London, England -- Since 1985, the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair has led the way as the antiques fair for interior design. It was the first in the UK to offer a ‘look’ for decorating. Each year the Fairs are held in Winter (January), Spring (April/May) and Autumn (September/October).

Changes to the Fair since its launch in 1985 have been subtle yet steady, and reflect trends in the interior design market. From the ‘country house’ look of the mid-1980s to the growing interest in painted French and Scandinavian furniture; the acceptance of the ‘new antiques’ – such as Art Deco and mid-twentieth century design classics - in the 1990s, driven by demand from new, younger buyers, to the growing interest in industrial furniture and accessories and architectural salvage in the ‘Noughties’, the Decorative Fair has kept pace with the needs of its customers.

Whilst the make-up of the Fairs alters slightly, with new exhibitors joining every show (although many dealers have taken part in the Fair for years), the experience at the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fairs has not. Buyers still find it the most inspiring and relaxed antiques event in the UK. Dealers offer interior decorators and private buyers the best design options around for a very individual look.

» Read More

Monza Circuit was built in 1922, in only 110 days, both for competitions and for motor (auto & motor cycle) testing (Brooklands was built in 1907 and Indianapolis in 1909). Since then, the Italian Grand Prix has always taken place on the Monza track (except during the war years and a few other occasions). The location of the Circuit in Monza Park, is unique in the world. This natural setting is both attractive and delightful. Moreover there are sport and technical shops and a specialized bookstore with international and rare editions. The park offers also other facilities as swimming pool, camping, 18-hole golf course, horses and bicycle rental.- (Mi) - Date: The Italian Grand Prix September 12th, 2010 For further information, please follow this link ....

London, England -- This autumn Capital Sport brings you the London Thames and Royalty gentle cycling tour. This four night tour begins in the city and heads out by boat towards Kew where the cycling begins. From here the route includes Richmond, Hampton Court and Windsor – a real treat for history fanatics. The route is very flat and virtually traffic free. For further information follow this link ....

The Loire, France -- 'Loire a vélo' Trail Love your freedom, travelling off the beaten track and at your own speed ? Love your freedom, travelling off the beaten track and at your own speed? Here's an idea: pack a picnic, don your straw hat and cycle through the Loire Valley. If you go solo, there are plenty of places to hire, equip, accommodate and maintain your bikes and a choice of well-mapped routes. Or, if you prefer company, join a bike tour: you're sure to find one geared to your tastes and cycling level. What better time to explore the region's hidden byroads than in June, when the days are bright and the long summer evenings stretch far into the night?

Good News for Cycling Enthusiasts: New Bike Loop Inaugurated • A new loop has just been added to the ‘Loire à Vélo' cycling route, which runs the length of the Loire River from Amboise to Candes-Saint-Martin, near Chinon, and on to the Atlantic coast. The recently-inaugurated 100-km ‘L'Indre à Vélo' circuit will take you along level well-marked paths through the meandering and verdant valley of the Indre, all the way from the gracious Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau right into the royal city of Loches.

» Read More

Copenhagen, Denmark -- Noma, chef Rene Redzepi's flagship restaurant in Copenhagen, has a new title to celebrate: "Best restaurant in the world" on the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants.list for 2010. Noma - derived from nordisk mad , Danish for "Nordic food" - features local specialties of the North Atlantic region such as musk ox, wild salmon, horse mussels, deep-sea crabs and Faroe Island langoustines. It is co-owned by Danish restaurateur, celebrity chef and TV host Claus Meyer, known to U.S. audiences as the presenter of the Denmark segments of "New Scandinavian Cooking" on PBS. Understated and unpretentious, Noma (which holds two Michelin stars) dazzles diners and champions the cause of Nordic cuisine.

Paris, France -- Showrooms, the new shopping temples, are on the increase in Paris and are an alternative to traditional, wellestablished shops. Midway between a shop and a designer’s workshop, these convivial places are accessible to the public by appointment and offer them the possibility to make purchases accompanied by an advisor, or even to meet the designer in person.

