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While planning my trip to Rome everyone told me to stay at JK Place Roma .  Instead I stayed in another more central location in the city but after spending a relaxing afternoon at JK Place my next trip will definitely be spent at JK! We made the library our home-base for a few hours after exhausting tours around the city, perusing the collection of books with cocktails and nibbles. The only way it could have been perfected was if the fire had been lit!  After the hustle and bustle of Rome, even during non-peak tourist season, the quiet and sophisticated interiors were better than a nap.  The staff made our afternoon so comfortable we decided to stay for dinner!  The stylish restaurant is adjacent to the library (seen at the end of the enfilade above). Great use of mirror and reflective surfaces make this the most glamorous restaurant in the city. Keep in mind you have to be buzzed into the hotel but once inside the friendly staff will make you feel at home either fo...

On vacation last month my number one destination whilst in Rome was a pilgrimage to one of the most fascinating and influential buildings known to architects; Bramante's Tempietto. Overlooking Rome from high upon the Janiculum hill, San Pietro in Montorio is a 15th century church supposedly built on the site where Saint Peter was crucified (which replaced an earlier 9th century structure).  Works by Michelangelo, Vasari, Raphael, and Bramante originally decorated its' halls; a veritable who's who of the Renaissance. I can tell you it was a pilgrimage as the walk up this hill is brutal; bring your climbing gear! But the reward at the end of the slog is one of the masterpieces of the High Renaissance which would inspire architects for centuries to come including Palladio who included it in his Quattro Libri  (and don't miss the astonishing views of Rome!). Once inside the museum ( The Spanish Royal Academy ) one weaves through cloisters and exhibition spaces to come to ...

As Thanksgiving is upon us I wanted to share a fitting place from my last European trip -the Hofburg Palace King's apartment museum in Vienna. Located right on the edge of historic city center, the Hofburg palace complex was built upon from the 14th century up until the end of the Hapsburg empire in 1918 to become the epicenter of the government. As you can imagine it is immense! The entrance to the museum is under the green dome above through a tight hallway in the St. Michael's wing - apparently grander entrances still serve other governmental purposes. The tiny entry barely could coral the hoards of people jockeying to see the collections. It was as crowded as a Macys the day after Thanksgiving! The first part of the tour is through the extensive pantries of the palace: acres of cabinetry holds the Emperors' china, silver, and gilt-ware used over the centuries.  Some of it was rather familiar and ordinary, if lovely, such as the 19th century porcelain above. However oth...