amy travel collective

• SmartFlyerAU
• Leisure travel
• Flights & private charter
• Corporate travel
• Find Your Agent
• Become a SmartFlyer Agent
• SmartFlyer Take Me To: Itinerary Inspo
• City Guides
• Industry Intel
• Travel Culture
• Caribbean + Mexico
• Property Reviews

I am looking for...

Plan a Trip

Plan a trip with us! Just fill out the form below so we can get to know you and your trip a little bit better. Once we receive your request form, we will be in touch to schedule a call to get to know you and learn about your goals and vision for your trip. Planning fee starts at $500.

• Beach & Sun , Honeymoons , Food & Wine
• Ask your local driver for their favorite restaurants or places to visit!

Santorini, Greece

Whether she’s dining at the hottest new restaurants in New York City or jetting off to the Amalfi Coast, Kyoto, or St. Barths, Amy derives inspiration from near and far to stay on the pulse and keep her clients on the cutting edge of the latest trends in travel.

After graduating from Emory University, Amy moved to New York City and worked as a Publicist at Magrino Agency, overseeing their high-market wines, spirits, and restaurant accounts. But ultimately, Amy’s passion for travel and appetite for discovering the latest and greatest around the world led her to join her mother, Judy Stein , in the travel industry. After all, travel is quite literally in her DNA!

Today, Amy is the Senior Travel Designer at The Stein Collective, an affiliate of SmartFlyer. Amy’s millennial edge brings a refreshingly dynamic and strategic advantage to The Stein Collective’s discerning clientele. In addition to travel consulting, Amy’s newest role is being a mom to her son, Charlie, with whom she looks forward to sharing many memorable experiences across the globe.

What is your most memorable travel experience?

One of my most memorable travel experiences happened when I was completely lost in Tokyo on a gorgeous fall day with my mom and a close friend. As travel advisors, we try to have every moment planned, but the spontaneous and unexpected moments are by far the most memorable. We didn’t know where we were, and had somewhere we needed to be, but instead explored an unfamiliar neighborhood and shopped, explored, and stopped for delicious gyoza.

What’s your strategy to overcome jet lag?

Power through, and fill your first day or two with fun activities to spark an adrenaline rush!

Favorite Property

Rosewood mayakoba, playa del carmen, mexico, recommended by rachel.

Travel by the Stars: Where to Go Based on Your Sign

The exact time of year you were born has everything to do with how you traverse the globe and what kinds of places are most suited to you. In response to the popularity of our last astrological roundup...

CONTRIBUTED BY REBECCA GORDON

Receive inspiration in your inbox

Find us on instagram

Keep up with the places that deserve more than a bookmark, but a check-in.

Relax, we’ll take care of everything

A luxury travel agency specializing in custom vacation design.

Amy Westerman, a veteran travel agent with 24 years of experience and a team of over 250 advisors, created Ears of Experience, a luxury travel agency specializing in Disney destinations, in 2009. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Ears of Experience is one of only a few travel agencies that have been exclusively selected as Authorized Disney Vacation Planners and has received one of Disney’s highest designations as a Diamond Level Earmarked Agency.

In 2019, Amy added The Curated Travel Collection as a division of her company to offer personalized luxury travel, then reorganized the company under this exciting new brand in 2022.

The Curated Travel Collection’s mission is to provide immersive, inspiring, all-inclusive and unforgettable dream vacation experiences for couples, families and friends. We take a creative approach born out of our extensive worldwide travel experience and relationships, constantly searching for innovative, unique and personalized solutions for our clients and advisors. We’re committed to designing memorable experiences to fulfill your travel “vision” and would love to help you dream up something completely new.  

What’s Your Dream Vacation?

Let’s make it a reality.

From the Four Seasons in Hawaii to the Kempinski in St. Moritz, we have personally visited and experienced many of the locations we book for our clients. 

When you book with a Curated Travel Collection agent, you gain access to a world of personalized travel experiences. We know the cruise ships, concierges, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment in hundreds of locations across the world and can’t wait to share all of our favorite destinations with you. The Curated Travel Collection is always adding new travel tips, secrets, and adventures to fulfill every kind of dream. We always use the most updated and accurate information available for each destination as we plan each customized trip – down to the last detail.

Our team is always thinking two steps ahead so you don’t have to think about anything except what you’ll wear to the next destination. With our customized trip itineraries and bookings, you can rest easy, knowing that we work with top-notch, hand-selected, and tested hospitality partners. Relax, and let us take care of everything.  

WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL, LONG-TERM WORLDWIDE VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS, INSIDER LUXURY TRAVEL KNOWLEDGE & FIRST-CLASS PERSONAL SERVICE

Executive team.

Amy Westerman

Chief magic officer and visionary.

David Hoffman

Business solutions.

guest relations

Bree Choate

Executive assistant and advisor support.

Heather Almeida

Jessica Haughn

Alicia Nauman

Kristin Schulz

Let’s start dreaming together

Call: 800-876-8875 email: [email protected], call: 800-876-8875, email: [email protected].

Travel like a pro with our

Top ten travel tips.

Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter to receive your free pdf of our top Ten Curated Travel Tips.

Social Media made simple for Travel Agents

Unique content crafted for your travel agency.

Transform Likes into Inquiries & Bookings

Access our vault of travel content.

