Luxury on Lake Como – Villa d’Este
Trip Over to Lake Como
During our 3 weeks staying in Como the weather was generally perfect – cool, crisp, sunny spring days, but even on the couple of rainy days it was still perfect and didn’t stop us from getting out and about. The rain was never the umbrella type while we were outside – just the hat and coat variety.
It had been suggested to us that it is not possible to walk around the gardens at Villa d’Este unless we were staying there, that set the day’s challenge for us……. There were low, but non-threatening clouds over Como as the ferry pulled away from the wharf heading for Cernobbio (Pronounced:- Churn-ob-yo) just 2 stops away. The ferry passes another monument to Alessandro Volta, the local lad who invented the battery a few hundred years ago, unveiled in August 2015, this steel sculpture called Life Electric:-
“Inspired by the electric tension between two poles of a battery, the great gift from Volta to the humanity” – Daniel Libeskind from the Life Electric Project.
The sculpture takes on a life of its own in the variety of lighting conditions over the lake, sometimes almost blending into the lake, other times in stark contrast. Some local residents had signed a petition to stop this sculpture being placed in the lake, but now it is there with no sign of any animosity towards it, and it provides a good vantage point to walk out to with seating under the art work, giving a different view of Como and the surrounding area.
Villa Erba can be seen from the ferry as it approaches Cernobbio wharf, one of the many Villas in Cernobbia, groups can book tours here. Most of the villas are either private, or can be booked for events. But our mission was to visit Villa D’Este with its opulent gardens and hotel.
Within a few minutes our ferry had arrived at Cernobbio Wharf and as the ferry pulled up the last of the morning market was being packed away, suddenly we were the only people left on the streets. The drizzly, misty rain and cold must have kept everyone inside for an early lunch made from the produce they had just bought from the market. Undaunted, we continued on towards our challenge………..
The gardens in the villas were all very impressive, and even without land for gardening, hanging gardens add a creative touch to a house just up the road from the Cernobbio ferry wharf.
Up at Via Regina, the main road through Cernobbio around the west side of Lake Como, a side street, Via Monte Grappa, heads through the arch way before winding its way up into the hills. I love the way the Italians don’t knock down their history to make roads, they work with it. Parking is never a problem for these tiny Italian cars, there is always room to park your Fiat or Smart car no matter how small the space. If the car fits, park it!
After turning right at Via Regina and wandering up the road looking at various restaurants, reading menus (all sounding delicious) and trying to decide which one to have lunch in, and doing a bit of window shopping as the shops were all closed for the very civilised Italian long lunch break, we reached the next bend in the road and there were the gates to Villa d’Este. The plan to have lunch somewhere before going to explore the gardens went out the window as we hadn’t realised how close it was.
As we went striding purposefully in through the entrance gates to Villa d’Este the man in the gate office came out see what we wanted, quick as a flash Christine said, “We’re having lunch at the Veranda.” (I decided the terribly elegant couple in the photo of the main gates must be staying there as they weren’t stopped). He welcomed us to Villa D’Este and wished us “Buon appetito”. That was the lunch decision made………..we were in, mission accomplished!!
Prior to 1873 Villa d’Este was a private residence with a very interesting history involving nuns, a ballerina, a Russian Czarina and British royalty, although not all at the same time. Click here to read the history of the Villa.
Following the path lined with beautifully manicured flower beds, not a petal out of place, passing Villa Cima, a lakeside private, almost Tudor looking, villa on the estate built in 1814 by the Princess of Wales to accommodate Count and Countess Pino, the former owners of the estate, after she had convinced them to sell the estate to her (it was the least she could do). It is now one of the villas hotel guests can book to stay in.
Hundreds of immaculate hydrangeas line the interior of the restaurant, and yes, they are real, I checked!!
In summer the glass windows surrounding the Veranda can be lowered down into the ground so you really are sitting out on the veranda, and more tables spill out on to the terrace closer to the lakes edge.
