#book private tours bern

[swissrailjourney]

Facts why Switzerland has Always been Rveryone's Favourite Destination:

Switzerland may seem little in contrast to other European nations, but that does not imply there are fewer attractions there. Instead, it has set itself apart from the rest of Europe with its fantastic landscape, tranquil settings, and cosmopolitan towns. It has successfully become a tourist hotspot while being only mildly over-commercialized. Discover more tours in Switzerland, a place you must glimpse at least once in your lifetime. The spectacular mountain views, the heart-pounding activities, and the delectable cuisine must all be experienced at least once. So here are a few Facts about why Switzerland has always been everyone’s favourite destination:

Amazing cuisine:

The cuisine of Switzerland will astonish you with its excellent ingredients and gorgeous plate presentation, in addition to cheese and milk chocolate, both of which the nation is renowned for producing. The cuisine may be described as the result of canton’s French, Italian, and Germanic meals with a unique twist, which is most frequently obtained by adding homemade spices, naturally aged products, and a regular contrast between sweetness and light bitterness that adds to the exquisite flavours. If you are interested in the culinary arts or want to try out different cuisines, Switzerland has everything from casual cafes to Fine dining restaurants.

The fantasy of photographers:

The mountains, the crystal-clear canals, and the lush plains are only a tiny part of what makes Switzerland one of the gorgeous countries in all of Europe. The combination of all of these factors results in the unparalleled beauty of Switzerland’s landscapes. While participating in exploration activities there, The one of Switzerland's most magnificent sights, might help you find or rediscover your love of photography.

Best Swiss art galleries:

Since it offers a window into the past and a method to understand the lives and civilizations of the past, art is respected and conserved in Switzerland with the utmost care. Even though Switzerland does not produce much of its art, it makes up for this by having a variety of museums with collections of works of art from all over Europe, each of which emphasizes a particular era, whether it be contemporary, modern, or abstract. Numerous works of Swiss art, including poetry, wood carvings, embroidery, and music that frequently alternates between high falsetto and low chest notes, are influenced by art.

Self-proclaimed country of cheese:

The cheeses from Switzerland are by far the best-known in terms of diversity, quality, and production. The Swiss dairy industry is one of the most environmentally friendly types of agricultural production, has a considerable impact on the country’s economic growth. The local government depends on the businesses to maintain and improve cheese production levels, which generates jobs and secures income for various occupational groups. It is projected that the companies will generate 189,000 tons of cheese annually. Additionally, there are 475 different varieties of cheese. The flavours of Swiss cuisine will surprise you even though they are delicious on their own. The most well-known is fondue, a cheese sauce into which you can dip bread, meats, and even fruits. In a meal called raclette, cheese is melted, and then pieces are scraped off to be added to other cuisines or even eaten on their own because it is so delicious.

A country with a variety of cultures:

Switzerland is comparable to a nation with various regions, each with a distinctive culture. Each canton has its traditions, customs, and even accents, making the country exciting to visit and never getting boring. Due to the numerous historical associations ingrained in each canton, Switzerland is culturally fragmented, resulting in certain places being wholly separate from others. You should always have a translator on hand since you never know who you could run into. The differences can be distinguished in minute elements like street layouts, sign types, and more.

A train ride like no other else:

Switzerland has many beautiful open-air attractions, so you will likely have little time to see them on your first trip there. But, is it? Switzerland has a top-notch public transportation system that includes cable cars and trains that pass through some of the country’s most beautiful regions yet are unreachable by foot. So, to experience nature from a unique viewpoint, take a lovely train journey between two mountains. Seize the opportunity to practise your smartphone photography skills or to learn more about photography. Planning a rail trip across the country will not only be a fantastic adventure but one where you will always be on schedule. Like Swiss watches, all trains are exact in timing and arrive right on schedule.

Final Thoughts:

At least one time in a lifetime, visit Swiss historical places when you travel to Switzerland. The selection of the city to visit is the next step in planning a trip to Switzerland. Therefore, start looking for the town that will highlight the feature of the nation that most interests you.

[grandlanetransfer]

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[jaydeemedia]

[ad_1] Bern is a laidback charmer with medieval history, beautiful architecture, and an abundance of natural appeal. Get the most out of the Swiss capital with our guide to the best things to do in Bern. Tucked away in the centre of the country, Bern is a vibrant city with a host of wonderful things to do. The charming capital of Switzerland is blessed with medieval architecture in a beautiful setting. Embraced by a curve of the Aare River, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is an aesthetic delight. Flag-dressed cobbled streets, miles of covered walkways, and quirky fountains add to the laid-back charm. In our opinion, it’s one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Our guide to the best things to do in Bern covers the most important attractions in the city. We also have some local experiences to help you get the most out of this cool capital city. Updates – We do our best to keep the information in this guide up to date, if you notice anything has changed, please leave a comment below. // Bookings – Booking your trip via the links in this guide will earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support – Paul & Mark. 1 – UNESCO OLD TOWN (ALTSTADT) The Old Town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The compact design has remained unchanged since its construction between the 12th and 15th centuries. Encased by a curve of the Aare River, the old town is a pocket of sandstone architecture with colorful tiled roofs. Many of Bern’s main attractions are in the Old Town. Visit the Zytglogge, Bern Cathedral, and the Swiss Parliamentary to name a few. Marktgasse // Bern’s picturesque main street, Marktgasse, runs between the city’s two clock towers, Käfigturm and Zytglogge. It’s lined with shops and restaurants and forms part of the 6 kilometers of covered arcades in Bern. Find hidden cellars and vintage shops. Marktgasse extends east to west changing its name to Kramgasse, then Gerechtigkeitsgasse. GUIDED TOUR | BERN OLD TOWN The Old Town is compact and easy to explore on foot. But if you’d like to learn more about this picturesque centre, here are 2 guided walking tours we recommend. Customized private tour with a local guide – Book with Viator A 90-minute walking tour of the old town with a local guide – Book with GetYourGuide SIMSONBRUNNEN & ZYTGLOGGE MÜNSTERPLATZ HALF-TIMBER HOUSE FEDERAL PALACE 2 – CLOCK TOWER (ZYTGLOGGE) Zytglogge is the Medieval clock tower in the heart of the old town, and Bern’s most famous landmark. From its construction in the early 13th century, it formed part of the city’s western fortifications. Over the years, the tower has served as a guard tower, a prison, and a fire tower. Today, it’s most notable for the unique astronomical clock that has been keeping time in the city for over 600 years. Four minutes before the hour, moving figures put on a mini performance ahead of the chimes on the hour. Zytglogge is a must-visit attraction in Bern and a popular spot to photograph. GUIDED TOURS | ZYTGLOGGE The only way to get inside the tower to see behind the workings of the clock is on a guided tour. It’s 130 steps to the top but the views are stunning. Tours last 60 minutes, starting at 2:15 pm and cost CHF 20 for adults, CHF 10 for children, and CHF 18 for seniors/students. Tours run daily from April to October, and from 26 December to 31 December. From November to March, tours run on Saturdays only. BOOK WITH GETYOURGUIDE ZYTGLOGGE, BERN CLOCK TOWER 3 – CATHEDRAL (BERNER MÜNSTER) The Bern Cathedral is a grand example of Gothic architecture in the heart of Bern. As the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, the 100-meter spire stands proud over the old town. This crowning jewel is a key feature of Bern’s skyline. One of the most distinctive features of the cathedral is the Last Judgement, an elaborate sandstone sculpture on the main portal. This magnificent work contains 294 sculptures of profits, angels, martyrs, and the dammed.

It depicts the mayor of Bern going to heaven and the mayor of Zurich going to hell. Bern Cathedral Tower Views — It’s free to enter the church, but one of the best things to do in Bern is to climb the 344 stairs to the tower for a panoramic view of the city. Stop at the two bell rooms on the way down. The Grand Bell is a whopping 10.5 tons and it’s the largest in Switzerland. DETAILS | BERN CATHEDRAL hours – 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Saturday) / 11:30 am to 7 pm (Sunday) | tower hours – 10 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Saturday) / 11:30 am to 4:30 pm (Sunday) | tower tickets – CHF 5 BERN CATHEDRAL 4 – BERN HISTORICAL MUSEUM (BERNISCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM) / EINSTEIN MUSEUM The Bern Historical Museum is the 2nd largest historical museum in Switzerland. It contains a vast collection of artifacts that showcase the history of the city. Take a fascinating exploration from prehistory through to modern times. There are four categories to the collection: archaeology, history, currencies, and cultures. The museum also boasts a large collection of Swiss art. EINSTEIN MUSEUM The Einstein Museum makes up a large and important section of the Bernisches Historisches Museum. Delve into the personal and professional life of the Nobel-prize-winning physicist. There are over 550 objects that explore his exceptional discoveries. It’s also a sobering reminder of the history of his time. DETAILS | BERNISCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM hours – 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday) | cost – CHF 18 including the Einstein Museum. Free with the Swiss Museum Pass or the Museumscard Bern 24h BERN HISTORICAL MUSEUM 5 – ROSE GARDEN (ROSENGARTEN) The Rose Garden is a beautiful park with an excellent view overlooking the Old Town and the Aare River curving around it. There are over 220 different types of roses on display as well as a vast collection of irises and plenty of other plants to admire. The garden is a great place to unwind with lots of green spaces. Spend some time strolling around, and don’t miss the ornate fountains, the pavilion, and the reading garden. Tip // Have lunch with a view at Restaurant Rosengarten overlooking the old town. ROSE GARDEN, BERN OLD TOWN FROM THE ROSE GARDEN 6 – EINSTEIN HOUSE (EINSTEINHAUS) Einstein House is the former residence of Albert Einstein and his family, who lived in Bern from 1903 to 1905 while he worked at the Swiss Patent Office. While living in Bern, Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity which laid the foundation for modern physics. It also gave the world his most famous equation, E-mc2. The 2nd floor remains furnished as it was during Einstein’s time with exhibits and memorabilia from his life. The 3rd floor contains a biography of his life through multimedia exhibits and a 20-minute film. DETAILS | EINSTEIN HOUSE hours – 10 am to 5 pm (daily, 1 February to 20 December) | cost – CHF 7 Adults / CHF 5 Students, Pensioners / CHF 4 youth | website – einstein-bern.ch EINSTEIN HOUSE, BERN 7 – KINDLIFRESSERBRUNNEN & BERN’S FOUNTAINS Bern is known as the City of Fountains with over 100 of them in the Old Town. The fountains are a part of Bern’s rich history, and a public water supply has been available in the city since the Middle Ages. Many of the fountains feature eye-catching allegorical figures. Most are on Marktgasse as it becomes Kramgasse and Gerechtigkeitsgasse, but here are some of the best: Kindlifresserbrunnen // Bern’s most famous fountain, Kindlifresserbrunnen features a man eating a child. There are also several other victims in a bag next to him. Location – Komhauspt Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen // 16th-century fountain featuring a blindfolded Lady Justice. She’s holding a sword in one hand and golden sales in the other. Location – Gerechtigkeitsgasse Zähringerbrunnen // Located near the Zytglogge Clock, this fountain from 1535, features an upright bear. As the symbol of Bern, it’s also holding a shield and a flag. Location – Kramgasse Simsonbrunnen // This statue features the biblical hero Samson defeating a lion with his bare hands.

The butcher’s tool on his belt suggests it was possibly donated by the Butcher’s Guild. Location – Kramgasse. ZÄHRINGERBRUNNEN SIMSONBRUNNEN ZÄHRINGERBRUNNEN VENNERBRUNNEN 8 – PAUL KLEE CENTRE (ZENTRUM PAUL KLEE) The Paul Klee Centre is a museum dedicated to the Swiss-German artist Paul Klee who was born in Bern in 1879. He was a prolific artist who produced over 10,000 works of art during his lifetime. The Paul Klee Centre displays over 4,000 drawings, sculptures, prints, and other media produced by the artist on a rotating basis. While it may not be for everyone, it showcases a wide selection of modern art. There is also a temporary exhibition space. Designed by Italian architect Enzo Piano, the building features a 150-metre wave-like structure. DETAILS | PAUL KLEE CENTRE hours – 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday) | cost – CHF 20 Adults / CHF 10 Students / CHF 7 Children. Free with the Swiss Museum Pass or the Museumscard Bern 24h PAUL KLEE CENTRE 9 – SWISS FEDERAL PALACE (BUNDESHAUS) The Swiss Federal Palace is the seat of the Swiss Federal Assembly (legislature) and the Federal Council (executive). It’s also one of the most impressive buildings in the city and a must-see attraction in Bern. The building was constructed between 1894 and 1902. It resembles the palaces of the Italian Renaissance period in Florence (read our guide to Florence for more information). A 64-metre dome tops this beautiful building and the façade features statues of the nation’s founding fathers. Inside the dome, beautiful stained glass and an ostentatious 214-bulb chandelier, complete the grandeur. Visiting the Swiss Parliament Building – While parliament is sitting, you can watch all the action from the public gallery. When it’s not sitting, guided tours are a great way to learn about the building. All the details are on the official Bern website – bern.com SWISS FEDERAL PALACE BUNDESPLATZ & BUNDESHAUSTERRASSE The plaza in front of the Swiss Parliament Building, Bundesplatz, is another great place to visit in Bern. It has a water fountain with 26 illuminated jets and it’s a popular way to cool off in summer. Behind the building, Bundeshausterrasse is a fantastic terrace with a few cafes and wonderful views of the Bundeshaus, the Marzili public baths, the Aare River, and the mountains. BUNDESHAUS BUNDESHAUSTERRASSE 10 – BEAR PARK (BÄRENGRABEN) Bern has a close association with bears. The name comes from the Germanic word bären meaning bear and you’ll find them popping up all over the city. The city crest has a bear image, plus you’ll find them on sculptures, fountains, and decorations throughout the city. Since 1513, captive bears were kept on display in the city. The first bear pit established in 1515 was a small, dark, and cramped enclosure. Legislation providing more protection for captive animals came into effect in 2009. From then on, the dismal 3.5-meter pit underwent a transformation, culminating in the park you see today. Bear Park mimics the typical habitat of bears as much as possible. The green, hilly terrain is 6,000 square meters with a swimming pool and plenty of trees to play with. There are 2 adult bears, Björk and Finn who are mother and father to twins Ursina and Berna. There is an upper viewing platform and a promenade along the river at the bottom of the hilly enclosure. Visiting the Bear Park — It’s free to visit the bear park and it’s open 24 hours a day. Bears will be hibernating in winter, so you’ll only see them during the summer months. BEAR PARK, BERN 11 – MUSEUM OF COMMUNICATION (MUSEUM FÜR KOMMUNIKATION) The Museum of Communication is an interactive space, opened in 2017, that showcases all things communication. Over 2,000 square meters, experience various facets of the analogue and digital world in an engaging and fun experience. The main exhibition space features cutting-edge interactive exhibits. Try hands-on experiments, watch fascinating visual displays, and learn about interesting communication methods.

