The new Fiat Bravo has arrived in the UK, two 150bhp Multijet examples making a headline appearance at La Dolce Vita, the Italian lifestyle exhibition held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London. At the same time as the Bravo was making its high-profile world public debut at the 77th Geneva Motor Show, the new C-segment hatchback was also capturing Londoners' attention. Fiat though was not the only Italian carmaking brand to be present at La Dolce Vita this month, a show which is a celebration of all things quintessentially Italian and which was back in Olympia for the third year consecutive year, as Alfa Romeo brought their new Spider convertible.

La Dolce Vita is a lifestyle show that seeks to bring the experience the Mediterranean to the heart of London, with exhibitors coming from right across Italy to attend this exclusive show. With the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves into Italian life and buy limited edition goods found nowhere else in the UK, this event is growing fast. Both Fiat UK and Alfa Romeo UK are sponsors of La Dolce Vita and have strongly supported the event since its inception, and both this year brought their latest products to the vast Olympia halls.

Fiat presented the new Bravo for the first time in the UK, this preview coming well ahead of its official launch. Two of the Fiat Centro Stile-designed models were on display at La Dolce Vita, and both were fitted with the punchy 150 bhp Multijet turbodiesel engine: a red example in the halls, (in 'Sport' specification) was available for close-up examination by visitors, while a grey example (in 'Emotion' trim) was part of a display outside the main entrance where it was joined the Grande Punto and Sedici. Completing a very strong presence from Fiat UK were two rally examples of the A-segment Panda: the Panda 'Cup', the mainstay of the competitive Italian Panda Trofeo series which is designed to give promising young rally drivers a foothold on the rally ladder, and the PanDAKAR, a version built specially to contest the Lisboa-Dakar Rally back in January. These two little competition machines were at the centre of attention with visitors as they were shown within the busy Fiat-sponsored "Piazza Italia" cafeteria area.

Fiat's line-up at Olympia was perfectly complimented by Alfa Romeo UK who presented the new Alfa Spider, which went on sale across the UK only last month. Winner of the Cabrio of the Year title in 2006, the new Brera-derived convertible was realised in conjunction with Pininfarina. Emphasising the Alfa Spider's unrivalled and long heritage, an original 1600cc "roundtail" Duetto and a Giulia 1600 Spider were shown alongside the newest model to carry the evocative name. Also on show was the limited-edition Alfa 147 "Collezione" and the Alfa 159.

Fiat and Alfa Romeo were just two of many important representatives of Italian commerce at Olympia. Style, sophistication and Spumante, these are the keywords of La Dolce Vita which seeks to gives visitors a real taste of Italian life, from the finest food and wines and chic Italian holiday ideas to fashion and luxury properties for sale. Visitors could this year 'fare un giro' through a 'mini Milan', learn to cook Italian-style with the country’s leading chefs, including Aldo Zilli and Giorgio Locatelli, and relive Italy’s world cup glory in the 'sporting lounge'.
 

Just like in Fellini’s film, luxury is key to La Dolce Vita: fast cars, first-rate food, fashion and exceptional properties. All with a hint of Italian flair - and these were on offer from the 160 exhibitors at this renowned celebration of Italian culture and style. Total immersion in the Italian way of life was the organiser's promise for all visitors, and in fact the Festival even had its own official currency - the Fiorini -  which could be used to make purchases with in the Piazza.

Gastronomically, visitors to La Dolce Vita were able to seek inspiration from established Italian celebrity chefs, Giorgio Locatelli and Aldo Zilli, who whipped up their favourite childhood dishes in the Buongustaio Theatre; while showgoers were then able to try their hand at a pasta cooking master class at the “Scuola di Cucina” or to be waited on by dining in style in the Fiat-sponsored “Piazza Italia” which featured an impressive array of London’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, including Zilli Fish, Latium, Via Condotti, and Sardo. Valentina Harris, chef at London’s Amici restaurant, was also in attendance, plus exponents of the extolled Italian “Slow Cooking” method and experts who prepared the latest, lavish Italian cocktails. Visitors who wanted to take some Italian ingredients home with them, could stroll through the “Mercato” and inhale the rich aromas of a huge selection of Italian cheeses, cured meats, truffle oils and chocolates, plus countless varieties of olives and olive oil.

The best of Italian design was well represented at the festival, and certainly not least by a dramatic presentation of the design evolution of the Spider sports car. The iconic design of Gaggia coffee machines was another example of beauty that works, and a full range of fashions and luxury accessories were on show. Home interiors were another demonstration of Italian design in action, with leather and luxury a recurring theme, and visitors could also admire a stunning selection of lamps on offer designed by Rosanita Marcenaro.

The Ferrarelle team presented "Aperitivo in Musica", allowing visitors to listen to top musicians directly from Rome, theatrical performances and traditional dances, while at the same time sipping drinks and tasting delicious canapés. A full programme of entertainment was staged throughout the Festival, offering visitors rest and revival.

La Dolce Vita is also the largest Italian property showcase in the UK. Whether the visitor was looking for a restored Tuscan paper mill, a Venetian apartment, a shoreline residence on Lake Garda, a mountain retreat in Abruzzo or a farmhouse in Puglia, experts were on hand to guide prospective buyers through the paperwork. A real plus in this respect was the Property Theatre, presented by estate lawyers Giambrone and Law International Law Practice, with a tailored programme of informative talks and interactive sessions.

Finally, many regions of Italy were individually represented at La Dolce Vita, offering an infinite variety of travel and leisure pursuits to tempt visitors planning their next Italian holiday, ranging from staying at Palladian villas in Veneto to designer shopping in Lombardio. The Festival also demonstrated easy ways to learn Italian, and even to get married in Italy, with the addition of a new Wedding Pavilion with planners also on hand to make the big day just perfect.