Europe 2010: Nick and David's "Excellent Adventure" Continues: Positano and Capri!!

Caprese Salads, Bruschetta and Limoncello in Positano...and almost DROWNING in Capri!!

Positano, Italy:

Positano Heaven: View of Positano from the beach

Last month, David and I went to Europe--first as part of my Florence Italy lecture for the Miami University Summer In Italy Program, and then for some much-needed R & R. On my last post, I wrote about our Florence stay, and now we are off to the gorgeous cliff-side town of Positano in the Amalfi Coast. We had gone there, for our first time, last year and almost DIED, at how beautiful it was. So we had to return.

To be honest, we wanted to try another beach-side resort, even in another country. We looked at Ibiza, Mykonos, even Croatia. But because of our limited time in Europe and odd airline and ferry travel departure day regulations, we succumbed to Positano once again! We checked in at the most lovely Eden Roc Hotel, nestled halfway between the highest part of the cliff and the beach. The staff was UNBELIEVABLE: Always helpful, always sweet and always calling us "Mr Nick" or "Mr David". Love them!

Beach Bunny: David Paul enjoys the Positano Beach

After our first night arrival, we spent the following THREE relaxing days at the beach. Nothing to do, but soak in the hot Italian sun, swimming, eating Buffalo Mozzarella and Bruschetta, and drinking Limoncello. Exactly what I wanted to do: No work, little stress, and no Blackberry (OK, maybe a little bit!).

No Fanny Pack and Teva Sandal Zone: Nick Verreos in Positano

Positano is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. And yes, it's expensive kids, you're paying for that view! The bougainvillea-lined streets are serene and perfect for post-dinner walks. Also, what I love: You don't see many tourists sporting fanny packs and Teva sandals, thank you very much. People DRESS UP at night. The women don their best dresses, great jewelry, sandals or heels (yes, heels!) and men wear "Summer blazers" and even (gasp) tucked-in pressed dress shirts (who knew!).

Capri Day Trip: (and the almost Drowning!)

View of Positano from our boat to Capri

On one of our "Beach Days" , David and I decided to go to the island of Capri and spend the entire day there. Every time I open a Vogue Magazine or a Women's Wear Daily/WWD and see one of one of those obnoxious "Postcards From The Maldives" with some designer like Michael Kors, Donna Karan or Behnaz Sarafpour, I just want to SCREAM, but now here was my chance to take one of those odiuos photos...from Capri!

Hey Sailor: David Paul enjoying the boat ride to Capri

There are many ways one can get to Capri but we decided on Lucibello and doing their more "private" boat ride option. The boat, which only had about 4 other couples, left Positano very early in the morning and then cruises around the famous island exploring the spectacular coast for about three hours including the famous Grottos like the Grotta Azzura (Blue Grotto), as well as the Arco Naturale (natural stone arch) and the Punta Carena (lighthouse).

While on the boat, we noticed SEVERAL HUGE yachts just off the coast. I was waiting for Heidi Klum and Seal and their kids to come running out of one of them!

During our sightseeing boat ride, we arrived at the Green Grotto (above). The Captain stopped the boat and announced that we could go swimming here while he could then meet us on the other side of the Grotto afterward. So David and I--as well as another couple--decided to dive off the boat.

Pre-Almost Drowning Happy: Nick Verreos ready to go swimming...

About 60 seconds in the gorgeous turquoise blue water, I had a PANIC ATTACK! My 30 years + of swimming expertise all but escaped me and I began to drown! I wish I was being "Nick dramatic" but no, I couldn't stay afloat! So, I somehow paddled my way (with all the force I could muster) to the rocks lining the arched cave and held on for life. Where was David you might ask? Huney he had NO CLUE of what was happening as he had swam beautifully under the Grotto and was awaiting the boat to jump up. The other couple in the water yelled "Where's Nick?" and that's when they all realized what was happening. The Captain threw a small boogie board. I jumped off the cliff, caught it and climbed onto the boat. As I looked down, my entire leg was BLEEDING! Yes, I had CUT myself unknowingly, on the underwater rocks. Pretty.

Shop-a-holics: David Paul and Nick Verreos (can you spot the Band-Aids?) in Anacapri, Capri

About ten Band-Aids and an hour later, we finally made it to the Island of Capri. My visions of looking like a fabulous Greek-Venezuelan version of Jackie Onassis vacationing in FABULOUS Capri all but left my mind as I docked looking like a hot, almost-drowned, scratched-leg mess! But I made the best of it.

View of Marina Grande (the main port) from atop the Capri hills, Capri

The Island of Capri was stunning. David said that it reminded him of a "very nice" Catalina Island (off the coast of California). I wouldn't know since I've never been to Catalina Island but I am sure Catalina doesn't have Prada, Cavalli, and Valentino Boutiques. Just sayin'.