Besides the ultra-high-tech, there’s also a cool display of retro phones and computers. The Museum of Communication is an excellent thing to do in Bern regardless of the weather. DETAILS | MUSEUM OF COMMUNICATION hours – 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday) | cost – CFH 15 Adult / CHF 5 Children / Free for kids under 6 MUSEUM OF COMMUNICATION 12 – NYDEGGBRÜCKE & UNTERTORBRÜCKE Nydeggbrücke is the main bridge in Bern connecting the new part of the city with the Old City. It was constructed in 1840 and runs parallel to another charming bridge in Bern, Untertorbrücke. It’s located near the Bear Park with a lovely view in both directions down the River Aare. As a popular tourist attraction in Bern, Nydeggbrücke is a Swiss Heritage Site of National Significance. It’s the perfect spot for photographing the Old Town, particularly in the late evening light. The smaller Untertorbrücke makes a nice focal point on the river. UNTERTORBRÜCKE NYDEGGBRÜCKE 13 – NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (NATURHISTORISCHES MUSEUM) The Natural History Museum is one of the best nature museums in Switzerland with around 6.5 million objects. As a place of research, many of the animals, fossils, and minerals in the collection are inaccessible to guests. But the Cabinet of Curiosities displays over 19,000 objects in 15,000 jars stacked to the ceiling. In this permanent part of the collection, you’ll find exotic animals, rare fossils and other curiosities. The museum also features temporary exhibitions. These usually include artists of the natural world and items from other galleries. One of the most famous exhibits is Barry, the 19th-century rescue dog from the Great St Bernard Hospice. He is credited with saving over 40 people, although there may be some embellishments to his legendary status. DETAILS | NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM hours – 2 pm to 5 pm (Mon) / 9 am to 5 pm (Tue, Thu, Fri) / 9 am to 6 pm (Wed) / 10 am to 5 pm (Sat, Sun) | cost – CHF 12 Adults / CHF 10 Students, Seniors/children under 16 free. 14 – MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (KUNSTMUSEUM) The Museum of Fine Arts in Bern contains the oldest permanent collection of art in Switzerland. It was established in 1879 and includes works ranging from the Middle Ages through to the Present. Arranged thematically rather than chronologically, you’ll see art by Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Jackson Pollock.   Styles represented include everything from early Renaissance, through to Cubism, Expressionism, and Surrealism. DETAILS | MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS hours – 10 am to 9 pm (Tue) / 10 am to 5 pm (Wed-Sun) / Closed Monday | permanent collection – CHF 10 Adults / CHF 7 pensioners / CHF 5 Students | temporary collection – CHF 18 / CHF 14 pensioners / CHF 10 students. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 15 – LOCAL BREWERIES Bern has a rich tradition of brewing beer. There are over 200 breweries and microbreweries in the Bern area. Here are some of the great beer experiences in Bern. Bern Beer Tour – Get the lowdown on the beer capital of Switzerland on this Beer Tour where you learn about production and visit a few great bars. Oberaargau Beer Path – Visit 5 beer stops on this hike through the picturesque hilly landscape outside Bern. Food stops and beer included. ZAPF! Craft Beer Festival (August 26, 2023) – Taste the best of Bernese beer at the annual craft beer festival. The open-air festival has a tasty selection of regional food stalls. Brauerei Felsenau – The oldest independent brewer in Bern offers tours of their factory. Learn about their vintage machines, current high-tech processes and try a beer tasting. Bierecafé Au Trappiste – A cozy café with an excellent selection of local beers including 70 guest beers and 40 regulars. 16 – AARE RIVER The River Aare performs a graceful arc around 3 sides of Bern, nestling the city in a bewitching embrace. The river is the focal point of the city with plenty of things to do around it. River Safety – It’s important to have a healthy amount of respect for the Aare.

It’s a very fast-flowing river and is only recommended for experienced swimmers. The water can be very cold, so it’s also recommended to acclimatize yourself before jumping in. OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOLS Bern has several outdoor swimming pools on the banks of the Aare that are a wonderful way to cool off when the temperature starts to climb. Marzili – The most beautiful riverside pool in Bern, right under the Parliament Building. Lorraine – Enjoy a relaxing soak with graffiti-covered walls, retro loungers, and cozy charm. Wyler – The best option for family-friendly swimming in Bern with volleyball courts and ping-pong tables. FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER Floating down the Aare is one of the most exhilarating things to do in Bern. You can start from any of the riverside swimming pools, or selected entry points. Entry and exit points are marked by red poles or with steps to help you get in and out. If you need a dry bag to transport your stuff with you, you can hire one from Kanuladen. Eichholz to Mazili – Two kilometers upstream from Mazili, the gravel beach at Eichholz is the perfect place to enter the river. Get out at Mazili for a great day out in Bern. Altenbergsteg to Lorraine Pool – From the pedestrian bridge at Altenbergsteg the current is not as strong. This is a great section of the river for beginners. Bremgarten Loop – Take bus 21 to Bremgartan Schloss then walk to the riverbank through the Zehendermätteli tunnel. It takes around 20 minutes to float around this tranquil curve of the river, back to the other end of the tunnel. 17 – GURTEN PARK Gurten Park is a popular outdoor destination 3 kilometers south of Bern. This mountain area is easily accessible by a funicular leaving from the city center. There are a range of activities including hiking trails, an observation tower, kids’ playground, a mini-railway, and a lake. During winter you can try tobogganing and there are regular open-air festivals in the summer. It’s a nice outdoor area when you’re looking to get out of the city. You’ll also enjoy great views of Bern. How to get there? – Take Tram 9 towards Wabern then get off at Gurtenbahn. Then take the funicular from the station to the top. Cars are not permitted at the summit, but there are 200 free parking spaces at the funicular station. How to get back? – One of the best things to do in Bern is the hike from the summit of Gurten back to Bern. It’s a clearly marked path and should take around 1 hour. DETAILS | GURTEN FUNICULAR hours – 7 am until 11:30 pm (Monday to Saturday) / 7 am to 8 pm (Sunday) | cost – CHF 6 adult one way, CHF 11 adult return / CHF 3 children one way, CHF 5.50 children return WHERE TO EAT IN BERN While Swiss food doesn’t appear on many menus outside the country, there are tasty delicacies worth trying. The city has a love affair with Fondue, possibly due to the nearby Emmental and Gruyère which are both seductively melted en mass. The Berner Platte is Bern’s most famous dish comprising meats and sausages with sauerkraut and potatoes. And of course, you can’t leave without trying a Rösti. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Bern. Kornhauskeller – Kornhauskeller is a beautiful historic restaurant in Bern and an unmissable thing to do. Try a variety of Swiss dishes in a grand setting. Altes Tramdepot – Try the hearty Swiss fare with popular favorites including sausage and rösti at Altes Tramdepot. They also brew their own beer. Restaurant Della Casa – This is a traditional staple in the Old Town with a variety of Swiss dishes specialising in cheesy fondue.   Moment – A contemporary restaurant where seasonal products are given the star treatment with few distractions. It’s one of the best dining experiences in Bern. Volver Bar & Tapas – Off the main street, Volver prepares excellent dishes that could compete with some of the best tapas in Seville. MOMENT, BERN WHERE TO STAY IN BERN? Bern is a compact city that’s very easy to get around on foot.

So, no particular area is better than any other. Even in the surrounding neighborhoods, you could be no more than a 20-minute walk into the Old Town. Altstadt (Old Town) – The old town is a popular area to stay in Bern with all the historical attractions and charming streets on your doorstep. Kirchenfeld – The museum district is a great area to stay in Bern if you’re interested in seeing the museums. The Historical Museum, the Museum of Communications, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Fine Art are all in this area. Surrounding Neighbourhoods – With a short stroll into the Old Town you could be staying in a quieter residential area at much better value. OUT OF TOWN PRIZEHOTEL BERN This great value property has bold colours, well-equipped rooms, plus a roof terrace for relaxing sundowners. Paid undercover parking is available. BOOKING.COM | HOTELS.COM MAP | BERN ATTRACTIONS Bern sits in the central part of Switzerland. The Old Town nestles within a crook of the Aare River, which encircles the city in a horseshoe shape. >> How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.   DAY TRIPS FROM BERN With a central location, Bern is perfectly located to take advantage of some interesting day trips in the area. Here are a few recommendations from us. Interlarken – Take the scenic train ride to Interlarken for some great day hikes in the popular tourist hub framed by snow-capped mountains. It takes 55 minutes to travel to Interlaken from Bern by Train. Gruyères – The picturesque cheese town has a couple of great things to do such as the HR Giger Museum. It’s 1.5 hours by train from Bern. Lucerne – Set on the banks of a lake, Lucerne is a charming historic town, framed by snow-capped mountains. More details are in our guide to visiting Lucerne.    OTHER THINGS TO DO IN BERN While we’ve covered all the top attractions in Bern you shouldn’t miss, there are a few others that you might want to check out if you have the time. The first is the Spa Oktogen Hammam. This unique octagonal-shaped hammam offers all the usual rituals in an interesting space. The second is one you’ll probably walk past many times. The Käfigturm is a historical clock tower which makes a nice photo spot in the old town. Finally, the Bern Symphony Orchestra is known for working with a wide range of conductors and soloists. It’s worth seeing what’s on during your visit. THANKS FOR VISITING // WHERE NEXT? A BIG THANK YOU We’ve been providing free travel content on Anywhere We Roam since 2017. If you appreciate what we do, here are some ways you can support us. Thank you! Paul & Mark FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM USE OUR RESOURCES PAGE [ad_2] Source link

[thejosh1980]

“My Daughter”

I'm really tired.

Even though I sleep well most nights, I'm still tired. Sometimes the whole day.

I'm still trying to find my routine. For sure, at 08:00 each morning I'm driving Mum to school and picking her up again at 15:00...

Other than that, it's all about whatever I can do to keep myself occupied... Look for work, think about my career, visit a friend, take Alex for a drive, clean the pool, swim in the pool, check the surf or think. 

Today's been a thinking day..... I miss my dog.

It's a very long story, one that I wouldn't want to bore you with the finer details of, but in the end, I was once a proud father, but now my 5 year old baby is with her mum in Dresden and I am here in Ocean Shores.

I miss her every single day.

Some days are worse than others. I can't go a day without thinking about her. She was my life. There's usually 2 questions that roll around in my head...  “what is she doing/feeling now, without me?” and “what would we do together if she was here?”.

I well up thinking about these questions, and usually distract myself immediately so as not to cry.

My ex and I agreed early on we wouldn't post pictures of her or discuss/post about her online. We wanted something private just for ourselves. That decision was made back when I was touring a lot and we had plenty of fans around.

I don't know if that rule applies to me now, and while I do want to respect my ex's wishes (our wishes), I also feel that I should write something down, document my feelings and try to process this... Writing has helped me with a few things so far, why not with my grief?

I guess in the end, I have to get used to the idea that she's no longer my dog. 

I mean, I never had any official paperwork with my name on it saying I owned the “property” that was our dog (how could I? It was all in German anyhow!!!). Officially, I have no say in where she lives and who she lives with.

In fact, I didn't want a dog at first. I've always been scared of them... Terribly afraid because when I was very young, our own dog (in Melbourne in 1984-85) scared the living shit out of me too many times... So I have always had reservations about dog ownership...

That was until the little brown ball of fur came into my life... I loved that little puppy like my life depended on it.

Although I may not be registered as her father, I love her like one.

I am her Daddy. I always will be.

I trained her, I took care of her, I loved her. And I was very proud to do so. She is amazing...

I trained her to skateboard, paddle board and hang with me in the studio (yes, I even have videos of her singing along with me). She could travel all over Europe with me, visit any number of famous locations and take it all in her stride. She's walked Venice, urban swam in Bern, had tourist photos at Checkpoint Charlie and been photographed by more Japanese tourists than I can care to remember...

I taught her how to give hugs on command. She'd pull me in and wrap her little paws around me, it was the sweetest hug anyone could ever get... I miss them...

She is a real beautiful talented little girl...

But maybe the most important thing was, what she did for me.

When “my daughter” came into my life, I had just stopped drinking (6 months earlier). I was still trying to find the new “me” in a world where all my friends and band members drank regularly around me. I was fine with everyone drinking.... However, if anyone who has stopped drinking (or doing drugs) knows, when that crutch is no longer in your life, when you have nothing to hid behind anymore, you learn more about yourself than ever before...

She gave me love, strength and courage to do things I was scared or worried to do... She gave me reason to live...

If this was an AA meeting, I'd say she was my sponsor.

I received unconditional love no matter how bad I felt in a social situation that made me uncomfortable. She looked up to me for guidance, and in doing so, guided me to feeling more comfortable in my uncomfortable skin.

I wasn't afraid to go places when she was with me. I wasn't worried about what people would think, or how I would feel or think... I was happy because she was by my side, and she surely was happy having me take her places and give her treats.

We were a great team...

Now that I no longer have that team, that partnership, that unconditional love, I hurt.

I worry if I can do anything without anxiety anymore. Can I step out of my comfort zone without her??

Well surely I have come along way in the past 5 years. Still ain't drinking, still learning all the time how to deal with my inner struggles. But without her, it feels harder... I struggle without her constant love and companionship.

I never thought in all my years, that a dog would be so important to me... She still is...

