August 2010

The summer has shifted to its other half, and I’m happy to see that you people know how to enjoy it in this country. You don’t stay shut at home, but take every opportunity to set out and have some active relaxation. Families bicycle, children frolic at the waterside, and urbanites at least roll their blades around. Most of all, however, I have been fascinated by the Czech canoeing tradition. I now understand that it’s not just a sporting event, but a social one. That’s another thing I like about you folks, that you can enjoy your experiences alongside others and turn everything into collective fun. I was very surprised the other day in Český Krumlov, when I first saw people in canoes singing songs and making easygoing jokes in the middle of the Vltava.

I feel an active holiday is one of the few precious moments when you manage to switch off entirely. Lazing out on the beach may be nice, but getting a proper workout, especially in a circle of friends, can induce real relaxation. It’s as if you pushed everything out, all the stress and anxiety that have built up throughout the year. That’s why I think it’s just fine that active holidays outweigh the passive ones these days. No wonder that even golf courses teem with life in summer, filling up with eager players. This August issue of ESTATE magazine is dedicated to golf as well as travelling, design and architecture. We hope it will make a pleasant contribution to your summer peace and leisure.