VIBRANT SHADES

Bern’s Botanischer Garten

Taylor Michelle — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:50:36 +0000

Hidden within the majestic country of Switzerland, Bern’s Botanischer Garten is simply a hidden gem tucked away within a quiet mountain town. A wonderland of vibrant colors, living textures and patterns of nature, this surly is Swiss’ secret garden…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Swiss Living

Taylor Michelle — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:30:59 +0000

Our humble abode for our stay in Switzerland, Bern Backpackers – Hotel Glocke, was a cozy hostel located right in the heart of Bern. Minutes from the train station and steps from the historic clock tower, the hostel had everything a traveler could want… Perfect location, working wifi, clean and comfortable beds and of course, Toblerone filled vending machines {!!!}…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Milano

Taylor Michelle — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Towering high above the Milano skyline, it’s the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. With it’s 3,400 statues, 135 spires, 155 gargoyles and countless stained glass windows, Milan’s Duomo is absolutely stunning. A breathtaking sight from any angle, it surely is Milan’s gem, hidden within her bustling, noisy city…

Italia’s fashion capital, Milan, is world famous for it’s fashion scene, industry and birthplace of Prada and Ray Ban. The famous shopping arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, houses it all… Prada, Gucci, Massimo Dutti, Louis Vuitton oh my…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Milano Cuisine

Taylor Michelle — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:40:43 +0000

With an iced coffee, cozy stylish atmosphere and free wifi, our Milano coffee bar, Atelier Cafe, was our savior. The iced coffee, perfecto… strong, topped with chunks of chocolate and as chic as can be…

Our best friend during our stay, Panino Guisto, we knew you too well. Growing tired of the typical Italian cuisine, we stumbled upon this treasure. Located right down the street from our apartment, this cafe specializes in one thing: paninis. With dozens of options, from vegetarian to meat to seafood, you cant go wrong, they are simply, the best. Add on free wifi and the most delicious fries you’ll ever taste and you’ll be as sold as we were.

The majority of our meals, snacks and coffee breaks were spent here. First panini tasted was the Kumi, filled with arugula, brie cheese and truffle oil, it was gone within an instant. The next day, the Zorba satisfied my dying hunger with grilled eggplant, mozzarella cheese, tomato and pesto sauce. Again, gone within the blink of an eye. And the fries, oh myyyy… mouth watering salty goodness. Mmmm…

The never ending crave for Mexican food was finally satisfied with Papas & Beer Los Amigos Mexican. Being one of the few Mexican restaurants in Milan, the prices were not too friendly; our stomachs did the deciding and left our wallets crying. Pepper nachos with delicious chili {on the side} and an ice cold Sangria left a smile on our faces…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Milano Living

Taylor Michelle — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:50:34 +0000

Our living for our stay in Milan was located on a city side street just minutes from the famous Il Duomo. One flight up, the flat contained a spacious layout, outdoor terrace and charismatic details…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Venezia

Taylor Michelle — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:10:58 +0000

A remarkably breathtaking city, you’ll find nothing of the sort anywhere else in the world. With it’s tiny bridges stretching over sea green canals and thin, long gondolas weaving through the streets of water, our experience was one that was purely magical.

The splendor of Venice’s past is captured within the winding canals leading into the Piazza San Marco. Towering high over the piazza, nestled right up against the waters edge, lays Basilica di San Marco. Dating back to the 10th century, the basilica is adorned with spangled spires, detailed domes, extravagant works of marble and stunning, radiantly detailed mosaics…

Sure, it’s purely touristic, but a gondola ride through the venice canals is an absolute must. Zig zagging through the channels, you’ll see all Venice has to offer at the waters eye level. Distressed wooden doors with steps leading straight to the waters edge, reminds you of what a treasure Venice holds…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Finestres di Venezia

Taylor Michelle — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:10:16 +0000

Florence, a heaven full of distressed wooden doors. Venice, a wonderland of windows adorned with flower boxes. Oh how I love…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Canals of Venice

Taylor Michelle — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:05:24 +0000

Inspirations, creations, visions and sights… The culture of Venice spoken through the streets… Venice’s street talk:

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Venetian Cuisine

Taylor Michelle — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:35:03 +0000

Our sweet tooth was in heaven upon arrival to Venice. With so many bakeries and candy shops lining the streets, we just couldn’t get enough. Stumbled into a small candy shop located just off the corner of one of the many winding canals and indulged in Spighette Fraola {strawberry spaghetti}…

Literally, it may be the only food venetians eat, pizza, pizza everywhere! And boy, did we have a lot. Grabbed our frist dinner at Ristorante-Pizzeria Pasqualigo and indulged in carciofo gorgonzola {artichoke and gorgonzola}, it was as delicious as it sounds. Sprinkle some olio picante on top, and your mouth is bursting with flavor in every bite…

Oh gelato, how you make our hearts sing. Such a simple and savory treat you are…

A bakery one could only imagine, Panifico Crosera is just that. Located on a skinny street with towering walls, this bakery is filled with baked goods that will make any mouth instantly water. Freshly baked bread and pastries line the window while their sweat aroma fills the air and invites you inside…

On busy days, filled with sightseeing, walking and shops galore, lunchtime gets lost in translation. That’s when street food steps in, thank goodness for hot, fresh, delicious street pizza…

Another shop that instantly draws you in, Fuori, is a bakery that will make even the smallest sweet tooth crave with anticipation. Located down one of the many winding streets, on our way to San Marco, we enjoyed an afternoon dessert of fruit tarts and chocolate swirls…

A picnic along a Venice canal is a matchless way to spend a late summer evening. A bottle of Chianti Rosso paired with aged pecorino cheese, soft ciabatta bread, salty prosciutto and fresh strawberries, so perfect it puts a smile to my face…

Da Mamo Trattoria Pizzeria is true, authentic Venetian cuisine. We started our meal with Izaboso Casa Rosso {made in-house} and al pomodoro aglio. The gnocchi capesante e porcini {scallops and porcini mushrooms} was soooo delicious, it literally melts the instant it hits your tongue… just like it’s supposed to. Bursts of rich flavor exploding all over your taste buds, a new years eve party in your mouth… It was seriously, that good. Homemade tiramisu wrapped up our feast of divine Italian cuisine.

Another authentic Italian dining experience – nibblette bites, glasses of wine and lemoncello were brought to us, on the house of course { :) }. If you ever find yourself lost within the streets of Venice {it’s no doubt, you will get lost} Da Mamo is an absolute MUST…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle

Vinezea Living

Taylor Michelle — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:55:04 +0000

Located on a hidden side street, on one of the 113 mini islands, Locanda ss Giovanni Paolo is anything but a hostel. Our own mini hotel located on the floating city of canals, our Venetian living quarters lays 3 stories up…

☮ & ❤
Taylor Michelle