Travel Outfit Inspiration

Planning a trip to Italy for the winter? Be sure to pack accordingly! Italian weather ranges from cold, harsh winters in the mountains and north to milder winters in costal areas and southern regions. 

Although I haven't traveled to Italy in the winter, I hear visiting the country is great at this time of year because it is the tourist "off season" - less lines at the must-see sites. Also, experiencing another culture's holiday traditions will create many new memories. You might even bring new celebration ideas back home! If you're traveling throughout the country, be sure to pack a versatile wardrobe. Layers are your friend - you can pile them on in colder regions and don less in warmer regions. 

What is your favorite time of year to travel? 

Some outfit inspiration: 

Winter adventure by colettem featuring black knee high boots

W118 by Walter Baker loose top
theoutnet.com

Pull Bear brown herringbone jacket
$65 - pullandbear.com

Vero Moda short jacket
$55 - veromoda.com

Madewell skinny fit jeans
madewell.com

Sole Society black knee high boots
solesociety.com

Zatchels metallic leather handbag
$90 - bankfashion.co.uk

Kate Spade blue jewelry
neimanmarcus.com

Topshop infinity scarve
nordstrom.com

Italy in the News

Working in PR, I've learned that the best way to stay in tune with current events is to set Google News alert about topics of interest. Recently, I've set some Italy and travel-related news alerts for more content inspiration. Three of my favorite recent headlines are below. Happy reading! 

"Milan is Italy's paean to the present," by Rick Steves, Seattle Times: I read one of Steves' travel books prior to studying in Rome, he is a fantastic travel writer. Check out this article to learn more about the fashion capital and economic hub. 

"Italy's hilltop town offers a trip back in time", by Rick Steves, Vancouver Sun: Another great Steves' article that highlights Oriveto, a small Italian town outside of Rome.

"Italy wants its island back, will pay 2.5 million euros for Budelli," by Nick Squires, The Telegraph: Interesting story about the Italian government buying back an island near Sardinia that was previously sold to a New Zealand businessman.

Source: Commons.Wikimedia.org

Roman-inspired holiday gifts

Unsure about what to get your favorite Italophile this holiday season? Do you have a loved one that admires Rome, La Citta Eterna? Want to treat yourself? 

Check out these Roman-inspired items, I've included something for every budget! Stay tuned for more gift suggestions inspired by various major Italian cities. 

When in Rome by colettem featuring Villeroy & Boch

Stretch skirt
shopruche.com

RMK leather shoes
$87 - theiconic.com.au

Red purse
boticca.com

Charm pendant
boticca.com

Pandora sterling silver bracelet
bloomingdales.com

Spray perfume
bathandbodyworks.com

Spray perfume
bathandbodyworks.com

Black and white wall art
etsy.com

NotNeutral autumn dinnerware
2modern.com

Black throw pillow
bedbathandbeyond.com

Wall art
etsy.com

Nordstrom glass ornament
nordstrom.com

Wall art
riflepaperco.com

Villeroy Boch drinkware
bloomingdales.com

Vintage dish
jaysonhome.com

The Little Black Book of Rome 2012 The Timeless Guide to the Eternal...
barnesandnoble.com

Paul Smith Neil Stephens - Rome Flight Tag Print
paulsmith.co.uk

La dolce vita

In honor of the Rome Film Festival, I dedicate this Polyvore set to one of Italy's most famous films, Fellini's La Dolce Vita! The depiction of a journalist's week in Rome, this film allowed the world to romanticize La Citta Eterna. 

What is your favorite Italian film? 

La dolce vita by colettem featuring Dolce Vita

Red top
$32 - benetton.com

Furla shoulder bag
$220 - zalando.co.uk

Armani Jeans tote bag
luisaviaroma.com

Betsey Johnson pendant
betseyjohnson.com

Pendant necklace
etsy.com

Prada sunglasses
$260 - iamitalian.com

Forzieri Fashion Garden - Owl Cufflinks
forzieri.com

Giorgio Armani lipstick
$40 - johnlewis.com

Eau D Italie fragrance
$130 - colette.fr

Carthusia perfume
$81 - liberty.co.uk

Tocca body cleanser
beautybar.com

Le Creuset coffee cup
williams-sonoma.com

Dolce Vita throw pillow
etsy.com

Vestito maniche corte
$68 - benetton.com

essie nail color, exotic liras 0.46 fl oz (13.04 g)
beauty.com

Cinema Italiana: Rome Film Festival

Rome was once the center of the world, and recently was the center of the film world for a few days. Although the Venice Film Festival is Italy's largest cinema-related event, the 8th annual Rome International Film Festival is also a major event for the film industry and cinema fans. 

