French Forest Wedding

If you've been reading Little Winter Bride for a while, most of you know by now that I am a flower fanatic, a lover of all things involving nature and the more wild, the better. So naturally, one of my daily reads over morning coffee is, Tigers to Lilies, a blog, dedicated to all things nature and natural. I have super love for her style. Recently, Lili, the little lady behind this inspiring site said her "I do's" among the trees of a little forest in Gien, France. So course, I had to know more and Lili was kind enough to share some photos with me...
An intimate french fete filled with friends, family, feathers in a forest..OH MY! (now say that 10 times and fast.... like "she said sea shells at the sea shore") oh dear....I have fallen in love with this little party and that's just the beginning of this whimsical wedding. For more delish details head over here....

a beautiful little winter wedding.....for more go here
it's been a while. busy. life. the usual. no real excuse. just a bit preoccupied. my apologies.
anyway, getting super excited for holiday festivities, lots to look forward too! heading home to the states to spend the holidays with my family and my sisters nyr's eve wedding in a little sleepy southern town....
more to come...
what are you up to for the holidays?
yipee!

villa wedding

Going here this evening for a friends wedding.
can't wait!
it looks like something out of a fairytale.......
I promise to have lots of eye candy next week to share with you

little honeymoon adventures: British Columbia part 2

Vancouver Island

Today, I give you part 2 of little honeymoon adventures in British Columbia.
I am whisking you away from the mountains to a little enchanting town called, Tofino, located in the Pacific Rim region of Vancouver Island.
Life here revolves around the arts, outdoor adventure and the spectacular nature.
This spot is the perfect setting for that couple looking for a bit of wilderness and luxury. For a secluded and romantic getaway go here and those looking for something a bit more rustic with a hint of ultra luxury go here.
Need I say more?


SLEEP in Tofino

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Long Beach Lodge
The Wickaninnish Inn
Cable Cove Inn
Pacific Sands

ACTIVITIES around Vancouver Island
Hiking
Whale Watching
Bear Watching
Sunset tours
Gardens
Sea Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Surfing in Tofino
Pacific Rim Parks

more travel information check out this blog here

Sunken Garden at Butchchart

EATS
The Point
Long Beach Lodge Resort restaurant
Rain Coast
Blue Heron Restaurant
Shelter
Sea Shanty
for more listings go here

Oyster guides can be found here
and here

How to get there go here
here and here
for more information on Tofino go here and for Vancouver Island here

Destination Wedding Venue: Villa Arconati

Thought I'd share this beautiful venue called, Villa Arconati.

I had the pleasure of visiting this dreamy little place while attending this concert. It's about 20 minutes outside of Milan and holds all types of events, including pretty little weddings......
So, for any "destination" brides out there,  this is a must!

Find out how to make this place your wedding spot, here

{photography by deirdre quinn}

little honeymoon adventures in Italy

Maremma Region
is the the southern coastline of Tuscany

La Piscina via Hotel Cala del Porto

Argentario Golf Resort & Spa

Maremma region has the best of both worlds, the beautiful seaside and with untouched Mediterranean nature all around

Porto Ercole

a little city on the peninsula of Monte Argento, Italy surrounded by rock and sand beaches. This is perfect romantic spot, whether your spending the day traveling nearby towns or relaxing on the beach....

Porto Santo Stefano, Monte Argento

Today's honeymoon post, is dedicated to the seaside, it's all I can think about, as I melt away in the Milano summer heat!
Note* June, July, August and part of September, are brutally hot months here in vino land. The seaside is your best bet if you are traveling during these months.
but be aware that August is "vacation" time for all Italians. The cities literally become ghost towns, while the beaches fill up to the max with vacationers...I advise not to travel to Italy in the month of August

SLEEP

Il Pellicano Hotel, Monte Argento
Argentario Golf & Spa, Monte Argento
Gallia Palce Hotel, Punta Ala
Hotel Cala del Porto, Punta Ala

For more tourism information go here
other helpful links go here and here
and for wine lovers you will want to look here

little honeymoon adventures: FRANCE

Today's little honeymoon adventure, I am taking you out of Italy and over the south of France, to a small city called, Arles. This romantic, little city, is most famous for the Roman Ruins and the artist, Vincent Van Gogh. His best depiction of cafe life was inspired by the city and can be seen in his painting titled, Cafe Terrace at Night. It is a city that continues to attract many artists from all over the globe. In fact, every year, it hosts the famous, Les Recontres D'Arles, which was one of the very first Photography Festivals in the world.

ARLES
Hotel D'Arlatan

provence blue is found everywhere

SIGHTS
Vincent Van Gogh Foundation

The Musée départemental de l'Arles antiques

The Roman Colosseum in Arles

Montmajour Abbey

The Museon Arlaten, 29 rue de la République

Flea Market (saturday only) on Blvd. des Lices

intricate tile work on the floors

SLEEP
Hotel D'Arlatan $$
I highly recommend this hotel, its within a good budget, 82 euros a night for a standard room, private bath, 2 adults, breakfast not included. It's quaint and absolutely beautiful.
Grand Hotel Nord-Pinus $$$
Hotel Jules Cesar $$$$

EATS
Au Brin de Thym
22 rue du Dr Fanton
p. 04 90 49 95 96
Lou Marque (located in the Jules Cesar Hotel) ultra romantic spot, perfect for a splurge night out with your sweetie

How to get to Arles go here

{photography by Michele Quinn, my mamma)

little honeymoon adventures in Italy...........

