Trip to Rome and Southern Italy

Italy is one of those places that gets in your soul. The culture is so rich you can’t help but take in every part of it during your time there. I visited Rome, Sicily and Puglia last year with my family and want to share my experience with you in case you are planning to visit there this summer or some time in the near future. This part of Europe is a favorite of mine (my 5th trip there) and is rich with the most incredible, art, cooking, traditions and history. These experiences are so impressionable that you can’t help but bring some of them back into your home country.

I used an incredible luxury travel company called Lux Voyage to help me plan this trip including activities and restaurant reservations. I was also lucky to have been able to meet up with my blogging partner Janet Gunn and her family for part of the trip!

Below are highlights of where to stay, dine, explore and what to pack for this European vacation.

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ROME

Poolside at the Gran Melia Rome

STAY
First up we stayed at Gran Melia Rome, a nice family-friendly hotel in the ‘heart of the eternal city’ - close to the Vatican in Rome. The Gran Melia has delicious food with a restaurant run by one of Italy’s most famous chefs. It’s well-priced and very conveniently located if you plan to spend time in Vatican City. The green oasis and beautiful pool area brings peace and quiet to a bustling city. I also recommend staying at the JK ROMA if you want to be in the historic center of Rome near the Trevi Fountain, The Villa Borghese and the designer boutiques of Via del Corso. We stayed in Rome for two nights!

Vatican City

EXPLORE
With so much to explore in Italy, where do I start? Well, the Vatican is an absolute must-see at least once in a lifetime! We took an early morning tour (earlier the better) to the Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, it attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its center is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. Here you can also visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel! All this in one morning and we then took a tour after lunch through the Jewish Ghetto. Hidden in the heart of the city, it is one of the best attractions in Rome (and also one of its least-known). As the oldest Jewish community in all of Europe, this beautiful, thriving neighborhood is as central to the history of the city as it is to the Jewish faith.

The Jewish Quarter, Rome

“Best pasta in Rome” at the authentic Taverna Trilussa

DINE
What a treat! Italy is renowned for full flavor, olive oil, herbs, fresh mediterranean living and I love it!
When in Rome, we had dinner at Dal Bologese,  in piazza del Popolo. A true Italian experience, where sophisticated Romans mingle with models and celebs at this historically chic restaurant. Dine inside, surrounded by wood panelling and exotic flowers, or outside, serving timeless cuisine serving dishes of the Emilian tradition: including tagliatelle Bolognese and tortellini in broth. We also found the “best pasta in Rome” at the authentic Taverna Trilussa. A high end, rustic taverna famed for serving pasta in steel pans!

SOUTHERN ITALY: SICILY & PUGLIA

View of Taormina, Sicily

STAY
A 3.5 hour flight after our time in Rome to Catania we checked into Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina where we spent three nights and then went to the sister beachside property, the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea. Taormina is a renowned resort area in Sicily; a small and elegant town with balconies covered in flowers, ancient ruins, and views over the sea and towards the volcano, Etna. Plus, there are some cute boutiques to shop and no shortage of great restaurants. Another great way to experience Taormina from its most privileged point of view is to take out a boat for the day!

With Janet Gunn Grateful Gardenia in Sicily at The Belmond Grande Hotel Timeo. Wearing Franne Golde magic pants in white.
Use code MM10 for 10% off while shopping www.frannegolde.com.
Silk top by Hark + Hammer, Bag by ClareV, Sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals.

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. Wearing a Zimmerman ruffled floral playsuit. Similar here.

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At the beach at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea. Swimwear - Black one piece by Cami and Jax. Similar here

Day trip to Volcano, Mount Etna

Sunset at Borgo Egnazia

Climbing the steps at Borgo Egnazia

Borgo Egnazia. Dress by Nudz Beachwear. Similar dress by Natalie Martin

Our last stop in Italy was Puglia (pronounced “Pulia”), staying at the 5 star hotel Borgo Egnazia. Here ‘nature is powerful, peace is intense, harmony is full’ and it certainly was! This beautiful and unique destination is a visionary interpretation of a typical Puglian village, surrounded by olive groves within the gorgeous landscape in Southern Italy. You get your own designated concierge who will guide you and offer the best in local and authentic experiences there. The service is impeccable and a stay there is certainly a “bucket list” experience. Another great small boutique hotel worth a visit is La Perschiera—this 13-room five-star (adults only) hotel offers sea views from every room within its own private beach. We went for lunch and spent some beach time there.

