Chow Bella

Ischia: An Enchanting Island

Posted on February 12, 2019July 15, 2019 by ChowBella

There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.
Gilbert K. Chesterton

We had a couple friends visiting us in February and wanted to show them the islands around Naples. They had already been to Capri, so we decided on Ischia, an enchanting island made of volcanic rock with beaches, hot springs, a charming town, and a beautiful castle on top of a rocky islet. It was Gilbert K. Chesterton that said, “There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.” This castle looked like something you would see in your dreams. We were amazed they were able to build it into the volcanic rock so many years ago.

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Barcelona is So Gaudi

Posted on January 21, 2019July 30, 2019 by ChowBella

But man does not create…he discovers.
Antoni Gaudí

It was Gaudí who said, “But man does not create…he discovers.” Gaudí and his contemporaries have made some of the most unique buildings in the world. They thought outside of the box and created extravagant buildings for everyone to enjoy for years to come. The more intricate the patterns and designs, the better.

Here are our top recommendations for Barcelona for a 3-4 day trip. We wish we had a few extra days to see everything else our list, so we’ll have to make sure we return! We’ll be sure to do another Barcelona blog after we see the rest of it. Next blog is TBD ☺

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Vatican City: Art Comes to Life

Posted on December 23, 2018May 10, 2019 by ChowBella

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. We were standing in front of the works of two of the best known artists of the world – Michelangelo and Raphael. We had learned about them in school, but seeing them up close was unreal. Every color and brush stroke told a story. To see these masterpieces in real life breathed life into them.

Christmas Eve landed during the weekend and we decided to explore another part of Italy. Our first choice was Vatican City and it did not disappoint!

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Sorrento Sirens are Calling

Posted on December 16, 2018May 10, 2019 by ChowBella

We read fantasy to find the colors again, I think. To taste strong spices and hear the songs the sirens sang.
George R. R. Martin

Everything that George R. R. Martin describes as “fantasy” is how Sorrento looked and felt to us. Colors pop up during the day at the fishermen’s buildings. At night, the city is aglow with Christmas lights. Sorrento is the place to let your taste buds be your guide, where you can eat some of the best pasta (at least in our opinion), sip on bright limoncello, and go on a culinary cooking adventure. End your stay by taking in the sounds of the streets and the music blaring on the balcony square. What better place to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary?

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Castello di Limatola Christmas Market

Posted on December 2, 2018May 10, 2019 by ChowBella

Huge knots of seaweed hung upon the jagged and pointed stones, trembling in every breath of wind; and the green ivy clung mournfully round the dark and ruined battlements. Behind it rose the ancient castle, its towers roofless, and its massive walls crumbling away, but telling us proudly of its own might and strength, as when, seven hundred years ago, it rang with the clash of arms, or resounded with the noise of feasting and revelry.
Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens describes a castle in ruins, but imagines it in its prime. That is how I felt when we arrived at the Limatola Castle, about a 45 minute drive north of Naples. The stones of the castle are now discolored and covered in moss, but it was still easy to imagine what it would have looked like during the medieval period as it towered over the surrounding town. I can see why it has become a popular backdrop for weddings, a destination for travelers to stay (I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend the night in a castle?!), and the venue for the incredible Limatola Christmas Market.

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