ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 24 Everything in Dubai, bigger, better and more luxurious Check out top 10 getaways without children NEW YORK, Oct 15, (RTRS): Now the kids have been back at school for a bit, you might feel you could use a little break from the domestic world with your partner, as long as the grandparents don’t mind watching over the children while you jet off for a short holiday. In the spirit of parental sanity, online travel adviser Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.com) offers its top 10 list of destinations for you to grab a cocktail, kick back, relax without the little rascals. Reuters has not endorsed this list: 1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Thanks to Vegas, we know there is plenty of fun to be had in the desert, but nothing comes close to Dubai; the adult playground set in the piping hot deserts of the United Arab Emirates. From the world’s largest man-made islands to the entrancing gold markets and underwater hotels, everything in Dubai is bigger, better and more luxurious. Feel free to spend some time being overwhelmed by shopping malls and markets known as souks, then tee off at world-renowned golf courses, stop at the only Formula 1 theme park and kick up some fun with a Jeep trip into the sand dunes. 2. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia In 1995, the old town of Lunenburg on Canada’s east coast was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its survival as a British colonial settlement. This quaint coastal village off Mahone Bay is the perfect place to book a bed-and-breakfast or small cottage and explore the history, do a little kayaking or simply unwind. Let Lunenburg’s small-town charm and the tranquil seaside views win you over. When looking for things to do, visit Bluenose, the world-famous wooden racing schooner, check out the Fisheries Museum and learn about the salty men who navigated the Atlantic, then head over to the Ironworks Distillery for artisan spirit tastings. 3. St Lucia, Antilles Just getting away isn’t always enough — sometimes it takes a tropical island in the middle of the ocean for us to feel completely free of our duties and responsibilities. Home to the grand Piton mountains, the world’s only drive-in volcano and warm crystal blue waters, St. Lucia is an ideal Caribbean getaway for any relaxation-seeking couple. For a quick and rewarding hike, check out the Saltibus Waterfall Trail, which leads you through mountaintop rainforests to several picturesque waterfalls, perfect for cooling off. If you’re not interested in leaving the beach, take advantage of renowned scuba and snorkeling, or hop aboard a sailboat and cruise around the island. 4. Napa Valley, California Even though early autumn is Napa Valley’s most popular season for visitors, we still think it’s the best time to take part in the grape harvesting festivities known as Crush. It’s one of the Valley’s most exciting times and vineyards all over hold special events and celebrations. Napa boasts more than 200 vineyards, world-renowned spas and a dense population of Michelin-rated restaurants, so there are plenty of opportunities for you and your significant other to spoil yourselves. The scenery alone is worth the trip, and we recommend viewing it from a hot air balloon or the Napa Valley Wine Train, which stops at several vineyards. 5. Portofino, Italy The words “Italian Riviera” are usually enticing enough to dust off the suitcases, and Portofino is considered to be the most beautiful harbor of them all. What was once a quaint fishing village is now a popular boating and yachting destination. The best place to stay is on a boat, and there are plenty of exquisite restaurants and high-end boutiques that line the harbor. If sleeping on dry land is more your style, travel the sea by water taxi to other towns along the Riviera, including Genoa and San Fruttuoso. 6. Cozumel, Mexico Cancun might have a reputation for college kids, foam parties and a heavy late-night scene, but on the island of Cozumel, just a short distance away, it’s a different story. As a tourist destination, Mexico is known for catering to its visitors at spectacular resorts where the possibilities for fun in the sun are endless — and Cozumel is no exception. Aside from observing the beautiful surroundings, consider hanging out at the beach, getting in some scuba diving, taking advantage of resort activities like tennis and yoga, or catching up on some reading by the pool. 7. Stirling, Scotland A bit smaller than some of Scotland’s other cities, Stirling is an ideal place for parents who are looking for a quiet getaway. Packed with history, lush rolling hills, charming bed-and-breakfasts, and plenty of outdoor activity, there’s a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff or not, The National Wallace Monument, in honor of William Wallace, is a must see. (That’s for you, Braveheart fans.) Then tour the Stirling Old Town Jail, visit Stirling Castle and check out the Old Bridge. 8. Valle Nevado, Chile A day on the ski slopes is a great way for families to bond and for kids to put to use some of that excess energy, but with the hassle of gloves, hats, equipment and the occasional cold-weather whining, a ski trip for two could be just what you need. Since good skiing in summer months is hard to come by, think about heading south to Valle Nevado in Chile, where it’s still winter — if you’ve got a chunk of time to spend. 9. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Conveniently located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine is the famed Ponte Vedra Beach. You may think the only thing Ponte Vedra has to offer is a ridiculous golf scene — which it does — but that’s not the sole reason to visit this swanky coastal community. When not teeing off, visitors take full advantage of exquisite spa treatments offered at several multi-diamond spa resorts, hit around the tennis ball, stop off at beautifully manicured beaches, check out quaint and unique shops, and partake in other activities you indulge in when the kids aren’t around. And no Ponte Vedra Beach experience goes without a look into the Spanish colonial history stretching back as far as 1513. 