Anne in Moscow...

We’ve got Moscow on the brain, and fortunately Inside DVF contributor Anne McNally was there last month for the Biennale and gave us the inside on where and what we’ll be doing when we go for the DVF restrospective next month!

STAY: For modern amenities with a twist of history stay at the Park Hyatt, which overlooks the Bolshoi Theatre. Once home to the metro pole, be sure to check out the dining room dating back to the 1930s. Or try Diane’s personal fave, The Ritz-Carlton.

EAT: Baccarat, where Russian fashion designer and doyenne Dasha Zukova, gave her pre “garage” bienale opening dinner there. Designed by the world renowned Philippe Starck, this eighteenth-century building was Europe’s biggest pharmacy, by decree of Czar Peter the Great. It’s worth checking out even for a drink. 19/21 Nikolskaïa Street.

Vogue Café is the Pastis of Moscow, a great place for people watching just steps from the Bolshoi Theater and not far from Red Square. Kuznetsky most ulitsa 7/9 , tel. 495-623-1701

Stop by Arbat Street 3/9 for lunch and a mid-afternoon Bellini, the taste is as good as the price (cheap)! Another good lunch spot is Cafe Shop and Bar, a favorite spot amongst the youth of Moscow and visit the funny t-shirt store above.

“Bon” located on the waterfront is another restaurant designed by Philippe Starck, serving an interesting combination of European, Russian and Asian Cuisine.

TO DO: Lenin’s Mausoleum, better known as” Lenin’s Tomb, and located in Red Square it is the mausoleum that is the resting place of Vladimir Lenin.  After visiting Lenin’s Mausoleum take a tour of the neighboring Kremlin.

Visit the “Seven Sisters” the English name given to a group of Moscow skyscrapers built by Stalin between 1947 and 1953 to compete with American buildings.

Make sure to take a ride on the subway, which has the most beautiful stations in stain glass, marble, stucco and ceramics….a Moscow must!

SHOP: Gum, a beautiful shopping arcade right off the Red Square, with a plethora of international shops. And of course, visit the DVF shops

Positano is perched on the Amalfi coast between Ravello (where Gore Vidal had his house) and Amalfi, a ride away by boat from Capri. It has been a long time favorite of artists and Italian jet sets (Rudolph Nureyev owned the island across, Franco Zeffirelli had a house …) There are no cars inside the village, you go everywhere by foot, which make it really sportive!! The beach is like a mini Eden Rock on one side of the village but mostly you go around to lunch and swim by boat to fantastic places.

Where to lunch: Conca del Sogno, which is also a hotel and a lovely beach, is a must stop – very sophisticated and they make all their own products. Maria Grazia is a bit on the more simple side but has invented the incredible pastas al zucchinis. On the other side towards Amalfi, try Da Adolfo for great seafood.

Where to dinner: Buca di Bacco has amazing terrace! And if you are there for the national day on the 15th of August you can watch the Madonna procession and the boats coming from around the coast to see the fire works that can compete with NY!! Le Tre Sorelle is right on the beach, it is simple but delicious and they also have the special Positano pastas with sea urchins. La Cambusa, where the owners are so nice and also have their own farm – you can’t beat their tomatoes and mozzarella.

Where to dance: Music on the Rocks, a fabulously mediterrannean night club with water view.

Where to stay: Il San Pietro di Positano is by far the most remarkable! You go to the beach by the elevator that is built in the rocks. The food is beyond amazing – the whole place is a dream. Inside positano with a view is Le Sirenuse or the Marincanto, which is more low key but very nice.

Where to shop: Visit Antonello della Mura, the most sophisticated shop where you can find the cool Brazilian lenny bikinis. Safari is where you can have your Capri sandals made, there are millions of styles to choose from. Idillio is wonderful for little local sundresses and pants.

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Rest…up for next weekend’s Super Saturday in Bridgehampton. The event takes place Saturday, August 1, from 1pm – 6pm. It will be hosted by Donna Karan, Kelly Ripa and Ariel Foxman of InStyle Magazine in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and you can bet that DVF will be there in full force!

Stay…at the recently opened Park Hyatt Saigon, which has replaced colonial places like Rex Hotel-where all the journalists used to stay during the war-as the it place to meet up.

Eat…at any of these places, depending on your mood. You could hit up the Mandarin for a sophisticated and traditional dinner, Temple Club for a relaxed colonial atmosphere, or Quan An Ngon for a great outdoor lunch in a tropical garden setting.

Late night…in the mood for a night out? Visit Maxim’s, which hosts a different dance theme every night.

Shop…Ben Thanh Market to satiate a thirst for everything from beautiful linens and delish fruits and spices, to a plethora of pearls!

Day trips…take a two hour drive to the Mekong River. Ride on a hand rowed sampam through beautiful waters under a green canopy of coconut trees to see how locals are living today. Alternatively, if you’d prefer more time on the water, catch the two hour ferry to Vung Tau, the “Hamptons” of Saigon. Stop for lunch at Binh An village, or stay overnight for a complete city-escape.

Stick to District 1 and check out these sites…The Post Office, the Reunification Palace (AKA the old American Embassy, where the last helicopter took off from the roof), the War Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

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Check out…Andy Warhol’s iconic portraits of DVF and other notable personalities at the Grand Palais exhibit, The Great World of Andy Warhol, which is up through July, 13th.

Eat…at La Societe on Rue St. Germain – the new restaurant from the owners of Costes. Enjoy the beautiful space, designed by Christian Liaigre, the beautiful people, who surround you, and the delicious meal, which you’re sure to love. Or, for something a little more traditional, try out a Paris favorite, and indulge on steak frites at L’ Entrecote. Try out their new location on Boulevard Montparnasse, across from La Coupole.

Stay…at Hotel Particulier near the legendary Montmartre on Avenue Junot. Relax in the the magnificent gardens designed by Louis Benech, while you map out the rest of your day.

Shop…at one of the three DVF Paris locations! Visit the flagship store at 29 Rue Francois 1er, or check out 14 Rue d’ Alger or 81 Rue des Saints Peres. Once you’ve had your fill of DVF (if that’s even possible), go to Karry’O. Karine Berrebi is the queen of vintage jewelry on Rue des Saints Peres, calling number 62 home.

Take a break…and step into Herboriste, on Rue de Petits Champs behind the Palais Royal. They have all the tisanes (herbal teas) you could need to feel good.