the largest summer event for Indian motorcycle riders is set to be bigger and better than ever for its fifth anniversary The event’s relocation to a new venue promises beautiful scenery and plenty of space for the event’s activities and shows The new venue is located on the shores of the Czech Republic’s largest lake near Lipno nad Vltavou with the 2024 iteration drawing in 3,750 attendees from 39 countries The theme for the 2025 edition is “On the Road Again.” Attendees can expect to enjoy stunning riding with a selection of 10 curated rides allowing attendees to explore the South Bohemian forest and the shores of Lipno Lake Indian Riders Fest will host a special birthday bash with a concert open to all festival goers The Budweis Custom Show will showcase a selection of custom bikes built by European builders and Indian Motorcycle dealers Petr Pilat’s Spectacular FMX Show will delight audiences with performances by the world-renowned Czech freestyle motorcycle rider There will also be a lottery that offers the chance to win a variety of prizes with the grand prize being an Indian Pursuit customized with a unique paint scheme and genuine Indian Motorcycle accessory parts “We are delighted to be working again with Jean-Marie Guyon to make IRF25 the best yet at this outstanding new venue,” said Jon Vick international marketing manager for Indian Motorcycle the growth of the festival has been incredible and the feedback we get from our riders about the IRF is always superb a reflection of the hard work that Jean-Marie and his team put into to make the event what it has become This premium location is a fitting new chapter for the fifth anniversary of the IRF and will cement its status as the biggest international event for Indian Motorcycle riders.” The new venue offers a range of accommodation options, including campgrounds and hotels, all within walking distance to the festival. Buy your tickets now and find more information at the Indian Riders Fest website See all of Rider‘s Indian Motorcycle news and reviews here and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences More information about our Cookie Policy on our Privacy Policy 18 June 202406:30(UTC)Last modified12 July 202408:44Lipno is located in the Wielkopolskie province in central PolandPhoto: Ole Jørgen Bratland / EquinorEquinor’s third solar plant in Poland, Lipno has started test production. This brings the company’s onshore renewables capacity in Poland to ~200 MW, and further strengthens its position in one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets in Europe. Lipno is located in the Wielkopolskie province in central Poland. The 53 MW solar plant was developed and will be operated by the Polish renewable power producer Wento, Equinor’s 100% subsidiary. Equinor acquired Wento and its 1.6 GW pipeline of solar projects in 2021. Three years after the acquisition, Wento has grown from a small-scale solar developer into a multi-tech power producer operating three solar plants and one onshore wind park in Poland with a total capacity of ~200 MW. “Wento’s journey showcases how we leverage our investments in local development companies to build a material and profitable onshore renewables business in select markets,” says Anders Bade, senior vice president for onshore and markets within Renewables at Equinor. Accumulated annual production from the portfolio operated by Wento is estimated at approximately 280 GWh of power per year, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 140,000 Polish households. Equinor’s energy trading house Danske Commodities has signed a balancing agreement with the Lipno solar plant and will be responsible for commercializing the produced power in the Polish power market. Lipno is expected to yield returns in line with prior guidance for renewables in Equinor. Danske Commodities provides route-to-market for Wento’s assets in operation, building upon almost 15 years of power trading experience in Poland. “We have developed a distinct business model that allows us to efficiently scale our onshore renewables portfolio and create value uplift from power trading,” says Anders Bade. Since the acquisition, Wento has built on its project pipeline, effectively doubling it to over 3 GW of opportunities in various stages of maturity. The pipeline has been diversified beyond power generation to also include battery storage, which adds flexibility and enhances value creation potential. “Poland is actively developing renewable energy to increase domestic power capacity and enhance energy security. For Wento and Equinor, this represents an exciting opportunity to be a leading player in a growing renewable energy market,” says Wojciech Cetnarski, CEO of Wento. Earlier this year, Wento won the Polish Capacity Market Auction with four battery storage projects totalling about 400 MW/1,6 GWh. The final investment decisions for the projects are expected in the next years. Battery storage systems will be key for Poland’s future grid stability as the country increases the share of renewable power. “Equinor aims to be a reliable energy partner for Poland and support its energy transition. We are building a broad energy offering in the country, diversifying generation sources and energy supplies,” says Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, Equinor’s country manager in Poland. In addition to investing in onshore renewables, Equinor is engaged in the development of three large-scale offshore wind projects Bałtyk I, Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III together with Polenergia. Equinor is also supplying natural gas from the Norwegian Continental Shelf to Poland via Baltic Pipe. Equinor Brasil Energia Ltda., a subsidiary of Equinor ASA, has entered into agreements(1) with Brazilian company Prio Tigris Ltda., a subsidiary of PRIO SA (PRIO3.SA) for a sale of its 60% operated interest in the Peregrino field in Brazil. 30 April 2025 Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 8.65 billion and USD 2.25 billion after tax in the first quarter of 2025. Equinor reported net operating income of USD 8.87 billion and net income at USD 2.63 billion. Adjusted net income* was USD 1.79 billion, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of USD 0.66. 