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Living in an Artist’s Loft in Rome
By Madelyn Miller
Rome is a city of artists. Just imagine what it would
be like to live like one.
I recently stayed at a wonderful loft bed and breakfast
that is owned by an artist, and it was like visiting a creative friend who
had invited me into her home.
When I walked into Barbara Reale’s home, I felt like I
was in a contemporary museum. Her artwork is everywhere, and her colorful
style is reflected in her furnishing choices.
Two matching couches—one red, one orange, are covered
with carefully selected pillows. A mannequin wears a dress by one of Italy’s
most famous designers Roberto Cavalli, and
it co-ordinates with the colors in the couches. Barbara told me when she
ordered the couches, they kept asking her if she was really sure she wanted
two matching couches in different colors. Barbara is very sure of what she
does, and her style works wonderfully well.
She showed me the recent issue of VOGUE Taiwan, a
country she has never been to. Yet a store in Taipei is named after her,
Barbara Reale, because she selects and buys all the Italian clothes for
them.
Her handsome husband Marco made a pasta dinner with
truffle sauce. We talked so long, I did not even get to “my” loft until very
late. It is actually a suite with a living area, bedroom, kitchenette, and a
slanted ceiling bedroom. There is a small enclosed porch off the kitchen.
You could easily stay here for awhile, as there is even a washing machine in
the loft. Best part is Barbara’s touch is everywhere—the silverware is in an
interesting pot, the mirrors on the bedroom wall, and of course, the art.
Here is how Barbara describes her place:
Girasolereale b&b - Rome, member of bedandbreakfast.com:
”I have available charming Italian suites in my Home
Art Gallery (I'm painter) with living room with sofabed, small kitchen fully
furnished and bedroom included breakfast.
Every suite has minibar and some have laundry.
Girasolereale B&B is located in south Rome to the Blue
Village, residential area near EUR, exactly to the 15 Km of the Viale
Cristoforo Colombo in front of the Natural Reserve of Malafede WWF, twenty
minutes by car from the Fiumicino¹s Airport, 20' from the beach, 15' from
italian fashion outlet and 35' from the center.
Girasolereale b&b is a villa surrounded from a big
garden, to the inside of which, the guests could find lodging in one of the
suites.
On request, extra services are available: Personal
Trainer, shiatzu massage and normal massage in the b&b, Beauty center, Art
Therapy, pick up to and from airport, babysitter, light dinner.”
The price is a bargain by Rome standards
and includes breakfast.
There is a separate entrance so you can have total
privacy, but Barbara and her husband Marco (who will happily drive you into
the center of Rome each day when he goes to his store) are so much fun to be
with you will feel like they are your new friends. Both Marco and Barbara
speak excellent English.
Barbara also does web design (this girl has a lot of
energy) and is very computer savy. By the time you read this, they will
probably have wi-fi.
Next time I go back, I want to go shopping with
Barbara. She gave me some great tips about markets. And she is near the
outlets. It all adds up to a perfect place to stay.
www.girasolereale.com
[email protected]
MOBILE PH +393476204172
HOME PH +39065084265
FAX PH +39065084265
Best Way to Get to Italy
US's seventh-largest airline, serving 181 communities
in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. US Airways,
US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate
approximately 3,400 flights per day. For more information on US Airways
flight schedules and fares, visit US Airways online at
WWW.USairways.com or call US Airways
Reservations at 1-800-428-4322
Best Way to Get Around in Italy
RailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which
covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes
to connect big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history.
The trains are comfortable and quick and easy to navigate. I got to Turm
directory from Venice in about three hours, it took just a little longer to
get from Turm to Milan.
