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!

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.

Naranzaria Wine Bar in Venice

In another life I was definitely an Italian contessa, living la dolce vita in one of my many villas and dressing in the latest Milanese fashions. Real-life contessas in Italy certainly do those things, but they also do so much more! Contessa Marie Brandolini, who owns her own Venetian glassmaking studio, runs the wine bar Naranzaria on the Grand Canal that showcases her family's wines and the fresh tastes of the Veneto region. Seafood is the specialty and with the Rialto so close you are guaranteed to have the best of what is available daily. The views of Venice from the restaurant are superb. Naranzaria stays open until 2 a.m., unusual in a town which is known for turning its lights out early.

Contessa Nally: Must-See Italian Fashion Blog

If you want to see fashion shows, artists and beautiful people up close, go to contessanally.blogspot.com. Venice resident Contessa Nally Manfredi Bellati is a photographer and stylist who has worked for Vogue and Bazaar and whose photos appear in magazines all over the world. Now you can see her candid photos of Milan (pictured), Paris and New York's Fashion Weeks and many other fashionable and fabulous events all over Italy on her blog. You will definitely be mesmerized by her beautiful world.

Venice Glassmaking Made Clear

Venice has been the home of the world's best glassblowers for centuries. But which glassmakers should you visit when you are in Venice? Here are a few that you will enjoy, with prices ranging from accessible to fantastical! Giberto Arrivabene makes glass according to the traditions of the aristocracy, and you can find his works at Chiarastella Cattana in Piazza San Marco and also at Emporio Le Sirenuse in Positano. Carlo Moretti brings a modern and colorful touch to assymetrical pieces that you can buy all over the world, even in the United States. Marie Brandolini designs tumblers and serveware incorporating the famous Venetian glass beads (pictured). Giordana Naccari's colorful and organic shapes evoke the past-with a funky point of view. Visit her shop, L'Angolo del Passato at Campiello dei Squelini.

WalksInsideRome.com

Travel and Leisure recently featured a walking tour website that will customize a day of sightseeing and eating in Rome for you. WalksInsideRome.com will take you to the open-air markets, bakeries, pizzerias and wine bars to sample the culinary delights of Rome-and see how the Romans make them. WalksInsideRome has dozens of customizable private and semi-private tours for art and antiquities connoisseurs, fans of opera, Angels and Demons and La Dolce Vita, and special itineraries designed for kids. The tours are not cheap, but take it from me-having a guided tour of Rome is always worth it. You will never regret a penny spent on your own private Rome. If you like the tours of Rome, they also offer guided walks in Venice, Florence, Trieste and Friuli.

Travel and Leisure is All About Italy

This month's Travel and Leisure magazine is full of information about several Italian cities, including Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi and even a few out of the way spots. Find out about American Ballet Theatre's newest star, Robert Bolle, and his favorite spots in his hometown, Milan. Travel and Leisure's Italy expert, Valerie Waterhouse, shares some secrets about Venice. Affordable and stylish hotels in Rome and Florence are featured, and an authentic family restaurant in San Cesareo, near Rome, is recommended.

The Frugal Traveler Visits Venice and Milan

New York Times blogger Matt Gross (a.k.a the Frugal Traveler) recently visited Italy with his wife and newborn baby girl. On the agenda were Venice and Milan. His posts last week were filled with all kinds of tips on visiting Venice with an infant and finding comfortable and stylish accommodations on a budget in Milan. If you are at all hesitant to take Junior on his first trip to Italy-don't worry! It can be done, even in winter, and you can still have a ton of fun. Remember, Italians love babies.