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May 20, 2012
Prague midsummer Navalis
Prague's panorama was ablaze with colors May 15 as the Midsummer Nights Navalis sought to recapture the aura of the Baroque era. A stroll along the Vltava brought with it the mysterious sight of Venetian gondolas, but the parade of boats came with good reason as it paid tribute to St. John of Nepomuk, who was thrown off the Charles Bridge under orders of King Wenceslas IV in 1393. May 15 marks the anniversary of St. John's canonization, and the gondolas, markets, concerts and fireworks that ran from May 13 to May 16 as part of the Midsummer Nights Navalis (Svatojánské navalis) recalled the 17th and 18th century, when such celebrations were common. | more |
In the summer of 2000, a large US brokerage firm brought 500 of its top guests on an adventure-filled tour through the Tyrolean Alps. Two waves of participants frolicked through the natural beauty abundant in the verdant heart of Austria. Perched atop the Seefeld Plateau, the Interalpen Hotel Tyrol played host to our visitors and provided the warmth and hospitality the region is famous for as well as the idea launching point for all the regional attractions. And this group left nothing to the imagination during their stay. Guests biked through picturesque Tyrolean valleys, rode horse-drawn carriages from mountain hut to hut sampling regional beers and mulled wine, trekked the eternal ice of Alpine glaciers, marveled at the crystal creations of the Swarovski factory, tasted sweet and savory dumplings hand-rolled by culinary masters, rafted down the rapids of the Inn river and capped their days with the luxury and relaxation of the hotel's spa.
The evenings brought events that showcased the cultural and culinary offerings in dazzling fashion. Charming mountain huts rolled out the beer barrel polka and regional fare during dine-around nights.The Vienna Boys Choir joined the group for private concerts under the starry Alpine nights. But it was the final night party that pulled out all the stops. Guests were greeted at the Gschwandtkopf Mountain base by the local brassband and schnapps, whisked into cable cars that carried them more than 5,000 feet to the Gschwandtkopf Mountain where a cavalcade of food and frivolity awaited them. As traditional Austrian tunes gave way to live rock n roll, our guests watched as the sun set on what was truly a breathtaking and magnificent visit to one of Europe's most well-preserved and best-kept secrets.
The evenings brought events that showcased the cultural and culinary offerings in dazzling fashion. Charming mountain huts rolled out the beer barrel polka and regional fare during dine-around nights.The Vienna Boys Choir joined the group for private concerts under the starry Alpine nights. But it was the final night party that pulled out all the stops. Guests were greeted at the Gschwandtkopf Mountain base by the local brassband and schnapps, whisked into cable cars that carried them more than 5,000 feet to the Gschwandtkopf Mountain where a cavalcade of food and frivolity awaited them. As traditional Austrian tunes gave way to live rock n roll, our guests watched as the sun set on what was truly a breathtaking and magnificent visit to one of Europe's most well-preserved and best-kept secrets.