WWW.RAILeurope.com
WHERE TO EAT:
Try brunch at the Cavalieri Hilton or dine in their
rooftop Garden which has two Michelin stars
Rome Cavalieri Hilton
via A. Cadlolo, 101
00136 Rome, Italy
tel+39 06 35092233
fax+39 06 35450331
www.cavalieri-hilton.it
www.hilton.com
L’Olimpo is a rooftop restaurant above Ber…….with a
fabulous view of Rome. Enjoy a wonderful panorama over the town from a very
central location
Sina Hotels
Piazza Barberini
23 - 00187
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS:
Fodor’s see it Italy
Detailed maps and lots of color pictures
www.fodors.com
The Complete Idiot's Guide To Italian History And
Culture
By Gabrielle Euvino with Michael San Filippo
www.idiotsguides.com
Italy
Insight Guides
www.insightguides.com
Fodor's 04 Italy
Shows you the way on and off the beaten path
www.fodors.com
Rick Steves Italy 2004
Avalon Publishing
www.ricksteves.com
Berlitz Pocket Guide Italy
www.berlitzpublishing.com
SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIAN:
The Complete Idiot's Guide To Learning Italian
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com
The Pocket Idiot's Guide To Italian
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com
Rick Steve’s Italian Phrasebook And Dictionary
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Ricksteves.com
BERLITZ Surviving in Italian
A handy mini phrase book with maximum information
www.berlitzpublishing.com
BERLITZ Shopping in Italian
Pocket-size with easy to read pronunciation
www.berlitzpublishing.com
EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN:
BERLITZ Eating and Drinking in Italian
Convenient pocket size
www.berlitzpublishing.com
How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine
Names
By Dianna Bellucci
They also include a bonus of Austrian, Spanish and Portugese Wine Names
Luminosa Publishing
www.howtopronounce.com
Langenscheidt's Pocket Menu Reader Italy
A gastronomic dictionary, phrasebook and guide
Europe's Top Restaurants 2004
Zagat Survey
www.zagat.com
TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOME:
Try Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at
home. Robust bail leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese,
ripened pine nuts, biting garlic and pure olive oil.
Rick Steve's Rome 2004
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Ricksteves.com
Shopping In Rome
Insights Guide
www.insightguides.com
Insight Guide Instant Rome
www.insightguides.com
Access Rome
By Richard Saul Wurman
HarperResource
www.harpercollins.com
Insight Fleximap Rome
Laminated for durability
www.insightguides.com
Wear your favorite city on a scarf! Tasaram's 100% silk
Map Scarves feature detailed street plans of London, Paris, Rome, New York,
San Francisco and Washington, D.C. with more cities coming soon.
www.mapscarves.com
BERLITZ City Guidemap
www.berlitzpublishing.com
ITALIAN LITERATURE TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD:
Venetian Stories
By Jane Turner Ruylands
Pantheon Books
www.pantheon.com
The thoroughly engaging characters who are the focus of these stories are
from different backgrounds and various Venetian neighborhoods, but their
lives—and the stories—overlap and intersect in surprising and playful ways.
Casa Rosa
By Francesca Marciano
(author of Rules of the Wild)
Pantheon Books
www.pantheonbooks.com
A mesmerizing story of three generations of a twentieth-century Italian
family who lived in a farmous in Puglia.
John Paul II
A personal portrait of the Pope and the Man
By Ray Flynn
St. Martin’s Press
www.stmartins.com
Behind Locked Doors
By Frederic Baumgartner
The author is a former president of the American Catholic Historical
Association and takes readers behind the scenes and offers an insider’s view
on the highly secretive Papal Conclave.
Palgrave Macmillan
www.palgrave-usa.com
Dances With Luigi
By Paul Paolicelli
A moving an intimate memoir of award-winning television journalist Paul
Paolicelli’s ancestral search.
Under The Southern Sun
By Paul Paolicelli
Stories of the Real Italy and the Americans it Created
Part Travelogue, part journalism and part sociological study, this book
follows Paolicelli as he explores Southern Italy dealing with the concept of
heritage.
Thomas Dunne Books
A division of St Martin’s press
www.stmartins.com
Venice Against The Sea
A city Besieged
By John Keahy
In a few years, much of Venice may be under water..can this beautiful city
be saved?
Thomas Dunne Books
A division of St Martin’s press
www.stmartins.com
COOKBOOK TO TEMPT YOUR PALATE:
MANGIAMO Let’s Eat!
A collection of family recies by Sylvia Sebastiani
Sebastiani Vineyards
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