All posts by She Seeks Serene

My Journey of Reimagining Life, Love and Education

Design: ‘ŠKODA 1203’ Made Over As Electric Camper Van With Pop Top Roof

In his vision the “new” 1203 is a modern camper with a “pop top” roof. “This kind of car has been gaining in popularity recently, so in the end that’s the kind of design I went for. But my first idea was to design a peloton escort vehicle for the Tour de France,” says Daniel, referring to the Czech carmaker’s well-known involvement in the world of cycling.

When designer Daniel Hájek inspects the good-as-new ŠKODA 1203 during the photo shoot, memories come flooding back: “We have a flatbed version like that in the garden of my grandparents’ house, but it’s not roadworthy any more.” And when he adds that “it was kind of my first car, we used it on our farm, and when I was fifteen they let me start the engine now and then and drive it around the field,” it’s clear that it was no accident he chose the legendary ŠKODA utility vehicle for the Icons Get a Makeover series.

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Škoda Auto a.s., commonly called Škoda or Skoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer founded in 1895 as Laurin & Klement and headquartered in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. In 1925 Laurin & Klement was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Škoda Works, which itself became state owned in 1948. 

City Views: ‘Naples – Italy’

Naples, a city in southern Italy, sits on the Bay of Naples. Nearby is Mount Vesuvius, the still-active volcano that destroyed nearby Roman town Pompeii. Dating to the 2nd millennium B.C., Naples has centuries of important art and architecture. The city’s cathedral, the Duomo di San Gennaro, is filled with frescoes. Other major landmarks include the lavish Royal Palace and Castel Nuovo, a 13th-century castle. 

Aerial Views: ‘Ljubljana – Slovenia’ (4K UHD Video)

Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city. It’s known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city’s old town from its commercial hub. Ljubljana has many museums, including the National Museum of Slovenia, displaying historic exhibitions, and the Museum of Modern Art, home to 20th-century Slovene paintings and sculptures.

Ski Chalets: ‘Villarabout – French Alps’ (Video)

Voted France’s Best Ski Chalet by the World Ski Awards 4 years running, this beautiful property represents the epitome of luxury ski chalets. Built 130 years ago, and originally a Savoie stable, it has evolved with the village and valley around it, transformed now into an incredibly high-end.

Nestled in the coveted village of Villarabout, it enjoys a peaceful setting that is still just 1 km from the centre of Saint Martin de Belleville, and its direct links to the world renowned 3 Valleys ski area. Featuring 4 en-suite double bedrooms, and a stunning open plan, kitchen, living and dining area spanning the entire top floor, it is spacious yet cosy, and boasts an incredible level of design throughout.

The village of Villarabout, an ancient mountain hamlet, just 1 km from Saint Martin de Belleville and the ski slopes.

Wildlife Views: Black Bear Steals Acorns From Woodpecker In Big Bend National Park, Texas

There are many reasons Big Bend is good for bears and this is one of them.

Big Bend National Park is in southwest Texas and includes the entire Chisos mountain range and a large swath of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive leads to the ruins of Sam Nail Ranch, now home to desert wildlife. The Santa Elena Canyon, carved by the Rio Grande, features steep limestone cliffs. Langford Hot Springs, near the Mexican border, has pictographs and the foundations of an old bathhouse.

Tropical Views: Seychelles – Indian Ocean (4K Video)

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. It’s home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises. Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, is home to capital Victoria. It also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and beaches, including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka.

Views: ‘Venice Carnival 2021’ Mask Revelers (Video)

Protective face masks were swapped for traditional ones in a muted start to the Venice Carnival on St. Mark’s Square on Sunday.

The Carnival of Venice (Italian: Carnevale di Venezia) is an annual festival held in Venice, Italy. The carnival ends with the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter, on Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday. The festival is world-famous for its elaborate masks.

Morning News Podcast: 2nd Trump Impeachment, Covid Variant Concerns

The second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump begins this week as Republicans and his legal team argue the impeachment is unconstitutional. 

And, South Africa has paused a planned deployment of a coronavirus vaccine from AstraZeneca after a study there showed it may be less effective against a new strain of the virus detected there. Also, how worried are U.S. health officials about variant strains of the virus in the U.S.?

Tilt-Shift Views: ‘Romania – Cities & Castles’ (4K Video)

Romania is an amazing county in Eastern Europe. Even with Transylvania being over-mystified, it is probably one of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe offering everything from amazing landscapes, beautiful mountains, vibrant cities, mediveal castles and more mediveal castles 😉 and lovely people. Find out in 4 amazing minutes minutes, why Romania should definitely be on your bucket list in case this pandemic should ever be over someday.

A seperate episode from the Danube Delta will follow shortly. 00:01​ Breb, Maramures

Video Timeline: 00:07​ Mocăniță railway, Maramures 00:29​ Village Maramures 00:39​ Merry Cemetery, Săpânța, Maramures 00:47​ Peri-Săpânţa Monastery, Wooden Churches, Maramures 00:58​ Bârsana Monastery, Wooden Churches, Maramures 01:09​ Brașov, Transylvania 01:27​ Sighișoara,Transylvania 01:44​ Sibiu,Transylvania 01:51​ Fortified Evangelical Church Harman, Transylvania 01:57​ Fortified Church Prejmer, Transylvania 02:01​ Râșnov Fortress, Transylvania 02:04​ Castelul Corvinilor (Corvins’ Castle) 02:07​ Făgăraș Fortress 02:08​ Bran Castle – The tourist trap “Dracula Castle” near Brasov, Transylvania 02:15​ Poenari Citadel – “The real Dracula Castle” in Transylvania 02:20​ Castelul Peles (Peles castle) in Transylvania 02:23​ Iași 02:27​ Saltmine Salina Turda 02:35​ Apuseni Mountains Transylvania 02:41​ Bucegi Natural Park 02:47​ Rimetea, Apuseni Mountains Transylvania 02:58​ Runc, Apuseni Mountains Transylvania 03:08​ Transfăgărășan Mountain Road 03:35​ Vidraru Dam 03:56​ Făgăraș 03:59​ Iași 04:10​ Bucharest