Tag Archives: photography

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Posted on January 20, 2012 | 2 comments

First off, I want to say Happy New Year to all.  I’ve been away from the blog for a while visiting family and friends in the U.S.; it was great fun.

Now that 2012 is upon us, we decided that our first trip of the year should be an active one….So, off we went to St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria to work off our Christmas cookies on the slopes.

St. Anton

St. Anton

St. Anton, part of the Arlberg region, is Austria’s prime skiing destination and largest ski resort.  At an elevation of 4,265 ft (1300 m), the mountain air is crisp, clean, and may even take your breath away if you’re not accustomed to high altitude.

St. Anton

St. Anton

Galzig Bahn

Galzig Bahn - main gondola

Snow

A lot of snow!

With several feet of snow already on the mountain and fresh powder falling on us, we knew the conditions could not be any better.  Kevin was in heaven.  He skied off-piste in deep, fresh snow and had a ball (too advanced for me!).  St. Anton boasts about 270 miles (440 km) of descents with 85 lifts and cable cars to keep you on the move.

Apres Ski

Après Ski

Apres Ski

At Mooserwirt...need I say more

And at the end of a long day of skiing, you have St. Anton’s legendary après ski festivities to look forward to.  Head to Mooserwirt or the Krazy Kangaruh for some suds to cool you down or some mulled wine to warm you up.  Get ready to sing, dance, and be merry…cuz it’s a P.A.R.T.Y.

St. Anton

Innsbruck, Austria

Colorful Houses

Colorful Row Houses in Innsbruck

After two days of skiing, it was time to head home and move our sore muscles to the airport, but not before a very quick peek at Innsbruck.  Located in the valley of the Inn River, Innsbruck is a charming city nestled close the beautiful Austrian Alps.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck

Ice Sculpture

Sculpting the ice...I think he's carving Kevin.

The Golden Roof

The Golden Roof

The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl in German), built in the early 15th century for Emperor Maximilian I, is one of Innsbruck’s famous landmarks.  Covered with approximately 2,700 gilded copper tiles, it served as a royal box for the emperor so he could watch the events in the square below.  Pretty nice.

Inn River

Inn River at Innsbruck

I think it’s safe to say we burned a few calories on the slopes of St. Anton (which might work out to a cookie and a half).  Calories aside, it was a memorable experience swishing around those impressive mountains.

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Posted on December 16, 2011 | 4 comments

Last week we traveled to the city of Dubai, an emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf.  The UAE is a federation of seven emirates that celebrated its 40th birthday on the 2nd of December this year.  (The union between the emirates formed on December 2, 1971, after the United Kingdom ended its protectorate over the region.)

Royal Mirage Resort

View from Royal Mirage Dubai Resort

Simply put—Dubai is a fascinating place.  For an area so rich in history (earliest inhabitants date back as far as 5,500 BC), everything here is so new…and so BIG.  From the largest shopping mall in the world to the tallest building, bigger is better in Dubai.  We had a grand time exploring this “new” city.  Here are the highlights…

It wouldn’t be a trip to Dubai without checking out its shopping malls.  First up is the Mall of the Emirates.  Opened in 2005, this entertainment and shopping “resort” covers over 2 million square feet.  Apart from the countless retail outlets, The Mall of the Emirates also has a 14-screen cinema, two hotels, a community theatre, and…Ski Dubai.

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai

Kevin Ski Dubai

Kevin Skiing Dubai

Ski Dubai is the Middle East’s first indoor ski slope that offers the skier different runs of various difficulty.  You can rent everything (except hats & gloves) and then it’s off to the slopes to ski on real snow in the desert.  Only in Dubai.

Beach in Dubai

Beach in Dubai

From snow to sand in a couple of hours?  Yup.  Only in Dubai.

The Waterfall

The Waterfall at Dubai Mall

Officially the largest mall in the world by area (over 12 million square feet), The Dubai Mall will not disappoint.  With over 1,000 retail outlets, a 22-screen cinema, a magnificent aquarium, an Olympic-sized ice rink, an indoor theme park, and The Waterfall (above) that travels over all four levels, this mega-mall (opened in 2008) will keep you occupied for hours.  It is truly a shopper’s paradise.

The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain

Directly outside The Dubai Mall, in Downtown Dubai, is the famous Dubai Fountain.  Designed by the same folks responsible for the Bellagio Hotel’s Fountain in Las Vegas, the Dubai Fountain performs a dazzling water show set to music every night from 7 to 11pm.  It’s a spectacular sight, especially when it’s nestled under…

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa - World's Tallest Building

the tallest building in the world—The Burj Khalifa.  At over 2,716 feet, the building’s spire seems to touch the sky.

View from Burj Khalifa

View from Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

We traveled the 124 floors (by elevator, of course) to the observation deck for some extraordinary night views of the city.  The Burj Khalifa can be seen in the film Mission Impossible 4—Ghost Protocol, with Tom Cruise climbing the outside of it.  Impressive, to say the least.

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab

Likely the most recognizable and most photographed landmark in Dubai, the Burj Al Arab is an impressive structure.  Often referred to as a seven-star hotel, this luxury “sail of a ship” rests on an artificial island off the coast of Jumeirah Beach.  From what I understand, access to the property is granted only if you are a guest at the hotel or dining in one of the restaurants, so view it from afar and take in its beauty (just like we did).