Start your free trial today.

There’s never been a more profitable time to for travel advisors to be on social media., shift your content strategy.

The Ultimate All in One Solution

10,000+ travel advisors trained using our proven content strategy..

M E E T   A M Y

With more than two decades of industry experience, Amy thrives on curating luxurious, hassle-free vacations for her clients.

As a luxury travel advisor, Amy is dedicated to her clients – working with preferred partners all over the word to design and execute best-in-class experiences that only someone with the right relationships and expertise can provide. Her experience runs the gamut, specializing in active travel, family getaways, cruises, safaris, and personalized tours of all types. 

Amy represents TBH Travel, an exclusive travel agency that is a member of Virtuoso and a founding partner of The Aspire Associates Group. Through a strategic alliance of top-tier independent agencies, Amy and the TBH Travel team capitalize on shared resources, broad destination experience, and expanded geographical areas to offer clients exceptional service, and exclusive access.

Born and raised in New York, Amy and her husband moved to Florida in the mid-90s, where they raised their now two adult sons and remain.

Featured Trips

I live for a living.

What and Who Is  Amy Marietta ?

My name is Amy Nicole Marietta and this is a visual journal of my travels, personal style, love for culture, passion for music, and overall lifestyle. I aspire to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest and experience as much as possible, to chase their dreams, and to make a positive impact.

I started blogging about fashion, my personal style, and moving to NYC from LA in 2010 while interning at a fashion PR company. Over the years my blog and other social media outlets have evolved into more of a lifestyle platform vibe where I share my daily inspirations and projects with brands that I’m so grateful to work with.

Some random things about me… My ethnicity is Italian & Maltese. I’ve lived in LA, NYC, and Miami. I have two little sisters. I’m a creative hustler. And I’m funnier in person, so I’ve been told. 🙂

What do you do?

I’ve made it my mission to avoid the 9-5 job. After 5 years of hustling in New York City, and 1 year in Miami working corporate marketing & social media, I now spend most of my time in LA or traveling. I’m not one for titles, but if I had to describe what I do on a daily basis, I am a content creator (co-founder of Club Collective ), creative director, brand owner ( A.M. Club ), lifestyle blogger, brand and social media consultant, stylist, and journalist. I spend my time coordinating strategic partnerships, creating visual content for companies, and working on my silk scarf line – A.M. Club.

In 2016, I  founded A.M. Club  which is a silk line that produces exclusive, high-quality silk pieces with a unique story. Each design has a purpose, and the pieces are crafted from the finest raw materials in the world. We give back to various nonprofits I am passionate about and also give back to creatives. I am also a brand ambassador for The Council For Fashion And Social Change .   CFSC is a non-profit organization that is focused on changing social impact through fashion and design activities.

I’ve  produced  events, created video content and curated photos for the  social media  properties of major lifestyle and fashion brands including  Disaronno, Dolce & Gabbana  and  Rescue Skin.

As a travel, fashion,  and lifestyle blogger  (or content creator ) I have had the opportunity of working with Estee Lauder, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Jaguar, Almay, Adidas, Primark, Square Cash, Simon Malls, Gov Ball, Lyft, Harrods,  and Starwood Hotels .

And as a  fashion influencer , I’ve had the opportunity of working with and being featured in major publications including  Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Metro News, L’Officiel Italia, Glamour, GQ, Refinery 29, New York Times  and  Elle.  Collectively, I have over 1,000,000 followers and my social media outlets receive millions of impressions per month from over 130 countries around the world.

Follow along my daily adventures on Youtube and Instagram 😉

  I’d love to connect with you – email and the internet are awesome – so email me for my media kit, rate sheet or to just say hello. I love meeting new people and surrounding myself with inspiring souls who have passion – and I know the world is full of you, so don’t be shy.

A dventurous.  N otorious.  M anifest .

  Email:  [email protected]

Instagram/Twitter: Amy_Marietta

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/amymarietta

Facebook Page :  AmyMarietta

Favorite interview: here.

Just added to your cart

Abbey is a self taught artist and mother of 2 little boys.  From home portraits to stationary to large scale acrylics, she always has at least a spec of paint somewhere on her.  She loves Huntsville and creating work to celebrate this town of ours.

Turkish Treasures

Rhonda Ford, a Montgomery native and Auburn graduate, taught college History abroad for 16 years before settling in Huntsville. Ten of those years were spent in Turkey where she developed a passion for their art, history, culture, and handicrafts. Turkish Treasures was started in 2010 so that she could share her love of the country and it's warm, hospitable people with others. Combining these products with her daughter's Cotton Table Ceramics line, a love of dogs, and a few Made in the USA favorites, gives Turkish Treasures' gifts, home decor, and accessories a Bohemian flair. Rhonda is married with 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 1 on the way, a black Labrador, and is a member of Willowbrook Baptist Church.

Beth Woody Floral

Beth Woody, Lover of all flowers and weeds! I aim for punchy arrangements that showcase the most amount of flowers for the least cost. I love to bring in our local outdoors adding texture and the unexpected. Trust me to petal proof your next gathering! 

