Our Last Full Day

We spent last Thursday morning learning about some history. We had a tour of the Bastione Di San Giorgio, built by the Austrians.

Pizza Lunch.

We ended this 10 day trip with a celebratory dinner at a fancy place, Dodici Apostoli. Great food! Great ambiance. Very special!

Outside 12 Apostles for our last supper (LOL)

We had a tour of some
 Roman roads and Medieval structures downstairs!
A special surprise!

Verona Trip

It's now official.

The trip to Verona, Italy, is FULL.

We have a few Canadians from Quebec, Ontario and Alberta who have signed up. We have two English women, one of whom lives in France. We have an American who lives in Germany.

What an international group!

The travellers quilt, create contemporary textile works, paint, knit...what talent!!

I can't wait to share this special place with them. I really love living in Verona!!

People who like my trips are open-minded people who love new experiences. They have no mobility issues (we do lots of walking). They love Italian food (who doesn't!) and have no serious food restrictions. They work well in groups.

I am disappointed I couldn't get everyone who sent me emails of interest registered for the trip but there is always the next time. Spring 2021. Remember it's first come, first served.

Please check back in April 2019 to see a visual diary of what we'll be up to in gorgeous Verona!

PS
I also have a trip to Umbria (the province in the middle of Italy). It focuses on journalling. Check it out here. You'll have to scroll down to see the Umbria info.

(All photographs of Verona are mine from past trips.)

Inspiration Everywhere

A week ago, while waiting for my daughter to meet me in Rome, I took a walk near our boutique hotel.

I found a cool and tranquil haven at the Villa Aldobrandini, away from the bustle of via Nazionale.

View from the top of the garden on the villa property

The villa was constructed around the 1600's, I think...I photographed the sign so I could read it again later but without my glasses I ended up cutting off quite a bit in the photo and some information was lost!

I wonder if these "rock carpets" are original.

I love the design.

I imagine the creator looking around for just the right stone, like I do with my fabric when creating a quilt.

I imagine the care someone took in placing each stone in just the right place, like I do with my fabric when I make a scrap quilt.

Inspiration is everywhere.

Be sensitive to your surroundings and let them inspire you.

Lines

Lines made of light.

A garden suddenly redrawn with the flick of a switch.

Radha Chaddah and Tom Kuo are the artists.

A tree without leaves, a skeleton of sticks, brought to life with light.

Reflective Tree by Scott Eunson

All images from Nuit Blanche, 2015.

Squares

Garden at the Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto, Japan
photo credit Sophia Reford

Yummy Colours

Pierre Hermé is more than a French pastry chef.

Choosing the macarons at Pierre Hermé, Paris.

Vogue magazine has called him the "Picasso of Pastry".

I was immediately struck by the brightness of the coulours of the macarons.

His combination of flavours are inventive. So is his use of colour and texture. They are a treat for all your senses. He is a true food artist.

 We ate them in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Blissful.

(photo credit: Veronica Gerson)

Versailles

Walking around the immense gardens at Chateau Versailles,

and listening to the Baroque music that played everywhere in the garden brought back memories of dancing in Vienna. (my career before motherhood)

ok that's just my daughter and I fooling around!

The costumes we wore during our performances of historical dance were exquisite! The fabrics were elaborate.

Louis XIV
The costumes the boys wore for the performances
were similar- with the wig but without the hat.

The Mirror Fountain had jets 'performing' with some music. It was a water dance!