Versailles France Apartment

The cold and the beautiful

The Birches Luxury Spa Chalets Retreat has provided silver service dining and accommodation for more than a decade at Victoria's Mt Beauty but does not trumpet its reputation. There isn't even a turn-off sign on the Kiewa Valley Highway. That, says owner Kent Scott, is because The Birches caters for couples and intimate groups seeking privacy and seclusion. And exclusivity, it should be added, as I marvel at the collection of rare artefacts and artworks.

The view is breathtaking and so is Scott's cellar; he has built a business on sourcing rare champagnes and wines, and antiques, particularly from Russia, the former Yugoslavia and France's Burgundy and Bordeaux regions.

On arrival, he greets and escorts guests from the main villa and dining room through his forest of Russian birches, home to tame fallow deer, and past oak trees nurturing truffles and mushrooms (which Scott uses in the kitchen), to the two chalets.

Each has a large spa, a sunny balcony, notable Australian artworks and imported furniture. At dinner, Scott, dressed in black waistcoat and bow tie, again is the personal host. My dinner companion and I enjoy an aperitif of 80-year-old French elderflower liqueur served in antique Irish Waterford crystal, accompanied by cheeses made by Scott's wife, Sevasti Myriofitioy, taken on the lawn by candlelight and under the largest full moon in 19 years.

Then into the dining room, where awaits an incredible array of Riedel and Sommelier glassware, rare crystal decanters, Royal Doulton china, Sheffield sterling silver cutlery, antique French candelabra and elegant linen tablecloth. The room's furnishings and open fireplace have a traditional Russian and Slavic flavour, with an emphasis on hunting.

King Louis XIV dining at the Palace of Versailles? No, it's just me at Mt Beauty. All ingredients are sourced locally and include livestock from The Birches or Scott's properties in South Australia. This time of year it's substantial autumn fare, which brings on heavy eyelids and, regrettably but sensibly, Scott's offer of a seriously top-shelf port is declined.

The chalet's balcony looks out on to early morning mists in the Mt Beauty valley. The leaves are starting to fall as a hint of approaching winter laces the air. A day of horseriding and kayaking lies ahead but first a stroll around The Birches property to check out alpacas, kangaroos, wombats, parrots, peacocks, pheasants, chickens, ducks, geese, quail and turkeys. And then a spot of hand-feeding the property's three varieties of goats: British Alpine, Saanen (milk) and Boer (meat).

MOST SPECTACULAR PLACES TO VISIT

Iguazu is often dubbed as the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, wonderful than Niagara falls in Canada, that former US First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, was heard blurting "poor Niagara". But due to its slippery mountain, far-away location and dangerous cliff, trekking to this spectacular waterfalls is very difficult to realize. But my dream is just to view the area in the background and I don't want to do mountain climbing anyway. One of the most visited landmarks in England, Windsor Castle simply amazes travellers with its unique history and glorious past. Dubbed by 19th century diarist, Samuel Pepys, as the most romantic castle in the world, Windsor Castle echoes mystic and charm. The castle has a beautiful avenue called "The Long Walk" with its beautiful garden, plants and other natural wonders. Windsor Castle is the weekend residence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the official seat of court during Easter Sunday, New Year and Royal Ascot. It has two working farms, state apartments, beautifully-trimmed garden, gift shop, chapel and orange orchard. A guided tour to Windsor can be organized on several schedule and I am looking forward to the day I can finally visit this wonderful royal fortress. I heard this many times " Paris is one of the most exciting and lively cities to visit " and since hearing it, I could not help but dream to visit this city of romance! While browsing a tour guide for France, I was stunned with the extraordinary garden of the Palace of Versailles!Such a terrific site to view and visit. The Palace is located just outside Paris and its 250-acre manicured garden allured visitors. History has it that the spectacular garden influenced King Charles II of England during the 17th century to design Windsor Castle's Long Walk avenue. According to its official website "its masses of pink Tulips are sweeping over the hills of the Cherry orchard, a truly spectacular site", oh well that's why I am so obsessed with this place to visit someday because I love Tulips! It has a magical landscape, like a fairyland and its surrounding is perfectly covered with magnificent architecture, lots of trimmed plants, waterfalls, beautiful spring flowers and other amazing ornaments. This is one of  the beautiful places I want to visit when I will take a European tour in the years to come, well if God allows.

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Washington, or, The revolution, a drama founded upon the historic events of the war for American Independence

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