Posts Tagged ‘architecture’
Luckily no more bulls on Madrid’s Plaza Mayor
On a recent trip to Madrid, we enjoyed clear winter days – perfect walking weather to explore Spain’s capital … and explore the city by foot, we did! Our walks, of course, often led us back to Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. The pedestrianized square is stunning – even more so with a lively Christmas market set…
Read MoreA mini “Bilbao Guggenheim” in New York’s Hudson Valley
This past summer, while I was in New York City with my family, my older son and I took a driving trip up to the beautiful Hudson Valley to look at colleges and enjoy the beauty of this upstate New York region. While there, we were impressed to see The Fisher Center for the Performing…
Read MoreArt deco overload in Arcachon, France
I’ve already written about our visit to the Dune du Pyla – at 105 meters high, officially Europe’s highest sand dune. Very close to this impressive natural wonder in France’s Gironde region is the pretty seaside town of Arcachon. This sleepy Atlantic coastal town became a destination of the international jet-set in the mid 19th…
Read MoreBerlin’s spectacular Pergamon Museum
There are a lot of great museums in Germany’s capital of Berlin, but the Pergamon Museum is not to be missed on your next visit. Located centrally, in the city’s Museum Island, the museum building was designed by Alfred Messel and Ludwig Hoffman and constructed between 1910-1930, and it attracts over a million visitors every…
Read MoreBrussels’ Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a paradise for chocolate lovers (with deep pockets…)
This elegant Brussels shopping arcade was inaugurated in 1847 by Belgium’s first king, Leopold I. It would be established as one of Europe’s first commercial shopping galleries – and certainly one of the most beautiful. If you haven’t noticed from my posts, I have a bit of a weakness for stunning European shopping galleries. See…
Read MoreTurin’s art deco galleries
When you’re in Piedmont’s capital of Turin, you must be sure to visit the city’s wonderful shopping galleries. They are ideal for the less-than-perfect weather in northern Italy, and maintain their original art deco charm. The first gallery constructed in Turin was at the request of the Marquis Natta d’Alfano, and constructed by the architect…
Read MoreBilbao’s fabulous Guggenheim, Spain
It’s been years I’ve been “meaning to” get to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. A holiday in France’s Basque region provided me with the opportunity to journey across the border into Spain’s Basque country to visit this modern art museum that celebrated its 20th birthday last year. This striking modern architecture was created by…
Read MoreReason #5386 to love Rome: Elena’s Mausoleum at Villa de Sanctis
If it’s an early Sunday morning in November, I’m bound to be scouring the outskirts of Rome searching for some park I’ve never heard about before so my youngest son can participate in a cross-country race. This has been our habit over the last six years, and I must say I have discovered an amazing…
Read MoreTurin’s salon: Piazza San Carlo
Piazza San Carlo is the iconic square in Turin’s historical center. Its nickname to locals is the ‘salotto di Torino’ – Turin’s ‘salon’ or ‘living room’: the natural gathering place for locals and visitors alike. On a recent Saturday in Turin, it was here I had an appointment to meet with a friend of mine…
Read MoreColorful Basque homes & sweet chili peppers in Espelette, France
This adorable Pays basque town not far from the coastline of Biarritz, is beautiful for its typical Basque homes. These etxe homes are white with colored half-timbering. The most common colrors for the half-timbering appear to be red and green, and the town of Espelette is filled with fine examples. This picturesque town is best known…
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