What to Read: Fiera
Ferragamo is the height of sophistication when it comes to bags, ties, shoes and--children's books? In celebration of its eightieth birthday, the legendary fashion house is releasing Fiera, a fantastical story about a group of animals who explore Florence after their hot-air balloon gets stranded there. These adventurers--Leonard Leopard, Audrey Giraffe and Ella Elephant among them--are lifted straight from Ferragamo scarf prints and brought to life by renowned illustrator Michele Petoletti. James Ferragamo, grandson of founder Salvatore, explains, "We wanted to create something that would celebrate Florence"--the home of Ferragamo--"and all the beauty, tradition and exquisite craftsmanship that both the city and brand are known for." Jump-starting a new generation of Ferragamo aficionados probably won't hurt either. --CB
$40, Ferragamo boutiques nationwide
What to Eat: Nutella
There are two types of people: those who can't resist Nutella and those who have never tried it. The rich chocolate-hazelnut spread has a worldwide following not to mention sex appeal. (In the 1984 film Bianca, the main character ends a night of lovemaking with an enormous bowl of Nutella.) One would never guess that the indulgent recipe was born of frugality. In the 1940s, Piedmontese pastry chef Pietro Ferrero wanted to make chocolate for children's sandwiches. Due to wartime rationing, cocoa was scarce, so Ferrero stretched his chocolate by mixing in the local Piedmont hazelnuts. It was an instant hit. By 1983, Nutella had come to the United States, and today is found in the grocery aisles of more than seventy-five countries--outselling all brands of peanut butters combined worldwide!--CB
How to Invite People Over: Vittoriani Invitations
These are quite simply the most beautiful invitations we've ever seen. Exquisitely designed and letterpress-printed by Silvano Amato in Rome and Angela Liguori in Massachusetts--lifelong friends who grew up in the same building in Rome and now collaborate via post and e-mail--each invitation is bound with linen thread and features a Victorian-style image: a teacup, a bouquet, a baby carriage. The cards are printed on Fedrigoni paper, chosen for its pleasant texture and high quality, and carry an air of elegance that recalls another era. --CB
$18 for six cards and envelopes, www.angelaliguori.com
What to Drive: Fiat 500
This isn't your dad's cinquecento. July 4th marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Fiat 500, and to celebrate, the Italian auto manufacturer released an updated version of the car, unveiling it to an almost religious fan base.
When it was first introduced, the original Fiat 500 soared in popularity. At just under ten feet long, the 500 was ideal for navigating the narrow streets of Italian cities and was affordable for the postwar middle class. By the time it went out of production in 1975, the 500 had become a national symbol of rebirth and carefree youth.
The new 500 follows the original model, including its three-door design and small size. To update the car, however, Fiat invited the public to make their suggestions. The result is a car devoted to safety (with seven airbags) as well as individual style. The new model offers 500,000 variations; consumers can personalize everything from color, fabric, wheel type and engine size. But hurry! Fiat's CEO Luca de Meo projects that the line will sell out in both 2007 and 2008. --Chris Leahy
Where to Stay: Design Hotels
A well-designed trip to Italy should include a well-designed hotel. Imagine, for instance, arriving by gondola at your Venetian hotel. You walk upstairs to see the rooms and notice that no two suites are alike. A junior suite offers dark, sleek furniture and views of the Grand Canal; a luxury room feels like a Victorian parlor and overlooks the maze of Venice. Fantastic hotels can turn a trip into a fantasy, and Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande does just that. We discovered it on www.designhotels.com, a "collection of over 140 independent hotels united by progressive design." The site showcases eight Italian hotels with the kind of design that makes them attractions themselves. --CB
www.designhotels.com
