20 years of Street Parade Zürich

Feel like traveling to Zürich for the city's wildest weekend of the year?  Then head to The Street Parade this Saturday.

The Street Parade is the most attended Technoparade in Europe. The Street Party is one of the largest techno parties in the world and the largest annual event in Zurich.

The first Street Parade took place on September 5, 1992, initiated by student Marek Krynski and officially called the Demonstration for Love, Peace, Liberty, Generosity and Tolerance. About 1,000 people took part in dancing behind two Lovemobiles.

Today, the Street Parade has all the character of a popular festival, however legally it is still a political demonstration. The Street Parade continues to be one of the safest mass events in the world. This is not just a consequence of the peaceful nature of dance parades, but is also thanks to a widely thought-out prevention concept.  In typical Swiss fashion there is a "do&don't" list which most participants seem to stick to. Clear advice on healthy behavior is part of the informational campaign of the Street Parade.

At least 600,000 people are expected in the Limmat city for this year’s parade, which is taking place under the motto: “20 years Love, Freedom, Tolerance and Respect”.

In anticipation of the large influx of people for Saturday, August 13, SBB offers special tickets and 105 extra trains. If you feel like partying right from the word "go" make sure you join ReteTre (the local Radio station) special train to Zurich. Departure is at 08:54 from Chiasso. The return is scheduled at 22:00 the same day. Otherwise check the train schedule for regular train times.

The details on the Street Parade's schedules, Love Mobiles and other related events are available at all stations, as well as sites www.ffs.ch/Streetparade, www.streetparade.ch or from Rail Service on Tel. 0900 300 300.

So, join the spirit on August 13th, 2011 and experience a wonderful, peaceful 20th Street Parade!

Dior on a mission

Forget 007, Dior 001 is where it’s at for the lady on the hunt.

In continuation with this week's previous posts about luxury living I have stumbled across a most exquisite girl's gadget. So keep reading on.....

There's so many choices for you to store your cosmetic items, most women use the special cosmetic bags to store all of their personal cosmetic items, now there's a cool amazing item called Cosmetic Gun to store all of your beauty items. The idea of making a Handgun as Cosmetics storage comes from Ted Norton a Dutch Jewelry Designer.

Amsterdam-based Ted Noten designed a weapon of beauty titled Dior 001. The gun is part of a larger new series entitled "7 Necessities for a Woman to Feel Like a Woman Through the Eyes of a Man" presented by Ornamentum Gallery on the occasion of Design Miami / Basel 2011.

Dior 001 discreetly hides lip-gloss, pills, an antique hairpin, a USB stick with "secret information," and a 100 gram sterling silver bar. The firearm is made from a 3D printed nylon body with 18 carat gold details executed through traditional goldsmithing methods.

And guess what? The gun comes in black as well. This time signed by Chanel. Chanel 001 gun conceals lip gloss, antique hairpin, gold toothpick, bottle of perfume, USB flash drive, medicine compartment, and a gold bar.

Pretty crazy for a make-up kit, isn't it? I know that’s all I need for a guaranteed good Saturday night.

Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the price: a cool US$ 11'500.- for the Dior 001 Cosmetic gun and a whooping US$ 17'000.- for the Canel 001 version. Maybe I can get James to buy it for me?!?

Dreaming of Necker Island

"My home - and favourite hideaway!"
Sir Richard Branson

Earlier this week I wrote about Luxury Home swapping, well here is another swanky idea. Why not rent an entire island from Mr.Branson himself?

Necker Island is a small island in the British Virgin Islands. All of the land on the island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, famous for his Virgin brand, you know ranging from mobile telephony to transportation, travel, financial services, media, music and fitness. The entire island operates like a resort and can be rented. What a bargain!

The island was named after the 17th century Dutch squadron commander Johannes de Neckere, although it remained uninhabited until the late 20th century.

When Branson bought the 74-acre (300,000 m2) island for £180,000 in 1979, it was uninhabited. He purchased the island at the age of 28, just six years after starting Virgin Group. It took 3 years and approximately US$10 million to turn it into a private island retreat.

Using local stone, Brazilian hardwoods, antiques, art pieces and fabrics and bamboo furniture from Bali the architects and designers created a 10 bedroom Balinese-style villa crowning a hill above the beach.

Each of the 10 bedrooms has open walls giving a 360-degree view and cooling winds from any direction in the house. The island has accommodation for 28 people and rents out at US$53,000 to $54,000 a day. All that includes two private beaches, private pools, tennis courts, breathtaking views, a personal chef, a team of about 60 staff and a wide array of water sports equipment.