Swedish designer Viveka Bergström is a designer of fashion jewellery at the centre of haute couture. She opens her showroom on the canal Saint-Martin from Monday to Saturday and by appointment to present her new collections. As for the Médecine douce, this brand welcomes fans of trendy accessories to its chic and bohemian workshop-shop on rue de Marseille. A representative of the Parisian “French touch”, the Erotokritos brand offers clients the possibility to customize their clothes in the former workshop on boulevard Beaumarchais.

For retro fans, Anoushka Vintage, consultant for luxury brands, has in the past few years become the undisputed reference for vintage in Parisian fashion. This prodigal star of vintage advises clients in her apartment-showroom.

Personal shopping for the home is also possible in the showroom of the Kidimo brand that bargain-hunts retro brands for a vintage and personalized interior or exterior decor

ANOUSHKA VINTAGE • 6 passage du Coq, Paris 9th, www.anouschka.fr

VIVEKA BERGSTRÖM • 23 rue de la Grange-aux-Belles, Paris 10th, www.viveka-bergstrom.com

MÉDECINE DOUCE • 10 rue de Marseille, Paris 10th, www.bijouxmedecinedouce.com

EROTOKRITOS • 109 bd Beaumarchais, Paris 3rd, www.erotokritos.com

SHOWROOM KIDIMO • 5 passage du Grand-Cerf, 1st floor, Paris 2nd www.kidimo.com
By appointment only

Orleans, France -- "Le Lièvre Gourmand", run by top-rated chef William Page. ‘Le Lièvre Gourmand', run by top-rated chef William Page, recently opened its doors in the historic district of Orleans, overlooking the Loire River. The new restaurant features a sophisticated and varied menu based on ‘noble' products - truffles, foie gras, lobster, scallops - served in a refined and elegant setting. Chances are, though, that your attention will be riveted on what is in your plate: Page was awarded one star by Michelin, 2 stars by the Bottin Gourmand and 3 chef's toques by Gault and Millau for his gastronomical prowess at his previous restaurant near Bourges. Open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. Careful: the restaurant is closed the first two weeks of August.

Weimar, Germany -- The city of Weimar in the German state of Thuringia, about two hours southwest of Berlin, is a cultural gem and one of the places in the world with the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Home to cultural giants from Goethe to Bach and the founding place of the Bauhaus movement, it boasts in total 13 UNESCO World Heritage buildings. After the rebuilding and reopening of the Anna-Amalia-Library in 2007, now another architectural masterpiece has been freshly restored: The former School of Arts and Crafts, originally part of the first Bauhaus University designed by Henry Van de Velde.

Van de Velde is one of the founders of the Art Nouveau Style and a major influence to the Bauhaus movement. He appointed Martin Gropius in 1915 as his successor for the School of Arts and Crafts, who developed it into the Bauhaus University. The recent completion of the renovation work not only marks the return of a unique architectural landmark to Weimar, but also one of the city’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites. www.weimar.de

» Read More

Santa Barbara, Cal -- Smiling families dine at sidewalk cafés with checkered tablecloths, starry-eyed couples toast each other with wine, artists wearing bérets paint at their easels and the air is filled with music, laughter and the tempting aromas of French cuisine. Surely this must be France? Actually, it's the 23nd Annual French Festival in Santa Barbara. Over 20,000 people expected to attend. Don't miss out! Dates are: July 17, 2010 - July 18, 2010 and you may use this link for more information on the 5 star event . . .

Amsterdam, Holland -- The 13th edition of the Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW) will take place from July 10th through July 18th 2010. The public events of DOWNTOWN can be seen at various stores, clubs and galleries throughout the city of Amsterdam. The official catwalk programme will take place at Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek from July 14th through July 18th. Twice a year, AIFW constitutes the highlight of Dutch fashion, with a programme that includes fashion shows, presentations, lectures and parties. The show programme and lectures are directed mainly at professionals from the fashion industry. Additional information is available by using this link . . . .