NEED TO KNOW | EUROPE
France: Trianon Palace & Spa ready for its close-up
Although the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's Versailles hideaway, remains closed through July 2008 for restoration, the renovation of the Trianon Palace & Spa, a hotel built in 1909 at the French queen's doorstep, will be completed this month. Both the vintage palace and newer pavilion wings as well as the entrance, reception area and spa are getting a stylish makeover by Fiona Thompson, design director of Richmond International, the English company responsible for the décor at the landmark Four Seasons Gresham Palace in Budapest, Hungary.
Also debuting this month, like the crème Anglaise on the chocolate soufflé, is Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, a formal restaurant created by the Michelin-starred British chef; this is his first restaurant in France. Info: 1 Boulevard de la Reine, Versailles; 011-33-1-30-84-50-00, www.starwoodhotels.com. Doubles start at $440.
 The French built this place before the Americans took it over. There are a couple of big lakes next door. |
 A list of getaway destinations to help you tap the West's cache of sights. |
Theme park news: Animatronic Obama, Battlestar Galactica dueling coasters, Hong Kong Disneyland expansion
A roundup of my theme park Twitter updates for the last week:
* Prowler wooden coaster c...
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