Scotland’s oldest purpose-built visitor attraction, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is set to delight visitors for many more years as it currently undergoes a £1.2million expansion due to be completed in June 2010.

First opened in 1835 and set just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh castle, the landmark attraction is in the midst of a major refurbishment. Building work is well under way to extend the world famous tourist hotspot into the upper two floors of the adjacent ‘Ragged School’ – a former 19th century home for destitute children.

With plans to open in time for the 175th anniversary in June, the extension will boast an additional 200 square metres of exhibition space allowing the attraction to house even more fascinating optical illusions. These include more quirky hands on exhibits, such as a distorting Ames room, a Morphing machine which can change age, sex or race and a collection of rare Rubins vases. The new building will also feature a stunning glass walkway from which visitors will be able to take in unrivalled views of Edinburgh’s historic old town and beyond.

Andrew Johnson, director and manager of Camera Obscura and World of Illusions expressed his personal excitement, ‘This refurbishment comes at a significant time for our attraction as it celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. Progress on the building is already far advanced and we are extremely excited about the launch this summer.’

He added: ‘Year on year, our unique hands-on exhibits amuse and captivate people of all ages and nationalities. We have had much fun sourcing new exhibits, many of which have been suggested by our visitors. From a vortex tunnel of light to a mirrored maze, there will be something to surprise and delight everyone. We hope the refurbishment will encourage even more people to visit and join us in celebrating Camera Obscura’s momentous anniversary and bright future’.

In addition to the historic camera obscura, in which mirrors project a live moving image into a darkened room, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura and World of Illusions contains four floors of fascinating and quirky interactive exhibits based on optical illusions and light effects.

Trullo Melograno & Trullo Noce, Puglia

These two stunning trulli set in the rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves of the Itria Valley have been  sympathetically and stylishly renovated by the Longs. They share a fabulous, huge pool, which is surrounded by dry  stone walls and the views from here are beautiful. You can book them individually, or, as they are close to one  another, you can take them together for a larger party of up to six.

Trullo Noce (sleeps 2): 03/04-10/04 £895 (per property) including a small hire-car

Trullo Melograno (sleeps 4): 03/04-10/04 £995 (per property) including a small hire-car

Nearest airports: Brindisi (45 mins) or Bari (1 hour). Flights from £185 per person.

Il Casale, Calabria

The main casale is an imposing, 19th century farmhouse, situated down a long track, in an elevated position,  amongst 7,000 olive trees, equal distance from the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. There are just seven rooms in the  main house, and in the grounds, in a secluded spot, there’s a smaller version of the main farmhouse, which is the  Antica Casa self-catering house, with three bedrooms, for up to six. Run by the Gaetano family, you will receive  the warmest of Calabrian welcomes… and the food is fantastic – typical, authentic, Calabrian cuisine. Eat here  once and you’ll never want to leave!

Il Casale A 7-night stay over Easter B&B £348 per person; H/B £456 per person (book 7 nights for the price of 6)Antica Casa (sleeps up to 6): A 7-night stay over Easter £1,195 (per property) including a small hire-car

Nearest airport: Lamezia (30 mins) – flights from £285 per person.

Villa Sirio, Cilento National Park, South Campania

Right on the sea, with a sandy beach next door and within walking distance of the pretty town of Santa Maria di  Castellabate, this small, boutique hotel is the perfect getaway for couples. Saunter into the town for an  aperitivo and dine in the hotel’s restaurant, overlooking the sea. Go horse-riding, swimming and snorkelling, and  venture into the hills for walking and wildlife. The Villa Sirio is in a beautifully unspoilt and undiscovered  area of southern Italy, in the Cilento National Park.

Villa Sirio A 7-night stay over Easter B&B from £463 per person; H/B from £551 per person (book by 31/03 for a 10%  discount)

Nearest airport: Naples (1.5 hours) – flights from £185 per person.

To mark the 85th birthday of the museum’s founder, Rudolf Leopold, from Mar 5-May 24, 2010 Vienna’s Leopold Museum is presenting a collection of 150 stunning watercolors that are rarely shown in public due to their sensitivity to light.

This exhibition at the Leopold Museum in the MuseumsQuartier lifts the lid on 200 years of watercolor painting in Austria. Among the 5,700 works of art in the Leopold collection are thousands of watercolors so sensitive to light that they very rarely go on display. A selection of these treasures will be on display in 2010 to mark the 85th birthday of the museum’s founder, Rudolf Leopold.

Some of the pieces in the 150-strong collection ranging from the Biedermeier period to the late 1980s will be on show for the first time at the exhibition. Exhibits include 19th century, Jugendstil and early expressionist watercolors while artists such as Herbert Boeckl, Oskar Laske and Josef Dobrowsky represent the post-1918 period.

Focus Hotels announces the completion of extensive refurbishment to the landmark Royal Hotel in Hull following its acquisition of the property in 2009. The £1.5 million renovation will ensure this iconic historical building remains a major focal point in the city and the investment will play a major part in the continued regeneration and improvements to Hull city centre.

Located in the heart of the city, The Royal Hotel was built in 1851 and is one of Hull’s most famous and historically significant Victorian structures. The hotel has been visited by dignitaries including Queen Victoria and it is where Philip Larkin wrote ‘Friday Night at the Royal Station Hull’. Michael Palin has also visited the hotel whilst filming the BBC2 documentary, “Great Railway Journeys: Confessions of a Trainspotter” and most recently Michael Portillo was a guest during the filming of BBC2’s “Great British Railways”.

