What Is A Luxury Hotel and Historic Favorite in Venice?

Venice is one of my favorite cities in Italy!  Well many places in Italy are a favorite so that is really not a helpful statement but I cannot visit this place enough. On a recent visit, I had the pleasure to stay at the luxury hotel - Luna Baglioni. It is the oldest hotel in Venice and dates as far back as the 12^th century, once serving as the shelter for the Knights Templar.  This historic Venetian hotel, member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Fine Hotels & Resorts, is ideally located near Piazza San Marco, right in the heart of Venice.  Facing the Grand Canal, it has an elegant entry next to the small private jetty for their guests, allowing them to arrive directly at the hotel via water taxi or gondola. For guests not utilizing private transportation, it should be noted it is conveniently located steps away from the public vaporetto stop.

I was quite happy with the fact even though it is very close to San Marco’s Square, the hotel was still a very quite, my main sound memory is only of church bells chiming.  The hotel is in keeping with a typical Venetian style - ornate but on the darker side in a magnificent, aristocratic Venetian Palace that is decorated with period furnishings, ceiling frescos and Murano chandeliers.

The hotel is laid out in a fashion that is in keeping with older historic buildings I have visited.  Some of the rooms were up/down short sets of stairs off of the hallway while other rooms were accessed via narrow hallways just large enough for the luggage to get through.  It is understandable as the hotel was built and added to over the centuries and some rooms enlarged and others added to make use of all the available space.  All of these nuances give the hotel a charming feel of a more ancient time while providing all of the modern day comforts.  The room keys are just that, physical brass, old fashion, skeleton keys with an ornate tassel attached to it.  It reminds me of the scenes in old movies when you leave the hotel you drop off your key and pick it up when you return.  Quaint and special.

My room was larger than I had expected, and much brighter due to the oversized windows on one wall. The closet was average by American standards and the safe was on the small side, not allowing me to store the laptop inside.

The bathroom was very spacious with double sinks, vanity mirror and another oversized window letting great light in. One amenity I always check for is the connection to the internet, is it Wi-Fi connection and is it complementary. The welcome answer at this luxury hotel is YES, on all counts.

The hotel has a nice restaurant with a quiet bar area but there is no view or rooftops or canals, so if you are short on time or this is a first visit it would not be my first recommendation.  Right around the corner from the hotel, you will find the main high-end shopping areas of Venice with many fine shops  and restaurants to explore.

The Luna Hotel Baglioni is one of the many luxury hotel choices in Venice with a warm welcoming atmosphere that is relaxed but upscale.

If you had to choose a time of year to visit Venice, when would it be? 

How To Have a Picture Perfect Vacation

As part of our broadening topics, learn about different tips and tricks that relate to your vacation experience. We interview and spotlight companies who are experts in their field and share their knowledge with us for a better vacation, this post focuses on photography with Lisa Richmond Photography.

In the below interview with Lisa Richmond, founder of Lisa Richmond Photography, Lisa shares her best practices for great photographs.

Below is the interview:

1.       Why did you decide on a career in photography?
I've always loved working in creative fields. I really enjoy working with people and feel that I am able to make most folks feel comfortable in front of the camera. I love traveling and shooting in different locations.

2.       What do you think it is that makes photographs so special?
When you capture a moment, an expression, an emotion, it will forever bring you back to that time when you see it again.

3.       What are your favorite images taken of you or someone else and do they hold a significant memory?
I have so many favorites. Some are determined by technical skill but most are significant to be either because of the people I was shooting or the location we were shooting in. I enjoy capturing the true spirit of people and it makes me happy it when I am successful at it.

 4.       If my images are either fuzzy or too dark or blown out by the flash, what top tips would you share with people to get better indoor images for when they are in a museum or church?

• Use natural light, use window light whenever possible.
• Put the light behind you so that it lights your subject and does not fool your camera into thinking it needs to under expose. (making the subject dark)
• If you are able to bounce your flash, do it! Anywhere but straight on your subject is usually best but most amateur cameras will not allow this.
• Bump up your ISO on your camera to allow for more light.
• If your images are fuzzy, chances are you are too close to your subject or your camera doesn't know what you want it to focus on, try backing up a bit and centering your camera on your subject.

5.       What is the top tip you would share with people to get better composition in their image?
HAHA (see above) and then disregard. Don't center your subject-I use the rule of thirds all the time in that I never put my subject in the center but on the line that divides the first or last third of the image. I also use negative space to draw my viewer to my subject.  (from wiki: Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image.) Don't be afraid to experiment- it is digital- delete it if you don't like it!

