Nero by Abraham Janssens van Nuyssen (1620), Wikimedia Commons December 15, 37 – Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicu: "There is no other way of enjoying riches and money than by riotous extravagance, only stingy fellows kept a correct account of what they … [Read more...]
#RealEstatePorn: This Half a Billion Dollar Caravaggio Mural Comes with a House –in Rome
Villa Aurora is in the heart of Rome and houses the world's only ceiling mural by the Italian painter Caravaggio. A court in Rome has … [Read more...]
Melania Trump Steps Out in a $51,000 Dolce & Gabbana Jacket (& the Internet Flips!)
Dolce & Gabbana has been one of the only fashion houses to embrace First Lady Melania Trump and she took advantage and went out in Sicily on the first day of the G-7 summit wearing a bright, floral jacket that … [Read more...]
#WhenInRome: Banksy’s First Museum Exhibit Lays Bare “War, Capitalism & Liberty”
This unprecedented exhibit of the unknown artist called Banksy, has 150 works from private collections from around the world, spanning the artist’s career that includes original paintings, prints, sculptures, and objects — many being shown for the first time. The exhibit … [Read more...]
#BornThisDay: Federico Fellini
January 29, 1920- Federico Fellini is one of the few directors with his name as part of the title of his films (apologies to Lee Daniels). Fellini Satyricon, Fellini Roma, Fellini's Casanova. In the history of cinema, has there been a series of films that are so intimately … [Read more...]
#BornThisDay: Composer, Nino Rota
December 3, 1911- Nino Rota At 14 years old & feeling highly romantic, I couldn’t have been more captivated by the Franco Zeffirelli film version of Romeo & Juliet (1968). Most assuredly, … [Read more...]
#BornThisDay: Roman Poet, Virgil
October 15, 70 BC- Virgil: “Even virtue is fairer when it appears in a beautiful person.” I am not much of a classicist, but I have long planned to adopt a French Bulldog & name it Virgil. … [Read more...]
#LGBT: The Vatican Fires Priest After He Comes Out as Gay
Today, the Vatican fired a monsignor who came out as gay on the eve of a big meeting of the world's bishops to discuss church outreach to gays, divorcees and more traditional Catholic families. … [Read more...]
#LGBT: Pope Francis Says Same-Sex Couples Cannot Raise Children
Pope Francis figuratively rained on Rome’s annual gay pride march … [Read more...]
#FantasyEscape: 10 Bank-Breaking Hotels Around The Globe
Pretend you just won the Mega-Millions jackpot! Screw Disneyland, right? You might want to have a list of the most expensive hotels in the world handy. Some, by comparison seem even at slightly … [Read more...]