It's perfect weather to put the top down, and take a ride to a pretty place and maybe stay the night. Bring along a good book to read. Pick a place with a great view, and a little luxury. Turn the clocks back this weekend and enjoy an extra hour on your little jaunt and getaway.
During the summer I read a fascinating book called
My Dolce Vita, written by Jean Govoni Salvadore. It is a memoir by a woman who has lived (and is still living) a fascinating life in Italy. The Paris born Salvadore spent decades of keeping diaries, a practice she first picked up as a schoolgirl in England. She quips. “I always like to say what Mae West said: ‘Keep a diary, hon, because one day it will keep you.' "
Do you keep a diary? Are you planning to write your autobiography anytime soon?
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| Madame Jean looks over her domain - She took the advice of Mae West |
Madame Jean had two major jobs in her life, one for 20 years of looking after a battery of celebrities while handling the Italian press for Howard Hughes era TWA. There is not one celebrity you can think of that she didn't meet on the tarmac when they arrived in Italy.
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| Jean Salvadore with Richard Burton at the airport when she worked for TWA - My Dolce Vita is a book that is jam packed with great photos from her private archives of old Hollywood glam that you won't see anywhere else |
She also survived World War II in Italy saying that seeing the Allies march into Rome that put an end to the German Occupation in 1944 was by far the happiest day of her life. “You would think it would be the day my son was born or the day I got married, but it was the day the Allies arrived. It was the most thrilling thing I have ever seen — better than any movie. We all went crazy."
Salvadore has deftly handled the monumental PR chores at the glamorous Villa d’Este, Lake Como’s (Italy) majestic five-star retreat, for the past 43 years. This is old school European luxury where royalty and every classic Hollywood star often stopped. It was a place where discretion and privacy were insured, along with glorious views and grand accommodations.
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| Old school glam at Villa d'Este |
My arm chair travel takes me there,
ensconced in one of the private villas. I've brought along "My Dolce Vita" to read on the terrace, basking in the warm Autumn sun, sipping a vodka
Negroni.
Pick up a copy yourself and be transported. It's also a great gift to give to the book reader in your life. Get in now for the coming holidays.
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| My private villa st Villa d'Este |
Standing on the banks of the Lake, this private villa was built on the grounds of Villa d’Este in 1814 by Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales and future Queen of England, to house Count and Countess Pino, the Villa’s former proprietors.
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| The entry way to the three floor villa |
The accommodations in this stately 7,000 square foot getaway are distributed over three floors. Care to join Alberto and me? I think there is plenty of room! We could give tango lessons n the hall.
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| The pretty living room is classically decorated - I love the small sofa with the bullion fringe |
Luxurious decor is the keynote in the living room, dining room, sleeping quarters, and in the spacious, luminous modern kitchen.
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| Check out the modern kitchen - Anyone feeling like cooking? | |
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No two rooms are exactly alike and each is filled with antiques and art.
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| The dining room in my villa |
The views from the villa’s spectacular windows are simply breathtaking and frame memories that will last a lifetime.
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| Even this bathroom has a view |
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| One of the bedrooms - LOVE the Regency style bed |
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| A view into another pretty bedroom - and look a flat screen for the guys to watch futbol! |
Many subtle touches, the utmost discretion, and impeccable service are the hallmarks of Villa d’Este.Thank goodness, no pesty paparazzi!
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| My terrace where I will be sipping vodka Negronis and reading My Dolce Vita, while I live my own sweet life |
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| Autumn on Lake Como! What a great place to turn the clocks back this weekend! |
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| One of the many unique things on the grounds of Villa d'Este |
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| My Dolce Vita - I really loved this book - Get it for yourself or for gift giving |
Happy Weekend! Photos and information from Villa d'Este web site Please add my NEW address to your blog list:http://thevisualvamp.blogspotAnd please become a Follower
I love what you planned to do in your life. You are very fortunate that you are surrounded by beautiful people and luxuries. You deserve that your autobiography be written and published. Enjoy life.
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