The last time I saw her was in late June. I decided to take control of how and when I let her go free. I arranged my dearest and trusted friend to meet with us, and I could pass “my daughter” over... And my friend could walk her to my ex's place.

The idea of passing her over directly, that would have been too much... I couldn't do it. It was hard enough just to pass her to my friend. It took a long time, a hell of a lot of tears (in public no less). The idea of giving this beautiful thing away hurt me to my core.

It still does.

She knew something was up. She was quiet and attentive. She could read me like a book... I tried to say “goodbye”, but the words could barely come out. I know I said “I love you” as often as my tears would allow.

When I made the decision to leave Europe, I knew I'd miss a lot of people and places. I knew I had to give up a lot of things... At that moment, that day in June, it all came to a head.

If, at the time, I was still on the fence about moving, I'd have stayed... I wouldn't have been able to let her go (I still haven’t)... But as all the plans had been made, and I knew my Mum was waiting for me, I had to do it. I had to keep moving forward... No matter how much it hurt...

My last image of my girl is her walking away with someone we both trusted. (she has the sweetest little butt). I ran after them down the street (crying like a fool), but she didn't look back.

She didn't know that was the last time she'd see me... How could she, she's a dog! She doesn't understand... But I do... And it hurts to think about how she feels without me in her life.

I have not had a photo or an update since... It's been 4 long months...

I wake up everyday wondering if my ex would see things my way and send her to me... Maybe she'd have a change of heart, or maybe her circumstances have changed... My ex knows I'm waiting... 

Hope is the last to die...

Originally I wanted to write an update on how our new life down here was going, but I can't get “my daughter” out of my mind, so I figured I'd write about her... Maybe in a few days I can express more about our life here, but for now, my beautiful four legged girl is all I can or want to think about.

I cried while writing this, and I'll cry again if I have to proof read it again (so I’ll get Alex to do that!). 

The sense of loss and sadness is overwhelming.

I just want to process this pain and replace it with love and happiness for our past... I really want to smile when I think about her, and laugh about her silly ways, but I’m not ready... I realised now, I still have more grieving to do... 

I hope writing things down helps...

Thanks for reading,

Josh

[justforbooks]

Terence Conran, Designer and Retail Magnate, Is Dead at 88

An entrepreneur of mercurial moods and missionary zeal, he created an empire to market his designs and later opened restaurants in London, Paris and New York.

Terence Conran, a London designer and retailing magnate who eased the gloom of postwar British austerity with stylish home furnishings affordable on a teacher’s salary, and then suffered financial reverses before reinventing himself as an international restaurateur and doyen of modern design, died on Saturday at his country home in Berkshire, England. He was 88.

His family confirmed the death in a statement, without specifying the cause.

Blind in one eye since childhood, Mr. Conran was an entrepreneur of mercurial moods and missionary zeal who created an empire to market his designs, stores known in Europe as Habitat and in America as Conran Shops. After his business declined, he opened restaurants in London, Paris and New York — notably Guastavino’s, a dining cathedral under the tiled terracotta arches of the Queensboro Bridge in Manhattan.

He wrote scores of books on design, cooking and other subjects; turned a London warehouse riverfront into a fashionable South Bank commercial development; founded the Design Museum, Britain’s only museum for contemporary products and architectural designs; and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He also married four times, had five children and collected wildflowers, butterflies, old master paintings and Bugatti pedal cars.

Detractors called him a cynical self-promoter who sold simplistic ideas to the masses, like “democratized luxury,” and struck it rich with a sure thing: the inevitable desire of Britons to climb from grinding wartime privations into a consumer class that could afford to replace the threadbare old sofa with something seen as “modern” and in “good taste.”

But admirers said he tried, with remarkable success, to revolutionize the sensibilities of a rising British middle class, offering not just better food but an idea of what a sunlit breakfast on Sunday should be; not just mod touches for the drab suburban semi detached but a taste of la dolce vita: Scandinavian furniture, Italian lighting, French cookware, Bauhaus-style modular shelving and splashes of Pop Art on the walls.

In a career that spanned six decades, he had only one actual job: At 19, he worked briefly for an architect who helped design the 1951 Festival of Britain, a national exposition intended to give Britons a sense of recovery from the war. It also gave him a frank look at a people weary of shortages, and a glimpse of the future of commercial design.

“They came along in their dreary wartime mackintoshes, gas-mask cases filled with Spam sandwiches, and found bright cafes, music, flowers, modern furniture and a spirit of something that none of them had ever experienced in their lives,” Mr. Conran told The Daily Telegraph, the British newspaper, in 2011.

Over the next decade, he designed simple furniture and sold it in an arcade in Piccadilly; opened his first restaurant, a sandwich-and-salad bar called Soup Kitchen that had one of London’s first espresso makers; and created new lines of fabrics and moderately priced, functional home furnishings.

In 1964, he opened his first Habitat store in Chelsea. Its staff had uniforms by Mary Quant and hairstyles by Vidal Sassoon.

By the late 1980s, after acquiring other chains, he owned 900 stores in Britain, Europe, Japan and America, selling furniture, housewares and clothing. His company, the Storehouse Group, had 35,000 employees and billions in revenues.

But overexpansion — including additions to the upscale Butler’s Wharf on the Thames, where he installed his Design Museum in 1989 and lived in a glass penthouse — corroded his empire. So did his failure to integrate interests reaching into publishing, office products, architecture and real estate. He resigned as chairman in 1990. Storehouse was dismantled, and Habitat was taken over by Ikea, the Swedish furniture giant.

Mr. Conran kept some Conran Shops and recovered in the 1990s, opening many theatrically dazzling restaurants, including Le Pont de la Tour and Mezzo in London, Alcazar in Paris and Berns Salonger in Stockholm. In New York, he and his partner, Joel Kissin, opened Guastavino’s in 2000 under the Queensboro Bridge. The site was dramatic but out of the way, and a few years later became a catered event space.

In 2005, he was named the most influential restaurateur in Britain by CatererSearch, the website of Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine, and his resurrected fortune was estimated at more than $100 million.

Terence Orby Conran was born on Oct. 4, 1931, in the London suburb Kingston upon Thames, to Gerard and Christina (Halstead) Conran. His father was a businessman. His mother, who had a taste for art, nurtured Terence’s creative talents. When he was 13, his left eye was permanently blinded by a sliver of metal that flew up from a lathe he was using.

He attended Bryanston, a private school in Dorset, and the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. He did not graduate, but a teacher there, the sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi, became a lifelong friend and mentor.

His first marriage, at the age of 19 to the architect Brenda Davison, lasted six months. He and his second wife, the novelist Shirley Pearce, had two children, Sebastian and Jasper, designers who held various professional and executive positions with their father’s enterprises over the years; they were divorced in 1962. He and his third wife, the food writer Caroline Herbert, had three children, Edmund (known as Ned), Tom and Sophie, and were divorced in 1996. He married his fourth wife, Victoria Davis, in 2000.

He is survived by his wife and his children, as well as 14 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister, Priscilla, a designer and restaurateur.

Mr. Conran became a disciple of Elizabeth David, whose books Europeanized British cooking. Besides design and cooking, his own books explored home furnishings, textiles, gardening and other subjects. An authorized biography, “Terence Conran,” by Nicholas Ind, was published in 1995.

In addition to his 145-acre estate in Berkshire, Barton Court, Mr. Conran had an apartment in London.

From 2003 to 2011, Mr. Conran was provost of the Royal College of Art in London. Besides his 1983 knighthood, a title he said he used only to make reservations, his honors included the Minerva Medal, the highest award of the Chartered Society of Designers, and the Prince Philip Designers Prize for lifetime achievement.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

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[contrabassconversations]

408: Milt Hinton memories with Kurt Morrow

In this special episode, we chat with Kurt Morrow about the time he spent with Milt Hinton.  Milt's wife Mona asked Kurt if he would live in faculty housing with Milt.  Kurt shares some of these life-changing experiences with us today.

More about Milt Hinton

Milt “The Judge” Hinton was regarded as the Dean of jazz bass players. He was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1910, and at the age of eleven moved to Chicago with his family. He began his musical education by taking private violin lessons, but while attending Chicago's Wendell Phillips High School and playing in a band sponsored by the Chicago Defender newspaper, he learned to play bass horn, tuba, cello, and eventually the bass violin. Like many aspiring Southside musicians of his generation, he was influenced by the legendary educator, Major N. Clark Smith. During the late 1920s and early 30s, Milt worked as a freelance musician in Chicago and performed with legendary jazz artists including Freddie Keppard, Zutty Singleton, Jabbo Smith, Erskine Tate, and Art Tatum. His first steady job was with a band led by Tiny Parham, followed by a stint with violinist Eddie South’s Orchestra. Milt’s earliest recording come from this era.

In l936, Milt joined Cab Calloway and for fifteen years performed with Calloway and renowned sidemen such as Danny Barker, Chu Berry, Doc Cheatham, Cozy Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Quentin Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, Jonah Jones, Ike Quebec, and Ben Webster. During this period he was also featured on numerous recordings accompanying Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Ethel Waters, and Teddy Wilson - to name just a few. Most of these sessions have become jazz classics.

After leaving Calloway in the early 50s, Milt began working as a studio freelancer in New York City. For two decades he played on thousands of jazz and popular records. He also played on hundreds of jingles and film soundtracks and numerous radio and television programs. In addition, he made concert and festival appearances around the world and toured extensively with Louis Armstrong, Pearl Bailey, and Bing Crosby.

Milt has played with virtually every jazz and popular artist from Ellington, Coltrane and the Marsalis Brothers to Streisand, Midler and McCartney. In the late 80s Chiaroscuro Records released Old Man Time , a double cd featuring Milt along with many life-long friends from the music world. Laughin' at Life, was released by Columbia Records in 1995 and Chiaroscuro recently released The Judge at His Best, a selection of his recordings on that label over three decades, and the Bassment Tapes, which features Milt performing with groups he assembled.

Milt received honorary doctorates from William Paterson College, Skidmore College, Hamilton College, DePaul University, Trinity College, the Berklee College of Music, Fairfield University, and Baruch College of the City University of New York. He won the Eubie Award from the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Living Treasure Award from the Smithsonian Institution, and he was the first recipient of the Three Keys Award in Bern, Switzerland. In 1993, Milt was awarded the highly prestigious American Jazz Master Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, in 1996 he received a New York State Governor’s Arts Award, in March 1998 he was awarded the Artist Achievement Award by the Governor of Mississippi, and in 2000 his name was installed on ASCAP’s Wall of Fame.

Milt began taking photographs of his friends in the l930s, and he has continued ever since. Over the years his collection has grown to more than 60,000 images. The work depicts an extensive range of jazz artists and popular performers in varied settings - on the road, in recording studios, at parties, and at home - over a period of six decades. In June 1981, he had his first one-person photographic exhibition in Philadelphia and since then he has had exhibits across the country and in Europe. In addition to being published in major periodicals, Milt’s photographs have appeared in documentary films including The Long Night of Lady Day (Billie Holiday), The Brute and the Beautiful (Ben Webster), and Listen Up (Quincy Jones). A Great Day in Harlem

a 1994 documentary about Esquire’s photographic shoot of jazz legends in 1958, features numerous photographs by Milt as well as a home movie shot by his wife, Mona Hinton.

In 1988, Bass Line: The Stories and Photographs of Milt Hinton, by Milt Hinton and David G. Berger was published by Temple University Press. It was selected Book of the Year by JazzTimes. In 1991, OverTime: The Jazz Photographs of Milt Hinton, was published by Pomegranate ArtBooks.

In 1990, Milt's 80th year, WRTI-FM in Philadelphia produced a series of twenty eight short programs in which Milt chronicled his life. These were aired nationwide by more than one hundred fifty public radio stations and received a Gabriel Award as Best National Short Feature in 1990.

In June 2000, a concert was held to pay tribute to Milt on the occasion of his 90th Birthday. Milt passed away six months later.

In late 2002, Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton, a one hour documentary film was completed. It was produced and directed by David G. Berger and Holly Maxson. It debuted at the London Film Festival, won the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2003, and has been shown at film festival both here and abroad.

Milt and Mona Hinton were married for fifty-seven years and have a daughter Charlotte and granddaughter Inez who live in Atlanta. The Hintons’ life-long involvement in their Queens, New York community, their strong commitment to family, and their ongoing contribution to music and photography made them both role models and an inspiration to younger generations.

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

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Check out this episode!

[worldhotelvideo]

[https://youtu.be/F7C8aTyrlVk] Welcome to Lan Hotel and Spa Changbaishan in Fusong, China (Asia). The best of Lan Hotel and Spa Changbaishan. darts, cycling and billiards. In the restaurant section we will enjoy fruits, restaurant (buffet), bar, bottle of water, restaurant (à la carte), restaurant, wine/champagne, chocolate or cookies and on-site coffee house. For your rest, the establishment has hot spring bath. As far as transport is concerned, we will find shuttle service (free), accessible parking, airport shuttle (free), bikes available (free), shuttle service, airport pick up, airport drop off and airport shuttle. For the reception services we will be able to find concierge service, tickets to attractions or shows, safety deposit box, tour desk, 24-hour front desk, private check-in/check-out and lockers and ticket service and luggage storage. Within the common areas we will be able to enjoy library. For family enjoyment we will have karaoke. Cleaning services will include shoeshine, laundry, daily maid service, dry cleaning and ironing service. If you arrive for business reasons in the accommodation you will have meeting/banquet facilities and fax/photocopying. gift shop and shops (on site). We can highlight other possibilities as air conditioning, bridal suite, lift and vip room facilities Book now cheaper in http://ift.tt/2xIAWUM You can find more info in http://ift.tt/2ywHrcw We hope you have a pleasant stay in Lan Hotel and Spa Changbaishan Other hotels in Fusong Hyatt Regency Changbaishan https://youtu.be/nZA7QViTPWw Other hotels in this channel Creagan House https://youtu.be/rAgvf1oIYow Opulence Central London https://youtu.be/ozXBx8AT1bY The May Fair Hotel https://youtu.be/bq5XLM3d344 Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach https://youtu.be/zb7PMOam6HA Admiral Hotel at Park Avenue https://youtu.be/za3Ec2LpaWc The Gleneagles Hotel https://youtu.be/lLNQ1W62RM4 The Knickerbocker https://youtu.be/8xtYXU40D9A Sentido Numa Bay Hotel https://youtu.be/KdwIF_q3k-A Hampton Inn London Ontario https://youtu.be/I_0mn_EdIIE The Antigallican Hotel https://youtu.be/OTvo8DMsShc The Fives Hotel & Luxury Residences https://youtu.be/OBdA8jneb8g Alexander House Hotel and Utopia Spa https://youtu.be/4OHKFhw60yE Victoria Palace Spa Hotel https://youtu.be/isYSAKH1NkE Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern https://youtu.be/aW43k7vPQpA Hotel Madera Hollywood https://youtu.be/B9wx2W8n9xc We hope you have a pleasant stay in Lan Hotel and Spa Changbaishan All images used in this video are or have been provided by Booking. If you are the owner and do not want this video to appear, simply contact us. by World Hotel Video

[wenminliang-blog]

If you’d like to visit a winter wonderland and take in all the feels of a fairytale destination, add winter in Switzerland to your travel plans!

