italy Archives - Closet Confections

Closet Confection: Ciao, Venezia!

For the next leg of our journey, it was off to Venice!

{H&M Dress, LV Handbag, Born ‘Cady’ Boots}

By now, I’m sure you’ve noticed a theme with my packing. Easy knit dresses in neutral colors and prints. I used to be really averse to animal prints, but I now I pretty much live in them. Also, these Born ‘Cady’ boots are da bomb! I stomped all over Italy in these things, and my feet stayed comfy all day.

I knew ahead of time that there are no cars in Venice. But stepping out of the train station and immediately walking out onto the Grand Canal was still a little surreal. Fortunately, we quickly got scooped up by a private water taxi and beelined for our hotel.

Check out the view from the back of our taxi!

Hangin’ outside our hotel, the Palazetto Madonna. The rooms were on the small side, but what they lacked in size they more than made up for in charm and excellent customer service.

MORE PICS FROM THE REST OF OUR JOURNEY AFTER THE JUMP!

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Everyday Outfits Travel

Closet Confection: Stendahl Syndrome

Oh Firenze, how I miss you!

Out of all the cities we visited in Italy, Florence was definitely my favorite. Great food, beautiful sites, breathtaking art, and wonderful people… we experienced it all. We left Rome late in the evening and boarded the super-duper express train to Florence. Seriously, I didn’t think a train could move that fast! Our stay at the UNA Hotel Vittoria was a little off the beaten path, but it was love at first sight when we checked into our room. I sprung for the executive suite, and it did not disappoint. In addition to the VIP treatment we received at check-in, the room was decked out with a luxuriously deep soaking tub and spacey fiber-optics that surrounded the sleeping area and made you feel like you were inside of a spaceship.

As nice as our temporary digs were, we spent the majority of our time checking out all of the sites, tastes and sounds that the city had to offer. I’d been warned about Stendahl Syndrome while reading Inferno last year, but nothing could have prepared me for everything Florence had to offer. And did I mention we also stumbled across the Ferragamo Museum while we were there? Talk about shoe heaven! Anyway, less talk, more pictures.

Enjoy!

Behold, Pitti Palace!

{JC Penney Hat, H&M Dress, Zara Scarf (which doubled as a blanket on the plain ride!), Forever 21 Socks, J. Crew Boots}
As I stated in my previous post, packing for this trip was all about easy, comfortable pieces that travel well.

We climbed over 460 steps to the top of the Duomo to be greeted by this stunning view. It was seriously like looking down from heaven.

MORE PICS FROM THE REST OF OUR JOURNEY AFTER THE JUMP!

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Everyday Outfits Travel

Closet Confection: When In Rome

Buongiorno!

Eric and I decided to do something a little different over the Christmas holiday and traveled to Italy. We arrived in Rome on Christmas Eve and were immediately enchanted. This was a first visit for both of us, and it was amazing to see the juxtaposition of ancient and modern at play at almost every turn. One minute you’re surrounded by folks jamming to their iPods and dodging errant taxi drivers (just like in any other modern metropolis), and then you turn the corner to walk smack dab into a structure that’s thousands of years old. It was simply incredible, and you’d have to see it to believe it. So I’m happy to share with you my photo journal below. Enjoy!

H&M + Uniqlo Jackets, Banana Republic Dress, Dav Festival Rainboots, Louis Vuitton Handbag

Since I was definitely playing the tourist on this vacation (i.e., LOTS of sightseeing and aimless meandering), I chose easy, comfortable pieces that still looked smart. It was a little drizzly and damp, so I was grateful for my packable rain boots and rain parka that I layered with my husband’s lightweight down jacket for warmth. Before my trip, I’d read that the Italians embrace the ideal of La Bella Figura which means “the beautiful figure”, a way of life that emphasizes beauty, good image, aesthetics and proper behavior. So even though comfort was my main goal, I also wanted to put my best foot forward.

A breath-taking city view that we were treated to after climbing the Spanish Steps.

Unfortunately, the outside of the Colosseum was partially covered in scaffolding, so no good photos from the outside. Nonetheless, we were in for quite a treat once we got inside. If you ever visit, I highly recommend paying extra for the special Underground Tour which takes you to the more exclusive areas.

A peek at the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Piazza Navona.

MORE PICS FROM THE REST OF OUR JOURNEY AFTER THE JUMP!

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