AMARCORD LIVING

Here at Our Gypsy Souls, when we do a travel review/guide/article we get straight to the nitty-gritty. None of this high glossy catalogue upscale up-sale photographic imagery.
Your travel budget? None. Your wish to visit place? Plenty. Here is how.

Next to a now independent San Marino is Rimini, Emilia-Romagny

Amarcord classic, 1979

My post about Italy has been well overdue, mainly down to the fact that I have by now embarked on so many wonderful adventures across the boot there is hardly any time and enough blog space to write down my warm feelings for this country.

Yet, let's start off in the North somewhere first. Rimini. Coastal town and a Fellini native land that was so remarkably noted in Amarcord, 1973 tears and laughter induced film account of his growing up in this beautiful town.

A somewhat 'party central' reputation since the 60's, Rimini is now over saturated with tourists flocking and a somewhat sandy beach, cheap beer, pizza slice summer fiasco. However, there are plenty of hidden gems under this stereotype. Do not be fooled.

Heart of Rimini

Pelicano, gelato heaven

THE BREAKDOWN
Fly to Bologna, take an hour train ride to Rimini. Easy. I suggest stopping over in Bologna at least for lunch in between.

THE DIGS
AirBnb.com never fails me as I stay with a true local lovely Italian girl who immediately makes me feel welcome with her Husky pup and a chatty cat in a residential sunny block just off the main strip in heart of Rimini. Price? Triple the less than a wallpaper peeling hotel. A Piadina (Italian local gastronome meets cafe) just down the road with fresh fruit and veg at my doorstep every day. Bliss!

THE BEACH
Rimini is a mix of paid and free colourful sea of umbrellas. You get the idea. Instead why not take the bus 20min from Rimini to Riccione and you will be at Cocorico Beach Club. 10eur beach chair, umbrella, music, good looking friendly staff, real local vibe.



THE SHOPS
Ok, seriously forget Milan for now. I hate to say it but there are millions of other affordable options here, with cool designs-fair quality latest trend shoes that everyone will gawk at in London or even Milan itself and will be asking 'where did you get them?', to which you will smirk and say 'Italy', like a true fashionista. But honestly, I am talking about only breaking the bank by 20-30 euros or so. Tops!
Another discovery I made was Happiness Brand, so greatly promoted by model bloggers such as Chiara Nasti and now, a fan myself. This is a relatively new brand now in Milan, Rimini and Los Angeles - colourful 'happy' (duh) designs to go with your new shoes you just bought!

Angelina Roz at a Happiness location in Rimini

Chiara Nasti, fashionista in Happiness brand top

THE FOOD
Cook at home! All fresh produce is here! Other options are 4euro larger than life pizza at Pizzeria Mille Gusti with a 3eur Nastro Azzuro classic Italian beer or a glass of wine for 5eur with snacks as an aperetif option virtually anywhere between 6-8PM daily. Gelato, gelato, gelato, best way to beat the heat and variety with innovative flavours such as Pavlova, Fellini and of course, widely favourited Nutella is best at Pellicano Ice creamery near Rimini shopping square or down on the beach. Just google map it!

Pink Summer Nights in Rimini

THE NIGHTLIFE
A stroll down the beach and even a cliche but worth the retro revolving wheel trip with a beer bottle in your hand whilst you revisit the Amarcord sightings of today. Although the set was recreated in Rome whilst filming, the characters are felt here. From a voluptuous lady at the bakery to the high fashion long legged Gradisca at night once you visit some of the bars/clubs in Riccione. Suggested routes would be hitting Bar Blue in via Ceccarini in Riccione, then taking a taxi to either Villa Delle Rose, Altromondo Studios, whichever night it is. Rock Island in Rimini or Coconuts are nice and lively too.

Overall, Rimini is worth the visit. Rent a vespa or a car and find yourself finding more local spots than I ever did on foot without forking out a fortune. A real mix of retro and trendy, Rimini is growing and adored by many for different reasons - great nightlife or sandy beaches. What is there not worth remembering by Fellini, really?.. I leave with that same feeling captured in the film. Happy yet sentimental. Very North Italian and proud. 

TRAVEL GYPSY SMART : SICILY

Hi Gypsies,

Has Sicily ever piqued your interest? The culture, the food, the mafia, the weather? This small island off the mainland Italy is heavily influenced by Africa and Greece. But anyway, we're not here to educate you on its history. You can read and walk around yourself. Let us give you the low down on everything else!

