We met Sophie Minchilli in 2019 thanks to social media. After scouting new tour locations in Puglia, she drove all the way to Calabria to meet us. Her gift? The most delicious burrata from Caseificio Dicecca in Altamura.
After an enormous lunch, courtesy of Lina, we took her to our olive groves. Lina still talks about the “ragazza from Rome.”
If you don’t know her, Sophie is the co-founder of Via Rosa Travel with her mother, Elizabeth. She also does small group day tours through her native Rome. After a lifetime of living in the eternal city, she has bought her own apartment. It’s the first space she has truly ever been able to 100% design, which is so exciting. And now it’s complete! Let’s go inside.
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Q: Sophie, I have to tell you something — I’m obsessed with heating and cooling systems. What kind of system did you install? And what are the popular methods for heating and cooling in Italy? Especially since humidity can be such an issue in older structures.
A: I chose a more ‘non-traditional’ way when it comes to air conditioning. Italians, in general, don’t love air conditioning, but they usually pick a normal conditioner unit that hangs on the wall. I decided to go with a central air system, which I feel like is a lot more rare to see in people’s apartments in Italy (I don’t think I’ve ever seen one, actually!). I didn’t have a particular reason for choosing that type, but I was very influenced by my dad’s (who is also my architect) vision of having a central air system.
Q: What is the one thing you bought for this apartment that you think about with genuine satisfaction?
A: The apartment isn’t 100% ready, so I am still a little confused with boxes and things lying around, but I am so satisfied with all the custom-made cabinetry in the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom that my dad had made by an artisan in Umbria. I have also been going a little crazy on the Vinted app and have been buying random little decorative items, which I have a feeling will make me very happy once I’m a little more settled in.
Q: A reader asked about pots and pans recently — specifically Lagostina. What brand did you go with, and are you satisfied?
A: I bought a small set of Lagostina, and have only cooked two meals with it, but am very satisfied! I also grabbed two pans from WMF, which is a German brand I discovered during this whole process, and was very curious to try it out. I am also very happy with those.
Note: Lagostina and WMF do not have a designated US website — they have resellers through other platforms.
Q: What was the first thing you cooked in the apartment?
A: So simple: a beef steak in my WMF pan and sautéed agretti in a Lagostina pot (agretti season has finally started!).
Q: Olive oil is obviously close to our hearts. What’s your favorite dish that puts our favorite cooking fat front and center?
A: It might sound boring, but I just love olive oil on simple bases like lettuce, white rice, pasta, and bread. I guess I prefer it drizzled over food ‘raw’, so I can taste it better. I cook with olive oil every day, so of course I also love it in my recipes, but I can’t think of one specific recipe where olive oil is the protagonist (does Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino count as a recipe? I make that a lot).
Note: Yes, pasta aglio e olio counts, and our recipe is here.
Q: Where are you going for coffee in the morning, and where are you eating when you don’t want to think about it?
A: I’m trying to find my new favourite local spot near the new apartment, but I have a feeling it will be Dolci Desideri — they have such delicious coffee, pastries, and tiny tramezzini which I can’t resist. For food, I immediately thought of Matriciana dal 1870, which is where my family and I go for Sunday lunch. No questions asked, we automatically reserve there and love it each time.
Q: How are you moving your furniture and other things in such a busy city like Rome? It sounds stressful!
A: I decided I didn’t want to move everything in one day, so I slowly brought a few suitcases and boxes each day with my little Mini Cooper. The drive is about 20 minutes, so it's not too bad. My new building has an elevator, which is a nice change from not having one for all my life.
Q: Is there anything you did during the remodel that you don’t believe was worth the splurge?
A: I might not be the right person to ask this question since I got very lucky. Since my dad is an architect and has been working with the construction company for many years, they gave me a huge discount!
Sabre for cutlery. Espressoh for makeup. Dalfilo for sheets and towels. Diptyque for scented candles. Mancini and Faella for pasta. And EXAU for olive oil, of course!
Just one word: Patience. It will seem impossible, it will probably take 3 times more than you had planned, but it will be done! Just be super patient with zero expectations.
Sophie is co-founder of Via Rosa Travel with her mother, Elizabeth Minchilli, and also runs day tours throughout Rome, sharing the city the way only a local can.
Follow Sophie on Instagram, Via Rosa on Substack, and visit viarosaitaly.com.
A presto,
-Giuseppe & Skyler
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