20 Comments

Birdcage (Mike Nichols directed). One of the funniest most loving and festive movies of all time!

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Classic Cary Grant film: Penny Serenade...but have tissues at hand.

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I ordered a panettone from Sofie’s list. Saving for Christmas. I do have others from Beatrice. We opened the new building at the Blanton with a Guercino show. Wish I could see the one in Rome.

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My tree is usually up by now, but we have had visitors & workers & travel so it (actually they, I have 2 trees now!) are still in their boxes in the magazzino.

I watch: Little Women, (the Greta Gerwig version) The Family Stone & The Holiday. I loved Oddio il Natale (on Netflix) so much last year I am going to try & squeeze both seasons of that in too!

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Now I have to figure out where to buy our second tree. The first one , which is still going strong, was from Sorelle Adamole. I'm thinking Rinascente maybe?

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I bought a little one for downstairs from Ikea last year. I think it even had lights already on it! (of course I put SO many more on ✨)

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Chez Georges FOREVER!!!

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They just finally reopened the fountain in front of the Pantheon, it's so...clean and white! The two lesser fountains in Piazza Navona have also opened and are now running water (just in time for the Christmas market), and the central Bernini fountain is almost finished. I do wonder if these marble fountains were actually meant to be so brilliantly (certainly not what we're used to) but I assume the restorers know what they're doing. The renovations all over town have been, and continue to be, a source of frustration for residents (and tourists), but we are getting there...

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Everything seems a bit too white to me too! Especially since nothing is being done to lessen the pollution so they will just have to be scrubbed down again in 5 years.

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Hi Elizabeth- I lived in Rome in 1968-69 and I have this memory of the Piazza Navona at Christmas and they made candy canes as tall as I was as a 12 year old. That and all the skinny Santa Clauses standing around. Does that sound accurate?

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And all those skinny santas smoking!! :)

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Looking forward to your updates from your upcoming Torino visit. We loved the city when we visited for a week in October.

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Any recommendations?

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We stayed at the Grand Hotel Sitea and loved it. The location, staff, and room were wonderful and the breakfasts delicious with a large selection. We enjoyed meals at 2 restaurants close to our hotel: Diecicento and La Piola Sabauda. We also enjoyed lighter more casual bites at the restaurant that is part of Rinascente, Eataly, and Cafe Mulassano. The gelato from Alberto Marchetti was delicious. Perino Vesco was a wonderful casual spot for bakery items and pizza. It was close to our hotel too. We aren’t big meat eaters and didn’t realize how much meat is a part of Piedmont cuisine so that limited some of our restaurant choices. Enjoy your visit!

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Thank you! I was looking at the Sitea, but it seemed kind of run down. Good to know you liked it!

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My spouse who looks closely at buildings (he is a bit of a home maintenance geek) thought it was very well maintained. It isn’t modern at all but has an older classic vibe to it. We had the impression they get a lot of repeat guests and we heard a lot of Italian being spoken. The staff were very gracious.

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Well this hit my inbox just in time! Flying in tomorrow. I was afraid we were too early for the lights so I’m happy to read there’s still plenty of sparkle before the big day. Always appreciate your tips on places to try. Thank you!

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My pleasure! Have a great trip.

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hey Elizabeth

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Elizabeth, My husband and I want to spend a month in Umbria next fall. We will rent a car.

Our base? Perugia or Todi or? We plan to rent an apartment. Suggestions?

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