La Perschiera. Solid and Stripe swimwear by Mara Hoffman. Similar here.

Poolside at the Borgo Egnazia

Lunch at the Borgo Egnazia

EXPLORE
In Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot and the home of Italy’s pasta, we embarked upon a full-day journey. Beginning in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discovering its unique prehistoric trulli houses. Afterwards we continued to Locorotondo taking in its luminous white houses, charming churches, and panoramic views of the Itria Valley. Then continued to Ostuni one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia, extending across three hills, and known as "the white city" for its dazzling white walls and white-painted buildings. The genuine charm of these white-washed villages were simply beautiful. Our stop in Locorontondo, known as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy continues with everything in bright white apart from the blood red geraniums that fall from the window boxes. The streets are paved with smooth ivory stones, with the church of Santa Maria della Grecia as its sunbaked centerpiece.

Visit to Alberobello. Dress by Natalie Martin. Sunnies by Oliver Peoples. Sandals by Ancient Greek sandals. Similar dress here.

Town of Alberobello

I highly recommend taking a bike tour through the olive-tree covered countryside of Puglia! The culture of olive oil is one of the region's greatest treasures. Starting from Albergabici in Montalbano we experienced the region’s famous “Apulian gold” -  an underground olive oil factory, and flourishing olive farms. Extra virgin olive oil of Puglia is one of the most famous products in the world for its taste and it’s quality! The Borgo Egnazia with it’s full service concierge set up this tour for us from their property and it was well worth it.

DINE
A little more casual, was our lunch spot in Puglia at La Taverna del Duca, serving excellent apuglian cuisine and in Taormina we encountered Tischi Toschi a small family run restaurant with a relaxed Sicilian atmosphere serving locals with their fresh authentic flavors and recipes.

Lastly I wanted to note the brand new restaurant, Casa Gioli in Taormina mixing Sicilian art and upscale cuisine set in a splendid location.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A EUROPEAN VACATION
During this trip I took some of my favorite casual chic outfits  - think straw hats, flowing dresses, white jeans, swimsuit and comfy sandals.

Silk top by Hark + Hammer. Dress, similar here. Bag by ClareV. Belt Bag similar here.

Tips to remember for your trip to Italy
• Wear light layers, beach cover ups and tunics. Comfortable shoes a must!
• Bring jeans or light-weight athleisure pants if you plan on visiting Mt. Etna or take a bike ride
• Pack a straw hat and fanny pack (not your grandma's!). They also sell amazing hats in Italy so you can pick one up there too!
• Visit the Vatican early morning and book your Museum tickets in advance online from the Vatican website!
Or you can set up a private behind the scenes tour BEFORE the Vatican is open through Lux Voyage.
• Pack your Skyroam for safe wireless everywhere! Use code GLOWGIRL10 for 10% off your skyroam!

Have fun, eat well and embrace the romance of this beautiful country!

xxMelissa

La Peschiera Hotel. Swim suit by Cami and Jax. Sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals

Living My Best Life with TRU NIAGEN®

This post is sponsored by ChromaDex, but all opinions remain my own.

I was thrilled when TRU NIAGEN® asked me to be a part of their celebration for National Women’s History Month—I have been taking Tru Niagen daily for approximately three months now and I am excited to share the benefits and tell you all about how energetic I’ve been feeling lately! In honor of this special month, I also want to share with you what I would have told my 25-year old self about aging, and provide you with certain tips I learned along the way.

