Italy comes to the capital!

It's the end of summer, you're out of cash and back to work. But there's no need to despair if you can't hop on the next flight to bella Italia — just stay right here. We'll guide you to the best places for a dose of true Italian spirit in London — and not a chain pizza restaurant in sight...

Little Venice
Warwick Crescent, W2
Where the junctions of the Grand Union and Regents Canal meet in Maida Vale is the adorable enclave of Little Venice. It’s one of the capital’s most picturesque areas, dotted full of bijou eateries, bars and shops, with the glittering water of Browning’s Pool setting it off magically. Just follow the signs from Warwick Avenue tube and be transported Italia-wards in seconds!

Versace
34-36 Old Bond Street, W1
No-one quite does full-on, high-octane glamour like Versace — and of course, like true superstar style, it comes at a price. Save up those pennies and take a trip into the West End, or their Sloane Street branch, and come up feeling like several billion lire.

Carluccio's
www.carluccios.com
Top chef Antonio Carluccio opened his first caffe and food shop in London in 1991 — and now they're a firm fixture all over the capital. Buy authentic, regional Italian produce, or just relax with a delicious, reasonably-priced meal. October sees them launch their outdoor mushroom markets, and there’s a new website which lets you order online — bliss, and Buon Appetito!

Bar Italia
22 Frith Street, London W1
A Soho favourite since 1923 — Bar Italia just oozes Latin charm. With its coffees, authentic 50s décor, and a packed, buzzy atmosphere, there's nowhere else quite like it. Make sure you get there when it’s showing a football game for a real dose of Italian passion!

Learn the lingo!
http://www.hotcourses.com/thisislondon/
What better way to immerse yourself in Italian culture by learning the language? London's packed with courses offering levels from very basic right up to fluency. Just get clicking and you'll be parlare la lingua in no time!