If there ever was a fairy tale, it would be set in the palace of Belvedere… the sort of place only imagined in bits and pieces and fleeting thoughts of romance in one’s dreams. For its beauty is magnificent and allure, unmatched.

   Built in the 18th century as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the city of Vienna, the Belvedere and its extensive gardens are considered to be by far the world’s finest Baroque landmarks.

  Left unchanged through centuries, it is a sheer delight to the senses to see the ancient windows of the palace, not a single one left untouched by the flirtation of decadent, decorative mouldings of imperial grandeur.

  Seemingly unending treasures of sculptures, fountains and cascades unfold as you walk along the symmetric palace gardens to take in a spectacular view of the city - the impossibly romantic and always beautiful, Vienna…

{All images taken by Persis Shah for Miles of Style. Please link back, if borrowed.}

As always fascinated with the golden age of beauty and liberated ideals from the belle époque era, this Gatsby inspired photo shoot has me smitten.

The waved flapper hairstyles, fringed drop waist dresses, cute tennis girl outfits and sparkling strands of pearls are just some of the things I’m falling madly in love with from this authentically of-the-era noir shoot by Daniela Rettore.

{Click here to see more}

Off for a well-deserved break from the past few busy, busy weeks... And by the time you read this shall be well on my way to Austria and then Czech Republic -- on a beautiful adventure leading me along the Danube river, past castles and old stone bridges, swept away by years of history, amidst picturesque gardens and old world romance of cobblestoned streets and quaint cafes.

{images: 1,2,3}

The weekend has begun with golden rays of morning sun streaming through tall windows on my bed and my thoughts are drifting, drifting off to a city I shall never tire of – London, with its enchanting grey skies and romantic history that castes the most beautiful backdrop to every day life in perhaps one of the most visited cities of the world.

It feels like a million years ago that I visited London and yet I have vivid memories of its grand architecture softened with pretty fauna, uniforms and parades, delicious teas prepared and served at London bed and breakfasts, the Buckingham palace with images of monarchy, leisurely boat rides along Regent’s Canal and evenings out at the theatre…

A sweet nostalgia for all the places visited and many more yet to wander and discover…

{image via}