A singer leaps for joy at the 2012 World Chor Games kickoff. Betsa Marsh photo

Listen! Fingers are already snapping as more than 80 choirs from around the world rehearse for the World Choir Games July 4-14, 2012, in Cincinnati.

This is the first time the biennial games have been held in the U.S. Choirs from 18 countries are already registered, including singers from China, Indonesia, Israel, Ireland, Singapore Ukraine and Venezuela. Cincinnati expects 20,000 singers and 200,000 spectators.

Cincinnati has a long history of choral music, back to 19th-century German immigrant singing societies and beyond.

Cincinnati native Drew Lachey, member of the Grammy-nominated group 98 Degrees and winner of the second season of “Dancing with the Stars,” emceed the kickoff on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. Atlanta gospel singer Byron Cage and the Cincinnati Citywide Mass Choir performed, along with the Eleventh Hour Choir from Kettering, a finalist in the NBC show “The Sing Off,” and Kelly King, star of “The American Dream.”

The World Choir Games mascots, Whirl and Twirl, added their furry support as the giant WCG clock started ticking.

Girls concentrate on the kickoff choirs. Betsa Marsh photo

Byran Cage with the Cincinnati Citywide Mass Choir. Betsa Marsh photo

Whirl and Twirl mascot fans come in handy at 96 degrees. Betsa Marsh photo

Eleventh Hour Choir from Kettering rocks with their a cappella precision. Betsa Marsh photo

A singer helps send out the Cincinnati USA postcard to the world. Betsa Marsh photo

The video postcard gets bigger and bigger. Betsa Marsh photo

A choir cuddles with Mr. Red. Betsa Marsh photo

The clock's ticking until July 4, 2012. Betsa Marsh photo

Whirl and Twirl have the World Choir Games mascot business cornered. Betsa Marsh photo

Kelly King sings "The American Dream." Betsa Marsh photo

VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, is preparing to launch its latest travel campaign for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities. They’re stumped for a slogan, and are inviting the public to suggest a few words or a sentence that VisitBritain can use as tagline. In addition to the UK trip, the winner will see his tagline used in the upcoming campaign. Send your tagline suggestions to lgbttaglinecontest@visitbritain.org by Feb. 5.

Winnipeg, Canada, has launched its first Ghost Walk, a 90-minute trail led by experienced ghost guides. What was found hidden in the walls of the old Masonic Temple? Where did the first executions in the province of Manitoba take place? How is the Burton Cummings Theatre connected to the worse maritime disaster in Canadian history? Find out Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 31.

• Ohio’s Hale Farm & Village in Bath will kick off a family-friendly Halloween with storytelling by candlelight at 6 p.m. Oct. 30. Adults and teens can try to conjure up spirits at 7 p.m. with “Western Reserve Paranormal.” This group, well attuned to “listening,” will lead a program and discussion on the art of discovering spiritual activity in homes and historic places. Then, a one-hour exploration of three Hale Farm historic buildings will try to uncover any lurking “activity.” This haunted lesson is for ages 16 and older. Reservations are required.

• Ohio’s Salt Fork State Park Resort in Cambridge will start with trick-or-treating from cottage to cottage in a traffic-free area at 6 p.m.  Oct. 31. Hay rides will leave from the lodge parking area, and families can warm up with hot chocolate. A costume-judging contest, along with games and crafts, will wrap up the evening at the lodge.

• Across the pond in Wales, spirits are stirring. It might be the long-dead souls at Llancaiaich Fawr Manor, a living history museum that’s set in 1645 and considered one of the 10 most haunted buildings in Britain. It’s said that eight former residents, including soldiers, children and a maid, roam the house and gardens. Or maybe it’s the sight of Robin Drwg, half man, half beast, at Maesmawr Hall in Powys. Or could it be Sir John Wynn on the spiral staircase at Gwydir Castle in North Wales? Plan your own ghost hunt here.

• England’s Alton Towers is celebrating Halloween Scarefest through Nov. 1, with indoor and outdoor scare attractions. The theme park will be open until 9 p.m. every night. A Superbreak package costs $327/£199 per family of four based on two adults and two children sharing a family room at the three-star North Stafford Hotel, including a full-day ticket to the park for all the family. Breakfast is included for the adults, children pay locally. Valid Friday to Sunday in October; Monday to Thursday costs from $391/£236.

• The National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and its American affiliate, Royal Oak Foundation, have gone ghost hunting in their own properties.

• Better than a pink elephant?

Lift a glass with your spectral friends at Belfast’s Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street in the city center. The pub was a stop for travelers on the Great Northern Railway years ago, and one visitor recalled sitting with three ghostly men and a woman in one of the famed booths—a snug– while waiting for her friends to arrive for cocktails.

• Kennel Club Fur-ever

Ham House in Surrey was just too nice a home for one King Charles spaniel, who refuses to leave. The dog’s portrait hangs in the gallery, and the four-legged ghost often wanders the halls. A recent investigation by the Ghost Club, a paranormal research organization based in London, concluded that there may be as many as fifteen ghosts living at the property.

• SOS

The medieval Old Post Office in Tintagel, Cornwall, now a converted manor house, is famous for its flickering lights. One clever researcher used the antique Spagnolli receiver, a precursor to Morse code, to decode the message: “Noah,” it said, over and over – the surname of a previous resident.

