A successful series of sail trials marked the concluding stage and upcoming delivery of the truly breathtaking three-masted Royal Huisman schooner SEA EAGLE II: the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht.
Lausanne, Switzerland is home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who last year inaugurated a new HQ in their home city, seen as a glistening model of ‘Sustainability and transparency’, as affirmed by IOC president Thomas Bach in his opening speech. This coincided with the committee’s 125th anniversary. The IOC also supports its own museum – TOM – the acronym for ‘The Olympic Museum’ and like the FIFA World Football Museum is one of the best sports museums anywhere in the world.
FIFA supports its own museum, which provides Zurich with one of the most incredible sports museums anywhere in the world. Their exhibitions (permanent and temporary) provide a lasting sporting narrative and legacy for all citizens and creeds. It is also creates a unique events venue that has mass appeal. Ramy Salameh shares his experience of visiting the ‘FIFA World Football Museum’ and his top picks from what he saw:
“Pyjamas” replied the guide (who lived through the Bosnian-war 1992-1995) when asked what does ‘Peace’ mean to you? Her single-word answer encapsulated daily survival amid war; a frightened teenager, who during the four years of conflict, had worn her clothes to bed anticipating the need to escape the bombardments which characterised the siege of Sarajevo. Being able to wear her night clothes represented the end of hostilities, “peace without fear” she added, during our visit of the ‘Tunnel Museum’ located beside the airport and Mt.
With a matador-like swipe of the towel, our ‘GusMester’ (Mist Master) Matthias, directs a blast of hot, scented air towards our perspiring limbs within the confines of the sauna cabin. This form of aromatherapy is followed by a dip in the cold waters of the Oresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden, sending the endorphins into overdrive, giving an almost instantaneous feeling of elation and renewed vitality. This is ‘SaunaGus’, just one of the signature activities available at Denmark’s leading Spa hotel and part of a holistic approach towards health, well-being and luxury.
“Imagine the harmony of an orchestra, with no single instrument heard above another, this is what we aim for with our Weiner Gemischter Satz wine,” states Fritz Weininger from his winery, in the sleepy outskirts of the Austrian capital.
The vintners of Austria are a very passionate breed. They are a new generation of wine makers producing high quality products. They are represented across the four main wine regions of Niederosterriech (Lower Austria); Burgenland; Steiermark (Styria) and Vienna.
A study has calculated how far 007 has travelled to save the world - an enormous 276745.2 miles across 24 movies, with Austria having been the location on three separate films. It is a country known for its epic alpine surroundings and tailor made for adventure sport junkies.
Vintage sepia photographs, part of a permanent display dedicated to the history of ‘pearl diving’ at the Bahrain National Museum, was an ideal starting point to understand this cultural heritage. Displays give an insight into the design of the timber Dhows, the basic dive equipment used and of course the men who crewed the boats for months at a time. The few grainy images available, show every muscular sinew visible across the diver’s torso, created from a life below the waves, and based on a diet of fish, dates and rice.
An unassuming, anonymous and heavy-set red door separates a quaint cobbled courtyard, from an intimately historic foyer, embracing an almost monastic-like silence. As the door closes behind you, Lisbon’s bright morning sunshine is replaced by softer tones; the sensory contrast is immediate and welcome. This is one of many such contrasts that guests of the exquisite ‘Palácio Belmonte’ will experience during their stay.
The Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky bottle comes in an attractively designed gold embossed filigree box, but the real surprise is in the bottle.
The aroma as I prised off the lid was good, extremely good. But it was the first sip that impressed me the most. Finally, a truly excellent unpeated whisky from England produced by a fine international team. The Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is the perfect goto whisky, smooth, finely balanced with a fusion of flavours, and just the right hint of spice.
