“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination – until now”, said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.”

Icons are extraordinary experiences from the greatest names in music, film, sports, and more pic.twitter.com/6mKEu8HzQj

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) May 1, 2024

Among the 11 experiences is the chance to spend a night in the iconic house from Disney’s beloved animated film “Up”, which celebrates its 15^th anniversary this year. Suspended by a crane and floating high above Abiquiu, New Mexico, this gravity-defying stay, complete with 8,000 balloons, offers guests the opportunity to live in the magic of the movie, with the property even listed by the fictional star, Carl Fredricksen himself.

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For fans of Pixar’s “Inside Out”, Headquarters, the nerve centre of Riley’s emotions, will debut its exclusive and mysterious “dreamatorium” in June 2024. This stay will allow guests to observe and influence emotions. Drawing from the Marvel universe, the X-Mansion in Westchester, New York, invites visitors to train like their beloved superheroes and uncover their mutant powers.

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Music enthusiasts can explore Prince’s Purple Rain House in Minnesota from August 2024, previously off-limits to the public. They can also spend a week with Colombian singer Feid on the “FERXXOCALIPSIS” world tour, with special access to rehearsals and backstage. From October, guests can share an intimate experience with American rapper Doja Cat interpreting songs from her latest album, “in an intimate living room environment”.

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Starting also in August, Kevin Hart’s exclusive club experience offers tequila tasting and live stand-up comedy for those seeking live entertainment. Meanwhile, requests are already open to share a gaming session with the Generation-Z and TikTok star Khaby Lame in his Fortnite loft based in Milan.

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Travellers seeking luxury can wake up in the Musée d’Orsay, where the iconic clock room is transformed into a lavish bedroom overlooking the River Seine. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, offers a night on a bed crafted from leather similar to that used in Ferrari car seats, including a tour with Marc Gené, ambassador driver of the Scuderia Ferrari, and a VIP experience during a race. For those heading to Chennai in India, Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor makes her summer retreat mansion available for an unforgettable stay.

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Affordability remains key, with most Icons experiences being free and the rest priced under $100 (€93 euros) per person. Participants can apply, and if selected, will receive a digital golden ticket, granting them access to one of over 4,000 available slots throughout 2024. 

L’article Floating Up house among 11 new “extraordinary” experiences on Airbnb est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Dating back to the 14^th century (1381-1383), the Porte de Hal stands as a landmark of the architectural prowess of the Middle Ages. Nestled along Brussels’ Inner Ring, between Place Louise and the Midi Train Station, its distinctive silhouette stands out amidst the contemporary cityscape. The building has witnessed the passage of time, undergoing several modifications and serving various purposes. Its thick walls once harboured a state prison, but the 19^th century heralded the transformation of the gate into a museum and a wave of modernisations to increase accessibility to the grandiose neo-Gothic building.

The announcement of the renovation project, dubbed “Porte de Hal 2.0”, came on Monday, 29 April, following the signing of a cooperation agreement by the Belgian federal government, the City of Brussels, the Brussels-Capital Region, the Royal Museums of Art and History and the non-profit association Paleis van Keizer Karel, currently managing the Coudenberg Palace. 

This building is a place full of history, but we want to give it a new soul. It will be a gateway to our folklore.

Delphine Houba, Brussels councillor responsible for culture and tourism

Following an extensive public consultations, the strategic renovation plan includes the transformation of the museum into an interactive space that highlights Brussels’ intangible heritage and folklore, while ensuring safety and welcoming atmosphere of the museum’s surroundings, said Minister-President for the Brussels-Capital Region, Rudi Vervoort.

The initiative demonstrates a profound commitment to rejuvenating the museum and its current collection, which centres on the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Brussels. While preserving the collection, efforts will be made to present it in a more engaging manner, particularly geared towards families and children. 

The museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions will emphasize national traditions such as the falling tree procession ofMeyboom and the UNESCO-recognized Ommegang parade. Leveraging technology and interactive installations, the collections will offer new perspectives on medieval Brussels, aiming to showcase the city’s popular culture and provide insights into medieval life around Porte de Hal. Moreover, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top of the old fortifications. Plans also include a shop and café, where guests will be able to taste traditional Gueuze beer or immerse themselves in Belgian folklore.

The definitive plan for Porte de Hal 2.0 is anticipated by late 2024, with an opening date yet to be set. Meanwhile, the museum located within the building, which exhibits medieval artifacts, is currently undergoing renovations, but remains open to welcome visitors.

L’article Brussels’ Porte de Hal to become an interactive museum  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

These discoveries, found within zircon minerals and confirmed through chemical and independent isotope analysis, suggest that the geologic foundation of Denmark and Scandinavia likely stemmed from Greenland, approximately 3.75 billion years ago.

At the forefront of this paradigm-shifting research stands the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management in Copenhagen, whose efforts culminated with a publication in the Geology Journal. According to professor and geologist Tod Waight, their findings paint a vivid picture of an ancient connection between Greenland and Scandinavia, pushing back the age of the latter by a staggering 250 million years.

“The zircon crystals we found in river sand and rocks from Finland have signatures that point towards them being much older than anything ever found in Scandinavia, while matching the age of Greenlandic rock samples. At the same time, the results of three independent isotope analyses confirm that Scandinavia’s bedrock was most likely linked to Greenland”, said Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management researcher Andreas Petersson.