30 April 2025 NYSE: EQNR) will after the annual general meeting 14 May 2025 commence the second tranche of up to USD 1,265 million of the share buy-back programme for 2025 as announced in relation with the first quarter results 30 April 2025 The Czech Republic will have another spa town as of July 1 as the country's Health Ministry approved the official designation of Frymburk as a natural therapeutic spa town The South Bohemian locale on the banks of the Lipno Reservoir joins the ranks of UNESCO-recognized Czech spas in Karlovy Vary Frymburk will become the fourth spa town in South Bohemia and the 36th in the Czech Republic but it's just the second to receive the designation since 1989 The town has a population of just 1,400 people but attracts tens of thousands of tourists annually and plans to accommodate 200 guests for spa treatments daily This landmark designation opens the door for the development of spa facilities similar to those in other Czech locales but uniquely tailored to Frymburk’s environment and medical infrastructure The spa’s treatment offerings will focus on balneotherapy utilizing natural peat for various treatments and will include physical and movement therapies like fitness Frymburk’s Wellness Hotel will spearhead these initiatives utilizing the healing properties of local peat harvested from nearby forests The Wellness Hotel will undergo significant renovations including the conversion of a conference hall into a comprehensive modern spa facility "[I have] an indescribable feeling of joy, because I have been waiting for this day for the last 15 years of my life," Frymburk Mayor Oto Řezáč stated through a press release We met a huge number of different conditions we now have confirmation from the highest places that Frymburk is a place beneficial to health." amounting to tens of millions of Czech crowns are planned for infrastructure and promotion throughout Frymburk The Wellness Hotel is already constructing a spa pavilion and undergoing other renovations to accommodate the upcoming spa services The town is also developing infrastructure around its peat harvesting sites including access roads and environmental impact assessments Frymburk is enhancing its tourism amenities creating scenic rest areas and trails in the surrounding forests "This is just the beginning for us," Řezáč adds "We have a huge amount of work ahead of us Your morning coffee deserves a great companion. Why not enjoy it with our daily newsletter? News from Czechia, curated insights, and inspiring stories in English. Two bison bulls were transported by conservationists from the European Serengeti reserve which is located in the former military training area of Milovice near Prague managed by Military Forests and Farms in the former military training area of Ralsko The transport of the first two animals marked the start of a new bison breeding group in the Lipno reserve in south Bohemia It has been home to a herd of wild horses since last year and it is bison that will join them in the upcoming weeks we managed to capture two bulls that we had planned The males aged two and three years were successfully released in the game reserve of Vojenské lesy a statky in Zidlov,” explained Dalibor Dostal which founded the Milovice reserve in cooperation with scientists in 2015 Chances for success were reportedly not high the ground was so waterlogged that the equipment sunk into the mud and it was very hard to get to the animals in such adverse conditions,” added Dostal the conservationists will receive two female bison from the Zidlov game reserve which will become the basis of a new breeding group in Lipno A further two females will be provided by Chomutov Zoo A bull will then arrive from the European Serengeti reserve “The aim is to ensure that the newly established bison breeding group in Lipno is genetically as diverse as possible bison were exterminated in the wild by humans and only survived in breeding groups in captivity All the animals originate from just twelve individuals and the rarer Bialowieza line that we breed traces back to a mere seven foundation animals it is necessary to pay attention to the greatest possible genetic variability when setting up new herds,” concluded Dostal The exchange of animals is not the first in which the bison breeding group in the European Serengeti reserve has been involved The European Serengeti reserve has the biggest herd of bison in the Czech Republic If you would like to learn more about the IAEA’s work sign up for our weekly updates containing our most important news Climate change affects lakes around the world like Lipno Lake in the Czech Republic (pictured) A recent isotope analysis showed that many lakes are not able to compensate for evaporation While global sea levels are rising, year after year, lakes around the world are shrinking. A recent IAEA study, published last week in Nature Communications has revealed that many lakes are not able to compensate for water lost to evaporation and are at risk of disappearing over time “Global warming is a major threat to lakes’ water budgets and quality because of rising temperatures which enhance evaporation,” says Yuliya Vystavna first author of the study and Isotope Hydrologist at the IAEA Given the range of variables that shape the history and life of a lake quantifying the extent of climate change impact on lakes worldwide is a complex task that can be simplified with the use of nuclear science which comprise the majority of global unfrozen surface freshwater resources are an integral part of social and economic activities When it comes to understanding the impact of climate change on lakes isotope hydrology is a tell-tale tool for assessment depth and surrounding land use to how they are created naturally or artificially – making it a challenge to objectively compare lakes on a global scale Isotopes reveal the history of lakes and provide a record of change serving as a proxy of hydrological history,” Vystavna said A recent IAEA study analysed the stable isotope composition of more than 1000 lakes around the world to assess the impact of climate change on lakes. See the interactive map The isotope analysis revealed that about one-fifth of water inflow in lakes around the world is lost to evaporation and about 10 per cent of Earth’s lakes show extreme evaporative losses – more than 40 per cent of total inflow “Lakes sustain evaporation losses by inflow but if a lake is losing more than 20 per cent of inflow it is at risk of drying out,” Vystavna said “We used water balance models based on isotopes and estimated lakes’ sensitivity to evaporation to determine which lakes around the world may disappear because they are not able to compensate for evaporation losses.” The team gathered information from databases, including