HERE
LEGO KIDSFEST
The fall season has just begun and tickets are already on sale for the LEGO KidsFest 2016 in Hartford (Dec. 2-4). Returning for its fifth season, the fun family event features hands-on building, mind-boggling models, creative experiences, interactive games, challenge areas and one-of-a-kind projects. New activities this year are based on themes from Star Wars — relay race and action-figure building — as well as a Disney Princess play area, Master Builder’s Lab (the on-site home of LEGO’s model designers and creators); and more. Children of all ages and builders of all skill levels are welcome. Purchasing in advance is highly recommended as no tickets will be available at the door for sold-out sessions. $19-$22; ages 2 and under free. 877-528-4757, legokidsfest
.com
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CAPE COD DINING DEALS
Take advantage of crisp fall days and terrific dining deals during Cape Cod Restaurant Week (Oct. 10-16). Restaurants from Provincetown to Falmouth will be offering special wallet-friendly 3- or 4- course menus priced at $25, $30, or $35 per person. More than 20 restaurants are participating — including such favorites as The Red Inn, Captain Linnell House, Chills Bistro at Chillingsworth, and Bistro on Main — with more choices being added daily. www.capecodrestaurant
week.com
THERE
ALASKAN ECOTOUR FEATURES NORTHERN LIGHTS
Photograph the Aurora Borealis at night under the massive Alaskan sky with the Northern Lights Ecotour offered by Gondwana EcoTours. From a heated log cabin with panoramic view — away from any city lights — a professional photographer will offer tips on how best to capture images of the magnificent light displays. In the daytime, the six-day tour includes dogsledding through snowy forests; hiking alongside a family of reindeer; taking curling lessons from locals in Fairbanks; soaking in the geothermal Chena Hot Springs; snowshoeing on private land; and exploring the Ice Sculpture Museum. Departures through March 2017. Limited to 12 guests; includes cozy accommodations and personal wake-up calls when Aurora is active. Rates from $2,345. 877-587-8479, gondwanaecotours.com/tour/northern-lights-tours-
alaska
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CATALAN CHRISTMAS
PACKAGE
Looking ahead to the holidays? Plan a special getaway with Great Value Vacations’ Experience Christmas in Catalonia package. Enjoy three full days of touring in Barcelona, a city festooned with holiday decorations, nativity scenes and Christmas Markets such as Fira de Santa Llúcia, a traditional market dating back to the late 18th-century with handmade ornaments and gifts galore. Includes hotel accommodations, two-hour private Barcelona city tour with English-speaking driver, daily buffet breakfast, airfare, and airport transfers. Highlights feature visiting Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi’s cathedral masterpiece; the Olympic Village; Montjuïc Mountain, where one can see the Olympic Stadium; and Sant Jordi Palace. Rates from $1,333 per person, based on two travelers. 800-896-4600.
EVERYWHERE
RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX
LIFESTYLE BOOK
Visitors to Relais & Châteaux properties know that exquisite food is a key element of their offerings. Now you can re-create your vacation dining experiences with the brand’s first lifestyle book, “The Art of Entertaining: Menus, Flowers, Table Settings, and More for Memorable Celebrations.” Set for an October 2016 release from Rizzoli New York, the compilation brings to life 17 seasonal parties from Relais & Châteaux members across North America, including New England properties Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn. In each chapter, renowned chefs and innkeepers share their thoughts and secrets for successful entertaining at home, including food and cocktail recipes, and memorable table
décor. Accompanied by photographs shot exclusively for the book by Melanie Acevedo and David Engelhardt. List price $45. www.amazon.com/Art-
Entertaining-Relais-Ch%C3%A2teaux-Celebrations/dp/0847849317
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RECYCLE SOUVENIR T-SHIRTS INTO QUILTS
Wondering what to do with all those T-shirts and sweatshirts accumulated over years of vacations? You know, the ones taking space in your dresser that you don’t wear but can’t discard because they conjure memories of travel adventures? Well, Project Repat has the perfect solution. Send them your souvenir duds and within a couple of weeks they will stitch them into a personalized, unique quilt. It’s also an ecology-friendly thing to do. Since launching, the company reports it has kept more than 5 million T-shirts out of landfills by upcycling them into useable quilts. Available from lap size (16 panels) to king (64 panels). From $74.99.
www.projectrepat.com