CELEBRATE NEW ENGLAND’S BEST
CIDER
Learn the art of creating good ciders, meet cider makers, and sample new releases during the New England Cider Fest, April 17-19. The event, held at venues in the Boston area, features ciders by Artifact, ANXO, Eden, Snowdrift, and others. It includes a Cider 101 dinner at the Island Creek Oyster Bar in Burlington, a panel discussion on the Rosé cider movement at Row 34 in Boston’s Fort Point area, and an ANXO cidery pop-up at The Hawthorne in Kenmore Square. $65 per person for Cider 101 dinner; all other events free. www.islandcreekoysterbar.com and www.row34.com .
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DON’T MISS THIS WIFE-CARRYING COMPETITION
Grab your partner and head to Sunday River for the World Snowshoe Wife-Carrying Championship, April 20. During this fun and challenging event, participants must run through a 278-yard obstacle course that includes snow hills, a slalom course, and a mogul field. Racers can use the piggy-back, fireman’s, or Estonian carry, or any technique that doesn’t let their partners touch the ground. The carrier must wear a helmet, goggles, and snowshoes, and may opt to wear a belt (to give their partner something to grab onto). Two teams face off at the same time, and prizes go to the top three teams, the fastest team with a combined age of 80 or more, and the fastest team with a combined weight of more than 350 pounds. Then join in the tailgating party where you’ll enjoy live music, tailgate prizes, and more. Race partners don’t have to be related. $25 per couple. www.sundayriver.com .
EMBRACE RWANDA’S WILDLIFE ON THIS TOUR
See chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, and other animals on a new 10-day Rwanda Wildlife and Culture Tour run by Kigali-based Augustine Tours. On this trip, you’ll see volcanoes, lush green jungles, and some of the last-remaining gorillas on Earth. The trip includes a full-day game drive and birding in Akagera park, and a chance to track chimpanzees. $2,270 per person, based on double occupancy, includes three-star B&B accommodations, transportation in a private four-wheel-drive vehicle, admission fees to parks, and an English-speaking guide throughout the trip. www.augustinetours.com .
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WANDER THE COAST OF WALES
Explore coastal Wales on foot with The Carter Company, a “slow-travel” tour company that has launched a luxury tour that covers just 30 miles in eight days. Celtic Caper, geared to all abilities and fitness levels, takes walkers along the gentle Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Explore villages and historic sites along the route, including neolithic stones and an Iron Age hill fort, and stay in luxury hotels, such as an old windmill and a medieval castle. Insider tip: go between mid-April and mid-July, when the birds are breeding, the wildflowers are in full bloom, and dolphins can be spotted along the coast. Rates start at $2,069 per person, double occupancy, and include accommodations for seven nights, a boat trip, and luggage transfers. www.the-carter-company.com
THIS DEVICE HELPS YOU SLEEP
Fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, a fan, or other soothing sounds while traveling with the new LectroFan Micro2 sleep sound machine. This palm-size device works great for blocking out noisy neighbors and other annoying sounds in your hotel room. It offers 11 unique digital sounds, including five fan sounds, four brown/pink noises, and two ocean sounds. It has a moveable top that lets you direct sound in a specific direction, and it also serves as a Bluetooth speaker so you can use it to play music or other audio while traveling. $34.95. www.soundofsleep.com .
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KEEP ITEMS COOL ON YOUR TRIP
Pack snacks and drinks for your next road trip, beach outing, or other adventure in OtterBox’s new Trooper 12 cooler. This durable and leakproof cooler keeps ice intact for up to three days, so its contents stay cool. The 12-quart cooler has enough room to hold several lunches and drinks for a day trip. It’s made of durable nylon and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (Duraflex) so it can withstand the rigors of travel, and it has a handy front pouch for stashing a can opener or car keys. The Trooper 12 has a built-in handle and shoulder strap for easy carrying, and measures about 11-by-14¼-by-12½ inches. $199.99. www.otterbox.com .
KARI BODNARCHUK