the Global Network of Isotopes in Rivers the stable isotope composition of 1257 lakes from 91 countries were analysed using artificial intelligence approaches developed by the IAEA “We used artificial intelligence to determine what are the main evaporation drivers continental or cold – evaporation is driven by different factors,” Vystavna said relative humidity and solar radiation affect the isotope composition of lakes and evaporation from them The study showed that a combination of climatic and landscape variables need to be considered to predict lake evaporation processes “Understanding future availability of water resources is key to resilience sustainable development and peace,” said Johannes Cullmann Director of Water and Cryosphere Coordination at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are indispensable to underpin WMO's development of operational water assessment and forecasting systems.” The simple and affordable method of stable isotope monitoring creates potential for a global network of lake isotope data “If you have a network dedicated to the collection and compilation of lake isotope information you can provide explicit data and can compare and see climate change variations,” Vystavna said Read more about isotope hydrology. COP26: In a Warming World How Do Nuclear Sciences Help Protect Water Resources Isotope Records Reveal the Complexity of Changing Climate Dynamics New Collaborative Portal Provides One-Stop-Shop Access to Isotope Hydrology Resources Breaking news for everyone's consumption Scientists in the Czech Republic have described the first domestic case of infection with a parasite Diphyllobothriasis (dibothriocephalosis) is caused by the human broad tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus The source of infection is fish consumption no cases of human diphyllobothriasis or of fish infected with parasite larvae have been reported in Central Europe However, earlier this year, an autochthonous case of diphyllobothriasis caused by Dibothriocephalus latus was documented in the Czech Republic. Findings were reported in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases who had not traveled to known diphyllobothriasis-endemic areas or previously consumed raw or undercooked fish products obtained a pike caught in October 2023 near Horní Planá the largest settlement on the Lipno reservoir in South Bohemia He consumed raw salted roe (caviar) from the pike the most common source of diphyllobothriasis in many parts of Russia he experienced occasional abdominal bloating An examination confirmed the presence of Dibothriocephalus latus tapeworm eggs Treatment with mebendazole was unsuccessful but the tapeworm was later completely expelled after a single dose of praziquantel A tourist probably introduced Tapeworm.The Lipno Reservoir is a popular tourist destination The reservoir has never been stocked with fish from abroad so it is unlikely that the tapeworm was imported from diphyllobothriasis-endemic areas through fish.  from the reservoir were examined in May and August 2024 but no signs of Dibothriocephalus latus were found Scientists said a plausible explanation for the domestic occurrence of Dibothriocephalus latus is the parasite’s recent appearance in this ecosystem probably introduced by tourists from a diphyllobothriasis-endemic area such as the lake regions of northwestern Russia who released tapeworm eggs into the water or its surroundings via stool “We often see people succumbing to the fear of parasites or being frightened by the false campaigns of dishonest sellers of anti-parasite products There are very few human parasites in the Czech Republic,” said Tomáš Scholz Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Scholz added that the tapeworm’s occurrence in fish in Lipno is very rare and the risk of infection in humans is very low because the larvae are destroyed during normal heat treatment or deep freezing of fish Diphyllobothriasis is not a life-threatening disease (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.) 23 June 202308:30(UTC)Last modified22 February 202409:27Zagórzyca solar plant in Poland(Photo: WSP)Equinor’s second Polish solar plant, Zagórzyca has started test production. This is another step towards building a material renewable portfolio in Poland, which is one of Europe’s most rapidly growing renewable energy markets. “Equinor aims to be a reliable energy partner for Poland and support its energy transition. We are building a broad energy offering in the country, including onshore and offshore renewables, and gas supplies through the Baltic Pipe,” says Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, Equinor’s country manager in Poland. The 60 MW Zagórzyca solar plant is located in the Damnica municipality in the north of Poland. It was developed and will be operated by the Polish renewable power producer Wento, Equinor’s 100% subsidiary. Equinor acquired Wento and its 1.6 GW pipeline of solar projects in 2021. Two years after the acquisition, two solar plants in Poland are ready and another one is under construction. “Today we inaugurate our second solar plant Zagórzyca, doubling our solar capacity in Poland to around 120 MW. Our first solar plant Stępień is already in commercial production, and another one, Lipno will be commissioned in 2024. We are also maturing other opportunities within onshore renewables and battery storage in Poland, in line with our market-driven power producer strategy,” says Olav Kolbeinstveit, senior vice president for onshore and markets within Renewables at Equinor. Zagórzyca will be in operation for 30 years and will annually produce 61 GWh of power, which is equivalent to electricity consumption of 31,000 Polish households. Equinor’s wholly owned energy trading house Danske Commodities will be responsible for marketing and bringing the electricity from Zagórzyca to the Polish power market. Around 500 people were involved in the construction of Zagórzyca that comprises 111,000 solar panels over an area of around 55 hectares. “By using local contractors, we contribute to building knowledge and skills within solar developments in the Polish supplier industry,” says Wojciech Cetnarski, CEO of Wento. Lipno solar plant, PolandPhoto: Ole Jørgen BratlandHomeEnergyOnshore renewablesOnshore renewables and battery storageOnshore renewables play a pivotal role in the energy transition They address and contribute to solving the energy trilemma Solar and onshore wind are the lowest-cost generation technologies