Aged and Gilded (Palazzo-Interiors & Gardens)

A Month by the Lake

Did anyone ever see the 1995 movie, A Month by the Lake starring Vanessa Redgrave and Uma Thurman? Never mind the plot; the setting was a beautiful hillside villa on Lake Como. Lake Como is the only lake I ever hear Americans speak of and also where George Clooney owns a home. For some reason, the popularity of Lake Como is a little lost on me. (I have another favorite lake but I'm keeping it to myself.) However, the lesser known Lake Garda is just as beautiful. Several years ago in this northern Italian lake district, Villa Feltrinelli was purchased. Four years later and $30 million in refurbishment, it opened it's opulent interiors to the public. Once owned by the Feltrinelli family who built their empire on lumber and publishing, the property was confiscated by the Nazis during World War II. Later reclaimed by the family, it never again enjoyed it's former status of Italian social life...until now. The sprawling property consists of 21 guest rooms spread throughout the main villa and four guest houses. As expected, accommodations are replete with luxury--Pratesi bedding, Frette sheets, heated marble floors, flat-screen tvs, and so forth. Check out the website at www.villafeltrinelli to see how the other half is living. But don't be mad at me.

 

It is the Journey AND the Destination

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”  Mark Twain

Well isn't that the truth! I've often said if you want to find out if your relationship is built to last, take a road trip. I recently made a list of all the places I have yet to see and those I wish to revisit and next year I'm going to rededicate myself to it. For those of us who have an insatiable thirst for the world, we cannot help ourselves. We must keep moving...waiting for the next adventure to unfold...the next memory in the making. And so we learn to patiently wait in queue, endure the cattle call strip down, make do with one less toiletry in our plastic sandwich bag, pony up the cost of our suitcase, and go without the hitherto amenity of hospitality. And no, I don't travel first-class.  And yet...it still sounds good to me.

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” Paul Theroux

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” St. Augustine

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” Robert Louis Stevenson

Where do you still want to go? What do you need to see? When are you going?

Paradise in Provence: Hotel Crillon le Brave

This year I have planned several trips to Europe. However, due to some unfinished personal business the plans never quite seem to materialize. And so I have come to bitter terms--this time is about tying up loose ends, resolving old issues and cleaning house. I won't go much further--I'd like to keep this post pretty, but there are demons that must eventually be exorcised. In the meantime, won't you share my fantasy?  I'm still dreaming and came across this little slice of paradise, the Hotel Crillon le Brave. This gem of a spot is in a tiny hamlet (don't you just love that word hamlet--sounds like a fairytale) of the same name 25 miles north of Avignon.

"Our 32-bedroom hotel is perched on top of a tiny hill village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The views from our rooms, terraces and gardens are stunning."

I so see myself sitting here looking out over those views.

 

I'll retire each evening to a complete state of bliss.

 

This is almost more than I can stand!

Romantic dinners for two...perhaps.

 

Demons, cast thee aside!

Mosaic Monday: Pretty Parisian

1. Final Paris Cafe Time, 2. Cafe de Flore, Paris, 3. Parisian Hotel, 4. Old Parisian building, 5. Parisian Street, 6. my paris apartment ..., 7. Paris Flea Market, 8. DSC09720 - Paris - Vintage... confort peut être mais moderne pas l'enseigne en tout cas, 9. Vintage Vespa, Paris, France, 10. A classic vintage Paris Metro station canopy, 11. Vintage Paris, 12. Vintage Lifestyle

Italian Holiday

A few posts ago, I alluded to a destination spot that the new collection at Palazzo is inspired by. I attached a couple of photos for clues as well. Were you able to guess? If you said Italy's Amalfi coast you were right!  This breathtaking spot is all about summer, Italian Riviera style, only better--casual and relaxed, yet still utterly chic. Take a peek at the Palazzo Newsletter to read all about this ideal getaway. It's loaded with beautiful photographs and the most wonderful places to stay if you're lucky enough to visit. Then when you finish, stop on over at the store and see what's new.

As a post script, I'd just like to say thank you to Claudia over at the paris apartment for mentioning me in her beautiful blog. She's one of my favorite reads due to her always interesting commentary about all things French, her wonderful resources and generous spirit. If you haven't done so already, please visit her blog--you'll enjoy it.

Somewhere...Anywhere

I am bogged down and burned out! In the bookstore, I find myself meandering over to the travel magazines. I need some serious R and R. And, for once, I don't even care where. Just as long as there is quiet, clean air, clean food and sun on my face. No cares, no worries, no phone calls. This dream location should have a soft breeze blowing and the scent of something beautiful like lavender or maybe exotic flowers in the air. Light clothing--optional.

This is a beautiful view from a kitchen. Of course, in my fantasy I won't be cooking.

I don't even recall what it feels like to take a nap.

A refreshingly white environment.

 
Cote Sud

Of course, the requisite dip in the pool.

Town & Country/Photo Maura McEvoy

A bit of a tan.

 
Cote Sud

Perhaps some light reading in the shade.

Cote Sud

Ending the day with cocktails at sunset.

Cote Sud

Mosaic Monday: That's Amore

1. Landscape - Tuscany, 2. When you need beauty, dream, 3. Tuscany paths?, 4. When Tuscany Plays Her Aces, 5. Rome Italy Colosseum, 6. Tuscany / Italy / Again ?, 7. Fiat Parked in Perugia - Italy Leica M2 Series, 8. i navigli, milano / milan - italy, 9. Siena - Piazza del campo (Tuscany - Italy), 10. Novacella Abbey, Bressanone - Italy, 11. Italy: Fog in Carpi, 12. Florence, Italy

Working, working, working...

I have been diligently working on the Palazzo newsletter. Every season we choose a destination and build a collection around it. The newsletter serves to bring information about that location. As usual, I am behind schedule. This summer's choice will definitely have you looking for your suitcase. I don't want to give it away but here are a couple of clues.  Stay tuned...

 

 

Think you know where it is?

Mosaic Monday: Feelin' French

1. bike | Rome, 2. Warm Croissant, 3. Cave de Técou, 4. Thirteen, 5. Wooden doors, Rue Mignet, Aix-en-Provence, 6. Untitled, 7. shutters / luiken, 8. La Pageottiere, 9. Limeuil 2007, 10. Beynac 2007, 11. Un chat, 12. Nice Building detail2, 13. text0004, 14. Old French spools, 15. Vintage French bed linen - MM monogram, 16. Vintage French Shopfronts

Where I Want to Be

Oh, how I wish I could just throw a few things in a suitcase and head out to some exotic destination! However, it's just not that easy if you have kids, and pets, and plants.. and oh yeah, if you're trying to run a business too.  I've been many places, but there are still some I long to see.

Can't you just imagine yourself sitting here in the morning eating some medialunas (mini croissants with powdered sugar) and coffee in Buenos Aires?

 

or strolling the colorful streets in search of some hidden treasure shop 

 

or perhaps picturesque Prague?

   

or maybe soaking up the sun or savoring a sunset in Santorini?

   

 

or kicking it in Croatia?

 

 

Where would you like to be?