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June 2014

06

John Muir trail, Scotland

Near the birthplace of conservationist John Muir in East Lothian, Scotland, the trail John Muir Way opened in April. 

From Helensburgh in the east to Muir’s birthplace of Dunbar in the west, the route is 134 miles long and takes seven to ten days to walk in its entirety. The trail is divided into ten sections, and the website has listings of hotels, campsites and attractions for each part. For maps, call 0845 370 0067.

Biggest aquarium, China

On the coast of Hengquin Island, a 15-minute drive from Macau, the ecological theme park and hotel Hengqin Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (Fuxiang Bay, Hengqin New District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong 519031, People’s Rep. of China; phone +86 756 299 8888) opened in January. 

The park is separated into eight areas, Ocean Main Street, Dolphin Cove, Amazing Amazon, Ocean Wonders, Polar Adventure, Colorful World, Mount Walrus and Hengqin Sea.

Veggie­Hotels worldwide

The website VeggieHotels (phone +49 30 3680 29 29) has listings of more than 500 vegetarian and vegan hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in more than 60 countries. Hotels listed must serve no meat or fish.

Selections range from the hostel Dharma in Croatia, with singles for HRK135 (near $24) and doubles for HRK185 ($33), to Lancrigg Vegetarian Country House Hotel in England’s Lake District, at £79-£140 ($132-$221) per night for a double.

Serengeti photo guides

“Animals of the Serengeti,” by safari guides Adam Scott Kennedy and Vicki Kennedy, provides information on animal behavior and includes photos of more than 70 mammals and 18 reptile species likely to be seen in Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania.

“Birds of the Serengeti,” by Adam Scott Kennedy, has pictures of 270 species of birds in the park and Lake Victoria’s Speke Gulf and is written to make it easy to identify any species.

‘Valencia Paella Project’

“The Valencia Paella Project — Foodie Mini Break,” a 3-night package to Valencia, Spain, the home of paella, is offered by The Spanish Thyme Traveller (phone +34 96 225 41 48)

Participants will visit a winery, taste typical Valencia cuisine and learn from chefs how to craft paella and tapas.

The tour costs 650 (near $900) per person, double occupancy (single supplement, 110), and includes boutique hotel accommodations, breakfasts, two lunches, wine and guide.

ArcelorMittal Orbit, London

Opened in April 2014, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, at 375 feet the tallest sculpture in the UK, is located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Stratford London; phone +44 0 333 800 8099), a 10-minute walk from London’s Stratford Tube station. 

The tower’s unique design includes a complex structure resembling a roller-coaster track wrapping around it, and from either of two observation decks within it (£15, near $21), visitors can take in views of the adjacent Olympic stadium and the skyline of London. 

Shakespeare in London

Until Sept. 21, 2014, to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (Cromwell Road, London, England SW7 2RL, U.K.; phone +44 [0] 20 7942 2211) is staging an exhibit about the playwright that includes props, costumes, set models, design sketches and printed ephemera. An audiovisual exhibit will show productions of plays.

Open 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. daily and till 10 p.m. Friday. Closed Dec. 24-26. Admission free.