Dan Calle has amassed a loyal Instagram following that can’t seem to get enough of the Toronto-based talent’s travel and art snapshots. When he’s not dabbling in industrial design or graphic design projects, Calle enjoys jet-setting the globe with his camera in tow.
“Travel photography is my passion. The more I travel, the more I’m influenced creatively,” he says. “It inspires me to photograph the beauty and diversity of the world.”
Recently, Calle – one of three winners in the Focus on Four Seasons Instagram contest – and his girlfriend, Mrinali, spent six days enjoying the red-carpet treatment at the historic Four Seasons Hotel Prague and Budapest’s Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. Now he is back to share his romantic and history-infused vacation images.
“It was my first time in Budapest and Prague,” he says. “I’d always heard great things, so it was what I expected and more. I truly got to see the best parts of the cities in the best way possible.”
Exploring Prague
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The Petrín Lookout Tower, one of Prague's most prominent landmarks, as seen from the castle gates. "It was an interesting view, since various examples of 18th-century work are seen in the image: decorative 18th-century statues, the gate's forged metal details, and the Petrín Lookout Tower, inspired by the famous Eiffel Tower."
"I'm a sucker for symmetry and detail in architecture, and this awesome corner building, where Bakeshop Praha is located in Old Town Prague, is a lovely Art Nouveau creation that offers both."
"Prague's architecture, the history, the landscapes and the people, everything comes together, and I feel like it creates this notion of romance in the city."
The astronomical clock at Old Town Square is one of Prague's most famous attractions. It indicates the sun's movement; phases of the moon; the equinoxes, seasons and zodiac; and the day.
See the sights of Prague from below, along the Vltava River. Four Seasons Prague offers 50-min excursions abroad the Hotel's 12-person boat. Each trip includes Prosecco and promises picture-perfect views.
"The most memorable experience in Prague would have to be the private tours," says Calle. "Both the walking tour and the vintage car tour were amazing, rich with culture and architecture. I couldn't stop looking up at the buildings and snapping photos of all the details."
CottoCrudo, the modern Italian restaurant inside Four Seasons Prague, is known for its chic urban setting and authentic dishes. "A beautiful view of the Vltava River, eating jamón ibérico Joselito and drinking local brews -- this became my afternoon routine during my stay in Prague. It was perfect to enjoy lunch while watching people stroll through the city."
"The mix of architectural styles found in Prague is definitely a clear asset of the city – the Gothic castles mixed with old fairy-tale European charm and modern standouts. At times I felt overwhelmed, because I didn't know what to focus on and I wanted to capture every single detail in every corner of the city."
Completed in 1735, St Nicholas Church at Prague's Old Town Square is a Baroque edifice inspired by the chapel of St Louis-des-invalides in Paris. Peter Adam executed the frescos, which Calle captured during a walking tour.
In addition to serving as a place of worship, St Vitus Cathedral is also a prominent museum, a mausoleum of Bohemian kings and a popular point of interest for Prague visitors.
"The suite at Four Seasons Prague could not have had a better view – the Charles Bridge was in full display and the sunsets were surreal," remembers Calle. "I was in awe throughout my entire experience."
Four Seasons Hotel Prague
The best of Budapest
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"I loved walking and exploring narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and admiring the architecture as a whole. There's something about visiting cities with so much history that I find truly inspiring."
"Budapest offered a mix of architectural styles, with the buildings having a more rugged appeal yet full of character and history. The way these structures light up at night adds another layer to the already grand and majestic buildings -- it feels like the city is putting on its best for a night out, and looks awesome doing it."
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest is centrally located, at the end of the renowned Chain Bridge, which means great perspectives on the Danube and the hills of Buda.
"The Széchenyi Thermal Baths were the perfect way to end the day after a busy day of sight-seeing around Budapest."
"Just before the baths closed was a good time to take a photo of the usually crowded and busy outdoor pools. The moonlight peeking through the clouds was an ideal backdrop for the beautifully lit baths. It was a chilly night, which made the thermal baths even more enjoyable."
St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent istván Bazilika) is the largest church in Budapest. Visitors can go up the cupola and take in sweeping views of Budapest from above. The lookout tower is open to visitors from spring through autumn.
Calle was not the first photographer to be drawn to the grand Art Nouveau ceiling and chandelier at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest.
"I was inspired by the history and European charm the city had by day and how it transformed at night."
Built in 1894, Budapest’s eight-story House of Photography (Mai Manó Ház) is a historic landmark that hosts world-class exhibitions by Hungarian and international artists. Located in the city’s theatre district, the building also features a bookshop, library and cafe.
A view of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest.
The Hungarian Parliament Building, one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings, lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube. It's within walking distance of Four Seasons Budapest.
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
Follow the other winners of the Focus on Four Seasons Instagram contest to Hawaii and California.
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