Magical Scenery Suites Imagine waking up to a breathtaking view of lush mountains or crystal-clear turquoise waters. This is the experience you can expect when staying in a magical scenery suite. These unique accommodations are designed to provide guests with the ultimate escape into nature's wonders. One of the most popular types of magical scenery suites is the mountain retreat. Nestled high in the alpine, these suites offer panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and expansive valleys. Guests can enjoy the serenity of the mountains while still indulging in luxurious amenities such as hot tubs or fireplaces.
Hopefully, you’re starting to realise just why so many people would have broomsticks around their house. I assume the ‘cleaning’ properties of the broom lend themselves to the idea of ‘sweeping away’ anything negative.
I do think the broomstick enjoyed a makeover with the Harry Potter phenomenon, turning it into a piece of sporting equipment through the invention of Quidditch. It reflected a belief in the southern Tyrol region that newly married couples had to step over a broomstick when they first entered their home together Dundes 1996 327.
Guests can enjoy the serenity of the mountains while still indulging in luxurious amenities such as hot tubs or fireplaces. For those who prefer the tranquility of the seaside, there are magical scenery suites perched on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Here, guests can listen to the soothing sounds of crashing waves and watch as the sun sets over the horizon.
A Bewitching History: Why Witches Ride Broomsticks
Among the throngs of this year's trick-or-treaters, hundreds of Americans will be dressed as Miley Cyrus or a minion from "Despicable Me," but more will go with a fail-safe getup. "Witch" once again reigns as the No. 1 costume for adults, according to the National Retail Federation's 2013 Halloween survey.
Many of the pointy-hatted sorcerers who roam the streets this Oct. 31 will be carrying broomsticks or besoms. But few likely know the murky tale of how witches came to be associated with those familiar household objects.
The story — full of sex, drugs and Christian inquisitors — starts with poisonous plants like black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), sometimes called stinking nightshade. [What's Witchcraft? 6 Misconceptions About Wiccans]
Flying ointments
Ingesting henbane, which is rich in powerful alkaloids, can cause hallucinations (if it doesn't kill you first). According to legend, witches used herbs with psychoactive properties like henbane in their potions, or "flying ointments." Some historical accounts suggest witches applied these ointments to their nether regions. And what better applicator than a wooden staff?
Lady Alice Kyteler, Ireland's earliest known accused witch, was condemned to death for using sorcery to kill her husband in 1324. (Kyteler escaped, and her maid was burned at the stake in her stead.)
The English historian Raphael Holinshed later recounted the case and described some of the supposedly damning evidence authorities found against Kyteler: "In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a pipe of ointment wherewith she greased her staffe, upon which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin."
Another oft-cited account comes a from 15th-century manuscript by theologian Jordanes de Bergamo. In his "Quaestio de Strigis" of 1470, Bergamo writes of witches who on "certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places." [13 Halloween Superstitions & Traditions Explained]
It's hard to know whether or not witches actually did the deeds they were rumored to have done (like mounting hallucinogen-laced wooden staffs in their covens). Sources from the era when fears about witchcraft peaked are unreliable and biased, noted Charles Zika, a professor at the University of Melbourne, who has written about the imagery of witchcraft. Modern knowledge of witches often comes from manuals written by inquisitors, ecclesiastical judges and testimony by accused witches — much of it produced under duress or torture, Zika explained.
"A lot of it we can't trust as descriptions of social reality at all," Zika told LiveScience.
Sexy witches
The explicit implications of staff riding, and the sexual nature of witches in images throughout the Renaissance, are difficult to ignore. Artists like Albrecht Dürer and Hans Baldung depicted them naked. The witch in one engraving by the Italian artist Parmigianino is not riding a broom, but rather a gigantic, anatomically graphic phallus.
German artist Albrecht Dürer created this engraving around the year 1500, showing a witch riding a goat. Between her legs, she holds a distaff, or stick used for spinning wool. (Image credit: Public domain)
But racy images of witches fit in with a culture in which there was much speculation about female sexuality, Zika said.