Initial Here Gifts

Brandi Walker- My goal is to offer fabulous gifts that ANYONE can afford! Every girl wants to put her name on something. Give gifts that you can be proud of while being a good steward of your money! Just Initial Here

The Crepe Turtle/MY Jewelry

Misty Yarbro

Table and Thyme

Kristi Wells

Mint Julep Monograms

Hillary Dunham

Three Daisies/Social Media

Tabetha McCormick started Three Daisies women's clothing in 2019, along with her mother, Beth McCormick.  She is a full time student at the University of Alabama and spends free time working on clothing selections and marketing campaigns for the boutique.  Tab recently took on the role of social media and marketing editor for the store.

The Cottage Collective/Whimsy Wear/Three Daisies

Beth McCormick came into Mint Julep Market in 2014 with her clothing line, Whimsy Wear. Whimsy Wear began in September 2005 in an attempt to dress little ones in a fun and affordable fashion all while keeping little ones looking like little ones.  Her daughter, Tabetha was 9 months old at the time. The family business grew and she soon had Tab modeling the line as well as other little ones around the Huntsville area.  Her son, Noah would spend time each afternoon helping her package the outfits to prepare for shipping. 20 years later, Beth still enjoys creating clothing.  She has spent much time researching other products that would compliment her line.  Her journey through the wholesale community would lead her to meet many moms with a passion for creating their own products.  Some of those products, as well as a few select pieces of Beth's collection can be found inside the Whimsy Wear showroom today.

In 2019, Beth started Three Daisies with her daughter as a way to bring affordable fashion to both the young adult and the older adult with the same style.   Pieces in the Three Daisies showroom are selected to keep one on the fashion trending edge and still look age appropriate no matter where they fall in the age span.  

Beth had the opportunity to purchase Mint Julep Market in July 2020.  She changed the name to The Cottage Collective to represent not only her lines but the collections of other lines brought into the gift boutique by the other team members. Each area represents each contributors gifts and talents whether it be in the form of their own creations or in the curating the perfect gift to enhance the gift giving experience.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.

15% OFF for New TC Members | Code: welcome15

• Start My Collection
• Travel Rings
• Ring Carriers

COLLECT RINGS TO COMMEMORATE YOUR TRAVELS

How it works, 1. select your rings.

Collect a Travel Ring for all the amazing places you've visited.

2. Choose Your Ring Carrier

Decide if you want to carry your Travel Ring Collection on a Clip or Necklace.

What TC Members Are Saying

"Bought this necklace for my daughter and she wears it everywhere. Its a great reminder of her travels and a conversation piece when she meets new people."

"Such a cute way to collect memories and the places you've explored."

"My friend was almost in tears when I gifted her and her fiancé a collection of rings for the places they had been together!"

Carry your travel memories everywhere.

Unlike conventional souvenirs that sit at home and collect dust, your Travel Ring Collection is built strong to be by your side no matter where you go.

Share your travel stories.

Wherever you take your Travel Ring Collection, people will ask about it. Share and inspire others with your stories from the road.

Inspire more adventures.

Your Travel Rings serve as an inspiration towards a lifetime of collecting unforgettable travel memories.

Our mission is to promote sustainable travel through the elimination of single-use plastics.

Give your customers a reason to sign up to your newsletter

Thanks for Joining!

Sam Taylor-Johnson On Amy Winehouse: 'I Felt Like I Was In Service To Her'

The ' Back to Black' director on why she hopes the story will give Amy Winehouse back her agency – and get us all listening to her music.

It's hard to believe that Sam Taylor-Johnson has spent the last week in bed with the flu. We meet in west London, in a health café that looks better suited to west Hollywood. There’s a menu packed with golden turmeric and a juicer the size of a small car, and everyone inside – including Taylor-Johnson – has that glow. ‘It happens after every film when you stop,’ she says. ‘This one has been one of those projects where there’s a sort of wind-at- your-back-feeling propulsion. I’ve been running alongside a high-speed train, try- ing to keep up with the energy.’

It’s the middle of February and Taylor- Johnson, dressed in an insouciantly cool uniform of denim and aviator glasses, is nearing the finish line of one of the most anticipated – and discussed – films of the year, Back to Black , a biopic of the late, great Amy Winehouse. ‘The turnaround has been so fast. Alison [Owen, the producer] approached me and said, “We have all the rights to the music and we’d like to make a movie. Would you be interested?” I was like, of course – it was a sort of golden ticket. That was less than two years ago.’

This will be Taylor-Johnson’s fourth feature. Having started her career as a visual artist, she broke out as a film- maker with another musician story, 2009’s Nowhere Boy . She then directed Fifty Shades of Grey and 2018’s A Million Little Pieces, based on James Frey’s controversial book on rehabilitation. ‘I feel like I’ve sort of run the gamut across the board. The first film was a low-budget indie, full of awe and wonder. The second film was a baptism by fire. The third film was a complete labour of love... And now this.’

It was on set for her first film Nowhere Boy that she met her now-husband, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The couple, who have been married for 12 years , split their time between Somerset and London with their four daughters (the two eldest are from her previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling). Does being almost finished with the film mean she can she take some down time? ‘I mean, there are never times where I’m doing nothing, with four kids. We also have 14 animals; there are cows, pigs, chickens, cats and dogs...’ She continues, ‘Aaron and I both like to constantly be on the go. We have that sort of need for constant chaos. In a fun way.’