 6.       I want to share the experience with my friends how can I best capture a place on film?
When documenting a location, move around, hold your camera high, get on the ground and shoot up, take close up details, take overall shots- straight in front is usually boring. Mix it up to create more insight and perspective into your experience. Answer the questions, "Who, what, where, when and why", with your camera

7.       Everyone in my pictures look stiff. What is the best advice you can give on taking people’s pictures?
Keep people moving around. Don't work in the same area or position for too long. With kids, get them running (learn how to use continuous focus on your camera) - you'll find their expressions are very natural when they are doing something else. Ask a couple about how they met- give them a chance to focus on each other, not on you or the camera. Once you become more confident in your abilities, your subjects will look more relaxed as they too are feeling more confident and trusting you and the process more!

8.       What tips can you share for taking group photos?
Make sure you can see everyone (for large groups, use the "windows” method, where the second row is slightly askew to peer through row in front of them. Groups are all about balance- perhaps a bench where some are sitting, standing and then maybe resting on the bench arms- mix up the levels of people a little creates more visual interest. This can still be hard for me- trust the process. It is like molding clay till you get it right and then using your people skills to loosen everyone back up once you have struck the balance.

About Lisa Richmond and Lisa Richmond Photography:

Lisa Richmond is the founder of Lisa Richmond Photography, and can find her blog at www.lisarichmondphotography.com/blog/

What are your photography challenges? 

My Stay in the Palace Luzern – a Luxury Hotel in Lucerne

My travels to Switzerland led me to the shores of Lake Lucerne, where in a village framed by an idyllic alpine landscape stands the Hotel Palace in Luzern. Almost every view from the hotel is postcard perfect. It is a luxurious, traditional 5-star hotel only 5 minutes walking distance from Old Town Lucerne.  The entire hotel has a very grand feel to it with high ceilings and large crystal chandeliers; sunny with a simple elegance. The staff goes out of their way for the guests and most things requested come with an extra surprise which really makes you feel special.

When we arrived in the room the first day, it was a delightful surprise to find the amenity of a large plate of various fruit, crackers and cheese. We had a commanding view of Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus through the large French doors and from the spacious balconies of our room.  It seemed that no matter where you sat in the room you had a great view.  The bathroom was huge even by American standards with heated floors, double sinks, large deep bathtub for soaking and a separate shower with multiple heads for an invigorating shower.  The bath products are of the quality one would pay dearly for and much appreciated at the end of our vacation.

That evening the maid performed the turn down service leaving fine Swiss chocolates in a nice little box on the pillow and the fruit replenished.  Speaking of the bed, it was a King size bed with double duvet so each person has his or her own bed in a bed.  The linens were fine Egyptian cotton and the pillows can only be described as dreamy.  The closets and drawers are so plentiful and large in size you could completely unpack with room to spare.  We even found the hotel safe large enough for a 15 inch laptop, two cameras and assorted other items.

Our first night at the hotel exhausted from the all day travel, we wandered into the hotel restaurant  just looking for something to eat.  To our surprise, they had a visiting Chef from a Michelin Star restaurant.  The final decision went to sharing a baked whole fish with steamed vegetables.  We were truly honor to have the Chef come to the table and serve it.  What a treat!  The wine they paired with the meal was a Swiss wine, that cannot be found outside of the country and was perfect. Light, fresh and cool.   The evening ended with a short stroll along Lake Lucerne promenade. What started out as grabbing a quick meal ended up being a special evening.

The Spa is a hidden gem, extremely peaceful and is smartly laid out and well appointed. I found their concept that blends traditional treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world using modern techniques to feel fabulous on my tired muscles. The spa comprises state-of-the-art saunas, steam rooms, lifestyle showers, ice fountains and much more.  We were very relaxed after an hour with their specialists.

Our final night, we had dinner at Jasper’s.  The restaurant overlooks the promenade with all of the City of Lucerne on the other side of the lake from us.  One of the special things they do is in between each course is they bring a little something extra to try.  Not much but just a taste of something special the chef had prepared to keep your taste buds engaged.  The wait staff always seemed to be right there when you needed them but they never hovered over you.  For the warmer months, they have a patio that would have made the dining experience over the top. Obviously, we will have to revisit Lucerne again.

What makes a hotel, a luxury hotel for you?
Service, Size, Quality, Location, Amenitites