Lunch was exquisite, we shared many dishes so we could taste as much as possible and were waited on hand and foot as there were almost as many staff in the Veranda as there were guests. I suspect though, even if every table was full, we would still be waited on impeccably. There was someone to take our coats, a sommelier to choose our wine, then the waiter recommended we share a Salmon and Strawberry entree, we then shared Duck Cannelloni and Ameriticiana Tortoli, all served up by the waiter at the table so we didn’t have chop and transfer half making a huge mess ourselves. Then the maitre d’ flambed our Crepe Suzette at the table – this was followed by the smoothest espresso coffee I have ever had – with a hint of chocolate.
Having eaten more than enough food to give us the energy to explore the gardens, and fortunately the rain had stopped, but it was still overcast, we set off into the gardens. There are a number of restaurants and bars at Villa D’Este, we walked passed the Terrace Bar that I’m sure in summer is full of sun kissed guests enjoying an Aperol Spritz overlooking the swimming pool that floats in the lake. Next to the Veranda Restaurant you can look up through the marble gardens, up the long path that leads to the statue of Hercules hurling poor Lica into the waters below. From here you can walk over to the back of the Villa d’Este gardens to the remains of Donna Vittoria’s towers and fortifications from the early 1800s, a bygone era in the life of the estate.
The Queen’s Pavilion was added to the estate in the late 1800s with steps going down to the lake and the underpass to bring boats in if the water gets too choppy for passengers to safely disembark………After bringing the boat into the protected water under the Queen’s Pavilion passengers could walk up the steps to the estate and the boat could be kept in one of the boat parking bays underneath.
In summer Cernobbio becomes a vibrant lakeside village, with many bars and restaurants open, but not on the grey day in early spring when we visited. We were not disappointed though, far from it, and we completed the challenge – we explored the gardens at Villa d’Este without staying in the hotel. I’m not sure if it was cheating that we were forced to have lunch there to get in through the gates, but if that’s cheating, I’m all for it…………
Book a tour on your Trip Over to Lake Como
Itinerary for Trip Over to Italy – Milan, Como and Venice
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Milan (Malpensa) from Sydney via Dubai
Stayed in Milan, Airbnb, for a week before going to Como
Picked up in Milan by Como Limousines and driven to Como
Stayed in Como, Airbnb, for 3 weeks
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven to Venice
In Venice, water taxi to Al Ponte Antico Hotel for 3 nights and water taxi back
Picked up in Venice by Como Limousines and driven back to Como
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven back to Milan (Malpensa) Airport
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Sydney via Dubai
The tree lined path near the NSW Art Gallery, on the way to Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#treelinedstreets #royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #artgalleryroad #intheshadeoftrees #onthewaytothepark #walkinthepark #takeabreath #takeabreakfromwork #outinthefreshairandsunshine #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #sydneycbd
As much as the Martin Place Christmas tree always looks good - it's the same every year. I think we are due for something else. This one is great for the people visiting Sydney, but for thise of us who live here - can we please have a new style and colour next year????
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#sydneycitycouncil #martinplacechristmastree #martinplacesydney #martinplace #sameoldsameold #christmas2021🎄🎅☃️❄️ #sydneycbd #christmasdecorations #decorationsonthetree #timeforachange #myhometown #christmasinsydney #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneyaustralia
Sun's out in Sydney, but still the water runs down the sandstone at Tunks Park, a beutiful spring day in Sydney, and the foecast is for a few more days of sunshine 🌞🌞🌞
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#tunkspark #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneyinspring #aftertherain #sunshineinthepark #walkinthepark #outinthesunshine #sandstonerock #waterwatereverywhere #waterviews #seekandyoushallfind
More of the uunderwater world David Joned Fliwer Show in Sydney's Elizabeth St store.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #elizabethststore #sydney #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneyinspring #underwatertheme #hydrangeas #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere
Top 9 flower pics in Sydney.
Top Row and Middle Row - Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens
Bottom Row - Balls Head Reserve, Waverton.
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#topnine #flowersinsydney #rbgsydney #ballsheadreservesydney #pinkandgoldleaves #pinkflowerseverywhere #cottagegardenstyle #sydneyaustralia #mysecretsydney #sydneynativeflora
Looking across the flowers in Sydney's Hyde Park, to the Land Titles Office, or Registrar General's Building, whichever you prefer.
