Alternatives to fireworks for July 4th

by Elizabeth Seward on


It’s been 35 years since the city of Austin canceled its July 4th fireworks display, but due to the extreme drought in Travis County, Austin‘s fiery light show has been canceled. Because of the hot, dry, and windy conditions in this section of Texas, the Travis County Fire Marshal decided not to approve any permits for fireworks throughout the county. “We just can’t take that chance”, said Austin’s Fire Chief, Rhonda Mae Kerr. And although I’m disappointed, as an Austin resident who loves fireworks, I’m also comforted, as an Austin resident who doesn’t want to see my house burn down.

So what’s a July 4th celebration without the big bang of those patriotic fireworks? I’ve been doing some brainstorming. I’ve been tracking my memories of July 4th events back to, well, as far as I can remember, and I’ve come up with some tried and true and undeniably traditional ways to celebrate July 4th for those of you also currently living under a burn ban.

  • Grill. As far back as I can remember, grilling has been a part of my July 4th celebrations. I spent several July 4ths in NYC at a party where I was unable to actually see the fireworks shooting off into the thick city air, but still able to successfully grill. An old-fashioned cook-out, even sans fireworks, is a perfectly fine way to spend your holiday.
  • Bake. If you’re hosting or attending a cook-out, summon the baker in you and bring something red, white, and blue to the table. From American flag cakes to red and blue M&M cookies, show your team spirit for America with one of the most popular things in America: sugar.
  • Go outside. One of the things the USA has going for it is the outdoors. No matter where in the states you reside, there’s natural beauty awaiting exploration throughout this country. As a nod to our founding fathers, spend the day outside. Whether you’re soaking up the sun while lounging on a boat or hiking deep within the forest’s shade, you’ll be honoring America by spending some time in its great outdoors.
  • Embrace community. Independence Day has long been a day reserved for community activities. Even if you rarely get out and involved with your community, Independence Day is a good time to start. Honor your country via its residents. Take advantage of the parades, concerts, parties, and other events the members of your community have organized to celebrate this holiday.
  • Dress to Confess–confess your pride in being an American, that is. Red, white, and blue are the colors of the day. Do it up! (And then take photos and tag yourself on Facebook so all of your friends abroad know just how American you are).
  • Faux Fireworks. If you need to have some sort of firework action in your life on the holiday, but you can’t have actual fireworks, then go for some fauxworks. What are fauxworks? Videos of fireworks going off projected onto the wall of your house, fireworks sounds blasting from your speakers, images of fireworks tacked anywhere you can see them, or even a light show aimed to emulate the sparkling rockets.

If you have ideas on how to fill the firework void for those living in a firework-free zone, please comment! Let us know. The more ideas those of us living in these areas have, the more like a regular July 4th this one will be.

The Twelve Tribes Cafes: are they worth it?

by Elizabeth Seward on


Visit the website representing the members of the religious group, The Twelve Tribes, and they’ll cheerily tell you all about themselves. Visit one of the cafes the group, now located in the USA, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia, owns and the workers will warmly welcome you and feed you while you uncover the details of their religious beliefs in pamphlets and papers, some of which are difficult to miss because they’re tacked on bathroom walls. Check out the Yelp reviews for the respective cafes, bakeries, and delis and you’ll find myriad mixed reviews. Some people leave before they order, scampering off scared by the uncommon religious propaganda. But other people seem to love the cafes, no matter their ideological differences.

As I write this, I’m sitting upstairs at Common Grounds–a Twelve Tribes cafe in Hyannis, Massachusetts. To follow is the breakdown of what I know so far about these people, their cafes, and whether or not you should drink their juice.

%Gallery-126493%Who they are:
An international confederation of religious communities. Founded by Gene Spriggs in 1972, the group’s original base was Chattanooga, Tennessee. The group attempts to recreate the First Century Church from the Book of Acts.

