Italy Part 2: Everywhere We Ate and Shopped

Last week I shared our family’s 10-day itinerary through Rome, Tuscany, and Florence. This week is the part I’ve been most excited to share: where we ate and where I shopped, city by city.

A quick note before I begin. Italy, of course, has no shortage of beautiful storefronts and designer brands. You could spend an entire trip hopping between all the major fashion houses. But I found myself much more interested in the little family-owned shops tucked away on side streets, especially in Florence. People say it’s the kind of city with a little surprise around every corner, and I didn’t really believe that until we went and I saw it for myself.

But first, Rome.

We spent more of our time sightseeing in Rome than shopping, so this list leans heavily toward food.

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina was our most delicious dinner in the city, and we saved it for our last night. We ended up in the basement surrounded by wine racks, which meant I spent a good portion of the meal fearing for our lives that the kids would knock into one.

Ginori Caffè was connected to our hotel, so we landed there for lunch right when we arrived. The easiest possible first meal.

Forno Campo de’ Fiori is one of the oldest pizza shops in Rome, and it was my favorite. The pastries looked excellent, too, and all the wood inside was beautiful.

Pizza Florida is a favorite quick bite of pizza al taglio.

A few more places I’d send you:

Manufactus for beautiful paper and leather notebooks made in Italy.

Del Teatro for interesting gelato flavors.

Despite being a chain, Venchi is still a top favorite gelato stop.

We stayed at Castiglion del Bosco and mostly ate at the restaurants on property, which were exceptional. A few nights they would even send a chef to cook for us right in our villa (!), which felt like a dream come true.

Osteria La Canonica was a highlight, as well as the Rosewood’s Michelin restaurant Ristorante Campo del Drago.

If you make the drive into Montalcino like we did, leave yourself time to wander around a bit. Walk around the town, admire all the ceramics, and stuff a few into your suitcase. Every store I went into ships to the US.

This is where we did the most local shopping. We had a little more time to wander here, and I think that’s exactly why I loved it the way I did. Ducking inside any shop or restaurant that caught my eye.

The food first.

Vini e Vecchi Sapori was delicious with a real no-nonsense vibe.

Regina Bistecca is set in an old converted library and made for a really great last meal in the city.

La Giostra go for the pear ravioli, stay for the ambiance.

Gusta Pizza was a very long line to get in. So our crowd, not being a waiting crowd, ordered to go and ate on the sidewalk. It was SO good. Soft, supple crust, and the pesto burrata was our favorite.

For gelato, Vivoli always has a line, but it is so creamy and so worth it.

Now the shopping, which is really why I’m here.

Il Papiro for marble paper goods, such a charming little store.

Sbigoli for ceramics, where we took a class and absolutely loved it.

Aquaflor is a scent and home store. The perfumes are beautiful, but I enjoyed the home side the most. The whole store is gorgeous.

Santa Maria Novella is a beautiful building, and the scent experience inside is incredible.

And then Loretta Caponi, which I can’t stop thinking about. Cotton and silk with so much detail. I got some pajamas there that I am genuinely obsessed with. Like wear, wash, repeat.

For the pantry, Pegna is a specialty food store I’d happily get lost in.

And finally, not a storefront, but one of my favorite things about Florence was all the painters throughout the city. I came home with quite a few pieces.

I left Italy with a suitcase that barely closed and a few packages still making their way across the ocean. Part one was the itinerary of a lifetime. This part is what I’ll be pulling inspiration from and replaying in my mind for a long time.

• I’m home now but still dressing like I’m on an Italian vacation in bermudas and this top.

• The best cheek stick in shade Petal.

• This spa robe.

• Outdoor dining is also on my mind; love our melamine platters.

Love, Shea