The House and Gardens of Claude Monet

   Giverny, France

Although I've read many books on Claude Monet, visiting his estate was something I'll never forget. The cliché, "pictures don't do it justice," seems to be appropriate for the spectacular gardens and home of the father of Impressionism.

The Tuileries Garden in Paris

The Tuileries Garden next to the Louvre Museum

    Jardin des Tuileries

This historic garden was created in 1564 and was opened to the Parisian public in 1667. If you plan to visit the Louvre Museum, a great way to complete your day, is to walk through this lovely park and then arrive at the opposite end of the gardens to visit Musee l'Orangerie and enjoy Claude Monet's series des Nympheas.

Summer Sky in Paris

The Eiffel Tower

Gustave Eiffel's tower was revealed in Paris for the 1889 World's Fair. It was only intended to welcome visitors to the fair, and then to be torn down after six months. Now, 125 years later, it is still standing even after two world wars. Frances's cultural symbol is the most visited monument in the world.

Extraordinary French Village

Village des Gordes

Deep in the region of Provence, the small village of Gordes rises high above the Luberon Valley. It has a rich history dating back centuries. One of its crowning achievements was receiving the Croix de Guerre for being an active resistance village during World War II.

If you ever visit Provence, specifically Gordes, I would highly recommend staying at La Ferme de la Huppe, minutes away from the village. The setting is idyllic. The seventeenth century villa has but twelve rooms, promising peace and quiet while you enjoy the natural beauty of the Luberon all around you.

If you do visit, be sure and tell Carol hello from me. She is a wonderful woman, an amazing hostess, and someone who I now consider a friend. She was delighted that my husband, Michael, spent time creating oil paintings on the property. (My hubby enjoyed a dip in the private pool after spending hours in the hot sun painting.)

A Hidden Little Gem

Burano, Italy

The colorful island village of Burano is situated in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon. Famed for its delicate lace made by hand with needles, this quaint community is well worth the forty minute boat ride from Venice. Once visited by Leonardo Da Vinci, Burano is a favorite with artists and tourists alike.

The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

Historic Beauty

Once the center of Europe's commerce and culture, today Venice is still a city like none other. While the rest of the world's famous cities continuously evolve, the island city once home to Antonio Vivaldi, finds its identity in the historic beauty around every bend of every canal. 

A Taste of Italy

Villa Borghese Museum and Gardens

The nephew of Pope Paul V, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, began transforming his vineyard into an extensive garden in 1605. Being a patron of Bernini, the cardinal's villa in Rome contains a large collection of the Italian sculptor's pieces.

The English style gardens include acres of umbrella pine trees, statues of antiquity, and various other chateau-like buildings - this one featuring a vintage aviary.

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In the Eye of the Beholder

   Nature's Art

These fallen leaves floating in the murky marsh seem to almost look like an abstract painting...at least I think so. While I love visiting art galleries, it always amazes me how much art is provided to us in nature if only we would open our eyes. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Portland Japanese Garden

      
           Timeless Tranquility

The Portland Japanese Garden is minutes from our home, and we try to visit the lovely site as often as possible.
The five acre garden is nestled in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon, inside Washington Park, and offers visitors a natural setting of peace, harmony, and tranquility. It was designed with the aid of a Japanese horticulturist and opened in 1967. If you ever visit the Rose City, it's a site not to miss!


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