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Debrief by Will Hide
Who says the Greek island of Rhodes is nothing more than lurid cocktails, tattooed Brits and loud music blaring from nightclubs at 3am? Well me, after a week in Faliraki actually, but apparently not those who use hotel advice site Tripadvisor.com. They've voted it Europe's top destination, preferring to concentrate on its winding roads, small coastal villages and Rhodes town's medieval quarter. One man's meat etc.
HOT HOTELS - LA PURIFICADORA, MEXICO
A new hotel in the centre of the colonial city of Puebla on the road between Mexico City and Oaxaca. Originally a 19th-century water- purification centre, it still has many lovely old features, such as exposed mellow brick walls. And there is a 30ft pool on the roof terrace. Bonus Sign up for Mexican cookery classes that use local ingredients. Drawback Not for late risers - the bells from Iglesia de San Francisco next door start ringing at 6am on Sundays. Book it 00800 37468357, www.designhotels.com. Doubles from £74.
Aaaayh! Cool...
Correctamundo! The American city of Milwaukee is putting up a statue of its favourite fictional son, the Fonz. Arthur Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler, was part of the classic TV series Happy Days for ten years until 1984. Never mind that the show was shot thousands of miles away in California, the fact that it was set in Wisconsin's largest city is good enough for the folks on the shores of Lake Michigan. No word, though, about Potsie, Ralph Malph or the Cunninghams being cast in bronze any time soon.
Las Vegas daze
In need of a quiet lie-down by the pool with a good book? Then don't go to Wet Republic at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The newly opened establishment is described as a poolside, daytime nightclub, with resident DJs and cocktail waitresses delivering drinks and snacks so you're not distracted from posing and tanning. It's open to non-guests, but the bling doesn't come cheap: £20 entry for guys (less for ladies), £25 for a sun lounger, £375 and up for a cabana.
SITE OF THE WEEK
If you don't fancy the trip to Edinburgh for a dose of culture, the Oakham Festival and Uppingham Fringe starts this weekend for a more manageable chunk of the arts. There's everything from jazz to street theatre via opera and comedy, with big names such as Prunella Scales and Jeremy Hardy. Our favourite; Rutland's Got Talent, next Friday.
MEXICAN WAVE
Government officials have pulled an advert showing a semi-naked soap opera star, above, promoting highlights of the Hidalgo region of Mexico - including cathedrals, monoliths and aqueducts - with the slogan: “Hidalgo gets under your skin.” They said the ads were “undignified”.
TOO FAT TO FLY
The Delhi high court has ruled that there is “no unreasonableness” in Air India's request that obese staff slim down or be restricted to ground duties.
CROC SHOCK
The Yumin restaurant in Guangzhou, China, has unleashed crocodiles with their jaws taped shut in its lobby. Customers walk past and then order crocodile steaks.
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