which can be rapidly deployed They currently dominate renewable installed capacity and are poised for further strong growth According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) by 2050 solar and onshore wind are expected to represent respectively 28% and 27% of the total global power generation capacity As the share of renewables in the energy mix increases battery energy storage systems (BESS) will be crucial helping to mitigate the intermittent nature of renewable power These systems store excess power generated releasing it when the electricity grid needs it most This improves supply security and protects the electricity system from price extremes BESS also provides services that enhance grid resilience allowing for more renewable energy sources to be integrated represent two complementary pillars in Equinor’s renewables strategy Onshore projects have shorter project cycles and are less capital intensive making them easily scalable and capable of generating accelerated cash flow onshore projects can provide value uplift from taking merchant risks and trading Equinor’s strategy for onshore renewables is market driven and we focus our activities on select markets in Europe and the Americas The onshore renewables business demands local knowledge and agility we have developed a distinct business model based on acquiring local renewables companies in our select markets and transforming them into multi-tech power producers supported by Equinor’s ownership and Danske Commodities trading capabilities Equinor has acquired several local companies The acquisitions allowed us to build a substantial project pipeline in select power markets and welcomed around 400 new colleagues with renewable energy expertise and local knowledge who develop and operate onshore renewable projects for Equinor multi-technology portfolio that includes solar we have over 1 GW of equity capacity for projects that are either in production or under construction The Apodi solar complex (162 MW) in the Ceara state and the Mendubim complex of solar plants (531 MW) in the Rio Grande do Norte state are in commercial operation and Equinor’s share is respectively 43.5% and 30% The Serra da Babilônia 1 onshore wind complex (223 MW) in the state of Bahia is in commercial operation The Serra da Babilônia solar complex (140 MW) is under construction in the same area with commercial operations expected by the end of 2025 The assets are fully owned by Equinor and operated by Equinor’s subsidiary Rio Energy Three solar plants and one onshore wind farm with a total capacity of ~200 MW are in commercial operation in Poland: the Stępień solar plant (58 MW) the Lipno solar plant (53 MW) and the Wilko onshore wind farm (26 MW) The assets are fully owned by Equinor and operated by Equinor’s subsidiary Wento The Ingerslev Å solar plant (65 MW) is under construction in Jutland in Denmark Production is expected to start in the first half of 2025 The asset is fully owned by Equinor and operated by Equinor’s subsidiary BeGreen The Lyngsåsa onshore wind farm (95 MW) is in commercial operation in Alvesta BayWa r.e serves as technical and commercial manager of the wind farm on behalf of Equinor The Blandford Road battery storage asset (25 MW/ 50 MWh) is in operation in Dorset The Welkin Mill battery storage asset (35 MW/70 MWh) is in operation in the Greater Manchester area in England Both assets are fully owned by Equinor and were developed by Noriker Power The Sunset Ridge Energy Center (10 MW/20 MWh) in Frio County The commercial operation date for Sunset Ridge is expected in spring 2025 The Citrus Flatts battery storage project (100 MW/200 MWh) in Cameron County The project is expected to reach commercial operations in 2026 The NOVEC projects (80 MW/160 MWh) in Northern Virginia are under execution and are expected to start commercial operations in 2026 The projects are fully owned by Equinor and operated by Equinor’s subsidiary East Point Energy Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: There is no better way to enjoy the lovely fall colors than on a road trip through South Bohemia which boasts some of the most stunning natural sceneries in all of Czechia We’ve plotted an ambitious seven-day itinerary that hits many of the country’s beloved landmarks – some of which are quite challenging to reach without a car – as well as a few overlooked gems that every local should have on their bucket list This article was written in association with ExxonMobil. See our partner content policies here. Last week, we wrote about some of the biggest tourist destinations in the Czech Republic a list headed by Prague Castle and many of the country’s popular zoos One of the more unique attractions that fell just short of making that list was the relatively new Lipno Treetop Walkway a 675-meter long walkway with a 40-meter observation tower that was completed in 2012 and has welcomed around 1.3 million visitors since then it’s one of the country’s most-seen locations drawing crowds that compare with the picturesque castle in nearby Český Krumlov The structure itself is a unique one, designed as an observation point in the tradition of the country’s famed lookout towers But instead of a straight shot to the top of the tower a wooden walkway first brings visitors on a journey over the nearby treetops before a winding path take them higher you don’t need to worry about walking all the way down: a lengthy slide can get you back to ground level within seconds the Lipno Treetop Walkway is open daily from 9:30 – 19:00 But it can also offer some spectacular views of the surrounding forests in the autumn and winter Standard entrance fee for adults is 200 CZK, with a 390 CZK ticket granting combined access to the nearby Forest Kingdom More info can be found via the official website Following in the footsteps of the Lipno walkway similar projects are planned for elsewhere throughout the Czech Republic Construction is already underway on a walkway in Janské Lázně in the Krkonoše mountain region Energy trader Danske Commodities has signed contracts for Polish offshore wind projects Bałtyk 2 and 3 0 Polenergia, the largest Polish private energy group, and Norway-based Equinor are developing the projects for two offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea They plan to commission the facilities Bałtyk 2 and 3 Danske Commodities will be responsible for trading and balancing in the Polish wholesale and balancing electricity markets The company headquartered in Denmark and fully owned