Gilles Martin-Raget/ ACEA
Newport hosts an exhibition race for the America’s Cup World Series this summer.
Hilltop views, luxury stays
The Grand Hotel in southern Maine lives up to its name: The property sits atop Chase Hill and offers guests sweeping views of the Kennebunk River and downtown Kennebunkport. The hotel, opening June 15, is the first new purpose-built hotel in the town’s Lower Village in more than 50 years. Its 17 guest rooms have cozy nooks, private balconies, and oversized windows that let in plenty of natural light. The Grand Debut Experience, good through July 15, includes two nights’ accommodations, a goody bag, a complimentary cocktail (one per person), and late checkout for $399, based on double occupancy. 207-967-1505, thegrandhotelmaine.com
Hersheypark
Hersheypark has opened the Skyrush rollercoaster, the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in park history.
Insect Olympics
Children participating in the 2012 Bug Olympics may not even break a sweat: Competitors will enter their personally caught insects into events like the grasshopper long jump, an ant marathon, and a water striders’ swimming race (all critters will be released post-competition). This event takes place during the Appalachian Mountain Club’s new Wee Wanderers summer series, a three-day program June 27-29 for children 2 to 5 at Cardigan Lodge in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Participants will also visit the Squam Lakes Science Center, create a nature journal using leaves and other earthy items, and enjoy a scavenger hunt with a unique twist. Rates range from $82 (child, AMC member) to $299 (adult, nonmember) for the program, which includes lodging, meals, and guided activities. 603-466-2727, outdoors.org
Orient-Express
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has launched new rail service from Venice to Copenhagen and Stockholm.
America’s Cup sailors
Newport, R.I., hosts an exhibition race for the America’s Cup World Series June 26-July 1, when some of the best sailors in the world will race the world’s fastest boats: the newly unveiled wing-sailed AC45 catamarans. These sleek and powerful boats can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Although Newport hosted the America’s Cup a dozen times since 1930, it hasn’t held a related race in nearly 30 years. The event includes an unveiling of the America’s Cup Village along the waterfront at Fort Adams, where people can enjoy a champagne bar, a wine garden, and a selection of local farm-fresh cuisine while watching the race. 800-976-5122, gonewport.com
Riding on the edge
How about this for a sweet thrill: Hersheypark, an amusement park in Hershey, Pa., has opened the Skyrush roller coaster, the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in park history. It soars 200 feet high, tops 75 miles per hour, and whisks passengers along 3,600 feet of twisting and turning track. Hold onto your hats: The first hill features an 85-degree drop. Even crazier, the mega coaster has winged seating, meaning two of the four people in each car sit on a floorless seat. Those still working up the nerve to climb aboard can watch from a new observation path. 800-437-7439, hersheypark.com
To Scandinavia in style
Enjoy refined service and classic European views as you travel through Europe aboard a vintage Art Deco train car. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has launched new rail service from Venice to Copenhagen and Stockholm, during which you spend three to five days traveling through Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany en route to Scandinavia. The five-night package ($5,900) includes two nights aboard the train, one mid-journey night at the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel, and two nights in Venice’s Hotel Cipriani at the start or end of your trip. The three-night package ($4,400) includes one night at each spot. Make reservations soon for the April 2013 trips. 800-524-2420, orient-express.com
Ring-a-ling at 30,000-something
Power up your cellphone and give home or the office a ring on your next Virgin Atlantic flight. The Britain-based airline company now allows six people to text or talk while traveling on its A330-300 planes as part of its new AeroMobile service. According to Virgin, however, “The service is intended for use in exceptional situations, when passengers need to send an SMS, make a quick call, or access an e-mail on a BlackBerry.’’ That is just as well, unless you want to know your seatmate’s business. Passengers need to be at least 250 miles outside of US airspace to make an in-flight call (use of cellphones on commercial flights is illegal in this country) and calls cost just over $1.50 per minute. 800-821-5438, virgin-atlantic.com
Roamz around the world
Let’s say you’re wandering the streets of London and looking for something to do. Roamz is one step ahead of you. This free app has so-called smart technology that learns your preferences over time, based on information from your Facebook, Foursquare, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. That way, when you are looking for something to do, it can give you personalized recommendations on places or real-time events near your location because it “knows” what you like. Get info on local pubs, restaurants, museums, or special festivals wherever you are traveling. Download it through iTunes App Store and Android’s Google Play. www.roamz.com