• Anne Boleyn in the hall

Blickling Hall in Norfolk has every right to be haunted. This was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, the husband who had the lady beheaded.

In one incident, two delivery men returned a painting to the home and when asked about the authorization, said, “Oh, the lady signed for it… the lady in the Dining Room.”

The house administrator was supposed to be the only person living in Blickling Hall at the time, so it’s assumed Anne wanted the painting returned.

She may wander at her leisure, of course, but it’s pretty certain that Anne appears on the anniversary of her death each year, May 19. The Grey Lady, her nickname because of her long grey dress with lace collar, has been spotted looking across the lake and riding up the drive in a coach drawn by a headless horseman.

• In Birmingham, Ashley watched as docent Ruth Allen demonstrated jewelers’ skills in the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.

Ashley checks out the baubles at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, England. Betsa Marsh photo

Just checking her weight at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. Betsa Marsh photo

• In Coventry, Ashley toured the ruins of the medieval cathedral, bombed in World War II, and the new St. Michael’s Cathedral next door. In the Herbert Art Gallery, she met up with an armless knight.
  

  Ashley with the knight at the Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry. Betsa Marsh photo

• Ashley toured Warwick Castle and pretended she was the chatelaine!

Ashley as chatelaine of magnificent Warwick Castle. Betsa Marsh photo

• She did get to dream of mansions during her overnight at Hanbury Hall in Droitwich, a 1701 stately home with apartments run by the National Trust. She and Betsa stayed in the South Wing! And met some children playing on the lawn.

Ashley with Luke, Ellie, Samuel and Danny at Hanbury Hall. Betsa Marsh photo

• And to round out her trip, Ashley went cruising on the Birmingham canals, enjoying dinner on the Away2dine narrowboat. Ahh, this is the life!

Ashley on the Away2dine narrowboat on the Birmingham canals. Betsa Marsh photo

Lee Ann and Bill Hieber of Cincinnati have traveled to the Continent before, but this was their first trip to England and Scotland. They offer a few tested tips:

• Restrict yourself to one medium-sized suitcase per person, on wheels! Much of the UK is not handicap-accessible in the way we’re accustomed to, and you want to be able to maneuver your own bag up and down stairs, on public transportation and along city streets if necessary. Just pack what you really need!

• Take the Underground (London’s subway) to/from Heathrow Airport; a cab is prohibitively expensive. The Piccadilly line of the Underground goes directly to/from Heathrow for £4/$6.50 per person, one way. It took us about 50 minutes from Piccadilly station to the airport, so allow enough time. The Gatwick Express train is a little more expensive than the Underground, but the quickest transportation to/from Gatwick Airport.
  

  Bill Hieber, left, catching up with a fraternity brother in London over a pint. Lee Ann Hieber photo

• Stay in bed-and-breakfasts whenever possible. We chose to plan our itinerary ahead of time and made all our reservations via the internet prior to leaving the U.S. Just “Google” bed and breakfasts in the given location and you’ll get all kinds of information. Not only are these generally less expensive than hotels, but it gives you a chance to interact with the owners and other travelers in a less formal setting. Sometimes in B&B’s the price is “per person” rather than “per room,” so be sure to check that out before making a reservation.

• Get a good guide book and read about each destination right before you arrive there—we like Rick Steves. That way, the information is fresh in your mind. We found so many “free” or “near free” sights and activities that we would never have found on our own. A good guide book is invaluable!

• You just about have to rent a car if you want to get out of the cities and into the countryside. Just keep repeating to yourself, “Stay on the left, stay on the left!” When driving in a roundabout, if you get off at the wrong exit you can usually just go a short way, turn around, go back into the roundabout and correct your mistake. You don’t want to drive in the cities! We arranged to pick up our car at Heathrow after leaving London and turned it in when we arrived in Edinburgh. The cities all have fantastic public transportation.

The Wayfarers

Cézanne’s Provence, Oct. 4-11. Walk winding paths and vineyards before visiting the villages of Lacoste and Ménerbes. $3,495.

Sicily, Mt. Etna, & Aeolian Islands, Oct. 10-17. Hike Mount Etna, ferry to the Aeolian Islands, and relax in hot sulphur mud pools. $3,995.

The Cotswolds & Oxford, Oct. 11-16. Tour the gardens of Hidcote Manor, the grounds of Batsford House, the estate of the Duke of Marlborough and the ancient university town of Oxford. $3,295.

New Mexico, Oct. 11-16. Discover the landscape that inspired artist Georgia O’Keefe: Bandelier National Monuments, Frijoles Canyon and The Rio Grande. $2,595.

And don’t miss the Doves, Biffy Clyro and The Cribs performing.

I’m so addicted to “Last Restaurant Standing” with Chef Raymond Blanc on BBC America that I’m thinking back to a stay at his elegant Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Great Milton, outside Oxford.

The manor dates back to 1225 and beyond, but the modern retrofitting is all about luxury. I remember a welcoming fire in our sitting room, fresh herbs for the bath and fabulous meals in the conservatory, many of their ingredients plucked from the manor’s garden.

Flowers and a fire in our sitting room. Betsa Marsh photo

Blanc opened his country hotel and restaurant in 1984. Le Manoir is the only country house hotel in the UK which has achieved two Michelin Stars for a total of 19 years.

Fresh herbs for the bath. Betsa Marsh photo