Fasano Boa Vista: The ultimate country estate

Most of the people think of beaches, sun, pretty women wearing sexy bikinis when they think of vacationing in Brazil.  In other words Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.  Little do they know what they're missing when they choose the beach over the countryside.  Two weekends ago we spent a weekend at FasanoBoa Vista, a country estate at merely one hour and 15 minutes outside of Sao Paulo and my amazement can’t be put into words but, I'll try.  It's without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've been.  The stunning architecture, which perfectly blends with its site, was accomplished by the very renowned Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld.  It covers 100 acres of secured and preserved forest with 15 lakes, groves and gardens, 18-hole golf courses, a polo field, stables, tennis and soccer courts and a kids activity center.  The hotel also offers real estate inside the property and a lot of wealthy proprietors owned second or third "French-looking" homes there.  You can see the families relaxing among adults while their babas (nanies) spend time at the kids club where there is usually a lot of fun happening.   There were instances that while we were biking around its beautiful century-old trees-lined-uphill-boulevards I thought I was in Provence.
And if you don’t believe me then believe Hermes.  Yes, "In 2012, Boa Vista hosted the Hermès Cup, in association with the centenary French saddlery, marking the first time the organization has given its approval to an equestrian event outside of France." Fasano Website

 The entrance to the reception of the Hotel is just beautiful.  Couldn't help to take a picture.

 The veranda was one of my favorite spaces of this place.

The infinity swimming pool.

 Love this place for breakfast in the mornings. Below, how it looks.

 The decor has a very Scandinavian influence. 

 

 One of the restaurants. 

 The decor is minimal but so cozy you feel home as soon as you walk in the rooms.

 The view from the room.  All of the rooms have a beautiful view out to the country side.

 My hubby biking with our little one.

 Our little one at the stables.

The Hotel has a huge and great selection of design books.

 Adorable ponies.

The swimming pool restaurant. Below, two of the beautiful homes.

most pictures by me others Fasano website

To Rome with love: Palazzo Margherita

Can I just say how much I appreciate the magical touch in Woody Allen movies.  We went to see To Rome With Love late last night and even though I enjoyed every scene and vision watching the beautiful Italian architectures and ruins, it was probably not the best of the ideas.  It just made my yearn for Italy a lot more profound.  Whenever we go I need to pay a visit to Palazzo Margherita, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, located in an unconventional town called Bernalda.  The Hotel was designed by Jacques Grange, another reason for me to visit it, and it's authentically old school Italian.  It's not in a very touristic town.  This is a place more in tune for people who want to experience the real Italian small town life, but even if there is not much to do, I would be perfectly content drinking Margarita's by the pool or simply walking around the town and enjoying the beautiful medieval hilltops. 

images from WSJ and Palazzo Margharita.