We took the funicular (cable car) up to the city of Capri (very Rodeo Drive on an Island!) shopped and even took a hang-on-for-dear-life bus ride to another city, Anacapri. There, we did more sightseeing and enjoyed a delicious lunch. The city of Anacapri is very high atop the island so the views were spectacular! Hours and hours of lounging and walking around the gorgeous island and we almost forgot that we had to catch our boat back to Positano.

One more mental snapshot of that gorgeous Capri view and we were off, back to our boat, and back to Positano to finish off our "Lazy Days in the Amalfi Coast"...

And get ready for our EasyJet flight to Paris, our next--and final--stop.

Click Below for Videos from our Boat Ride to Capri and the hilltop view from the hills of Capri:

See you next time as I recap our très chic trip to Paris and the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective Exhibit!

Europe 2010: Florence Part Due!

Hot & Humid in Firenze, an 8-Euro Step-Climber and Cocktails at the Continentale BarPanoramic Duo: David Paul and Nick Verreos, top of the Duomo Florence Italy

Last weekend, my Nikolaki partner-in-crime, David Paul and I returned home to Los Angeles from our almost two week work-and-some-R-&-R trip to Europe. We first went to Florence, where I was invited by Miami University of Ohio to give my Lecture to the European Summer Program students, along with Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper. You can read my recap of that HERE, in case you missed it. Tourist Chic: Nick Verreos in Florence Italy

So since we were in Florence, after the lecture we decided to hang out an extra day and night and well, take in some of the sights and sounds (and tastes) of the city--as well as even climb the almost 500 steps to the famed Duomo/Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiori. Entrance to Hotel Lungarno, Florence Italy

We decided to "treat ourselves" for our one extra night in Florence and stay at a very nice hotel, the Hotel Lungarno, located right on the Arno River. Even though we paid a "nice Euro" for a supposed "Deluxe Room" with a view, we were surprised A) to find the air-conditioning to be less than the standards for a 4-star hotel (could not go below 20 Celsius/about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and B) our supposed view (which was the only reason we booked the hotel) was...Less than fabulous (see above photo). Time to rate Hotel Lugarno a "Not-so-much" on my next Trip Advisor review. I guess we should have complained and maybe they might have upgraded us but we just weren't in the mood.
Well, at least, we were right next to the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio (above photo).
So, what does "Uncle Nicky" do: He goes shopping! David, as well as myself, decided to get out of our not-so-cute 4-star hotel room and go shopping. The weather was very HOT and HUMID so we just wanted to be INSIDE a place that had proper air-conditioning, preferably anything below 20 Celsius thank you!After a nice lunch, we wanted to go to the Duomo and maybe consider going up to the top. Duomo Interior: Vesari's fresco, completed by Federico Zuccaro

Last year, when we came to Florence, we didn't do the Duomo, so this was our chance.
We walked around the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiori and found the line to go up not so bad so we paid 8 Euro each and ventured up the 463 steps. Yes, you read right, 463 steps! It took about 45 minutes to get up there--including the in-between "breaks". But we finally made it, breathless and heaving. But we made it:
Better Lungs Than Me: David Paul poses with a panoramic view of Florence in the back, top of the Duomo
Take the Photo, I'm NOT Sweating: Nick Verreos, top of the Duomo, Florence Italy

The view was spectacular, I must say, and we were happy that up there, the weather was much milder. We spent about 20 minutes at the top --enough time to regain our normal heart rate and take some photos. then , it was back down 463 steps! Apres Duomo Happy Hour: Nick Verreos enjoys a cocktail at the Continentale Bar and Sky Lounge, Florence Italy

To finish our extra day/night in Firenze, I took David to my new favorite bar, the Hotel Continentale Bar and Sky Lounge (I had gone there two nights before with Althea Harper). they are part of the same chain as the Hotel Lungarno that we were staying at and now we realize that we should have stayed there! Note to self: We will the next time we return!

Next up: Amafi Coast R&R Heaven in Positano...Stay Tuned.

Below is a video BEFORE we began our climb to the top of the Duomo:

Nick Verreos and Althea Harper in Florence Italy: Miami University of Ohio Summer in Italy Lecture!!!

Buonasera Firenze!Color Happy: Althea Harper and Nick Verreos in Florence Italy

Two weeks ago I flew--along with my partner David Paul---to Europe.
First stop: Florence Italy:
Well, we actually flew from LA to Rome and took a train to Florence. We had purchased--or so we thought--tickets on the "Fast Train", Eurostar, but we knew something was "not smelling right" when we noticed THREE HOURS had passed and we were still NOT THERE! A "dead giveaway" should have also been the fact that there was NO AIR CONDITIONING for an hour: Yes kids, we got on the WRONG train! Gucci Not Happy: Nick Verreos arriving at the Florence Santa Maria Novella Station

We somehow boarded the Regionale, the "regional" let's just say more "pedestrian" train which instead of the nonstop 1 1/2 hr Eurostar to Florence, takes you through a FOUR HOUR twenty-stops-later way! Well, needless to say, we had been traveling for about 24 hours when we FINALLY arrived at our destination. I was invited (for the second year in a row!) by Miami University of Ohio to give my lecture on fashion and Project Runway to the English and Journalism students of their Summer Study Program in Florence. As a "special treat", another Project Runway Alumn was also invited: designer Althea Harper, Finalist from Season 6. She had not arrived yet because of travel problems (who would have thunk it!?). When we finally got off the train, Florence was SCORCHING HOT, 90 degrees and about 80% humidity (sweat-o-rama!!!).

