Living La Dolce Vita!!!

It's very rare that I have an evening free to enjoy an event or a movie screening with all the movie premieres and celebrity events that for one night in the crazy world of Los Angeles and Hollywood happenings, I was invited to attend the La Dolce Vita event hosted by world class hotelier Starwood Hotels. The Wattles Mansion Italian Garden. This nice summer soiree was held at the Wattles Mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Having my good friends in tow, we decided to park my car instead of utilizing the valet. As we walked into the Wattle Mansion, we were greeted by the wonderful people of Burditch Marketing Communcations. After the brief informalities of checking in, we already had appetizers galore within reach. From the likes of lobster and cucumbers to prisciutto and an abundance of Italian cheeses. To clear our palates, we enjoyed the taste of various red and white wines. Once we filled up on appetizers, the hosts of the evening, informed us of all the great upgrades and new endeavors that Starwood Hotels has been working on in Italy and the Mediterranean. One standout news item that was announced by Starwood was the "Beat The Dollar with a Cool 20% Off From Starwood Italy" campaign. For a limited time Starwood Italy is offering special rates to its grand destinations of Italy when you book online. American guests will receive a 20% discount on room rates including 20% off found and beverages at the following hotels and resorts: • ROME: St. Regis Grand; The Westin Excelsior Rome; Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center and Hotel Eden (not offering 20% off food and beverage; room only) • VENICE: Hotel Danieli; Hotel Gritti Palace; The Westin Europe & Regina; The Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido; Hotel Des Bains, and Venice Lido Resort • MILAN: The Westin Palace; Sheraton Diana Majestic, and Le Méridian Gallia • ASOLO: Hotel Villa Cipriani • FLORENCE: Westin Excelsior Florence, and The Grand Hotel • SARDINIA: Hotel Pitrizza, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel, and Hotel Romazzino This online offer is valid for bookings made from now until July 31, 2008 with reservations up until October 31, 2008. Potential guests must visit www.italiasummervacation.com and book through the website. Payment for reservations will be charged at time of booking. All reservations are non-changeable and non-refundable. Additional terms and conditions may apply. The Westin Excelsior Rome. After all wonderful news, we were ushered into the main grounds of the Mansion for some scumptious meal of various pasta dishes, fish entrees and a wonderful succulent rack of lamb. Image sitting in under stars feasting on Italian cuisine in front of the Wattles Mansion. Along the way I met a wonderful new friend named Fritz and Mateo. They both made the event more enjoyable as we laughed and drank vino. I topped off my dinner with a dessert cup made of milk chocolate filled with a cappuccino flavored cake and whip topping. Thank god I didn't have to take any photos or lose my voice with the shouts of "To Your Left or To Your Right. Over The Shoulder! Please!" I guess since I'm not going to make it to Italy this summer that this was the next best thing to it. La Dolce Vita!!! More about Starwood Hotels & Worldwide from their press info: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 153,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following renowned brands: St. Regis®, the Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM and ELEMENTSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.