Florence, Italy

We were invited to a Gucci and GQ reception to celebrate the Lapo Elkann collection. It was a fabulous evening and was just so much fun. After the event, I went out to pizza with some of my new friends, a pretty Russian woman and her mother, a NYC entrepreneur, an Italian acquaintance and my parents.  It was the best pizza party ever!

The next day we went to a special Gucci showroom where they take really famous people, not just a normal store. There they had selected all of these items for me to look at and try on. It was so cool!

In Florence, we also went on some walking tours. One day we went on a Medici history walking tour. I learned a lot. My favorite walking tour was the local artisans one where I went local craftsmen and woman who taught me a little about their skill. It was amazing to see how much time and effort goes into making certain things by hand.

My favorite restaurant in Florence was Alle Murate. The original frescos on the second floor and the excavation work in the basement made this place very special.

Ciao for now!

Venice, Italy

Venice is the city with no cards and no bicycles. The locals walk or take motorboats, the only ones that use their famous gondolas are the tourists.  Looking at the map of Venezia you quickly discover that the lagoon is actually made up of several small islands connected by hundreds of bridges.

The famed San Marco square was beautiful, however, the infamous pigeons were not as many as I was expecting.  I thought the most magical part of Venice was the ability to take small winding paths and get lost in the city. There on these lesser-traveled streets I found quiet cafes and squares to sit and watch time go by.

I went on a wonderful walking tour with a local Venetian where I learned more about the history and how the city works. We also happened upon a school and it was great to play with the local school children for a moment.  I took a boat to Murano and learned to blow glass as the local artisans do. I also found a few beautiful chandeliers for my bedroom. After that, I spent a couple of hours on the island of Burano, famous for Venetian lace.

I also went to a special dinner event called “Gusto in Scena” which means Taste on Stage. This was my first experience with a tasting menu and a cocktail reception prior to dinner. It was a fun evening!

Well I am off to the train station, next stop is Florence.

Ciao for now!