• everydaymagic,  Uncategorized

    SUMMER 21 #bucketlist

    This summer is a glorious one. It is full of hope, full of promise, overcompensating, as big as our FOMOs, crazy and great, and feels like the first in years. Here’s what’s on the Summer 21 bucketlist for thehappyfew who are now in post-staycation mode: JUST FLY: Let’s not overthink it, just book and go. Nothings spells freedom more than a whim flight “cause I woke up with such an urge to switch to francais and lose myself in the lavender fields” ISLAND HOPPING: There is vacay, and then there’s island vacay. To quench that thirst for blue sky, infinite sea, whitewashed houses and dramatic coastline, I decided that adding…

  • #SINEQUANON,  #SINEQUANON,  Uncategorized

    SINE QUA NON: LONDON

    ONE: THE CLASSICS, AT NIGHT A 360 view in the heart of London: The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, crossing Westminster Bridge, the Eye, the view up and down the Thames. TWO: THE HIGH(EST) VIEW London seen from above is more than extraordinary, is utterly dramatic and incredibly enjoyable, especially with a glass of prosecco to complement the view. Book your ticket to The View from the Shard (yes, it’s worth every penny and then some) or/ and to Sky Garden for a true show of wonder. Tip 1: Sky Garden is free entrance, but you need to book a week ahead to make sure you register for…

  • everydaymagic,  Uncategorized

    SNAPSHOTS FROM THE CARNIVAL

    Nice Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in the world: every year before Mardi Gras, there are two weeks of daily events and parades, including the famous Night Parade (on the Promenade du Paillon) and the Battle of Flowers (on the Promenade des Anglais).

  • everydaymagic,  Uncategorized

    NICE CARNIVAL

    Did you know that theĀ CarnivalĀ in Nice is the original carnival-type celebration ? We all know about – and even travelled to – the famous Carnival in Rio or in Venice, but few of us are aware that the Nice Carnival is the oldest ever mentioned, namely by the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou in 1294. The Nice Carnival is not only one of the major carnivals in the world, but it is maybe the greatest in terms of the complexity of the parade: each year has a special theme which sets the tone for the design of 18 spectacular floats and all the masquerades and connected activities. The 2020 theme…

  • #SINEQUANON,  Uncategorized

    SINE QUA NON ISRAEL

    ONE The Western Wall, Jerusalem TWO Temple Mount, Jerusalem This is the place which holds the most religious significance in the world for Jews and Muslims alltogether. The Dome of the Rock harbours the planet’s most important rock, namely the one where the Muslims believed the world was created and where Mohamed rose to the heavens, but also where the Jews believe God created Adam and the world and where Solomon built the First Temple. Judaism considers this place as the most sacred of all, where God’s presence is most felt. Temple Mount is only accessible to non-Muslims at very specific visiting times,  going through one checkpoint located on the…

  • everydaymagic,  Uncategorized

    POSTCARDS: Acqua Alta in Venice

    Like all great beauties, she is incredible, irresistible, fragile and dramatic, alltogether.  Venezia’s destiny as a forever endangered realm of wonder has a tragic beauty to it, and nothing makes it more obvious than the acqua alta days. On October 29, 2018, an exceptional high tide flooded Venice. It was the fourth highest ever recorded, and the most dramatic in over a decade. The conscience of her ephemerity only added to the beauty, as La Serenissima was stripped of the hords of tourists and the waters held the mirror to her face for two days in a row.

  • everydaymagic,  Uncategorized

    Vendemmia in Toscana

    September is here, so we are slowly getting ready for one of our favorite escapes, the vendemmia/ grape harvest in Toscana. And while we’re at it, we save the dates in the calendar – well, the usual wonders: the winetastings, the community harvest and the exploration of the cantine, the local fairs honoring Baccus, the mystery tours and the pranzoni – all the incredible food of the season. This year, due to hot weather and climate particularities, the vendemmia takes place sooner than usual. Forecast says historical low harvest but some extraordinary grapes to be expected in very limited quantities. Heat waves and extreme weather grew smaller, atypical grapes, and…