The Republic of Zubrowka is fictional in Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel” but all its filiming locations are real — and they do smell and look of the era in the film’s timeline (Photo: Project M/YouTube Screenshot/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnQ7wCuSfvY)

Director Wes Anderson takes inspiration from real life in making fiction as expression of personal opinions or outlook in life. His film “The Grand Budapest Hotel” focuses on the Republic of Zubrowka, which is c… (View original article)

NEWTOWN, CT — A local family has made it to the final four of a photo contest that will send the winner on a fairy tale trip to Scotland.

The Hughes family of Newtown donned costumes from “The Wizard of Oz” in attempt to win the Today Show’s photo contest, which will allow them to stay at Dun’s Castle located in Duns, Scotland. The family hopes to win the trip in order for their youngest daughter to meet their 92-year-old great grandmother who lives in the United Kingdom.

“… (View original article)

Mary Miers tells the story of a Victorian shooting lodge owned by the same family for 147 years – with photographs by Simon Jauncey taken by Country Life shortly before the house and its contents were sold.

On August 24, 1912, 600 Macleans gathered on a grassy promontory on the Sound of Mull to celebrate the return of their 14th century clan seat into Maclean ownership. Several generations of chiefs had dreamt of regaining their ancestral heartland, but only the previous year had t… (View original article)

A new management team will lead Clan Donald Lands Trust in Sleat, Skye, into the 2017 season, following the recent resignation of  chief executive Jan Wallwork Clarke to pursue other interests. This was reported by James Macdonald, chairman of the executive committee.

On behalf of the trustees, he thanked Jan for her contribution over the last two years. He went on to express his confidence in the outlook for the 2017 season, having passed operational control to the newly… (View original article)

The man behind the transformation of Inverness castle has revealed what he hopes to do with the landmark.

THE cost of turning Inverness Castle into a “must-see” visitor attraction will be around £30 million, according to the man behind the project.

Plans are in the early stages, but a museum and gallery, restaurants and shops have been mooted for the 19th century building, along with a viewing platform in the north tower which is due to open next month.

Inve… (View original article)

TRUSTEES of Cardigan Castle are to appoint a business consultant to look at recommendations aimed at boosting trade because the attraction is currently making a loss.

The Cadwgan Trust wants to improve trade at the Castle and has drawn up a business plan with a host of recommendations, including some that were ruled out by previous trustees.

Ceredigion Council Cabinet members heard that, with the trading loss experienced, the new trustees want a business consultant to resear… (View original article)

Despite a breakup last fall, Cara Delevingne and St. Vincent seem to like keeping people guessing when it comes to whether or not they’ve reignited their romance.  

After being spotted together on what appeared to be a family outing back in December, the model/ “Suicide Squad” actress and the musician have been spotted together again. According to The Daily Mail, the two were together on an outing in New York City over the weekend. They were spotted walking to the stage door at the E… (View original article)

Travel agents, take note: Marriott is making a big move beyond hotels into offering travel experiences, with a new investment in PlacePass that the company said will add more than 100,000 travel experiences worldwide for its guests.

Through the investment in PlacePass, guests will soon be able to choose from an additional 100,000+ local experiences in 800 destinations worldwide when they book direct on Marriott.com or SPG.com, or through Marriott’s mobile apps, according to a written… (View original article)

Italy has a unique artistic heritage. However, many of its ‘gems’ not only get left in storage, far from sight, but they’re often left in neglectful conditions. One of these is Sammezzano Castle, a masterpiece of 19th century “orientalist” art (so much so that critics compared it to the Sistine Chapel), with a park that nearly covers 200 hectares. The Castle is the best-loved place among the 1.5 million people who voted in the Italian Environmental Fund (FAI)’s 8th “Places of th… (View original article)