by Equinor revealed it would offtake the offshore wind parks’ entire output Both Bałtyk 2 and 3 would have 720 MW in capacity Their production is equivalent to the electricity needs of two million Polish households It is the biggest renewables deal in company history Danske Commodities’ Chief Executive Officer Helle Østergaard Kristiansen said “With almost 15 years of power trading experience from the Polish market Poland is now emerging as a core renewables market for us and we look forward to continuing growing our asset portfolio,” she pointed out Earlier this year, the energy trader signed a balancing agreement for Lipno, Equinor Group’s third solar park in Poland. The expansion to offshore wind in the country supports its strategic ambitions. The Norwegian developer is planning a broad energy offering in Poland. The Bałtyk 2 site is 37 kilometers from the coast while the distance to Bałtyk 3 is 22 kilometers The project firms are called MFW Bałtyk II and MFW Bałtyk III Equinor Polska signed a contract for operation and maintenance (O&M) services The developers also hired it for construction equipment and access and to maintain the service base After recently receiving construction permits Polenergia and Equinor expect to make the final investment decision in the first quarter Be the first one to comment on this article 02 May 2025 - The project is located in Constanța county recognized for its superior yields in green energy production 02 May 2025 - The Sunčana (Sunny) Vipava project envisages installing solar power plants with a combined capacity of 20 MW 30 April 2025 - OMV put into operation its 10 MW green hydrogen plant at the Schwechat refinery 30 April 2025 - It is the second time this year that MVM contracted gas-fueled and hydrogen-ready power plants at sites of former fossil fuel facilities © CENTER FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2008-2020 website developed by ogitive Meet the unique Škoda Elroq Respectline – a car that embodies Škoda’s core values and a deep respect for human diversity while also showcasing a number of unique and inspiring design solutions Škoda Auto made an impression at this year’s Milan Design Week with its own installation the traditional design fair also served as an opportunity for the brand’s designers to gather inspiration and explore new trends Škoda Auto is celebrating its 130th anniversary and Škoda Storyboard is highlighting key moments in the brand’s history through unique items from archives and museum collections we take a look at posters and brochures created for export markets which—despite their beautiful artistic design—tell a story of a challenging and difficult period for the entire country The Government Plenipotentiary for CPK has approved the selection of Variant W41 as the preferred option for the high-speed railway lines No 5 and 50 on the CPK Node – Płock – Włocławek section The multi-criteria analysis indicated that Variant W41 received the highest score and is characterized by the lowest number of developed properties that would need to be acquired for the project delivery This section will be an important part of the CMK North railway line as well as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) The selection of the preferred option for the approximately 150-kilometre-long section is the result of months of work conducted as part of the Technical-Economic-Environmental Study (STE¦) Considering the duration of various investment phases the completion of the railway line could take place after 2035 As part of the TEN-T extended core network this section may be eligible for European Union funding applications a hybrid option – Variant W41 – was developed Variant W41 has the least impact on built-up areas In each of the models examined in the multi-criteria analysis – developmental and environmental – this route received the highest ratings This also results in the least disturbance to environmentally significant areas The CMK North railway line was planned as early as in the 1970s as an extension of the Central Trunk  Line towards Kujawy region and the Tricity set to be built as High-Speed Railway line will be the necessary addition to Poland’s railway network while significantly reducing travel times the journey from Płock to Warsaw Central station will take approximately 50 minutes by train (currently the journey from Włocławek to the same station will take around 1 hour and 10 minutes by train (currently Both lines are intended for mixed traffic: freight and passenger The work is being carried out by a consortium of companies: IDOM Engineering The selected preferred option will be incorporated into the Integrated Railway Network project under which an evaluation of the long-distance railway network will be conducted The Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is a strategic investment aimed at creating a modern national transportation system that efficiently integrates air a new state-of-the-art central airport will be built between Warsaw and ŁódĽ The new airport will be designed to serve 34 million passengers annually in its initial years of operation with plans for flexible expansion in the long term according to market needs and growth forecasts This is an update of an article originally published in 2014. View this post on Instagram Co dodat? 😍🌅 A post shared by Lipno.cz (@lipno.cz) on Apr 20 Lake Lipno in South Bohemia is probably the most well-known Czech resort Two of the more popular resort towns are Frymburk and Černá v Pošumaví The Lipno area offers lots of activities for families including a chair lift ride for the views and Aquaworld Two-wheel loving families will enjoy the special family route in the Bike Park while older children can experience a rope park Note that public transport options aren’t the best. To Lipno nad Vltavou, there’s usually at least one direct bus a day (four hours, 45 minutes) or train journeys requiring at least one change (four hours, 10 minutes). A post shared by Máchovo jezero (@machovojezero) on Jul 18 Train transport to Doksy takes anywhere from two to three hours and will require at least one change Money’s tight this summer, but ya gotta get out of Prague! Don’t go far but enjoy some water sports and woods at Lake Slapy to say the least – you can camp or stay in a cheap pension The fifth-largest reservoir in the Czech Republic (everyone needs a claim to fame) sailing and windsurfing are all options for the amphibious among you There’s accommodation available in villages dotted up