And then there is the wisteria growing along this arbor in Sorrento, Italy. With lemon trees interspersed.

The most magnificent locale for lunch ever!


Can you spot the lemons in the shot below? Ah, Sorrento.

Ah, Italia! There is no place like you!!
And then there is the wisteria growing along this arbor in Sorrento, Italy. With lemon trees interspersed.

The most magnificent locale for lunch ever!


Can you spot the lemons in the shot below? Ah, Sorrento.

Ah, Italia! There is no place like you!!
Do you prefer #1:
Wisteria in Seattle Japanese Garden: gorgeous. Planned, managed, loveliness through discipline.












Or #2, wisteria in Alberobello, Italy?



Both are beautiful, no?





















Only “toast” in Italy means a lovely little pannini made with white sandwich bread, a thin slice of cheese, and a thin slice of ham, all toasted. OMG, toast should always be this good!


One bite and you can tell this lunch is going to be heavenly.
In cantina at Palazzo Madama in Torino.
I’ve been fortunate to be in some great spaces throughout my lifetime. But, without question, this is the prettiest room I’ve ever been in!

This is a ballroom in the Royal Palace of Venaria, outside Turin, Italy. The Palace was used originally as a hunting lodge for the royals of the House of Savoy. Over the centuries, the palace has had many uses, even being used as barracks during the nineteenth century and then abandoned. In 2007 the Venaria was restored and is now one of the main attractions of Turin.







Through the French doors and windows that run along the two main sides of the room, you can view the formal gardens that were planted during the restoration project in 2007. The gardens are still young, but one can see how lovely it will be when the plantings are mature.


The Venaria is a gorgeous place to visit. Amazing to think that a decade ago it was still abandoned!






Art work under restoration. These scenes always fascinate me:



A nice royal throne below:


As seen in Turin. Just so darn cute!


One of the most enticing museum exhibitions I’ve ever seen was in the Palazzo Madama in Turin last summer. Here’s the explanatory label, thoughtfully provided in English as well as Italian, French, German, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. Those Italians know how to appeal to a broad range of visitors!

The exhibition was staged in one of the most gorgeous ballrooms I’ve ever been in.

See what I mean? Gorgeous.

My pictures don’t come near capturing the loveliness of the exhibition. Glass is so ephemeral and hard to photograph. But, here they are:









I’m only sorry it took me 10 months to find my photos! Cheers, tutti!
…is absolutely a joy forever. To paraphrase John Keats.

This Murano blown glass vase takes the cake for beauty. I believe it was the single most beautiful object I saw in 2015! And it was in Torino.
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