.css-1aear8u:before{margin:0 auto 0.9375rem;width:34px;height:25px;content:'';display:block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-1aear8u:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/elle/static/images/quote.fddce92.svg);} .css-1bvxk2j{font-family:SaolDisplay,SaolDisplay-fallback,SaolDisplay-roboto,SaolDisplay-local,Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.625rem;font-weight:normal;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-1bvxk2j b,.css-1bvxk2j strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1bvxk2j em,.css-1bvxk2j i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;}.css-1bvxk2j i,.css-1bvxk2j em{font-style:italic;} To give her agency back, because it felt like it had been taken away

As if on cue, a round of turmeric-root shots arrives and the conversation returns to Back to Black . The film follows Winehouse from her early days, before she was signed to her record label, to her creating one of the best-selling albums of our time. ‘I wanted the album to be the framework of the movie, as a sort of window into a particular moment in her life, and for it all to be through her eyes,’ Taylor-Johnson says. ‘To give her agency back, because it felt like it had been taken away. And to allow her to tell her own story and use the lyrics, her words, so it’s very much her perspective.’

Casting was never going to be easy, but when Taylor-Johnson met Industry’s break-out star Marisa Abela, she knew instantly they had found Amy. ‘I met eight girls, and she was the first one in. All of them, apart from Marisa, came in dressed as a version of Amy, even if it was just a big hoop earring or a cat eye, but Marissa came absolutely dressed as herself. She was timid and sweet and asked lots of questions. But then I turned the camera on, and she just looked up and engaged right with the middle of the camera, and I thought, “F*ck, it’s her.”’

The filming was demanding for every- one involved. ‘[It’s] the intensity of making a film about somebody who’s held in such high esteem, and so loved. There were days where I just found myself so sad. The scenes I was filming felt so desperately sad, to the core.’ And things were made harder by the constant press following the film. ‘I was trying to make sure the actor paparazzi weren’t infiltrated by real paparazzi. It was bizarre – we would look to our left and do a scene with paparazzi and then have real paparazzi on the right. It was this weird mirror reflection of life.’

Taylor-Johnson understands that with much interest comes judgement – of the people around Amy and the film itself. ‘Love is a good word around this project, because it feels like everyone came to it with so much love in terms of making it. And then everyone loved Amy, and it’s going into a world where people love, love, her,’ she says. ‘I felt like I was in service to her, and that it was important to tell the story. Not just to focus on the tragedy, which is there, of course, but for that not to be the only feeling. My ultimate goal is that people walk out on an uplift, thinking, “Let’s go listen to her music again,”’ she says as she prepares to meet Nick Cave and work on the film’s final score. And with that, Taylor-Johnson downs her golden latte, jumps on her bike, bag of cacao cookies underarm, and cycles off.

'Back to Black' will be released in UK cinemas on April 12, 2024.

ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE .

Longreads And Must Reads

Margot Robbie Is Set To Produce A Monopoly Film

Why A White Dress Is This Summer's Must Have

Torishéju Dumi Is Designing For Her Roots

What My Mother’s Cancer Taught Me Life

Did Coachella Destroy Coachella?

Raye's Lessons On Modern Love

Is This The Death Of The Revenge Album?

Cora Corré's Call For Change

Where Are All The Creepy Women?

What Does The Future Hold For Aesthetics?

Everything You Need To Know About 'Scoop'

9 Things to See in Moscow's Red Square

 Sir Francis Canker/Getty Images

In most cases, you'll be entering Red Square from the north, passing landmarks such as the Bolshoi Theatre and Duma parliament building as you make your way southward. Although you don't necessarily have to pass through the Voskresensky (or Resurrection in English) Gates in order to gain access to the square these days, they definitely provide a sense of arrival, to say nothing of the way their left arch frame's St. Basil's Cathedral if you look from just the right angle.

An interesting fact is that while a gate of some kind has stood here since the mid-16th century, the one you currently see wasn't built until 1994, having been destroyed in 1931 so that tanks could enter and exit Red Square during military parades.

St. Basil's Cathedral

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson 

Few sights are as iconic not only of Moscow and Red Square but indeed of Russia than St. Basil's Cathedral, whose colorful, onion-shaped domes are a symbol of the country around the world. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, this church has stood since 1561, which is quite miraculous when you consider all the turbulent history that has transpired since then.

Among other things, religion was severely prohibited during the Soviet period , which led some to believe that this emblem of the Russian Orthodox church might not withstand the tenure of the USSR. 

An interesting fact is that St. Basil's is the so-called "Kilometer Zero" of Russia; all of Moscow's main roads (which can take you anywhere in Russia) begin at the exits to Red Square. In this way, St. Basil's iconic status also has an extremely tangible element.

The Kremlin

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

When you think of The Kremlin, it's unlikely that positive images enter your mind. The fact that simply saying the word "Kremlin" is too vague a descriptor (most Russian cities have their own Kremlin complexes; you should say "Moscow Kremlin") notwithstanding, this misunderstood place is incredibly beautiful, even if you don't like the policy that comes out of it.

Senate Square

In spite of its name, which refers to the role the building that rises above the square played during Imperial Russia, Senate Square is actually home to Russia's presidential administration, currently helmed by Vladimir Putin. In order to see where Russia's legislature operates from, walk just outside Red Square to the Duma parliament building.

