,' says Eleanor. 'Can we go back now?'

We arrive back at our site in time to take part in a Family Extra session of aeroball. It's an intriguing combination of trampolining and basketball in a specially designed framework. Two players compete to put the ball through a hole while bouncing up and down opposite each other.

It's almost as entertaining to watch as to play and attracts an envious group of onlookers - unluckily not with our travel firm - wanting to try it out. The instructors say they're occasionally approached by people offering large sums of money to have a go, but they have to turn them down.

Our stay at Park Albatros flashes by all too quickly. The twins are quite upset at having to say goodbye to the guides, whom they've really grown to like through all the activities they've taken part in. We're sorry to be going, too.

We say our goodbyes after a musical show at the campsite. It's Moulin Rouge, and two of the team are performing in it - a multi-talented bunch indeed.

'So what do you think of this holiday compared with past ones?' We ask the twins.


New friends: The kids get to know the Hoopi's Club guides


The answer's unhesitating. 'Great! Can we come back here next year?'

'Only if you promise to learn a poem by Shelley. What about the one that begins "I met a traveller from an antique land"?'

'Dad! Don't be...'
Travel FactsThe Herdman family stayed with Canvas Holidays at Park Albatros - San Vincenzo. Prices for arrivals on July 19, 2011, for seven nights for two adults and two children are from £727 in a Maxi tent and £969 in a two-bedroom mobile with air conditioning. For more information call 0845 268 0857 or visit

www.canvasholidays.co.uk.

Jet2.com offers a direct service to Pisa from Belfast, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle. Flights start from £29.99pp one-way, including taxes.

EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) has return fares from Gatwick to Pisa starting at £52.65, including taxes. It also flies to Pisa from Luton and Bristol.


source: dailymail

Turquoise dream! String bikini girl Britney looks stunning on romantic Hawaii break

By Mail Online Reporter

Blue Lagoon: Britney shows off her toned body in a turquoise string bikini in Maui, Hawaii


Britney Spears certainly hasn't been singing the blues lately as she continues to enjoy a romantic getaway with boyfriend Jason Trawick.

The singer looked stunning in a turquoise-blue bikini as she enjoyed a cocktail in Hawaii.
The couple have been acting very loved up on their break in the exotic location leading to speculation that they plan to marry soon.


Relaxed: Britney looked chilled and without a care in the world while on holiday without her kids. Her Mum is looking after them back in California


Jason, who is Britney's former agent , has been dating the singer for over a year now.

He's been credited with helping to bring Spears back to life after her well-documented turmoil two years ago.

He has since stopped working for Britney and now focuses his time keeping her happy romantically, while someone else looks after her career.


Deep in thought: A pensive Britney smokes a cigarette as she watches a wedding ceremony from her hotel balcony yesterday in Maui, Hawaii


Perhaps looking for a little inspiration for what would be her third trip down the aisle, Britney was spotted yesterday watching a wedding ceremony from her hotel balcony.

Spears and 44-year-old former agent Trawick are staying in a luxury suite overlooking the ocean on Mauii's beautiful Wailea coast.

Earlier on the trip, Spears dressed in a pink and black bikini, looked deep in thought as she smoked a cigarette and watched the festivities below.


Look of love: Spears soon cheered up when she was joined on the balcony by her former agent boyfriend of a year, Jason Trawick


Tanned and toned: Both Spears and Trawick look in amazing shape


But she soon brightened up when she was joined on the balcony by Trawick.

The couple were clearly enjoying each other's company as they laughed and joked together.

Spears is no stranger to getting hitched, having married her childhood friend Jason Alexander back in 2004 in Las Vegas - before getting the marriage annulled 55 hours later.

In the same year she married her backing dancer Kevin Federline, who she went on to have two children with, Sean Preston and Jayden James, before filing for divorce two years later.

Spears and Trawick have been making the most of their time together in Hawaii, hanging out at both the pool and beach, enjoying spa treatments, shopping at the mall and feasting on gourmet meals.

And Spears has clearly regained her confidence, showing off her newly toned figure by the pool and on the beach in a variety of bikinis.

Meanwhile Spear's parents Jamie and Lynne - who divorced eight years ago - are taking care of her sons on holiday in Santa Barbara, California.


Scroll down to see video...


Getting glamorous: Britney Spears seen in newly released still from an advert for her perfume Radiance


Bright lights: In the ad the singer leaves a club before visiting a fortune teller


Britney and Jason headed to Hawaii after she filmed a role for a special episode of hit TV show Glee

The LA set was on complete lockdown when Britney went in to film her parts, so details of her appearance and performance couldn't be leaked.

Creator Ryan Murphy told E! Online: 'It was literally like the President had come.

'We all had to wear wristbands. I couldn't get into my own sets at one point, which I thought was hilarious.