What they say:
(Everything below was copied directly either from their website, free paper, or menu)

  • We follow the Messiah, Yahshua, the son of the living God. He gave up His life for us so that our sins could be forgiven. This is why we love Him. Our love for Him is expressed in our daily care for each other…
  • We believe and follow the teachings of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, in a very real and practical way. We believe that God is good and just, and will judge all men according to their deeds…
  • We live together in households, clans, and tribes, sharing our possessions in common. We strongly support marriage, and we teach our children at home. We dress modestly, eat wholesome food, work hard, pray together, and celebrate our life in music and dance…
  • We hate the death, war, strife, hatred, starvation, murder, injustice, greed, and selfishness that is leading the whole world to destruction. We want to see all of this come to an end. We want many, many more people to hear the voice of hope we have heard, to come and see the life. We are thrilled to be able to invite you to come and see that it is a reality.
  • Community, as we use the term, means those who love one another so greatly that they are of one heart and mind, holding all things as common property, living together, taking their meals together, devoted to one another because they’re devoted to the One who saved them from death and misery.
  • The ones we are most concerned about are the ones who think they are fine.
  • We live in an environment that is separate from the world while remaining right in the middle of it.
  • If you worry that many catastrophes may happen soon, you’re right.
  • We regard all hardship as discipline, which will eventually cause us to be conformed into the likeness of our Master.
  • When the world sees Yahshua’s disciples dwelling together in unity, denying themselves for the good of their brothers, it proves something.
  • A woman is to desire her husband and let him rule over her. She is to bear their children in pain. A man is to toil and sweat to provide for his family, not live off the labor of others. He is to rule over his wife. Sexual relationships are to be limited to the covenant of marriage.

What others say:

  • “I was once a member of the twelve tribes and I tell you now, they are a high-control cult that twists scripture to suit their own needs. As far as you must accept Jesus, they consider him a demon. Further, when I left the cult they told me I would be dead in two years because the holy spirit cannot live outside of their community. That was three years ago. Stay away from this group and if you can organize prayer groups to disband them I recommend it. The world will be a much better place without them…for one.”—Mark.
  • “I do not plan on joining this group, however they are great people and I suggest going and finding out what they are really about. I may go back to find out more with the same people, simply because it seems they live a simple, yet fulfilling lifestyle.”—Observer.

Check out other comments on the group on these websites:

GoodMason.com
TwelveTribes-Ex.com
TheAntiTourist.com

More or less, what others say is mixed. The Twelve Tribes appears to be a polarizing group. People seem to think they’re either a manipulative cult or good people with a good message.

What they serve:
Pretty undeniably delicious food and beverages. Also, “the fruit of the spirit”.

Where they are: Check out their own list of where they are located.

So… is it worth it? I say yes. The food is good, the wifi is strong, the caffeine is even stronger, and, generally speaking, the two places I’ve dined in were nice, welcoming, and comfortable. I say go, but go with information about the people who operate the cafe in hand.

Spider Holster’s Black Widow DSLR / camera belt holster review

by Dana Murph on

There aren’t too many new camera peripherals that do something truly new. Sure, quite a few of them complete a familiar task with more ease and less clutter, but the Black Widow by Spider Holster is an entirely new way to manage your primary or secondary camera. What’s unique about this device is that it can be used by both professional photographers as well as vacationers who simply wish to keep a camera at their hip at all times. Those afraid of missing “that moment” can probably relate. The concept here is really simple: it’s a belt that’s attached around you via a wide Velcro band, and there’s a small ‘catching’ mechanism on the side that sits right beside your leg. You screw in a small, silver knob into the bottom of any camera that accepts a traditional tripod thread screw. The knob then slides down into the socket on your waist, and there it hangs until you need it. A small red thumb switch unlocks the slide, allowing you to easily release the camera with one hand and pull it out for use. When you’ve got the shots you want, just drop it back in the holster. Read on for my full review, as well as a quick video showing exactly how the system works.

