RomaPolacchi

Watch a great video of NY Times "The Minimalist" Mark Bittman as he cooks the classic Sicilian dish, Pasta con le Sarde (Pasta with Sardines). In just 5 minutes, Bittman serves up a delicious and simple pasta that will bring you back to Palermo.

Yes, it's that time of year again. Time to get that villa in Tuscany booked! Travel and Leisure has a helpful list of questions to ask your travel agent or rental agency when confirming your dream villa. A few that I would add: 1. Does the property have air conditioning? (A must in summer in Italy). 2. How far is the nearest train station/major town? 3. Are amenities (such as housekeeping and chef services) available and negotiable?

Another new designer hotel has popped in Italy-this time in Milan, not far from the fashion district. The new Maison Moschino has just opened in a renovated 19th century neoclassical train station. Moschino's creative team was inspired by dreams and fairy tales to style fantasy-like rooms that start at 280 Euros. To read more about the hotel (and Milan Fashion Week) check out Contessa Nally's blog .

Garance Dore, my favorite fashion blogger/photographer, posted a video of MaxMara's show in Milan on her site the other day. See models backstage, front-row celebrities, and interviews with designers and fashion VIPs (like Anna Wintour). The clothes are beautiful and elegant, as always.

Vogue Italia's new website has just debuted and it is gorgeous. The latest stories on fashion shows, trends and shopping are all on-line for international readers. No longer do you have to pay $10.00 for Italian Vogue at the newstand (although there is something satisfying about holding that magazine in your hands!). However, it's all in Italian, so have your dictionary ready.

The House of the Chaste Lovers in Pompeii is currently being excavated-the first new excavation in Pompeii in years. Not only is this new excavation exciting because of all the fascinating artifacts and features it is revealing (a huge brick oven, mosaic floors and skeletons of mules) but also because visitors will be able to enter the excavations and watch the dig going on in real time. If you are in Pompeii in March, be sure to stop by!