We visit the extraordinary LAKE GARDA HOME of the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio 

These are great vlogs; because so many can't travel to see these amazing places. Thank you

Stephanie is quite right about the narcissism. Shivers of repulsion from Aotearoa New Zealand! However, congratulations on a superb presentation.

Another magical tour brought to us in Travels With My Friend, As always, a visual delight, thoughtfully narrated, well filmed and carefully edited to bring us all on the most interesting and enjoyable journeys. I knew so little about D'Annuncio but this video gave me an intriguing look into his character, his genius and the dark side of his dissolute lifestyle. Thank you Stephanie...and Ollie...for choosing beauty in your own lives and sharing it with the world.

Ollie you and Stephanie are a vlog power couple! Phillip & Camilla this is a testament to both your support of friends presenting more education to the rest of us. WOW I'm am so fortunate to have found you all. My life is enriched by you all.❣️

Fascinating! What an interesting, contradictory psychological character d’Annuncio was.. Thank you for sharing his history with us. He certainly was the definition of decadence. I cannot believe I’d never heard of him! Looking forward to reading the book “ Pleasure”. Your vlogs keep getting better and better. I really enjoy the format you’re following and the discourse you have with each other. Thank you both for raising my awareness! Looking forward to learning more from you.

Thank you Stephanie and Ollie for letting me visit the VIttoriale, I grew up nearby but my parents could never afford to buy a ticket or eat at a lovely lakeside restaurant, so I am finally experiencing this decades later from London where I now live. I remember reading D'Annunzio's gorgeous poem La Pioggia nel Pineto, a masterpiece of onomatopoeic lyrics reflecting the sounds of rain in a pine forest. But the man himself was never appealing to me, I think of little (bald) man syndrome whenever I think of him and the creepiness of the villa interiors is not to my taste, the site however is beautiful and I'd love to see a play in the amphitheatre on a balmy summer evening. I recently read Tre Abiti Bianchi per Alessandra, a biography of one of his lovers, Countess Alessandra di Rudini Carlotti, who was also quite ill by the way and who after the relationship ended became a Carmelite nun. An interesting man and talented but it seems also cruel and not fascinating to me.

I was mesmerised during the duration of the whole video! Ollie's storytelling is hypnotic and I just love the sense of humour you both share, that is the salt and pepper of your travels!!! Thank you so much, dear Stephanie and Ollie, once again! I cannot wait to go back to the beautiful Lake Garda and see the Villa by myself!!❤❤❤

Once again a beautiful travel vlog thank you so much I enjoyed it so much.

Fascinating, beautiful, funny, interesting, shocking, charming…. I could go on and on 😀 loved this video and love this channel - thank you! ❤️❤️❤👏👏👏

Sad that there are disturbed people like this today! Thanks for the tour and backstory!

This was beautiful! Loved the history and special points you shared. I just love traveling with you two.

So nice to watch this video, and hear those histories by Oliver, and Stephanie ❤

Wow. As a student of WWII, I never knew this story. As a student of psychology it is fascinating. Loved this vlog!

merci again for showing us all these amazing places

THAT, you two, was a triumph of a vlog - I loved it: the larking about, the giggles, the history, beauty, your reading Stephanie, both of your musings on a life and man which demanded deep ruminations. Wow! you really put together a full package in a short time. Thank you, thank you, for these vlogs you bring us.

So touching. This travel brings to my mind Eleousa in the island oh Rhodes, without its abandoned darkness we wouldn't be able to see its beauty. We sertainly don't want the history to repeat itself😢

When I read poetry, I often hear it in my mind's ear with Stephanie's voice. She reads aloud so beautifully. I'd want her in my room in my last moments, reading my favorite poems and passages from novels. A great team, Ollie and Stephanie, and they both shine here.

Great job Ollie!

How interesting! Thank you. All your episodes are such a treat. ❤

Stephanie and Oliver, I so enjoy traveling with you! Your personalities, humor and intelligence shines through each Vlog. The places you have brought us to are so interesting and to me obscure. I alas, are not much of a traveler of late, but I adore seeing all the places you go to. Thanks once again for the joy of travel and being with your best friend. Much love from Massachusetts💕

What a t treat! I cannot now imagine not knowing all the bizarre and beautiful details of this man's life. The real drama is much like that of an exaggerated Italian opera where most would not accept this as true historically. In my imagination, I'm hearing the written words of D'Annunzio arranged in song and current audiences in complete awe of its complete Beauty in contrast to the narcissist behavior he surely exhibited. What a dichotomy.

I'm a selfish gardener and wanted more shots of the amazing gardens. Nice shots of Lake Garda!👍

These vlogs are so rich in beauty and friendship; a true delight. Many thanks you two!

Love the history Oliver provided (very very knowledgeable) and the humour you both display. Thank you so much.

