The New Trevi Fountain, Rome. photo: Colleen Kohse — **The Newly Opened Trevi Fountain,** Rome. photo: Colleen Kohse

Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday (taken from google images)

I’ve been meaning to do a travel post since my last holiday but it’s been so crazy lately that I ended up having to hire a friend to go around Italy to capture some nice shots for this post.

Well that’s not exactly true. It’s just that a friend got to go to places in Italy that I’ve not yet been to and took some remarkable photos and of course she had the most amazing time. Because as she puts it “when you need a ‘spiritual’ lift, there’s no better place than the sights and delights of Italy!” So much history, so much art, so much fashion, so much food, so much style, so much…….everything.

My new favourite scooter. photo: Colleen Kohse

I agree. Twice I’ve been to Italy but never made it to Rome. Crazy, right? I’ve seen Milan, Venice and almost every quaint little corner of Tuscany including Florence. On my second visit I had to make a choice for a little side trip either to Rome or to Florence. Because of my timing situation I chose Florence.

Sunset in Florence. photo: Colleen Kohse

Florence is smaller, there’s lots of fabulous famous art everywhere and it’s such a beautiful, walkable city. I need to make a separate trip to Rome. And then I need to go to Lake Como and Capri. Sooooooon!

These pictures will whet your appetite for your next viaggio molto bella.

Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo, on Lake Como. photo: Colleen Kohse

photo: Colleen Kohse

Outside a perfumery in Montipulsiano. photo: Colleen Kohse

Sorrento. photo: Colleen Kohse

Mini mannequins (taken thru window) Rome. photo: Colleen Kohse

photo: Colleen Kohse

Funky Hotel Furniture. photo: Colleen Kohse

Colleen’s impression: It’s all about colour in Italy. From pastels to brights, the shops are springing up in splendid colours.

Anti Pasta in Como Market. photo: Colleen Kohse

tanti motivi

la dolce vita

It’s pretty straightforward. I want to live like an Italian.

There are too many likes. From the Renaissance paintings and sculptures of artists like Michaelangelo and Botticelli in Florence, to medieval villages, historical towns, castles and country churches scattered all over a vast territory of rolling hills. Romantic architecture abounds.

the house that was used to film “Under the Tuscan Sun”

Simply prepared delicious food: lunch on the terrace overlooking ancient vines and olive groves, wine, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aceto Balsamicos, and Gelatos.

Vespas and fast luxury cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani & Maserati.

Style in general which includes a well-tailored desire to look alla moda.