Life is now!

There are so many stunning places in the world. It would be nice if it stays that way I think. Some people might think that what they do, doesn’t matter. It won’t make a difference. I beg to differ. I think that it is the small things we do daily that actually make a change. Plastic straws for example, I’m noticing more and more how restaurants and bars are replacing these with metal, paper or reconstituted wood or bamboo. That’s great. Hopefully this will be implemented more and more across the world. I recommend to use alternatives to plastic straws!

There are actually over 1,500 lakes in Italy. The more famous and largest ones are Garda, Maggiore and Como in the North.

* Lake Garda is the largest one in Italy and known for its crystal clear water.

* Lake Maggiore is both Swiss and Italian and also has one inhabited island.

* Lake Como is 420-450m deep and one of the deepest lakes in Europe due to its glacial origin.

The area has actually been a tourist destination for a very long time. Around 1700, European nobles and intellectuals created what’s called “Grand Tour”, a trip around Europe that was meant to increase their knowledge. Como and the villas around the lake were some of their favourite destinations, so this is when “local tourism” first started.

To get to the area, you could use these three airports: Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo.

Just be prepared for some spectacular scenery if you go here. You will be exposed to delicious food, pretty towns and a lot of culture and history. It’s easy to see why so many people decide to visit!

The lakes have a spectacular emerald green shimmering colour to them. I’ll imagine they are rather deep and wonder what they might be hiding. It’s fascinating and breathtaking driving around on the sometimes small, windy and steep roads that dwindle in between the smaller mountain peaks. Not even sure all of them can be called roads!

There are many cities around the lakes to name and highlight such as Como, Bellagio, Menaggio Lecco and Brienno to name a few historical and spectacular ones. So much history and wilderness blending in with the modern life.

I truly recommend.

I love the contrasts! Up high in the mountains with a spectacular view is this B&B hotel called Hotel Paradiso sul Lago. The view overlooking Lake Como makes up for everything. Even the tiny windy roads up the mountains where you have to drive with precision. Just trust and give in. Nature is so beautiful here it’s very impressive. On one side you see tall white clouds and closing in are the darker clouds with hints of thunder rumbling on in the background. Spectacular views and surroundings that I truly recommend.

What amazes me is how well looked after this majestic Renaissance residence is. A lot of care and warmth resides here. Located a 20 minute car drive from Venice and so beautiful, right in the heart of Roncade, a picturesque small town in the Venetian inland near Treviso. It is the only one of the villas that has kept the medieval wall.

It has so much history dating back to the tenth century, when the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Ottone II gave the Collalto family a defensive structure. In the 14th century, with the Venetian conquest of Treviso, the structure passed into the hands of the Noble Badoer family.

In 1915 it was bought by the Ciani Bassetti family, who still owns it today. It was occupied during the Second World War, and was damaged, however you do not see a glimpse of that anymore.

Today, the residence is surrounded by vineyards and the cellar and the barrel room is full of history and you can clearly tell it’s looked after with much love and care.

The apartments are located in the gate towers and the rooms in the main building are flawlessly and individually decorated. This is something I truly recommend, a stay and a guided tour with tastings to learn more about art, history and authentic flavours, all in one.

Roncade Residence