Tag: Gardens
-
Inveraray: A Step Back in Time
Located on Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland, Inveraray is a quaint and picturesque town steeped in history. Its roots date back to the 1400’s when it was a fishing village. In the mid-1700’s, Archibald Campbell, the 3rd Duke of Argyll and head of the powerful Clan Campbell demolished the original village to…
-
Beautiful Bussaco
What comes to mind when you envision the country of Portugal? Sandy beaches, palm trees, and crystal blue waters? Rolling hills covered in grapevines? Large cities and small villages? Yes, it has all those things and so much more. Similar in size to the US state of Indiana, Portugal is a wonder of varied climates,…
-
Cawdor Castle and Gardens
Of the many things I love about Europe, the abundance of castles is near the top of my list. As a child watching animated films, I dreamed of living in a castle one day. The ones from Brave, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid, are my all-time favorites. In Brave, the young Princess Merida lives in…
-
Hello Spring!
“It is spring again. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.” – Rainer Maria Rilke I fell in love with this quote years ago and admire both its eloquence and the image it paints in a mere thirteen words. Here is my homage to spring in pictures. Most were taken near my home…
-
Park of Monserrate
As a lover of gardens, I’ve been to many in both the United States and Europe. At the top of my list of favorites are Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in California and Cawdor Castle Gardens in Scotland. Since visiting last May, the Park of Monserrate Palace now tops my list. It is stunning in both…
-
A Tale of Two Palaces (Part Two)
The Palace of Monserrate has a long history of famous occupants and guests. In 1790, wealthy diamond merchant Gerard de Visme built the first Neo-Gothic palace on the ruins of the old chapel of Our Lady of Monserrate. In the mid-1790’s, British novelist and art collector William Beckford became the new tenant. During his stay…
-
A Tale of Two Palaces (Part One)
With its proximity to Lisbon, favorable climate, and lush natural beauty it’s no wonder why Sintra attracted both royals and the rich as THE spot to build their palaces. It is also one of the most romantic spots in Portugal, where kings and queens have fallen in love and where writers such as Lord Byron…