You can visit beautiful Christmas markets, partake in fun winter sports – like sledging and skiing (for beginners and kids too), take in snow-covered panoramic views, relax in thermal baths, enjoy beautiful train journeys and relish trying Swiss specialities like Fondue: There are a lot of activities to choose from during winter in Switzerland.

Here are some suggestions for the best things to do during winter in Switzerland.

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Doesn& this look enchanted? Winter wonderland for sure This was the view from the chair lift while coming back to the base. My hands were extremely cold while taking pictures and it is important you carry thick gloves suitable for the snow. Enjoy the serenity and be careful with your things. Apparently,a lot of phones are found down below every year. Have you seen the swiss chocolate tasting video yet? Link in bio! Don& forget to Share your images using and tell us your travel stories. – – – – – – – # mundaun

A post shared by Menorca@EuropeDiaries (@europediariesblog) on Feb 6, 2017 at 10:02am PST

NATURE AND WILDLIFE DURING SWISS WINTERS

For those of you interested in spotting some wildlife and enjoying the stunning landscapes, you could potentially spot some mountain goats or ‘Ibex’ if you stay in a ski resort or accommodations in the . In fact, some destinations like Davos even include offers in their ‘Inside’ package where you can access complimentary activities with locals, like early morning excursions, wildlife spotting, etc.

Some other areas that I recommend for you to enjoy the natural attractions of winter in Switzerland are the Graubunden Region and the Valais Region.

Switzerland has thousands of cable cars and hiking trails, which guarantee panoramic views. On some peaks like Titlis and Glacier3000, you can also go for the Cliff Walk and take part in other snow activities. However, keep in mind that on snowy days, the visibility might be poor from the top of the mountain peaks, so it’s a good idea to ask about the visibility when buying tickets for any cable car ride.

SchneeSelital is a small ski resort in the Canton of Bern, with a spectacular winter sports area, a fun park, and possibilities for snow tubing. The Gantrisch Nature Park is located in that region – it is about one hour from Bern by train or Alpine Bus.

So visit the Nature Park and the lake, look out for wildlife, visit the monastery ruins and enjoy hiking during winter in Switzerland!

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Well Hello there! When you meet a natural poser- Where did I see these lovely mountain goats and what went on? Check out today’s Insta Story for all updates! Switzerland is celebrating this weekend, opening up a lot of UNESCO sites for the public and organizing events. I had known about Belalp for a long time,mostly about the crazy witch ski race they have each year and the myth behind it. But I am so glad I finally took this trip! The views of the Aletsch Glacier, seeing the wild mountain cows and harmless mountain goats, getting to know about the UNESCO site at the World Nature Forum, eating the Valais Rosti- all made it a beautiful day Truly am and there are so many Swiss places still on my wishlist. What places in your current country are still on your wishlist?

A post shared by Menorca@EuropeDiaries (@europediariesblog) on Jun 9, 2018 at 11:59am PDT

CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE TRAINS IN SWITZERLAND

Trains taking you to a Chocolate Factory aren’t just a work of fiction! In Switzerland, you can choose to spend a day visiting both Chocolate and Cheese factories, as well as taking a ride on a special train serving you delicious cheeses and desserts! You can DIY and combine the visits to chocolate and cheese factories in Gruyere in ONE day by following this route.  Or you can take one of these special trains to enhance your experience:

The Chocolate Train is a vintage, belle-epoque themed train that runs between Montreaux and the Cailler Chocolate Factory at Broc. If you are staying at Montreaux and would like to go on an organized round trip, the Golden Pass ticket includes a whole day itinerary from 9am to 6pm, including visits to both factories and a visit to the town of Gruyere. http://www.goldenpass.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=15

You can book the full day tour here.

Aboard The Fondue Train at Bulle, you can go around the Gruyere region for 3 hours, and enjoy fondue along with a meringue dessert, which is included in the ticket. Remember to book the tickets in advance and you can choose to either board the train at 11.20am or at 7.20pm.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN SWITZERLAND

Nothing says winter in Switzerland more than a Christmas Market! There are many, many Christmas Markets to choose from in Switzerland, here are some of the larger and better-known markets and the dates for 2018:

Basel Christmas Markets – 22nd November – 23rd December

Zurich Christmas Markets – 22nd November – 24th December

Bern Christmas Markets – 1st December – 24th December

You can find out about more Christmas Markets around Switzerland here.

READ: WONDERING WHERE THE BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS ARE IN EUROPE? READ ON…

Magical Christmas Market – Montreux Noel

Montreux Noel Christmas Market. Picture Source.

If you are in Switzerland in winter, the best place to visit is Montreux Noel – the town of Montreux’s Christmas festival.

Held for a month each year in the lead up to Christmas, this festival takes place on the edge of Lake Geneva. The main focal point is the great Christmas market but there is more to the festival than this.

There are medieval Christmas activities at the UNESCO listed Chillon Castle. You can watch Santa fly over Lake Geneva every night from the Christmas Market. There are light displays, chocolate making classes and great food.

Our favourite part, after the Christmas market, was taking the train up Rochers-de-Naye mountain to visit Santa Claus’ house. You get to meet the big man himself, and there are activities, food, and skiing. There are also great views from the train.

If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, make sure Montreux Noel is at the top of your list of things to do during winter in Switzerland!

Author: Sharon Gourlay from Simpler and Smarter

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READ: FIND OUT THE BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN GERMANY

WELLNESS: THERMAL BATHS AND RELAXATION

What better way to stay warm during winter in Switzerland than soaking in one of the country’s many thermal baths. There are many to choose from, and one of my favourites is the Termali Salini & Spa in Locarno, which has an amazing location overlooking a lake and the .

If you don’t have a car, why not take a private tour from Geneva to one of the warmest thermal baths in Switzerland.

  Winter in Switzerland. Credit: Sarah from Borders and Bucketlists

WINTER FESTIVALS IN SWITZERLAND

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For 3 days last week, several parts of the city of Basel were covered in a carpet of confetti -due to the Fasnacht (Carnival). This reminded me of Holi,the festival of colours, when there are colours everywhere around! Also came up with 4 other similarities between these festivals. Simply click through the link in bio and check it outToday, the festival of Holi is being celebrated in India and other places around the world. Missing out on the celebrations but wish you a fun-filled and colourful year aheadLet me know if you played Holi today or if you have attended either of these festivals in the past. Stay safe and best wishes to you and your loved ones! Link- https://www.europediaries.com/2017/03/basel-fasnacht-similar-to-holi-india/ – – – – – – – –

A post shared by Menorca@EuropeDiaries (@europediariesblog) on Mar 13, 2017 at 10:26am PDT

  There are a number of wonderful winter festivals in Switzerland, and a visit to one of them would top off any winter in Switzerland itinerary.

1.Carnival is celebrated in Basel (Basel Fasnacht) and Lucerne (Luzern Fasnacht) – 2019 dates are 11th-13th March in Basel and 28th February – 4th March in Lucerne.

2. The popular Bern Onion Festival celebrates everything onion and garlic and is held on the fourth Monday in November – that’s November 26th in 2018.

3. A more unusual winter event in Switzerland is the Belalp Witches’ Race, where skiers wear scary witch masks and race downhill

4. The Igloo Festival in Adelboden has been running for eight years now and involves building igloos to be judged. It is held 16th-17th March in 2019.

5. Adelboden is also home to the Chuenis bi Nacht – a night skiing race and Ski show held every Friday evening between 1st February and 1st March in 2019.

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Never before I have probably been closer to and felt the heat that strongly..Notice the reaction of the people right there?This was at chienbase today at Liestal,just outside Basel.Fasnacht has begun! @baselswitzerland @visitswitzerland

A post shared by Menorca@EuropeDiaries (@europediariesblog) on Feb 14, 2016 at 1:51pm PST

READ: FIND OUT ABOUT THE MYTHS, LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE FROM SWITZERLAND

World Snow Festival, Grindelwald, Switzerland

Each year, the Swiss alpine village of Grindelwald plays host to the World Snow Festival, where figures and sculptures are carved out of huge blocks of snow.

The festival started back in 1983 when some Japanese artists carved the storybook character Heidi out of snow. These days, artists from around the world come to show off their snow-sculpting skills in the hope of being crowned the winner.

Work on the sculptures takes place in the heart of Grindelwald for the first four days of the festival (dates for 2019 are January 21 to 26) before the rankings are announced on day five.

Whilst a judging panel is in place, the general public is also asked to vote for their favourite from the 14 sculptures created during the festival.

On the final evening, the snow sculptures are illuminated, providing a wonderful spectacle for all to admire – before they melt away in the following days.

Author: Carolyn from Holidays to Europe

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HELICOPTER RIDE OVER THE JUNGFRAU

Panoramic view over the Jungfrau. Credit: mscgerber

When visiting Switzerland in winter there are so many beautiful areas to choose from! From central Switzerland to the French part, in Graubünden or even in the Italian part. Switzerland is full of beautiful places to spend your winter holidays. However, there is one place that stands out for me: The Jungfrau Region!

With its location in between some of the highest and most remarkable peaks of the European Alps, thousands of kilometres of ski slopes and the unique Top of Europe (almost 3500 meters in altitude), which you can reach by train, the Jungfrau Region is simply incredible.

In my opinion, there is something even better than just enjoying the Jungfrau Region in a regular way: By taking a helicopter ride around the area. I decided to do this in the beginning of 2018 – and it was a great decision! While a helicopter ride can be quite pricey, it offers you spectacular views of the Swiss Alps – including the possibility to land on a remote glacier. It was certainly something I will never forget.

Author: Michael Gerber from mscgerber

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What a delight it would be to fly over the Alps! Picture: mscgerber

ADVENTURE SPORTS IN SWITZERLAND

Skiing in Switzerland – Not Just for Regular Skiiers

  View this post on Instagram

The first time I made such a big /snowlady with friends was such a memorable experience It was also the first fime I tried skiing(pics soon) though I ofcourse slipped and fell atleast thrice But,isn& it so much fun to try new things and find out what you love? Today, I want to know what YOU love doing and if anything you tried recently made you fall in love with the activity/place/people etc. I am all ears to hear your stories.So bring them on and keep doing what you love Use to post your photo stories and get featured – @graubuenden @myswitzerland @switzerland.ch @ – – – – ling

A post shared by Menorca@EuropeDiaries (@europediariesblog) on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:24am PST

During winter in Switzerland, skiing is second nature to the Swiss and when it comes to where to ski, there are many places to choose from.

Whether you are a first-timer or a pro, there is somewhere to ski in Switzerland for everyone – you just need to know where to go. Luckily after living in Switzerland for years, I did some research to find out the local’s favourite spots to ski.

Kayaking on Lake Brienz

When we think of an activity like Kayaking, we would usually imagine a sunny day, a clear sky, calm ocean, and all things chirpy. But what if I told you that you can go kayaking during winter in Switzerland?

Snowclad , a lonely lake, cold wind, and hot tea – sounds exciting right? Well, it definitely is.

When we went to Switzerland in winter, we saw an ad in our hostel about winter kayaking and we were instantly excited. We booked our trip immediately.

The kayak trip started in Bonigen, located on the shore of Lake Brienz which is about 30 minutes away from Interlaken by foot or ten minutes away by bus. Once we reached Bonigen, we were surprised to see that we were literally the only people kayaking Lake Brienz.

We kayaked for about three hours and even saw the sunset from our kayaks, in the middle of the lake, the peaks of the snowy turning pink during the finality of the day. We drank hot tea on top of an old castle called Ringgenberg.

It was one of the best and most surreal experiences we had in Europe during Winter for sure.

Author: Parampara and Parichay from Awara Diaries

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Kayaking in Switzerland. Picture: Awara Diaries

Sledging in Champéry

The little town of Champéry, in the francophone part of Switzerland, is a hidden gem. It is the perfect place for you and your family, or a group of friends, to rent out a secluded cabin and spend some internet-free time together.  

While many people love to ski and snowboard in Champéry, my absolute favourite activity to do there is sledging.  Every incline – from mild ones to steep ones – can be zoomed down on a wooden or plastic sledge (be sure to pack your own!) – it is absolutely exhilarating! Then, at the end of a long day of getting your adrenaline pumping, you can stare off into the magical night sky and see many of the stars of the Milky Way in their brightest beauty.

Author: Sarah from Borders and Bucketlists

Would you try out sledging this winter? Beautiful picture of Champery by Sarah from Borders and Bucketlists.

Snowboarding in Nendaz

Everyone knows that the Swiss Alps is among one of the best places to go skiing or snowboarding in Europe. However, with so many resorts and mountain towns in this small country, it can be hard to pick where to go. We spent last winter gallivanting with our snowboards around Europe and one of our all-time favourite places to snowboard was Nendaz.

The famed 4 Vallées ski resort is known for having some of the best ski terrains in the world, so travelling there just seemed ideal. It’s tough to consider any ski holiday in Switzerland a bargain, especially in comparison to nearby resorts in Austria or Italy, but few resort towns make as many “best of” lists as 4 Vallées, and Nendaz is in the heart of those valleys.