Being Florence, David and I had to of course, do some Il Porcelino rubbing:Snout Luck #1: Nick Verreos rubs Il Porcelino, Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, Florence Italy
Snout Luck #2: David Paul rubs to return to Florence--in milder weather he hopes

That night--after checking in--we (Althea finally made into town!) were happily greeted by the Summer in Italy "Emperor", our host Dr. Mark Bernheim and enjoyed a lovely dinner with all the Miami University of Ohio Summer in Italy students and their advisers/instructors.
Polimoda Tour:
The following day, we gathered near the Arno River to head to the Polimoda International Institute Fashion Design and Marketing , one of the top Italian Institutions devoted to fashion. Approximately 50 students (and some parents) came with us to get their "Florence Fashion Fix". Florence has deep roots in fashion as you may know: Both the Houses of Ferragamo AND Gucci were founded here! On the way, both Althea, David and I enjoyed chatting with the students (mostly the girls of course!) and their moms on all things Project Runway naturally. In case you were wondering, yes, I gave LOTS of DIRT on the show and the behind-the-scenes. You gotta take the Miami University Summer Italy Program to find out what that was! Like last year, we toured the gorgeous campus, the hilltop Villa Strozzi and as a bonus, got an introduction from... Polimoda's Dean, Linda Loppa as well as...Kim Coston (above), a former professor at Polimoda-FIT who taught my Project Runway Season 2 alumn, Daniel Vosovic. One of the highlights of visiting the school was the rotunda "Foyer", where traditionally, the institute displays some of the latest creations from its top students.
On display were these amazing ensembles, in muslin/toile, designed and constructed by the students. My favorites included an intricate Elizabethan-inspired leotard that featured "crinoline" exaggerated Bishop sleeves, boned bodice, a ruff, and even shoulder "horns". It had overtones of 16Th Century Costumes, Alexander McQueen and Vampire Goddess Couture (is that enough of a description for you?). Another garment being displayed was of a dress, both demure in its coverage but elaborately sensual in its drapery and pattern technique:The front was pleated and full and the back had multi-layered ruffles: It was a "party" from all angles. It was so delicately made, it had the look of a silk gazar dress. But the pièce de résistance was an Alien-like caged structure knotted and tied with inner boning and wiring: I can't imagine an Italian actress such as fashion diva Monica Bellucci or Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani ever wearing this, but I guess that's not the point. I was awestruck by the construction and appearance. On display were the designer's conception sketches and even... a Barbie Doll mini-model with a paper mock-up.
The Polimoda Tour ended with a lunch and a group photo-op with some of the not-so-camera shy Miami University students.
Firenze Vice: Jerry Ingram and Nick Verreos

I also had to pose with my "Eurotrash brother from another Mother", the incredibly talented fashion photographer Jerry Ingram, who was also part of the All-Star group that day. We seriously look like the Italian Version of "Miami Vice"!

Here is a short video showing the fabulous Polimoda Institute Library:


But now, it was onto our Lectures back at the Summer Study Program in Italy headquarters at the Istituto Gould, or Gould Institute.

Nick and Althea Lectures: Lecture Dressing: Nick Verreos and Althea Harper pose with students, in very cute Summer dresses

Althea went first and did a fabulous job discussing how she got started in fashion and how she conceived her Bryant Park Project Runway Finale Collection. After a brief "get some espresso" break, I then spoke about my love of fashion, flight attendants and South American aristocratic divas, my road to Project Runway and what I have done since--and also spoke about the power of "new journalism" and branding.
May I Have More Wine? Nick Verreos and Miami University of Ohio Summer Program director, professors, and students, "Final Night Dinner" at Golden View Open Bar Restaurant

The students--and moms--in attendance all enjoyed our lectures and in fact, wanted more, which I guess is a good thing. That evening, we were treated to a "Ciao Dinner" at the very chic Golden View Open Bar Restaurant overlooking the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio. Last year, we had our final night dinner here and I loved going back! Always the nicest ending to a great two days with the Miami University of Ohio team and students.

For more...
*Read Professor Annie Blair's Blog, MiamiOhioFirenze, HERE
*Read Miami University student Kelsey's blog, Subdued Chaos HERE, where she has a nice write-up on Althea and me.