La Subida in Colio Wine Region of Italy

My travels to Italy took me close to the Slovenian border to a resort called La Subida. A beautiful family owned resort that resembled a mix of Scandinavian and modern simplicity. The photo below shows just how close the Slovenian border was - at the mountain range.  The closest town was Cormons in the heart of the Colio wine region. 

The food at the trattoria was divine! Being in the smaller towns of Italy was a real treat. The way of life is simple and clean. 

One interesting feature of the resort was the different experiences offered from sleeping in the barn with the horses under a crystal chandelier or bathing in a cast iron tub in the woods among the ferns. 

There was a main restaurant and a more causal spot near the pool. The decor was rustic and earthy. 

I would love to have this kitchen in a farm house. 

They make there own vinegar at the resort in a beautiful handcrafted building. 

The resort consists of individual houses - this one called the nest is a one bed room covered in the tree branches.

Most of the interiors of the other cottages had this raw Scandy feel. Lots of animal hides and natural stained wood.  Beautiful quaint spots for couples or families. 

Our dinner at the main restaurant was amazing - the local wines from Colio were a treat. Colio is more famous for its white wines than your typical Italian reds.

Hand carved meats and fried cheeses were among the culinary delights. Not to mention the 7 course meal at dinner! 

It has been a traveling year with a few more stops to come - Tulum, NYC, Chicago and Hawaii! 

Traveling to Italy!

Even though I have taken many trips to Italy I have never been to Venice. This past May I was able to correct that mishap and what a beautiful city it was. I had been warned of the smell, crowds, and flooding but I did not see any of that. I was amazed that it was so small from the air. Such a remarkable city to be surround on all sides by water.

Getting around by water taxis was interesting. Our hotel was on a different island so we were on those water taxis day and night. Luckily there were very handsome drivers!

Dinners at beautiful historic villas which open to wonderful courtyards inside their guarded walls.

Some images were just as I imagined...

We were introduced to Col Fondo Prosecco, unfiltered. Slightly salty and cloudy.

Amazing chefs and amazing food.

Just walking down the streets, every view was amazing.

Beautiful architecture

A visit to the oldest fabric maker. The women were using old fashion wooded looms to create fabrics that were around $1000 per meter. Amazing!

This is the home of the Scalamandre silk velvet tiger!

Antique shops that are within the dealers homes. Incredible finds from some of the most prestige old homes.

These Medieval columns were my favorite!

We never missed a meal or a glass of wine that is for sure!
Local would be a restaurant not to be missed. I loved the Squid ink!

Off to Murano for the day! It is on one of the other islands. We brought a few things home.

Dinner at an Organic Winery on another island called Mazzorbo. The winery is called Venissa with grapes that were once almost extinct called Dorona grapes

Not only were the wines good, the food was amazing. Truly farm to table - fresh and flavorful!

Next it was off to the countryside outside of Venice …..

Bridget Beari Travels to Las Vegas

Private Tour of the Wynn Hotel

What a treat to see all of the public spaces and many of the private spaces at the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas. Roger Thomas and his design team created incredible spaces throughout the hotel - uniquely creative restaurants, intricate tile butterfly mosaic floors, custom red Venetian glass chandeliers, floating parasols, 2 story glass views from the $40K per night suites and more. It was all so exciting to see. Thanks to Modenus Blog Tour KBIS and Jackie Von Tobel, a resident designer in Las Vegas.

Here are some of the highlights:

Floating parasols that moved up and down! The colors were amazing

Custom red Murano glass chandeliers

Beautiful tiebacks and drapery

The details were incredible. Check out the moldings. Nothing is ordinary.

One of the many bar/nightclub spots

The ladies room at the night club  - marble everywhere!

A stunning restaurant all in gold, white and emerald green. All the passmenterie was custom made by Samuel and Sons.

The layering of pattern was amazing and so well done. This is a ceiling pattern - moire, floral, mother of pearl, damask, solid gold.

Every detail is designed - even the tableware, linens and flatware.

Tented ceiling treatments 

Bold colors and trims

The wedding chapel - beautiful embroidery on the padded wall treatment

 I loved the custom elevator doors - each one more interesting than the next.

Such a special treat to see all of these unique spaces.

Happy Travels.....

Bridget Beari Travels to New Zealand

Bridget Beari Travels to New Zealand - Gibbs Farm

This 1000 acre sculpture park has been open since 1991. What a beautiful landscape for some of the most creative and unusual pieces. This is my kind of theme park!

Anish Kapoor - "Dismemberment"
red steel frame tube

Neil Dawson - "Horizon" - welded and painted steel

Marijke de Goey - "The Mermaid" 

Richard Serra - "Te Tuhirangi Contour"

Happy Travels.....

Bridget Beari Travels to Westport CT

Bridget Beari Travels to Westport, CT

On the way to NYC this weekend we stopped in CT to visit family. We explored the surrounding towns like Derian, Rowayton, and Westport. There were great shops and restaurants but the coolest place was Terrain. Owned by the Urban Outfitters Company this is a garden shop, kitchen and home goods, and restaurant.

The exterior of the building was once a car dealership but now contracted with rusted corrugated steel and glass it has a hip new look.

It is not any old garden center. Inside they specialize in terrariums, ferns, and succulents. Beautiful glass bowls and shapes to create any type of terrarium. The largest ferns 6-8 ft. tall that I have ever seen in beautiful rustic containers.

Cut branches of all kinds. Interesting pottery and kitchen wares, soaps, and linens. The outside garden center sold all sorts of plants with the cutest garden shed structures. My pictures are on Instagram if you follow me and if I can figure out how to get them off to share them, I will add them to the blog. Great red wire furniture too!

I loved this interesting Bromeliad! There was even a pineapple plant.

The displays were gorgeous! Even though we did not eat anything at the cafe, it looked yummy! A definite stopping place if you are traveling this way.

We are off the NYC today for Kravet's Blogfest2012! It is sure to be a treat!

Happy Travels.....