Walk the line

Freddy Nock, a 46-year old stuntman from Swizerland, climbed to the top of Germany's highest mountain, the  2,962 m Zugspitze, on the cable car ropeway, using neither a balancing pole or a security harness. 

As he walked the 1,000 metre long route from the cablecar station near the Bavarin resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he gained 348 metres in altitude, needing an hour and 20 minutes to complete the climb.

Nock intends to enter his feat the Guinness Book of Records as the "longest and highest wire walk above sea level without a balancing pole".

What makes his feat more special, is that he's doing it for a good cause, raising money for Unicef.

Cube on Tour

Brussels has hosted the Electrolux Cube between April and June. A unique temporary dining concept, the Cube has been place atop the thriumphal arch in the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
In this atmosphere of cutting-edge design and never-before seen views of the city, Electrolux presents its kitchens.
Two Electrolux Cubes will travel across Europe offering a memorable dining experience for 18 guests per setting in landmark locations. The semi-transparent structures will be seen atop of monuments, buildings and even water platforms in Belgium, Italy, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden but only for three months at each location. Next up are Milan and Stockholm, just in case you missed Brussels.
A different top-chef will be present at each venue, giving the guesets hints and tips on how to get the maximum out of theyr cooking experience.

Palio di Siena

One of the greatest spectacles Italy has to offer is the Palio in Siena. The horse race is held twice each year in the Piazza del Campo. Competitors from the 17 contrade( city quarters) take part bearing their areas colours. Siena’s 17 contrade were armies created in the Middle Ages to defend the city after they won their independence from Florence. Ten contrade take part in the first race on July 2.The other seven plus three from the July race compete on August 16. The historical costumes worn throughout the festivities bring back the atmosphere from the golden age of the Republic of Siena.

Piazza del Campo

On the move

One great journey compiled into 1 minute by Rick Mereki.

Grand Scale Opera

Each summer, the Bregenz Festival in Austria presents stunning opera stages, set on Lake Constance. Whether its a giant eyeball for Tosca, during which performance a part of the James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" was filmed, or a skeleton opening a book for Verdi's Masked Ball, the festival's creativity doesn't cease to amaze. This year, for Umberto Giordanos French Revolution opera "Andrea Chenier", the organisers have erected the statue of Marat, murdered in the bathtub, as seen in the famous painting by J.L.David. A giant staircase runs from Marats eye down to his neck and shoulder. To his right there is an over-sized open book of Cheniers poems and to the left a guilded mirror on which images are projected. One thing this stage is not, is discrete. But opera purists should be appeased by the spectacle it offers. 
The festival runs until August 21st, but if you miss it you have another chance next year, as the stages are built every two years.

Stage for Andrea Chenier 2011



Aida 2009-20010

A masked ball 1999-2000

On the Edge

"Living on the edge" is an expression which is often  heard. But walking on the roof of Toronto's CN Tower restaurant, 356 meters in the air, might be different than what you had in mind. Long time known as the tallest building in the world with it's 553 meters, the CN Tower reinvents itself. For the modest sum of 175$ thrill seekers can enjoy stunning views of Toronto and Lake Ontario, whch lies beneath them, walking in groups of six while strapped to an elaborated harness system.

Solar-powered cooking

If you're heading for Finland this summer, be sure not to miss Helsinki between the 4th and 14th of August, where Chef Antto Melasniemi will be installing his Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen Restaurant. The project, on which he colaborates with spanish designer Martí Guixén was launched in April at the Milan Design Week. The concept of preparing food using only solar energy proved to be a great success with its combination of first-class cooking, renewable energy and design minimalism. The only thing that could get in the way of Melasniemis project could be the absence of sunshine, but with the prolongued sunlight at this time of year in Finland, there is everery chance for you to enjoy a solar-cooked meal at any hour.

www.lapinkultasolarkitchenrestaurant.com