A ROOM WITH A VIEW

by Grace Sydney

>more on romantic getaways in Italy

On a holiday deemed obligatory to the British upper class in the Edwardian age, Miss Lucy Honeychurch and her cousin Charlotte are dutifully visiting

all the historic landmarks of Italy-- yet bound by the moral conventions of the times, these two, along with their fellow lodgers at Florence's Pensione Bertolini, are fasting at the banquet of sensual delights which lie before them at every turn. The beauty of the Italian countryside casts a spell over two of the pensione's residents, however, and one stolen moment unleashes a torrent of unexplored emotions for the story's heroine and she must choose between the life she has been taught to lead and the new world which has opened up to her.

ITALIAN FILMING LOCATIONS

It is a view of the Arno river which lures the movie's hero and heroine toward their destiny. The Arno stretches languidly across the length of the city, and Florence's two halves are laced together by a series of ten bridges, of which the Ponte Vecchio, constructed in the 14th century, is the lone survivor of the destruction of World War II.

Today the Ponte Vecchio is home to a myriad of jewelry stores selling accessories of gold and silver whose gleam rivals that of the Tuscan sun reflecting on the water which flows beneath the bridge.

Order from Amazon.com

The flutter of pigeon's wings, like that of a flight of angels, greet you on your journey to the church of Santa Croce, and within the confines of this gothic-style house of worship painted winged cherubs and sculpted women draped in sorrow stand watch over the tomb of Florence's favorite son, Michelangelo, while nearby is the final resting place of the man who sought a deeper understanding of the heavens, Galileo.

Visitors may also view frescoes filled with religious fervor by Giotto and visit a shrine to Dante. Through the hub of daily activity surrounding the Piazza della Signoria, the city's main square lined with statuary depicting Italy's mythic past, you can still faintly discern the chorus of voices from empassioned politicians who gathered here ages ago for debates.

As in Edwardian times, the wheels of horse-drawn surreys still roll over the stone-cobbled square, but before you hire one to take you to your next destination, stop for a moment of quiet contemplation as you listen to the play of water on Ammannati's Fountain of Neptune, then reenact a scene from the Merchant Ivory production by buying postcards to remember your stay at the Sorbi kiosk.

ENGLISH FILMING LOCATIONS

The splendour of Lucy Honeychurch's homeland is brought to life in a variety of intimate English locales, including the Estonian Embassy, which depicts the residence of that intrepid traveling twosome, the Miss Alans, while the dwelling of the lovable vicar Mr. Beebe is represented by St. Mary's in Chiddingstone, a 14th century church located on the river Eden.

Fans of the 1987 movie will feel like a member of Edwardian society as they stroll among the exotic foliage and the roses cultivated in the 19th century at the National Trust Garden at Emmett's, where the outdoor party held by Sir Harry Otway was filmed. (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)

Experience the refined elegance once enjoyed by London's elite at the Linley Sambourne House, which served as the Vyse household. The image of Daniel Day Lewis as Cecil Vyse, peering at his surroundings through his pince-nez as Helena Bonham Carter's Lucy plays Schubert on the piano is easily conjured up by fans of the E.M. Forster novel upon which the movie was based at this former abode of cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, whose caricatures graced the pages of England's satirical magazine, Punch. The townhouse, which is liberally decorated with adornments belonging to the artist, is open to the public, and on weekends visitors have the added pleasure of a tour provided by guides dressed in period costume. (www.rbkc.gov.uk/linleysambournehouse)

BACK TO FLORENCE

The story comes full circle with a return to Florence and the residence which sparked this turn of the century romance, the Pensione Bertolini, which was depicted by the Hotel- Pensione Quisisana e Ponte Vecchio. Heavily damaged by a bomb in 1993, the Quisisana, which also housed the movie's crew members throughout filming, has risen again and today offers rooms with a view of the Arno-- although, like the story's hero and heroine,you too may discover that the most beautiful view can be found in the eyes of the one you love.

More movie reviews in Reel Love

Romantic movies for the two of you to enjoy together