Beauty Bar at Pavillon de la Reine, Paris.CyrilleBernard
The latest openings and events from around the world.
Paris It's no secret that Parisian women are pros at preening. Follow their lead and get your fingernails buffed, shaped and polished at Pavillon de la Reine. Every Saturday, the posh Marais district hotel converts its cozy library into a no-reservation-required nail salon that is blissfully free of dog-eared gossip magazines and harsh fluorescent lighting. After your hands have been beautified, linger over the drying process on a settee surrounded by oil paintings, plush tapestries and bookshelves filled with the works of literary greats. Champagne is served throughout, proving that bubbly and Byron are perfect accompaniments to a French manicure. The drop-in nail bar is open to hotel guests and the public. A manicure costs $35 (€25); pavillondelareine.com
A BOTANICAL PARTY BLOOMS IN NY
New York Manhattan is literally in bloom for Mother's Day. This weekend, as part of its 120th-birthday celebrations, the New York Botanical Garden unveils a newly designed 4.5-hectare Azalea Garden. While you'd have to be a horticulturist to identify all the blossoms on display (3,000 varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons, and a total of 70,000 new plants), even those without a green thumb will appreciate the impressive burst of pink, coral and magenta blooms. Opening festivities include docent-led garden walks and pre-ordered gourmet picnic lunches. nybg.org/azalea-garden
SPIT, POLISH AND A DIRTY MARTINI
London The Connaught is taking care of its guests from the ankles down with a new shoeshine service. Designed in collaboration with the pros at John Lobb Bootmaker (official shoemaker to Prince Charles and James Bond), this ultimate spit-and-polish is led by a team of well-trained butlers. Budget half an hour for the full experience: Sink into a plush leather chair with The Financial Times and a dirty martini, as your loafers are brushed, waxed and polished to their gleaming point. In the meantime, a valet is on hand to steam-press the wrinkles out of your jacket. $47 (£30) a session. Reservations are essential and can be made at johnlobb@the-connaught.co.uk.
SUMMER CAMP FOR FEARLESS TWEENS
Lake Arrowhead, Calif. Pali Overnight Adventures' Hollywood Stunt Camp is for kids who roll their eyes at roasted marshmallows and campfire songs. Professional stuntmen at this extreme adventure camp use the latest equipment to guide campers through a series of how-to sessions on hand-to-hand combat, sword fighting and tumbling from high places. The final goal is a Jean-Claude Van Damme-like jump from a nearly 10-metre tower. Tamer programs include the secret agent camp and an acting academy. paliadventures.com
Special to The Globe and Mail