Lago di Como

Dubbed as one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, where aristocrats and famous people have homes on the gorgeous banks of Lago di Como or Lake Como. 
Located in the northern part of Italy in the region of Lombardy. Lake Como, shaped like a letter Y, is the third largest lake in Italy and one of the deepest lakes in Europe. It is a famous tourist destination for its landscapes, scenery, lakeside villas, luxury hotels, cozy restaurants and a lot of other things.

Mentioned by different novelists/writers on their novels/works, Lake Como is also a favorite video/movie location. Movies like A month by Lake wherein it was filmed in different locations around the lake; Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and James Bond Movie: Casino Royale were shot at the lakeside Villa del Balbianello ; Ocean's Twelve and Gwen Stefani's music video Cool were both filmed at Villa Erba.

view from the entrance of Villa del Balbianello

Lakeside of Argegno

cozy town of Argegno, a dazzling array of Pizzerias and Trattorias.

waiting for my real Italian Pizza at La Piazzetta...:)

Delish!!! Best Italian Pizza I ever had!!!

what the chief waiter recommended, with some melted chocolate inside...

view from the restaurant, La Piazetta.

:)

on the other side of Argegno...

Small island with chapel.

:)

with this view, I can stay in Lake Como forever!

Villa Carlotta

on the other side.

gardens of Villa Carlotta

old villa!

Tower of Pisa

Visiting the incredible Leaning Tower of Pisa was actually not part of our European trip (May 2013). My husband and I were too aghast of the German spring weather. Yup, it was too cold in Germany so we drove down to Switzerland and brrrr, still cold weather so we went to Italy. Our plan was to only visit Lombardia and Veneto area but then we also decided to see Emilia- Romagna and Tuscany.
When I saw the tower, I was awed by how the people in the old times could create a marvelous structure that would become a magnificent works of art. The Leaning of Pisa is such a beauty!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, located in the Italian City of Pisa, is one of the most remarkable structures from Medieval Europe. It is also one of Italy's most visited tourist attractions.

The Tower of Pisa is referred as the campanille, or the free-standing bell tower. The tower began to tilt during construction due to part of the ground is too soft to support the weight of the tower. The tilt kept increasing even before the structure was completed, and gradually until the structure was stabilized.


Address:
Piazza del Duomo
56010 Pisa, Italy

Coordinates:
43° 43′ 23″ N, 10° 23′ 47.1″ E

Kapellbrücke

Crossing along the Reuss River in Luzern, Switzerland is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe called Kapellbrücke or The Chapel Bridge. Being the world's oldest surviving Truss Bridge with a collection of 17th century paintings inside the bridge, Kapellbrücke is one of Switzerland's tourist attractions.

The bridge was originally constructed in 1333 as part of Luzern's fortifications to protect from attacks. The bridge was caught on fire on August 1993, destroying most of the paintings inside. The bridge was then rebuilt and reopened again to public on April 1994.

Address:
 Kapellbrücke
6002 Luzern, Switzerland

Coordinates:
47° 3′ 6″ N, 8° 18′ 27″ E

Ruins of Frankenstein Castle

Frankenstein Castle

*Built during the Medieval Period, in 1252 A.D., by Lord Konrad II.
*Alchemist Johann Conrad Dippel was born at Frankenstein Castle.
*There have been speculations that the castle influenced Mary Shelley to write her
    famous novel Frankenstein.

Address: 
Burg Frankenstein,
64367 Mühltal-Nieder-Beerbach
Germany

Coordinates:
49° 47′ 36″ N, 8° 40′ 6″ E

The ruins of Frankenstein Castle

Trying to push the door where ''Frankenstein'' is locked in!

The Castle's Tower!

Medieval Party (the night before)!

The Castle walls.

Way to the main Castle.

The Chapel.

:)

The History of the Castle written only in German.

To the creepy forest.

Mozart's House in Salzburg

When I was in grade school, I was very eager to take piano lessons. I used to think I could become like Mozart, Bach or Beethoven. It was really funny!!! I was very ambitious! But when I started learning the BASICS of piano, I didn't know it was very hard as it looks easy, and my music teacher??? She's very rough! Well to cut the story short, I only took piano lessons for 3 years and well, I still know how to play but not like Mozart or Beethoven. I play a little bit... hehe!!!
Anyway, it was such a dream come true to go to Salzburg, Austria and finally see where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart grew up. It must be wonderful to be Mozart's neighbor and hear him play sensational music.

Mozart's House

It was closed!!! so unfortunate!!! :(

Mozart's Birthplace
Getreidegasse 9
A-5020 Salzburg
Austria


Here is my favorite MOZART piece!!! :)

Shrimps, Shrimps, Shrimps!!!

Ok, I know I'm such a Shrimp fan! I can live only eating Shrimps. And I would get so excited in the kitchen, experimenting Shrimp recipes.
This recipe is called Shrimp in Light Cream Sauce with Bagoong (Shrimp Paste) and Chili rice. More like a Filipino dish.

Hope you enjoy!!! :)

Shrimps in Light Cream Sauce

Ingredients:
 500 grams Tiger Shrimps
1 pack Light Cream Sauce
3 cloves Garlic (minced)
Salt
Pepper
Oil

Method:
1) Peel shrimps but do not remove head. Season with salt and pepper.
2) Deep pan with oil, Turn heat to low, saute garlic.
    Place the shrimps carefully and cook for 10 minutes .
3) Add light cream sauce, dash some salt and pepper (according to your preference)
    then cook for another 15 minutes.
4) Turn off heat then set aside. Place shrimps in a bowl or deep plate.

Bagoong Rice

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked White Rice
2 tablespoons Bagoong
1 teaspoon Chili Sauce
1 tablespoon Oil

Method:
1) Deep pan with oil, turn heat to low, place rice, bagoong and chili sauce.
2) Saute for 5 minutes.
3) Turn off heat, place rice in a bowl or plate. Serve with Shrimps in Light Cream Sauce.