The alluring talents of the Italian-raised travel writer Catherine Fairweather and accomplished photographer Mark Luscombe Whyte combine to conjure up the allure of living in one of the world’s most romantic and desired countries.

Inviting us into the lives and homes of a diverse selection of people; artists, writers, eccentrics, noblemen, both native and ex patriate who have chosen to put down roots in all corners of Italy. La Dolce Vita is an intimate look at the lifestyles and tastes of some exceptional people.

La Dolce Vita celebrates the rich variety of many architectural and interior styles across the different regions of Italy. Divided into three sections, from Grand Style and Bohemian Chic to Urban Elegance, contrasting settings and lifestyles are celebrated. The sumptuous baroque splendour of the Prince Belmonte’s palazzo south of Naples, the eclectic home of writer Gore Vidal on the Amalfi Coast, the bohemian rusticity of artists Matthew Spender and Maro Gorky’s casa colonica in Tuscany and the elegance of fashion designer Romeo Gigli’s city apartment in Milan are all explored. These are unique glimpses behind the locked doors of cherished residences, revealing the tastes and styles of the hidden interiors of extraordinary homes.