The town of Nendaz lies close to the resorts of Siviez, Thyon, Veysonnaz, and Les Collons. Altogether these resorts make up the 4 Vallées, which have a whopping 412km of ski runs – and most of these are groomed!

If you’re heading to Switzerland in the winter there is no way you can miss heading up the and going for at least one whirl down.

Author: Natasha and Cameron from The World Pursuit Travel

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Portes du Soleil. Credit: Inma Gregorio from A World to Travel

Snowboarding at Portes du Soleil

As a side perk of working five Winter seasons in the Alps, I got to know dozens of ski resorts during my mid-twenties. However, to this day, the ski domain of Portes du Soleil – which comprises 12 ski resorts in the Mont Blanc in France and around the beautiful Lake Geneva in Switzerland – is my favourite and the one I’d recommend to everyone that wants to admire the unique Switzerland landscapes this country is world-famous for.

Not just a stunning spot, Les Portes du Soleil (the doors of the sun, if we were to translate its name) is also a great choice for winter sports – especially snowboarding. It has almost no crowds – unless you decide to visit during public holidays – and there are enough runs to keep you busy for a whole week of exploring and fun.

Les Portes du Soleil has over 650 km of ski pistes to suit all levels, thirty snowparks, 286 ski slopes and 196 lifts in total; which make it one of the largest ski areas in the whole world.  Champéry, Champoussin, Morgins, Les Crosets and Torgon – from where you can admire grandiose views of the famous Dents du Midi (3257m) and Dents Blanches (2756m) are in the Swiss part.

It usually opens from mid-December until late April and getting there is the easiest thing ever if you fly to Geneva. Enjoying a shared apartment and package should not break the bank, although rates can quickly increase if you decide to stay in a hotel or choose to travel during Christmas or Easter.

Author: Inma Gregorio from A World to Travel

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Which of these destinations would you first visit? Share your thoughts below and do share this post on social media!

      The post The Best Things to do During Winter in Switzerland appeared first on Europe Diaries.

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A Postcard From Hell: Revised Materials Towards A Cartoon History of the Life, Loves & Legacy of Aleister Crowley

https://liber-al.com/?p=18248&wpwautoposter=1570022610 Richard T. Cole; Aleister Crowley Orange Box Books, United Kingdom, 2009. Hardcover. First Edition. 104 pages. Limited Edition, limited to 156 copies, each with a postcard numbered and signed by the author. This copy being number 26/156. Out of print, when published these books sold out almost immediately. Features 72 full colour and 42 black & white illustrations. A wicked series of pictorial and textual parodies on Crowley, his friends and followers. As New/Fine. “Laugh until your hoor splits. Cry tears of pure elixir. Feel your kundalini spasm with unadulterated delight. Suppress your wails as an army of savage ‘Warrior Briefs’ tear down your door and initiate you within thirty-one inches of your Holy Guardian Angel. In the spring of 2004, when asked if I could provide a bit of light relief for insertion into a proposed series of digital editions, I accepted the challenge with relish. Crowley is, in my opinion, a truly great British tradition. He travelled extensively, enjoyed a good joke, was energetically enthusiastic about sex and throughout out his life was, and still is, much derided. With these elements in mind an obvious format for, “a bit of light relief” immediately sprang to mind in the form of the much-loved and, by today’s standards extremely politically incorrect, other great British tradition of saucy holiday postcards. And so was born the concept of my Comely Crowley Cards. Between 2004 and 2007 a light dusting of these images were sprinkled amongst the limited digital editions of Crowley’s works released by Black Flag & Naughty Nun New Media. A few were e-mailed to friends and colleagues, as private jokes. One or two found their way onto the Internet and, on the odd occasions where a bit of space was available on the run-offs of other projects, a small number were printed as actual postcards. However, for the most past my collection of Thelemic artwork remained unknown, unseen and gathering cyber-dust… Until now! A Postcard from Hell is a compilation of all 70 of the infamous postcards (including the much-debated Leah Hirsig images), plus a whole host of other artistic goodies relating to the life, loves & legacy of Aleister Crowley, The Great Beast 666. Includes an entire chapter on the recent (1985-2009) history of the guardians of Crowley’s artistic and literary legacy, O.T.O.. Summary of contents: Postcards –  The date is 12 October, 1875, and Emily Bertha has just given birth to a chubby little baby called Alick. Who could know this innocent child would create a worldwide scandal with his quest to track down and extract a new Bible for mankind from a praeter-human intelligence called Aiwaz. The wickedest man in the world? Nah, he’s just a very naughty Magus. This lavishly illustrated chapter escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in Aleister Crowley’s seventy-two year life of doing exactly what he wilt… *Discover what Crowley’s relationship with the Loch Ness monster was. *Uncover why Crowley was evicted from the Garden of Eden only 31 minutes after its official opening. *Glimpse a rare poster promoting Crowley’s Ragged Rag-Time Girls. *Study a reproduction of the Divine Slice of Toast on which the face and Magickal number (666) of The Great Beast recently manifested. *Read about Crowley’s sellout, one-man show (The Aiwaz Man Cometh) at the Warburg Theatre. *Find out the real secret behind Tantric yoga – Why did Buddha laugh? *Learn about Crowley’s attempt to produce a batch of hununculus’ at his Abbey of Thelema, in Sicily. *See a photograph of LAM’s birthday party with uncles Al, and Ken and aunt Steffi. Leah Hirsig (The Scarlet Woman) –  It’s spring, 1918, and a naive young New York teacher is about to get the lesson of her life. Leah Hirsig has just met the man who will sweep her off her feet (and head) and take her on a breathtaking journey which will change forever her life, her attitude towards pets and her gynecological configuration. Leah, or Alostrael (her magickal name), repeatedly demonstrated herself to be ‘game for anything’ and indisputably provided invaluable assistance to Crowley in his difficult mid-life transition from Magus to Ipsissimus – Though she found subsequent cause to recant her vows of Crowleyanity, re-revert to Catholicism and sever all links with her former Master, The Great Beast. Based on the infamous series of postcards created between 2004 and 2007, Richard T. Cole’s lavishly illustrated compendium of materials escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in Leah Hirsig’s five year long holiday romance with The Great Beat 666. Gaze reverentially in awe, wonder, adoration and sheer disbelief at Aleister Crowley’s favourite Scarlet woman as depicted in a sequence of rare and alluring photographs, including: *The Opium Queen – “High Tea – Our Favourite Hobby!” *At Cefalu – “Wish you were her”. *”Sublime Salome.” *His Sepia Woman – “Paint me as a hairy armpit!” *At Cefalu, with a randy old goat – “I know what you did last summer”. *As inspiration for Charlotte Rampling’s Night Porter- “Can unload your bags, Sir?” *Chastising A.C. for smudging an oil painting of her – “Don’t finger me whilst I’m still wet” O.T.O. –  The date is 12 July, 1985, and Grady McMurtry, head of the California-based faction of an occult fraternity known as Ordo Templi Orientis, has just celebrated his Greater Feast. The membership of O.T.O. holds its collective breath and strains to watch a white dove issue forth from the tallest chimney of its Head Office; a feathered omen announcing the appointment of a new head. Is what happened next the stuff of fiction, legend, or horror? Is that strange sound we’ve been hearing really Crowley turning in his urn? Can, “Lite Cakes” really be used as part of a healthy, balanced diet? Who is the mysterious Butch Butcher of Berne and what are his gristle-burgers made from? Who were Pipie & Sons and did they really invent time-travelling paper? All these and many more intriguing questions are completely ignored in Richard T. Cole’s humorous expose of O.T.O.’s soft white underbelly. This lavishly illustrated chapter picks up the story and escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in O.T.O.’s history during the ensuing twenty-four years – The rise of the Caliphate… *Discover what happens each year on the mound of, “GolgOTOha” (the place of skulks) *Uncover links between O.T.O.’s secret Elixir and a certain pharmacological giant *known for its blue pills. *Glimpse a rare poster for the movie SCOTOP. *Study a diagram of the structure of O.T.O. and learn where to purchase your hand-held *Thelemic Navigation console. *Read rarely seen pages from the Magickal Sink magazine. *Find out what really happened at a dinner party in the Paris Ritz. *Learn O.T.O.’s Word of the Equinox (1985) and understand why this will never change. *See the promotional flyer used to promote “a radical new awareness-raising campaign”. *Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about O.T.O. but were afraid to ask. Art – A compilation of watercolour and acrylic paintings plus other assorted promotional items, past, present and future; real and imagined. Includes: *Two acrylic paintings of Aleister Crowley, entitled In the Desert and Red Heat. *Watercolour paintings of A.C. Scintillating in Purple and Leah Hirsig as, Predator posing as a house-pet. *Two promotional flyers for live appearences, in London and Moscow, of Aleister Crowley’s Ragged Rag-Time Girls. *A selection of book covers and descriptions of Richard T. Cole’s forthcoming projects. Miscellaneous – Contains various bits ‘n’ bobs which, upon finishing the project, I happened upon by chance and thought, “Bugger! I forgot all about that one”. It also holds a small selection of pictures conceived to accompany text, rather than as stand-alone images, including two eBay listings and a short essay entitled A Rite of Auto-Ejaculatory Magick (a sharp, insightful, funny and perceptive a comment on Sex Magick). *Crowley’s X-Mas Lucky Lotto Ticket – It Could Be NU. *The Holy Toast – A Divine Manifestation! *The Rock Valley Messiah. *A Rite of Auto-Ejaculatory Magick. *Thelemic Talisman – A 31 x 31 Magick Square. *Three very strange digital renderings of Crowley’s distinctive features, entitled *FractAL, Beastly Balls in Thick Darkness Sauce and Shredded Beast. APPENDICES A – Index of Images. B – Chartering Blame. C – DISCLAIMER. D – Additional Notes. E – A Flashback Laugh until your hoor splits. Cry tears of pure elixir. Feel your kundalini spasm with unadulterated delight. Suppress your wails as an army of savage ‘Warrior Briefs’ tear down your door and initiate you within thirty-one inches of your Holy Guardian Angel.”

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The World’s Top 10 Wine Destinations for 2019

With over 70 wine-producing nations worldwide, and innumerable subregions and appellations, choosing where to take your next wine-fueled vacation can be tricky.

To create the ultimate list of wine travel destinations for 2019, we analyzed trends and tourism developments worldwide. We love Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany, but we wanted to highlight regions beyond those usual suspects. Taking a step off the beaten path reveals hidden gems, and the opportunity to produce envy-inducing Instagram stories.

Pack a suitcase, and be sure to leave plenty of room to bring back your favorite bottles. Here are the 10 wine travel destinations that should be on your radar this year.

10. Moldova

Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, is just a two-hour flight from London, Milan, and Vienna, yet the country remains one of the world’s least-visited tourist destinations. Things are slowly changing on that front, however, and Moldova’s National Bureau of Statistics reported a roughly 20 percent hike in visitors in 2018 — fueled, in part, by wine tourism.

Wine is everywhere in Moldova. The four main regions (Condru, Valul lui Traian, Stefan Voda, and northern Balti) are all within a one- or two-hour drive from the capital, and somewhere between 20 and 25 percent of Moldovans are employed in the wine trade.

The international airport is named after fermented grape juice and Moldova is home to the world’s largest wine cellar, which is a staggering 150 miles long and contains over 2 million bottles. The cellar is so big, in fact, that it hosts an annual 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) wine run.

9. Macedonia, Greece

Hard-to-pronounce Greek varieties like Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko have cemented themselves on many American wine lists in recent years. The island regions of Santorini and Crete are popular, too, among in-the-know winos. Yet it’s Greek Macedonia, located in the north of the country in the mainland, that’s vying to become your next Greek wine destination.

Orient yourself near the ancient port city of Thessaloniki, where wine grapes such as local native variety Xinomavro have been grown for thousands of years. Highly tannic, with bracing acidity, the grape is Greece’s answer to Nebbiolo and looks set to see a surge in interest now that the country’s winemaking credentials are firmly established. Greek Macedonia has multiple established wine routes to explore, and an international airport with affordable connecting flights arriving via Istanbul. Book your break now and beat the impending crowds.

8. Valais, Switzerland

Little of Switzerland’s high-quality wine production leaves its borders because of the strength of its prohibitively expensive currency. If you want to sample some of the country’s fine Pinot Noirs, therefore, or wines made from flagship white variety Chasselas, a Swiss vacation is your best bet.

Located on the Alpine upper stretches of the Rhône River, the Valais region contains a large portion of Switzerland’s wineries and is responsible for roughly half of total production.

The surrounding mountains, including the symbolic Matterhorn peak, shelter the region’s best vineyards (Domaine des Muses, Domaine Gérald Besse, and Domaine Jean-René Germanier, to name a few) and also house numerous tourism solutions in the form of upscale Alpine resorts. The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof and Mont Cervin Palace offer luxury accommodations, with matching price tags and equally heart-stopping views of the nearby Matterhorn. Hotel-Restaurant Didier de Courten provides a modest but no-less-pleasant alternative.

7. Uruguay

Like neighboring Argentina, Uruguay is a meat- and wine-lovers’ nirvana. Unlike Argentina, however, it receives little attention for its winemaking prowess, despite being South America’s fourth-largest producer. If you have sampled one of its wines, chances are it was a bottle of grippy, full-bodied Tannat, a variety that is to Uruguay what Malbec is to Argentina and Carménère to Chile.

Uruguay has plenty to offer besides tannic reds, though. Bodega Garzón, in the Maldonado region, champions Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Pinot Gris, and offers world-class food pairings at its nearby luxury hotel and restaurant, courtesy of Francis Mallmann of Chef’s Table fame.

The Maldonado region is home to picturesque coastal towns and beaches, as well as wineries Viña Eden and Alto de la Ballena. It’s easily accessible via direct flights out of Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo. Alternatively, combine a trip to Maldonado with a visit to Buenos Aires, which lies a short ferry ride across the Río de la Plata.

6. Tasmania, Australia

A 25,000-square-mile state 150 miles off the south coast of Australia, Tasmania garners international attention for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and produces some of the country’s leading sparkling wines. Emerging Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris plantings prove the versatility of the terroir in Australia’s southernmost state.

