It was brought to my attention by @CatholicTravel that TrenItalia now posts their strike schedules online. How 2.0, Italy.  Problem:  we didn’t know this until after we stranded ourselves at a train station right in the middle of a big annoying strike. Solution:  take inventory of the situation and make the best of it with a bag of cookies and a digital camera.  Here’s how:

Stranded at the station

First Hour: Eat cookies until you’re high on sugar

cookieeeeeeees

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Music has a way of defining travel moments. Here are the top four tracks that every Italian radio station, car stereo and bar were cranking the volume on.  They’re so damn catchy we couldn’t escape singing along. They’ll forever remind us of a summer unlike any other.

#4.  ”Alejandro” – Lady Gaga

#3. “Hey Soul Sister” – Train

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White Night

I love cooking, especially Italian.  So when our cast was given a self-catering apartment with seating for 20, I knew a dinner party was in order.  But with a budget the size of a pea, planning the meal proved challenging but not impossible. Here’s some tips on how to pull off a wicked dinner party on the cheap:

1. Make it a Theme: Just because you have a small budget doesn’t mean your party should be boring.  Making a theme for your dinner will create added ambiance without you having to do anything.  We chose a white theme, mainly to distract everyone from our plastic plates and cutlery.  It worked!

White Dress:  $20 in Sag Harbor, NY

Plastic plates match our white linen perfectly!

2. Cook Risotto: Arborio rice triples in size when you cook it so risotto is one of the best meals you can make for a large group.  Be forewarned, you WILL sacrifice your cocktail hour with guests to be in the kitchen stirring…and stirring…and stirring.  If you party is in summer, go with frutti di mare risotto like I did.  In Italy the mussels, octopus, clams and shrimp come pre-mixed and pre-packaged in the frozen foods aisle.  Ready to serve in a risotto in 8 minutes!

Box of Arborio Rice:  $4 (serves 50!)
Frutti di Mare seafood:  $4/box (buy at least 2)
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Maybe it’s the pace, the irony, the rules (or lack-thereof) in Italy that sometimes makes going with the flow a challenge. Although Perrin and Sarah are quite the Italophiles already, Lynne and I thought this tip sheet would come in handy for those brief moments of utter frustration:

1. Queuing – a line, or fila in Italian is a mere suggestion and cutting (chinese back-cuts or otherwise) is socially acceptable.  TIP: Elbows out, keep your eye on the prize.

2. Speak-a-da’ language- Getting by with English is manageable in big cities but not in the remote spots Jet Set Zero prefers.  TIP: A few Grazie‘s and Va bene‘s go a long way.  And “Do you speak English?”  usually falls short.  When in doubt, just gesture.

Gestures speak louder than words

3. Dry your Hair or Else: Italian wives’ tales are tall.  A popular one is the wet head farce:  Going out of the house with a wet head (even in summer) will cause serious illness.  TIP: Give yourself extra time to dry. Italian hair dryers are are not up to the task and using yours from home with an adaptor WILL blow the fuse.

4. Playing Chicken: Crossing the street isn’t as much of a death wish as Saigon, however in Italy it’s optional for cars to stop.TIP: stick one toe out to test the water. The further South you go, the riskier it gets. In Naples, you’re sure to lose a leg.

Cross At Your Own Risk

Jet Set Zero Italy: Courtney by Courtney Scott featuring TopShop

Backpacking used to be synonymous with bad fashion and bad body odor, both of which I’m all for, if I weren’t spending my entire summer in a place where women walk cobblestones in high heels and ride Vespas in mini skirts.  Like it or not (and how could I not) I’m setting up shop this summer in the fashion capital of Europe, Italy, with zero dollars in my bank account, so wardrobe choices need to be functional, and fashionable and CHEAP!

Stick with these 10 essentials to backpack in style wherever you go.

1. Denim Cut-Offs (Free)- Don’t spend the big bucks for these.  Find an old pair that matches current denim color trends and start cutting!   TIP: Cut them longer than you’d like so that you can get the most washes without them fraying away to nothing.

2.  Red Lipstick ($26) - Denin cutoffs and a white t-shirt go from boring to bold with a perfectly matte red lip.  Nars Heat Wave is the perfect orangey-red hue for a hot Mediterranean summer.  (this tip comes from my style guru @thelifestyled)

3. Sarong ($10) – make it a skirt, a dress, a beach towel or scarf.  Sarongs are so multi-purpose and light that every girl backpacker should have one.

4. Linen Dress ($50) – it won’t weigh down your pack, will keep you cool, and will make you look like you just came from a chic hotel in Positano, even if you were shaking up in a 16-bunk hostel.  Go for white linen if you can keep it clean!

5.  Gladiators ($30) – Even if they are a little on the trendy side, gladiator sandals give good ankle support and are dressy enough for night without having heels.  Head to Zara for major gladiator sales.

6.  Mismatched Bikini ($20/piece)- Get the most bang for your buck by finding two bikini sets that can be mixed and matched.
7.  Cheap Sunglasses ($30) –  Please….don’t bring expensive sunglasses on the road.  They are the first thing to be lost.  Try Urban Outfitters, Top Shop or Forever 21 for great knock-offs at a fraction of the price.

8. Floral Maxi Dress ($30) – Long and comfortable, maxi dresses are a great crossover from day-night.  Also essential for those days you just couldn’t get around to shaving your legs.

9.  Racer-back tanks ($10) – The style is flattering on everyone, and is much dressier than a normal scoop-neck.  Pair with a pair of shorts or a high-waisted skirt for a fun, flirty outfit.  Old Navy’s are a steal at $10.

10. Sunscreen ($15) - Don’t skimp.  Italy’s sun is no joke and Italians have amazing tans.  You don’t want to be the lobster-red tourist with blotches and blisters.