‘Everybody was sort of trying to get into the set and find out what the hell she's doing in the episode.’

At least six Britney songs are said to be featured in the much-anticipated episode.


No thanks: But Britney tells the mystic that she choose her own destiny when she attempts to look into the singer's future


Smell of success: Britney comes over all sultry in the trailer




source: dailymail

Gwen Stefani hits the beach with Kingston and Zuma but leaves her bikini at home

By Jessica Satherley

Conservative beachwear: Gwen covered up while running after Zuma, but still flashed a glimpse of her Dior bra under the loose top


Gwen Stefani might have been frolicking with her two sons on the beach, but the stylish mother didn’t take it as an opportunity to flaunt her bikini body.

Instead she barely showed an inch of skin and hid under baggy jeans, a loose T-shirt, cardigan and scarf.

Despite her desperate attempt to cover up though, the 40-year-old did still manage to flash her Dior bra during the family day out.

Perhaps the influence of her father Dennis sparked the No Doubt singer’s conservative look, as he accompanied his daughter and grandsons Kingston and Zuma to Newport Beach in California.

But Stefani’s baggy ensemble has only fuelled more speculation that she might be trying to hide a growing bump.


Family day out: Gwen took her father Dennis to Newport Beach along with her two sons, but her husband Gavin Rossdale was a no show


Something to hide? The singer covers her figure in baggy clothes despite the sunny day on Newport Beach, fuelling rumours she might be hiding something


The star was spotted in West Hollywood last week sporting a slightly rounded stomach, sparking rumours that she and rock star husband Gavin Rossdale might be about to expand their family.

Gwen clearly loves motherhood and ran after Kingston, four, and Zuma, two, all afternoon in the Californian sun.

And the young brothers were equally as fashionable as their mother in matching multi-coloured board shorts while running along the shoreline.


Muscle man: Kingston, four, tries to pump up his muscles while doing push ups on the beach


Brotherly bond: Kingston and Zuma wear matching multi-coloured board shorts


Despite having help from a nanny, Gwen has previously expressed how tough it is to raise two sons and has said having children is the hardest thing she’s ever done.

But although admitting it takes up a lot of energy, she has said she wouldn’t rule out expanding her brood.


Time to dry off: Mum Gwen helps Zuma keep warm after an afternoon of frolicking in the waves

source: dailymail

Goodbye Hollywood! The Saturdays fly home after a whirlwind week in LA

By Andrea Magrath

Photo-op: The Saturdays pose for one last picture before boarding their plane home to London after a whirlwind week in LA


It's been an exhausting week just watching The Saturdays shop, sunbathe, rollerblade and film their way around Los Angeles.

But their whirlwind adventure has come to an end, and Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman jetted out of LAX last night - but not before posing for one last group photo.

The girls, as usual, did not dress for comfort for their long-haul flight. Rochelle looked as though she had been hitting the souvenir shops, and wore a cropped Beverly Hills top with jeans and heeled boots, while Una also played up the Americana theme with a cowboy hat, fringed boots and a slogan T-shirt which said 'Save a horse, ride a cowboy.'

Vanessa looked chic in a jeans and blazer combo with platform heels, Frankie wore tight skinny jeans and towering high heels, and Mollie wore a tight-fitting mini-skirt, T-shirt and a cute felt hat.

The girls took to Twitter before boarding their plane home, saying 'We'll back in the UK soon after an AMAZING week in L.A. We've missed you all, Team Sats!'

Una added on her personal account: ' Looking forward to getting back home and catching up what have I missed?! x'


Travelling in style: The band certainly dress for a long-haul flight, opting for mini-skirts, heels and tight skinny jeans instead


The girls were in LA to film the video for their latest single Higher, which wrapped yesterday. Una tweeted earlier: 'Hey everyone!! Long day shooting the new video yesterday but it was so amazing can't wait for you all to see it!!! :) Leaving LA today'

They were also followed by a camera crew as part of their new ITV2 reality show The Saturdays: 24/7, which premiered here on Friday night.

The Saturdays will undoubtedly catch up on some well-earned sleep on the 11 hour flight home. Since arriving in the US on August 23rd, the group have been spotted taking in the sights, shopping up a storm, and enjoying the Californian sunshine.


Shopping spree: The girls shopped up a storm on famous Robertson Boulevard, hitting celeb favourites Kitson and Intermix


Within 24 hours of arriving in Hollywood, the girls were rollerblading and bike riding around famous Venice Beach, and cruised the boulevard in a red convertible.

They shopped 'til they dropped on Robertson Boulevard at celebrity haunts Kitson, Intermix and Lisa Kline, and rubbed shoulders with one of the most famous faces in the world - a big purple dinosaur named Barney.

