Giverny, C.Monet and Impressionism

Look closely and you will see my wife and granddaughter on the bridge.

One of the most famous gardens in the world is

Monet's in Giverny.

Taking a path around the garden and along the pond makes one think they are miles from the busy life. Then into the area of Monet's house giving an idea of the day-today envronment of the man.

(There is also a gift shop.)

Giverny is close to Paris. When in Paris, there is a less visited museum: 

Musee de L'Orangerie

where you can surround yourself with his paintings and murals.

A place for meditation.

 

The Alhambra, Granada Spain: The Owners

        I have noted before that it is difficult to get tickets at the Alhambra on your own. It is best to get a guide. They hold most tickets. They will explain a good deal including the stay of Washington Irving, who was a long term resident.

        The experience is one that you will not forget and the town of Granada is wonderful in itself.

        About this photo. The Alhambra has cats like Gibraltar has apes. They are around to take care of things. The cats are well cared for and healthy. You will see them all around.

        As for Washington Irving, I read his book "Tales of the Alhambra" many years ago (and again before this trip) and it is worth reading before you your visit.

 

The Victoria and Albert, London

       Oddly, as a glass artist, there are two pieces that stopped me in my tracks. This photo shows a monumental piece hanging from the ceiling in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Of all the museums there I think I like the V&A the best. (Even the restrooms are artistically done.) The second favorite glass work is the ceiling in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. They are different and both wonderful.

        

Lobby of Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas

 

The Parliament Building in Budpest (On the Pest side of the Danube)

To check the scale of this building, look at the bus. This is huge, lovely and easy to spot from a boat on the Danube. The mooring for boats is just to the right.

To the left is a memorial to the Jews killed by the Nazis.

 

A shrine in Prague Castle

If it isn't churches for us, it is castles. That includes alcazars in Spain.

The attaction is history but it is also fun to see how rich people used to live.

Even when you die you get treated right.

 

Donatello's Mary Magdalene

 

A surprise: while visiting the little-known museum behind the Duomo in Florence I was taken aback by this sculpture by Donatello. I really like his "David". But this is haunting. It is grief, it is guilt, it is amazing. This is wood carving. He also did a crucifix in a church near the central plaza which has great emotion.

Sirmione, Italy on Lake Garda

    It is amazing what you dicover when you are not on a tight schedule. We were on our way from Lake Como to Verona Italy. A leisurely drive except for two larger cities. We were way ahead of plans and so on the map we see "Sirmione" and then looking it up in a guide looked like a nice stop for dinner. WOW. It is an ancient city built at the edge of Lake Garda. It is filled with interesting places including a castle and a beautiful church. It is also a resort.

    ANd. it is also where, when I went to pay for dinner, I discovered that I had the key to the safe back at our hotel in Lecco. Not important you say? Ah, but our passports were in that safe. I will always remember Sirmione. ...and the road.