Germany Update »Teams of workers are getting ready for the opening of the new and enlarged BMW Museum www.bmw-welt.com as well as the new Jewish Museum on Jakobsplatz www.muenchen.de.

Berlin is looking forward to the re-opening of the Vitra Design Museum www.design-museum.de while an astonishing 130 French impressionist paintings from MoMA will be hung in Mies van der Rohe’s New National Gallery from June 1 to October 7. www.neue-nationalgalerie.de (German only)

Cologne will be hosting ART Cologne in its spring debut from April 18 to 22. www.artcologne.com Starting April 27th, Cologne will also host the MusikTriennale, an every three year eclectic music festival with musicians from around the world. www.musiktriennalekoeln.de Trier, the only Roman imperial residence in Germany, is preparing for its state wide exhibit, "Constantine the Great", from June 2nd to November 4th. The exhibition examines Constantine’s pivotal role in Europe. www.konstantin-ausstellung.de

Kassel is readying for documenta12, an every five year contemporary art show, which will take place from June 16 to September 23, and is considered a seismograph of the contemporary art world. www.documenta12.de Not far away, Muenster is preparing for 35 sculptors around the world who will install their contemporary creations for the Muenster Sculpture Show in and around the city from June 17 to September 30th. www.skulptur-projekte.de

Zurich, SWitzerland » Attractive vantage points, legend-steeped sites, an over a century-old fairytale castle, such art treasures as the Chagall stained-glass window in the Fraumünster Church (which will be open again to the public as from December 24, 2006) - Zürich has countless places of interest to suit each and every taste. The traces of the past invite visitors to experience the highlights in the Old Town, with its over 2000 year-old history, by or on the water, or in the urban quarters. More information on places of interest in Zurich

Johannesburg, South Africa » Melton Manor, Conservation Corporation Africa’s (CC Africa’s) newest addition to the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, is set to open in April 2007. This will be a contemporary, exclusive-use lodge, available for rental only to groups or families. Melton Manor is presently under construction on the site of the original Melton Manor homestead.

After the success of Kwandwe’s other exclusive-use lodge, the Uplands Homestead, Melton Manor is expected to be a major hit. Overlooking the Great Fish River and surrounding forests, the lodge will feature four ensuite bedrooms, innovative “butler hatches” for discreet room service, interactive kitchens, striking photography, comfortable furnishings and traditional Nguni rugs. A large swimming pool and central courtyard are in the works and will provide plenty of activities for families.

Kwandwe, which means “Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa, is a member of Relais & Chateaux. The camp, located in South Africa’s malaria-free Eastern Cape, is currently home to three luxury safari lodges. Kwandwe is built on 62,000 acres of former farmland that was restored and restocked with wildlife, evidence of CC Africa’s commitment to conservation. As a result, today thousands of animals such as cheetah, lion and elephant are in abundance.

CC Africa owns and operates more than 40 safari lodges and camps throughout Southern and East Africa, and is now branching out to India in cooperation with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. As Africa’s leading Ecotourism Company, it is dedicated to conserving the surrounding wildlife of its properties and contributing to the local communities, while simultaneously creating a memorable experience for travelers. Follow this link for more information about CC Africa

Zurich, Switzerland » A brand new quarter, known as Sihlcity, is emerging in the south of the city of Zürich. It centers round a former paper finishing factory, a protected building dating from 1911, set amidst modern architecture. As from spring 2007, locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy culinary delights, exciting movie shows, shopping experiences and wellness facilities. However, Sihlcity is not the only building site in Zürich: numerous other projects are in the pipeline, ensuring that Zürich is constantly in motion. More info on developments in Zurich

New Posadas Hotel Unites Two Popular Brands Under the Same Roof
Mexico City, Mexico – Discover the Fiesta Americana Santa Fe, the first Grupo Posadas hotel to incorporate two different hotel brands at the same location. The $40 million dollar project features a total of 363 guest rooms between the two properties and offers the best of the Fiesta Americana and the Fiesta Inn brands. The Fiesta Americana Santa Fe dons 162 rooms and 10 deluxe suites and the adjoining Fiesta Inn offers 189 rooms and two junior suites. Both opened in April.

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Lisbon, Portugal » Thursday nights are special each week in the Santos district of Lisbon. That's when museums and shops stay open until 10 p.m. and concerts and performances are held earlier in the evening. Many restaurants have special menus for the night. Visit the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, with some of the most important works in the history of Portuguese art; the Museu da Marioneta, with its collection of masks and puppets; or the interactive Museu das Comunicações.
More information:

Vienna, Austria » Famous melodies and waltzing bliss are guaranteed at the 300 plus balls due to take place during Vienna’s carnival season. The first major event is the Imperial Ball on December 31, where revelers ring in the New Year with a whirl in the regal setting of Hofburg Palace.

On January 18 the Vienna Philharmonic Ball takes place in the world-famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein. A day later, on January 19, City Hall is decked in a glorious blaze of color as it hosts the Flower Ball. Once the sole preserve of the nobility, Hofburg Palace now provides a fitting backdrop for large traditional balls for over 3,000 guests. The Physicians’ Ball (January 27), the Hunters’ Ball (January 29) and the Coffeehouse Owners’ Ball (February 9) are all taking place in the former imperial state rooms.

The Kursalon in Stadtpark is given over to the music of the “Waltz King” on February 14 when the Johann Strauss Ball takes place for the fifth time. And the glittering climax of the ball season and one of the main events of the social calendar is the Vienna Opera Ball on February 15 when high society congregates at the State Opera House. Ball season information can be found by following this link.