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#landtitlesoffice #landtitlesbuilding #registrargeneralsbuilding #hydepark #hydeparksydney #flowersofinstagram #flowersinthepark #flowersinthesun #orangeflowers #yellowflowers #parkbenches #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemesmile #outinthepark
Hyde Park in Sydney, much smaller than Hyde Park in London, but still a lovely piece of paradise in the middle of the city.
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney
Bright floral arrangement in the David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #elizabethststore #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers #sydneylocal #sydneystyle #sydneycbd #flowers #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere #notthechelseaflowershow
Field of flowers blooming in Hyde Park in Sydney.
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #fieldofflowers #orangeflowers #yellowflowers #pinkflowers #flowerseverywhere #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinsummer #outinthesun #walkinthepark
Not sure what these are going to be when they grow up, but they're a nice spot of colour near the Hyde Park Chess Set. I'll have to go back and see if they have grown up!
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#pinkflowers #brightgreenleaves #brightgreenleavesofbushes #flowersinhydepark #flowersinhydeparksydney #hydepark #hydeparksydney #sydneyinsummer #walkinthepark #outinthesun #freshairandsunshine #sydney
A glimpse of blue shy between down pours of torrential rain over Sydney. The Archibald Fountain in Sydney's Hyde Park, with St Mary's Cathedral in the background.
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#archibaldfountainsydney #archibaldfountain #hydepark #hydeparksydney #stmaryscathedralsydney #stormcloudsgathering #blueskybetweenrains #sydneylunchtime #breathoffreshair #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd
All it does in Sydney these days is rain, but the flowers I walk past in my local area are enjoying it.
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#flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere #flowersonthestreets #hibiscusflower #pinkhibiscus #hibiscus #hibiscus🌺 #pinkflowers #pinkflowersofinstagram #flowersintherain #raininsydney #sydneystreets
The theme of this years David Jones Flower Show in Sydney's Elizabeth St store, was underwater, lots of giant shells and Nemo!
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjonessydney #davidjones #findingnemo #underwatertheme #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowers #orangeflowers #yellowflowers #sydney #sydneylunchtime #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #myhometown #sydneylocal
All cleared up for a beautiful weekend, grass is green, sky is blue 🌞.......until the next storms forecast for tomorrow. Urghh ⛈
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#tunkspark #longgullybridge #longgully #sydneyparks #sydneyinspring #sydney #sydneywalks #walkinthepark #blueskyandsunshine #sunshineandfreshair #seetheworldthroughmylens
Happy New Year - wishing you all the best for a fabulous 2022 🥂🥳!!
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#sydneyfireworks2021 #happynewyear #sydneyaustralia #sydneywildlife
The rain ended, for now, and I went to Hyde Park expecting to see all the flowers loving it, but no......they have all gone, trashed by the storms! The Archibald Fountain has construction screens around it and the grass needs some horses, sheep and cattle to move in and eat it!!
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #nomoreflowers #afterthestorm #stmaryscathedral #stmaryscathedralsydney #outinthesun #sydneycbd #sydneyaustralia
I walk past this tree everyday, I'm sure it gets bigger and more vivid everytime I see it.
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#streetsofsydney #purpleglorytree #purpleglory #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere #purpleflowers #sydneyintherain #sydney #walktowork #somuchcoloureverywhere #flowersonthestreets
Walking around Sydney there are so many flowers spilling out of peoples gardens.
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#sydney #walkinginsydney #sydneystreets #explorethecityyoulivein
Bright pink flowers enjoying some autumn sunshine, very welcone after all the rain.
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#pinkflowers #pinkflowerseverywhere #pinkflowersofinstagram #flowersinthestreet #flowersinthesun #flowerseverywhere #sydneystreets #sydneyinautumnisperfect #sydneyinautumn #onthewaytowork #someonesgarden
Autumn colours at Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #autumnsunshine #autumnleaves #autumnvibes #autumncolours #sydneyinautumnisperfect #blueskyandsunshine #blueskywhiteclouds #walkinthepark #outinthefreshairandsunshine
Having a whale of a time in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, this new whale installation is growing nicely.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #whalewatching #havingawhaleofatime #whaleinstallation #artinthepark #gardenart #gardenideasgalore #outinthefreshairandsunshine #sydney #sydneyinautumnisperfect #walkinthepark
At Sculpture by the Sea this was on display in the park, is it art or just a couple of yellow motorbikes on top of a post??? In the eye of the beholder........
