Beautiful Venice

 Hello, dear Reader! I've missed you! Good to be back and blogging from Canada. Fingers crossed that the technical issues are resolved.

I thought I share some beautiful photos from Venice. I think they evoke the atmosphere of the city in the water well.

Photos: Ditte Isager

Swiss winter wonderland

Photo: Pinterest

The capital of Switzerland, Bern is wrapped in a blanket of snow. It is so pittoresk that it reminds me of model train cities, doesn't it? I enjoy the moments early in the morning when it has snowed and the usually noises of the city are muffled, like from another world.

Casa Camper

Welcome to Casa Camper (yes, of the shoe fame) in Barcelona! Just like the shoes the design is cool, functional, laid back and includes lots of their signature red. I've earmarked this hotel for my next trip to Barcelona and I also noted some nifty low cost style ideas to steal. Notably the wall of different mirrors and the shaker peg board from which everything can be hung including a flat screen tv.

Photos: Marie Claire Maison

French Impressions XI

Every once in a blue moon a city girl yearns for the countryside and some culture and where else can you so easily combine the two of them than by visiting the Le château de Monte-Cristo which is close to Paris (30 minutes from Gare St. Lazare), the home of writer Alexandre Dumas. The château is placed in a lovely parc and cosisnts of the main building (first photo) and Dumas' writing retreat which is flanked by a stone dog-in-his-dog-house (below) - which is too cute for words. Personally, I wouldn't mind owning the small château...

photos: european chic

Bucolic Italian countryside

Pinterest

What can I add to this beautiful view, dear readers! Let's go and have a meal there in the shade.... Paris is horrifically rainy and cold today so I am escaping.

German Impressions IX

Enfin, photos from my trip to Berlin, one of the most the dynamic capitals in Europe!

Above and the next two photos are from Rosenstrasse, the site of a major resistance of ordinary citizens against the jailing of their (Jewish) relatives in 1943. Afterwards, you see photos of Clärchens Ballhaus a eating and dancing venue which is over 100 years old and was a major hangout of German bohemians and artists such as Otto Dix and Alfred Döblin. The design hasn't changed at all and has a morbid charm. The last few photos are from Kreuzberg, a cool neighbourhood formerly located next to the wall.

All photos: European Chic

Refined palette

Analog Girl, a european chic reader from Portugal requested that I feature more of Portugal. Am always glad to get feedback. I browsed my favourite travel sites (very hard task, I know) and found a luxury spa in a former palace on the Algarve in Southern Portugal. The vibrant colours struck a chord with me. Each room is differently decorated and I like how the old palace and the new buildings come together.

You can find the address of Bela Vista Hotel and Spa at the end of the post.

I am also delighted to report that my I was picked for a a Versatile Blogger Award from lovely fellow Italian/Spanish blogger Fancy Windows. She writes about european chic:
              Minimal and eclectic as she describes her cute blog.
Many, many thanks, Eva! It made my day! (I would also personally thank her if I had her email address)

Photos: Escapio

Bela Vista Hotel and Spa

Av. Tomas Cabreira Praia da Rocha

8500-802 Portimão

Portugal

Monastry in Switzerland

Photo: Pinterest

The Monastery Madonna del Sasso is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, arguebly one of the most beautiful places on earth. It combines the best of two worlds - Italian laid backness with Swiss hospitality and organisationial skills - making it a perfect place for your vacation.



View of Vilnius (Lithuania)

Photo: Pinterest

I am still focussed on central and eastern Europe and came across this pretty view of Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. Have you visited? What did you see? I quite like to go and check out the design scene myself.
Remember this beautiful place?

Russian gothic restaurant

I like this gothic chic ambiente. Ultra-cool! Especially the curiosity cabinet (last photo) which were very popular during the 16th - 18th century in Europe where the wealthy showed off exotic collectors items such as skulls, shells and feathers.

I wished such a restaurant also existed in Paris where chic and street art are skillfully mixed.

Photos: Marie Claire Italie

Swiss goodies

It is time for a little desktop travelling this fine evening. My destination is the largest city in Switzerland. The Widder Hotel in Zuerich is made up of nine historical former residences, many dating back to the Middle Ages.  By intermingling single buildings via staircases, porticos and inner courtyards a very atypic architecture has been created.

Photos: Widder Hotel, Zuerich