Iroquois Nationals Prague 2011» admin

Register for Sightseeing Tours

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:06:22 +0000

Welcome Iroquois Nationals to Prague!

admin — Sat, 14 May 2011 17:04:55 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS IROQUOIS NATIONALS for winning the SILVER MEDAL !!!
..

And Individual Award congratulations to;
.
All World Team
(Transition)
Cody Jamieson (IRO) (Defense)
Sid Smith (IRO)
.
The best individual players:
(Transition) Cody Jamieson (IRO)
(Defense) Sid Smith (IRO)
.
Spirit of Lacrosse Award:
Denise Waterman (IRO)
.

Czech Republic

admin — Sat, 14 May 2011 04:16:28 +0000

Czech Republic

No other country in Europe has become so popular so fast as the Czech Republic. Since its split with Slovakia in 1993 The Czech Republic and especially Prague have become a must see for all travelers. Prague survived World War II untouched and is an architectural outdoor museum of styles and history. Visit Prague Castle, Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane, the Old Town Square, St. Charles Bridge and the National Theater. Not far from Prague visit the Karlstejn, Konopiste and Cesky Sternberk Castles and the silver mining town of Kunta Hora. The famous spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne are worth a stay for their beauty and their therapeutic waters. The southern Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov is a medieval jewel with a spectacular castle and winding cobblestone streets. Visit the city of Ceske Budejovice to visit the original Budweiser brewery.

The Czech Republic lies in the heart of Europe, which also means that its history has been everything if not peaceful. It has always been situated at the point of contention between the East and the West. The Byzantine and Roman empires once fought for the Czech lands, and not much changed until the fall of communism twenty years ago. The Gothic castle and border fortifications from World War Two are remnants of those turbulent times. Jewish monuments also have a story to tell and the best of the cultural heritage is captured by museums and open-air museums and above all the UNESCO monuments.

Castles and chateau

Whereas castles are a reminder of the turbulent Middle Ages, Czech chateaux are a monument to the ostentatious life of the local aristocratic families. The first amaze visitors with their majestic nature and functionality, the second with their luxuriousness and often very grandiose design. If you would like to visit them all, one holiday will not be enough as we have a total of around 2,000 castles and chateau in the Czech Republic.

At the most popular, you can expect to see examples of life at that time, sword fighting displays, exhibitions of birds of prey and from time to time also medieval fairs with the possibility of buying traditional Czech products.

Living history

If the castles and chateaux do not seem lively enough for you and if you would like more tangible evidence of how people used to live in the Czech lands, it will interest you to know that more than one living history project successfully functions here. Groups of enthusiasts are again building Slavonic fortifications (e.g. in Chotěbuz-Podobora and in Netolice in Šumava) in a traditional manner in places where building work was carried out at some point in the past.

Open-air museums

Seeing as we are already talking about living history, we should not forget to mention the open-air museums in Bohemia and Moravia, which ensure that our customs and traditions survive in the 21^st century. This concerns monument zones, in which you can find traditional housing from times a hundred or more years ago. It is precisely here that you can learn how people celebrated Christmas and Easter in the individual regions; you can try out traditional dishes here and have a look at how people used to live in the countryside in our country long ago. Maybe you will take such a liking to some of the customs demonstrated, for example in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm or in Strážnice,which you will even take them home with you.

Museums

Further traces of history can be found in various museums, of which there are hundreds in the Czech Republic. We have a museum of toys and dolls, a museum of sugar and alcohol as well as various technical and modern military museums. Fans of culture will certainly appreciate the museum of music and possibly the monuments to the famous Czech composers, where you will learn everything about their life. Museums in fortresses built before World War Two represent a specific type. Their system was unique throughout the world and a visit to them will thrill boys young and old.

Tips for Czech museums

In search of Jewish culture

Not many nations leave a cultural footprint with such deep imprints. The Jewish community was large in the Czech lands from the Middle Ages until after World War Two. Although Jewish culture is not very perceptible in the Czech Republic at present, we can find reminders of its in many places. Be these museums, synagogues, magical cemeteries or whole Jewish quarters, this always concerns monuments, which are worth visiting for their picturesque appearance and originality, which never fitted completely into the context of Central Europe.

The most famous Jewish settlement was in Prague, where Rabbi Judah Löw ben Becalel was supposed to have created the legendary Golem, which is hidden here in a secret place. But other places linked with Jewish history are also interesting. It is well worth visiting Mikulov, Břeclav or the Jewish quarter in Třebíč, which is included in the UNESCO list.

Tips for Jewish monuments

UNESCO monuments

You will not find as many UNESCO monuments in such a small area as the Czech Republic anywhere else in the world. You will find a total of 12 buildings and intangible monuments here. One of these is Verbuňk, a men’s dance from Southeast Moravia, which is maintained here as authentic national heritage. Another is the traditional Shrovetide door-to-door processions and masks in the villages of the Hlinecko area, which have been included in the list since 2010.

Tangible monuments for example include the historical centre of Prague, but also the no-less-beautiful, although smaller, centre of Kutná Hora. The historically youngest monument is the Functionalist Villa Tugendhat in Brno, dating back to 1930.

