Niyama is a glamorous new retreat on the southwestern atoll of Dhaalu.
The latest openings and events from around the world
Drop anchor,dance and dine
MaldivesNiyama, a glamorous new retreat on the southwestern atoll of Dhaalu, is inviting guests to dine on the water and dance under the sea. Sprawled over two islands and a 40-minute flight from Male, the resort's open-air fine-dining restaurant can be accessed only by boat. After a meal of fresh fish and fine wine, descend to Subix, an underwater nightclub that has DJ-spun music and aquarium-like views of the spot-lit submarine life. If you're in need of a hydrating facial after a night of partying, the Lime Spa offers treatments around the clock. niyama.peraquum.com
A French country inn near Shanghai
MoganshanNestled on a verdant tea plantation two hours' drive southwest of Shanghai, Le Passage Mohkan Shan brings a taste of five-star French country living to an ancient Chinese hill station. Designed by its resident owners, Christophe Peres and Pauline Lee, the 38-room inn has beautifully restored wood floors, a saltwater swimming pool and a stone wine cellar stocked with biodynamic vintages sourced from France. Its spacious rooms offer views over the surrounding bamboo forest and rose gardens, plush linens, claw foot bathtubs and flat-screen TVs. While this is a perfect place to escape the bustle of Shanghai, it is still a work in progress. The owners are unveiling a few rooms at a time over the coming months. lepassagemoganshan.com
Aside from the classics
FlorenceIf your artistic tastes lean more toward modern than renaissance, plan a visit to the Centre for Contemporary Culture Strozzina. The little-known exhibition space, located in Palazzo Strozzi, is set to showcase works by some of America's most talented contemporary artists. American Dreamers (opening March 8) brings together provocative works like Nick Cave's Soundsuit sculptures, the surreal watercolours of Laura Ball, and Christy Rupp's seemingly scientific skeletal reconstructions of extinct birds (her sculptures are actually made out of recycled bones from fast food chickens). strozzina.org/en
Upping the culinary clout
Oakland, Calif.While it may not have the culinary cachet of Berkeley or the postcard good looks of San Francisco, Oakland's revitalized waterfront is home to Haven, one of the Bay Area's trendiest new restaurants. Owned by Daniel Patterson, whose empire includes Coi (a two Michelin-starred eatery in San Francisco's North Beach), the modern bistro focuses on serving such hearty comfort foods as roast chicken, shepherd's pie and chocolate cake made from locally sourced ingredients. Diners who want a big family-style meal can pass on special requests to Chef Kim Alter, who will churn out a tailor-made multicourse menu. havenoakland.com
Special to The Globe and Mail