Almost all Tasmanian wineries offer tours and tastings, though it’s a good idea to call in advance. See Pooley Wines and Freycinet Vineyards for the region’s leading Rieslings, Domaine A for Sauvignon Blanc (and intriguing Cabernets), and Derwent Estate for über-hip, skin-contact Pinot Gris.

Tasmania’s winemaking pedigree is complemented by a burgeoning culinary scene. Seafood-focused Franklin, and farm-to-table restaurants like Dier Makr and the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery & Store lead the pack. Hobart, the island’s capital, also enjoys a lively music and arts scene and is home to the nation’s oldest brewery, Cascade, for when the time comes to enjoy lower-ABV bubbles.

5. Israel

Israel’s relationship with wine stretches back thousands of years, yet its modern-day reputation as a producer revolves around kosher bottles of varying quality. A new generation of winemakers is hoping to change this, embracing state-of-the-art winemaking techniques and limiting production to the cooler northern regions, such as Galilee, which includes Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee, and the Golan Heights.

California native Victor Schoenfeld heads the winemaking operation at the award-winning Golan Heights Winery. A graduate of UC Davis, Schoenfeld gained experience at critically acclaimed international wineries, including Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley, Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma Valley, and Champagne house Jacquesson & Fils, before joining Golan Heights in 1992. The winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon-driven bottlings are arguably the region’s finest.

A handful of wineries, such as Bethlehem’s Cremisan Wine Estate, shun international varieties in favor of native grapes like Baladi (red), and Marawi, Jandali, and Dabouki (white).

Recanati Winery, which was a key factor in restoring native white grape Marawi, splits production between French-style blends and indigenous varieties. The winery released its inaugural Marawi bottling in 2014.

Israel has just over 50 commercial wineries in total and spans 260 miles north to south, and 70 miles east to west. A side trip to the Israel’s wine countries can easily be incorporated into visits to Tel Aviv, which is served by direct flights from major U.S. cities including Washington, San Francisco, New York/Newark, and more.

4. Elqui Valley, Chile

For a total of two minutes on July 2, 2019, the moon will completely obscure daylight as it passes between Earth and the sun. Chile’s wine-producing Elqui Valley is one of the world’s best locations to witness this year’s breathtaking total solar eclipse.

Situated 300 miles north of the capital, Santiago, the Elqui Valley runs from the Pacific coastal city of La Serena to the Andes Mountain range and Argentine border. The country’s northernmost wine region makes expressive varietal wines from Carménère, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. It’s also Chile’s leading pisco-producing region.

In the heart of the valley lies the village of Pisco Elqui. With a number of hotels and pisco distilleries, and close access to the valley’s nearby wineries, it’s the best location to plan your visit around. But a two-hour bus ride to the nearest airport in La Serena, or a five-hour drive to Santiago, mean that careful planning before visiting is advisable.

Choose Casona Distante for a romantic hotel break, or consider Refugios La Frontera and Elqui Domos, which each have private observatories. Check in advance that the region’s premier wineries, Viña Falernia and Cavas del Valle, are receiving guests during your stay, likewise with pisquerías Aba Distillery, Pisco Mistral, Fundo Los Nichos, and the Capel Distillery in nearby Vicuña.

3. Provence, France

Rosé. All. Day. Drink in the hottest trend of 2018 (and, by all estimates, 2019, too) in its geographic and cultural apex. The leading vines for rosé production are firmly rooted in the soils of southern France’s Provence region and there’s nowhere better to enjoy the light and refreshing wine than on the very shores from which it hails.

A patchwork of lavender fields stretching from the Rhône River to the Italian border, Provence has picturesque seaside and mountains and more than 400 vineyards. Wineries such as Château de Berne and Domaine de Fontenille pair blush pink tastings with local fine cuisine.

The old port city of Marseille is a vibrant base camp. It’s home to the three-Michelin-starred, Le Petit Nice, celebrated for its multi-course tasting menu based entirely around the city’s most famous dish: bouillabaisse. The family-run establishment (which recently celebrated its centenary) also offers luxury accommodations in the form of two boutique five-star villas. Yes, you are here for rosé, but don’t even think about leaving the city without sampling local-favorite pastis, on the rocks with ice-cold mineral water.

Nearby Arles provides a quieter alternative. Check out the Foundation Vincent Van Gogh and Musée Réattu, or head to the Musée de l’Arles Antique and Museon Arlaten for ancient artifacts. (Arles has a more than 2000-year history, with original Roman ruins still scattered throughout the city.)

2. Finger Lakes, N.Y.

The Finger Lakes proves that top-quality oenotourism exists on America’s East Coast. Riesling production leads the way, but other new and exciting bottlings — such as Dr. Konstantin Frank’s amber Rkatsiteli, Forge Cellars Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Francs from Domaine LeSeurre and Hermann J. Wiemer — are emerging all the time.

Production is centered around the Keuka, Cayuga, and Seneca Lakes, three of the 11 that give the region its name. Dr. Konstantin Frank, located on the west side of Keuka Lake, and Hermann J. Wiemer, on Seneca Lake, are the region’s pioneering wineries, not to be missed during your visit. Weis Vineyards, Boundary Breaks, and Standing Stone are other exciting winemakers to check out while you’re in the area.

The Finger Lakes craft beer scene, is flourishing, too. Two Goats Brewing (Seneca Lake), Prison City Brewing (Auburn), and Abandon Brewing (Penn Yan) are just a few of the numerous worthwhile departures from the wine route, for when you’ve had your fill of Riesling for the day. (See also Finger Lakes Beer Trail for a handy map of the region’s 70-plus breweries.)

1. Sherry Triangle, Spain

Somm-favorite sherry might not enjoy mainstream popularity (yet!), but the category offers the complexity and ageability we look for in premium white wines at a fraction of the price. The only thing holding it back? Sherry’s numerous styles, which are tricky to navigate and can be easily off-putting. The best way to fully appreciate and savor the category is to visit the bodegas of El Marco de Jerez. (You can thank us when you get back).

El Marco de Jerez, a.k.a. the Sherry Triangle, is situated a one-hour train ride south of Seville, in a sun-soaked corner of Andalusia. Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María are the three cities which define the triangle’s borders, and all of the region’s sherry blending and aging takes place in bodegas (wineries) within them.

The name sherry is actually an anglicization of Jerez, the inland city that has some of the most well-known sherry bodegas. Tío Pepe is one example, located a short walk from the city’s central square, La Plaza del Arenal. The bodega has a list of tour options, including a one-and-a-half-hour tour and tasting, a biking tour of local vineyards, and a ‘deluxe’ tour, which incorporates vineyard and bodega visits with breakfast and a paired lunch.

With a focus on aged sherries, Bodegas Tradición promises to satisfy aficionados’ palates, while the collection of Spanish artwork adorning its walls (including paintings by Picasso, El Greco, Goya, Velásquez, and Zurbarán) is museum-worthy.

The coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda hosts the perfect conditions for producing manzanilla, a mineral-rich dry sherry that pairs perfectly as an aperitif with green olives and marcona almonds. Like Jerez, Sanlúcar has several bodegas to visit (such as Barbadillo, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, and Bodega Hijos de Rainera Pérez Marín). Casa Bigote, the city’s most-renowned seafood-only restaurant, pairs exceptional manzanilla and more with local sea fare. And don’t leave without dropping in on world-famous Bodegas Osborne in El Puerto de Santa María.

The post The World’s Top 10 Wine Destinations for 2019 appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/best-wine-travel-destinations-2019/

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Almost 50% of all marriages end in divorce. But 100% of marriages have difficulties. Many people think it is simply a coin-toss on whether a marriage succeeds or fails. They are wrong. You CAN make the difference! Success or failure is drug intervention specialist Encinitas, Ca in your hands.

All couples do well during easy times, but the measure of successful couples is how well they get through the inevitable hard times. Perhaps you’d like better ways to work through the recurring hard spots. Maybe you’d like your partner to understand you better, or you’d like to better understand your partner.

Usually a clearer, kinder, more accurate understanding of your self and your partner will improve the mood in your relationship, and will give you a much better chance for getting the love and happiness you want.

This retreat is useful to new couples who want to ensure the on-going success of their relationship; for couples who’ve been together a while and would like to enhance and/or “sparkup” the relationship a little; and for couples who are really struggling.

Study after study is showing the damaging effects of stress. And nowhere is there more stress than in an unhappy marriage! We stand in front of family and friends and make a promise to stay together. Some people decide to break that promise. Others struggle through.

In the end, there are really three options…

Option #1: Leaving things as they are, suffering through (continued unhappiness).

Option# 2: Give up and move on (separation and divorce). Or

Option# 3: Discover the secret of transforming your relationship!

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The only real option is 3, transforming your marriage! But without the proper tools and understandings, transforming your marriage is difficult. How many times have you tried to make things different? How many books have you read, discussions have you had, thoughts and prayers you’ve entertained, all aimed at changing the relationship?

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A marriage can be restored, developed, nurtured, and transformed! I tell you that as someone who sees the “miracles” on a daily basis. Note that I put miracles in quotations. Miracles are thought to come out of the blue. But in the cases I see, it is because one, the other, or both decide to do something about it. In other words, the miracle happens because action is taken.

Before I Tell You Why You Should Attend our Marriage Retreat Boot Camp… Here’s Why You SHOULDN’T Attend:

Our marriage retreat boot camp is not for everyone. There are some people who should NOT involve themselves in this program. If this is you, please move on to other resources:

First, if you have already decided to divorce, and this is just to make your spouse or yourself feel better, this program is not for you. You will make no progress, and you will only end up having to live a lie, one of my “no-no’s.” If you are thinking about divorce, but are undecided, this program IS DEFINITELY for you. If divorce is not an option, but something has to change, this program IS DEFINITELY for you. If you have an OK marriage, but it is not quite what you want it to be, this program IS DEFINITELY for you. If you have a good marriage, but want to make it great, this program IS DEFINITELY for you. If you have a great marriage, but want to keep it up, this program IS DEFINITELY for you.

Second, if you are looking for a “no effort shortcut” to marital bliss, this is not for you. In fact, that doesn’t exist. Minimal effort is usually what got people into trouble in the first place. Notice, I did not say “work” but “effort.” I hear people saying they need to work on their relationship. Boy, is work a dull proposition. It usually means no imagination and no fun. This process will not be work, but it will take effort. If you are not ready to make an effort, this program is not for you.

In addition to the note above about having already decided to divorce, if you are involved in an affair that you are unwilling to end, this program is NOT for you. You are needing to make a choice and make a change. If, however, you or your spouse has had an affair, and you are wanting to heal and reclaim your marriage, this program IS DEFINITELY for you.

Finally, if you are unwilling to take responsibility for your marriage and its future, this program is not for you. Taking responsibility is different than accepting blame or fault. Blame and fault-finding are about what has happened. Responsibility is about where you are going.

Why Attend a Couples Retreat?

The truth is couples learn more and progress faster in a more intensive counseling session like our marriage retreat boot camp. Clients who begin therapy by attending 1 session weekly, or 1 session bi-weekly, can easily lose the momentum that naturally occurs. There is a greater tendency at the outset to continue old habits, avoid connection, feel discouraged and even cancel appointments.

If you feel “stuck” and want to kick start the couples counseling process, if you both have busy work schedules, or if you are overwhelmed with elder-parent or child care responsibilities, or if you just want to experience personal growth, our Couples Retreat Boot Campis by far the best, and most cost effective way to move your relationship forward. This intensive retreat experience will help you work through areas of disconnect and enrich an already emotionally-committed relationship.

Couples retreat boot camp will give your relationship a jump start and the opportunity to move forward with more understanding, new skills, and renewed hope.

What Happens During a Marriage Retreat Boot Camp?

This marriage retreat is designed not to be just a “fix.” It is designed to energize your relationship by giving you the tools and techniques to transform your marriage.

Here’s what you’ll learn in our weekend marriage retreat…

Change Mindsets. This is foundational. How you view each other and how you change that view are the beginnings of change. I’ll show you how. I’ll give you a new model that will help you understand your mate.

Meeting Needs. Marriages begin a downward spiral when we forget our own needs, and forget to meet the needs of our spouse. Claim your own needs, and learn how to discover your spouse’s needs.

Being A Team. Why is it that the one person we should see as our ally begins to be seen as the enemy? More importantly, we will look at how to become a team, and how this is transformational to a marriage.

Identifying And Breaking Patterns. We all get into ruts. Usually, they sneak up behind us, and before you know it, we are deeply entrenched, and don’t know how to get out. I’ll help you identify the destructive patterns and help you to change them.

Communication. Communication problems in relationships often erode the passion and hope that we first feel when we fall in love. The communication techniques that I teach will help you quickly revive that passion, and reconnect with your partner. Building trust in your relationships is an important focal point of the retreat, so that you can feel safe enough to truly understand your partner, and once again appreciate them fully.

Take Home Toolkit. Sometimes traditional talk therapy will not help if your relationship is dead in the water. What you need is tools. Weekly sessions typically cannot provide these. But at the retreat, the emphasis is to learn a powerful assortment of tools to make positive changes. You will get results-oriented, versatile and highly effective coaching. And you will take home new tools that will keep you growing on a positive track.

Payment & Fees:

A Couples Retreatat our beautiful cabins, nested in the woods includes two full days of intensive couple-to-couple therapy, plus a follow-up call after the Retreat. Your total investment for our intensive marriage retreat boot camp including excellent lodging is only $650.00 per couple.

This price is an early bird special only for couples who register before the end of this month. After that the price will gradually increase every week. We also offer private one-on-one marriage retreats. Private Retreats are when you and your spouse are the only ones there at the retreat. Couples can choose from 3, 4, or 5 Days. For specific cost of private retreats call us at (765) 319-7885.

Watch the video below for a virtual tour of the property including interior and exterior view of the cabins surrounded by woods. Our retreat is conveniently located in Kokomo, Indiana just 45 minutes north of Indianapolis.

Space is limited so make sure to reserve your spot today. We prefer to focus on a smaller size group to gain more ground and establish a deeper connection.  Unfortunately we are not able to hold dates without a deposit. To secure your Marriage Retreat date, a deposit of $200 is required at the time of scheduling. The other half is due 10 days before your Marriage Retreat.

