Ciaotraveler

I tweaked my photo of Lucca, Italy, to create this effect using an app.   See some new Euro finds...

Here's a play with effects on photos using InstaMag app on my iPad.  The original photo of a village in France is in the upper left corner. I used three different visual effects including a sepia tone (upper right) in the other photos. Voila! I used my original image in Paris in the upper left.  Using another photo editor, I changed the other three photos using overlays of colors and a canvas effect.  These add variety, interest, texture and drama to the photo.

Bramasole, the Cortona villa from Under the Tuscan Sun is rentable now for a mere several thousand a night...  See it here ...(from Curbed and Hooked on Houses) See my posts on Tuscany and the Sun movie Cortona . Tuscany weddings Tuscany provence Filmed in Italy Perfect  Positano

Villa Lungomonte, Tuscany Glorious Veranda Dining, Italian Style Pretty outdoor settings and environments  make for a pleasurable dining experience...

"The best croissant in Paris is simply a good one within sleep-walking distance of where you happen to be staying" according to Paris by Mouth writer Eric Kayser.  He was in search of the best croissant at this time. What is better than a baguette or a croissant? Oui, I remember the aroma from the bakeries wafting through the tiny streets near the Sacre Coeur is merely tempting the senses.   Most Europeans frequent their boulangeries/patisseries on a daily basis to get a supply of the fresh baked goods while Americans constantly worry about carbs. There's just something special about the crusty fresh baked breads in France... Here's the top 10 baguettes in Paris...

You can't go (places) wrong with a fun Venice-theme travel set.   Horchow is celebrating 40 years of selling fine furniture, decor and more with great sales on their designer luggage...see more.

A romantic upbeat movie filmed in Sorrento, Italy....

I found this old map and paper flowers from Etsy which inspired me to make  this collage using a photo techniques app to enhance the colours. in·spi·ra·tion noun \ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən : a divine influence or the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions : the quality or state of being inspired Have you been inspired lately to write a story, paint a piece of furniture, cook a family favorite dish, or make a creative project by hand? Whatever inspires you is usually followed by the thought that "I can do that!" or "I would like to do that."...  It could even be more of a spiritual inspiration provoking feelings and thoughts.  I'm especially inspired by blooming buds and flowers, colors of the landscape, and how colors blend in with other objects.  The unique villages, cultures, products, architecture, foods, in Europe inspire me in many ways. ..  

Lovely maison de maitre with garden  bordering a canal in Capestang, France...

In my French Cottages in Living Colours and several other posts featuring objects or houses, I've made color swatches or palettes inspired from my photos.  They are handy for future projects you could paint or create for a craft.  You can use a...

Flipping through the French real estate market, I found these lovely decorative French cottages.   I created the palette for future projects.  Voila les coloeurs...

The food trucks are especially charming in Europe as well as the USA.  Street food sales have been popular for many years in Europe.

Just another wonderful Saturday in the Central Valley of California, I ventured over to the Bari Olive Oil Company , near Kingsburg, CA..  Wow, what a great operation they have to view.  Why don't I venture out more to see the bountiful harvest that our great State of California has to offer?

The beautiful hills of Montepulciano , famous for Brunello wines, is also the setting for many movies filmed in the Tuscany region of Italy.  Tuscany offers old world charm and newfound love if you believe all of the movie plots.  The most popular movie of recent is " Under the Tuscan Sun " (2005) starring Diane Lane.  The Chiesa Di San Biagio church (right) was the setting for the young Polish man's wedding at the end of the movie.  It's also been the backdrop to the Best Picture,  The English Patient, (1996,  Ralph Fiennes) and  Midsummer's Night's Dream, 1999, ( Michelle Pfeiffer) among other films.  Speaking of the movies,....

What do you do with Wine Corks?  Do you have them in a jar or favorite vase? Did you know there are some fabulous products and crafts made with cork?  See some creative corkwork and the lovely California Corque Hotel...

The beautiful Val d' Orcia area of Tuscany                                                                                       Photo by my cousin, Maria Hoffman-Vallehrach One is assured of many gorgeous settings for falling in love in Europe...its just hard to decide the best! Love is in the air...

If you've read some of my posts, you know that I love blues and whites, almost as much as the earth tones painted on the stone villas everywhere in Italy.   I've used many colour themes so check out some of my other posts at the end of this one. It  doesn't get much bluer than the sea near and around the famous arches in Capri in the Mediterranean Sea (left).    See more blues and whites...

Isn't this a beautiful pomegranate spritzer cocktail on the right?  It tasted so delicious after walking all day around the Roman Coliseum and the Forum.  The mixologist at the Mecanate Palace Hotel Sky Bar in Rome offered it as a refreshing drink to try, thus the reason I call it an Italian spritzer.  Here is my take on this recipe:  2 parts good vodka, 1 part pomegranate juice or Rose's Pomegranate Twist Mix, and 1 part club soda.  Shake with ice.  Serve in cold martini glass with a slice of lime or orange peel.  You can enjoy this alcohol free as well.  Salute!

One year after the Italian ocean liner, Costa Concordia, hit rocks close to Giglia, Italy's shore, the work continues to remove it from the water. Thirty two died of the 4,252 passengers. The Captain was doing a ‘sail by salute’ and has defended his navigation, saying he was ‘familiar with the seabed’ and that he hit the rocks, known as Le Scole, because they were not on his navigation charts. He is accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship. The crew and survivors gathered at the site this week to honor those who lost their lives (photo below). See...