TUSCANY SPA RESORT

images via Grotta Giusti website

today's little honeymoon adventures in Italy is short but ever so important as it is dedicated to a little spa spot located in the hills of Tuscany
if you find yourself traveling in Tuscany, why not treat you and your sweet to a few days of pampering at the Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort located in a early nineteen century villa , for more information see here.

little honeymoon adventures in Italy

PORTOFINO

photographs by deirdre quinn

Portofino, is a beautiful and exclusive little seaside village, located in the Liguria region. Most know it as the seaside resort for the rich and famous but there's more to it then the people. The nature alone is enough to attract the numerous visitors it does each year. The village is surrounded by enchanting hillside gardens, with a network of paths and trails to explore, eventually leading to the very top for a spectacular view of the Mediterranean, an experience not to be missed.

SIGHTS
The town square, a symbol of Portofino surrounded by colored houses and love boat size yachts that fill the marina.
Church and Castle of St. George tucked up on the hillside and a little bit further up you will find, Brown Castle immersed in magnificent fairytale gardens with a sea-side views.
to see panorama views of Portofino go here

For nature lovers, you my want to spend the day strolling or hiking find out more here

ACTIVITIES
Diving
Mountain Biking
Trekking

photograph via Hotel Splendido, the romantic "La Terrazza"

EATS

Splendido's La Terrazza

SLEEP
Hotel San Giorgio,located in Portofino
Grand Hotel Miramare, located in Santa Margherita
Hotel Splendido & Splendido Mare, located in Portofino
a ultra luxurious top of the line honeymoon this is your place.....
Imperiale Palace Hotel, located in Santa Margherita

HOW TO GET THERE
TRAIN: From Milan/Florence and Rome, to the railway stations of Rapallo and Santa Margherita and then by taxi or bus to Portofino. Click here to review train timetables from Trenitalia.
PLANE: Genoa Airport
DAY TRIP: unless your making a big splurge, you'll probably be visiting Portifino just for the day. The nearest town is Santa Margherita, an old fashion seaside town It has a wide range of resorts and hotels, that have ferries to take you to and from Portofino. For more information go here

little honeymoon adventures in Italy

it's little honeymoon Wednesday!
little insider tips for those choosing Italy as a honeymoon destination. Here's an "off the beaten path" day trip if your thinking of spending extended time in Milan............................Enjoy!

BERGAMO

Bergamo, is a little town in the Lombardy region, 45 minutes north of Milano. It's a great day trip if your travels bring you to Milano. The town has two centers, upper city, "Città alta", medieval walled city on a hilltop and the lower city, "Città bassa", serves as the modern city center of Bergamo, which are connected by a cable car and roads.

SITES
II Palazzzo della Ragion (città alta)
Piazza Vecchia (città alta) located in the heart of the old city this is the perfect spot for an aperitivo at the historic, Caffe del Tasso.
Santa Maria Maggiore (città alta)
Duomo, Torre del Comume (città alta)

little insider tip: In Citta Alta, you can go even higher. Go to Colle Aperto, following Via Colleoni and going out of the city walls and take the other cable car to San Vigilio hill. At the cable car ticket office you will be able to find leaflets about itineraries on the area. Beautiful strolls in this area and views of Bergamo Alta are promised.

ART
Galleria d'arte moderna e contemporanea (città bassa)
Accademia Carrara (città bassa)
Museo d'arte sacra Fondazione Adriano Bernareggi (città bassa)

SHOPPING
Berne, via borfuro 6 (città bassa)
designer clothing aspesi, paul smith, vivienne westwood etc...

EATS
Trattoria La Colombina, Via Borgo Canale, 12, tele. 035.261402 (città alta)
(this is a hidden, romantic, gem of a restaurant, is my absolute favorite! it won't disappoint, call ahead and reserve a table on the vine covered terrace with views of the beautiful valley)
Colleoni Dell'Angelo Located in piazza vecchia (see photo above)(città alta)

SLEEP
Hotel Piazza Vecchia (città alta)
Hotel San Lorenzo (città alta)

SWEETS
Polenta e Osei is a Lombardian dish of polenta topped with little chocolate birds. Layers of spongecake and apricot jam make up the usual filling and the dome-shaped cake is then covered in rolled yellow fondant before being coated with sugar. Dainty little chocolate bird decorations adorn the top. Very pretty to look at and you will find them displayed in the bakery windows.

HELPFUL INFO
Train schedule from Milano stazione centrale, runs hourly, look at schedule here
Tourist info here

little honeymoon adventures in Italy...........