Prague

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:03:49 +0000

From Medieval, to Modern, to Magnificent…

Ancient capital of Charles IV’s Bohemian Kingdom, Prague has played a pivotal role in the development of Central Europe since the Middle Ages. An epic history has made Prague one of the most beautiful cities in the world, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, Prague is also a modern European metropolis full of energy, music, and art. Serene green isles in the river and peaceful parks draping the city’s seven hills are just steps away from the architectural treasures and bustling street life of the city center. Prague’s atmosphere is both intimate and romantic, and quite impossible to forget.

Streets teeming with smiling faces, cameras and backpacks, lively cafés, and busy bars all testify to Prague’s powers of attraction for the young at heart. The main tourist routes are dotted with Czech and international restaurants; but do try something new: leave the hustle and bustle of the main streets behind and immerse yourself in the quiet side streets, which will be happy to welcome the chance visitor in their restaurants, pubs, bars and tearooms. You might be pleasantly surprised once you leave the beaten track.
During a walk through the city, you will quickly discover that the history of European architecture has left behind splendid representatives of its various periods and styles. There are Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicist buildings, as well as various neo-historic styles and Art Nouveau.
Mozart reportedly shocked the Viennese when he once scoffed at his Austrian patrons, claiming, “Praguers understand me.” This statement placed Prague in the center of the musical world and entrenched the city in musical folklore. With one of the most diverse performing arts communities on the Continent, Prague offers concerts, theater and opera to suit any taste. Be sure to dress up – evening performances are the one time not to dress “bohemian”, even in Bohemia!

Sightseeing Tours

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:42:24 +0000

Grand City Tour -
During the grand sightseeing tour, you will be given all the basic
information about Golden Prague’s historic monuments. A bus will take you past the State Opera, the National Museum and Wenceslas Square with its statue of St. Wenceslas. Then you will continue through Charles Square to the banks of the Vltava River, to Charles Bridge, the Rudolfinum and across the river to Prague Castle. There a walk around the castle courtyards awaits you, where amongst other things, you will have the opportunity to see St. Vitus Cathedral. The bus will then take you across the Vltava to the Old Town, passing through the former Jewish Quarter to the Old Town Square, where you will find St. Nicholas church, the Tyn Cathedral and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock (HORLOGE) and apostles. Here, not far from the modern city centre, the tour ends.

Pick up Location: Republic Square (opposite the Powder Tower)
Meeting point – a yellow stand with sign, “Prague Sightseeing Tours”

Starting times:

Morning tour: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Afternoon tour: 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Hours of operation: 3.5 hours
Frequency: Daily
Language: English, German (on request French, Spanish,
Russian, Italian)

Lunch on Boat -
A bus will take you to the Vltava River where an air-conditioned pleasure boat awaits you. During the 2-hour cruise along the Vltava, with lunch served in the form of a buffet, accompanied by pleasant music, you will be offered a fantastic view of the river, lined with important buildings and historic monuments such as the Rudolfinum, Charles Bridge, majestic Prague Castle and more. The tour ends on the river bank by the Intercontinental Hotel.

Tour details
Pick up Location: Republic Square (opposite the Powder Tower); meeting point – a yellow stand with sign, “Prague Sightseeing Tours”

Starting times: 11.30 am – 2 pm

Hours of operation: 2.5 hrs

Frequency: Fr # Sun, except 24.12.

Language: English, German (on request French, Italian, Spanish, Russian)

Prague Castle in detail –

You will be taken to Prague Castle by bus, even if it is a walking
tour. Our guide will take you on a tour of Prague Castle interior -
the Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica and Golden
Lane, acquainting you with all the important historical details of the
Castle. You will then go through the Lesser Town to Charles Bridge where the tour ends.

Pick up Location: Republic Square (opposite the Powder Tower)
Meeting point – a yellow stand with sign “Prague Sightseeing Tours”
Starting times: 11:40 am – 3:10 pm
Hours of operation: 3.5 hours
Frequency: daily
Language: English, German (on request French,
Italian, Spanish, Russian)

Prague by Night -
A bus will take you from the Powder Tower to the Vltava River where an air-conditioned pleasure boat awaits you. You will receive a welcome aperitif, while a cold and hot buffet with a wide choice of dishes will be available. Accompanied by pleasant music, you will be taken on a three hour cruise along the Vltava, offering fantastic views of the river, lined by well lit historic monuments such as the Rudolfinum, Charles Bridge, majestic Prague Castle and more. You will then be taken on a short bus tour of other romantic places in Golden Prague. The tour ends on Republic Square. (Drop off on request: Hilton hotel, Intercontinental hotel, Vaclavske namisti, metro I. P. Pavlova, Corinthia Towers hotel).

Included: bus, boat, aperitif, dinner and music.

Pick up Location: Republic Square (opposite the Powder Tower)
Meeting point – a yellow stand with sign, “Prague Sightseeing Tours”
Starting times: 6:40 pm – 10:40 pm
Hours of operation: 4 hours
Frequency: daily