Paradise Personified, the Lake Towns of Northern Italy
When you fall in love with a part of the world, you want to experience it as much as possible. At the end of our tour my friend and I… Read More
Author: Bettie Bearden Pardee
Garden Inspiration from the Italian Lake District, Part 2
The Northern Italian Lake District is storied for its Mediterranean climate that makes possible such legendary gardens and memorable landscapes, many of them with the sparkling lakes as a backdrop.… Read More
Garden Inspiration from the Italian Lake District
For all the many reasons we love traveling, my top one is bringing home new ideas for the garden… or new ways to do something I’m already doing! “If we… Read More
The Intriguing Garden at Villa di Balbianello
For many reasons, Villa di Balbianello and its terraced gardens are arguably one of the most impressive sites on Lake Como (if not the). The breathtaking location on its own… Read More
Postcards from the Magnificent Lake District of Northern Italy
How many of us have fallen in love with a place or part of the world and promised ourselves we would return “soon.” Such is my love affair with the… Read More
Welcoming The Daffodils
Daffodils, those “harbingers of spring,” delight us with their welcome, cheery color. In addition to this asset, they provide a dressing up of landscapes and residences, affording a new look… Read More
Shadows in the Garden: A Spring Revelry
We all await these magical moments in the garden, so unexpected and therefore, so bewitching. And I know exactly when this one took place…5:11pm on the afternoon of Monday, April… Read More
A Cheery, Cherry Spring at Parterre
You’ve heard me speak often about serendiptiy, and this spring it was a welcome and constant happening, specifically as regards those harbingers of spring, cherry blossoms. The timing of celebrations… Read More
Introducing Newport’s Gardiner House Hotel
As one would expect of a destination as high profile as Newport… from yachting regattas to extravagant weddings…our “City by the Sea” boasts many hotels and inns, most of them… Read More
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Sometimes we take a personal, sentimental tradition for granted, until a friend offers up, “you should do a blog on those!” The “those” is an annual calendar that I create… Read More