I was recently in contact with the lovely and ever so sweet, Anne, creator of the blog, Perfect Bound, about her upcoming honeymoon travels to Italy. She has a great trip planned, and Milano being one of her stops, I thought I'd share a little list of my favorite places from the city I am now happy to call home.
Also, since Italy tends to be a very popular honeymoon spot, I plan to dedicate every Wednesday's post to a new location. So hold tight, there's more to come........

MILAN

"torta con fragoline di bosco" from, Pasticceria Ronchi, Via Sacco, 5
photographed by deirdre quinn

(note click on the highlighted bold names below for more information)

PLACES
Duomo, take in the view of milan with the gargoyles on the roof terrace of the duomo.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, just a few steps away from the duomo is the grand entry to the galleria, where you can join in the hustle and bustle for some shopping....
and a few steps away, is the Italian department store, La Rinascente
Santa Maria delle Grazia, is the home of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper", make your reservations a month in advance, for a quick and I mean quick glimpse,(they literally shuffle you thru like cattle) of the fading masterpiece.......
Basilicia di sant'ambrogio
Castello Sforzesco
Teatro alla Scalla
Parco Sempione
Giardini Pubblici


SPA
After a long morning of sight seeing and shopping, take the afternoon off, for a little spa treatment, roman bath style at Terme Milano.
My girlfriends took me here for my bachelorette day, it was so much fun and truly relaxing.
And if your looking for the ultimate high end, luxury spa treatments, and have room in your budget, check out Habits Culti or The Bulgari Hotel

ART
Pinacoteca di brera
PAC
Triennale di milano
Galleria Carla Sozzani at Corso Como 10
Gio Marconi
Go Gallery

off the beaten track hip art scene in Lambrate
galleria zero
francesca minini
galleria klerkx
prometeo gallery
and cross over to Isola for an aperitivo at Frida Cafe

EATS
Rita, located in Navigli neighborhood, is the place for weekend brunch. Typically, an Italian style breakfast is a light fare of cafe and brioche, so if your craving a little, American style brunch, this is definetly your place. For all my fellow new yorker readers, they even serve bagels!
L'Incoronate, is one of my favorite little hip lunch spots. It's a great place to recharge after a morning of shopping at Corso Como 10 and High Tech
Consolare ristorante, is one of the best restaurants (aside from my mother in-law's kitchen) located in artsy neighborhood of Brera. My absolute favorite dishes primo piatto is pasta con le vongole
and for secondo piatto scampi alla griglia
I should inform my lovely readers, I am a HUGE foodie...the plates above will not disappoint.

APERITIVO (*my ultimate favorites)
a little bubbly at the end of your day is the italian way ( i can't believe i just made a silly rhyme)
why not try a Aperol Spritz? this is a typical aperitivo drink made with aperol, prosecco, splash of selzter and a slice of orange on the rocks.....it's DELISH!
you can practice saying this "Io prendo un aperol spritz per favore" I swear, after having a couple of these, you'll start to think your fluent in the language.......
below are of our regular low key hangouts
Cantine Isola
* this is one of the best hidden wine bars in milan, it mostly attracts musicians, artists and writer types
Pescheria da Claudia
* stop in here for an apertivo of fresh mix of fish and a glass of prosecco.
Cape Town
Mono
*if I'm homesick for Brooklyn this is a good replacement, vibe is an artsy crowd
Mom Cafe
Atomic Bar

SHOPPING

high end designer shops such as Prada and Dolce & Gabanna, can be found venturing down the little quaint cobblestone street, Via Spiga and just around the corner on Via Monte Napoleone, you will find the likes of Alberta Ferretti, Marni, Missoni, Valentino etc......
Here are some of my favorite shops scattered around Milan's city center
Aspesi
Lusia Beccaria
Pupi Solari via Piazza Tommaseo, 2
Laura Urbinati
Muji
Corso Como 10
Isola Show Room (everything you see here is handmade, jewellery, t-shirts, art work etc...)
Lingottino Gioielli, Coroso Magenta, 52
Camper
Maison Martin Margiela
Miu Miu
Sermoneta Gloves
Car Shoe, Via Della Spiga, 1
Frip, Corso Di Porta Ticinese, 16 * edgy 80's style store, its worth a look see

HOTELS
$$$$$
The Principe Di Savoia
Four Seasons
The Gray Hotel
$$$
Antica Locanda dei mercanti
Antica Locanda Solferino
$$
Del Sole Hotel
Hotel Speronari

FOODS & SWEETS
Wagner Market
Piazza Wagner 2
If your a foodie, then this is a must!
Here you will see the inner workings of an Italian market, from the fish guy to fresh produce, it's a true experience and testament to Italian's care for food in their everyday lives.

Chocolat Gelateria
For some delicious gelato, they even have such a flavors as dark chocolate with hot peppers! yikes or yum!

Pasticceria Ronchi Via Sacco, 5
This pasticceria is one of my neighborhood favorites, it has some of the best little cakes and treats. If you don't believe me, check out the opening photograph, hellooooo.....please scroll up to the top

Corregio Pasticceria
Via Correggio, 14
sugar covered violets or roses anyone? the most delicious handmade sweets see here