Through the gates of Charleston, I fell in love!

I had no idea that I would fall in love!  I fell in love with "Charleston" a drop dead gorgeous city with southern charm and glamour.  Returned from a trip with my bestie cousin from Sydney Nova Scotia. 

Stay
We stayed at the Restoration.  It is a boutique hotel right in the middle of shopping, eating and site seeing.  The Restoration is an outstanding restored hotel with southern hospitality, modern fresh décor, well appointed rooms, bicycles to ride around town, happy hour with cheese and wine and cookies when you return from dinner.

Our favorite was the breakfast basket delivered to the room.  Very charming and southern.  I actually booked this hotel for the breakfast basket, it sounded like a novel idea and didn't disappoint. 

Wine and Cheese time...

See


Carriage Tour - even though this is one of the touristy event that I would have generally passed, but in Charleston it is a must.  I would recommend a horse drawn carriage tour the first day so you get to plan your walking tour. The horses are treated better than the people due to regulations.  When you get on a carriage you won't know the route until they randomly provide the route guidance.  This is the process so the same streets are not congested with carriages. 

Boone Hall Plantation...I am sure this must be the most photographed avenue of Oaks.  The Boone Plantation was featured in several movies which includes "The Notebook", "Gone with the Wind" etc. 

The next stop was at the Magnolia Plantation saturated in beautiful gardens and ponds.  You could still see the remnants of rice plantation in which slaves worked and you feel the past.  The reflections on a still morning...

 
Through the gates of Charleston.  We were in awe of the beauty, history and the architecture of Charleston.  I will let the pictures speak for itself.  My cousin and I stopped every few feet to take photographs, we were surprised we didn't get arrested for house stalking.

Notice the light blue ceilings in most of the porches.

 Around town...

Small things make a big difference

Eat

Eating our way through Charleston was easy.  We both had the same goal...EAT!!!  The restaurant scene here is exploding with unbelievably great food.  We get up in the morning and while having breakfast we discuss our culinary plan.   Most people would discuss site seeing, but not us, it was food front and center. 

Some of the great restaurants are Blossom, Low Country Bistro, Fig, Husk, Xia Bao Biscuit (Asian restaurant in an old gas station) and an amazing Italian Le Farfalle. I always forget to take pictures as I am too eager to eat...here are some.

 

   





To Rome via London...Let's roam around Roma!

As you know, Rome is the eternal city and the capital of Italy.  This summer we had the pleasure of going for couple of weddings in London thus hop over to Rome for a few days.  Rome transformed from a small Latin village to the center of a great empire. 

The charming Old City with its narrow cobblestone streets and old colonial architecture bursts with art and culture. Walk around and visit the shops, art galleries and local cafes.  It is a pretty easy city to navigate by foot if you are staying around the city center.

The center of Catholicism, Rome is not just religion, art and history it is quite cool! 

Stay

Nestled in the coble stone streets right around the corner from the Spanish steps was our hotel.  Hotel Condotti was recommended for it its location, European charm and the service.  We enjoyed the stay and most of all you can walk to the historical sights, shops and great restaurants.

Wonderful restaurants as you step out of the hotel.

 

 Uneven charm of cobble stone streets...quiet morning walk near the hotel.

 Right around the corner from the main shopping drag Via Condotti

 Left and a left to the Spanish steps.

  Eating our way around Rome.

As you know we love food, when we plan our vacation part of the itinary includes restaurants.  Here are couple of restaurants I would recommend in addition to the coffee bars and sandwich stops for lunch.

Cucina and Vista is a restaurant overlooking the Spanish Steps.  Super nice ambience with great food and excellent service.  I take pictures of the décor and not the food!

 Il Gabriello is a winner, this was probably the best meal in Rome.  The restaurant is steps below street level, with charming décor and lovely food.

Life is another restaurant...the food here is amazing.  Notice the utensils framed.

 

Lunch at Café Grerro

Elements of a great shopping experience.

Rome not only has wonderful shops, the décor takes it to the next level.  You don't feel like you are in a shop, more like a boutique hotel with things to buy.

 

Notice the branches on top of the entrance.

 

Endless gems of architecture and historic sites.