There are plenty of places to lie on the beach and enjoy the sea. Main Beach is where most of the water activities are based and where you will find the Tennis and Beach Pavilion. Turtle Beach is a more peaceful palm-fringed beach, with hammocks hanging between the trees and an aqua-trampoline anchored to the sea floor. There are many other places where guests can find a peaceful spot to relax and the more energetic can take the 2-hour walk around the island to view the flora and fauna.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Necker island and let yourself be lifted away into sweet dreamland: www.neckerisland.virgin.com.

For details on Villa rental offer click here: www.homeaway.com.

Bella Napoli

"What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else? I believe it is a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago."
Erica Jong

If you enjoyed yesterday's post about the island of Procida, keep on reading about my hubby's home town Napoli. This southern Italian city has a pretty unfavourable reputation: corruption and crime are just the tip of the iceberg.

Napoli is also known internationally for its rich history, art, culture, architecture, music, and gastronomy, and has played an important political and cultural role on the Italian peninsula throughout its 2800-year existence.

HOWEVER, the heart of the city is its people. You can say many things about Neapolitains but they are always friendly and very welcoming! Mostly their intensions are good and you can spend hours in the company of these charming Italians. Beware, you might lose your heart to one them....just like I did! ;)

Napoli is a city where, in spite of all, people keep on singing: indeed, where singing is the only truthful form of expression.

Driving through Napoli....a singular experience! 

Looking onto the bay of Napoli

Castel dell'Ovo (in Italian, Egg Castle) is a castle located on the former island of Megaride, now a peninsula, on the gulf of Naples (Southern Italy). The castle's name comes from a medieval legend which tells that the Roman poet Virgil, who developed a medieval reputation as a great sorcerer as well, put a magical egg in the foundations to support them.

An extraordinary contemporary parking garage 

in the center of Napoli

You want to use the lift AT HOME?

You pay 5 cents!

Napoli is home of the Pizza

Where's all the washing gone?

Fresh fish where ever you look! 

Not only is it prohibited to hang posters on this support,

what used to be a vase full of plants is now are garbage bin!?!

Napoli living up to its reputation.....unfortunately!

Nothing beat Napoli by night!

Below is a video that I came across in YouTube which will give you a good idea of Neapolitan life. While I am writing this post my husband is singing to the song in the video and I can't help but smile!

P.S. All the blue and white flags are Napoli's soccer team colours!

A gem called Procida

"I have a feeling this is going to be just delicious."
Nicolas Cage as Ronnie Cammareri in Moonstruck

Undoubtedly, one of the many advantages of being married to a Neapolitan is the holidays we get to spend cruising the Golf of Naples. We flew down to Naples last week in order to celebrate my hubby's birthday together with his "famiglia" but managed to escape for a day, as you can see for yourself.

Cruising in style

Porto di Napoli

Essential accessoires

A little jem called Procida

Procida is one of the Flegrean Islands off the coast of Naples in southern Italy. The island is between Cape Miseno and the island of Ischia. Procida is the smallest and oldest island in the Bay of Naples and is, like Ischia, of volcanic origin.

Several writers have set their novels in Procida. One of the most notable is the novel Graziella written by Alphonse de Lamartine, who came to Procida at the beginning of the 19th century while in the French army. Another celebrated novel is L'isola di Arturo (1957), one of the greater works of Elsa Morante.

Procida has been chosen as a film set for numerous films, mainly for its panoramas and its typical Mediterranean architecture. The most famous are Il Postino and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

So, if you're looking for some inspiration à la Sophia Loren, Procida is the perfect place.

French Connection Drink

All you French Expat readers out there...oui, je parle de vous.......tomorrow night the French Connection will meet at the Ana Capri bar for an informal Get-Together. La soirée francaise is organized by a member of the Lugano InterNations Expat group.

Come join the French community of Lugano, speak and practice your French! Everybody is more than welcome! A bientôt!

Where: Ana Capri Bar, Via Clemente Maraini, 6900 Lugano

When: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Time: 19:30

Ever wished for a stylish home exchange vacation?

“There’s no such thing as a free holiday…or is there? Home-swapping is the recession-busting holiday trend for 2011.”
Grazia Magazine

Remember when in the film, THE HOLIDAY, Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet play two strangers, one living in England and the other in Los Angeles, who agree to swap homes temporarily. If you’re like many moviegoers who came out of the film dreaming of starring in your own luxury home swap, now you can.

