Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Discover the Worldly Gardens

VILLA D’ETIVOLI, ITALYSTE, TIVOLI, ITALY


Governed by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este since 1550, a villa and gardens was built for his enjoyment. The  terraced landscape is filled with grottoes, sculpture, and statuary is highlighted by steep running water. Designed by d’Este’s architects, the water is channeled onto canals, ponds, and  fountains.  

It is too gorgeous. Worth seeing! It even plays music at set times; If you're already visiting Rome it's definitely worth the drive. Visitors to this garden can't escape the thoughts of revisiting.

Let's go to THE ALHAMBRA AND THE GENERALIFE, GRANADA, SPAIN, there's a garden I'd love to see.



High in the Sierra Nevada foothills is Muhammad ibn al Ahmar of the Nasrid dynasty's  royal residence at Alhambra, a complex of  35 acres of palaces, terraces, and gardens .

Featuring symmetrical planting, architectural elements, and ubiquitous fountains, pools, and rills, it is a perfect example of Moorish landscape design. Shade and water are main themes of the paradise.

Visitors say  that it's absolutely beautiful, one visit wouldn't be enough. May and June are great times of year to visit.

PALEIS HET LOO, APELDOORN, THE NETHERLANDS


This palace, built by William III in the late 1600s, is often called a mini Versailles. It is said that William's wife, Mary II, was a plant enthusiast and the garden flora were brought from around the world. Sorry to say but this flat garden has an image of a graveyard.

TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA



It's a mausoleum, commissioned in 1631 by Shah Jahan, the Fifth Moghal emperor, for his wife , took his men 22 years to finish. Being a third wife really pay off. Water is a central element, as is the division of the garden into four equal parts separated in this case by walkways. But even men tourists say it takes flowering plants at full bloom before they would consider a visit.

Nothing beats the CHÂTEAU VAUX-LE-VICOMTE, MAINCY, FRANCE


Built in 1650s by architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun, and landscape architect André Le Nôtre to create a grand private residence just outside of Paris. French finance minister, Fouquet’s estate was a masterpiece of aesthetic collaboration, dramatic patterned parterres and a visual technique called anamorphosis abscondita (“hidden distortion”) make the grounds seem larger than they actually are. Needless to say, he got in trouble with Louis XIV with this place, couldn't enjoy it long before being jailed. Still, this is one place that everyone must see.


Some people request that a few beautiful gardens right here in North America to be listed here.

Butchart Gardens, Vancouver, WA

With so much colors, ponds, waterfalls, garden bridge it is a site to see and walk on.

Some people mention the garden at Huntington Library, Pasadena, CA but I wouldn't list it here. It's large, mixed up and boring. Seen it and would never come back to it.





Longwood Gardens, PA 

What a night show this is.

 

Pristine garden and ponds.
Colors and flowers are the endless scenes at this garden.






If you are looking to some sight seeing and a walk worth remembering, maybe you won't have to spend big bucks or go too far. 

This blog is written in collaboration with www.susansummerbreakfree.com

Saturday, March 22, 2014

A treasure left behind.



If you are Thinking about Traveling in Vietnam

Come see the wonderful caves that punctuate the intricate and elaborate mesh of islands at Halong Bay. It is a memory for some and a treasure to be discovered by others. Beautiful natural sites like the HalongBay is an example of what about 4 million oversea Vietnamese have left behind.


Recognized by the UN as one of the world’s most valuable natural wonders, Halong Bay consists of two thousand plus islands.  They are rocky islets overlaid with greenery and live forms on the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin..

These evolving stone islands came with different shapes and colors, after which they are named, such as Hon Rong ("Dragon Islet"). The oldest of these rocks is 280 million years old.

Although it is the most popular tourist site in Vietnam, you can still enjoy the pristine air and quiet water on a trip through its many paths.

Also, don’t miss out on mystic experience of the night at these islands. Take a tour that includes sleeping on a boat overnight. You’ll have an awesome time. Enjoy the quiet water and the small sounds of water that smooth through these rocky islands.

This blog is sponsored by www.vietnettv.com