The festival ended yesterday, with Italian-Croatian director Alberto Fasulo winning the top prize for his documentary-style movie Tir, according to Hollywood Reporter.  The entertainment industry website noted that Tir is the second Italian documentary film to win accolades at a major film festival within the past three months. Sacra GRA, directed by Gianfranco Rosi, won top honors at the Venice Film Festival in September. 

Photo credit: DearCinema.com

Variety reported that Italian comedy Fifth Wheel opened the festival on November 8, with the festival's advance ticket sales up by 20 percent in 2013. This is great news! An increase in ticket sales is not only a surge in tourist economy for the Eternal City, but I think it also means that the film festival is building a bigger name. 

Two familiar names also had a successful trip to Rome. Actors Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson won top acting awards, according to UPI. 

I would love to see some of the Italian entries, such as Fifth Wheel, and hope these films come to the United States soon. Congratulations to all who participated in the 8th Annual Rome Film Festival! 

Sources: 

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/rome-kicks-off-with-italo-comedy-fifth-wheel-1200809495/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rome-film-fest-tir-wins-656746

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2013/11/17/Matthew-McConaughey-Scarlett-Johansson-win-big-at-Rome-Film-Fest/UPI-26831384711722/

Travel to Italy within minutes!

While perusing Mashable's headlines the other day, I came across their story on Google Street View's Venice Gondola ride. The tech giant utilized their maps tool to give people around the world a tour of La Serenissima right from a computer!

Mashable's article has a fantastic video with snapshots of the tour, but I also recommend trying it yourself. Coming from someone who has taken a gondola ride in the Grand Canal, this is one of the best views you can get if you do not plan on traveling to Italy any time soon.

Kudos to Google for utilizing their map technology to bring the beauty of Italy and la bella vita to the world! Below is a view of the Doge's Palace from Google Street View.

Source: Google.com

La Bella Vita Around the World: Lavazza Italian Film Festival

Today I came across the headline "Largest Italian Film Festival outside of Italy opens in Adelaide," and needed to learn more. An entire Italian film festival in a different country!? How fascinating!

The 2013 Lavazza Italian Film Festival opens on October 22 in Adelaide, a major city in Australia. It opens with a Cannes hit, The Great Beauty, set in Rome. The festival's focus is on "scenic Italy," and "a particular romance with Rome," according to a representative from Palace Cinemas, the theater at which the festival is held. 

Adelaide, South Australia
Photo Credit: TravelBlat.com

Fellini's Roma, will close out the festival on November 11. I love the festival's focus on Rome - historically, it is the center of Italian cinema and so many of the country's classic films are set there. To this day, Rome exudes the same romance it did when classic Fellini films were in production - it is the perfect focus for a film festival.

This sounds like a magnificent experience, I wish a spur of the moment trip to Australia was possible!

Venice Film Festival

While this is a delayed post, I want to acknowledge that the 70th Annual Venice Film Festival, or La Bienniale di Venezia, took place between August 28 and September 7. The world's oldest film festival, it takes place every year on the island of Lido, one of the small beach islands in La Serenissima. 

Since I studied film in Italy, I was excited to follow some of the happenings at the event. The Huffington Post "Venice Film Festival" tag has some great posts, and the Los Angeles Times photo gallery displays great shots from the event. 

Photo credit: labienniale.org

Did you follow the Venice Film Festival? What movie are you most looking forward to seeing? 

Local La Bella Vita: The Italian Way

To whoever invented The Italian Way, you are awesome and you read my mind. I downloaded your app last week and I ADORE it. 

For those who are not familiar with The Italian Way, it is an iPad app available in the App Store that allows users to search for Italian-inspired locales in cities across the United States, ensuring its users have a slice of la bella vita. Whether you are exploring your own neighborhood or venturing across the country, an Italian-filled life is at your fingertips. 

The app's intro gets users ready to experience Italian culture in the US!

Select your city and discover new Italian locales!

Create an itinerary of places to visit in your chosen city.
From gelato stands to a passeggiata in a park, a small part of Italy is present everywhere. 

I cannot wait to explore some new gelato stands, pizzerias and parks in Chicago. 

Allow The Italian Way to help you live la bella vita and celebrate Italian culture!