Annie Travels: Trip to Italy

Buildings along the Italian canal

Recently I visited Northern Italy with my family. There we celebrated my mother's 80 years of being the life of the party. We started with mystical Venice. The inspirational city shimmered in the summer haze. In addition to its being a fun place for three generations to explore, it is a must visit for interior designers. Along with the spectacular Venetian Gothic Doge's Palace, there is the Palazzo Fortuny. Fortuny Museum was the textile-design atelier of Mariano Fortuny and is a treasure trove of historical and contemporary curiosities. Nearby the island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon continues crafting exquisite hand-blown glass chandeliers.

The most curious thing I found during my whole trip was the great buildings on the grand canal were unlit at night. When I asked the concierge at our hotel, she said that the homes are vacant. The families have owned them for decades or hundreds of years. Now they are too expensive to maintain and threatened by high waters and floods.

The Scala dei Giganti, flanked by Mars and Neptune

Pot-Pourrì boutique opens up to the canal

Glassblowing demonstration on Murano

Boating on Lake Como with my son, niece, and step-dad

Moving on to Como in Lombardy, the Museo Didattico della Seta traces the history of the silk industry in the region. In addition to man-made beauty, there is the majestic Lake Como that stretches from the northern edge of the city. We ended our magical holiday in the village of Bellagio where we enjoyed its cobbled lanes, elegant buildings, and terraced gardens with lake views.This residence was designed to highlight the incredible views outside its walls. The husband, an avid chef, requested the kitchen be a joyful space that supported his love of cooking. High ceilings, an open floor plan, and new hardware create a warm, comfortable atmosphere.

Mom and me: thanks for being just the best mom and as fabulous as ever!