and down either side of the river Měřín has a marina and restaurant in addition to pensions plus a spa, Vojenská lázeňská a rekreační zařízení. They have an aqua and wellness center, plus bowling, tennis, and volleyball courts. Resort Beach Nová Živohošť is a good camping option Slapy is a less than one-hour bus ride from Prague A post shared by Kudy z nudy (@kudyznudy_cz) on May 2 The silence of Šumava Everyone who has been to these secluded mountains in southern Bohemia seems to comment on how quiet and peaceful it is Šumava’s best feature is probably her lakes Black Lake (Černé Jezero) is the country’s biggest naturally formed lake you can follow the marked red trail to Devil’s Lake (Čertovo Jezero); Black Lake can be reached via the yellow hiking trail from Špičácké sedlo Be sure to purchase a hiking map and have plenty of water and food on hand if you are planning some hiking. For easier exploration, there are a number of nature trails, typically well-marked and graded. The Jezerní slat trail takes you through peat bogs while the Vintíř’s trail is a cross-border trail following an old Bavaria-Bohemia trade route. Enter another world with a wander through Boubínský prales one of the most important primeval forests in Europe and fallen tree trunks covered in moss will certainly make you feel you took a wrong turn somewhere Most of the villages in the region are small and focused on tourists (skiing is popular here in winter) Železná Ruda is a good option; there are hiking trails to the lakes from here as well as cycle paths and an information center to help plan trips For more tips on where to swim see 19 Czech Swimming Lakes. Forget awkward office outings: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister grabbed the chance to enjoy some real bonding time far from the Kremlin's stuffy confines this weekend Which man caught the biggest fish remains unconfirmed “Excitement is building for what’s expected to be a multi-million dollar development along the Cabot Trail by a private firm with European connections.” — Cape Breton Post, 17 August 2019 That’s the opening to a Cape Breton Post article about Czech-born New York-based developer Joseph Balaz (né Josef Baláž) and his plans for Ski Cape Smokey Evidence of this building excitement is limited to quotes from Victoria County Deputy Warden Larry Dauphinee who also chairs the non-profit Ski Cape Smokey Society which has operated the facility these past 25 years (and who made a habit of recusing himself when council was asked to fund the group) I have great admiration for the volunteers who have struggled to keep the lights on at Cape Smokey and I can understand why the prospect of snow-making equipment and a gondola might inspire a jig of unalloyed joy but as a professional skeptic I feel I must kick the tires on this plan (or what little of it has been shared with us) to see how it holds up Let’s start with the announcement itself which arrived like a bolt from the blue last week although Balaz Deputy Warden Dauphinee and Nova Scotia Business Minister Geoff MacLellan have clearly been in on the surprise for some time — Balaz’s Cape Smokey Holding Ltd was registered on 26 February 2019 owned the 162 hectares that have been sold to Balaz for a whopping $370,000 it seems to me we might have been invited to an information session on the project before the contract was signed But that would require a degree of openness and transparency that simply does not exist in this province To prove my point — and for sheer devilment — I asked the Department of Business if I could see the sales agreement between Balaz’s firm and the province Spokesperson Gary Andrea told me by email: Balaz, an engineer by training, has (ironically) been very open about his preference for secrecy. As he told Radio Praha in March this year: When I established my own company [Joseph Balaz Associates or JBA] in ‘96 or something like that I worked for a couple of unique clients and those recommended me Then later when we worked for the recording studio called the Hit Factory and we were exposed to all these music stars – and eventually ended up with some projects for people in that industry and in the Hollywood industry when we had to sign fairly strict non-disclosure agreements – I realized that we could turn it to our advantage and work with it Then we work for some people who are described as the old money of New York and those families also like to keep their private lives very So we cannot say where these people and obviously we cannot show photographs or drawings His bio on the website of the American Friends of the Czech Republic JBA does not advertise in any form and intentionally maintains a low profile in the industry For new projects the firm relies solely on exclusive private introductions (I presume some academic has already looked into the startling similarities between Communist-style information control and corporate-style information control The secrecy extends to Balaz’s Cape Breton connections …is believed to have lived in the Ingonish area for six years or more and he purchased some property and has built a home here “They’re very much into being involved with the community and working with the community.” I’m hopelessly old school about community involvement if the community you claim to be involved with isn’t actually sure whether or not you live there you are probably not as involved as you think you are And if Balaz’s “home” is the Red Head Cliffs development “I am very involved in the local community!” it’s located “in a private gated 250-acre site” offering “ultimate privacy.” the owners helpfully explain how the property can be accessed directly by helicopter from Sydney or Halifax: Source: Red Head Cliffs  And finally, it is both for rent — prices not mentioned — and for sale — price $12.5 million (I checked with the real estate agent named in the listing and she assured me the property is still on the market.) How this adds up to the home of a community stalwart is beyond me But let’s be fair and balanced: the development Balaz has planned for Ski Cape Smokey seems to be an entirely different kettle of fish According to Department of Business spokesperson Gary Andrea: [T]he sale  good news for Cape Bretoners who will continue to enjoy the hiking say they will run the ski hill and want to transform it to a year-round destination The deal has a condition to ensure continued community use for activities like hiking and snowmobiling and that the buyer will maintain and operate the