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Magritte Museum Package at Belgian Luxury Hotel

Filed under: Journeys, Art


The Rocco Forte Collection of boutique European luxury hotels is celebrating Belgium's new René Magritte Museum with a special package at their five-star Hotel Amigo (above) in Brussels. The museum, opening in June, will contain 170 works by the Belgian Surrealist master. The Amigo features copies of Magritte paintings and design elements throughout. Its Magritte Suite is an elegant series of rooms with amazing city views. In addition to tickets to the new museum, a Magritte book, and other perks, the Magritte Museum package includes a special dinner at the hotel's excellent Ristorante Bocconi.

Meanwhile the Rocco Forte Collection just opened their 12th and newest property in Prague, The Augustine. Located in Prague's Mal Strana district in the heart of the city's rich cultural center, a short walk from the majestic Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Gardens and the famous Charles Bridge, the 101-bedroom hotel was created from a set of seven buildings. Many of of them are historically significant, including the 13th-century Augustinian St. Thomas Monastery for which the hotel is named.

Hotels That Float

Filed under: Journeys


Botels -- also known as boat hotels -- are a unique way to stay waterside without the port-to-port stops of a cruise. Sure, the accommodations include a rocking-to-sleep sensation and the sound of lapping water but if you really wanted these features wouldn't you look for a full-service cruise instead? I'm not exactly sure what the big perks are for those that choose to stay at these botels but I included a myriad of pictures so you can come to your own conclusion. Whether you're stopping through Stockholm, Budapest or Prague these botels would certainly not be your run-of-the-mill lodging option.

Czech Crown Jewels Go On Display

Filed under: Jewelry


Imagine having the crown shown above placed on your head. You can't do that but you can get a rare glimpse at the ornate creation. The crown is part of the Czech crown jewels currently on display at Prague castle. The gold crown is studded with 96 precious stones including rubies and sapphires. The AFP reports that it was first worn by the Holy Roman emperor and king of Bohemia, Charles IV of Luxembourg, for his Prague coronation in 1347. The crown is being shown along the the scepter, imperial orb and other priceless objects. Czechs and foreign visitors have only been allowed to view the jewels nine times in the last century. This time it is to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Czech Republic, the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia and the re-election of President Vaclav Klaus and the object will be display for 11 days.

Is Prague Ready for the Blob?


I've seen some pretty strange architectural renderings but the one above definitely ranks high on the wackiness scale. It's the Czech National Library by Jan Kaplicky, a new major building project set to go up in Prague. But is it too modern for the beautiful old city? The Guardian reports that the Mayor doesn't like it, the current President of the Republic doesn't like it, and the director of Prague's National Gallery believes it is too strong for the historic quarter in which the library will be situated.

The new plan for the library was the result of an international design competition in which 350 entries competed to built the £50m structure. Kaplicky's winning design is a 48 meter tall globular structure that has been likened to both a jellyfish and an octopus. Above ground are public spaces, reading rooms, and other public spaces while the 10 million books will be located down below and available via an automated retrieval system.

So far, the public seems to be on his side. In October, Kaplicky went on Czech television to debate the merits of the building wit the Mayor of Prague. And 12,000 people have signed a petition saying it should be built. Before Christmas Kaplicky presented the design to the Deputies and he is determined to get the project pushed through.

Buddha Bar Joins The World

Filed under: Journeys

The Buddha-Bar restaurants have become the latest brand name to get a hotel chain. The new Buddha Bar Hotels & Resorts will launch with the Budda Bar Hotel Prague in September 2008. Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague will be located in the Old Town Square and will have 36 luxury rooms and three suites all with a contemporary modern Asian interior design with French colonial influence. Amenities will include a Buddha-Bar Restaurant, fitness facilities, hammam steam room, Jacuzzi and in-room spa treatments.

There are five other new Buddha Bar hotels planned so far including Panama, Dominican Republic, Paris, Sal Hasheesh/Egypt and 'The World', Dubai's island project shaped like the continents of the world.


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