Rochelle spent time with boyfriend Marvin Humes of JLS, and after saying a tearful goodbye when he left town she cheered herself up by getting another piercing at an LA tattoo and piercing parlour.


This is the life: They lapped up the warm Californian sun, spending a day relaxing in their hotel pool


They sampled American fare, eating a hearty American breakfast of pancakes at trendy West Hollywood spot the Griddle Cafe, and enjoyed Pinkberry frozen yoghurt.

The band also found time to catch up with blogger Perez Hilton, who they've known since they performed at a Liverpool concert he hosted two years ago, and chatted about their boyfriends, whether Cheryl and Derek Hough (branded 'gayface' by Perez) are for real.

'It seems like she just went on holiday with her best friend,' mused Rochelle. 'They don't look like they're romantically involved,' added Una. While they are happy to gossip about their fellow pop star, the girls didn't meet up with the Parachute singer while in town.

The British invasion of Hollywood is coming to an end though, as The Saturdays touch down in London this morning, and Cheryl is due back soon to resume judging duties on the X Factor.


California Dream: The band visited Venice Beach, where they tried out rollerblading and bike-riding


Phew: Their exhausting schedule of shopping, eating, sunbathing, rollerblading and sightseeing will have tired out the group, who will undoubtedly get plenty of sleep on the trip home


source: dailymail

A Grand Day Out: The best family breaks for a brilliant August Bank Holiday weekend

By Mark Hughes-morgan

Fire drill: You can expect to see the flames go up at the Celtic Harmony Iron Age village in Hertford


And so the last big weekend of the summer is upon us, the sun just may - may - come out, and thoughts turn to where to spend a few hours with the family. From fishing in Cornwall to Vikings in Ayrshire, via medieval minstrels in East Sussex, we have a few suggestions...

THE NORTH-EASTTHE STREETS OF FESTIVALS, DURHAM
Historic Durham centre hosts three festivals this weekend: Streets Of Play (Saturday), Streets Of Folk (Sunday) and Streets Of Dance (Monday).

Attractions include an Australian strongwoman rubbing shoulders with Italian comedy acrobats and free-running from Urban Playground. On Sunday, the 'ultimate free folkie festival' kicks off, spearheaded by Scottish legends the Peatbog Faeries. On Monday, several danceathons, workshops and whatnot combine with flamenco and even a little Maypole Madness.

For quiet contemplation, relax in Crook Hall Gardens, a short walk away, with a contemporary art show until the end of August.

DETAILS: The Streets Of ... Festivals run from Saturday to Monday, free (0191 384 3720, www.streetsof.co.uk). Crook Hall Gardens, www.crookhallgardens.co.uk.

THE NORTH-WESTMATHEW STREET FESTIVAL, LIVERPOOL

Originally a tribute to The Beatles, this has evolved into a vast, family-friendly event - billed as Europe's biggest free city-centre music festival.

The six outdoor stages have Beatles at their core: choose late, early or classic albums depending on your mood, and watch some of the best tribute acts in the world.
Meanwhile, the fringe festival showcases the best contemporary bands.

DETAILS: The Mathew Street Festival takes place around Liverpool on Sunday and Monday, with music starting at 11am. Entry free. Fringe festival today to Monday (0151 233 2008, www.mathewstreetfestival.com and www.mathewstreetfestival.org/fringe)
THE MIDLANDSTHE GORGE MUSEUM, IRONBRIDGE

In the World Heritage Site around the Ironbridge Gorge, cradle of the Industrial Revolution, there are ten museums to wend between.

For the Bank Holiday two have special events. The Egyptians star at Enginuity, with a hands-on show making pewter amulets, building pyramids and learning hieroglyphs.

At Blists Hill Victorian Town, the weekend theme is pirates. A River Severn cargo boat is transformed into Treasure Island's Hispaniola, with actors recreating the R. L. Stevenson classic, plus a fancy-dress competition.

On Monday afternoon, the Ironbridge Coracle Regatta takes place nearby.

DETAILS: The Gorge Museum, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7DQ (01952 844391, www.ironbridge.org. uk). Passport ticket for all museums: adult £21.95, seniors £17.60, child/student £14.25, family £59.95.


Gorge yourself: The Gorge Museum at Ironbridge has a host of fascinating exhibitions


THE SOUTHCELTIC HARMONY, HERTFORD

Just beyond the northern reaches of the M25 is not where you'd expect to find Celtic roundhouses in the woods. This Celtic Iron Age village has a programme of Celtinspired activities. In and around the roundhouses, you can prepare food, and play traditional games and sports - longbow is big here.

The storytelling includes fireeating - great for the dragon tales - plus hog roasts, drummers and learning how to make fire with flints. You'll be busy.