property as a ski hill or other recreational or tourism operation The buyers also have an option to subdivide a portion of the land for real estate development – about 20 to 25 per cent there is no guarantee the property will be operated as a ski hill although Dauphinee told the Post Balaz planned to refurbish the ski lodge bring in snow-making equipment and replace the decrepit ski lift with a gondola The 675-meter trail ends in a 40-meter observation tower from which you can descend via a 52-meter “dry toboggan run.” a fact I mention only so that I can file it under “World: Small.”) implements and runs the trails in cooperation with “local partners” including “the administrators of national parks and protected landscape areas tourist resorts and specialized organisations and associations.” two of them in the Czech Republic: in addition to the Lipno nad Vltavou walk ZAK has constructed one in the the Krkonoše National Park near the spa town of Jánské Lázně The Krkonoše Tree Top Trail is over 1,500 meters long its observation tower is 45 meters high and the dry toboggan run is 50 meters long The site also includes an “impressive underground installation bringing visitors closer to the varied underground life among the roots of the trees.” According to an article in the Czech press the Krkonoše trail took five years to build “from first permits to first visitors” and in its first year of operation attracted 300,000 visitors I would also note that both Czech trails are located near ski resorts. The Lipno nad Vltavou trail is near the Lipno Ski Resort (highest elevation: 900 meters) which is just over two hours by car from Prague Jánské Lázně is one of five ski areas making up the Černá hora ski resort (highest elevation: 1,260 meters) which is roughly three hours by car from Prague And while both are much higher than Cape Smokey (skiable elevation: 305 meters) they suffer by comparison to the nearby Alps I remember from my time in the Czech Republic that my serious skiing and snowboarding friends would go to a Czech or Slovak resort for a weekend they almost inevitably ended up in Austria or France It’s a drawback the Czechs turned into a feature, as illustrated by this 2012 Guardian article about skiing in the CR: The Czech Republic is probably better known for the thousands of ornamental plastic gnomes it produces each year than for its ski resorts. But nowhere looks after shocking skiers and very poorly dressed tourists better than the Czechs. More often than not “relentlessly incompetent” skiers such as the mayor of London are ignored by the mainstream ski destinations as one of its winter activities brochures proudly proclaims “offers numerous ravishing sceneries” where “you can enjoy the nature while struggling to ski” It openly vaunts itself as the ideal place for “not very capable skiers” This is one of the things I love about Czechs they don’t claim even their highest mountains are “world class” ski destinations where supposedly hard-nosed businessmen slap that label on the 154-meter Ben Eoin ski hill Balaz has developed a liking for the phrase “world class.” I guess that’s what happens when you leave the CR as a student.) I have no idea if Balaz intends to cooperate with ZAK on the Cape Breton project or if he just cut out a picture of one of their projects and stuck it on an information panel the same way you or I might pin a picture of a window treatment we like on Pinterest I don’t know if such a construction could withstand the weather in the Cape Breton Highlands I don’t know if it matters what is built there if access remains as difficult in winter as it now is (unless you’re traveling by helicopter) I don’t know anything other than that we’ve sold a New York property developer 162 acres for $370,000 and we’re not permitted to see the contract this is not the first Tree Walk that has been proposed for Canada The Sea to Sky Gondola, a tourist attraction in Squamish, British Columbia, announced expansion plans in February that included: …an elevated tree walk that spirals 34 meters into the sky which will offer 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape The “rendering” of the Squamish proposal — billed as the first of its kind in North America — is very reminiscent of ZAK’s Lipno nad Vltavou Tree Walk Said Sea to Sky general manager Kirby Brown: This structure would be Canada’s newest iconic landmark will solidify Squamish as a must-see Canadian tourism destination Brown said they hoped to break ground in the fall of 2019 and open in 2020 someone cut the gondola’s main cable No one was injured but the damage was in the millions and the lift is inoperable The criminal investigation is ongoing and the company’s website now states: The Sea to Sky Gondola is CLOSED for the foreseeable future due to a major lift incident. We will release updates as more details become available That is a terrible development for Sea to Sky Gondola but I suspect it will not mark the end of Tree Walk proposals elsewhere in Canada Once I’ve found someone to undertake that study of Communist vs Corporate information control my next goal will be to encourage some anthropologist or sociologist to study the incredible effect Cape Breton scenery has on successful businessmen Remember the way Green Cove turned packaging magnate Tony Trigiani’s head Remember what he wrote to Cape Breton Highlands National Park Superintendent Helene Robichaud after he’d visited the site with the general manager of his company I am honestly not trying to be melodramatic here in anyway [sic] but we both felt that the site/location itself (‘or whatever’) seemed to actually know our reasons for being there and was somehow or in some fashion reaching out to us in a sympathetic moving and convincing manner of bonding with our thoughts add freely and strongly to our emotions and very much join and encouraging us in our dreams and hopes of what could be built there for the respect and acknowledgement of those lost generations of war but listen to Balaz on the subject of Red Head Peninsula: Red Head Peninsula… a magical place within the boundaries of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park After more than a decade of looking all over the US and Canada for that one special site a property that would mirror my dreams and images What initiated this quest was a desire to find beauty comfort and privacy that would lend itself to year-round escapism in a four-season climate It was important for me that the property should offer respite from the clamor