%Gallery-119802%I recently used the Black Widow while shooting a wedding, and it dramatically improved my workflow and enabled me to capture shots I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to get. Quite simply, it allowed me to always carry around a secondary DSLR with an ultra wide-angle lens lens, and without having it right there at my waist, it would’ve been far tougher to reach into a backpack or messenger bag to grab the second camera. The convenience factor cannot be ignored. It also does an outstanding job of weight distribution. Lugging another camera over your shoulder or back takes a toll on your after a few hours; this hip solution didn’t bother me at all, even during an eight-hour shoot. For travelers, this seems like an awesome solution for carrying a camera while hiking or in a theme park.

Why tie up a hand or have something strapped around your shoulder when you can have it around your waist? For adventure photographers, who simply cannot go to a destination without two cameras and at least two lenses, this is one of the simplest ways yet to carry that second rig. The only major nitpick I had is that the silver knob screw-in piece tends to work itself loose after a number of hours, so be sure to check its tightness every so often, particularly if you’re moving around with any frequency. Also, if you’ll need a tripod mount on the bottom, this system simply won’t work. My workaround is to keep my primary camera ready for tripod use, while using the holstered camera as a handheld-only unit. The other option is to buy a $15.99 tripod plate, which enables the use of tripod mounts while also supporting the holster.

Otherwise, it’s $49.99 well spent if you’re the type who is constantly trying to juggle a pair of cameras, or would like to travel and take shots without always having a camera in one of your hands. A more rugged and advanced ‘SpiderPro System‘ is also available now for $135, catering to those with larger DSLRs and lenses; if you have a trusty belt already, the $8.99 Belt Pad can slide onto just about any belt and provide the same holster action. Lastly, it’s totally possible to hang a camera from each hip if you add a socket on each side.


Xcom Global’s MiFi rental service: why you shouldn’t leave the US without one

by Dana Murph on

The goal here was to utilize Xcom Global’s MiFi rental service to stay connected and work while traveling. The trip? Four days in England, followed by three in France. I was scheduled to shoot my first international wedding in Paris, and was spending a few days in England beforehand — partly to enjoy the country, and partly to ensure that no weather problems in the US delayed my flight over. Xcom Global provides a service that every US-based international traveler should consider: they rent MiFi devices for a host of nations (a list that seems to grow each month), and if you aren’t familiar with a MiFi, the concept is pretty simple: it’s a battery-powered pebble with a country-specific SIM card in it. Just press a button, and within a few seconds, you’ll have a WiFi signal that connects up to five devices to a country’s 3G network.

For example, a French MiFi gives you unlimited 3G data with Orange. So long as you keep a charged battery in there, you can leave your smartphone in airplane mode and still use Google Maps to get around a foreign city — just connect your phone to the MiFi over Wi-Fi. If you aren’t familiar with what it costs to use data internationally, it’s around $5 per megabyte. What does that mean? Downloading the emails you missed on the flight over could easily cost $20, and if you maintained that connection for a whole day? It’s easy to rack up $300 or more in data roaming charges. No US carrier offers a decent international plan (at least not anymore), so you’re really left with two options: struggle to find Wi-Fi, or use Xcom Global. These guys will rent you a MiFi for under $20 per day, with return shipping included. That means unlimited Wi-Fi for around $17 a day in a foreign country, and it’s a connection that multiple people can use at once. If your hotel wants to ding you 10 Euros per day for Internet, just use this — problem solved. It’s an awesome way to stay connected while abroad, but honestly, it’s more than that. For mobile professionals, it’s a necessity.

