My view today ...

Image: my own from iphone

Myrtos Beach - Kefalonia Greece

sorry for the lack of posts, reception has been very poor.

back in the UK tomorrow

xx

Versailles ... Part 1

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break like I did.

Taking a short break was exactly what I needed and now I feel invigorated and inspired to get back into my project ... especially since we spent a lovely 4 days in Versailles.

The ornate and spectacular grandeur of the palace was absolutely jaw dropping!

Here are a few of the hundreds of photos we took ...

It is also my gorgeous daughters birthday today.

So happy birthday my darling girl!

♥♥♥

(All images above belong to me)

Remember this giveaway I posted about last week...

Well, the very stylish and talented Marsha from Splendarosa chose me as the

lucky winner of her very generous giveaway!

This is the very first time I have won anything in Blogland, so I am very honored and grateful to have won this beautiful prize ... and I can't wait to see these lovely creations that Marsha has produced.

If you haven't already visited Marsha's very stylish blog, then do so here. She is also opening an Etsy store soon where you can buy all her gorgeous jewelery.

Thank You so much Marsha.

xx

Positano

Well, what more can I say .......

(View of Positano coming in from Via G Marconi)

The town perched high up on the hill ....... it's fun walking down ..... but even the fittest will find it hard going back up!

A little bit of shopping, oh, who can resist........

And then its off to the beach, for a serious sun tan.......

Oh, and dont forget to drop into the famous ceramic domed, Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, gleaming under the sun .....

xx

Ravello

Ravello, (as guide books describe it) was the former playground of Jackie Kennedy, home for the German composer Richard Wagner and even used as a hideaway by the actress Greta Garbo.

For me, Ravello is the most beautiful and romantic of towns on the Amalfi coastline. The feeling you get as you drive the 7 kms from the town centre of Amalfi, passing through the soaring mountains and deep ravines is indescribable. At the top, it sits like a natural balcony overhanging Amalfi and the nearby towns of Minori and Maiori and the views below .... are spectacular!

The town is also known for its impressive program of classical music, which is set in the beautiful gardens of Villa Rufolo. This inspirational setting features international orchestras and special guests play repertoires that always feature Wagner. The Festivale Musicale runs from March to late October, but always book well ahead as it does get very busy during the summer.

(Villa Rufolo)

(Spectacular view from Villa Rufolo)

(Nicola on stage - can you imagine performing with that back drop!)

What I love about the Piazza in Ravello is that no cars are allowed into the town centre and it just has this peacefulness when you walk around, compared to the other hectic towns on the Amalfi coast.

The Church is dedicated to San Pantaleone and was built in the XI century, by the Bishop Orso Pavico. The entrance doors are similar to those of Amalfi, in bronze, made in Constantinopoli in the XII century. The church also features a museum, where several historic details of the past are kept. At the end of every July, fireworks light up the sky to celebrate the patron saint, which we were lucky to hear and see from our villa.

(Piazza Duomo)

(Town centre piazza)

And if you're after exquisite handmade ceramic pieces, this is the place to shop (be warned, they are not cheap!)

Tomorrow we are off to Positano!

Ciao.

xx

Villa Principessa

Villa Principessa is owned by the Camera Family and run by Alessandro and Beatrice Camera.

Their mother is also part owner (her sister is the other owner) of the truly magnificent, Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi (it is also a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World).

(Postcard from Hotel)

We were also fortunate to use the private beach club facilities at Hotel Santa Catarina, as we were renting the villa

(Image - www.hotelsantacaterina.it)

Not to mention the best meal I've every had at their Restaurant Al Mare

(Evening view from Restaurant Al Mare - Hotel Santa Caterina)

And the "Amalfi Gold" Lemon massage (specialty of the area) I had .... which was heavenly

Just thought you'd like to see some photos of the villa ...

These photos are only some of the views from rooms in the villa (every room had a view!)

The master bedroom has a spectacular fresco painted throughout

Then, 120 steps down, through the gardens .....

...... and you end up on your own private ocean platform

                                                                   (Image- Villa Principessa website, click below, All other images - mine)

For more information on the villa click here.

xx