At 5:31 am on July 9, 1357, just as the cock crowed, the cornerstone of the most famous monument in Prague was laid. King Charles IV believed that the exact moment of birth was important for a subject’s destiny, character and influence on the world. And so at the precise moment court astrologers determined to be the most auspicious of the year, the Charles Bridge was born.
On the banks of the Rhine River, the bustling village of Rüdesheim, Germany is filled with shops, cafes and taverns. Not far from the country’s famous wine regions, it is as famous for its libations as it is for the picturesque landscape. While the Mechanical Music Museum and the darling choo-choo that shuttles you into town are certainly memorable, it’s the taste of a very special coffee that I won’t soon forget.
Clutching the trunks of the palm trees in giant bear hugs, the young men hoist themselves up higher and higher into the air. With just their forearms and the arches of their feet they scurry up like monkeys. As a reward for this harrowing 40-foot climb, the men toss down a couple of hairy coconuts. After these Samoan natives show you how it’s done, it’s your turn to try -- but be forewarned, it’s not quite as easy as it looks.
As summer slips into fall, the birch trees begin to shed their leaves in a blaze of color as an unexpected warm wind interrupts nature’s slow march toward winter. This is New England in autumn when the light is magical and the Indian summer days seem to linger forever.
At the heart of Central Europe, straddling the River Danube, Vienna is the capital city of the Republic of Austria. Originally a Celtic settlement, it has been under the influence of the Germans, the Turks and eventually, the Habsburgs. Since the Habsburg rulers were almost always elected by the Holy Roman Emperor, Vienna soon grew to be an Imperial capital on the grandest scale.
There’s a tendency of those of us battered by snowstorms and sunless days to make our beach travel plans during the winter months. However, if the Hawaiian islands are something you’re considering, November through March may not be your best bet for great weather or good bargains. With winter rains and hot, humid summer months, a better choice would be April and May, when crowds are smaller and the weather is more likely to be agreeable.
If you think the residents of the world’s “beer capital” can throw a party on an average day, you should see them during the 16-day festival known as Oktoberfest. The celebration is the last chance for Munich residents to revel in the outdoors before the weather turns colder and their final hurrah to the biergarten season. It all begins with the clip-clop of steed-drawn beer wagons from the city’s major breweries.
Eons ago the Colorado River snaked its way through northern Arizona, carving out the seventh natural wonder of the world: the Grand Canyon. In some places 17 miles wide and as deep as a mile, this 277-mile-long chasm reveals the sheer force of nature and the grandeur of “America the Beautiful.”
You can actually hear the clop of their hoofs as the massive draught horses enter the city. For decades they’ve made their entrance into Munich, dressed to the nines and pulling brewery wagons decorated with flowers, to signal the Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest landlords. Behind these massive horses are the brass bands followed by brewery owners and workers decked in traditional German costumes. Shortly afterwards, Schottenhamel, the oldest Wiesn beer tent, is opened when the mayor pulls the first barrel and shouts “O’zaptf is!” -- the barrel is tapped.
At first glance Ravenna, Italy looks like any other Italian town with cobbled streets, charming boutiques and graceful squares. But look closer and you’ll notice the Byzantine domes that dot the skyline revealing a distinctly Eastern heritage.
