Anindita Sarbadhikari, director

nThe one holiday I can never forget is a 10-day vacation I took in Rome. It was back in 1999 and I was invited to the Berlin Film Festival where my film, Barkha was being screened. I managed to earmark 10 days for Italy. But my very first hour in Rome saw me fall in love with the place and all my careful plans to go visit Naples, Milan and Venice flew out of the window. It was the middle of spring ? Rome was filled with music, flowers, tourists and of course gorgeous Italian men. Steeped in history and rich in atmosphere, Rome cast its spell on me. I just about managed to make a quick trip to Florence, because I’d never be able to live with the shame of not seeing Botticelli despite having a chance. But I rushed back as soon as I could. Only five of the famous Seven Hills of Rome was all I could see and I managed to spend each evening on a different hill. Sunshine, the smell of orange blossoms, music and good company ? it was blissful. I did the normal touristy things too ? shopped, saw the Colosseum, threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and if urban legends are to be believed, I’ll go back there very soon.