Archive for November, 2008

A historic jewel hidden away at the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic packs a lot of punch for such a small country. No bigger than Scotland or South Carolina, it’s crammed with fairytale castles, medieval towns, elegant spa resorts and scenic national parks. And on top of all that, it’s the birthplace of the world’s finest beer.
For a country that’s only been around since 1993, the Czech Republic does a fine job of showcasing an exciting history. Here the past becomes real. Unravel the history of Bohemia and Moravia, the two ancient lands that now make up the modern Czech Republic and you’re unearthing the history of Europe itself.
And when you’ve had your fill of the past, return to Prague, one of the world’s most beautiful and cultured cities, and one of the most exciting with a dynamic music and arts scene. Down the world’s best beer in the brewery towns of Plzen and Ceske Budejovice, and discover the laid-back backpacker scenes in Cesky Krumlov and Telc. Everywhere you go, you’ll meet a forthright people, proud of their heritage, but now confidently taking their place in a modern, united Europe.

1. The Lednice-Valtice area

The complex consists of various chateau buildings, garden structures and decorative sculpture of various styles, set amidst ponds and woods. The Valtice chateau is surrounded by a beautiful natural park dotted with many Romantic structures (“follies”), rare trees and greenhouses with tropical plants.
The area is crisscrossed with a dense network of hiking and biking trails and is perfect for exploring in combination with the surrounding wine country.

2. Prague

For centuries it has been known as Zlata Praha or Golden Prague - a glittering jewel of art and architecture nestling snugly at the heart of Europe. Home to emperors and kings, artists and astronomers, this beautiful and fascinating city has worked its subtle magic on generations of visitors, and lent inspiration to musicians and writers from Mozart to Dvorak and Kafka to Klima. Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Its population is about 1.2 million people. The city is situated along both banks of the Vltava River. The city has traditionally been one of the principal intellectual and artistic centers of central Europe. Its brilliant cultural life declined during the period of Communist rule (1948-89) but experienced a revival with the restoration of democratic government in December 1989. Prague is the political, administrative, financial, and commercial heart of the Czech Republic.
Dating from medieval times, the old center of Prague consists of five sectors. The Old Town, the New Town, and the Josefov (once a Jewish ghetto) are on the eastern bank of the river. Located on the western bank are the Lesser Quarter and the Hradcany, which surround the majestic complex of Hradcany Castle–former residence of the Czech kings and since 1918 the seat of Czechoslovakia’s presidents. The oldest of the bridges spanning the Vltava is the Charles Bridge, begun in 1347. Other noteworthy sights of Prague: Jewish Cemetery, Parisian Street, Wencels Square.
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New Seven Wonders of the World is a project that attempts to revive the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World concept with a list of modern wonders. A popularity poll was organized by the private New7Wonders Foundation, with winners announced on July 7, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Bernard Weber, president of the New7Wonders Foundation, called the voting for the New 7 Wonders of the World, the first worldwide democratic exercise in mankind’s history.  In 2007 the foundation has begun a similar contest, called New Seven Wonders of Nature, with nominees solicited through December 31, 2008. The 21 finalists will then be the subject of voting until the summer of 2010.
The origin of the idea of seven wonders of the world dates back to Herodotus (484 BC – 425 BC) and Callimachus (305 BC – 240 BC), who made lists which included the Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes and Lighthouse of Alexandria. Only the Great Pyramid of Giza is still standing. The other six were destroyed by earthquake, fire, or other causes.
Organisers stated that the primary goal of the campaign is to foster and encourage global exchange and intercultural appreciation. In addition, what New7Wonders calls “Global Memory” was created, meaning 7 things that everyone worldwide can remember and share.  Also New7Wonders wants to use part of the revenue from the contest between the well-known monuments, from future votes, related merchandise, and use of the voters database, to set up, or contribute to, various restoration projects in the world. A goal of New7Wonders has always been “raising awareness about the world’s unique cultural heritage sites. continue

Magic Mountain Hotel

Magic Mountain Hotel in the Huilo Huilo reserve, Chile, has a waterfall cascading down its sides — and the interior is just as strange. In Southern Chile there is not that many true four star hotels and above. Well, we found one. The Magic Mountain Hotel in the heart of the Huilo Huilo nature reserve. The architecture, combined with the forest setting, makes this truly a magical mountain. Full four star international service, in such a spectacular location, sets the Magic Mountain Hotel apart from all the other hotels we have visited in Southern Chile.  The realy funny thing is that the Magic Mountain hotel you see in the photo is possibly the least spectacular thing going on around the Huilo Huilo nature reserve in Southern Chile.  Huilo Huilo (sounds like Willow Willow) is more of region than a single town. It includes one of the largest privately owned natural reserves in Chile along with several nearby towns, lakes, and a volcano with year around snowboarding and skiing, and the river Fuy that is famous for its class 3-5 white water rafting and kayaking. The name sake of the region is the Huilo Huilo falls (salto del Huilo Huilo ). There is also a smaller, but no less spectacular falls Salto de la Leona (Lion falls). The Lake Pirihueico borders Argentina, and daily car transport ferry connects the international highway to Argentina. The Most of the land surrounding the lake is also part of the Huilo Huilo reserve.

The Capsule Hotel

Lose yourself in your own love bubble — The Capsule Hotel is a former oil rig survival pod moored in the Hague that comes with disco mirror ball, fairy-light decorations and silk-lined sleeping bags. What is a Capsule hotel? A Capsule hotel is a unique style of accommodation in Japan, inspired by the pursuit of efficiency of space and functional comfort, originating from the adaptive, creative spirit of the Japanese mind. continue