I love my husband very much, I really do. But even he was kicking himself when we took off from the US and realized our MiFis were still in their shipping bag in our vehicle, safely parked at the airport, slipping further and further from Manchester. This piece was slated to be a review of Xcom’s services; instead, it has morphed into a thesis on just how frustrating it is to visit a foreign country without their services. You never know what you’ve got until it’s gone — isn’t that what they say? Read on for more.Both my husband and I were scheduled to continue working while in England. The plan was to use Xcom’s MiFi in our hotel rooms to check up on emails nightly, return any missed calls via Skype and then use the Internet on-the-go. We’d never been to Manchester, and we were banking on using Google Maps Navigation to get us from our train stop to our hotel. Needless to say, we spent nearly 10 Pounds on a taxi ride that we could’ve easily walked if we had the Internet to guide us. And that’s just the beginning. We arrived at our first hotel, a Holiday Inn. It’s a fine place, but they wanted 15 Pounds for 24 hours of Internet usage. Internet that we couldn’t take with us when exploring the streets of Manchester.

At this point, the only reasonable alternative was to find an O2 store, which sells a pay-as-you-go SIM for 15 Pounds that includes 500MB of data. But alas, it’s hard to locate an O2 store when there’s no Internet to find a store locator. We run downstairs and spend a solid ten minutes attempting to take directions from the front desk, and then another 15 minutes wandering aimlessly to a bus station. And then another 30 walking to a mall, and then another 30 waiting for the SIM to be activated. After our entire first morning in England was shot, we finally had data — on one phone, and we could only use around 100MB per day. After that, it forced us to wait until midnight for the next block of data to become usable.

This was obviously far from ideal. We were fortunate enough to own an unlocked smartphone (a standard Apple iPhone from AT&T would never accept another carrier’s SIM, for example). Plus, the Nexus One has a Mobile Hotspot function that pipes 3G data out over Wi-Fi. This enabled us to check our emails on our laptops, but O2 badly compresses all images that are uploaded, so obviously I was unable to create any photo blogs using this solution. To say that this wasn’t the perfect solution would be a tremendous understatement. Had we been in possession of Xcom’s MiFi, we would’ve had unlimited data to use as we saw fit, without any image compression or daily usage limits. Even if you aren’t interested in working while overseas, having the ability to use Google Maps to search for eateries and monuments (and get directions) is a total godsend. Without a MiFi, the only way to do it is to pay absurd roaming charges or to rent a SIM card — provided you own an unlocked device.

Eventually, we took a train to London. There, our hotel also wanted 15 Pounds per day for Internet access, which just so happened to go down for a critical five hour period where my husband was scheduled to make an important Skype call back to the United States. We had already used up the 100MB daily allotment through O2, so it was off to the streets in a frantic attempt to find an open Wi-Fi hotspot. Considering that we had no mobile Internet to guide us, we were forced to remain on streets we had visited the day before and knew were well-lit. It was closing in on 9PM, and we had already spent an hour on Regent Street — one of London’s most popular roads — with no luck whatsoever. The Starbucks closed at 8:30PM, and the only coffee shop that we could find with later hours wanted to charge us 5 Pounds for using their Wi-Fi for just 1.5 hours.

In the end, we ended up standing outside of a locked Apple Store door, borrowing their free Wi-Fi long enough to complete a 20 minute phone call. Something that would’ve taken 20 minutes if we had Xcom’s MiFi in our hotel room ended up taking around two hours, and rather than being able to have a private call, everyone on Regent Street could pass by and have a listen.

In France, it was even worse. Hardly any of the signage is in English, which left us with little choice but to Google Map something in our room and then write down instructions before heading out. We were also unable to make Skype calls on the go, as we weren’t able to procure a local SIM here. Unlike the UK, there’s no carrier in France that openly sells prepaid SIM cards with data; it’s possible to get one from SFR, but it takes over a day to activate and it requires fluency in French to sort through a phone menu to have the data feature added.

