Villa Monastero: A Haven of Botanical Splendor and Historical Significance

@TravelforLifeGuide

Nestled amidst the serene shores of Lake Como, Villa Monastero stands as a testament to history and botanical splendor. Its origins trace back to the end of the 12th century when a Cistercian convent, dedicated to the Holy Virgin, was established on this picturesque site.

Its rich history is intertwined with a series of renovations that have shaped its present-day splendor. As the centuries unfolded, the villa evolved, transforming from a place of religious devotion into a haven for botanical enthusiasts.

Exploring Villa Monastero: A Treasure Trove of Art, Architecture, and Gardens (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery


Today, Villa Monastero ⭐⭐stands as an enchanting blend of architectural elegance and botanical artistry. Its manicured gardens, spanning nearly two kilometers along the lakefront, offer a mesmerizing spectacle of colors, textures, and fragrances.  Captured on October 12, 2023, the photograph below encapsulates the essence of this charming villa, its beautiful gardens, and enchanting landscape.
















Welcome to Travel for Life! I share immersive travel experiences designed to inspire a lifetime of exploration.

I believe that travel is the key to understanding our world. As the creator of Travel 4 a Purpose and Travel 2 Health, I combine the beauty of global destinations with a mindful approach to living well.

๐“† ๐“†Ÿ ๐“†ž “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” — Mark Twain

Be a traveler, not a tourist. Look beyond what’s right in front of you.

Popular posts from this blog

Felines and Femininity: The Symbolic World of Yumeji Takehisa

@TravelforLifeGuide
Image
A Quiet Day in a Berlin Park, 1933 In the early 1930s, Takehisa Yumeji's studio became a hub for artists, inspiring ventures like the Mt. Haruna Art Research Institute. In 1931, Yumeji began a journey to the United States and Europe, supported by exhibitions of his work. While in the U.S. for 16 months, he continued to paint, creating pieces like Nude on the West Coast. Afterward, Yumeji taught in Berlin until the school was closed by the Nazis. He returned to Japan in 1933, his overseas experiences shaping his final works. His last exhibition was held in Taipei that year. Yumeji passed away from tuberculosis in 1934, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and cultural exchange. Read more:  Prints in Collection—Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934) Kuronosuke ้ป’ใฎๅŠฉ: a Legacy Little Black Cat   (YouTube  link ) Photo Gallery The Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama exhibits many black cat paintings because the artist, Yumeji Takehisa , frequently featured them in his work, particularly in his bij...
Read more

Osaka: Navigating the Many Namba Stations

@TravelforLifeGuide
Image
This is a passageway leading to Nankai-Namba Station. Be aware that underground passages in Japan can be quite complex for visitors. When you arrive at Kansai International Airport (symbol: KIX) and try to reach your destinations via trains, sometimes you need to make connections at Namba Station (see Fig. 2). Namba Station is one of the main connection points (the other two are Umeda and Tennoji Stations). But, Namba Station actually means 4 different stations on Google map (see Fig. 3&4) : Namba Station  (Subway): This station provides access to the Osaka Metro lines: Midosuji (see Fig. 4),  Sennichimae , and  Yotsubashi . These lines can take you to popular destinations like Osaka Station, Koreatown, Honmachi, and Nippombashi. JR-Namba Station:  This smaller station has only four tracks and two platforms. It's located within the  Osaka City Air Terminal  (OCAT) building, and the entrance can be easy to miss. Thankfully, it's connected to the ...
Read more

A Unique Hiking Experience on Fudo-Zaka Slope (ไธๅ‹•ๅ‚) in Koyasan (้ซ˜้‡Žๅฑฑ)

@TravelforLifeGuide
Image
Koyasan  (้ซ˜้‡Žๅฑฑ), a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries, has been connected to the outside world by a network of pilgrimage trails. While most visitors enter the mountain by cable car nowadays, many of the pilgrimage trails still remain in use. Koyasan Travel—Temple Lodging (Shukubo; YouTube link ) Part of the pilgrimage trails, the Fudozaka Trail (ไธๅ‹•ๅ‚; click the map to enlarge), leads to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station, the lower station of the Koyasan Cablecar. The steep, paved trail is 2.5 kilometers long and takes about an hour to ascend and less time to descend. The trail ends at the Nyonindo temple (ๅฅณไบบๅ ‚). [1] On 11/27/2016, I have decided to descend from Fudozaka Trail instead of riding the cable car.  I was the only person on the trail at beginning.  However, in the middle of the trail, another young blonde girl passed me by swiftly with a big smile on her face.  I was really surprised to see another soul on that rainy day.  Althoug...
Read more