Sunday, May 1, 2011

Tickets are purchased


Reserved our favorite seats to Paris,
at the bulkhead, on the right




Then heading straight to Germany, Austria and then over the Alps to my beloved Italy




Beauty along the way




Every opportunity taken for more flowers




There will be a castle or two to stay in



A Palladian Villa to visit near Vicenza





Young people meeting after Church in northern Italy




Colorful Inns just across the Alps serving breakfasts to last all day





A town square or two, the fellow flailing his arms is Gene enjoying Vicenza




More opportunities for flowers





It's so tempting


Gina


22 comments:

  1. Gina

    What a coincidence!! We are going to many of the same destinations this year, including a couple of days in Munchen for Oktoberfest. Wouldn't it be fun if we ran into each other. Your photos have us even more exited to see these beautiful sights and enjoy our host countries and people. I know just how Gene feels about the world's wonderful cornacopia of pleasures.

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  2. Hi Christine and Steven, I think we're going to run into each other, more specifically, in Bolzano. Hurrah!

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  3. Oh, tempting is not even half of it, Gina! Marvelous adventures to look forward to and I can't wait to enjoy it through your photos and posts. :) xo – g

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  4. So happy for you! It will take you several weeks...
    BUT, I need to ask you a favor. If you are driving south through Switzerland, past Zurich and on your way to Italia, there is THE best chocolate factory named Felchlin (http://www.greaterzuricharea.ch/app/app_swiss_made/swiss_made004en.asp?key=238). They only sell to the public at their factory. Is there any way I can bribe you to go there? ;]

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  5. How fabulous! Looking forward to your stories from all countries! Yes, that last shot, how tempting....it's crying out to be restored!

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  6. Hi Gina, I'm back in blogland after a two week break and just overwhelmed by all the beauty in your posts that I'd missed! You create (and capture) so much beauty in your surroundings and everyday life, it's truly a lesson in how to live.
    If only I could, I would love to join your two day course (I will be working in Lisbon at that time, so can't complain too much). And your upcoming holiday sounds like perfection - enjoy!

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  7. Dear Georgianna, We purchase our tickets early so that we can enjoy planning while spendng many hours working in our garden. There is so much anticipation and that is part of the fun.

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  8. Dear Ann, Oh, how did you know that I love chocolates. I will have to reserve the trip to the chocolate factory for another year. We will not be going into Switzerland but will take the Stuttgart-Innsbruck-Brennero Pass Route to Italy. Wish I could accomodate...will try for next year.

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  9. Dear Alaine, The Po Valley of Italy has many abandoned old farmsteads. Woudn't it be adventurous to tackle one of these projects?

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  10. Dear Karen, Welcome back...great to see you here. Lisbon is one of my most favorite cities and so is Coimbra. Our trip is not until September. In the meantime we can plan and scheme... that is all part of the fun. Looking forward to your posts about Lisbon.

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  11. What a wonderul trip you have planned! We took the Brenner pass in 2009 while driving from Munich to Bolzano!!! It was beautiful and we enjoyed our time in Bolzano very much. Have you been there before? If not, I have a couple of recommendations if you are interested! We also took a beautiful drive through the Val Gardena to Corvarra - gorgeous! Sounds like so much fun - I love road trips! Especially in Europe where you can see so much :)
    Can't wait for our visit in July!!!

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  12. Wonderful images to help you dream of your European vacation!

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  13. How exciting. Can't wait to hear of all of your travels.

    - The Tablescaper

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  14. What an exciting itinerary! I wish those tempting old farm houses were also in the realm of (economic) possibilities.

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  15. Dear Barbara, We have taken the same trip many times (with a few variations). Our trip is not until September. We'll have to spend a few minutes talking about Italy (you know it so well) when you come for painting lessons in July. Looking forward to your visit.

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  16. Dear Merisi, All of the above above shots were taken on previous trips. Photographs let you relive many wonderful memories. Of course, you are the expert.

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  17. Dear Tablescaper, We love going to Europe in September. That is the time when colors are rich and you don't have to have reservations. You can wander about and stop where it is convenient.

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  18. Dear Francesca, So true. We "restored" a hundred year old farmstead (in the same little town we live in now). Building our new house was much easier...yet I can't but wonder what it would be like, whenever I see one of the beautiful old and abandoned farmsteads in Italy.

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  19. Hi--My husband and I went to Bolzano for Christmas 2 years ago. Runkelstein Castle was one of my favorite spots. The medieval frescoes there are truly amazing. The secular subject matter is so different from the typical religious fresco cycles. I wish they had let us take pictures!

    Jennifer

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  20. Tempting? YES! Oh, I can't wait to see your posts and images. So happy to be "going along" with you! Have a wonderful time!

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  21. Hi Anonymous, It's been a long time since we visited the Castle...may have to go again...I can't remember the frescoes.

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  22. Dear Regina, It will be a little while before we leave but my little instant shoot camera will be ready.

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