In the end, I found it interesting that going a week overseas without Xcom’s Global MiFi rental service is the best possible advertisement for the service. It may be easy to assume that “you’ll be fine” without Internet access, but consider the life that most of us lead today. We’re perpetually connected. We rely on Google Maps to get us anywhere. We lose connections with people if email sits around for two days. And as for ponying up for Internet at the hotel? That’s a frustration that no traveler should have to face. Looking back, I would have gladly paid Xcom Global $17 per day to have unlimited access to the Internet both in my hotel and everywhere I traveled to while overseas. Suffice it to say, this has taught me to never leave home without one when traveling abroad — in my mind, it’s just as essential as a passport. If you still have your doubts, you could head overseas for a week and do your best to find the Internet. I wouldn’t recommend it, though.

Royal Wedding watch: parties, packages and more

by McLean Robbins on


Unless you’re really lucky, you probably didn’t snag an invite to the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29. But that doesn’t mean you can’t join in the festivities. Check out these great hotels and resorts offering special wedding-themed packages and events.

Live Like Royalty

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
This is, without a doubt, one of the more over-the-top packages we’ve seen recently. Book the hotel’s Royal Wedding Tour ($18,000 for one, $30,000 for two) and you’ll receive special access and hosted tours by first-hand family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had access to before. The hotel itself also has a rich history: Queen Elizabeth II and the late Princess Margaret first learned to dance in the gilded ballroom, Prince Charles and Princess Anne visited the tearooms as children and more recently, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were guests at Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s 80th birthday party. Sir Winston Churchill was even a temporary resident while his London house was being refurbished. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park. Visit our friends over at Luxist for full details.

The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
In the heart of the United States’ own “seat of power,” this luxury hotel has partnered with area vendors to create a wedding experience fit for a king and queen. The Royal Wedding experience includes customized diamond jewels for the bride and rare vintage loans for the bridal party, a custom dress from an area bridal shop, personal shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, celebrity stylists, and a “royal watch” consultant. The ceremony will transform the hotel ballroom into Westminster Abbey, Kensington Gardens and Buckingham palace while guests nosh on a custom menu and sip Dom Pérignon Champagne to the tunes of a 17-piece orchestra. Afterwards, the newlyweds will retreat to the hotel’s Royal Suite and receive a box of Dom Perignon Wedding which includes 12 bottles of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000 in an exquisite white lacquered box with a unique silver label personalized with the bride and groom’s names and the date of their nuptials. The price of this wedding package is available upon request.

The Waldorf=Astoria New York
The acclaimed New York hotel is offering a special one-time-only promotion for a whopping $20,000. Available only for booking through Jennifer Jorgensen, director of luxury sales, the package includes accommodations in The Waldorf=Astoria Royal Suite April 28th -the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, plus a soiree for up to 40 guests with a custom British wedding food menu.The May Fair Hotel
Book the hotel’s “Suite and Sapphire” package to enjoy a stay in the hotel’s signature Azure Suite, featuring a private elevator, Fendi furniture and a fireplace, and a sapphire and diamond engagement ring designed by a celebrity jeweler. Depending on the size of the ring, the package ranges from £9,500 for a one-carat ring to £207,500 for an 18 carat ring, the same size as Kate Middleton’s.

Hyatt Regency London The Churchill
Book the hotel’s “Royal Opulence Package” and receive a four night stay for up to six guests in the Royal Suite (one of London’s largest Suites) plus:
* Daimler DS40 and hotel chauffeur available up to eight hours per day
* Butler in the Royal Suite available for up to eight hours per day.
* All meals included will be served in the Royal Suite, with dishes created by the private chef
* Royal Banquet Dinner in the Royal Suite catering to up to ten guests
* Private talk by Royal Biographer on _William and Kate – The Love Story_
* Six tickets to the Royal Opera House’s performance of “_The Tsar’s Bride_” on 29 April
* Historic Royal Palace tours will include the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court, along with a London Blue Badge guide for two days for six guests
* Special Royal amenities by Royal Warrant holders including: Flowers by Moyse Stevens, Bathroom products from Floris and Royal Wedding limited edition truffles from Prestat

Just make sure you’ve got the cash to back it up – the package is £30,000.

