.jpeg)
Week 10
The Alps
In Basel Switzerland, we take a longer look at the hilly terrain we see to the south and plot a new strategy. Stretching approximately 750 miles The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, extending from Nice on the western Mediterranean to Trieste on the Adriatic and Vienna at the beginning of the Pannonian basin. As the Alps contain over 100 hundred peaks higher than 13,000 feet, we decide to take a prudent detour to the east and head towards Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and a population of 38,749
Switzerland unintentionally invaded Liechtenstein in March 2007, when about 170 Swiss infantry soldiers wandered across the unmarked border for more than a mile into Liechtenstein before realizing their mistake. (The Swiss soldiers were armed with assault rifles but no ammo, incidentally.) Liechtenstein, which has no army of its own, admits that it didn’t notice the Swiss invasion and had to be informed that it had occurred (the country enforces no border control with Switzerland). Liechtenstein ultimately chose not to retaliate against its famously neutral neighbor.
On Liechtenstein’s national holiday, His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II, the head of state, and his son, His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois, invite the residents of the entire country to have a beer in the garden of Vaduz Castle, the princely ancestral residence. True leaders of the people.
In 2011, you could rent the whole country of Liechtenstein for $70,000 a night. The scheme, which was hatched between lodging site Airbnb and Liechtenstein-based marketing firm Rent a Village by Xnet, got you accommodation for 150 guests, customized street signs, a symbolic key to the state, a wine tasting with Prince Hans-Adam II, and your own temporary currency.
Munich, Germany
Munich, or München in German comes from the German word Mönch, or Monk and if it wasn’t for Monks, the capital of Bavaria wouldn’t be founded, as in the 12th century the Duke of Bavaria allowed monks to start a marketplace. Apparently, it was very successful, as it has expanded into one of the major cities in Europe.
We thought we had timed our visit perfectly for Munich’s world famous Oktoberfest, which is actually held in September and ends the first weekend in October, but alas a global pandemic has cancelled this year’s festivities. Even in the absence of Oktoberfest, we do learn that there are over 60 beer gardens in Munich and beer is officially considered a food in Bavaria.
Munich is the birthplace of one of the most famous car brands in the world – BMW. Not only does BMW have its headquarters in Munich, it also has its own dedicated postal zip code. After getting to see some of BMW’s famous models in the BMW World museum, it is suggested this would be a much faster way to get to Bethlehem, but the group decides to continue on foot.
Prague, Czech Republic
Marking our way into the Czech republic, we arrive in Prague, home to the largest castle in the world. Dating back to the ninth century, Prague Castle spans an impressive 18 acres and is home to stunning cathedrals, chapels and royal palaces.
The city is home to the longest river in the Czech Republic, the Vltava. Spanning the Vltava is the Charles Bridge which has some rather interesting mathematical significance. Former Czech king Charles IV laid the first stone of the bridge at precisely 5.31am on July 9, 1357. A superstitious man, the king was so into astrology and numerology that he chose this date because of its written form: 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1 (year, day, month, time).
The Prague Astronomical Clock, or Prague Orloj was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still operating. The clock mechanism has three main components — the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; statues of various Catholic saints stand on either side of the clock; "The Walk of the Apostles", an hourly show of moving Apostle figures and other sculptures, notably a figure of a skeleton that represents Death, striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months.
Vienna, Austria
The hills are alive with the sound of music, as we head through Salzburg into Vienna. Vienna is often referred to as The City of Music, or the World’s Capital of Music, as more famous composers have lived here than in any other city in the world. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, Johann Straus and Johannes Brahms are just a few who called Vienna home.
The famed Vienna Boys Choir’s roots date as far back as 1498. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart worked with the choir and Franz Schubert was once a member. In 1918, the group became a private institution, and their imperial uniforms switched to sailor suits. Now, there are more than 100 boys between the ages of 10 and 14 from 30 countries split into four choirs, giving more than 300 performances a year.
Vienna is also known for its famed Wiener Schnitzel, a thin slice of veal bread and fried which can be served with a lemon slice, potato salad or jam. The term “Wiener Schnitzel” is actually trademarked and protected by Austrian laws which require that a dish can be called “schnitzel” only if it is made of veal. Disagreements exist where this dish actually originated between Austrian and Italian culinary experts and historians. According to the historical data, two separate branches of the royal Hapsburg family are claiming to be the originators of the schnitzel, or its Italian counterpart – the Cotoletta Milanese. The Italian side is adamant that the dish was first served as part of the menu for a banquet held back in 1134 at the St.Ambrigio Cathedral in Milan. Regardless, we’re in Vienna so we’re going with the schnitzel where we learn a “real” schnitzel not only needs to be breaded and fried perfectly, but the waiter who brings it to your table should be properly adorned with a tux and tails.
Budapest, Hungary
South from Prague, we head into Budapest, Hungary. The word ‘Budapest’ came from the combined city of Buda and Pest. The two cities were united into a single city in the year 1873. The name ‘Buda’ comes from the name of its founder Buda, brother of the Hunnic ruler Attila. The name ‘Pest’ comes from the word “Pession”, a fortress during the Roman time.
Erected between 1854 and 1859, the Great Jewish Synagogue seats 3000 people. It is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest one in the world (after Belz Great Synagogue, in Jerusalem).
With an incredible abundance of underground hot water sources, Budapest has more thermal water springs than any other capital city and is considered the thermal bath capital of the world. Taking full advantage of this fact, we end our week and soothe our sore foot with some good old thermal bathing.
We covered a record 1012 miles this week! At this rate, we’ll get to Bethlehem by Halloween...unless we get really lost. This week will hit some lesser known, but very interesting places like Sarajevo, Albania and some other surprises. Let’s keep it up and encourage other members to join us!