of the daily world and yet be located in a safe sophisticated area with world-class golf and cuisine a mere 15 minutes away my search led me here and I venture to assert that there is no better coastal property in this part of the world I fell in love with it straight away – it met all my practical requirements It is also a genuine privilege to carry on the stewardship of four generations of the leading local family who received the property as a grant from Queen Victoria in the 1800s I can think of no better way to describe this land than to cite the words of Tom Childs (an artist “Having trodden a good proportion of the 204 (+/-) acres for which Red Head provides its name I am keenly aware of just how unusual and frankly ‘one-of a- kind’ this property truly is The extraordinarily majestic 150-feet-high cliffs along the entire eastern and southern sides of this property are each about a kilometer long with the Atlantic shoreline of about the same distance and dominate any views of the land from the sea and across Ingonish Bay with its multitude of moods from glowering to stormy to calmly majestic one of which is exclusively part of this property the rocky headland providing a natural 20-foot barrier to incursions from beyond the property.” Two wealthy men who have made their fortunes doing practical things — one designing wrapping for chicken one building houses for titans — reduced to florid nonsense by the Cape Breton coastline I will continue to monitor developments in Cape Smokey Featured image: Tree Walk in Lipno nad Vltavou, Czech Republic. (Source: Website) The Czech Republic, with some 350+ lookout towers to its name, including a popular treetop walkway in Lipno currently holds first place as the country with the most such structures in the world Early next month sees an important addition to the Czechia’s list of leafy lookouts: Stezka Korunami Stromů in the Janské Lázně region of the Krkonoše mountains dazzlingly-high trailway commenced last September; construction costs reportedly reached 170 million CZK The new tree-top walk boasts several features that make it unique not only to the Czech Republic but the world including a subterranean exhibition space—and a giant slide winding down the observation tower The 1,300m trail offers 45-meter-high views of the forest’s impressive stands of 150-year-old trees and the opportunity to learn about its other indigenous flora and fauna A large exhibit cave lets visitors examine the intricate roots system of the tree species and is the only of its kind in the Czech Republic and possibly the world according to the Czech and German developers behind the project Perhaps the most highly anticipated attraction is a giant slide winding 50 meters along the observation tower which takes visitors from top to bottom “The idea behind the project is to strengthen the positive relationship of people to nature and its protection,” say administrators of the Krkonoše National Park who have organized the educational program of the trail Throughout its length will be wheelchair accessible The goal is to get everyone to enjoy a walk.” The walkway is the highest observation tower in the Czech Republic and the longest structure of its kind in Europe. (See our article on 5 Czech Look-Out Towers for the history of the phenomenon in the Czech lands) For more information on the opening day celebration see the official website The 2025 edition of the Indian Riders Fest will take place this coming June – the fifth since the event was first created but this time at a new location: the Lipno nad Vltavou resort set against the backdrop of the country’s largest lake Participants will enjoy a wide range of activities including the only custom motorcycle show dedicated exclusively to Indian (The Budweis Custom Show) and a special concert to celebrate the fifth edition of the Indian Riders Fest Attendees will also have the chance to enter a lottery and win several prizes – including a customized Indian Pursuit featuring a unique paint job The Indian Riders Fest will run from June 19 to 22 on the shores of Lake Lipno international marketing manager at Indian Motorcycle – We are delighted to be working again with Jean-Marie Guyon to make IRF25 the best yet at this outstanding new venue the growth of the festival has been incredible and the feedback we get from our riders about the IRF is always superb This premium location is a fitting new chapter for the fifth anniversary of the IRF and will cement its status the biggest international event for Indian Motorcycle riders desenvolvida pela canadiana Beachman Bikes representa uma abordagem nostálgica mas funcional à mobilidade eléctrica urbana Com um visual inspirado nos café racers dos anos 60,.. Can-Am is returning to its roots in motorcycles and its two models have been honored with the Red Dot Design Award – adding to the iF Design Award... Acerbis has recently launched the new Assault – a helmet designed for riders to take on the asphalt with no limits or venture into off-road terrain Indian Motorcycle unveiled two new very limited and exclusive motorcycles – the Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite The 2025 Expo in Osaka served as the stage for the public unveiling of an incredibly innovative concept from Kawasaki – the CORLEO Oben is one of the many Indian manufacturers dedicated to electric motorcycles and its latest model is the Rorr EZ – launched last November Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2024 Motociclismo - All rights reserved Motociclismo Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2024 Motociclismo - All rights reserved Motociclismo Escaping to a resort for your summer hols sounds like a dream holiday: a king-size bed with a terrace overlooking the sea; fine fresh food served in lovely surroundings by a smiling staff frolicking by day in the sea followed by sunset walks on the beach If it also sounds a bit unattainable after considering your bank account never fear—you can go resorting Czech-style there’s usually at least one direct bus a day (four hours 45 minutes) or train journeys requiring at least one change (four hours Getting to Luhačovice isn’t so straight forward typically a mix of bus and train journeys will need to be made and the travel time ranges from four to five hours while Nová Živohošť in general offers a bit more civilization Slapy is a less than one hour bus ride from Prague **What are your favorite Czech holiday destinations This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.