Dormition Cathedral

Dating back to the year 1479, the gold-domed Dormition Cathedral pays homage to an Orthodox religious feast that commemorates the death of the Virgin Mary . As is the case with St. Basil's, it is curious that such a conspicuously religious structure was able to survive through the Soviet period.

Armoury Chamber

Though it takes its name from the fact that it housed Russia's royal arsenal when it was built in the 16th century, the most notable resident of the Kremlin's Armoury Chamber today is the Russian Diamond Fund.

Notable Kremlin Towers

Robert Schrader

The interior of the Moscow Kremlin is more beautiful and inviting than you'd expect, but the walls and towers that rise around it better live up to the intimidation with which the complex is associated. 

Borovitskaya Tower

Named to commemorate the dense forest that once stood atop the mount where it's built, this tower is extremely picturesque. Built in the late 15th century, it's visible from most places in the square, and also as you walk along the Moskva River.

Nikolskaya Tower

Also built in the year 1491, this tower currently suffered destruction at the hands of Napoleon's army in the 19th century. What you see now is the result of an 1816 re-design and renovation, though artillery fire during the Russian Revolution also caused superficial damage to the tower, named to honor St. Nikolas of Mozhaysk , so it's difficult to know which elements of it are original.

Spasskaya Tower

Known in English as the "Savior's Tower," this iconic, star-topped tower is perhaps the best-known of all the Kremlin's towers. Built in 1491 like the other two towers on this list, it's certainly the most photographed. As a result of its proximity to St. Basil's, it often makes its way into tourists' pictures.

Mausoleum of Lenin

Just as it's strange to learn how many religious monuments survived through the Soviet period, it's a bit odd to think that Lenin's preserved body still sits in a mausoleum just beneath the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square, given the lack of consensus about the ultimate impact of his Revolution, even in Russia.

It's not guaranteed that you'll be able to see the body (which, believe it or not, seems to be improving with age ) when you go, and if you do you will likely have to wait in line, but even strolling past the outside of the Lenin Mausoleum, flanked by stone-faced guards that almost look like statues, illuminates the gravity of his body still being here.

GUM Shopping Center

You might cringe, at least initially, when you realize that one of the most iconic stops on a tour of Red Square is a department store—until you see said department store, that is. Built in 1893 and known during Soviet times as the State Department Store, GUM  ( Glávnyj Universáľnyj Magazín​ or Main Universal Store in English) hearkens back to the grandeur of the late 19th century, both seen from the outside (especially, when lit up at night) and the interior, which might have you feeling like you're further west in Europe.

A trip inside GUM is a particularly good idea during winter, when frigid temperatures outside will have you savoring the heat, the quality of souvenirs, confections and other goods sold inside notwithstanding. Also, make sure not to confuse GUM with CDM, which sits near the Bolshoi Theatre, even though both are stunning and iconic in their own right.

State Historical Museum

The Russian State Historical Museum is located near Voskresensky Gates, though you should wait until after you've seen the first few attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin to head back there and go inside. To be sure, as you pass by its facade (whose late-19th century grandeur somewhat obscures that fact that it's currently a museum accessible to the public) you might not even think to try and gain entry.

Once inside the museum, you can plan to spend at least a couple of hours, given that artifacts here date back to the very beginning of the Russian state in the ninth century. As is the case with GUM, this will be a particularly alluring prospect if you visit in winter, when Moscow is arguably at its most beautiful, but certainly at its least tolerable. 

Minin-Pozharsky Monument

It's somewhat easy to disregard this monument, which pays homage to the two Russian princes who ended the so-called "Time of Troubles" in the mid-16th century, during which Polish-Lithuanian forces occupied Russia, among other awful things including a famine. That's because the statue currently sits just at the base of St. Basil's Cathedral, which makes it very difficult to photograph or even see without being overwhelmed by that much more famous edifice.

Though the statue originally sat at the very center of Red Square, it came to be an obstacle to the movement of tanks during the Soviet period, much like the Voskresensky Gates. As a result, authorities moved it during that time, and it's stayed where you currently find it ever since.

Kazan Cathedral

Taken by itself, the smokey-pink Kazan Cathedral is an architectural marvel; originally built in the 17th century, the church you find here today, located just north of the GUM department store, dates back only to 1993.

Unfortunately, since it sits not only in the shadow of GUM, but also in the shadow St. Basil's and the Towers of the Kremlin, it's easy to miss entirely if you aren't looking. As a result, you might wait until you've seen just about everything else in Red Square before coming here to take photos, and to appreciate the understated beauty of this oft-overlooked cathedral.

Moskva River

As you head south from St. Basil's Cathedral to exit Red Square, make sure to walk onto Bolshoy Moskvoretskiy Bridge, which crosses the Moskva River. If you look due north, you can get an excellent shot of the church framed, on the left, by the towers of the Kremlin. Directing your gaze a bit to the west allows you to see the skyscrapers of Moscow City as they rise above the Kremlin's walls.

Walking westward along the riverbank is also a worthwhile excursion, for the views it provides of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as the fact that doing so takes you to other iconic Moscow attractions, including Gorky Park and the Pushkin Museum. The views you enjoy from the river and the bridge are particularly stunning at night, though you should make sure you bring a tripod if you want to get a clear picture, given how strong winds over and near the river can be.

