After
a lazy summer of intermittent pub shifts and unexpected sunshine I was lucky
enough to run away to Italy with my boyfriend for three weeks. We started in
Venice and travelled around via Verona, Bologna, Florence and Siena before
finishing up in Rome. Fully aware that we were heading to some of Italy’s most
infamous tourist traps we did our best to stay in apartments and hostels a
little out of the city centres in the hope of getting a real sense of each
place. Hostel owners were more than happy to point us in the direction of their
favourite haunts, which most of the time were tucked away down the quieter side
streets and not to be found in the guidebooks.
Between
devouring mounds of pasta, sipping on Aperol Soda and wandering amongst the beautiful
architecture, I was also on the lookout for good vintage shops. Lots of places seemed
to specialise in designer pieces, which though often incredible were way out of
my price range. Although we stumbled upon a few gems, generally the Italians
don’t seem as clued in to vintage as the British, with prices often unjustifiably
high. I forced myself to walk away from a beautiful (but oh so pricey) houndstooth jacket in Florence
and was almost seduced by a vivid yellow jumpsuit in Siena. Decided in the end
both I, and the streets of Nottingham weren’t ready for that level of
flamboyancy just yet…
The best shop we found was a little place in
Rome called Pifebo near Via del Serpenti. The owner told us about their larger
sister store located “just past the Colosseum”. These directions were slightly
optimistic as we ended up walking off our map, but it was definitely worth it. So
if you have time (and the physical endurance), head out to Via del Valeri for
300 sq. m of vintage delights.
Venice:
Catch the Vaporetto over to Santa Croce and go up San Giorgio Maggiore clock
tower rather than St Mark’s. No queues and far superior views.
Verona: Try and catch an opera in the old arena, though make
sure to arm yourselves with cushions and a good bottle of vino.
Bologna: Join the locals in San Stefano Square for an early
evening tipple.
Florence: Soak up the evening vibes in Santo Spirito – the
most hip-happening piazza in Florence.
Siena: Visit Piazza del Campo but when you sit down, avoid
the chewing gum, especially when wearing favourite black shorts.
Rome: As long as, (unlike us), you don’t fall for the old
cliché and attempt to cover it in a day then you can’t go wrong.