10. Lavaux, Switzerland The vineyard terraces of Lavaux may not be on your travel radar, but they should be. There is evidence to suggest that these terraces were used to grow grapes for wine during the Roman Empire, and they have now been inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settled along the coast of placid Lake Geneva are a string of small villages connected by the grape vines of the ancient terraces. Travel between the villages by foot, stopping for picnics and wine tastings, and spend the night at bed-and-breakfasts as you go. Or, take the train, which stops in many small towns. If travel within the autumn months is possible, make sure to have the camera handy for some truly stunning fall foliage photographs. Travel place to visit on October 18th, 2011 at 7:00pm. For more information, call 25335260/80 ext 105 or 104 or e-mail: [email protected] or log onto: www.aware.com.kw ❑ ❑ ❑ KTAA textile diwaniya: The Kuwait Textile Arts Association (KTAA) under the auspices of Sadu House cordially invites you to the monthly presentation ‘Show and Tell’ Textile Diwaniya. This meeting the spotlight is on you, old or new, woven, knitted, embroidered, or quilted. Every textile has a story and we want you to share yours. Tuesday, Oct 18, at 7 pm in Sadu House (doors open at 6:30 pm), Arabian Gulf Street, on the corner of the National Museum, Kuwait City. ❑ ❑ ❑ KLT presents Mad Musicals 7: The Kuwait Little Theatre would like to announce that tickets are now on sale for Mad Musicals 7. Promising to be an exciting night of music and dance, you’ll be able to watch 30+ numbers representing some of the best stage and screen musicals of all time – from 1950s classics to the 2011 Tony Award Winner for Best New Musical – we’ve got it all covered and you won’t believe some of the new talent we’ve uncovered to deliver it! Performance dates are Oct 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2011. Book now by logging on to www.theklt.com or by calling the Box Office on 99373678. Oct 20 PDA celebrates Onam: The eleventh David Brenneman, director of collections and exhibitions at the High Museum talks about Jasper Johns’ painting ‘Map’ on Oct 6, in Atlanta. ‘Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters’ at the High Museum of Art brings together more than 100 works by 14 influential 20th Century artists pulled from the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and shown together for the first time in the Southeast. (AP) Walk through the history of modern art US museum features ‘Picasso to Warhol’ expo click Drinking problem?: You are no longer alone! Confidential helpline 99641389. ❑ ❑ ❑ Narcotics Anonymous: NA can help with addiction problems. Totally confidential: 94087800 English/Arabic. Latest Healthy eating plan: Lose weight, Feel Great! Weekly meetings based on the world’s most successful healthy eating plan. We meet every Tuesday 6 pm to 7 pm at the BLS premises, Rumithiya. After your private weigh in, members stay for a motivational talk, recipes to try or a cooking demonstration. Weekly fee of KD 2.500, first meeting KD10 to cover the cost of the course material. For more information, contact Danielle [email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑ Cancer online support group: If you are Cancer patient or family member fighting with this deadly disease, come join our online support group. Best way of dealing with this disease is providing support and share our experience with each other. There are lot of things which even doctors can’t tell so be member of this website and start sharing your experiences which may help others. October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). The primary purpose is to promote self examination and screening mammography as the most effective way to save lives by detecting breast cancer at early stage. For more information visit: http://fightingwithcancer.webs.com/” Oct 17 Spoon bending seminar: Everyone, regardless of physical strength, can twist metal spoons with ease. You could try to use your muscles and brute force to twist and bend spoons or you can learn to use the energy around you. 6-8 pm Monday, Oct 17, Better Books and Cafe. Contact: [email protected] or call ATLANTA, Oct 15, (AP): With bold colors and iconic images, a new exhibition at Atlanta’s main art museum allows visitors to experience dozens of modern art masterpieces and to explore the relationships among the artists who created them. “Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters” at the High Museum of Art brings together more than 100 works by 14 influential 20th-century artists pulled from the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. “We wanted to create 14 intimate, immersive situations for people so they could feel like they had both met these artists and walked through the history of modern art,” said High director Michael Shapiro. tionships between these works that you can’t see in our galleries” because the works aren’t displayed together at MoMA, Hauptman said. “Instead of being told about these connections, you actually see them.” The exhibition allows visitors to focus on a single artist but also to get a glimpse of what’s to come and to consider the dialogue between the works, Hauptman said. Standing in front of the opening piece - Picasso’s brightly colored, large-format 1932 painting “Girl Before a Mirror” - the visitor can look to the left and see “Two Acrobats with a Dog” from 1905, during Picasso’s Rose Period, and then turn to the right to see Henri Matisse’s “Dance (I)” in the next part of the gallery. Sculptures by Constantin Brancusi and paintings