DETAILS: Celtic Harmony Camp, Brickendon Lane, Brickendon near Hertford, Herts SG13 8NY. Complete programme and prices available (01438 718543, www.celticharmony.co.uk).
SOUTH-EASTHERSTMONCEUX CASTLE, EAST SUSSEX

The 15th-century moated castle hosts England's Medieval Festival, with a complete cast of minstrels, magicians, lords, ladies and serfs.

There will be duelling and cannon fire, falconry, craft workshops, tales of gallant knights and moping maidens, and the medieval kitchens will cook up authentic fayre.

The centrepiece is a siege of the castle, re-enacted by rampaging hordes of enthusiasts. And the seaside is a short hop away.

DETAILS: Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, E. Sussex BN27 1RN (020 8150 6767, www.englandsmedievalfestival.com). All Bank Holiday weekend, 10am to 6pm. Adults £17, seniors/students £16, children (5-13) £10. Discounts online.

WALESNATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN, CARMARTHENSHIRE

Wales's most visited garden has another string to its bow. Sunday and Monday see the Summer Harp Festival, with concerts, demos and workshops, harp art and the chance to have a session as a beginner at a very reasonable £10 a session.

You could not pick a nicer spot - key attractions include the Norman Foster-designed Great Glasshouse, the largest single-span glasshouse in the world, and Wales's rarest tree.

DETAILS: National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8HG.

Prices: Adults £8, OAPs £6.50, children (five to 16) £4, family £19.50. Open 10am to 6pm (01558 668768, www.gardenofwales.org.uk). Summer Harp Festival, tomorrow and Monday.


Sweet treat: Blists Hill Victorian Town at Ironbridge lets kids try their hand at time travel
SOUTH-WESTNEWLYN FISH FESTIVAL


No excuse needed to get to the Cornish seaside... but if you did, this festival provides it.

At its heart, it supports fishermen and fish. Rick Stein will cut the ribbon this year, and as well as counters groaning with the local catch, experts will explain what to do with it all. There'll be demonstrations by other starry local chefs at the fish market.

There is also music, sculpture in Newlyn art gallery, lifeboat and helicopter rescue simulations to marvel at (weather permitting). And you will probably even find a cream tea.

DETAILS: Newlyn, Cornwall. Entry: £4 (children free). Monday, 9am to 5pm (07518 603 955, www.newlynfishfestival.org.uk).
SCOTLANDVIKING FESTIVAL, LARGS

The last Viking invasion of Britain took place at Largs, on the Ayrshire coast, in 1263. Nowadays they just do it for fun every August.

There is a village inhabited by the Swords of Dalriada, a hardy bunch who live the Viking life and explain it to visitors.

There are battle re-enactments, birds of prey displays, an aerobatic display and the historically accurate Largs Has Got Talent show. At the end of the week there is the ritual burning of a longship and a fireworks spectacular.

DETAILS: Viking Festival runs until September 5. Entry free, though venues may charge for some events (01475 672884, www.largsvikingfestival.com).


source :dailymail

Water way to spend a honeymoon: The ultimate newlyweds suite is a romantic take on the phrase 'sleeping with the fishes'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Newlywet: The 'Ithaa' suite of Conrad Maldives Rangali Islands hotel, being offered as a honeymoon suite to mark the hotel's fifth anniversary. Usually the hotel's underwater restaurant, the suite can bee see here by day, above, and by night, below


When it comes to honeymoon destinations, most newlyweds have set aside a nice little bundle for their ultimate getaway.

But a unique suite in the Maldives - while offering unbeatable views of the local marine life - is likely to eat up the entire average wedding budget, let alone the honeymoon accommodation costs.

Conrad hotels are offering a breathtaking suite at their Maldives Rangali Islands resort, which has to be seen to be believed.


Maldives Rangali Islands
Normally the hotel's 'Ithaa' restaurant, the domed 'reverse aquarium' is being converted into a special submerged bedroom in honour of the hotel's fifth anniversary.

A night below the surface of the Indian Ocean would have to rank as the number one night to remember, and the romantic experience comes with a complimentary champagne breakfast the following morning.

Of course the aquatic entertainment - provided by the likes of blue-striped snapper, sting rays, parrot fish and moray eels - is also (quite literally) on the house.


Island paradise: The Conrad Maldives Rangali Islands resort, off the coast of India, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience - for the lucky couples who can afford it


Unsurprisingly, however, the hotel is keeping a 'price on application' policy - the Ithaa wedding experience is not listed on the Conrad hotels website, and potential guests are advised to personally request the room at least 14 days in advance.

A King Deluxe Water Villa - until now the top-of-the-range accommodation at the Maldives Rangali Islands resort - is a tidy £1,156 a night... and it's above water.

It's safe to say that this experience is not for the budget-minded.


source: dailymail