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#sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinthepark #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #motorbikesofinstagram #motorbikes #yellowmotorbikes #bikesonapost #wtfisthis #wtfmoment #sydney #blueskyandsunshine #walkinthepark
The Sea of Hands art installation in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#seaofhands #artinthepark #royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #walkinthepark #artinstallation #giveusahand #handsup #waving #sydney #sydneyaustralia #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens
The gates to Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens (before is was royal!) back in 1873. These gates are up on Art Gallery Rd.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #gatestothegardens #parkgates #artgalleryroad #sandstonegatepillars #walkinthepark #sydney #sydneyaustralia #outinthefreshairandsunshine #explorethecityyoulivein
The best office in Sydney? The control room for the Pyrmont Bridge, it swings open to allow boats to pass tgrough to Darling Harbour.
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#pymontbridge #pyrmontbridgesydney #controltower #controlingthebridge #sydneycbd #darlingharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylunchtime #lunchtimewalk #sydneyinspring #sydneyharbourwalks
Great balls of Cactus at the Art Gallery Road entrance to Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#cactusofinstagram #cactusgarden #cactusworld #royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #sydneyroyalbotanicgardens #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinautumnisperfect #outinthefreshairandsunshine #exploretheworldwithme
One of the more jungle looking areas of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #rbgsydney #sydneyjungle #sydneyinautumnisperfect #sydneyinautumn #walkinthepark #outinthefreshairandsunshine #sydney #sydneyaustralia #aftertherain
And before the next rain........
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#tunkspark #tunksparkwalk #tunksparksydney #sydneyparks #aftertherain #sydney
Another sculpture gleaming in the sunshine at Sculpture by the Sea on the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #pacicocean #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinpublicplaces #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyparks #sydneywalks #exploretheworld #seekandyoushallfind
The giant art installation in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, called Sea of Hands, winding its way down from the Art Gallery Road gates.
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#royalbotanicgardenssydney #royalbotanicalgardens #seaofhands #artinthepark #artinstallation #outinthefreshairandsunshine #walkinthepark #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyweekends #lushgreengrass #sydneycbd #seeeverythingandevenmore #explorethecityyoulivein
Not sure how this flower managed to take on this glowing pink look as it climbed through the fence, but I like it!
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#glowingpinkflowers #pinkflowers #growingthroughthefence #someonesgarden #sydney #sydneyinautumn #sydneyinautumnisperfect #onthewaytowork #sydneystreets #walktowork #flowersinthestreet #peekingthroughthefence
The water receeds around the edges of Tunks Park under Long Gully Bridge, but there seems to be another downpour forecast next week, so itbis likely to go under again. But look how green the grass is!!!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #longgullybridge #longgully #greengrass #parkunderwater #aftertherain #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #myhometown
Vivid Sydney at the QVB.
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#qvbsydney #qvb #sydneylunchtime #vividsydney #vividsydney2022 #lightupmylife #lightshow #pinklights #bluelights #purplelights #sydneycbd #shoppinginsydney #vivid2022 #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingandevenmore
As part of Vivid Sydney, this is the light show on Customs House in Circular Quay. It was a bitterly cold night so the crowds were down - perfect!!🥂
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#vividsydney2022 #vividsydney #vivid2022 #lightshow #customshouse #sydney #sydneycbd #beachscene #yellowlight #coldnightinsydney #lightupmylife #lights #outonthetown #seeeverythingandevenmore
Very impressive row of huge old trees in Hyde Park, Sydney. Walking in Hyde Park in my lunch break is my new thing.
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#hugetreeseverywhere #hydeparksydney #hydepark #walkinthepark #greengroundcover #intheshadeoftrees #sydneyaustralia #mysecretsydney #myhometown
Let me out!! Bright pink flowers escaping through the fence.