Flash back to 1990 in New York City. I worked 10-12 hour days at an investment bank for 10 years, spanning my entire 20’s and never got much sleep. I ordered lunch (and dinners) to my desk, and there was a lot of junk food around at all times. Between my hectic schedule and lots of business travel, there was not much time for regular exercise. This was not exactly a recipe for continued good health. I am happy to say that over the years I have made some commitments that have positively impacted my overall physical and mental wellness. First, I decided to leave Wall Street to follow my passion and became a lifestyle journalist after having my daughter Rachel (Yay!). Then, I started an online magazine as Editor in Chief of PageDaily covering fashion, beauty, health, fitness and celebrity in addition to a monthly segment on Weekend TODAY in New York. After two decades of living in NYC, the city felt a bit too intense for all of us so we moved across the country to LA.

As the years have gone by I came to appreciate even more the importance of taking care of myself from the inside out, therefore, I created a blog, The Glow Girl! I am aware about the importance of eating well, getting enough sleep and regular exercise as these all have positive effects on healthspan (the time you live in good health)! I am currently 54 (I like to call it 50-more) and each year that goes by, I realize how crucial is it to take good care of your body and your mind. So, after taking my Tru Niagen daily supplements I am feeling a big increase in my energy levels. I try to be active and do some form of exercise daily to include, spin class, pilates.  yoga and tennis! This is typically followed by a full day of meetings, events and nights out in LA. I need a lot of energy to start my day early and that energy has to last throughout the day including several late nights each week. I believe that Tru Niagen helps me to keep up this pace, feel energetic, and remain super active.

Tru Niagen is a breakthrough vitamin supplement clinically proven to safely increase the levels of an essential molecule in our bodies called NAD. As we grow older, everyday things like drinking alcohol and overeating, and not getting enough exercise can decrease our NAD levels. Tru Niagen helps combat the effects of aging at the cellular level by replenishing NAD. This increase supports our cells’ natural ability to generate the energy the body needs to function at its best. From my yoga and spin classes to my simple daily routine, I feel more energetic and ready to take on the day!

I take two pills each morning to start the day! These small capsules have a unique form of vitamin B3 (known as nicotinamide riboside, or NR for short) that increases cells’ ability to make energy. NAD is an essential piece of our body’s natural energy-producing systems. We lose up to 50% of our NAD levels between the ages of 40 and 60 so taking Tru Niagen will help increase these levels, even as we age.

I created my lifestyle blog The Glow Girl especially for women over 40, as this is a time of real change for most of us. It’s important to pay attention to your body and be aware of the changes as you grow older so you can do your best to age gracefully and maximize feeling good from the inside out! I will continue taking Tru Niagen because I notice a big difference in my energy levels over the past three months.

 Try Tru Niagen today and save using my code MM15 by 4/8/19 to save $15 on 3 or more bottles!

xxMelissa

Celebrating International Women's Day

Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating everything women offer and achieve, both on a social, economic, cultural, political and personal way! This year specifically marks a call to action for accelerated gender balance #balanceforbetter - if you better the balance, you better the world.

You may not know this but I had a 10-year career in marketing on Wall Street at Bear Stearns (RIP) starting in 1987 when things were quite different for women. It was a tough environment then - I could write an entire book on my experience working with some of the most powerful men in New York. After having my two children, I later decided to follow my passion and embarked on a career in journalism. Soon after, I founded the lifestyle websites AskMelissa and then PageDaily. That lead to becoming a lifestyle expert and contributing editor to many TV news shows, Huffpo and several magazines. Flash forward to my move to LA six years ago where I started my own style, beauty and wellness blog now known as The Glow Girl. I am now happy to say that I work alongside incredible and inspirational women on a daily basis. Without these women supporting me and cheering from the side lines, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I want to celebrate this and some of the women who inspire me.

In light of a more holistic direction I am planning for 2019, today also marks the launch of a new female partnership series on The Glow Girl blog. One which celebrates women and invites them as a guest feature every month. Bringing their unique knowledge to The Glow Girl audience, I am honored to collaborate with some of these women who bring me joy, support and inspiration on a daily basis through what they do but most importantly who they are.

I am proud to introduce all of these incredible women living their best life, glowing from the inside out, making a positive difference for other women in the world and in partnering together we are immeasurably stronger.