and drawings by Piet Mondrian offer objects or settings stripped down to their essence - with Brancusi’s streamlined bronze sculpture evoking a bird and Mondrian using grids of horizontal and vertical lines to represent a seascape, a church or a busy city square. In a side gallery are works by Marcel Duchamp, whom Shapiro describes as probably the most radical artist in the exhibition. Most striking, perhaps is a wood and galvanized iron snow shovel hanging from the ceiling that the artist bought in a hardware store in 1915, then signed, dated and titled it “In Advance of the Broken Connection True to its title, the exhibition opens with paintings and etchings by Pablo Picasso and finishes with pop art pieces and a film by Andy Warhol. Works are clustered by artist, giving visitors a more complete look at each artist’s career, said MoMA’s Jodi Hauptman, lead curator of the exhibition. “The biggest revelation is the rela- 66637351. Oct 18 BSK aid breast cancer: BSK is going pink to support cancer research. Join us on Tuesday Oct 18, 2011 from 16:00-18:00 in the Marble Arch at the BSK. ❑ ❑ ❑ AWARE diwaniya: The AWARE Center cordially invites you to its diwaniya presentation on Tuesday (Oct 18, 2011) entitled “Prophet Muhammad’s Relations with all human beings” by Dr Teresa Lesher at 7:00 pm. This photo provided by the Kimbell Art Museum on Oct 31, 2011 shows a painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio titled, The Cardsharps, c.1595, oil on canvas. Works by famed Italian artist Caravaggio will be displayed along with pieces by those he influenced in an exhibit opening in Fort Worth, its only US stop. (AP) Arm.” Technique Jackson Pollock’s “Number 1A” showcases the artist’s well-known drip painting technique, his personal involvement with the painting stamped onto one edge in the form of handprints in paint. Mobiles by Alexander Calder in a side gallery “defy one of the basic rules of sculpture, which is that gravity is in charge,” Shapiro said. In “Map” from 1961, Jasper Johns, the only living artist in the exhibition, blurs the borders of the states in a giant, colorful map of the United States, using brushwork but also clearly identifying each one by name in bold, stenciled letters. Also included in the exhibition are works by Fernand Leger, Giorgio Chirico, Louise Bourgeois and Romare Bearden. A free iPhone and Android application allows visitors to interact with the exhibition using their smart phones. By using one of those phones to take a picture of a piece, visitors can pull up more information, chat electronically with other visitors or pose questions in real time to museum staff. Prophet Muhammad’s Relations with Others: Join Dr Teresa Lesher for a glimpse into the life of Prophet Muhammad and how he dealt with others, including Jews and Christians, women and children, friends and foes, believers and non-believers. All are welcome. During the golden era of Islam, Muslims co-existed with non-Muslims in peace and harmony. Dr Teresa’s presentation will focus on the following perspective: theological, legal, societal, financial dealings, non-Muslims’ positions in government, among others. A 20-minute presentation will be followed by Q &A. If you are interested, the AWARE Center is the best Onam celebrations of Pathanamthitta District Association (PDA) is scheduled to be held on Friday 28th October 2011, in which Shri Anto Antony, M.P. of Pathanamthitta Loksabha Constituency will be the Chief Guest and the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Shri Satish C. Mehta will offer felicitations. In connection with the Onam celebrations, Pathanamthitta District Association is holding an art competition in Poetry and Short Story writings and the Association is inviting Poems and Short Stories from talented individuals among Malayalees in Kuwait. The competitors must take special care to have the Poems in not more than 20 lines and the Short Stories in not more than forty lines. The best Poem and Short Story will be decided by Judges appointed by the Association and the Judges’ decision will be final. The Prizes for the Winners will be presented at the Onam celebrations function. Persons who are interested in participating in the above competition may please send their writings with photograph to the following address before Oct 20, 2011. For more information, please contact mobile nos. 97863052 or 66501482 Oct 21 Buntaayana 2011: Buntara Sangha Kuwait (BSK) is pleased to announce the much awaited Mega Cultural event ‘Buntaayana 2011’ on friday the 21st October 2011 at the Cambridge School Auditorium (Al Mangaf Makka Street, Opp. The Sultan Centre, Mangaf). The event shall be a cultural bonanza with various dance, music and comedy skits performed by the members of BSK. The main highlight of the event shall be Yakshagana, the famous traditional folk drama of our Tulunadu which shall be performed by the renowned artists flown from India. The event shall be graced by famous dignitaries and personalities of our Bunts community. The Managing committee shall need cooperation from all BSK members and invites you to be a part of this Mega-cultural event and participate collectively to achieve a magnanimous success. Yakshagana Tickets are limited, To reserve your tickets please call BSK Managing Committe on the following nos: 99929939 / 66236722 / 66502369 / 99558231 / 99584378. Alternatively you can also send email to [email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑ Onathanima 2011: ‘Onathanima 2011’ the most notable expatriate cultural fest in Kuwait, will take place on 21st October 2011 at Indian Central School, Abbasiya. Seventh National Tug-O-War championship in the auspices of Thanima also will be organized along with Onathanima. The winners of National Championship will be presented with Sancelia Everrolling Gold Cup. This year National Championship enters its seventh year. Twenty teams from Continued on Page 26