The Holiday Lights event at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo Florida began on November 27th and ends on December 31st in 2015.  The hours are 5:30 -9:30 daily.  This beautiful display of tropical gardens is free, but they suggest a donation of $4.00 for everyone over the age of 13.

Not only are there beautiful decorations, but there is an array of free entertainers every night.  You can see a list of entertainers here:  2015 entertainment.  Santa Claus is also available to visit with and take photos!  This event is made possible by more than 450 volunteers, donations, and very generous sponsors.  It is the largest fund raiser of the year for the gardens.  

It would have been really difficult to use a tripod (for me at least) during this event as there were a lot of people there on the night my husband and I visited.  I did my best to capture some images.  Overall, I thought this was a really fun event that I would recommend to anyone and I can't wait to go again next year!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please let me know if you have any questions as I love to hear from my readers.  I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.  Have a wonderful week and enjoy the final days of 2015! 

~Michelle

It's become a tradition for my husband and I to visit the Gaylord Palm's ICE exhibit in Kissimmee, Florida during the holiday season each year.  I really like staying at the hotel.  There is so much to do at the hotel itself as well as the Kissimmee area.

The Ice exhibit's theme for 2015 is "Twas the Night Before Christmas".  The event started on November 24th and ends on January 3rd 2016 so you still have time to go!  The prices for admission can be found here:  ICE Exhibit Packages and Prices.  Parking is an additional $20 at the Kissimmee, Florida location.  Please have your own gloves as they don't give them out this year!  It took my hands a good fifteen minutes to thaw after exiting the "The Frostbite Factory".

To make the ICE exhibit at Gaylord Palms requires 36 truckloads over a 3 week period of ice and several artists from Harbin, China which is near Siberia and temperatures fall to an average of 2 degrees in the winter.  I can't imagine having the skill and carving these awesome sculptures in 9 degrees F.

Here is the link for reservations or more information about the Gaylord Palms Convention Center.

 Here is a photo of my husband and I in the chilly entrance of the exhibit:

Here are just a few of my favorite ice sculptures:  It's not easy to take photos as it's a little dark in some of the rooms and there are a lot of people standing around the sculptures and having friends or family take photos of them in front of these beautiful works of art.

Here is one of the artists hard at work building/maintaining these gorgeous sculptures:


This crystal clear nativity scene is at the very end of the exhibit:






There are four ice slides.  There is an extra fee for them.

As I stated previously, The Gaylord Palms Hotel is very beautifully decorated, has a lot of restaurants and shows.  Here is a gigantic Christmas tree which took my breath away!
I watched several VERY talented acrobats performing neat the lovely Christmas tree.  Again, it wasn't easy to take photos.  Next year I would LOVE to stay in one of the hotel rooms overlooking this incredible courtyard!

Here is a dome and a sculpture I found just walking around:

There were a lot of small alligators and turtles in one of the ponds:


Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I hope you and are enjoying this holiday season.  Have a great week! 

~Michelle

Visiting Isola del Garda was one of the highlights of my trip to Lake Garda in Italy.  The Villa was one of the most gorgeous structures I had ever seen as it literally took my breath away!   It was explained to us during the tour that the villa's architecture and landscaping were planned together which is why the property is so grand.   If the two didn't have each other they might not be as beautiful as they are.

The entire tour of Isola del Garda takes about three hours as guests are taken by boat to the island which takes about a half hour.  The guided tour takes about two hours and includes some wine and snacks on one of the balconies.  You can visit this beautiful villa between April and October the cost is between 25 and €30 depending on what area of the lake you are picked up on.  The trip takes about three hours including a two hour tour of the property. Guests are allowed to take photos outside just not inside the villa. 

This property is also available for use during weddings and other important events the contact information is here:  Contact Information.

Below is one of the gorgeous gardens which are everywhere on the property.

Yours truly in front of the villa:
The tower is one of the most impressive parts of the villa:
There are some very healthy fruit trees surrounding the property:

Here is the ceiling above one of the balconys on the outside of the villa.  This is the area where we had a snack with wine or other drink:

Here is a children's play house in the backyard:

I saw this beautiful sailboat while on the tour:
I will leave you with a photo of another guest who made the tour just a little more fun!


Have you ever visited a property that took your breath away the way this one did me?  If so, please tell me about it.   Thank you very much for stopping by my blog.  Please feel free to leave any comments or questions.   Have a great week!

~Michelle

I have stayed at every star level hotel there is.  I even stayed at some guest houses and  hostels when I visited Tanzania in Africa.  This was my second trip to Italy and my first time visiting Lake Garda, Italy.  I have always been very impressed by the hospitality at the hotels I have stayed at in this country.  The Villa Cortine Palace is definitely in the top few hotels I have ever stayed anywhere. 

The photos I post and what I write can not do this little piece of heaven justice.  I truly felt like I was in paradise while I stayed there. They definitely provided the best service that I have ever encountered and the grounds are some of the nicest I have encountered.   The view is incredible as the hotel is set high up above the town of Sirmione.

Being a frequent traveler I have realized that I am pickier about my accommodations then I wanted to believe as I can usually find several things wrong even at the four and five star hotels I've been a guest at.  I cannot think of a single complaint regarding this hotel.  The food was amazing, the staff was extremely friendly, and the view was incredible throughout the hotel.  My bed was very comfortable and the property is very secure.  When you come through the gate you must be buzzed in either through the front or back of the property so one should feel very safe at this hotel. 

The location is also very central and just a few minutes from Scaliger Castle.  The price is quite reasonable for what you receive and if you book through the hotel's website they often have good prices available.  I stayed there in September and the rates were quite a bit less and if I had stayed there between June and August.  If you are someone who enjoys the finer things in life, this hotel could be the right one for you!  I really felt like I was in a museum when strolling through the hotel and around the beautiful and expansive grounds.

The following four photos were taken from the balcony in my room:

Below is the lovely breakfast room:

I am not a breakfast eater unless I'm in Italy.  Omelets were prepared fresh.  One can order fresh coffee or cappuccino.

This beautiful structure and garden were on the grounds of the hotel:
Here are a few other photos I took on the hotel grounds:

I found this beautiful garden on the walkway down to the hotel's private beach:
The pool has a beautiful view of Lake Garda
Guests can eat breakfast or dinner in this area:

The two photos below were taken in the hotel bar/lounge where you can have dinner and snacks throughout the day.

I am practicing using a tripod and timer to take photos.  I decided to take photos of myself in some of the beautiful rooms around the hotel which is full of gorgeous antiques.

I was hesitant to post a photo of my nice big room as it was a little messy, but I loved the chandelier over the bed!

The following two photos are of the hotel's private beach and restaurant:


I will leave you with just one of the lovely sunrises I saw:

Thank you for much for visiting my blog!  Have you stayed at any hotels that you absolutely loved?  I really appreciate comments and treasure every one I receive.  I hope you are having a fantastic week.

~Michelle