Arrivaderci Estate... It's been fun!

Close to the middle of September already... it's hard to believe that the summer has almost disappeared, just as the sun is less dominant... and the beaches less crowded... and that persistent urge to grab a refreshing gelato has dwindled (only a bit) with the cooler weather.  For me it has been a very Italian summer-- discovering (and rediscovering) some of the country's hot spots (pun intended) over the past months.  And every spot, characteristic in its own delightful offerings, showed me beautiful design, whether historic or modern, classic or a little kitsch, beach house or country house, yet all memorable.  

Some of my summer memories...

Exterior wall art outside the Antica Focacceria San Francesco in Palermo

Renovated facade of a residential building in Palermo

Renovated facade of a residential building in Palermo

Exterior wall art outside the Antica Focacceria San Francesco in Palermo

Balcony of a residential home in Piazza Marina, Palermo

Pedestrian boardwalk along the Palermo port

Living area of Notarbartolo B&B in Palermo

Interior details of Notarbartolo B&B in Palermo

Living area of Notarbartolo B&B in Palermo

Bottega di Penelope in Erice

One of the beautiful windmills along the salt marshes in Trapani

Interior dining area of La Casa degli Amori in Le Marche

Exterior view from La Casa degli Amori in Le Marche

Detail shot of chandelier in the Illy Bar at Eataly in Rome

Carrera marble dessert bar at Eataly in Rome

Bespoke "flying jellyfish" at Monticelli beach in Ostuni, Puglia

Bespoke "flying jellyfish" and lounge seating at Monticelli beach

Residential building in Ostuni, Puglia

Residential window balcony in Ostuni, Puglia

Fabulous beanbag-like seating at a nightclub in Ostuni

White walkway and seating of a café in Ostuni

Front entry and external seating of a nightclub in Ostuni

A pebble beach near Scopello, Sicily