In Rome with Bulgari On a trip to the Italian capital for Bulgari’s luxurious week-long event for VIP clients, Harriet Tung documents her picks of the best sights, restaurants and shopping
By Harriet Tung
13 NOV 10:12
It was such a thrill when Miranda Liu, manager of the Bulgari shop in Pacific Place called to invite me to the Bulgari High Jewellery private event in Rome. When I asked her to give me more specifics, she simply said it would be one of the most delectable experiences I would ever have and this event would be especially sumptuous as it coincided with Bulgari’s 125th Anniversary. She would be there to accompany me.
I have always loved Bulgari jewellery and my one extravagant item was a gift from my husband [CC Tung]. Imagine my disappointment when my husband said he would be too busy to accompany me, but my cousin Irene Siu accepted my invitation and would be flying to Rome from her home in Monte Carlo to join me and 56 other international couples from around the world to this private event organized by Bulgari for their best clients.
Day 1
I arrive at Rome's airport early morning from Hong Kong via first class on Cathay Pacific. This already puts me in a great mood. Bulgari staff meets me at the airport and I am introduced to my driver, Geraldo, who has been assigned to me and Irene for the entire stay. Geraldo takes me to the Hotel Splendid Royal, which is a lovely boutique hotel located near the grounds of the Villa Borghese. My room is spacious and I spend the day enjoying the hotel with a view from my balcony. I have lunch at Mirabelle, a one-Michelin starred restaurant in the hotel. At 7:30pm, Miranda meets me to take me to Dal Bolognese where we will have dinner and meet the other guests from Greater China. As some of the Chinese guests are not too familiar with Italian cuisine, I am happy to introduce them to some of my favourite dishes while wishing my husband was there to order the wine, as he is the wine expert!
Above: The terrace of the Mirabelle restaurant
Day 2
I get up early to have breakfast. I want to do a little sight seeing with Miranda. Geraldo takes us to a scenic spot on a hill where we have a panoramic view of Rome. I suggest we go to the spots mentioned in Dan Brown’s book Angels and Demons like the Fountain of Four Rivers in Piazza Navona and driving by the Vatican to Castel Saint’Angelo. We meet the rest of the group at [Michelin-starred] Baby atAldrovandi Palace for lunch where we dine alfresco. After lunch Miranda and I catch a guided tour of Trajan’s Market and House of the Knights of Rhodes where the Knights of Malta resided. We visit the Fountain of Trevi and head back to the hotel to meet Irene, who had arrived while we were out.
Above: At the bridge of Castel Saint'Angelo
Day 2
A styling team organised by Bulgari comes to our room to do my hair and
make-up before the Bulgari Retrospective and Dinner at the Palazzo Delle Esposizioni. I wear my new Pucci dress with simple jewellery because I know
the jewels featured at the Retrospective would be simply too dazzling
in comparison to my own.
Above: The entrance to Palazzo Delle Esposizioni
Day 2
There are magnificent jewels featured from
Bulgari’s 125-year history and my favourite are the Elizabeth Taylor
emeralds, particularly her fabulous emerald necklace! Bulgari has
pledged to raise 10 million euros for Save the Children, Rewrite the
Future program this year. They will do it through two initiatives, a
special-edition sterling silver ring and pendant [to be sold in stores]
and the auction through Christie’s of 18 pieces of Bulgari high
jewellery creations and watches on December 8 in New York City.
Above: With Miranda Liu and Irene Siu at Palazzo Delle Esposizioni
Day 3
Irene and I decide to hit Via Condotti by the Spanish steps for a little shopping. I buy some dresses from Pucci and Roberto Cavalli and ties from Prada while Irene does some damage at Missoni. We meet the rest of the group at Il Pagliaccio for lunch. Afterwards, I pay a call to Fendi, where my daughter Leigh worked on a fashion show/runway project called The Great Wall in Beijing. She arranged for me to meet her former boss Michael Burke and the store manager Gabriella Moncada. We tour the fur atelier and I try one of their fur prototypes.
Above: Trying out pieces with the Fendi Fur Master
Day 3
That evening, we are invited to the Palazzo Colonna, the private
residence of the Colonna family for a black tie dinner. We are greeted
by Mr Paolo Bulgari. I wear a gown designed for me by Hong Kong
designer Cecilia Yau and vintage parure of emeralds and diamonds. After
cocktails and canapés in the garden of the Palazzo Colonna, we enter
the fabulous home where all the colours coordinated and newly-created
high jewellery is displayed in large, well-lit glass cases placed in
two large rooms. There is so much beautiful jewellery displayed in the
warm and intimate setting of a lived-in palace.
Left: With Irene Siu and the smartly-dressed doorman at Palazzo Colonna
Day 3
Above: With Angelina Bleach, managing director of Bulgari UK
Day 3
Afterwards, we ascend
the large marble staircase to the Galleria Colonna where a single
elegant dining table is set for 160 persons. Words cannot describe the
beauty of that room, with ceiling and walls decorated with artwork. We
felt like royalty attending a state dinner.
Above: The grand dinner at Galleria Colonna
Day 4
Irene, Miranda and I take a tour of Casino Dell'Aurora, a small gem on the grounds of the Palazzo Pallavicini-Rospigliosi. It features the most famous fresco, Guido Reni's Aurora painted in 1614. We stop for lunch at Casina Valadier and resume shopping on the Spanish steps.
Above: Outside the Casino Dell'Aurora
Day 4
That evening, Istituto Nazionale Di Studi is the venue of our
exclusive evening soiree featuring alfresco dining and entertainment by
Gerardo di Bella's Big Band and singer Gena West. I feel like
Cinderella because I want to linger but it is getting chilly and I need
my rest to keep up with all the activities.
Above: With Wong Wei-ling, managing director of Bulgari Hong Kong and Irene Siu
Day 5
We go to the Bulgari store on the Via Condotti and view all the pieces of high jewellery that were displayed in the Palazzo Colonna. I am disappointed that some of the pieces I wanted to see and try have already been reserved or sold. I finally decide on two pieces that will be sent back to Hong Kong for my further consideration and inspection. After lunch at the hotel, Irene leaves to catch a flight back to Monte Carlo. I stay on to do a tour of the Villa Farnesina. After a rest at the hotel, Miranda, Eddie and Brenda (managers of different Bulgari shops in Macau and Hong Kong) take me to dinner at Enoteca Ferrara featuring not only a restaurant but a wine cellar, wine bar and food market.
Above: At Enoteca Ferrara restaurant
Day 6
I spend the morning packing. It is time for me to say goodbye to Rome. The past five days have been filled with beauty, history and culture. I am most grateful to my hosts, Mr Paolo Bulgari, Mr Nicola Bulgari and Mr Francesco Trapani for giving me such a wonderful and unforgettable journey.
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