To conduct their analysis, the researchers examined zircon extracted from modern river sand and rock samples from the remote regions of Pudasjärvi and Suomujärvi in Finland, areas with limited geological investigation. The crystals found in this Finnish outcrop are believed to have formed from granitic magmas. Also, by scrutinizing the isotopic compositions of lead, hafnium, and oxygen, the researchers traced the chemical signatures back to their source in Greenland, unravelling a saga of continental drift and shared evolutionary history.

This exploration of Earth’s origins, reaching back to the very birthplace of its crust, carries significant implications for our comprehension of continental evolution and its impact on the genesis and maintenance of life. Reflecting on the depth of these findings, the researchers highlight the pivotal role continents hold in shaping our planet, from steering ocean currents to shaping the climates essential for sustaining life.

L’article Scandinavia broke away from Greenland as a “seed” 3.75 billion years ago, study finds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The castle, which serves as the private, and mostly summer, residence of the Belgian sovereigns, long predates the greenhouses. Located north of Brussels, it was originally built between 1781 and 1785, in a typical neo-classical style, for Archdukes and Governors-General of the Netherlands, Maria-Christina of Austria and Albrecht of Saxony-Teschen. It narrowly escaped from destruction, thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte, who had it purchased by the “Département” of the Dijle to turn it into a residence.

The true architectural marvel came almost a century later when, in 1873, Belgian architect Alphonse Balat, mentor to Victor Horta and pioneer for generations of Art-Nouveau architects, designed a complex of greenhouses for King Leopold II. This project, completed in 1905, added a contemporary flair to the classical elegance of the castle. The final design is the culmination of several letters, sketches, and plans exchanged between King Leopold II and the architect. Balat’s philosophy of simplicity resonated throughout the design process, ending in a glass and iron city, reminiscent of Paxton’s Crystal Palace in London.

The sprawling complex encompasses over 36 pavilions, covered galleries, and a magnificent Great Rotunda, all housed under a vast glass canopy spanning 1.5 hectares, with a glass coating of 2.5 hectares. This transparent marvel not only serves as a testament to history but also preserves King Leopold II’s botanical legacy, housing a remarkable collection of rare and valuable plant specimens.

As visitors cross the gardens, they are presented with two distinct paths for exploration. One route delves deeper into the estate before reaching the greenhouse complex, while the shorter remains closer to the buildings, but still provides glances of the ample English gardens. The shorter path also leads to the sculpting studio of Queen Elisabeth, wife of King Albert I and a talented artist. 

Along the way, guests can admire a diverse array of plant species. Starting with camellias, laurels, rhododendrons, and orange trees, housed in the Orangerie, then going through the Geranium gallery, the green walk continues to subtropical plants, including worldwide palm trees in the palm greenhouse. The adjacent palm pavilion is however inaccessible to the public, as it served as the residence of King Leopold II for the last years of his life until his passing in 1909. The Castle of Laeken is also always closed to visitors.

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An indelible mark on the global Art Nouveau movement, the Royal Greenhouses have also committed to becoming much greener and up-to-date. Major renovation works have been realized to make them more energy-efficient, ensuring they continue to delight visitors for generations to come.

Interestingly, Balat is also buried not far from his architectural masterpieces, his eternal resting place is in the Laeken cemetery, also worth a visit.

L’article Royal Greenhouses of Laeken open from 26 April to 20 May this year est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Sections of the castle, traditionally reserved for the royal family, will be now accessible to the public for the first time. Albeit, for those willing to pay a premium. These tours, scheduled from 1 July to 4 August, before the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla for their annual retreat, will also serve as a trial period for estate staff to assess the impact of increased visitor traffic on the historic building. 

The decision to open up the grounds seems to align with the King’s wider initiative to enhance accessibility to royal residences. This summer also marks the first time the East Wing of Buckingham Palace, including the iconic central balcony used by the royal family for public appearances, will be accessible to the public. Additionally, other royal properties, such as Windsor, Sandringham, Holyrood and Highgrove houses, regularly open their grounds for various events.

For the first time since the castle was completed in 1855, we have been granted permission to take you on a private tour with our experienced guides.

Balmoral Castle Estate Office

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Priced at £150 (€175) per person for both the tour and high tea, the unique Balmoral opening will be the priciest royal residence experience to date, attracting visitors in search of exclusivity and with “deep pockets”, as warned by The Guardian. Nevertheless, all available slots were booked within 24 hours by royal family enthusiasts. Considering that Buckingham Palace charges about £95 (€110) for an exclusive guided tour, while general admission is around £35 (€40), and Windsor Castle’s entrance and Sandringham House’s admission is £24 (€28), one can immediately recognize the historical significance of the operation at Balmoral.

It is not the first time the estate opens its gates to the public, but previous tours have only allowed visitors to explore parts of the grounds and gardens. Five cottages within the estate’s borders can also be reserved for accommodation. However, the current tour now includes access to the green drawing room, the library, the dining room and the page hall. Moreover, visitors will be able to browse through the ballroom showcasing the King’s unseen collection of watercolour paintings, depicting scenes from Balmoral and other royal residencies, as well as outfits worn by some royal family members.

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The estate has always served as a peaceful retreat for the British royal members. Its first owner, Queen Victoria, died here, and so did the long-lived Queen Elizabeth II. It was also here that, on 31 August 1997, Prince William and Prince Harry learned of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales’ tragic death. Balmoral has witnessed other historical events, yet it remains primarily a sanctuary for activities such as grouse shoots, picnics and relaxed walks with corgis that keep the royal family busy during summertime.

L’article Balmoral Castle opens to visitors for the first time this summer est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.