Christmas in Dubai

Christmas in Dubai (Madinat Jumeirah Resort)

As stated above, Dubai is a fascinating place.  From a fishing port only 40 years ago to a city with an ever-changing skyline, Dubai is a city on the move.  We definitely enjoyed the experience.

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Milan, Italy

Posted on December 15, 2011 | 2 comments

From the foodie capital of Italy to its fashion capital, our last stop on our (Thanksgiving) trip was to the vibrant city of Milan.

With only one day in Italy’s second largest city, we still managed to see some of the top sights.  Here are the highlights…

Duomo di Milan

Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milan)

The Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milan) is probably one of the most spectacular structures I have ever seen in person.  This massive, Gothic cathedral took nearly 600 years to build, beginning in 1386.  It is adorned with about 3,500 statues and 135 spires that add to its fairy-tale-like appearance.

Duomo Roof

On the roof of Duomo

We climbed the stairs to the roof for a closer look at the highly detailed work…simply amazing.  (The views of the city weren’t so bad either.)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - shopping arcade

Galleria

Glass-vaulted ceiling in the Galleria

Close by the Duomo, in Piazza del Duomo, is the elegant, glass-vaulted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade.  Lined with high-end retailers (think Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc.), this is a special place to shop.  Too bad we didn’t have more time…or money.

Teatro alla Scala

La Scala (Teatro alla Scala)

One of opera’s legendary venues is the world-renowned La Scala (Teatro alla Scala), in Piazza delle Scala.  Besides opera performances, ballet, concerts, and other cultural events are held here throughout the year.

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle

Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) was once used to protect the city from its enemies and as the residence of the Sforza dynasty.  Today it is home to several museums dedicated to art, archaeology, furniture, and music.

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie

And finally, Milan’s most famous attraction…Leonardo da Vinci’s mural of The Last Supper.  The mural, painted from 1494 to 1498, is located on the north wall of the refectory at the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie church.  You must reserve tickets several weeks in advance to view this masterpiece, but—and now for the bad news—since we did not expect to be in Milan, we were unable to obtain tickets at such short notice.  I can only imagine how amazing it is to see in person.  Not a bad reason for a return visit.

With that said, this wraps up our Italian getaway.  What fun we had!

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Bologna, Italy

Posted on December 13, 2011 | 3 comments

On Thanksgiving Day, we (myself, Kevin, and our friend) found ourselves in what many consider to be the “food capital of Italy.”  Happy Thanksgiving to us.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

Parmigiano-Reggiano...yes, please.

Bologna is the capital city of the rich, food-producing region of Emilia-Romagna. In addition to its famous Bolognese sauce, lasagna, tortellini, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, mortadella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano (my favorite cheese) are some of the foods that originated in this region.  You must try everything.  This city is definitely a foodie destination which makes it all the more difficult to leave here feeling slim.

Portico

Bologna-famous for its porticos (arcades).

Bologna Portico

Besides the food, Bologna is also known for its miles of porticos (arcades), its striking medieval architecture, and as the home of the oldest university in the Western world—The University of Bologna, founded in 1088.  Now that’s old.

Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore is the main square in Bologna and considered the heart of the city.  It is lined with Gothic and Romanesque style buildings, including the Basilica of Saint Petronio (Basilica di San Petronio).

Bascilica di San Petronio

Bascilica of Saint Petronio

Dedicated to the city’s patron saint, the Basilica of Saint Petronio is the fifth largest in the world.  Construction began around 1390 and continued for several centuries, but the façade remains unfinished (hence, the scaffolding).

Fountain of Neptune

Fountain of Neptune

Located in Piazza Nettuno is the impressive Fountain of Neptune (Fontana di Nettuno).  Sculpted by Giambologna and completed in the mid-1560s, the bronze, muscled figure of Neptune (god of water and sea in Roman mythology) stands high above his lactating nymphs.

Fountain of Neptune

It is said that at a certain angle, one can see just how “well-endowed” the powerful Neptune really is.  (Cheeky Giambologna, very cheeky.)

Asinelli Tower

Asinelli Tower

Garisenda Tower

Garisenda Tower

Built in the 12th century, the Two Towers of Bologna (Le Due Torri) stand as symbols of the city.  The Asinelli Tower (Torre degli Asinelli), about 318 feet high, and the Garisenda Tower, about 157 feet high, are named after the families who built them.  Climb the 500 steps of the Asinelli Tower for (what I’m told) superb views of the city.  It was closed for restoration when we were there, but sometimes medieval structures need a bit of work. : )

Bologna is a beautiful city that does not seem to be overrun by tourists…yet.  It was nice to be surrounded by local people and their beautiful language.

We enjoyed spending our Thanksgiving holiday here and hope to return to this region of Italy at some point in the future.  Grazie mille, Bologna!

Notable Eats:
La Sorbetteria Castiglione (Via Castiglione, 44) – best gelato ever (not kidding)
Tamburini  (Via Caprarie, 1)
Vicolo Colombina (Vicolo Colombina 5/B)
Ristorante da Nello al Montegrappa

And now off to Milan…

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