Moscow - Russian Rivers and Waterways Port of Call

Moscow Metro: The Complete Guide

25 Best Things to Do in Moscow

The Impressive Castles of Eastern Europe

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow: Planning Your Visit

St. Petersburg, Russia

10 Must-Visit Palaces and Castles in Russia

Top 12 Things to Do in Kazan, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Novgorod, Russia

Soviet Sights in Moscow – Moscow USSR Sites

The Top 12 Things to Do in Astrakhan

The Top 15 Places to Visit in Russia

A Guide to Moscow: Capital of Russia, City of Domes

The Top 15 Things to Do in Bordeaux, France

A Guide to the 4th Arrondissement in Paris

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Back to Black

The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

• Sam Taylor-Johnson
• Matt Greenhalgh
• Marisa Abela
• Eddie Marsan
• Jack O'Connell
• 2 User reviews
• 21 Critic reviews
• 52 Metascore

• Amy Winehouse

• Mitch Winehouse

• Blake Fielder-Civil

• Cynthia Winehouse

• Janis Winehouse

• Raye Cosbert

• Nick Shymansky

• A & R Manager

• Aunt Melody

• Perfume Paul

• Island Records Senior Executive

• CID Officer

• Uncle Harold
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Marisa Abela did all the singing in this film herself. She trained extensively to mimic Amy Winehouse 's vocals.

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 2 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

'Not everyone can do it like her' - Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black has world premiere in London

The truly sad story of a majorly talented woman, Back To Black looks at Amy Winehouse's rise to fame thanks to her unique and emotionally-charged music. The biopic, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, stars Marisa Abela, Jack O'Connell and Eddie Marsan.

Entertainment reporter @Debbie_Ridgard

Tuesday 9 April 2024 06:06, UK

Known for her iconic look and unique talent, Amy Winehouse had risen to an unimaginable level of fame by the time she died of alcohol poisoning in 2011. She was 27.

The London artist, whose songs include Rehab and Tears Dry On Their Own, had struggled with addiction and bulimia throughout her music career.

Now, with Sam Taylor-Johnson at the helm, her life and love of music has been made into its own film titled Back To Black.

The director, who lived in the same neighbourhood as the iconic singer, says she wanted to ensure the film was from Winehouse's perspective.

Using journals, songs and writings from the late artist, she and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh created the biopic from her own words.

"That felt like the best way to give her back her voice in a way," she tells Sky News at the world premiere of Back To Black in London.

Marisa Abela portrays Amy Winehouse in the biopic. The 27-year-old British actress says she felt like Amy's "life had been so picked apart that it was hard to sort of feel anything but the tragedy".

She says it was important to her, the cast and crew that the film shone a light on the talents of the London artist.

"Her legacy is one of authenticity and heart fullness. She embodies her feelings, she wears them on her sleeve but not everyone can do it like her."

The film depicts the singer-songwriter being hounded constantly by paparazzi.

The late singer's ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, is played by This Is England actor Jack O'Connell.

He says he wanted to make sure there was "a lot of depth" to his portrayal of Winehouse's former partner who had often been linked with the harsher stories of the musician in tabloid press.

"It was definitely a persona put out there of him," the actor explains.

He says: "At that level of success she had, when you have paparazzi contributing to that [her addiction], it's a bad recipe and it's heartbreaking... it's definitely an antagonist in the movie."

Back To Black doesn't shy away from the inclusion of the couple's run-in with addiction - which O'Connell calls "a definite evil that is present throughout".

Happy-Go-Lucky actor Eddie Marsan, who plays Mitch Winehouse in the film, says her death was "a collective trauma" for the world but for her dad, it was the loss of a daughter.

"This film has the courage to show that the main villain of this piece is addiction," he tells Sky News.

Read more: Winehouse statue's Star of David necklace covered by sticker J Cole feels 'terrible' about Kendrick Lamar diss track Beyonce marks UK milestone with new country album

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Marsan adds that there are certain safeguards that should have been in place at the time for celebrities like Amy Winehouse, who struggled with sobriety.

"There's a reason why recovery programmes are called Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, because you need anonymity and privacy to deal with your addiction. And Amy was never afforded that.

"She was hounded in the middle of her addiction. So that made it twice as hard, wrote 100 times harder for the family to say. But they did nine interventions and they still couldn't save her."

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Amy Winehouse's music spread beyond the UK. In 2008, she won five Grammy Awards including Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Back To Black is in cinemas on Friday 12 April.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

Related Topics

• Amy Winehouse

The Huntington leads the field of nominees for the Elliot Norton Awards

The Boston Theater Critics Association announced its nominees Thursday for the 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards, with the Huntington’s 35 nominations leading the way.

The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company co-production of “The Band’s Visit,” a nominee for best musical, captured 11 nominations in all. The Huntington also claimed four of the five nominations for best production by a large theater, for “Fat Ham” (a co-production with Front Porch Arts Collective), “John Proctor is the Villain,” “Prayer for the French Republic,” and “The Lehman Trilogy.”

Among the other productions receiving multiple nominations from the BTCA were: “Angels in America” (Central Square Theater and Bedlam), “Assassins” (Lyric Stage Company of Boston), “Macbeth” (Commonwealth Shakespeare Company), “Evita” and “Real Women Have Curves” (American Repertory Theater), “A Raisin in the Sun” (New Repertory Theatre), “Oklahoma!” (Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston), “King Hedley II” (Actors’ Shakespeare Project), “The Gaaga” (Arlekin Players Theatre), “The Interrobangers” (Company One Theatre), “The Spider & The Fly” (imaginary beasts), and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (Theater UnCorked).

The Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence will be awarded to scenic designer Janie E. Howland, who has been working in Boston theater — and beyond — for three decades. She’s also a three-time Norton nominee this year, for Lyric Stage Company of Boston’s “Rooted” and “Thirst” and Central Square Theater’s “Machine Learning.”

Advertisement

The awards ceremony is set for May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Huntington Theatre. For more details and ticket information, go to ElliotNortonAwards.com .

Here are all the nominees:

Outstanding Production, Large Theater

“Fat Ham,” The Huntington, in association with Alliance Theatre and The Front Porch Arts Collective

“John Proctor is the Villain,” The Huntington

“Macbeth,” Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

“Prayer for the French Republic,” The Huntington

“The Lehman Trilogy,” The Huntington

Outstanding Production, Midsize Theater

“Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

“As You Like It,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project in partnership with The Theater Offensive

“How I Learned to Drive,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

“King Hedley II,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

“The Minutes,” The Umbrella Stage Company

Outstanding Production, Small Theater

“A Raisin in the Sun,” New Repertory Theatre

“The Gaaga,” Arlekin Players Theatre

“The Interrobangers,” Company One Theatre

“The Spider & The Fly,” imaginary beasts

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Theater UnCorked

Outstanding Musical Production

“Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

“Evita,” American Repertory Theater in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company

“Oklahoma!,” Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

“The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

“The Color Purple,” The Umbrella Stage Company

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Large Theater

Amy Resnick, “Prayer for the French Republic,” The Huntington

Faran Tahir, “Macbeth,” Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Jenna Agbayani, “The Heart Sellers,” The Huntington

Joanne Kelly, “Macbeth,” Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Marshall W. Mabry IV, “Fat Ham,” The Huntington, in association with Alliance Theatre and The Front Porch Arts Collective

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Midsize Theater

Dennis Trainor Jr., “How I Learned to Drive,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Eddie Shields, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

James Ricardo Milord, “King Hedley II,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Jennifer Rohn, “How I Learned to Drive,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Lewis D. Wheeler, “Cost of Living,” SpeakEasy Stage Company

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Small Theater

Brooks Reeves, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Theater UnCorked

Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia, “619 Hendricks,” Teatro Chelsea

Damon Singletary, “A Raisin in the Sun,” New Repertory Theatre

Sehnaz Dirik, “Side Man,” Theater UnCorked

Sehnaz Dirik, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Theater UnCorked

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Large Theater

Ebony Marshall-Oliver, “Fat Ham,” The Huntington in association with Alliance Theatre and The Front Porch Arts Collective

Haley Wong, “John Proctor is the Villain,” The Huntington

Isabel Van Natta, “John Proctor is the Villain,” The Huntington

Jules Talbot, “John Proctor is the Villain,” The Huntington

Lau’rie Roach, “Fat Ham,” The Huntington, in association with Alliance Theatre and The Front Porch Arts Collective

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Midsize Theater

Helen Hy-Yuen Swanson, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

Jon Vellante, “Beyond Words,” a Catalyst Collaborative@MIT production, presented by Central Square Theater

Kari Buckley, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

Naheem Garcia, “King Hedley II,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Zach Fike Hodges, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Small Theater

Darya Denisova, “The Gaaga,” Arlekin Players Theatre

Evan Turissini, “The Spider & The Fly,” imaginary beasts

Schanaya Barrows, “Dance Nation,” Apollinaire Theatre

Schanaya Barrows, “The Interrobangers,” Company One Theatre

Valyn Lyric Turner, “A Raisin in the Sun,” New Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical

Elena Ricardo, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” North Shore Music Theatre

Jared Troilo, “Oklahoma!,” Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

Jennifer Apple, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Shy’Kira Allen, “The Color Purple,” The Umbrella Stage Company

Yewande Odetoyinbo, “Sister Act,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical

Jack Mullen, “Oklahoma!,” Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

Jared Troilo, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Justina Machado, “Real Women Have Curves,” American Repertory Theater

Kai Clifton, “The Color Purple,” The Umbrella Stage Company

Robert St. Laurence, “Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Outstanding Musical Direction

Camille Villalpando Rolla, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” North Shore Music Theatre

Dan Rodriguez, “Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Dan Rodriguez, “Oklahoma!,” Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

José Delgado, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Nathanael Wilkerson, “The Color Purple,” The Umbrella Stage Company

Outstanding Choreography

Daniel Pelzig, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Emily Maltby and Valeria Solomonoff, “Evita,” American Repertory Theater in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company

Marcos Santana, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” North Shore Music Theatre

Rachel Bertone, “Oklahoma!,” Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

Taavon Gamble, “The Prom,” SpeakEasy Stage Company

Outstanding Direction, Large Theater

Carey Perloff, “The Lehman Trilogy,” The Huntington

Margot Bordelon, “John Proctor is the Villain,” The Huntington

Paul Daigneault, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Sammi Cannold, “Evita,” American Repertory Theater in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company

Stevie Walker-Webb, “Fat Ham,” The Huntington in association with Alliance Theatre and Front Porch Arts Collective

Outstanding Director, Midsize Theater

Courtney O’Connor, “Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Elaine Vaan Hogue, “How I Learned to Drive,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Eric Tucker, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

Harold Steward, “As You Like It,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project in partnership with The Theater Offensive

Summer L. Williams, “King Hedley II,” Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Outstanding Director, Small Theater

Ben Delatizky, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Theater UnCorked

Lois Roach, “A Raisin in the Sun,” New Repertory Theatre

Matthew Woods, “The Spider & The Fly,” imaginary beasts

Pascale Florestal, “Diaspora!,” New Repertory Theatre

Sasha Denisova and Igor Golyak, “The Gaaga,” Arlekin Players Theatre

Outstanding Scenic Design, Large Theater

Arnulfo Maldonado, “Joy & Pandemic,” The Huntington

Arnulfo Maldonado and Hana S. Kim, “Real Women Have Curves,” American Repertory Theater

Jason Sherwood, “Evita,” American Repertory Theater in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company

Luciana Stecconi, “Fat Ham,” The Huntington in association with Alliance Theatre and The Front Porch Arts Collective

Wilson Chin and Jimmy Stubbs, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Outstanding Scenic Design, Midsize or Small Theater

Danielle DeLaFuente and Maria Servellon, “The Interrobangers,” Company One Theatre

Irina Kruzhilina, Irina Vilenchik, & Julie Sikh, “The Gaaga,” Arlekin Players Theatre

Janie E. Howland, “Machine Learning,” Central Square Theater and Teatro Chelsea

Janie E. Howland, “Rooted,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Janie E. Howland, “Thirst,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Outstanding Lighting Design, Large Theater

Aja M. Jackson, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Bradley King, “Evita,” American Repertory Theater in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company

Eric Southern and Maximo Grano De Oro, “Macbeth,” Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Robert Wierzel, “The Lehman Trilogy,” The Huntington

Stacey Derosier, “The Half-God of Rainfall,” American Repertory Theater and New York Theater Workshop

Outstanding Lighting Design, Midsize or Small Theater

Baron E. Pugh, “Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Corey Whittemore, “We Had a Girl Before You,” Greater Boston Stage Company

Elmer Martinez, “The Interrobangers,” Company One Theatre

John R. Malinowski, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

Kat C. Zhou, “Sweeney Todd,” Moonbox Productions

Outstanding Sound Design, Large Theater

Aubrey Dube, “Fat Ham,” The Huntington in association with Alliance Theatre and Front Porch Arts Collective

David Remedios and MacKenzie Adamick, “Macbeth,” Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Joshua Millican, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company

Mark Bennett and Charles Coes, “The Lehman Trilogy,” The Huntington

Mikaal Sulaiman, “The Half-God of Rainfall,” American Repertory Theater and New York

Theater Workshop

Outstanding Sound Design, Midsize or Small Theater

Alex Berg, “Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Brendan F. Doyle, “The Gaaga,” Arlekin Players Theatre

David Remedios, “Machine Learning,” Central Square Theater and Teatro Chelsea

David Remedios, “We Had a Girl Before You,” Greater Boston Stage Company

Kai Bohlman, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

Outstanding Costume Design, Large Theater

Alejo Vietti, “Evita,” American Repertory Theater in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company

Linda Cho, “The Half-God of Rainfall,” American Repertory Theater and New York Theater

Miranda Kau Giurleo, “The Band’s Visit,” The Huntington and SpeakEasy Stage Company of Boston

Sarita Fellows, “Joy & Pandemic,” The Huntington

Wilberth Gonzalez and Paloma Young, “Real Women Have Curves,” American Repertory

Outstanding Costume Design, Midsize or Small Theater

Cotton Talbot-Minkin, “The Spider & The Fly,” imaginary beasts

Danielle Tyler Mathews, “Angels in America,” Central Square Theater and Bedlam

House of Martino, “The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show,” Gold Dust Orphans

Rachel Padula-Shufelt, “Assassins,” Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Rebecca Glick, “Sweeney Todd,” Moonbox Productions

Outstanding Solo Performance

Annie Barbour, “We Had a Girl Before You,” Greater Boston Stage Company

Jay Eddy, “Driving in Circles,” Boston Playwrights’ Theatre

Outstanding New Script

Francisco Mendoza, “Machine Learning,” Central Square Theater and Teatro Chelsea

Hortense Gerardo, “Middleton Heights,” The Umbrella Stage Company

Lisa Loomer, “Real Women Have Curves,” American Repertory Theater

P. Carl, “Becoming a Man,” American Repertory Theater

Phaedra Michelle Scott, “Diaspora!,” New Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble

“Fat Ham,” The Huntington, in association with Alliance Theatre and Front Porch Arts Collective

“Real Women Have Curves,” American Repertory Theater

Outstanding Visiting Production

“Moby Dick,” a production by Plexus Polaire, presented by ArtsEmerson

Outstanding Visiting Musical

“Girl from the North Country,” presented by Broadway In Boston

Outstanding Visiting Performance in a Musical

Heidi Blickenstaff, “Jagged Little Pill,” presented by Broadway In Boston

Outstanding Visiting Solo Performance

“Alex Edelman: Just For Us,” presented by Emerson Colonial Theatre