For clients interested in visiting Hemingway’s old stomping grounds or for those who can’t get enough of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” we’ve found literary festivals both stateside and in Europe.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Brothers Grimm publishing their first volume of “Children’s and Household Tales.” In honor of the brothers, there will be a variety of tours, exhibits and festivals throughout Germany as part of the Grimm 2013 Anniversary. Kassel—home to the Brothers Grimm for almost 30 years—will host the highlight of the anniversary, EXPEDITION GRIMM by the State of Hessen. The exhibit will run from April 27-Sept. 8, featuring the brothers’ manuscripts and personal mementos. Kassel will also host the Brothers Grimm Festival from July 18-Aug. 18 with parties and performances at the Kassel Botanical Gardens. For more information, click here. In addition, Hanau, where the brothers were born, features a 372-mile Fairy Tale Route, starting at the Brothers Grimm memorial. The city will also host a Grimm Fairy Tale festival from May 1-July 1For more on the Frankfurt Rhein-Main region, click here.
The 116-room Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshohe is set in central Kassel within walking distance of the Lowenburg castle ruins, ornamental water displays and the Herkules monument. Most of the rooms feature a balcony with views of the castle, gardens or town. Call for rates. For more information, visit schlosshotel-kassel.de.
Meanwhile, here in the States, Key West is celebrating Ernest Hemingway in the place he called home in the 1930s with the 33rd annual Hemingway Days celebration—taking place July 16-21. The celebration features a Hemingway look-alike contest; a literary competition awards ceremony directed by author (and Hemingway’s granddaughter) Lorian Hemingway; a commemoration of the 114th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth; a one-man play about Hemingway’s life; a museum exhibit; and a 3-day marlin tournament.
Located in the heart of Key West, Ocean Key Resort & Spa is within walking distance of the Old Town, Mallory Square and Key West Harbor. The resort features an outdoor pool and jacuzzi; SpaTerre; a fitness center; and dining options such as Hot Tin Roof restaurant, Sunset Pier and the Liquid Lounge pool bar.
Call for rates. For more information, call (800) 328-9815 or visit oceankey.com. For more on the festival and the Florida Keys, visit fla-keys.com.
Fans of Jane Austen can take part in the festivities during the Jane Austen Festival—set in the author’s hometown of Bath in England from Sept. 13-21. The festival coincides with the 200th anniversary of the publication of “Pride and Prejudice” and will feature a costumed promenade kicking off the festivities and the Netherfield Ball.
“With a packed program of world-class festivals and events, a grand re-opening of one of Bath’s iconic attractions, and not to mention the 200th anniversary of ‘Pride & Prejudice,’ 2013 promises to be another busy year in the World Heritage City of Bath,” says Audra McSherry, pr & communications manager for Bath Tourism Plus.
For more information, visit janeausten.co.uk/festivalhome.
For clients interested in staying in the area, the 42-room Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Bath is set on 500 acres in the English countryside. The hotel features fine dining at its restaurant The Park, as well as lunch and dinner at The Brasserie. Meanwhile, the spa offers treatments by Anne Semonin, French spa and beauty specialist; an indoor pool with indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool; five thermal cabins; a saltwater plunge pool; and a relaxation room.
Rates start at $520 per night for a standard room. For more information, visit lucknampark.co.uk. For more on Bath, visit visitbath.co.uk.