If you’d like to register your spot right now, pleas fill out the Pre-session Intake Form. I will then review it and follow-up with a phone call. If you have any questions, please call me right now at (765-319-7885) or Click Here To Email Me.

Before you leave, I want to give you a free video course “”7 Relationship Mistakes That You’re Unknowingly Making & How To Avoid Them.” This video course is yours FREE just for visiting our site.In this video I share 7 deadly relationship mistakes you should avoid like the plagueI’m giving away this video course for FREE because I know if you’ve landed on this web page, you are a proactive type of person who is seriously interested in strengthening your relationship.

Simply enter your name and email below to receive your FREE video course.

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You would think a full month (near enough) of travelling Europe by train would be as simple as it sounds. Hop on a train, end up in a city, find somewhere to stay, and Bob’s your Uncle; I never did meet Bob. Pints all round and before you know it you’re a local.

You believe you’ll be thinking,

What even is a tourist, OMG.

Well, no.

First up, DO NOT GET TOO CONFIDENT

Our first mistake when booking the Interrailing was to leave looking into it and booking our trains as late as possible. We bought our pass literally two weeks before we were due to leave as we wanted to accumulate enough money as possible so we could essentially do the whole thing correctly and take our time over it, to ensure that we did everything the way WE wanted to. Booking our journeys about 6 days before we left however was never going to be a good idea; is that a surprise though?

You see, through the website portal once you order your pass there is an area where you can literally plan all your train journeys and free of charge (I KNOW RIGHT). While some may be too far in advance, you can reserve seats on these (which is usually all that is needed to be eligible to make a journey) through their actual portal to save yourself stressing whether you can get on that train that will get you to Rome in time to check into your hostel etc.

Exhibit A: A Free service helps you plan out what type of trains you will need and when, down to the exact minute, SO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

However, you need to book your journey far enough in advance for this to be possible. If your journey is two weeks after you try to do this, there is no chance you are doing it this way…

BUT FEAR NOT, DO NOT PANIC. Although at this point you are left with the challenging and frustrating task of visiting German, Swiss, Italian etc. rail websites and trying to reserve your train through translating them, it is possible. May I add, a lot of them genuinely do not have that oh-so-helpful ‘translate’ button, so you have to Google Translate EVERY SINGLE WORD on that page, and lemme tell ya, THAT. IS. NOT. FUN. But, it’s possible.

HELP YOURSELF OUT

There are resources and ways to help you plan your journey out. If it is easier for you to know where you are on what days and what you have time to do, then print a calendar out.

Almost better than an Advent Calendar… Minus the chocolate of course: This technique will do you wonders when booking your travelling and accommodation.

Organisation never hurt anybody! Keeping a folder to put all your train reservations and hostel bookings in together is super helpful and definitely recommended.

Keeping everything together makes each journey stress-free. Pink folders are also cool, don’t judge.

Hostels are your best friend

Prices, comfort (mainly, I mean it beats a cold hard floor), the possibility to meet people you would never have met otherwise. In a hostel you share rooms with strangers but it’s really not as bad as it sounds. The inhabitants are usually in the same boat as you. They want to see a city, they want to sleep inside for minimal price and, on the most part, usually to make friends. I mentioned in a previous post my past fears of hostels but I could not have been more wrong. Hostels are well and truly a travellers best friend, and I don’t say that lightly.

The only example I have (legally) since taking pictures of rooms isn’t usually my thing, this is CityStay Mitte in Berlin. A good night’s sleep in a fabulous city for on average €23.8 p/night in the middle of August is something you just can’t argue with.

Usually hostels will have games areas, bars, and even kitchens that not only save you money but help you decide the quality of your own food. Furthermore, some even offer free breakfast and the opportunity to have dinner with a group who necessarily maybe don’t want to cook themselves and save those pennies (or cents). Some even have nightclubs attached to them (Try Generator in Paris) and others are in the middle of nowhere (Innsbruck comes to mind), some are even like an actual hotel (Wombats at the Naschmarkt) however, you’re treated the same way that you would be in a hotel. Sharing a bathroom and communal area is really not that bad and if you really cannot go without your own space, many offer private rooms but these are much more pricey.

Hostelworld.com, Kayak, and even Booking.com are the usual booking suspects, but I thoroughly recommend Hostelworld. The ease of booking, the range of hostels that they have available and even the prices, (hostels are so much cheaper than hotels it’s crazy) you would be a fool to ignore how helpful they are.

Airbnb is another option too. The places available are actual homes, definitely like nothing you have ever stayed in abroad before. I’ve heard nothing but great things from people I know who have used it, so it is another option.

Disclaimer: I really make no money whatsoever from hostelworld.com for saying this, so really take my word for it, they made this trip a hell of a lot easier.

Research the cities a little (But surprise yourself a little too)

Correction, surprise yourself A LOT. But, researching a little so that you can utilise your time in each city is certainly a smart way to go about things. You see, travelling for a month will mean that at some point you’ll probably want a little resting time, y’know, the occasional morning where you won’t be getting up at 6am; not that we did that every morning but emphasis always helps my point. While you’re doing this to explore, it’s like a holiday so embrace that factor too.

Planning (even slightly) pays off: Knowing that in Milan we wanted to visit the San Siro, evaluating how much time we had there meant that not only did we get to tour the world famous stadium, but catching a game there was possible too, something we would not have been able to do if we didn’t consider it already.

So, planning pays off. It leaves you with no worries and the freedom to know that you can do what you like when you’re not doing what you planned. Honestly, surprising yourself is even better though, but you still have to get the amount of time you have free correct as well. While you may not be planning to visit 14 different cities in 30 days, having a little idea of what you want to do where you’re going, knowing why you are going there more than that it “looks pretty”, helps. FACTOR IN TRAIN TRAVEL TIME AS WELL. One thing we got wrong was the complete utilisation of our time in Vienna. We did our research while we were IN the city, and that was ultimately our downfall. We had about an hour at the funfair/theme park Prater which we were gutted about because it was somewhere we could have dedicated a whole day to. It happens.

We planned our trip to Pisa and took a Flixbus which, for the record, is another method of travel I would recommend. Another way that you can travel Europe and for a decent rate, with chargers and Wifi on their buses, there are many ways to make your trip less stressful. The issue with our Pisa trip however was that it left us with such little time in Florence that we never really got a feel of the city. Planning IS KEY.

Don’t formulate expectations

Prague, I underestimated you ever so much. From somehow ending up in a gay club (AND HAVING ONE OF MY FAV NIGHTS EVER, MAY I ADD) to meeting literally some of the best people, I'll never forget your ability to amaze me; that, and how cheap things are here. You're way more than absinthe and cheap booze. You make me more thankful than I already am. #Prague #CzechRepublic #Travel #Interrailing #CharlesBridge #StudentNomad

A post shared by C (@thelostenglishman) on Aug 13, 2017 at 2:09am PDT

Prague/Bern blew us away

Long story short, my opinions of Prague were formulated by the gov.uk page on the city (yes, yes, I know!) but in a way this helped it blow me away. The beauty that the city breathed, the prices, the people and the sense of freedom we felt when we were there made it an easy top 3 destination for us.

Rome failed to live up to expectations

Rome on the other hand was not comfortable for either of us. Aside from my stupidity in nearly being run over by a bus (story for another day) the Colosseum and Pantheon were breathtaking landmarks, simply unbelievable to see in person, but even they failed to balance the city for us. The hype we built beforehand was clearly too much as we never felt safe there. Again, expectations.

Budget (Know your limits unless money grows on trees you grow in your garden)

You’re gonna have to sacrifice some things, inevitably. Know how much money you have free (after you book your trains and hostels and even work out food costs). I ended up budgeting on £20 for the last 2 days, did I mention that that was not including food.

Some places will be more expensive than others (Switzerland). To say that it was worth it would really be the biggest understatement (regarding Switzerland anyway) EVER. It was incredible there and it was easy to make exceptions for how expensive it was there, because it was that pretty, however, we made incorrect estimations and money spent exceeded our budgeting. REMEMBER, RESEARCH.

Eating out is expensive – I’m not going to lie to you, we ate out everyday until our 9th city, that’s 17 days into the trip… RESTAURANT FOOD IS GOOD, OK. We were lazy, inconsiderate of the money we took and ultimately paid the price at the end. Buying food in and using the kitchens available to you is a valuable tool my friend, so utilise it while it’s there.

Conversion rates – learn before you go, and maybe take a bit of everything whether it be Euros, Kuna, Franc etc. many of them are different, make it easier on yourself. The rates were fluctuating while we were travelling so buying a little before you go does not do you any harm.

*If you budget correctly, activities such as Disneyland at the end of your trip can be made with no worries. Truthfully, as previously mentioned, my £20 p/day budgeting for the last 5 days of the trip meant I could not afford my ticket. So I gave my buddy a full weeks wage of mine when we got back so I could go… Not everyone has this freedom!*

YOU DON’T NEED TO TAKE YOUR WHOLE WARDROBE – Essentials

(An idea of what to take for a month):

1-2 pairs of shoes

1-2 pairs of long trousers

Girls – Makeup ofc, don’t go overboard – you’re gonna be walking with your bag a lot – be kind to your back.

2-3 pairs of shorts

1 jumper/hoodie

1 small raincoat

5-6 t-shirts

A charging pack and your charger – this will be important since some hostels have a limitation on plug sockets (yes, I know)

Just over a week’s worth of underwear – THERE ARE WASHING MACHINES. UTILISE.

CORRECT PLUGS – Despite being in the same continent, some nations need different plug adaptors, double check this before you go.

SUNCREAM. IT GETS HOT. BE CAREFUL. You can buy this in shops if you forget.

SHOWER GEL/SHAMPOO. You can buy this in shops too.

Books (a few of these) – Travelling alone? It’s good company. Travelling with someone? Sometimes on the train journeys you just want a break from each others voices, work that brain even whilst travelling.

Headphones – a saviour for when you’ve read way too much

Notepad and pen – if you come across something you have to remember or you like writing…

Playing Cards – Something you and your travel companion can interact over.

Travel Insurance – Just in case something happens, be careful homies.

A helpful travel bag – This is key as you will be walking A LOT to hostels and on your final day in cities when you have to hand back your room key because check out is early.

The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag does not come cheap (we payed at least £90 for ours each) but the freedom to carry it or use it as a backpack made our lives SO much easier with all that walking, SO. MUCH. WALKING. There are many bags like this so choose what one suits you best, whether it be North Face or not, whatever caters to your travel needs.

Fanny Pack (yes, I know) or Waist Wallet – This is so much more important than you think. Keeping your passport and money in a save place on you at all times is important. You might think that it is not fashionable; bear in mind that it goes under your clothes, that it is an inconvenient object, but it proved me wrong and put me at ease even on nights when my paranoia sky rocketed.

The Hydroseal Waterproof Waist Wallet is cheap, has enough space for your cards, passport, and money and is the safest option when it comes to carrying your valuables on you.

I likely forgot something here, but it happens, these are ESSENTIALS.

GET IN THERE BEFORE YOU NEED VISA’S FOR EACH COUNTRY (Post-Brexit life nears… DUN DUN DUN)

You knew the Brexit talk was coming, c’mon, you should’ve prepared for this badboy.

As the UK slowly edges towards no longer being a member of the EU, we start to reminisce about all the things we are going to miss like the freedom to travel to other European countries without having to apply for Visa’s. Once we exit, it is likely that you will need to apply for EVERY country, making interrailing a nightmare, and possibly more expensive too.

The new passports are meant to be blue (WHY BLUE, WHY) and this makes us feel blue, because, just why? Oh politics. Anyway, utilise being part of the EU while you can, cause once it’s gone, it’s gone.

There are likely so many other things on here I have not mentioned, but as I always say, any questions, queries or a general interest in things that happened on our journey, hit me up and I’ll be only too happy to enlighten you. Happy Travels! 🙂

It''s been a while, let's kick off that talk about Inetrrailing yeah? You would think a full month (near enough) of travelling Europe by train would be as simple as it sounds.

