And this is how I said hello to winter. In the most soothing, relaxing and wonderful manner, on breath-taking Lake Garda in Northern Italy. The drive from Venice, through the Veneto area, up to Lake Garda was spectacular. Bits and parts of wide highways, interweaved with bits and parts of narrower roads bordered by massive trees, old mansions surrounded by flowers, small villages and Italian communities living a simple life. The ascension towards Gargnano commenced in Desenzano del Garda. Charming small villages soon arose in the way: Salo, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano Maderno, Pulciano and Bogliaco, to name a few. The common element binding them: Italian elegance, a celebration of the innate urge for luxury and good taste, strikingly visible in this district’s architecture, arrangement of plants, trees and flowers, cosy local restaurants and also in the few tiny shops along the shoreline. From Gargnano, following very, very narrow and intricate alleyways – you might actually think the car will not fit – you drive up to discover the secluded Lefay Resort, hidden inside one of the mountains surrounding Lake Garda. Once at the gate, spell your name out loud and access will be granted. I found this dreamy resort to be the perfect getaway from stress, noise and big city life. I am not going to describe the hotel, because the way it looks is not important. I am going to talk about what I loved here. First thing first, on top of the many amenities it offers, the spa area features an indoor and outdoor salt-water heated pool which faces the mountains and which probably is one of the best sunset spots in the world. The twilight covers Lefay’s outdoors in vivid amethyst and orange hues, and as the sun starts descending, you know you are just a mere spectator to a silent yet incredible spectacle. And you start wondering how is it that these splendours escape your eyes so often, as you go on living your agitated life. This was my favourite moment of each day: watching the sun set, and the moon rise. Lago di Garda on the left side, silently reflecting everything on my mind, the mountains up front, right beneath my eyes, the overwhelming presence of purity objectified in the all-around environment, the amalgam of colours blending in on the endless darkened sky - my ticket to happiness, each and every evening. Leaving aside the fact that the apartment was incredibly big, spacious and decorated in a simple, elegant way, my favourite thing about it was the following: the large window doors would open and invite you to step directly into the garden, on the grass, in between the flowers and the trees. Not once have I walked barefoot outside, saluting Lago di Garda and admiring its complete silence, deep as the ocean and mysterious as the Universe. “One of these mornings”, like Moby put it into words on his lovely music, I woke up early, and stepped outside into this thick, blurry, white and grey quilt which conquered everything around. Lake Garda was all covered in mist, and only the mountain peaks managed to escape and confront lady mist and its minions. It was a magical moment, out-of-this-world, since I could feel the grass under my feet, but the overall sensation was that of walking on clouds. Nights spent by the dainty fireplace, days spent inside the spa areas (the saunas – Aromatic Sauna, Caligo Sauna, Olive Tree Sauna, Water and Fire Sauna, Hammam, Lady Sauna; the infinity pool, in the outdoor; the Fonte Boccolino heated whirlpool; The Turquoise Grotto). Can you ask for more? You could, but it would be a sign of total ingratitude. My favourite spot in the spa was Sunset Relax, belonging to the Charme D’Orient Area, an area with lavish canopy beds, Buddha statues, dim red and orange light, candles everywhere, and a sensation of never-ending opulence. On the last day spent in Lefay, I decided to go on this temple’s outdoor trails throughout the forest. So, with my mind clear and my spirit high, I began walking through the Energy and Therapeutic Garden, “the symbol of life”. I absolutely adored these trails because as I walked, I felt so close to nature, so close to the old trees, so close to the rocks and soil, so close to the leaves, and it simply gave me a feeling of undisputable happiness. I passed The Green Dragon – symbolizing wood -, then on to The Red Phoenix, continuing with The White Tiger, a place for meditation, and with The Black Tortoise and its rocky cave, to conclude with The Centre, where yellow flowers prevail. This spiritual walk focused my attention from the incredible steadfast outside to the confusing, confused and yet to grow and discover inside. In the end, I was so grateful and indebted to everything surrounding me. We were blessed to live on this Earth, surrounded by vivid life, beauty and surprise, but also cursed to give in to temptation and immerse in the stressful and agitated environments we decided to be part of, and to contribute to. Will we ever escape? Or will we live our lives as prisoners of society, getting “the good stuff” in small amounts, by portions, enjoying the blessing and precious gift of life only in short episodes, and brief dreams? We shall see…
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