Amazing. Wish I could travel with you both 😊

As always, I am drawn in by the chance to learn so many new things! But it is the joy with which you share your discoveries that is even more captivating! Thank you ☺️

Great episode

Remember when Steph and Ollie went to the place (a few years ago), where Monet had painted, there was a river or lake and beautiful trees? Remember how Ollie described Monet's frustration with the light because it always changed from hour to hour and day to day. I loved that vlog, knew there was something special about Ollie and his story telling and descriptions, his passion shows. It would be great if they would replay that one for us again. Thanks you two - as always...well done!

Loved this, very interesting story of someone I had never even heard of 👍🏻

What a gorgeous episode! I was in Lake Garda in June and wish I’d known about this place and person! Now I want to read Pleasure!

These vlogs are really ,really amazing. The way you tell the story is captivating and a television company should grab them with both hands. All done with humour and friendship and I can’t wait for the next. Thankyou 🤗

Another incredible story and beautiful sights. Times have changed so much but yet stay the same, oddly. I choose love and freedom and peace. It was very interesting about the company of women that he kept.❤

Definitely a more is more kinda guy. Seems like he was quite observant, but yet troubled. Thanks for taking us along on the journey.

Very interesting. You both are excellent tellers and analyzers of history and historical people. D’annunzio seemed to have become everything he was critical of. Have to admit it all felt a little disgusting-the decadence, the sickness, the abuse. Gross. Felt so appropriate to end the video with the backdrop of Lake Guarda and the incredible beauty of nature that is all around us and the profound pleasure of good friendship and simple, delicious food.

I visited the Vittoriale villa ten years ago and - like Stephanie - was both enchanted and disturbed by it. I still think of this place quite often. It is absolutely unique.

Travels with my Friend - is my absolute favourite and I sooo look forward to coming home from work, relaxing with a glass of wine to watch where you’ve both been this week. The story you tell Ollie is wonderfully descriptive, and I can imagine my being there too. I live in the Absolutely stunning Deep South of New Zealand (where we are now coming into spring). Thank you both from the bottom of my heart for producing this series. I have learnt so much history while sitting in the comfort of my home. 😊l❤

Wonderful vlog. You are both so full of knowledge and make everything so interesting. All the fine details and thoughts bring the person and place to life. Excellent. Thank you😊

Great video once again thank you for sharing 💕🌼🤗

Je ne connaissais pas cet auteur merci ,pour cette belle découverte

HEDONISM is defined as "the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life." D"Annunzio exemplified the lifestyle. Fascinating and balanced description of a such a complicated figure, Oliver! Delightful and educational - again. Thank you!

Such charming environs, and you both as guides, thrilling!!

I have never heard of this person. What an educational & fascinating story! Well done!!❤

Ciao Stephanie and Ollie, I loved this video. The Villa is so beautiful outside and the grounds with the lake view are stunning. It was hard to get a good feel of the interior from the pictures, but they did give us some insight. You take two of the world's fearless dictators of their time, and they lived in fear of this man, why not have his bodyguard poison him or something. I wonder what became of his children. This was a beautiful history lesson. Thank you both again, for taking us along on another magnificent adventure.

Enjoyed the volg, but can't say I like D'Annuncio as a person to admire. Interesting part of history.

Wonderful video and so informative 🥰🥰

You two are a class act! Thank you!

PS Stephanie, you look absolutely beautiful and young in this lovely dress

This has sent me down the rabbit hole to explore more about this facinating time in our history. Beautiful place - yes I agree with you Steph bit creepy and very oeverwhelming, all that stuff around you. I would hate to be responsible for the gardens - but would love walking through them - Looking forward to your next adventure.

Such an amazing story about a very interesting man and his home. Both of you are very good storytellers, but I’m not sure I would have found this man so attractive in real life 😁

what a lovely way to end the day! great view!

I think this has to be my favourite episode. Really well done. History in context, quietly explaining the background made a huge difference. Stef, I love when you read excepts from his book. You read so well.

I have always hated history but I have learned so much through your really enjoyable videos xxx🐨

Oh yes, to friendship. Thanks so much.

Absolutely captivating, thank you for sharing, what an insightful and interesting episode.

This was a great vlog. Why? Bc Ollie was so excited, and so enthralling as a storyteller. Also, I felt as though Ollie was MY best friend, and I was on the adventure as well. This was a lot of fun. I do wish Ollie were my friend :) Ollie + Stephanie = good fun

Just grand I love these stories

I absolutely love, love, love your videos, Travels with my Friend! I've been watching Stephanie since way back, early on and turned my daughter Heather and her friend Sharon on to Chateau Diaries. I can't believe the the knowledge of the two of you in antiquities and history! You're so fun to watch and very knowledgeable! I look forward to each one of your videos!

