True romantics don’t head for Venice or Paris for Valentine’s Day – they go to heart-shaped Tavarua in the Fiji islands. The 12-hectare island is also a paradise for fans of water sports, with seven great surf spots and an impressive coral reef for divers to explore off the coast.
Anyone can build near water, but how about on it? The 16th-century architects of Chenonceau Castle were looking for a challenge, so they built a wing of the castle on top of a 60-meter-long bridge spanning the Cher River. It’s now Europe’s most popular castle and boasts 800 000 visitors a year.
Gentle on the eye, cheerful and fun: sunny items to ward off those workaday blues!
Eye-catching: Yellow crew-neck cotton jersey sweatshirt by Holiday Boileau.
Party animal: USB loudspeakers for music, videos, games and parties.
Retro: The 1974 Vita Parcours sneaker by Bally is celebrating a comeback.
Organic: This popcorn is also vegan, gluten-free and gone in the blink of an eye!
Mr. Know it all
If you thought time travel was restricted to the movies, you’d be wrong. This way to the Middle Ages!
chivalry in sweden
Visors down, lances set, spurs in – off they ride toward each other at a furious pace. Starting July 6, medieval jousting competitions will be taking place on the Swedish island of Gotland. The highlight of the season is Meval Week (August 5-12) in Visby, the island’s capital.
GuÉdelon castle in France
A real castle is being built 150 kilometers south of Paris, using only the tools, materials and methods known in medieval times.Visitors are welcome to visit the construction site and even lend a hand!
A festival in GERMANY
“Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spectaculum” is the world’s biggest medieval festival and it’s touring Germany this year. Many show people don’t just put on an act for the tourists but spend the whole summer playing the role of minstrel, knight, juggler or sutler.
Wanderlust. From Caspar David Friedrich to Auguste Renoir opens at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin on May 10 (Photo: “Solitude” by Hans Thoma).