The KDHamptons Travel Diary section keeps on growing as more haute Hamptonites write in to share their jet setting experiences from around the globe. This week, we hear from our fabulous friend Hernan Arriaga, who just returned from a resplendent Roman holiday with Fabio Lopes and Rita Schrager…..

Hernan shares: We started our trip in Rome where we stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel on via Venezia, right above Piazza Spagna, a great central location to go anywhere in Rome. Of course we always love to visit the typical places like the Spanish steps, the Pantheon, La Fontana Di Trevi and a great walk around historical Rome, but also, what’s great about this amazing ancient city is to immerse yourself in the little neighborhoods, enjoy the regular places and local people, especially restaurants that offer “everyday” Roman cuisine.

Trieste is my favorite destination for a great afternoon meal, this is a fantastic old neighborhood with great places to discover as you walk around, and is only 15 minutes away from the city center. You can see street artists and hippies selling their latest creations [frames, photos, bracelets, rings, sandals, home accessories and many other hand made pieces].

One of my favorite shops is a perfumery called Il Profumo, which only sells a hand picked and selected list of perfumes made around the globe, including delicious varieties with notes of fruits, citrus, wood, and tobacco base essences. I always get at least one perfume from this shop, and it becomes my “signature scent” until my next trip to Rome. I LOVE IT! It feels almost like finding a trade secret.

After shopping for a few things and enjoying our walk and the incredible buildings scenery, we chose one of the many beautifully decorated restaurants and had our afternoon specialties: a plate of Italian cold cuts [mortadella, prosciutto cotto and crudo, salame, bresaola], olives, and a delicious selection of cheeses with warm crusty Italian bread, topped off with a few cappuccinos! After lunch, we head back to get ready for our night out in Testacio, my other Roman secret, and the most fun place for young locals to hang out in cool restaurants and bars…

Our next destination was Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Everything about the town of Sardinia is elegant: the settings are incredible, driving from Sardinia to Porto Cervo was just exquisite, and after a quick ride of about 45 minutes from the airport we met our friend Lilian [our birthday girl!] and her fiancé Peter, who were our hosts for our stay on The Island, and the lucky owners of one of the most beautiful Italian villas [pictured above], boasting sprawling gardens lined with 1,000 year old olive trees, fields of scented lavender, as well as beds of rosemary, sage, and flowering plants.

It was enchanting to just walk around the three acre garden, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean sea from every vantage point. The classic stucco Italian home has a large center living room with open terraces, which was just the perfect setting for all of us to hang out, relax, have cocktails, or take an afternoon doze…

We went out to many places, but most of our meals were shared at home, and prepared by the incredible cooking duo of the house, Pascualina, 54, and her daughter Carmela, 32. These gourmet girls prepared perfect Italian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including: home made bread, fresh pastas, Italian sausages and even a BBQ pork that I’m still dreaming about!

Ironically, the scene in Sardinia happens very much as it happens in the Hamptons: it’s all about the people you know, visiting their homes for lunch or dinner, or even just hanging out around the pool. The biggest difference is the architecture, of course the language, and the water…..you will find yourself surrounded by the most incredible crystal clear waters and Mediterranean geography that is simply breathtaking. We all jumped on the boat for day trips, swimming, and lunching in different ports.

Our favorite Sardinian restaurants to recommend would be: La Passagiatta, the bar at the Cala di Volpe hotel, Cipriani, and the Billionaire’s Club.

For me, as a designer, the best thing to do in Sardinia is to shop around town and tour showrooms showing and selling new collections for the season to come. Everyone sells first in Porto Cervo, and then to the world, especially Italian designers.

I discovered a very cool Italian company called Toy Watches and fell in love with so many of their pieces, fun, creative and different designs than are only found in Italy. The same happens with shoes, clothing and accessories ~  like the hand bag that Rita bought, the earrings, and even her new blouses are amazing.

We had such a great time, so much that we are all coming back next year.  Chic summer rental homes and villas are available, just as they are in the Hamptons, and the Cala de Volpe Hotel would be my top suggestion if you don’t want to rent a house, you will LOVE IT !!!!!