Start your day on one of Rome’s premier design streets exploring art galleries and home good stores alike. You won't come away empty handed! A relaxing lunch and stop at the Gagosian gallery recharges you for an afternoon perusing the art and antique stores that line some of the most beautiful streets in Rome. End the day discussing your finds with locals over a glass of wine and charcuterie board. Your path along the way will take you through the heart of the city with the opportunity to admire architectural feats while enjoying (arguably) Rome’s best gelato.
Put your walking shoes on; grab an espresso (you will need the energy!) and head to Piazza del Popolo to start your day of art and design. Your first stop will be Via Margutta, one of Rome’s premier design streets. From Piazza del Popolo, head south on Via del Babuino. Via Margutta will be a short ways down on your left. Tucked behind Via del Babuino, Via Margutta was once home to artist studios, workshops and stables. Its garden-like atmosphere provides a nice departure from the hustle and bustle of surrounding streets. Don’t miss Flair, a home furnishings and decoration store, where immaculate vintage pieces mix with custom designs. Also on the must see list is Bottega del Marmoraro, the studio of master stonecarver Sandro Fiorentini. You will feel like you stepped back in time in this hole-in-the-wall studio. Commemorate you experience with a marble tablet engraved with any description you like. After exploring Via Margutta, head west on Via Vittoria to Via Mario De Fiori where you will find C.U.C.I.N.A awaiting you. Short for ‘come una cucina ispira nuovi appetiti’ (how a kitchen can inspire new appetites), it is stocked floor to ceiling with everything from the most delicate espresso cups to large cookware. Whether a chef or not, you are sure to find something unique to add to your kitchen collection back home. The best part – they ship internationally so you don’t have to worry about how to get your new pasta maker back on the airplane. From C.U.C.I.N.A head south on Via Mario De Fiori before taking a left on Via Condotti where Piazza di Spagna will greet you. Take a moment to sit on the steps and take in the beauty and history of Rome before ascending them to your next destination. At the top of the steps take a right onto Via Sistina before turning slightly right onto Via Gregoriana. About halfway down the road, tucked away from the tourist crowds WELL FOUND TRAVEL Rome City Guide - Art &Design is Indoroman, a treasure trove of Turkish, Indian and Persian inspired textiles. Quilts, throws, placemats and pillows are just a few things you will find in this beautifully curated store. If you aren’t hungry for lunch yet, head south on Via Gregoriana to Via Francesco Crispi. Take a right and head south to the Gagosian Gallery to take a break from shopping and instead explore the works of world-renowned modern and contemporary artists. If you have, however, built up an appetite, continue south on Via Franscesco to Via Del Tritone. Located at the fork of Vicolo del Gallinaccio and Via dei Maroniti just off of Via Del Tritone, Antica Trattoria Tritone boasts a beautiful terrace where you can relax and enjoy local favorites. No Italian meal would be complete without gelato. Once you have recharged and refueled head west on Via dei Maroniti to Via della Panetteria. Take a left and stop into San Crispino, arguably the best gelato in Rome. Seasonal favorites include fragola (strawberry) and limone (lemon). While enjoying your gelato stroll down Via del Lavatore to the Trevi Fountain. Don’t forget to throw a penny over your right shoulder for good luck and insurance that you will return to Rome again someday! Your next destination, Via Guilia, requires a little bit of navigational skills to get to, but it certainly won’t disappoint. One suggestion is to head south on Via Del Corso to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Take a right at Emanuele and head north to Via Arenula. Take a left on Arenula until you hit Lungotevere dei Vallati. Follow it north along the river until it forks into Via Guilia at the Ponte Sisto. Via Guilia, which runs parallel with the Tiber River is breath taking. Ivy-lined walls protect embassies and private residences, while art and antique shops are nestled in between. Spend the afternoon getting lost on the many side streets full of galleries. A few must see places are Sfera Otto and Alain. Both boast modern vintage furnishings and accessories, while Sfera Otto also incorporates pieces by current designers. For a dose of French-inspired design stop into Chez Dede pick-up a beautifully scented candle. As the sun starts to set and your arms become heavy with shopping bags, end your day with a glass of wine and a charcuterie board at Il Goccetto. Mingle with locals and discuss your favorite finds of the day at this quaint wine bar.