From Rome, With love
Rome, filled with its cobblestone streets, whispers tales of tranquil charm and ancient grandeur. The soft rustle of leaves in the shaded piazzas, the gentle murmur of fountains, and the warm glow of twilight casting a golden hue over ancient ruins create an atmosphere of serene elegance. On her recent travels, muse Marta Weronika Orlikowska documented her go-to places in and around Rome, all the while she showcased her personal favourites from our Pre-Fall collection.
Best areas for vintage shopping?
Porta Portese. It’s a huge Sunday flea market, where you can find everything from books, shoes, jewellery, hats and ceramics. The market itself is a treat for the eyes.
Favourite area to stay?
My partner is from Rome, so fortunately we never had to book anything for ourselves.
If I had to pick a district to stay in, I’d stay close to Trattoria Da Augusto – in Trastevere. Nearby there’s an old bar San Calisto, where you can grab a coffee or an aperitivo, and just behind the corner there’s Pasticceria Valzani, where you can have a cannoli filled with ricotta on the spot. Everything in one place!
If you had 48 hours in Rome what would your itinerary look like?
If I had only two days, I’d start my day with biscuits at an old bakery called Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti. I’d take them with me to the Roman Botanical Garden, which is in full bloom at this time of the year. Afterwards I’d grab a slice of marinara sauce pizza at Il Forno at Campo de Fiori and walk around the vegetable market that is right in front. If you’re in the mood for coffee – I’d go to Bar Farnese, where Angelo, the owner, will serve you a coffee himself and afterwards I’d walk to Piazza Navona to see Fontana del Nettuno.
For supper I’d book La Campana – one of the oldest restaurants in Rome. It’s elegant, simple, and in season the outside tables are placed right underneath a little church.
After lunch I’d recommend visiting Villa Medici – a Mannerist villa surrounded with stunning gardens.
For shopping I’d go to Profumeria Muzio – my favourite place offering some of the most beautiful brushes, combs and soaps I’ve ever seen.
And for the last supper – La Matriciana, placed in front of the opera house. It's been open since 1870 and still serves some of the best food in Rome. The service, the quality, the cutlery and the place itself is an experience. I’d recommend trying their specialties – Amatriciana and Saltimbocca alla Romana.
What does your Rome packing list look like?
I pack light, because I always assume I’m going to purchase a lot of soaps and beauty products at Santa Maria Novella and some vintage treasures at the market. In my luggage you’ll find cotton and linen skirts, comfortable mules, my favourite jewellery, my sweet Yashica T4 camera and most importantly – sunscreen.
Favourite restaurants and cafes from AM to PM?
Rome is definitely one of my favourite places to dine. After my whole life of Polish savoury breakfasts the discovery of cornetti and cappuccino was a bliss.
A bar that I always visit is Ciampini. It’s a beautiful place serving drinks, ice cream and small bites.
For lunch or for supper, my go-to is a tiny trattoria in Trastevere district called ‘Da Augusto’. The dishes are all typical Roman cuisine, and the food is delicious. I love their flower shaped lastrico tiles and woven chairs.
And for the most beautiful dining experience I always recommend ‘La Matriciana. It’s a restaurant placed right in front of the opera house, serving traditional Roman dishes since 1870. Their cutlery, their glass vitrines filled with poached pears and wild strawberries - it’s an ongoing affair.