What is a GLOW GIRL?

A woman who feels good in their own skin, adopts trends that work for them, pays attention to overall health and wellness, practices self love and kindness, has the attitude of gratitude! -Melissa

Green Juice time at Cafe Gratitude with Elissa Goodman & Janet Gunn

Janet Gunn and I always know how to have fun when shooting for LA fashion designer Franne Golde!

ELISSA GOODMAN

Holistic Nutritionist and Lifestyle cleanse expert, Elissa Goodman is on a mission to educate and encourage healthy, mindful living. Helping others to embrace the concept that we are a product of what we eat and how we treat ourselves, Elissa’s wealth of knowledge on nutrition and cleansing developed from personal experience.

Having experienced corporate burnout, personal run-ins with cancer and then sadly losing her husband at the young age of 45 after an 18-month battle with cancer, Elissa saw first hand that food was the root of many problems--and also that food could be the solution to those problems. Elissa’s feels that no matter what your story or history, you can cleanse your body through nutrition to lead a happier and healthier life. She offers cleansing programs like The S.O.U.P Cleanse and 7-day reset program and she is committed wholeheartedly to helping people experience the joy found in good health.

Elissa’s wildly popular cleanses are now available outside of LA and ship throughout the US. Her book, Cancer Hacks is a comprehensive plan that offers natural and holistic advice to deal with the fear and uncertainty so many people face when confronted with this terrible disease.

*Elissa’s monthly top nutrition and health tips now being shared on the Glow Girl blog. Read more about Elissa and sign up for her newsletter at www.elissagoodman.com

JANET GUNN - The Grateful Gardenia

Texas girl and former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, flight attendant, American actress, jewelry designer and now LA lifestyle influencer, Janet is one of the most talented bloggers in the 40+ lifestyle space. She started her blog from a place of gratitude and shares her every day tips and tricks on how to lead a more fulfilled, beautiful life. She also creates the most gorgeous style, beauty, and travel content through her Instagram, stories, articles and videos that help women to enrich their everyday lives. I adore her aesthetic and impeccable taste plus she does everything with grace and style. Janet also works regularly with Focus TV and partners with several of the brands she loves. We met at a charity lunch three years ago and have been working together and partnering on projects ever since!

Janet takes time each day to get in touch with everything around her and finds a mantra that allows her to connect with abundance. She shows us that by making this connection with the universe, your positive affirmations start to play out. Follow Janet’s blog, The Grateful Gardenia for encouragement on feeling alive, inspired and empowered, whatever your age.

*Information from Janet’s #mantramonday newsletter will be shared with you monthly. You can also subscribe to her newsletter here. Feel Janet’s infectious personality through her blog www.gratefulgardenia.com.

The joy of laughing with Lauren Roxburgh following one of her GOOP workout events!

Celebrating achievement with Suze Yalof at her book launch party!

LAUREN ROXBURGH

Body Alignment Expert, Lauren Roxburgh is all about aligning your mind, body and spirit while boosting your metabolism, releasing stress, regulating your hormones, helping you breathe better, look better and feel more youthful. Lauren’s philosophy will rejuvenate your body and spirit. She is one of the most inspirational health and wellness leaders in the space. Founder of BeAligned, creator of Lo Rox Aligned Rollers, fascia and movement healer Lauren has worked with some of the world’s top athletes and celebrities. She developed a method to improve posture and strengthen the core and intrinsic muscles, increasing connectivity and flexibility all of which help to find a healthier, happier stance in our bodies and lives. Dubbed as the “The Body Whisperer” by Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP, Lauren has also be named on of the W20 Top 20 Wellness Warriors to watch by Mind Body Green. I took one of her classes at a GOOP event a few months ago and immediately felt inspired by her energy and knowledge of all things wellness. She delivers her information and tips in an approachable manner.

Lauren certainly inspires me to obtain true well being from the inside out. If you want to join one of Lauren’s 10 week transformation programs or read her books, Taller, Slimmer, Younger and The Power Source, check out her website at www.laurenroxburgh.com. You can also buy the LoRox Aligned foam roller here.

