The Alps

We drove through the Italian and French Alps on our drive back from Italy to Paris.  Lush green mountains cascaded up to snow-capped mountains, which made me feel like I was dreaming.  Even the warm May air did not scare the billowy snow clouds away.  I was excited to see Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. In order to get to the other side you drive through a 30-minute tunnel and once you exit you are greeted with undulating valleys with brave hand gliders overhead.  Here are just a few of the images that I managed to snap while hanging my head out our Renault rental car.  

Arles, France

 I hope that everyone had a great long holiday weekend, three day weekends are one of my favorite things!  It is hard to believe that it is September and I still have some photographs from places that we explored on our honeymoon in May.  I purposely spaced them out so that when I was ready to share them the memory would again be fresh in my mind, because precious memories they were.  

I have a love for France, obviously, I have shared that many times here!  I have visited northern and eastern France and the South of France, but until May hadn't really explored Provence, a place that has now left an indelible mark on me. My mind is oftentimes blown by the beauty that exists in this world - there are just so many places to see and experiences to be had.  The charm of Provence is like no other, from the cobbled stones streets, stone homes accented with the prettiest pastels to the Roman ruins that still linger, it is a site for the eyes.  We visited Arles, a place once inhabited by the Romans and a plethora of artists including Vincent Van Gogh (it is where he painted the famed  Cafe Terrace at Night).  It was pure pleasure to wonder the narrow streets and stumble upon a Roman amphitheater (that is still used today!) or the best open-air food market that I have ever seen - artichokes! lemons! cheese! bread! melons! (the list went on an on).  All I needed was a kitchen.  Our stay was not long enough, I hope to return to this section of France once again but visit Avignon, Aix, and St. Remy.  If you are looking for a boutique hotel to stay, I recommend the Hotel d’Arlatan, it was a relaxing and beautiful space.  Okay, now I officially have the travel bug once again...

Portofino, Italy

The beauty of Portofino was exactly as I had dreamed it would be – still  turquoise water, Italianate mansions perched high atop a cliff and a enlivening breeze of lemon blossoms and salt water.  We drove from Genoa to Portofino with a goal of laying in the sun, lingering over a long afternoon lunch (that was finished with gelato) and climbing to the top of the hillside to see the view from up above.  The end of May is the near the end of the mid-season and right before high-season which allowed us to spend an entire day not completely overwhelmed by fellow tourists.  We ended up hiking from Santa Margarita, a beautiful seaside town just under two miles away from the port town of Portofino.  The trail we hiked took us high into the hills where all you could hear are birds chirping and the invigorating smell of the water and towering cypress trees.  Like that of the Cinque Terre you enter Portofino from the top and make your way down the hill, where you are quickly surrounded by luxury boutiques and outdoor cafés.  A hike to Castello San Giorgio is definitely something that anyone exploring the town should do since it gives way to one of the best views of the port.  The colorful architecture of Portofino is very unique.  The facades are painted in tromp l’oeil and are made to look as if they actually have textural details.   Here are some of the moments that captured the beauty of this stunning Italian locale.  

Escape to Cinque Terre, Italy

When entering the Cinque Terre you think you know the beauty you will stumble upon, but somehow when you actually see it you are left stunned.  Colorful houses stacked atop each other with swinging linens dangling from the window.  Shady lemon trees bursting with fruit all in front of a staggering mountainous terrain that is tiered and manicured with olive groves.  Tangled grape vines dot the land baring fruit that will eventually be swirled into a glass, consumed and savored.  Crimson red poppies and yellow wildflowers color the landscape as the green mountains jet up to the sky as clouds gently move overhead.   The air seduces. Herbaceous lavender and rosemary mingle with creamy jasmine while the salty breezes mesh into the aroma of the towering Italian cypress trees.  The coast is rocky, jetting out from the green hills that tumble into the sea while the waves crash carving out the landscape for days to come. 

Take Me There: Cheval Blanc, Maldives

The Maldives have been on my bucket list for a very long time, even more so now that I discovered Cheval Blanc Randheli, a luxurious resort spread out this wonderful cluster of islands situated off the coast of Africa.  The open floor plan allows you to practically smell the sea breeze floating inside of each of the airy spaces.  This resort is actually owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH so you can believe that your trip will be an ultimate pampering experience from the food to the spa that exclusively uses Guerlain products.  

{Le Week de Paris} To Take You Away to Paris

I first discovered The Quiet City: Winter in Paris when I first stumbled upon the blog Paris in Four Months.  This video practically brings tears to my eyes, the backdrop of the piano and violin serenade as the clouds gracefully float over the city, the light filters through the clouds and day turns to night.

 In the second video Midnight in Paris, pulled from the movie is iconic Woody Allen. Bluesy jazz music plays as there are beautiful shots of the Tuilleries, Place de la Concorde and the Seine.  Both of the videos transported me if only for a few minutes to Paris, I hope that it does the same for you!

Heart of Gold:: A Year in Review {Travel}

What a year it has been! I feel very blessed that this year has been filled with so many wonderful things - we got engaged (!!) and I am an auntie to my new nephew. In addition to those wonderful things, I did explore new and familiar places, ones that took my breath away (Klein Curacao, no words) and of course New York, a city that constantly inspires me. I thought I would take you back to some of the places that I have wandered over the past year.   

(Klein Curacao, water so blue it seems other worldly. Photos of Curacao here)

Nostalgic Postcards:: Florence, Italy

I have a serious case of (European) wanderlust. There is something about a trip to Europe that does something special to me - perhaps it is the history, architecture, food (particularly the coffee, bread, olive oil and cheese, yes in that order) or just simply the stunning beauty that really makes a jaunt across the pond seem like a real vacation. A few years ago, long before I started this blog, I ventured to Italy (Rome and Florence) with my dear friend Christi. I didn't have a fancy camera in tow, it was just my two feet and my eyes that magically moved me throughout the stunning city of Florence, Italy.  Majoring in art history during college opened my eyes to the Renaissance and allowed me to develop a deep-rooted love for architecture and paintings, so it was truly remarkable that I was able to see everything first-hand. I am not shy to admit that I became overwhelmed with emotion (yes, my eyes welled-up) with pure wonder when I first saw the Duomo.  I strolled the streets eating gelato and ate the best caprese panini known to man. I lingered for hours in the Boboli Gardens, in particularly the rose garden, where the autumn light was so magical casting hazy sunny rays onto the Italian country side.  I hope you enjoy the photographs as much as I loved going back into my traveling archive! Continue for more...

(The view)

(Casting shadows in the Boboli Gardens)