When visiting Chiang Mai in the northern part of Thailand, my friend and I found a wonderful 3-D museum called "Art in Paradise".  Both my friend and I love to take photos and we spent hours there.  I saw people of all ages having a great time at this unusual museum.  I will continue to visit the 3-D optical illusion museums as much as I can in the future.  As a matter of fact I am going to be seeking them out and may plan a trip around visiting them as I had such a fantastic time. 

In the photo where it looks like I am on the cover of National Geographic magazine.  I am sitting on the floor up against the wall.  Part of the painting is on the floor where I am sitting and the cliff is on the wall behind me.  If you look closely you can see a crease where my right hand is placed.

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

 Here is the entrance to Vizcaya:

Villa Vizcaya now called Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Biscayne Bay in Miami Florida was built by businessman James Deering as a winter home.  Vizcaya was planned and built between 1914 and 1923.  Vizcaya combines french and Italian garden layouts combined with Cuban limestone stonework. 

I felt like I was touring a mansion or palace in Europe while I was there.  The ceilings and decor is so incredibly ornate.  The only thing I didn't like about my visit was not being able to take photos indoors, but that is the policy in most similar places I've visited in Italy as well.  I would also recommend visiting this lovely museum during the "cooler" months.  I was there in mid June on a very warm day and there are three floors of rooms to see! 

Vizcaya can be rented for special occasions such as weddings and photo shoots.  One can do a self guided tour for $18.00/adult.  It's an additional $5.00 for an audio tour.  Special guided tours can be arranged as well.  Vizcaya will be undergoing renovations beginning in mid July 2015 until October 2015.  The price to tour the museum will be reduced to $16.00/adult. 

Here is a photo of the court yard:



The water in the pool really was this hue of blue - not sure if it's safe to swim in!


Here is the court yard:

The statues throughout the grounds were amazing!
I was so fascinated by this Italian barge structure behind Vizcaya.  It's mainly for decorative purposes, but it's supposed to calm the waters near the shore as well.
  I loved the statues throughout the grounds:

I will leave you with a photo of my friend Jahna Robertson and I relaxing in the air conditioned gift shop/cafe.  It was a very warm June day and made us appreciate what it was like to build and work on this mansion as well as live in southern Florida before the invention of air conditioning.  I would definitely recommend visiting Vizcaya if you are ever in the Miami area.  Most people like having 2-3 hours to tour the grounds.  For more information about visiting, here is their web site:  Click here: Vizcaya

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Please leave me any comments and questions.  I would love to hear your thoughts on my blogs new design as it's still evolving.  I hope you are having a great week

~Michelle

Skansen was created in 1891 and  is the first open-air museum and zoo in Sweden to show what life was like before the industrial era.  The name Skansen has also been used as a noun to refer to other open-air museums in Europe and the United States.  Skansen's buildings and grounds are beautifully maintained, the views are amazing, and the admission price of 100 kroner or 17.04  dollars seemed very fair to me. 

While I was there I saw several groups of children on a field trip from school.  I can see why a school would encourage this activity a it was an awesome history lesson for me!  I learned a lot about the history of Sweden's architeture and way of life.  I had so much fun in the zoo area with the indigenous animals of this country especially the lemurs!

I sent about six hours at this open air museum, but wish I'd had longer.  If you enjoy learning about history and taking photos, you might want to allot one and a half or two days to fully experience Skansen.  I know that I would have loved an extra day there as there is a lot to see.  Be sure to wear good walking shoes and try to go on a nice day as most of the activitie are outdoors. 

This guy met me at the entrance and seemed to be following me through the park:

The entrance and gardens were beautiful:
There was a glass blowers shop with a working glass blower who was selling some beautiful items:
There are several outdoor cafes to get get something to eat or drink:

I saw many groups of chidren who appeared to be there on a field trip:

I really enjoyed seeing the traditional Swedish architecture:


The farmers lived in close knit communities so they could work together and help each other with caring for their crops and animals:





A greenhouse:
The ouside of a nineteenth century Swedish home:
Inside a traditional Swedish home:
A traditional class room:

I LOVED the lemur exhibit!  It does cost 120 Kroner or about 20 dollars/person to go inside the exhibit.  You can see them quite well from outside.  I took the photo at the top of this blog from outside the exhibit.  I had so much fun playing with them and being such an animal lover, I would pay the twenty dollars to enter their lair again.

This guy was being all cute and cuddly until...

He tried to make off with my camera - and they are VERY quick!

Here is  baby sitting on his mother eating a piece of fruit:
I thought this guy was meditating:

This is a baby lemur.  They are very playful!

There is a tree growing in the middle of their aquarium:
I loved the Meercats aka Meerkats as well (they are part of the mongoose family):
I loved the views throughout the museum:

Thank you so much for visiting.  I'd love to her any questions or comments you have.  Have a great week my friends!

~ Michelle