[liberalcom-blog]

A Postcard From Hell: Revised Materials Towards A Cartoon History of the Life, Loves & Legacy of Aleister Crowley

https://liber-al.com/?p=18248&wpwautoposter=1569860576 Richard T. Cole; Aleister Crowley Orange Box Books, United Kingdom, 2009. Hardcover. First Edition. 104 pages. Limited Edition, limited to 156 copies, each with a postcard numbered and signed by the author. This copy being number 26/156. Out of print, when published these books sold out almost immediately. Features 72 full colour and 42 black & white illustrations. A wicked series of pictorial and textual parodies on Crowley, his friends and followers. As New/Fine. “Laugh until your hoor splits. Cry tears of pure elixir. Feel your kundalini spasm with unadulterated delight. Suppress your wails as an army of savage ‘Warrior Briefs’ tear down your door and initiate you within thirty-one inches of your Holy Guardian Angel. In the spring of 2004, when asked if I could provide a bit of light relief for insertion into a proposed series of digital editions, I accepted the challenge with relish. Crowley is, in my opinion, a truly great British tradition. He travelled extensively, enjoyed a good joke, was energetically enthusiastic about sex and throughout out his life was, and still is, much derided. With these elements in mind an obvious format for, “a bit of light relief” immediately sprang to mind in the form of the much-loved and, by today’s standards extremely politically incorrect, other great British tradition of saucy holiday postcards. And so was born the concept of my Comely Crowley Cards. Between 2004 and 2007 a light dusting of these images were sprinkled amongst the limited digital editions of Crowley’s works released by Black Flag & Naughty Nun New Media. A few were e-mailed to friends and colleagues, as private jokes. One or two found their way onto the Internet and, on the odd occasions where a bit of space was available on the run-offs of other projects, a small number were printed as actual postcards. However, for the most past my collection of Thelemic artwork remained unknown, unseen and gathering cyber-dust… Until now! A Postcard from Hell is a compilation of all 70 of the infamous postcards (including the much-debated Leah Hirsig images), plus a whole host of other artistic goodies relating to the life, loves & legacy of Aleister Crowley, The Great Beast 666. Includes an entire chapter on the recent (1985-2009) history of the guardians of Crowley’s artistic and literary legacy, O.T.O.. Summary of contents: Postcards –  The date is 12 October, 1875, and Emily Bertha has just given birth to a chubby little baby called Alick. Who could know this innocent child would create a worldwide scandal with his quest to track down and extract a new Bible for mankind from a praeter-human intelligence called Aiwaz. The wickedest man in the world? Nah, he’s just a very naughty Magus. This lavishly illustrated chapter escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in Aleister Crowley’s seventy-two year life of doing exactly what he wilt… *Discover what Crowley’s relationship with the Loch Ness monster was. *Uncover why Crowley was evicted from the Garden of Eden only 31 minutes after its official opening. *Glimpse a rare poster promoting Crowley’s Ragged Rag-Time Girls. *Study a reproduction of the Divine Slice of Toast on which the face and Magickal number (666) of The Great Beast recently manifested. *Read about Crowley’s sellout, one-man show (The Aiwaz Man Cometh) at the Warburg Theatre. *Find out the real secret behind Tantric yoga – Why did Buddha laugh? *Learn about Crowley’s attempt to produce a batch of hununculus’ at his Abbey of Thelema, in Sicily. *See a photograph of LAM’s birthday party with uncles Al, and Ken and aunt Steffi. Leah Hirsig (The Scarlet Woman) –  It’s spring, 1918, and a naive young New York teacher is about to get the lesson of her life. Leah Hirsig has just met the man who will sweep her off her feet (and head) and take her on a breathtaking journey which will change forever her life, her attitude towards pets and her gynecological configuration. Leah, or Alostrael (her magickal name), repeatedly demonstrated herself to be ‘game for anything’ and indisputably provided invaluable assistance to Crowley in his difficult mid-life transition from Magus to Ipsissimus – Though she found subsequent cause to recant her vows of Crowleyanity, re-revert to Catholicism and sever all links with her former Master, The Great Beast. Based on the infamous series of postcards created between 2004 and 2007, Richard T. Cole’s lavishly illustrated compendium of materials escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in Leah Hirsig’s five year long holiday romance with The Great Beat 666. Gaze reverentially in awe, wonder, adoration and sheer disbelief at Aleister Crowley’s favourite Scarlet woman as depicted in a sequence of rare and alluring photographs, including: *The Opium Queen – “High Tea – Our Favourite Hobby!” *At Cefalu – “Wish you were her”. *”Sublime Salome.” *His Sepia Woman – “Paint me as a hairy armpit!” *At Cefalu, with a randy old goat – “I know what you did last summer”. *As inspiration for Charlotte Rampling’s Night Porter- “Can unload your bags, Sir?” *Chastising A.C. for smudging an oil painting of her – “Don’t finger me whilst I’m still wet” O.T.O. –  The date is 12 July, 1985, and Grady McMurtry, head of the California-based faction of an occult fraternity known as Ordo Templi Orientis, has just celebrated his Greater Feast. The membership of O.T.O. holds its collective breath and strains to watch a white dove issue forth from the tallest chimney of its Head Office; a feathered omen announcing the appointment of a new head. Is what happened next the stuff of fiction, legend, or horror? Is that strange sound we’ve been hearing really Crowley turning in his urn? Can, “Lite Cakes” really be used as part of a healthy, balanced diet? Who is the mysterious Butch Butcher of Berne and what are his gristle-burgers made from? Who were Pipie & Sons and did they really invent time-travelling paper? All these and many more intriguing questions are completely ignored in Richard T. Cole’s humorous expose of O.T.O.’s soft white underbelly. This lavishly illustrated chapter picks up the story and escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in O.T.O.’s history during the ensuing twenty-four years – The rise of the Caliphate… *Discover what happens each year on the mound of, “GolgOTOha” (the place of skulks) *Uncover links between O.T.O.’s secret Elixir and a certain pharmacological giant *known for its blue pills. *Glimpse a rare poster for the movie SCOTOP. *Study a diagram of the structure of O.T.O. and learn where to purchase your hand-held *Thelemic Navigation console. *Read rarely seen pages from the Magickal Sink magazine. *Find out what really happened at a dinner party in the Paris Ritz. *Learn O.T.O.’s Word of the Equinox (1985) and understand why this will never change. *See the promotional flyer used to promote “a radical new awareness-raising campaign”. *Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about O.T.O. but were afraid to ask. Art – A compilation of watercolour and acrylic paintings plus other assorted promotional items, past, present and future; real and imagined. Includes: *Two acrylic paintings of Aleister Crowley, entitled In the Desert and Red Heat. *Watercolour paintings of A.C. Scintillating in Purple and Leah Hirsig as, Predator posing as a house-pet. *Two promotional flyers for live appearences, in London and Moscow, of Aleister Crowley’s Ragged Rag-Time Girls. *A selection of book covers and descriptions of Richard T. Cole’s forthcoming projects. Miscellaneous – Contains various bits ‘n’ bobs which, upon finishing the project, I happened upon by chance and thought, “Bugger! I forgot all about that one”. It also holds a small selection of pictures conceived to accompany text, rather than as stand-alone images, including two eBay listings and a short essay entitled A Rite of Auto-Ejaculatory Magick (a sharp, insightful, funny and perceptive a comment on Sex Magick). *Crowley’s X-Mas Lucky Lotto Ticket – It Could Be NU. *The Holy Toast – A Divine Manifestation! *The Rock Valley Messiah. *A Rite of Auto-Ejaculatory Magick. *Thelemic Talisman – A 31 x 31 Magick Square. *Three very strange digital renderings of Crowley’s distinctive features, entitled *FractAL, Beastly Balls in Thick Darkness Sauce and Shredded Beast. APPENDICES A – Index of Images. B – Chartering Blame. C – DISCLAIMER. D – Additional Notes. E – A Flashback Laugh until your hoor splits. Cry tears of pure elixir. Feel your kundalini spasm with unadulterated delight. Suppress your wails as an army of savage ‘Warrior Briefs’ tear down your door and initiate you within thirty-one inches of your Holy Guardian Angel.”

[liberalcom-blog]

A Postcard From Hell: Revised Materials Towards A Cartoon History of the Life, Loves & Legacy of Aleister Crowley

https://liber-al.com/?p=18248&wpwautoposter=1569666190 Richard T. Cole; Aleister Crowley Orange Box Books, United Kingdom, 2009. Hardcover. First Edition. 104 pages. Limited Edition, limited to 156 copies, each with a postcard numbered and signed by the author. This copy being number 26/156. Out of print, when published these books sold out almost immediately. Features 72 full colour and 42 black & white illustrations. A wicked series of pictorial and textual parodies on Crowley, his friends and followers. As New/Fine. “Laugh until your hoor splits. Cry tears of pure elixir. Feel your kundalini spasm with unadulterated delight. Suppress your wails as an army of savage ‘Warrior Briefs’ tear down your door and initiate you within thirty-one inches of your Holy Guardian Angel. In the spring of 2004, when asked if I could provide a bit of light relief for insertion into a proposed series of digital editions, I accepted the challenge with relish. Crowley is, in my opinion, a truly great British tradition. He travelled extensively, enjoyed a good joke, was energetically enthusiastic about sex and throughout out his life was, and still is, much derided. With these elements in mind an obvious format for, “a bit of light relief” immediately sprang to mind in the form of the much-loved and, by today’s standards extremely politically incorrect, other great British tradition of saucy holiday postcards. And so was born the concept of my Comely Crowley Cards. Between 2004 and 2007 a light dusting of these images were sprinkled amongst the limited digital editions of Crowley’s works released by Black Flag & Naughty Nun New Media. A few were e-mailed to friends and colleagues, as private jokes. One or two found their way onto the Internet and, on the odd occasions where a bit of space was available on the run-offs of other projects, a small number were printed as actual postcards. However, for the most past my collection of Thelemic artwork remained unknown, unseen and gathering cyber-dust… Until now! A Postcard from Hell is a compilation of all 70 of the infamous postcards (including the much-debated Leah Hirsig images), plus a whole host of other artistic goodies relating to the life, loves & legacy of Aleister Crowley, The Great Beast 666. Includes an entire chapter on the recent (1985-2009) history of the guardians of Crowley’s artistic and literary legacy, O.T.O.. Summary of contents: Postcards –  The date is 12 October, 1875, and Emily Bertha has just given birth to a chubby little baby called Alick. Who could know this innocent child would create a worldwide scandal with his quest to track down and extract a new Bible for mankind from a praeter-human intelligence called Aiwaz. The wickedest man in the world? Nah, he’s just a very naughty Magus. This lavishly illustrated chapter escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in Aleister Crowley’s seventy-two year life of doing exactly what he wilt… *Discover what Crowley’s relationship with the Loch Ness monster was. *Uncover why Crowley was evicted from the Garden of Eden only 31 minutes after its official opening. *Glimpse a rare poster promoting Crowley’s Ragged Rag-Time Girls. *Study a reproduction of the Divine Slice of Toast on which the face and Magickal number (666) of The Great Beast recently manifested. *Read about Crowley’s sellout, one-man show (The Aiwaz Man Cometh) at the Warburg Theatre. *Find out the real secret behind Tantric yoga – Why did Buddha laugh? *Learn about Crowley’s attempt to produce a batch of hununculus’ at his Abbey of Thelema, in Sicily. *See a photograph of LAM’s birthday party with uncles Al, and Ken and aunt Steffi. Leah Hirsig (The Scarlet Woman) –  It’s spring, 1918, and a naive young New York teacher is about to get the lesson of her life. Leah Hirsig has just met the man who will sweep her off her feet (and head) and take her on a breathtaking journey which will change forever her life, her attitude towards pets and her gynecological configuration. Leah, or Alostrael (her magickal name), repeatedly demonstrated herself to be ‘game for anything’ and indisputably provided invaluable assistance to Crowley in his difficult mid-life transition from Magus to Ipsissimus – Though she found subsequent cause to recant her vows of Crowleyanity, re-revert to Catholicism and sever all links with her former Master, The Great Beast. Based on the infamous series of postcards created between 2004 and 2007, Richard T. Cole’s lavishly illustrated compendium of materials escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in Leah Hirsig’s five year long holiday romance with The Great Beat 666. Gaze reverentially in awe, wonder, adoration and sheer disbelief at Aleister Crowley’s favourite Scarlet woman as depicted in a sequence of rare and alluring photographs, including: *The Opium Queen – “High Tea – Our Favourite Hobby!” *At Cefalu – “Wish you were her”. *”Sublime Salome.” *His Sepia Woman – “Paint me as a hairy armpit!” *At Cefalu, with a randy old goat – “I know what you did last summer”. *As inspiration for Charlotte Rampling’s Night Porter- “Can unload your bags, Sir?” *Chastising A.C. for smudging an oil painting of her – “Don’t finger me whilst I’m still wet” O.T.O. –  The date is 12 July, 1985, and Grady McMurtry, head of the California-based faction of an occult fraternity known as Ordo Templi Orientis, has just celebrated his Greater Feast. The membership of O.T.O. holds its collective breath and strains to watch a white dove issue forth from the tallest chimney of its Head Office; a feathered omen announcing the appointment of a new head. Is what happened next the stuff of fiction, legend, or horror? Is that strange sound we’ve been hearing really Crowley turning in his urn? Can, “Lite Cakes” really be used as part of a healthy, balanced diet? Who is the mysterious Butch Butcher of Berne and what are his gristle-burgers made from? Who were Pipie & Sons and did they really invent time-travelling paper? All these and many more intriguing questions are completely ignored in Richard T. Cole’s humorous expose of O.T.O.’s soft white underbelly. This lavishly illustrated chapter picks up the story and escorts readers on a whistle-stop and satirical tour of the unforgettable moments in O.T.O.’s history during the ensuing twenty-four years – The rise of the Caliphate… *Discover what happens each year on the mound of, “GolgOTOha” (the place of skulks) *Uncover links between O.T.O.’s secret Elixir and a certain pharmacological giant *known for its blue pills. *Glimpse a rare poster for the movie SCOTOP. *Study a diagram of the structure of O.T.O. and learn where to purchase your hand-held *Thelemic Navigation console. *Read rarely seen pages from the Magickal Sink magazine. *Find out what really happened at a dinner party in the Paris Ritz. *Learn O.T.O.’s Word of the Equinox (1985) and understand why this will never change. *See the promotional flyer used to promote “a radical new awareness-raising campaign”. *Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about O.T.O. but were afraid to ask. Art – A compilation of watercolour and acrylic paintings plus other assorted promotional items, past, present and future; real and imagined. Includes: *Two acrylic paintings of Aleister Crowley, entitled In the Desert and Red Heat. *Watercolour paintings of A.C. Scintillating in Purple and Leah Hirsig as, Predator posing as a house-pet. *Two promotional flyers for live appearences, in London and Moscow, of Aleister Crowley’s Ragged Rag-Time Girls. *A selection of book covers and descriptions of Richard T. Cole’s forthcoming projects. Miscellaneous – Contains various bits ‘n’ bobs which, upon finishing the project, I happened upon by chance and thought, “Bugger! I forgot all about that one”. It also holds a small selection of pictures conceived to accompany text, rather than as stand-alone images, including two eBay listings and a short essay entitled A Rite of Auto-Ejaculatory Magick (a sharp, insightful, funny and perceptive a comment on Sex Magick). *Crowley’s X-Mas Lucky Lotto Ticket – It Could Be NU. *The Holy Toast – A Divine Manifestation! *The Rock Valley Messiah. *A Rite of Auto-Ejaculatory Magick. *Thelemic Talisman – A 31 x 31 Magick Square. *Three very strange digital renderings of Crowley’s distinctive features, entitled *FractAL, Beastly Balls in Thick Darkness Sauce and Shredded Beast. APPENDICES A – Index of Images. B – Chartering Blame. C – DISCLAIMER. D – Additional Notes. E – A Flashback Laugh until your hoor splits. Cry tears of pure elixir. Feel your kundalini spasm with unadulterated delight. Suppress your wails as an army of savage ‘Warrior Briefs’ tear down your door and initiate you within thirty-one inches of your Holy Guardian Angel.”