Venice: The Arches

I have a great love for Gothic arches and architectural details. Do you, too? Venice is a visual feast in this regard. Although not all are purely Gothic, and can include many other styles and influences, somehow, in the incredible medley of Venetian architecture, there is great harmony and astonishing beauty. I take little credit for these images – accolades instead are due the Venetians, who for centuries envisioned and created this splendor. I feel privileged to record and share it.

Thank you for visiting and joining in for Venetian Week here. I’ll be back tomorrow with more!

much love,

G

Venezia, La Serenissima

Let’s escape today, shall we? And cruise along the Grand Canal with the sea breeze in our hair and revel in the aching beauty that is Venice.

The sad news and shocking scenes of the floods in Italy prompted me to step up my efforts in editing and sharing photos from our trip to Venice in April. And so, I have a treat for you. In fact, several treats. Every day this week I will be bringing more Venetian photos and on Sunday, a VERY special surprise!

If you missed my earlier posts on Venice, you can see them here and here.

And if you missed the release of my Venice calendar, it’s available now here.

My thoughts and prayers to everyone suffering from the aftermath of storms in Italy and the US.

much love,

G

p. s. Now would be a great time, if you haven’t already done so, to sign up for my newsletter which will be out next week with holiday downloads, coupon codes and more!

Toujours Paris

Hello, my friends! I’ve been traveling again but am home now for a good stretch until we leave for Chile in October. Behind the scenes – much activity, new ventures and plans. And also time to share with you some never-before-seen images from Paris which I’ve created for my new 2013 calendar “Toujours Paris”.

The mystique and allure of Paris is a continual source of inspiration and beauty to so many of us, whether we have been there or not. Truly, no other city embodies the qualities we associate with this magnificent location: elegance, style, charm and joie de vivre. During my visits, long days are been spent walking and walking, becoming familiar with grand avenues and narrow alleys, shops and shopkeepers, markets and cafes.

Does it always appear as I portray in my images? Honestly, no. I must admit to you that Paris has its share of crowds and noise, and like any large city, can often be dirty, hot and tiring. My response? I keep walking.

My last two visits have been solo, and the walks have been solitary explorations of a city with infinite details that does not reveal all in a single passage. D always urges me to take a taxi. But, no matter how tempting that might be some days, carrying all my gear and finding myself far from my hotel or apartment, at any moment I might turn a corner and find something magical, exquisite, delightful and quintessentially Parisian. Fatigue vanishes, replaced with wonder and a feeling of privilege at being able to capture, and eventually, share that discovery.

Recently, quite a few friends and acquaintances have asked my advice on visiting Paris. The must sees. The must dos. What will give them the ultimate Paris adventure and memories? Their lists include museums and restaurants and monuments and parks. All wonderful, I say! But what would you do, they ask?

I would walk. For that’s what I do in Paris.

 

For this year’s calendar, I’ve chosen what to me are timeless views of the city, that encapsulate the splendor that awaits upon your first or your twentieth visit. I hope the images inspire you throughout the year and help make your Parisian dream come true.

(And please do use the code CAL20 for a 20% discount through September, just for my blog readers and FB fans as a heartfelt thank you for stopping by here.)

Still to come, more Paris, more roses, perhaps a lilac or ranunculus, too.

Wishing you a dreamy weekend.

with love,

g