GIO'S JOURNAL

Siren’s Call

For W’s glamorous globe-trotter, Giovanna Battaglia, it’s a fab, fab world.

by Giovanna Battaglia

Giovanna Battaglia Italy

1

“One of the stops on my month-long sailing trip through Greece and Italy was the island of Stromboli. I wanted to wakeboard, but the water was full of jellyfish. Luckily, we had special sting-proof wet suits. I felt like a Bond girl in mine. It was so comfortable and cool, I was reluctant to take it off afterward.”

2

“To entertain myself on the 45-hour crossing from Greece to Italy, I made a face out of my jewelry. The colorful earrings from Mykonos were the perfect hair.”

3

“I am happiest when I’m in the sea—or eating anything that comes out of it! In Greece, my boyfriend, Oscar, and I swam out to and then climbed a craggy mini-island off Patmos. Then, in Nerano, Italy, at the restaurant Lo Scoglio, I devoured freshly caught sea urchin , the ultimate indulgence. It was my idea of heaven.”

4

“Canfora is the place to get sandals in Capri. The salesperson even matched the color of the bags to my shoes!”

5

“Noor Fares and Eugenie Niarchos look like they’re in a movie on the steamboat at Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo’s wedding, in Lake Maggiore.”

6

“Margherita Missoni and I were the only guests in veils.”

7

“I spotted this wreath in a store in Santorini. It’s made of real olive branches plated in gold. Unfortunately, it’s not a headpiece— I was dying to wear it!”

8

“After lunch aboard Moncler CEO Remo Ruffini’s boat in Mykonos, we tried to do a ‘drone’ group shot. It was too windy, so the ship’s captain snapped it instead.”

9

“While hiking in Panarea, I came across this sign near a gate. It reads, leave closed for the donkeys, thank you! in Italian, so passersby don’t let them escape. I thought it was so well painted and charming.”