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#pinkflowers #flowersinthestreet #flowersofinstagram #sydneystreets #onthewaytowork #pinkflowerseverywhere #sydneyinautumnisperfect #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens #escapingyourcomfortzone
This huge rock broke away a few storms ago, hopefully there's no more ready to break free higher up!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #fallingrocks #sandstonerock #sydney #sydneyharbourwalks #walkinthepark #myhometown #afterthestorm
In Hyde Park Sydney, this very stylish little bird house......at least that's what I think it is!!
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#hydepark #hydeparksydney #stonebirdhouse #walkinthepark #sydneycbd
#explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #sydney #sydneyaustralia
Another shell fullnof flowers at tge David Jones Soring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowerseverywhere #underwatertheme #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneycbd #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers
Still dreaming of where to travel when the world recovers from Covid.
Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split.
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#croatia #croatiafulloflife #croatiatravel #croatiafullofmagic #zagreb #dubrovnik #dubrovnikoldtown #dubrovnikwalls #stmarkszagreb #strossmartre #split #splitbelltower #zagrebbotanicalgarden #croatiancoast #dreamsdocometrue #dreamingoftravel #exploretheworld
And the rains came to Sydney again, Tunks Park has taken a battering with water seeping through all the sandstone blocks.
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#tunkspark #sydneyparks #sydneyintherain #rainagain #sandstonerock #walkinthepark #runningwaters #drippingfromthesky #sydneylife #sydneywaterways #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneynativeflora
St Mary's Cathedral behind the Archibald Fountain in Sydney's Hyde Park.
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#stmaryscathedralsydney #stmaryscathedral #archibaldfountain #archibaldfountainsydney #churchspiresofinstagram #churchspires #fountaininthepark #walkinthepark #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneylife
Still dreaming of travel.....
Prague, Berlin, Ljubljana
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#charlesbridgeprague #praguenationaltheatre #vltavariver #ourladybeforetynchurch #pragueoldtown #brandenburggateberlin #reichstagberlin #ampelmann_berlin #berlin #ljubljana #triplebridgeljubljana #ljubljanacastle #franciscanchurchoftheannunciation #dreamingoftravel #dreamsdocometrue #lookingforwardtothefuture
Sandstone sculpture in Sydney's Hyde Park, representing Earth, Fire and Water.
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#sculptureinthepark #sandstonesculpture #hydepark #hydeparksydney #walkinthepark #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #fountaininthepark
David Jones Spring Flower Show
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjones #davidjonessydney
At the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge, one of the old sandstone pylons dwarfed by highrise towers now all around the Darling Harbour area.
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#pyrmontbridge #pyrmontbridgesydney #sydney #sydneyinwinter #darlingharbour #sydneycbd #lunchtimewalk #blueskyandsunshine #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneylocal
Top 9 around Sydney Harbour.
Top Row - Berrys Bay, the other side of Berrys Bay, Balmain from Balls Head Reserve.
Middle Row - rhe old Coal Loader Wharf in Waverton, Milsons Point Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Ferry.
Bottom Row - Luna Park, Robertsons Lighthouse at Cremorne Point, Mosman Bay from Cremorne Point.
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#topnine #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #coalloaderwharf #milsonspoint #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyferries #lunaparksydney #robertsonlighthouse #mosmanbay #myhometown #endof2021❣️
Looking north from Pyrmont Bridge to the shiney glass office towers at Barangaroo.
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#barangaroo #barangaroosydney #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydneycbd #glasstowers #boatcruises #sydneyharbour #darlingharbour #blueskyandsunshine #lunchtimewalks
Playing chess in Hyde Park, Sydney. Just up from the entrance to St James Station.
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#hydepark #hydeparkchess #playingchessinthepark #hydeparksydney #walkinthepark #intheshadeoftrees #lunchbreakwalk #exploretheworldwithme #explorethecityyoulivein #chessboard #chessmaster
In Marks Park on the headland at the southern end of Bondi Beach looking through this Sculpture by the Sea to Bronte Beach framed in the sculpture.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculptureart #sculpture #markspark #brontebeach #brontebeachsydney #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinthepark #sydney #sydneylife #sydneybeaches #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneyparks
