Visit Ariccia with Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell

This post is part of the #ItalianFWT (Food Wine Travel) where each month we explore different regions of Italy. This month we are off to Lazio!

I remember watching Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell a few years back. The movie has been shot in Ariccia- a hilly town in Lazio, Italy and revolves around a 40 year old Italian beauty, Mrs. Campbell. 

Mrs. Campbell played by Gina Lollobirdiga

The story- Mrs. Campbell- a stylish Italian diva isn't sure who amongst three American men is the father of her daughter! (YES). The back story is that she met the three men in Italy around the same time during World War II and is unsure whom she was with when she conceived. Over the past 25 years, Mrs. Campbell and her daughter have been living off the paternity payments that are being sent to her very religiously from each of the "fathers". They of course are not privy to the information about Campbell's adulterous lifestyle. 

The movie is funny and maybe a little absurd but the holding factor for me was the sneak peek that it very generously provided in the Italian life.

DVD poster for the movie

Ariccia at dusk

Ariccia- Just an hour's drive from Rome, Ariccia is surrounded by the Alban Hills and is famous for the Church of Assunta designed by Lorenzo Bernini. The town also boasts the famous Palazzo Chigi which has some beautiful baroque paitnings. Entry to the palazzo is at EUR 7. Ariccia is really an extension to the Roman outskirts and is named after the wife of the forest god, Virbius. It is located between two volcanic lakes and is a haven of creativity and picnicking.

The Town of Ariccia

Santa Maria Asunta by Bernini (All Images courtesy Google)

I know Ariccia is going to your list of places to be visited in Italy and I hope you will always remember this post and Mrs. Campbell when you visit. For now, a house wine with a porchetta sandwich sounds just about fine right now. Doesn't it? :-)

Wait......there's more! Join my fellow bloggers with their feature on Lazio:

Vino Travels – Lazio Food & Wine Pairing: Saltimboca alla Romana with Casale del Giglio Petit Verdot

Orna O'Reilly – A Foodie Easter in Rome

Cooking Chat - Orzo, Salmon and Pesto Paired with a Frascati
Food Wine Click - They'll Drink Anything in Rome
Rockin Red Blog - Live Like Caesar
Enofylz Wine Blog - A Taste of Lazio
Christy's Palate - Living La Vita Lazio
The Palladian Traveler - Civita di Bagnoregio: The Dying Town
Adventures of a Carry On - When in Rome Eat Like a Roman: Bucatini all'Amatriciana
Girls Gotta Drink - Eat Like a Roman (With a Roman): Unusual Things to do in Rome

If you're seeing this early enough make sure to join us live on twitter at 11am EST at #ItalianFWT. Tell us your food, wine or travel stories of Lazio. We look forward to chatting with you then. Next month on Saturday August 1^st we'll feature the island of Sardegna in Italy. Feel free to reach out to me and join us! Ciao ciao!

You might also like- My Visit to Castello di Poppiano