[Photo from turismoroma.it]

Without a shadow of doubt chic shopping in Rome is traditionally done in the Tridente neighbourhood, where the three famed streets of Via Condotti, Via Borgognona, Via Frattina and indeed the whole area around Piazza di Spagna are literally studded with famous jewellers’ and the top international and Italian fashion designer shop windows.

Although Rome may come second to Milan in high fashion, Valentino celebrated his 45th year in business by putting his haute couture collection on show here and Fendi opened his brand’s flagship store in the 7 storey Neoclassical Palazzo Fendi. The theme running through every street in the vicinity of Via Condotti and Piazza di Spagna is therefore “alta moda”. All the important brands are to be found and if you are unable to afford anything, window shopping becomes an art form here.

If you want to save then the nearby Via del Corso and “Alberto Sorid” Gallery may be what you are looking for, while the shops in Via dei Giubbonari near Camp de’ Fiori are somewhat less expensive than those around Piazza di Spagna. Your shopping experience can also spill over into Prati/San Pietro (Via Cola di Rienzo, Via Ottaviano) and also into the district of San Giovanni (Via Appia Nuova), where the purchases are more often made in international chain stores rather than in small shops.