On the west, you'll find the big city of Palermo and when we say big city we mean BIG CITY.  It's the industrial and commercial center of Sicily. You can fly here from anywhere into it's international airport and take a sip of its' diverse culture, beautiful grand buildings and churches, and of course...the nightlife! Again, it's like any other big city....but prettier.

We spent most of our time on the east coast checking out Catania, Siracusa, and Taormina. Catania seems dirty upon arrival, but if you make friends with a local (which we highly advise or else, don't even go) then have him or her drive you around to the better parts, because the center will throw you off completely. DO NOT RENT A SCOOTER. They will rip you off, double charge your card, steal your license plate and ask you to pay for it.

Siracusa is a cute small town with a few clubs around and a tinier island called Ortigia which is where all the shopping, eating, and a little bit of nightlife can be found. Taormina was our favorite. The laid-back, mature, beachy atomsphere already has us planning to come back for 2014. Love love love. And with the lovely Mount Etna always looking over you, who could ask for more? Definitely spend most of your time there.

Sicily is an attractive place to be since it's much warmer than the rest of Italy, so bring your swimsuits even in October! With that said, make sure to join a gym (Palestre Massimino in Catania is much recommended) and bring some running shoes to burn off those calories because the food is absolutely amazing! Get some ricotta pastries and eat them everyday, you'll never have anything like that again. And arancinos for lunch...hot damn!

SIDENOTES:

*Be mindful with every transaction you make, use cash, ask for a receipt
*Learn a little bit of Italian
*Have your navigation on in a taxi (good habit for any new place)
*Ask your taxi driver how much it is to A. Have him take your luggage in and out of the trunk, B. Have another person ride with you, C. Have a pet in the car with you because you probably will be charged with all of the above.
*Don't rent a scooter, don't rent a scooter, don't rent a scooter ( Hollywood Rental across the train station will 150% rip you off)
*Wear a tracksuit and look like a legit gangster if you can't remember any of our advice and act tough

If you have any questions about this place, hit us up at holla@ourgypsysouls.com

Clubbin at 420/Catania

Jipse in beach Fontane Bianche

Mr Fox, gypsy dog, at the Duomo in Catania

Kim Tank at Mount Etna, Taormina

GYPSIES TAKE SORRENTO

Hello Gypsters!
We are here in Sorrento, settled in and Limencello-ed up. We'll venture to Positano, Sicily, Rome, etc. How will we manage to travel here on a budget? Wait for it.

Watch out for our next series on Coming to Gypsy on Gypster TV. Also, a photo shoot is coming at you soon.

Ciao and arrivederci!!

Jipse and Kim Tank at local fave, Pizzeria Di Franco

NAPOLI WELCOMES GYPSIES!

So we are in Naples ... Well, the Amalfi coast of Naples. We are loving it and there are massive changes coming our way...

Watch this space for the news from the 

land of Limoncello, hot Italians and amore!!

SORRENTO ITALY

Me and my sparkly butterfly shirt fluttered around the city of Sorrento, the Land of Mermaids, Color and so much more! Rent or hire a car to take you up into the cliffs to overlook the pristine views of Ischia, Capri, and the Bay of Naples. And don't forget some Limoncello, gypsies. This refreshing lemon-y liquor started here.

 More Mediterranean coning to you soon!

A view with a view

Homes in Sorrento enclosed in vivid and bright green

Superstar!

You can find me at the beach

Looking out from the cliffs

Cruisin away, baby. See you in the future, Sorrento. XOXO

ROAMIN IN ROME

More traveling coming at ya!

Summer in Italy....siete magnifici! The lifestyle here is so easy going and leisure which is perfectly understandable when one is surrounded by beauty in its architecture, cuisines, and people. Accompany this with good wine, and the heart is even more fonder. Rome is an especially great escape to visit a history so rich. Included are the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Vatican City.

Breathtaking ceiling of Sistine

Behind me is Trevi Fountain

The Coliseum!

It's not a postcard, it's The Coliseum

Heey Gladiator!

Finish the day with vino

On a separate note, don't forget to check out Angelina Roz's new EP - tells your girlfriend bye - Download for free on Soundcloud.

OUR GYPSY SOULS : ITALY

So currently your girls are in Italy. 4 days in Sorrento, just outside of Naples and now in Capri.
Pasta, gorgeous men, sea, sun... Did we mention pasta? Haha
Your girls are loving it! More coming soon.