CMFMAG TeamWelcome to our #SightSeeingSunday page. Every week we share a photo from around the world! So check back often to see our #SightSeeingSunday photos! Where we are travelling from the comfort of our home.
Furka Pass, Switzerland
If you are a James Bond fan, you may recognize this week’s #SightSeeingSunday image. Located in Furka Pass on one of Switzerland’s most scenic mountain passes is the iconic Hôtel Belvédère. Translated to “beautiful view” or “scenic viewpoint” in English, belvédère describes the hotel perfectly. Located halfway between Milan, Italy and Zürick, Switzerland, close to the border, the hotel was featured in Goldfinger. Abandoned in 2016, unfortunately, the hotel is a victim of climate change due to the Rhône Glacier receding.
Have a peaceful Sunday!
Hamnøy, Norway
The week’s #SightSeeingSunday features the small fishing village of Hamnøy. Located on Moskenes Island and surrounded by the stunning mountains in Reinefjorden, the fishing village is considered one of the most beautiful places in Lofoten, an archipelago, a chain of islands in Norway. The village is known for not only its photogenic qualities but also its outdoor activities: fishing and seeing the northern lights or midnight sun are a few of the activities you can do in Hamnøy.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
Jasper Park | Canada
Maligne Lake in Jasper Park perfectly mirrors the Northern Lights shining over the Rocky Mountains in this week’s stunning #SightSeeingSunday image. Nestled by the snow-capped mountains, Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake in the Rockies, stretching 22 km long. With hiking and cross-country skiing trails abound, the lake is a popular retreat at all times of the year.
Wishing you a warm Sunday.
Bavarian Alps, Germany
Merry Christmas Eve! This week’s #SightSeeingSunday photo features a lit-up tree beside a Chapel in Elmau. Located between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald, in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, the chapel was built and painted in 1778.
May peace be with you this Sunday!
Rome, Italy
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, lit up during Christmas is our #SightSeeingSunday image of the week. Built between 69 and 79 A.D., the Colosseum is the largest standing ancient amphitheatre in the world. It was completed in 80 A.D. The building has a long history, and today is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, receiving millions of visitors annually. In its prime, the theatre could hold approximately 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. However, due to the deteriorated state of the interior, it can only handle a few hundred spectators.
Have a happy Sunday!
Haifa, Israel
From Haifa, Israel, in the German Colony, comes our #SightSeeingSunday image of the week. Set up during Haifa’s Holiday of Holidays event, the display features a Christmas tree, a Hanukkah menorah, and a Muslim crescent moon.
Known as Chag HaChagim in Hebrew, the Holiday of Holidays is an annual celebration of the religious and cultural diversity of the city. The port city in northern Israel has celebrated the Holiday of Holidays since 1993. The event runs throughout December.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Vienna, Austria
The stunning Vienna City Hall illuminates the dark winter sky in our #SightSeeingSunday photo of the week. In front of the hall, built from 1872 to 1883 in a Neo-Gothic style, the annual Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Viennese Christmas Market takes place. Considered one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful Christmas markets, people from around the world travel to visit the traditional event, which dates back to the 18th century. Learn more about the market here.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Krakow, Poland
As dawn breaks, a lone Christmas tree sits in front of St. Mary’s Basilica in the heart of Krakow, Poland. The week’s #SightSeeingSunday image features Mariacki Square in Krakow’s Old Town. One of Poland’s oldest cities, Krakow, is the country’s second-largest city. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, a southern area in Poland, Krakow dates back to the seventh century. The Brick Gothic church, St. Mary’s Basilica, was built in the 14th century and is noted as one of the best examples of Polish Gothic architecture. Old Town was one of the first sites designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday.
Riga, Latvia
Known as the heart of Riga, Latvia, Town Hall Square is featured in our #SightSeeingSunday photo for the week. Located in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage, Town Hall Square is home to the House of the Blackheads, Town Hall and St. Peter’s Church, which were all destroyed during the Second World War and were later rebuilt in the late 1990s. Shot at twilight, the image features the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter’s Church and a St. Roland Statue, a knight with a drawn sword. The statue exists in several cities around the world, with some built in the 12th century. The statue signifies town privileges and is an emblem of a town’s freedom and city rights. Portrayed as a military man, St. Roland was a just protector of the people. He is the semi-fictional paladin of Charlemagne’s court.
Have a restful Sunday!
Segovia, Spain
The medieval castle Alcazar of Segovia is featured in our #SightSeeingSunday. Located in Segovia, Spain, the castle dates back to at least the 12th century and is one of the most renowned medieval castles globally. It has been home to 22 kings, along with notable historical figures. The castle has also been used as a state prison, a Royal Artillery College, and a military academy. In 1985, the castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the castle is an Armory Museum and the General Military Archive of Segovia.
Have a magical Sunday.
Passendale, West Flanders, Belgium
This week’s #SightSeeingSunday image is from Belgium. Located near Passendale, West Flanders, is Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing. The cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for soldiers lost during the First World War.
Tyne Cot is the largest cemetery for the Commonwealth forces, with 11,965 war dead buried there. There are 101 unknown fallen buried and 8,368 unnamed. Of that, 966 Canadians have been laid to rest at Tyne Cot, including Victoria Cross recipient Private James Peter Robertson. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. On Nov. 6, 1917, he rushed a machine gun emplacement and rescued two men from under heavy fire. He lost his life saving the second man.
This year, the cemetery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We Shall Remember Them.