Whether you fancy fast living in Miami, a romantic weekend in Paris or getting away from it all on a Sri Lankan beach, you can find it all on Luxe Home Swap – and save thousands on unique holidays with a local touch. That chalet in the Swiss Alps you were always dreaming of......go ahead visit the Luxe Home Swap right away to make your dream come true: www.luxehomeswap.com.

And 'Luxe' doesn't have to mean luxury – they have everything from small and funky to large and luxurious properties listed on the site. Luxe Home Swap offers an all-new version of an age-old tradition – enjoying free vacations in someone else’s home.

Luxe Home Swap goes one step further by taking home exchange vacations into the era of social networking - it uses the concept of “six degrees of separation”. It encourages users to swap homes with people that they already know or people that their friends might know. And all this, at a single mouse click. LuxeHomeSwap.com is currently the world’s first and only home swapping site that makes use of the reach of social media.

Luxe Home Swap works so well, they guarantee it. If you don't find a high quality home exchange in your first year, they'll give you your second year free.

Check out an interview with founder Debbie Wossko by clicking here: The Morning Show

Moda sotto le stelle in Lugano

You might have heard of "Moda sotto le stelle" in Rome, the illustrious fashion show where world famous models glide down the Spanish stairs under a starry Italian sky wearing the most exquisite fashion by world renowned designers such as Valentino, Armani and Cavalli.

Well, Lugano is not quite there.....YET..... but tonight you can enjoy the Ticinese version of "Moda sotto le Stelle". It will be the honour of Dutch designer Addy van den Krommenacker to present his wonderful creations on Saturday, August 6th, 2011 in Piazza Manzoni. The designer - known as the stylist to the stars - is a Member of the Swiss National Chamber of Fashion.

The popular reality show "America's Next Top Model" has already showcased Addy van den Krommenacker's clothes in 130 countries around the world. During the Academy Awards two of his creations have been worn by April Sutton and Forest Whitaker's wife along the red carpet.

The other participants of the eight edition of the Swiss National Chamber of Fashion are:
• Marianne Alvona, Bern
• Manuela Soldiers, Lausanne
• Florence Rivera, Cugnasco
• Milk Maximilian, Rome
• Fabio Fileccia, Lugano
• Lina Dak, Bellinzona
• Loredana Mazzotta-Longo, Zofingen

The Red Carpet Show "Fashion under the Stars" begins at 20:30 in Piazza Manzoni and the best part is that the entry is free.

The event management is entrusted to the beautiful presenter Tanja Gutmann, former Miss Switzerland, who will present in German and Italian. Stephen Dani Amos Sussigan will translate the English version.

Remember that in case of bad weather the event will be held ​​at the Exhibition Centre in Lugano.

For more info check out their site at www.newfaces.ch

1st Swiss Food Festival in Zermatt

Three days of Swissness and exquisite culinary delight: Zermatt's top chefs with a total of 233 GaultMillau points – you can’t find as many anywhere else in Switzerland – focus on the Kitchen-Party at the Mont Cervin Palace and Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.

Along the Bahnhofstrasse, Valais producers offer and explain their products in charming chalets. The appetizing flavour of the Eringer beef roasted on the skewer is spread throughout the village. And finally, on Sunday you leisurely brunch on the Matterhorn Express, while the sun rises along the mountains.

Zermatt, Bahnhofstrasse: Culinary chalets with local and Valaisian products: Friday, August 5th noon to 20 h, Saturday, August 6th 10 to 20 h, Sunday, August 7th 10 to 17 h.

Reservations at swissfoodfestival@zermatt.ch, in the hotels Mont Cervin Palace and Grand Hotel Zermatterhof or at Zermatt Bergbahnen AG points of sale.

So, if you happen to be in the area and wish to enjoy a delicious meal this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

En Guete!

A little thought about friendship

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us."
Epicurus (341 - 270 BC) Greek philosopher.

What is frienship based on? Last night was proof to me once again that it doesn't matter how often you see a person - or how rarely in the case of many expats who have their friends scattered across the world - if you make a minimum effort to keep in touch, you will be rewarded with loyal friends, interesting conversations and memories of fun moments shared in the present and in the past. You also know that you'll be able to count on them in the future. The secret is to chose your friends carefully. Whom do you really trust?

What is really boils down to is: Who makes you smile and who can you trust? Unconditional and honest friendship by people who will give you their upright opinion and support you in your dreams and in your projects. Who in return you will provide with reliable encouragement and heartfelt understanding.