"It's bound up with an anxiety about women and what place they have in society at a time when Europe was undergoing fundamental changes and transformations in society," Zika said. With the Protestant Reformation, some religious leaders established bans on drinking and dancing, brothels were closed and marriage was more strictly codified and controlled.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, images of witches riding up and out of chimneys start to dominate. During this period, women also were more closely associated with domestic space than they were 200 years earlier, Zika said. At that time, too, brooms are depicted more and more often in relation to domestic work in art.
"It seems to me that this idea of them flying out the chimney is actually kind of a protest against this confinement in domestic space," Zika said. "Witchcraft is symbolically in some ways freeing individuals from that kind of conception of their realm."
Can witches really fly?
Though the image of the broomstick stuck, early depictions in 15th- and 16th-century Europe show witches flying on a wide range of items, including stools, cupboards, wardrobes and two-pronged cooking forks, Zika said. But rarely are witches shown getting aloft on their own.
"There are very few representations of what you might call flying witches — they're usually riding some implement or animal," he explained.
"It's not their own bodies that are propelling them," Zika said. "The explanation in the theological handbooks is that they are being supported by demons and devils that are holding them."
Hundreds of years later, it can be tough to tease out what people and artists of the Renaissance actually believed about witches. In any case, some brave, if ill-advised, modern accounts suggest witches' flying potions probably worked. In his book "The Long Trip: A Prehistory of Psychedelia" (Daily Grail Publishing, 2008), author Paul Devereux recounts folklorist Will-Erich Peuckert's 20th-century experimentation with a mixture of belladonna, henbane and Datura:
"We had wild dreams. Faces danced before my eyes which were at first terrible. Then I suddenly had the sensation of flying for miles through the air. The flight was repeatedly interrupted by great falls. Finally, in the last phase, an image of an orgiastic feast with grotesque sensual excess."
The suites often feature private balconies or terraces, perfect for savoring a romantic dinner or simply relaxing with a book. Some magical scenery suites even take guests on a journey to otherworldly landscapes. Imagine staying in a suite nestled in the heart of a dense rainforest, surrounded by towering trees and the melody of tropical birds. Or perhaps, a suite situated in a desert oasis, where guests can marvel at the vast expanse of sand dunes and star-filled skies. The main idea is that magical scenery suites offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in incredible natural surroundings. These unique accommodations provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing guests to reconnect with nature and experience awe-inspiring beauty. Whether it's mountains, oceans, rainforests, or deserts, there is a magical scenery suite to suit every traveler's taste and desire for adventure..
Reviews for "Experience the Unforgettable Beauty of Magical Scenery Suites"
1. Jonathan - 2 stars
I was highly disappointed with the Magical Scenery Suites. The website makes it seem like a luxurious and enchanting experience, but in reality, the place was run-down and in need of a serious renovation. The rooms were cramped and the bedding was uncomfortable. Additionally, the service was subpar, with slow response times and unhelpful staff. Overall, I would not recommend staying here if you are looking for a magical and enjoyable experience.
2. Emily - 1 star
My stay at the Magical Scenery Suites was anything but magical. The place was not well-maintained, with broken furniture and peeling wallpaper everywhere. The cleanliness was also a major issue, as there were stains on the carpet and dust in the corners. The amenities advertised on the website were either missing or not functioning properly. For the price I paid, I expected a much better experience and was left thoroughly disappointed. Save yourself the disappointment and stay elsewhere.
3. David - 2 stars
I would not recommend staying at Magical Scenery Suites. The rooms lacked proper ventilation, making them feel stuffy and uncomfortable. The bathroom had a strange odor, and the water pressure in the shower was extremely weak. The complimentary breakfast was mediocre at best, with limited options and bland taste. Overall, the lack of attention to detail and poor maintenance made for a less than pleasant stay. Look for other accommodations in the area that offer a better value for your money.
4. Sarah - 2 stars
Magical Scenery Suites did not live up to its name. The location was far from charming, with noise from nearby construction sites ruining any sense of tranquility. The interior decor of the suites was outdated and felt worn-out. The advertised amenities, such as a gym and spa, were either non-existent or in a state of disrepair. The overall experience was quite disappointing, and I would not choose to stay here again. There are definitely better options available in the area worth exploring.