I was based in Rome for the month, and my friend told me about this Harvest and Feast experience that she was working on in Sorrento. Travelling from Rome to Naples and then onto Sorrento by train was easy, so I thought, why not? I had the weekend free and decided to travel south to check it out. The experience was hosted at Casa Melangolo.  A beautiful guesthouse crafted from volcanic tufo stone dating back to the 1800s and is surrounded by lush gardens filled with lemon and olive trees with views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.  The experience started at 11am with coffee on the terrace overlooking the beautiful Sorrento up in the Sorrento Hills. Of course, the non-Italian guests are on time ;) with the local guests slowly arriving around 11:30 am-12 pm, all with con calma, as they say, with calm.  This is a place where you go to unwind, disconnect, and truly embrace the beauty that surrounds you. There's no agenda other than being present in the moment. The day's highlight is the "Harvest and Feast" experience with Casa’s agronomist and Chef Martin Planchaud. We are introduced to the traditional methods of olive harvesting—using hands to gently pluck olives from their branches, a practice now largely replaced by modern tools like olive shakers and rakes. After our hands-on learning, we stroll through the fragrant lemon groves to enjoy a refreshing aperitivo of gin & tonics, crafted from lemons picked straight from the trees. Accompanied by thin, crispy crackers, we savour the estate's olive oil—a bold, spicy elixir that leaves a zing on the palate. With our G&Ts finished, we stroll to lunch, where a picture-perfect table awaits us under the sun. Set in the garden, we gather for a feast featuring a menu curated by Bordeaux Chef Martin Planchaud, complemented by an abundance of natural wines. This long lunch is more than just a meal—it's a celebration of social connection, new friendships, and shared stories, where guests from Naples, Sorrento, Tokyo, Belgium, and France come together in a tapestry of cultures and camaraderie. This experience was all about social connection, culinary exploration, and the joy of meeting kindred spirits from around the globe. The day at Casa Melangolo etches unforgettable memories into the heart, leaving us enriched by the beauty of the place and the warmth of its people.

An artist and residence found in the heart of Florence, in Via dei Pandolfini, midway between Duomo and Santa Croce. It is more than just a residence; it is a three-story historical structure from 1510 called Palazzo Galli Tassi. It's a collective design space that is always evolving and offers boutique loft and suite-style accommodation, exhibitions, artistic workshops, and group collaboration events all year long. As you wonder into the residence you are welcomed by a beautiful open courtyard with five-metre-high ceilings and ancient frescoes. When you first arrive, you experience an immediate tranquility that fills you with a sense of peace and relaxation. The accommodation is spacious, minimal and each loft is designed and curated with artist works. The art is also featured throughout the common, where you may learn more about the artists and how to buy their pieces.

Combining great food, drinks and wine with music. Summer with Kate Ceberano. A Night of Jazz & Gin, featuring James Morrison.

As we returned to dining after the pandemic, the first week back was dedicated to a concept created by Maurice Terzini "It Doesn't Taste Like This at Home". To welcome back our guests after being closed for over 5 months we created a Dinner & Show series to promote the connection between food, drinks, wine, music, art and the moments that drive conversation through dining experiences. We wanted to make sure everyone could create memorable experiences with each other once again. Every night during opening week there was an upclose and personal performance by artists featuring: Opera singers, Anna Dowsley and Jonathan Abernethy Jazz and soul by Mahalia Barnes Delta Riggs Unplugged Sneaky Sound System Pav Modern

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar founder and creative director, Maurice Terzini has collaborated with L.G.R artistic director, Luca Gnecchi Ruscone to design a four-piece summer capsule collection of sunglasses. The storied Australian-Italian restaurateur and fashion designer wanted to create a select number of sunglass models reflective of the iconic venue’s striking blue interiors and majestic views across the Pacific Ocean, while made from the highest-quality materials and artisanal craftsmanship the luxury Italian eyewear label is world-renowned for. After initial discussions about the transformative power of eyewear and a typical summer’s day at Icebergs, Terzini and Ruscone FaceTimed overlooking the captivating sunset across Bondi Beach to record the myriad of colours — pinks, purples, ocean blues and black — that engulfed the skyline and informed the soon-to-be colour palette for the eyewear capsule.“ The Iceberg’s x L.G.R summer capsule consists of four model frames: Dalia oval-shape frame in sunset pink coloured acetate with grey colour-coded lenses. Kimberly sleek cat-eye frames in gloss black acetate with sunrise pink photochromatic lenses. Reunion bold round-frame in golden sun-coloured acetate with grey lenses. Classic Jambo frame in matte black Italian-cast acetate with ocean blue lenses. The impermeable frames feature hand-polished cellulose acetate made in Italy, 100% UV protection and filter category 3 tempered mineral glass lenses, metal rivets, and gold signature Icebergs x L.G.R engraving along the temples.

The colourful and vibrant streets, artisan shops, art everywhere you turn whether it's the street art or the stunning murals on the buildings, churches, trattoria's, small bars, people everywhere in the piazza catching up with old friends and making new ones, the bohemian way of life, this is Trastevere. One of my favourite places to stay and explore. It's close to everything and you can walk everywhere from here. There are a lot of airbnb or bed and breakfast accommodation available. Quick tip the images on the websites aren't always the room you expect! If you really want to understand the room you have, email the accommodation directly and ask for the exact details and images of the room. I have come to realise along my travels that certain places showcase the suite images and the superior rooms aren't exactly what you think. Bar San Calisto is a favourite when it comes to granita di caffe con panna, which basically means coffee granita with cream. This place is buzzing 24/7. It comes alive during the evening when nearly every single person is sipping on a Peroni. It's only a 2-min walk from Basílica de Santa María en Trastevere.

Roscioli's is right in the heart of Rome and somewhere I fell in love in 2016 when I had my first visit. It's a combination of many different culinary experiences, all with their own unique offering. Roscioli Salumeria, it's a deli, a wine bar, a restaurant and a store. One of my favourite places to visit every time I am in Rome. Extremely hard to get a table so I advise to book as soon as you have a date in mind. I made sure I booked my first night in Rome here, as I knew exactly where it's located, it was close to my apartment and I knew exactly what to expect. Things like this suit me after being up for over 48 hours traveling from Sydney. Roscioli, Caffe Pasticceria Where you go for coffee and a Maritozzi. A small bar where you stand like the locals and drink your espresso macchiato and indulge in a Maritozzi con le panna, a true Roman breakfast. If it's not too busy, check out the fine art on the walls. I particularly love the Spiderman piece on the left hand side of the bar down the back. This piece is by Filippo Trojano, called Cosplay, 2018. Antico Forno Roscioli An ancient bakery where traditions have been handed down through four generations. This is where you will find the best pizza a taglio. My favourite is the chilli flakes pizza, but it's hot, so be prepared.