Jazz in the Villa Medici

Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome, is hosting a small jazz festival this week as part of Estate Romana (June 24-26). While we missed the first two nights, Friday night's program is sure to be a great crowd-pleaser with Daniele Scannapieco on sax. The performances are outside in the Villa's famous gardens. Doors open at 7:30, music starts at 9:00. You can buy a reduced ticket with your RomaPiu pass!

Venice's Londra Palace Restored to Old Glory

Just down the "street" from St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, is the Londra Palace Hotel. With views across the lagoon, this hotel's location is incomparable. And now its interior has been painstakingly restored to reflect the grand history and beauty of Venice. The hotel's rooms are furnished with authentic antiques and its restaurants are light-filled and pleasant. The water-taxi stops right in front of the hotel so you will be able to see all of Venice from your doorstep. Be sure to ask for a room with a view!

Castiglion del Bosco: Ferragamo's Tuscan Retreat

Massimo Ferragamo has restored an ancient Tuscan estate in the heart of Brunello wine-making country. Castiglion del Bosco is a group of private villas for sale, all decorated with the finest materials. If purchasing an Italian villa is a little too rich for your blood, there are 26 suites and guestrooms available for short-term stays in the old estate owner's villa, called Il Borgo, along with a cooking school, restaurants and a spa (opening in 2010). Your own private Italy-in high style.

Food Wine Rome: A Foodie's Guide to Rome

Food Wine Rome, a new guidebook by David Downie (food and travel writer who has contributed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit and many many other food publications), is the food guidebook for gourmets who are visiting Rome. In his book you will discover the best restaurants, food shops, and wine purveyors. Even long-time residents of Rome will find surprises in this beautifully designed and illustrated book.

Estate Romana 2009 Calendar is On-Line

At long last, the Estate Romana (Roman Summer) calendar of events is live. Go to en.estateromana.commune.roma.it for all the details on summer concerts, exhibitions, and performances in Rome-many of them FREE!

The Pool at the Hotel Caruso Belvedere

The Hotel Caruso Belvedere in Ravello (my favorite town on the Amalfi Coast) is so spectacular, Budget Travel has written a whole article about it. Well, part of an article, anyway. Read all about this infinity pool with the most incredible view of the Mediterranean at budgettravel.com.

Bir e Fud's Brewery Tour in Abruzzo

For you beer aficionados who will be in Italy on June 20th, Trastevere's Bir e Fud is planning a tour of Opperbacco di Notaresco, an artisanal brewery near Teramo in Abruzzo. For 20 Euros you will get a tour and beer tasting at the brewery along with a picnic lunch consisting of delicious antipasti. Make reservations through Bir e Fud by calling 39.06.5561677. Buon Apetito!

The Saldi Calendar

After months of searching, I have finally found what appears to be a calendar of Italy's summer sale season. The website which has published the calendar, pricesharing.it, claims to be an on-line consumer review organization. Where they got their information, they do not say. But so far it's the only Saldi calendar I have seen on the web, so I'll take it. Rome starts its Saldi on July 4th, Venice on July 5th, and Florence on July 12th. The discounts on this season's fashions will be considerable, so be sure to save your Euros for some stylish new Italian clothes!

Stay Up Late Reading

What to do if you can't sleep in Rome? Hit Via Veneto Libreria (owned by the local independent chain of bookstores, Arion), which is open until midnight on weekends. The massive store has a coffee shop and a great selection of foreign language books, including English. Yes, you can probably think of 100 things to do at night in Rome, but you never know when you'll need Henry James, do you? Via Veneto 42.

La Biennale in Venice is Here!

Venice's La Biennale, one of the world's premier cultural institutions, has begun. Films, dance, music and art are the focus of this century-old celebration of international creativity. At many venues throughout the city you can see the work of award-winning artists, directors, composers and dancers. This year, the artist Bruce Nauman has won the prestigious Golden Lion award for his design of the American Pavilion, a work entitled "Topological Gardens." To take part in the various events of La Biennale, buy tickets here.

La Maremma-Tuscany's Mediterranean Coast

It's summer in Italy and the only place to truly cool off is the beach. The New York Times has an article on the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany, a.k.a. La Maremma. See Frank Bruni's suggestions for hotels, restaurants and things to do in this relatively unknown stretch of the Mediterranean. He even visits Elba, the site of Napolean's exile. If you love history, scenery, and delicious food, you will love La Maremma. It's just a short drive from Rome and Florence-perfect for a weekend trip.

More Ways to Help Abruzzo

The Slow Food Network is looking to donate $25,000 to help victims of the Abruzzo earthquake with basic necessities. Just $25 helps a local farmer pay for a table at the new market in l'Aquila. You can help by going to GlobalGiving.com and making a donation.

Ferragamo's Celebrity Handbag Auction to Benefit Abruzzo

Ferragamo and GlobalGiving.com have put a collection of handbags donated by celebrities (Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria, to name a few) on eBay. All proceeds go directly to benefit the Abruzzo region, which was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year. At last check, Madonna's Sophia bag was going for $2,235. Read more about it on eternallycool.net. Want to donate to the cause but aren't interested in fashion? GlobalGiving.com has an Italy Earthquake Relief Fund that you can donate to anytime you want.

Raphael, His Mistress, and Saltimbocca

Ristorante Romolo nel Giardino di Raffaello e della Fornarina, also known as Romolo, is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in Trastevere. The restaurant, which serves typical Roman cuisine, was opened in 1950 and is located in the house and garden that supposedly belonged to Raphael's mistress, the daughter of a baker (il forno). While Raphael was working on the nearby Villa Farnesina, he would steal away to meet his lover and model, Margherita Luti. You won't find this restaurant and its very pretty garden in many of the tourist books (and hopefully you won't find many tourists either). Via di Porta Settimiana 8. Tel.065818284.

125 Years of Bulgari in Rome

In 1884, Bulgari opened its first store in Rome. Since then, the jeweler has been inspiring women all over the world with its creative and innovative designs. Naturally, the jewels of Bulgari are in perfect keeping with my other-life fantasy of being an Italian contessa. Now I (and dreamers like me) can get a little closer to Bulgari's works at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. The museum, located on the Via Nazionale, is presenting eight galleries full of jewelry created throughout the past 125 years. Don't miss the gallery devoted entirely to Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari collection! Now through September 13th.