More from Lauren on The Glow Girl coming soon!

SUZE YALOF SCHWARTZ

Suze Yalof Schwartz is the CEO and Founder of Unplug Meditation, the author of Unplug: A Simple Guide To Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers, and the creator of the Unplug Meditation App.

I knew Suze from when we lived in NY and she was the Editor at Large for Glamour.com back in the day and hitting all the shows at New York fashion week. Suze worked in a high pressured role as fashion editor, and “makeover guru” for Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Glamour Magazine with regular national television appearances on GMA, The Today Show and CBS Early Show as a style expert. When she realized that meditation needed a makeover, she came up with the concept of the Drybar of meditation - Hello Unplug!

What changed Suze’s life forever was a three minute meditation. Now a full convert, her mission is to make it simple, powerful and interesting enough that everyone will want to practice and experience the benefits for themselves. Suze’s in depth knowledge has come from hundreds of hours of classes and courses, reading every book possible, and listening to podcasts, lectures, and more from the world’s most famous meditation teachers. Unplug is the world's first drop-in, secular meditation studio that offers classes and private sessions where you leave feeling present, happier and more focused. I’m awe of how Suze is using decades of hard work and personal experience to filtrate more awareness in lives of others.

For more information on Unplug visit www.unplug.com or download the Unplug app for daily mediations.

*Mediation tips and tricks from Suze to look forward to on The Glow Girl blog coming soon!

Exploring Chinese Astrology with Anita Rosenberg

ANITA ROSENBERG

Former movie director, award winning writer of Feng Shui Luck, Anita Rosenberg is the ‘go-to expert’ in Los Angeles, Aspen, India, Panama and Vietnam for Feng Shui & BaZi Chinese Astrology. She helps people reach their wealth potential, improve their businesses and enrich personal relationships. Working with notable clients including Miranda Kerr, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and many fortune 500 CEO’s. Anita’s unique blend of Western and Chinese Metaphysics along with a vast knowledge of many spiritual modalities, from tarot to kabbalah, crystals and wicca allows her to transform and illuminate homes, businesses and lives. I had the privilege to work with Anita recently and experienced the true power of intention of wellness she manifests. Anita provided me with an extensive review including a 15 page report of my personality and what I need to do to break bad habits and patterns, and to manifest the changes I am looking to achieve.

*Anita will be offering tips and some of her magic on the The Glow Girl blog monthly! For more information on Anita and her services, check out her website www.anitarosenberg.

 FAVORITE PRODUCTS TO ENHANCE YOUR WELLBEING
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I am excited to introduce you to these women and look forward to sharing the collaborations coming soon to the blog. I am a true cheerleader for celebrating women and if you think globally, act locally and collaborate with unbelievable women around, we can change the world.

Hop over to my Instagram and tag a friend in today’s post who empowers and inspires you. As I enter a new focus in 2019, there’s never been a more exciting time to remind women everywhere to be connected, fearless, brave and find the confidence within them to discover their dreams. Thank you for reading and Happy International Women’s Day!

With gratitude,

xxMelissa

P.S. I also want to mention that Credo, my favorite boutique for clean beauty, is proud to donate 20% of all proceeds to Lipstick Angels, an organization Credo donates 1% to daily that empowers and boost confidence in women undergoing Chemo treatments through in-hospital beauty services. Credo and Lipstick Angels believe that upholding the human dignity and self-respect of a patient is crucial to each individual's successful encounter and defeat of a chronic disease like cancer. PLUS did you know the clean beauty industry is the ONLY industry that is being dominated by women. Credo is proud to celebrate 90% their brands have a female founder/CEO – not to mention, Credo’s HQ is all female.

CLICK IMAGES TO SHOP CREDO CLEAN BEAUTY

From a recent event at Only Roses with Founder Sabine Schmitt, Erica Zohar, Jose Davis, Isabel Madsen, MM, Janet Gunn
Photo credit: Jester Jungo

Did you know you can shop some of my looks in the post that are now on sale at Shopbop? Yes please!