On location in Italy with one of the most highly anticipated films of 2021, we trace a cross-country map of La Dolce Vita, from the mountains of Cortina d’Ampezzo to Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Ridley Scott's film is adapted from Sara G Forden's widely acclaimed non-fiction book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, which examines the ascent, collapse and resurrection of the Gucci dynasty. Set in Italy in 1995, the fashion biopic centers on the story of Patrizia Reggiani, an Italian socialite played by Lady Gaga, who after marrying into fashion royalty was sentenced to 29 years in prison for plotting the murder of husband Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), heir to the Gucci empire. 

Gressoney Saint Jean

While the base for shooting was established in Rome, the first filming location was the mountain resort of Gressoney Saint Jean, at the foot of Monte Rosa in the northern region of Valle d'Aosta. Gressoney Saint Jean actually replaces St. Moritz in the film, where the couple owned several chalets. It’s here that the backstage photo was taken with Lady Gaga covered in gold jewelry and a white fur hat in the role of Patrizia Reggiani, alongside Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci wrapped in a white wool turtleneck. All the hotels in Gressoney-Saint-Jean were used during filming - best to check into the Hotel Au Charmant Petit Lac - a striking 5-star, eco-hotel nearby in the centre of Champoluc - located just 300m from the Crest gondola it has brilliant access to the best local skiing. 

Milan 

Milan can be considered the heart of the film, as this is where the headquarters of the company were and where the murder took place. It’s also where Gucci and Reggiani got married in real life, although that scene is actual shot in Rome. Scenes were shot in the fashion district (Quadrilatero della Moda), in Piazza Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza della Scala, near the main railway station, and in the historic Cortina bookshop, among others. Some scenes were also shot at the Il Salumaio restaurant, in the courtyard of Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi. Lady Gaga stayed in Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa - a meticulously re-constructed property showcasing the best of Milanese style  - although designed by Frenchman Pierre Yves Rochon - on the former site of the historical Palazzo Cramer from the 1600s.  

Lake Como 

Filming then moved to Villa Balbiano on Lake Como. Villa Balbiano is a historic palace that once belonged to the Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, who built it at the end of the 16th century as his private residence. Today, Villa Balbiano is the largest private residence on Lake Como with six luxurious suites each individually designed by the famous interior decorator Jacques Garcia, an outdoor swimming pool and private dock. Scenes were also filmed at Villa D’Este, a 16th-century palace and one of Italy's iconic properties. The legendary property -  which was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873 - occupies an enviable spot on Lake Como, amid 25 acres of luxuriously landscaped park - a true and luxurious escape to Renaissance Italy amid timeless works of art and Pellegrino Pellegrini's Italian garden. 

Rome

The wedding scene was been filmed in the Italian capital, precisely in the Jewish ghetto, at the church of Santa Maria in Campitelli. Rome's exclusive shopping street Via Condotti was also sealed off during filming. Other scenes were filmed inside the actual Gucci boutique, which first opened in 1938; and also at the Cinecittà Studios. For her stay in Rome, the Lady Gaga is said to have stayed at the Baglioni Hotel Regina. Situated on the famous Via Veneto - which became famous for la dolce vita in the '60s, Baglioni Hotel Regina is in walking distance of the Borghese Gardens and Museum, the Spanish Steps, and Via Condotti, with its renowned shops. Housed in a magnificent, Liberty-style building, the hotel was also once the home of Queen Margherita of Savoy.