La Dolce Vita at home
A curated list of music, books and films that will transport you all over Italy
As we sit on the very edge of our seats, sofas, and work-from-home set-ups, waiting for travel and adventure to welcome us back with open arms, our restless souls can be soothed with great art. Our bodies must stay put but our minds are free to wander the globe and discover new or familiar places through the great eyes of others who have immortalised their experiences.
In my own armchair escapism, I find myself always returning to Italy, and in order to prompt my imagination, I refer to the traces left behind by genius. I have compiled a perfect list that transports me straight to Italian soil and which I share to ease the pain of any other traveller whose wings are temporarily clipped. Organised categorically, this list offers my favourite book, film and song from the 6 regions of Italy which I pine after the most.
Pictures by Valentina Barabuffi
Sicily
An island of magic and mystery which has long been the source of so many iconic stories and songs. It is not difficult to capture the dazzling charm of Sicily but tying down its beauty to its ornate and complex history is another matter. Thankfully, some have succeeded in capturing the enigmatic appeal of Sicilian culture, and their work communicates a profound respect for everything which the island represents.
BOOK: The Leopard, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
FILM: A Bigger Splash, dir. Luca Guadagnino
SONG: Vinni e Cantari, Carlo Muratori
Tuscany
Largely defined by its undulating hills, Renaissance towns and spectacular golden sunsets, but Tuscany is also so much more than this. The region is the proud home to legends of history from Michelangelo and Macchiavelli to Galileo and Andrea Bocelli. Its limitless beauty has drawn many into its elaborate web, never to let them go. You’ll find a whole host of books and films that are based in Tuscany but that are not by original Tuscans. Thankfully, the region has wholeheartedly welcomed them and in return, their homage to Tuscany is always pure, authentic and enthralling.
BOOK: Up at the Villa, William Somerset Maugham
FILM: Tea with Mussolini, dir. Franco Zeffirelli
SONG: Amore disperato, Nada
Veneto
Enchanting, extraordinary and elegant, there is nowhere else on earth like Venice. The city is comprised of labyrinthine narrow streets and canals but its compactness means its unique spirit is strongly concentrated into every pocket of space. Therefore, expect your senses to be overwhelmed by the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of a city which has been honoured by those figures of the past who have been equally seduced by the Venetian allure.
BOOK: Across the River and into the Trees, Ernest Hemingway
FILM: Fellini’s Casanova, dir. Federico Fellini
SONG: Si va al Mare, Alberto Pinton
Lazio
This region is home to the eternal city, Rome whose ancient past is still very much alive today. Inspiration can be found in every nook and cranny and getting lost in the streets and alleyways lets you find endless marvels and excitements. No wonder that locals and the rest of the world have used Rome — and the people in it — as their muse, one which never loses its charm, romance or intrigue.
BOOK: Pleasure, Gabriele D’Annunzio
FILM: Purple Noon, dir. René Clément
SONG: A te, Jovanotti
Campania
From the intoxicating vibrancy of Naples to the bewitching glamour of the Amalfi coast, this region of Italy is bursting with character and beauty both modest and all-encompassing. The visual delights of Campania range from dynamic urban dwellings to impressively vast seascapes and indeed, those who hark from the region take immense pride in their heritage, and those who visit it wholly understand why.
BOOK: Amalfi Coast, Assouline
FILM: Il Postino, dir. Massimo Troisi, Michael Radford
SONG: Canzone appassiunata, Lina Sastri
Liguria
The pace in Liguria is a little slower and therefore offers a perfect sanctuary of rest and relaxation. The glittering coastline is punctuated by brightly coloured buildings among expansive nature reserves and each charming town has its own soulful personality. Natives of Liguria and flocks of its visitors are always drawn to the magic of the sea, and many of the stories that are based in the region (including the songs) are an ode to the magnificent Ligurian waters.
BOOK: The Enchanted April, Elizabeth von Arnim
FILM: Come September, dir. Robert Mulligan
SONG: Il Pescatore, Fabrizio de’Andre