Just love the travels ❤❤❤😊😊😊

Excellent content & presentation of a very interesting subject 👏👏❤️

Thank you for this fascinating video on the life of Gabriele D’Annunzio. I enjoyed it immensely. Take care, Ralph Rocchiccioli

Loving the series of videos - Every one is an educated gem.

Gabriele Annunzio an icon inspiration and legend. Excellent video 👍

Every episode is fantastic! I can’t wait to see where you next😊

Very interesting time and he clearly had a lot of influence over people!

Thank you for a wonderful, well done video!

Beautiful episode. Bravo.

Very nice👏🏻👏🏻‼️

That was outstanding even though I watched it over three days. Thank you

😊I’m SOOOO HAPPY you could make it here! It’s my absolute favorite place ever since I was a kid, I always visit when I travel back home and it needs all the attention and support from foreign tourists to maintain it in all of its glory. Also fun fact D’Annunzio’s extensive library can be consulted upon special requests.

The outside of his home and garden look so beautiful. I agree with you Stephanie. Inside his home is creepy and dark.

Thankyou For Sharing You Blog Ollie Stephane Very fascinating & Sad ☹️And Had A Very Dark Side Of Him 😘💕

Love, love your Chanel so much history ❤❤❤

Thank you for all the knowledge you have passed on. When I was at lake Garda in May I wanted to visit this place but we didn’t have the time to get there from where we were. So I am glad to see it with your extremely insightful vlog. You have really created an unmatched series of travel vlogs. I am so grateful to you two.

Another wonderful production....

Superb! Every second of your vlog was mesmerising, thank you for being most excellent entertaining orators!!!

Thank you Ollie and Steph for yet another amazing video. I was hoping to watch the premiere on Wednesday but unfortunately I had issues with my internet which had been switched off while my phone company sorted out a landline issue I had had for almost 3 weeks. So pleased they sorted it out so that I could watch it just a couple of days later. I love these videos. X

I loved every moment of this vlog. Thank you so much Stephanie and Oliver. I have been reading Pleasure, very slowly, for some time now, because of the beauty held in each page. I just love the treat of his words. And like you, I am taking the pleasure of his words and the images he invokes, the darkness that has been part of his persona I am just leaving alone. Such a treat you both bring to these vlogs. Much love. xx

I think the story of D’Nunnunzio is fascinating. Thank you both for this wonderful video!

Ollie, forget D'Annunzio, I love watching you, your enthusiasm, your joy in bringing beauty and history to us in such colourful ways. You really are very watchable, even easy on the eye, and engaging. NOT in a creepy way at all, but in a sunny, affable way. Thank you, to you both.

Keep these coming! Well done, again.

Again a most interesting subject you found to share. Thank you for taking us along a fascinating journey and showing the beautiful side to this man's complex life. Its not always what you know its who you know. Great video Ollie and Stephanie. Xx

I like and follow quite a few vloggers but this is my new favourite. I so enjoy living vicariously in each vlog. Wonderful

Bravo! And thank you so much.

this was informative, but also beautiful and funny … you know how to make a video interesting in any situation ❤ I may buy the book … I wish I could read it in Italian, the most beautiful language of the world …

Thank you so much for that. It was SO interesting!

I visited the Vittoriale with my parents ages ago. Amazing place, and he was very very naughty.

This was brilliantly done and I loved every minute.

Olli and Stephanie please always use those excellent microphones of yours. The sound quality variation is very distracting.

Thank you for a fasinating video. I was not familiar with the poet before. 🙂🇨🇦

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing this interesting and for me unknown information.

Wow, i had no interest in reading his work, as it was not seriously discussed here in America. Now, i am intriqued, as itmis darkness and light that offers depth in ones life. As a writer myself, it is a play or role one plays when writing, the protagonist, the hero of light, which then becomes the face of what we fear and lust for at the same time. Thank you for your exploration and discussion of this very fasciating historical figure.

I would go anywhere with Ollie. (If Camilla would approve). I love his research in depth of place or people we are visiting. It just levels up the experience so you immerse yourself into wild imaginings of place and time.

I feel fortunate to be able to watch these videos.

You explain this beautifully, thank you once again!

I will definitely watch through again from that start, as I was running late but from what I heard and I saw...it will definitely be worth it! Thank you so much Ollie and Stephanie for sharing such precious places, art, beauty and words with us all 🥰😍🤗😘💖💐

nothing like waiting out a thunderstorm in a beautiful setting in the Med, In my case i was lucky to have a drink and delicious food at hand when it happened lol

That was fantastic, thank you

Well done!

Ollie as usual, you were a wealth of information, thank you. Steph, if the RU-vid gig ever ends (and I hope it doesn’t) you could ALWAYS get a job reading for Audiobooks!! ❤

Thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. Thanks you two!