A renovated mill in Italy

A big thanks to Deb for giving us a tip about this gorgeous Italian mill, photographed by Stefano Scatà. Dating back to 1570 and located in San Bartolomeo di Breda di Piave, Treviso Italy, the mill is now an inn called Locanda Rosa Rosae and is owned by Elisabetta and Silvio Stefani. It's a gorgeous, jaw-dropping mix of old and new that is my absolute dream - to take something really old and modernize it while maintaining as much of the old charm as possible. *sigh* How rewarding that must feel when accomplished. 

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Chesa Wazzau

The slow movement. I have always been attracted to slow food but now I'm falling for the idea of slow design and slow holidays (if I can call it that). I love the restoration of significant buildings to their former glory and instead of hiding them away in private hands, throwing open the doors as a hotel/holiday rental to experience all the cultural richness of the area. You have seen my obsession lately with Italian idea of albergo diffuso now I have fallen in love with this Swiss 17th century Engadine farmhouse, Chesa Wazzau in the village of Bever just a short drive from St. Moritz. A typical Engadine house had everything under one roof, house, barn, family, cows and now paying guests. A house party is in order don't you think? The long table is already set.

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Alila Villas Soori

Dear readers,

I'm not here. No not really. My body is stranded in my day to day job, on the train, washing up and ironing clothes, blowing my nose and cursing my head cold. My mind though is on holidays in Bali ... still. I just moved hotel that's all. To the sister property of last week's virtual trip to paradise. This week I have moved my luggage on over to the Alila Villas Soori. Nestled between rice fields and volcanic black sand beaches. Ah the luxury, the relaxation. Maybe my body should hustle on over and join me.

Cheers, Jo

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Bali beauty

What a way to start the working week! Daydreams of holidays in a tropical paradise. Poised on a cliff above the warm waters that lap the shores of the island of Bali is a small piece of perfection. The Alila Villas Uluwatu. Beauty, serenity, relaxation and luxury with views that go on forever or idyllic privacy surrounded by high walls. Whatever your weary soul desires. The architecture seamlessly flows from the inside to outside. Pools stretch to infinity. The design is by award-winning Singapore architectural firm, WOHA. I don't want to go to work tomorrow. Not now. 

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A dream vacation

Catarina sent us a link to a hotel her father worked on, located in Portugal (less than an hour from Lisbon) close to her parents' home. It's absolutely gorgeous and would be a complete dream vacation. It's called Areias do Seixo. They have rooms of various styles to suit everyone's desires - from modern to rustic/earthy to vintage/glam. They also have villas complete with kitchen, swimming pool and BBQ. Yes, I think I could see myself settling in here quite nicely. :-)

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