The hotel has been carefully restored to combine the splendour of the Victorian era with the comforts of modern living and reflects Focus Hotels standards, offering stylish accommodation whilst retaining the individuality and character of the building. The grand foyer, lounge and bar have undergone an impressive facelift and present a show stopping entrance to the historic railway hotel, providing the ideal meeting space for business or leisure guests. The décor features rich brocades and oriental carpets in a palette of vibrant jewel shades, offset with points of gold at ceiling level and on the monumental pillars for a contemporary take on nineteenth century grandeur. In addition the spacious en-suite bedrooms have been refurbished and offer modern, bright décor with highly efficient power showers and plasma screen televisions equipped with Freeview. Free Wi-Fi is now also available throughout the hotel which complements the nine meeting rooms which offer flexible space and excellent facilities, catering for events for up to 400 people.

Situated adjacent to Hull Station, the new St Stephen’s shopping complex and Hull’s historic town centre, The Royal Hotel is the ideal base to visit all that the city has to offer. The Hull Marina and The Deep, the world’s only submarium are both within walking distance whilst the vibrant and historical city of York and the beautiful spa town of Harrogate are a short drive away.

The refurbishment is the latest in a string of projects by Focus Hotels across the UK which has seen the acquisition and refurbishment of twelve hotels since launching in 2007. The group continues its expansion with an investment programme of over £10m in place for 2010.

Vintage Travel – specialising, exclusively, in hand-picked houses with private pools – has expanded its portfolio of properties in Spain for 2010 with additions including El Torero, a grand and elegant country home in Andalucia.

With high vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and elegant archways, the property dates back to the 19th century and incorporates a stone tower originally used as a watchtower to defend the local town of Vejer de la Frontera.

El Torero, which is imposing and exquisitely furnished and surrounded by 350 hectares of wild olive trees and cork oak, sleeps 16 in eight en suite bedrooms and comes complete with air-conditioning, a private pool, enclosed lawned garden and daily maid service.

The property is only on offer during the month of August and costs £5995 for seven nights’ rental.

More modest additions in Spain include Cal Nano, a detached three-bedroom, two bathroom villa set at the bottom of a hillside that forms part of the Les Gavarres mountain range in Catalunya.

The property, which sleeps six, is set in enclosed gardens with a large covered terrace and private pool and is situated just 1.5 km from the hamlet of Vall Llobrega and a 10-minute drive from the sandy beach of Castell.

The price of a week’s rental leads in at £695 at the end of March/beginning of April, rising to £1995 in peak season.

Prices do not include return UK flights and car hire, but these can be arranged independently or by the company on request.

Reservations: 0845 344 0420, www.vintagetravel.co.uk

CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS VICTORIAN STYLE
- English Heritage recreates a Victorian Christmas at Audley End -

The mince pies are baking, the carol singers are rehearsing and rumours are rife that Father Christmas has been spotted…dressed head to toe in green! Over the weekend of 5th and 6th December, the Victorian servants at Audley End will be spreading seasonal cheer and welcoming visitors as they prepare for a traditional Christmas, 19th century style.

Throughout the weekend, English Heritage invites you to step back in time and discover the joys of a Victorian Christmas. From the preparation of seasonal feasts in the Service Wing to hands-on Christmas craft activities, plays, story telling, singing and a festive falconry display, this is one day out the whole family will love.

Story-teller Mr Absalom Staffage will regale families with Victorian Christmas tales, such as the History of Christmas, and will provide the answers to age-old festive mysteries like, where did the cracker come from and why do we have Christmas trees? Visitors may also get the chance to meet Father Christmas, who will be making a special appearance at the event in his traditional green Victorian outfit!

A Victorian Christmas mummers play with lively traditional singing and music will enthral and entertain visitors. For those keen to get involved rather than spectate there will also be a have-a-go song and dance session for children and adults to get in the true spirit of Christmas.

In addition, carol singers from local schools will be singing a range of seasonal carols while strolling minstrels will be bringing music to the service wing and grounds throughout the day, creating a truly seasonal atmosphere across the whole estate.

The fun doesn’t stop there! If singing and dancing isn’t for you, then why not enjoy the Christmas trail around the stunning grounds or get involved in some exciting Victorian sideshows and parlour games. When you need a break, treat yourself to some festive food and mulled wine in the tea room.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to enter the service wing and watch costumed interpreters busily preparing an authentic Victorian festive feast for the grand Braybrooke family. The ‘servants’ will rustle up delicious seasonal dishes and show visitors how to make traditional Christmas puddings and mincemeat pies. Recipes that can all be recreated at home.

Lucy Hutchings, events manager for the East region, says: “We have lined up a weekend packed with festive fun that is guaranteed to keep the whole family happy. Audley End is a beautiful setting for a Christmas outing and the wide range of traditional activities on offer will make it a day out with a difference. It will be a truly great opportunity for families to get involved in some fun and exciting festive activities and to get in the spirit of Christmas.”

A Victorian Christmas will be taking place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December from 11am – 4pm.

Early bird prices are available if you book early: Adults £8.00 / Concessions £6.80 / Children £4.00 / Family £20.00

Standard prices: Adults £9.00 / Concessions £7.60 / Children £4.50 / Family ticket £22.50 / English Heritage members enter for free