Party Like a Prince (or Princess)

The Stafford London by Kempinski
Located just steps from Buckingham Palace and a rumored “hotspot” of the Royal Family themselves, the newly-revamped Stafford London by Kempinski is hosting a special Royal Wedding viewing party on April 29. Tickets are £85 per person and include all food and beverage. Reservations are required.

Augill Castle
Augill Castle is offering a Great British break of two nights from Thursday, April 28 – Saturday, April 30. Guests will be greeted with sherry and home-made biscuits before a four-course dinner or special high tea for kids. Augill Castle’s idyllic 15 acres will set the stage for the festive Garden Party to watch the Royal wedding in style. After, guests will feast on British classics including cucumber sandwiches, scones with fresh strawberries and cream, fairy cakes, English trifle and pitchers of Pimms. Children can enjoy party games in the afternoon before high tea and adults will be kept entertained that night with live music and a majestic banquet. Priced from £725 for two adults.

Dukes Hotel, London
Dukes is the closest hotel in the city to Buckingham Palace, and is situated nearly next door to Clarence House, where William will depart from to get to Westminster Abbey on the big day. The hotel is hosting an Afternoon Champagne Tea in the hotel’s Regal Marlborough Suite, where the wedding will be shown on a large screen for £34 per person.

The Suite Life

Trump International New York
We liked this package so much, we covered it in our Daily Pampering column earlier this year, but it bears repeating. Book this suite package on April 28th and you’ll enjoy a “Royal Brunch” on Friday morning with a special tasting menu created just for the wedding. You’ll also get a 4 PM late checkout, because, after getting up at 5 AM, you’ll want a nap.

The Ritz London
Boasting a prime location near Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, this luxury property has a rich history (The Duke of Windsor dined and danced in The Palm Court, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 80th birthday and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales awarded the hotel the honor of a Royal Warrant). The Ritz Restaurant will host an extravagant Royal Wedding Brunch between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. Screens streaming live coverage of the wedding will be displayed throughout the room. Priced at $244 per person, the Royal Wedding Brunch includes a glass of Champagne to toast the happy couple, a commemorative souvenir Menu, and an exclusive limited edition decorative keepsake embroidered with the initials of the Royal couple and their wedding date. Care to stay overnight? For guests checking in on the 28th or 29th of April, the special Monarchy & Matrimony program is priced at $2,375 and includes:

  • Two nights sumptuous accommodation in a Louis XVI inspired room
  • Flowers, fresh fruit and a bottle of Champagne in-room on arrival
  • Royal Wedding Brunch in The Ritz Restaurant, with live coverage of the Royal wedding playing throughout
  • A limited edition commemorative gift
  • English breakfast each morning

Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore Santa Barbara
From high teas to royal pampering, the Resort has planned number of events, including special cocktails in the hotel’s Ty Lounge, including the Middletini, made with Hennessy XO, Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire 100 year, Chambord, poma juice and ginger ale. To truly enjoy the “Royal” treatment, book their special 7-hour spa package ($1,350 per person) including a Jasmine Rose Bath Soak and Champagne in a luxurious ocean view treatment suite, a Green Jade Rice Scrub, a Detoxifying Seaweed Wrap, a 50-minute full body massage, spa lunch, 80-minute custom facial and Hand and Foot Paraffin treatment. Guests receive a special spa robe as a memento and limo transport back to their suite or home within a 25-mile radius.

Elite Island Resorts
Traveling to the Caribbean? Elite Island Resorts is offering 30 percent off all-inclusive nightly rates at The Verandah, St. James’s Club and Galley Bay in Antigua; The Palm Island Resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and luxury-inclusive spa resort LaSource in Grenada. Guests will gather to watch the royal festivities at all of these participating properties. Traditional English tea, finger sandwiches and scones will also be provided.

