MOROCCO: FIT FOR ROYALTY
A 300-year-old palace in Marrakesh has been converted into the upscale boutique hotel, AnaYela. While the hotel has just five rooms and suites, the open parlor provides space for cocktail parties and an upper terrace accommodates 100 guests. Other features include a lounge, open-air restaurant, heated outdoor pool.
Details: Rates start at about $460 per night, based on double occupancy, or have the entire palace to yourself for about $2,300 per night (five double rooms for 10 guests). (011-212) 6131-3202 or www.anayela.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: HOP TO IT
With all due respect to Kermit, we think he had it wrong: It may, after all, be pretty easy being green -- or sapphire blue or sunshine yellow or burnt sienna. Consider how the star attractions of Frogs! A Chorus of Colors at the National Geographic Museum spend their days: in tropical habitats surrounded by lush bromeliads disturbed only by the squeals of delighted children or the gasps of marveling adults. The exhibit features 150 live frogs in a variety of environments and interactive stations that allow children of all ages to be mesmerized by nature.
Details: Frogs! is open through May 11 at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10-5 on Sundays. Admission is free. 202-857-7588 or www.nationalgeographic.com/museum.
-- Washington Post Service
CALIFORNIA: INTO THE WOODSMuir Woods National Monument is celebrating its 100th year. The site, 16 miles north of San Francisco, attracts a million visitors annually. It was designated a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on Jan. 9, 1908. Events planned to mark the centennial include a ''Celebration of Trees'' on April 21, which is John Muir's birthday. The redwoods stand over 260 feet high and some are more than 1,200 years old.
Details: Muir Woods, Mill Valley; 415-388-2595 or 415-388-2596; www.nps.gov/muwo.
-- Associated Press
CANADA: FIND YOUR INNER ARTISTAlways wanted to paint like Pablo Picasso? Fancy yourself another Ansel Adams? Have you thought about putting your vivid imagination and pen to paper like Jane Austin? This summer the city of Fredericton in New Brunswick launches edVentures, a new program of cultural enrichment and learning vacations. Starting July 7 and running through August 17, more than 120 five-day and weekend workshops in the arts, crafts and design will be offered starting at $30. Participants can choose from classes in painting, photography, filmmaking, fiction writing, jewelry making, pottery, textiles, rug hooking and more.
Details: For information about workshops and accommodations, 888-850-1333 or www.edventures.ca. Workshops are $30-$395. For more about Fredericton, check out www.tourismfredericton.ca.
