MOUNTAINS AND LOVE ♥

A wonderful time spent in the mountains with my Loved One...

Dreamy views from our balcony!

WALKING TO HEAVEN

This amazing "castle" perched on a mountain and overlooking the valley, and surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes, is actually a very ancient abbey and one of the symbols of Piedmont, my beautiful region. The Sacra di San Michele (Saint Michael's Abbey) has ancient origins dating back to 966 AD and many myths and legends surrounding it. But the mountain bears evidence of human settlements since prehistoric times, and in later times, it was fortified by the Ligurians and by the Celts. Being such a strategic place, the Romans, the Longobards and the Franks were here too. I am pretty sure that such a place was already sacred for ancient inhabitants, way before Christianity. The walk up there is breathtaking in itself, and the place is not only of stunning beauty, but it has a mystical quality which can be literally felt in both the ancient stones and the breathtaking location. Sharing this magical place with my Loved One made it even more special :)

You can read very interesting information about the Abbey and its history here. And you can see images of the Sacra and its amazing environment here.

STORMY RIVIERA

I have spent a few lovely days at my dear cousin Sylvia's on the Riviera, it was cool and stormy because of this strange spring which is being so wintery as in most of Europe... but we had a great time, filled with lots of inner sunshine! :) Now we are all looking forward to SPRING!!!! 

A sunny cappuccino!

Sylvia's lovely turtle

View from the train on the way back home

OLD TOWN BY NIGHT

The magical old town of Pinerolo, Piedmont, takes you back to the Middle Ages... Walking through its narrow lanes uphill to this church is like walking back in time, in a magical setting of ancient buildings and secret gardens hidden away behind ancient walls. At night the light is magical... oneiric, almost unreal. The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking!

PIEDMONT ♥

My beautiful Piedmont shared with my Loved One! :)

Mountains, gently rolling hills, green valleys and lovely villages... that's the Piedmont I love!

MOUNTAINS AND LOVE ♥

- Colle del Lys (Lys Pass), 1311 m -

More images from these wonderful days, sharing my beautiful mountains with my Loved One! ♥

 - Viù -

MOUNTAINS AND LOVE ♥

My first New Year wish has come true: sharing my beloved mountains with my Loved One! :)

My wonderful mountains are even more beautiful when shared with the One I love! ♥

Snow, mountains, ancient villages...

SPRING ON THE RIVIERA

I'm spending lovely days visiting my dear cousin/best friend Sylvia on the Riviera...

Spring is already here...

Lovely flowers blooming...

MOUNTAINS AND LOVE: AOSTA VALLEY

Glorious blue skies, snowy peaks and wonderful memories of wonderful days in the Aosta Valley (Vallée d'Aoste/Valle d'Aosta) with my Loved One!

-Mont Blanc-

The village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (1725 m) surrounded by snowy peaks