An Afternoon Risposo

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I bet you’ve heard of the siesta. You know, that glorious time in the afternoon when you get to go home from work for a quick break? Well, not really in the US, but doesn’t it sound like a dream? I, for one, know I would be way more productive. On my honeymoon to Italy, I learned that the Italian have a very similar custom. From 2 to 4 pm, all of the businesses in Menaggio were closed. They call it, a risposo.

Much like it’s Spanish counterpart, these two extra hours in the day are meant for relaxing at home. Some just consider it to be a way extended lunch break. I’m sold! Here are some little tips for the risposo perfetto I learned along the way.

Go With It.

You can’t fight it. Businesses will be closed and there’s not much you can do about it. You may be a little frustrated (especially if you are hungry), but appreciate the Italian culture. As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them!

Plan Ahead.

That being said, there’s so much you can do to be prepared. We were early risers on this trip and used the morning to take care of any errands we thought we needed. This mostly meant walking down to the grocery store for enough snacks and wine to last us all day. That way, we could go back to our apartment and already have our lunch waiting for us and relax, Italian style. Not to mention, this probably helped us save money in the end.

Get Familiar.

If there are stores and restaurants you want to visit, double check their hours. Most you can find with just a quick Google search, but some may be off the grid and require more legwork. A lot of times, risposo is at the owner’s discretion. One store may have different hours than even what’s right next door.

Relax.

If you could have two hours of free time, what would you do? That’s how you should fill your risposo. I found myself sipping wine, reading in the sun, and taking a dip in the pool when I needed a refresher. It was pure bliss!

Coming back to the States was a reality check. Our culture is so on-the-go! It may be hard, but try and give yourself a little chunk of time each afternoon to just unwind. It doesn’t have to be more than 15 minutes. You can have your own little mini slice of risposo.

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Honeymooning in Mennagio, Italy

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I’m so happy to finally sit down and start to share all of the little details about my honeymoon abroad. Two weeks in Italy was nothing short of magical and it’s been hard to bounce back to reality, especially when moving is the next thing on the agenda. I would much rather be sitting on the shore of Lake Como, but here I am. Let’s get started!

Our base for the lake was the little town called Menaggio on the western shore, right next to the Swiss border. Although it’s one of the quieter spots, it was the perfect central location to hop on the ferry and cruise from town to town. I loved coming home each day after a day of sightseeing and actually feel home.

Where We Stayed

When we originally booked our trip, I wanted to find a place that was 1) affordable and 2) had a full view of the lake. I found exactly what I was looking for with this Airbnb. Not only were the views breathtaking, but there was even an infinity pool on the grounds to cool down after a day of shopping and exploring. At nights, as we enjoyed our wine and cheese, we would open the double french doors onto our private yard to enjoy the breeze. It felt like our own little slice of heaven.

Eat a Full Italian Meal

• La Trattoria Constantin: The owners of our Airbnb actually owned this restaurant in the town’s main square. Since we wanted to catch the World Cup game, it seemed like the perfect spot. We went a little hog-wild, but everything we ordered was delicious. Nothing made me feel more Italian than drinking glasses of wine while watching soccer and eating fresh pizza. We were living la dolce vida.
• La Grolla Menaggio: This one may have been my personal favorite because of the view! A quick ten minute walk from the main square, this restaurant gives you pure, unobstructed views of the water and some delicious food. Obviously being on a lake, seafood is the local speciality. The campione del lago, or lake sampler, had three kinds of local fish that had been caught that day. Since it was our last night, we had the full meal with pastas, wine, and washed it all down with two serving of their tiramisu.

Have Gelato Daily

• La Fabrica del Gelato: If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in Italy, be sure to get a generous helping of gelato everyday. It’s a very spiritual experience. Also in the town square, this was the best gelato we had in Lake Como. The little shop was adorable and always seemed to have a crowd. Our secret to skipping the line was popping in for a late night treat right before they closed, at 11. David and I strolled along the lake enjoying our ice cream: mine was papaya, his was cookies and cream. So romantic.

Shop Like the Locals

• Conad: Let me introduce you to the town’s grocery store. After all, it is where the majority of our food came from. Everyday we would get up early and walk into town for our grocery run. It always consisted of wine, cheese, salami, crackers, and cookies. We also tried to stay smart and buy bottled water, but tap water comes right from the lake and was just fine. Even though we ate very well in town, this was my favorite culinary experience.

Some Local Customs

It’s important to keep in mind that the restaurant culture in Italy is very different from what we’re used to in the States. One meal can take several hours and you have to be more forward if you want to grab attention from a server. There was definitely a little bit of a learning curve.

We also had to get used to their way of tipping. Everyone we asked told a slightly different answer, but we’ve gathered that it’s only customary to leave a few euros for good service. It’s by no means required or expected. There is a comperto fee that seems like it could be a tip, but that is how restaurants off set the cost of using linens and napkins. Another quirk we learned was that they will charge for water. It comes in a large bottle, but only cost a few euros.

Menaggio will always feel like a little piece of home. Everyone there was so kind and friendly. It may have taken a plane, train, automobile and boat to get there, but it was all worth it.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Italian Mementos & Souvenirs

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Not Pictured: Heels

Souvenir may be a French word, but I still managed to snag some mementos while away in Italy. When I travel I try to avoid the tacky and find pieces that are meaningful and fit into my daily wardrobe. Picking up these little pieces to wear for the day will always remind me of the happiest trip of my life in Italy. Here’s a little glimpse of what I picked up.

Louis Vuitton Handbag

First, we have to start off with the big one. As a combination wedding/sorry-for-making-you-move gift, David let me have the run of Rome’s Louis Vuitton flagship store. There were so many things on my dream wishlist, but I ultimately decided to come home with this gorgeous Pochette crossbody bag. Not a surprise pick here, but navy is my favorite color and I love the subtlety of the classic LV print embossed in the leather. Inside, the bag opens up to two, surprisingly roomy sections that will fit everything I need in the city. I’m smitten with this bag, and more importantly, so thankful for my gift. It’s my very first designer bag, but hopefully not the last.

Lake Como Silk Scarf

Next up, I added to my scarf collection with a piece from our day trip to Bellagio in northern Italy. The silk industry has been alive in Lake Como since the 1400s and almost every shop in this city sells something to show for it. I’m obviously partial to scarves, but the variety of patterns in the ties, dresses, and wristlets was amazing. I decided on this beautiful blue and white scarf with tasseled pattern. It is reminiscent of one of the coveted Hermes silk scarves, but at a fraction of the price. The colors are going to easily transition into fall and will be the perfect accent with a crisp navy sweater and riding boots. My only regret is that I didn’t stockpile these while I had the chance to.

Ferragamo Heels

My last big purchase was a gift for myself. From me, to me. I have been in love with the Ferragamo Vara heel, specifically in navy, forever and decided a while ago that I was going to save up my money to buy them while in Italy. As the saying goes, when in Rome! They aren’t pictured here because I want to debut them on a special occasion, but they are gorgeous! The quick pop of gold against the patent navy leather is everything I could want it to be.

Touristy Treats

Other than that, I turned to the touristy shops for some little knick knacks to bring home. Just little gifts for my family. The best deal I came away, though, with was a blue and white tea towel with all of the Roman sites that perfectly fits the decor in my apartment. At only 4 euros, it was probably the most inexpensive thing I purchased during the entire trip.

Buying souvenirs on trips is fun, but the experiences abroad are the real treasures. I love being able to have these keepsakes to wear out. When people ask where it’s from, I’ll smile and say, ‘just a little something I picked up in Italy.’

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.