Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Italiano...


If you ever have the chance to travel to Italy, one place you absolutely MUST visit is the Amalfi Coast.  Tyler (the hubs) and I were fortunate enough to be able to honeymoon there, and it was hands down one of the best places I have ever visited.

We began our trip in Sorrento which is a little town located right on the Amalfi Coast and known for their phenomenal Limoncello.
Lemons of Sorrento
Sorrento Lemons
Yes, the lemons were really this big....so I guess you see why Sorrento is known for its Limoncello!

Sorrento's Version of the Green Man
Limonoro in Sorrento
Limonoro is a limoncello factory located right in the heart of Sorrento and this lemon liquor oh so tasty!  Limoncello is also perfect to sip on after a meal as it acts as a digestive.

Societa Operaia | Sorrento
Above is a local meeting place in downtown Sorrento....the mural is just gorgeous don't you think?

Not far from Sorrento is Pompeii, which will easily take a full day to visit, and what better way to visit the remains of Mt. Vesuvius's wrath than with an Italian picnic?

Local Deli in Sorrento
Tyler and I made a pit stop at this quaint deli in the heart of Sorrento before our day trip to Pompeii.  We made sure to get their wonderful cured meat, fresh cheese and bread, a small bottle of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and to wash it all down, a bottle of Prosecco! 

Tyler & I at Pompeii w/ Picnic in Hand | Mt. Vesuvius in the Distance
Since that picnic day, Tyler and I have come up with our own version of bringing a little bit of Italy home...

Italian Sub
Recipe ::

(1) Hoagie Bun {we like Pepperidge Farm}
Mayo {Bama or Duke's is oh so yummy}
Cheese {Provolone or Muenster is a nice pairing}
Pepperoni
Genoa Salami, Capicola, Prosciutto
Lettuce
Dried Basil and/or Oregano
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Drizzle of EVOO

ENJOY!

Wash down this tasty Italian sub with sparkling water, or if you're feeling really Italian, a carafe of white wine or Prosecco!  Afterwards enjoy a piping hot espresso or sip on a little Limoncello.


Italian Espresso
WINE!!!
Literally they brought out an entire carafe of wine with every meal.....

Another stop you must make while visiting the Amalfi Coast is Positano, a quaint boating town right on the coast.....and you have to take a bus, or if you're really daring, a scooter, to get there...

Ride along Amalfi Coast


You may not want to look down on this exhilarating ride down the Amalfi Coast full of hairpin turns on a road built originally to only fit mules....


Loved the detail on these steps!

Positano
Having a Cocktail at a Positano Cafe
Positano Market
Make sure to visit the markets before you leave!

I could fill this post with pages and pages of beautiful pictures along the Amalfi Coast, but there just isn't enough room!!  So, I hope you have gotten a little peek of why you simply must put the Amalfi Coast on your list of top places to visit!!

View from Hotel | Sorrento
Ciao!


Monday, March 31, 2014

Taking the High Road to High Point...

A Travel Guide to High Point Market

April is one of my favorite times of the year not only because warmer weather is on the horizon and everything is in bloom, but it is also the time to see what is new and fresh in interiors at High Point!  I am completely bummed that I will be unable to make the trip up this April, so I am going to create my own guide for High Point Market right through Quill Notes.

Not only is market full of inspiration in itself, but if you are able to take a few days to make the trip up to High Point, there are a few other things that you simply must do while in the area and along the way.

Day 1 :: Biltmore Estate

A visit to the Biltmore, nestled in the mountains of Ashville, NC, is an absolute must when taking the high road to High Point.  This stunning estate will easily take a day to visit, but its grandiose architecture with rooms draped in luxurious silks & velvets and enough antiques to suit royalty, will make it well worth your time. 

Biltmore Estate Grand Entrance
You will notice all of my photos are of the exterior of the estate, which is no less impressive than the interior, due to the fact that photography was prohibited once inside the estate.

Biltmore Estate Fascade
The stunning and ornate architecture - 4 stories worth + the basement -  literally takes your breath away.

Italian Garden
Garden Sculpture in the Italian Garden
View from the South Terrace
I certainly wouldn't mind waking up to this view every morning.  

South Terrace Tea House
South Terrace
View of the Biltmore Estate from the South Terrace

Green Man Fountain in the Pergola beneath the South Terrace
My Mother + Travel Partner - Looking out the South Terrace
Wisteria covered Pergola beneath the South Terrace

Wisteria covered Pergola beneath South Terrace
Who wouldn't love a wisteria covered terrace? The attractive purple blooms draping in graceful clusters from a full, hardy vine is certainly a sight to see while relaxing in ones garden.  However, seeker beware as wisteria can overtake and become out of control if note pruned properly.

Quill Notes Tip ::  Create a pergola with its specific purpose being to display this hardy vine.  Make sure to research the best species to grow in your area and most of all how to prune and train it to grow how you'd like without becoming destructive to other structures or plants in your garden.

Looking through Walled Garden onto blooming Tulips

Conservatory
The arched windows of the conservatory are absolutely stunning.  It's like looking through a looking glass into a space bursting with life.

Conservatory window detail

Inside the Conservatory
In love with these Rococo style chairs + that grate!  

View of the Biltmore Estate from Conservatory

View from South side of Etsate
Biltmore Estate + Pergola beneath South Terrace
Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate Architectural Detail
It still amazes and intrigues me at the ornate architectural details found at every corner of this grand estate.

Front Lawn

Biltmore Estate Architectural Detail
Love the stone pattern + layering of wood, stone and iron.

Architectural Detail of Horse Stables

View of Biltmore Estate from Horse Stables

The Biltmore Estate

Fountain/Terrace  Detail across front front of Biltmore Estate
As you leave the main grounds, you cannot miss the tour of the winery.  Their champagne is absolutely divine as is their other selections of wine from sweet blush to dry red.

Hometown Favorite, Belle Chevre, Found at the Winery Gift Shop
As my mother and I were going on our way and leaving our tour of the Biltmore, we made a little discovery - BELLE CHEVRE!!!  This delicious goat cheese is made right in the heart of Elkmont, Alabama and right outside of my hometown, Athens, Alabama.  If you haven't already discovered this lovely treat, you MUST try it soon!  

Available for purchase here

Roadtrip Picnic
Everyone knows if you are going on a road trip, it's the #1 rule to have fabulous snacks for the ride!

Road Trip Muchies:
Belle Chevre Goat Cheese Spread here
Effies Crispy Corncakes here
Starbuck's Coffee

Stay tuned for Day 2 as I continue my Travel Guide to High Point!