‘La Ferme de la Lochere’ Estate, Burgundy
Rent this fabulous French estate from April 30 to May 7 and enjoy a recreation of the wedding meal by Katherine Frelon, who has cooked for the royal family. The week-long package at the 400 year old property features Royal High Tea, champagne in a hot air balloon, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, a private wine tasting and several hands-on cooking experiences with a seasoned Michelin chef. Prices start at €1,895 ($2,561)* per person. E-mail scattychef@aol.com for reservations.


Fairmont St. Andrews
Celebrate the Royal Wedding at the location where William and Kate were rumored to have “caught eyes” – the five-star resort hosted the 2001 fashion show where Ms. Middleton modeled a sheer black lace dress and Prince William sat front row. A two-night package is available which includes dinner in the Squire restaurant –the room where the fashion show took place –and a 60-minute treatment in the spa of which Prince William was a member, as well as a live broadcast of the wedding itself. There is also a complimentary shuttle bus service to St Andrews so guests can visit and explore the ancient town and university where the couple both lived and studied. The two-night package costs £229 per person and is valid between April 29 and May 1.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
“The Royal Engagement” package includes overnight accommodations in a city-view room, a delightful Afternoon Tea served in your guest room, tickets to the Sarasota Polo match (a favorite pastime of HRH Prince William), a bottle of Ritz Champagne upon arrival, Rose Petals and a proper pillow for the “prince” to fall to one knee to propose. The cost begins at $449 per couple, and add-on services and upgrades can be arranged by the hotel’s Romance Concierge.

Ellenborough Park
Located in the Costwolds countryside, the newly-opened Ellenborough Park offers all of the traditional “English” amenities you’d expect with a Royal Wedding package. Enjoy a welcome bottle of champagne, signature Royal Cocktail in the hotel bar, and a wide-screen TV broadcasting the wedding live. That evening, enjoy a romantic à la carte meal in the hotel’s dining room, as well as a full English breakfast each morning. The three-day package starts at $1,583 for two and includes optional suite upgrades for additional charges.

The Chester Grosvenor and Spa
Owned by the Duke of Westminster (and hosted Prince Edward of Wales and the Earl of Chester in 1869) is offering a This Royal Wedding Celebration package that includes accommodation in one of the hotel’s 12 luxurious suites, including one called the ‘Prince William Suite’; breakfast each morning in La Brasserie; a romantic eight-course tasting menu dinner in Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor’ one evening; a special Royal Wedding indulgent afternoon tea served with champagne; and entrance to Chester’s 2,000-year-old cathedral where society weddings with Royal guests such as the Queen and Princes William and Harry have taken place. The Royal Wedding Celebration package costs £762.50 per person, based on double occupancy and is available Thursday, April 28th and Friday, April 29.

Four Seasons Hotel Boston
In addition to showing the royal wedding on the big screen, hotel’s Bristol Lounge will host the Royal Tweet Trivia on April 29th. Twitter followers (the hotel is @FSBoston) are welcome to join in the fun 5:45-7am ET, royal questions will be tweeted out to hashtag #royalBL every five minutes. The first person to tweet back the most correct answers first will win a Princess Katherine-worthy spa treatment at Exhale Day Spa. And, those joining us in The Bristol Lounge for breakfast will also have a chance to win an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s luxury suites.

Glamis Castle
To celebrate the royal wedding, a special Historic Wedding Exhibition will be put on show in the castle’s Coach House Exhibition Room. On display will be articles of Marriage between the 15th Century to present day, and will include:

  • The official wedding program and menu from the Queen Mother and King George’s wedding in 1923.
  • Photographs from the Strathmore family weddings and in particular the Queen Mother’s siblings.
  • Dance cards from various family weddings
  • Marriage Contracts from 15th Century onwards.

Visitors to the castle on the 29th April will be able to watch the marriage ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton as it happens on large television screens strategically placed throughout the castle, shop and restaurant.