Wonders of Italy
The city of Rome is one of Italy’s main shopping and tourism centers. Travelers enjoy visiting its countless world-famous stores and boutiques, but some prefer purchasing handmade products from small workshops that reflect the local culture. One of the most popular areas of the Eternal City is the elite district known as the “Trident,” consisting of three streets that bring together renowned Italian and international boutiques. Those who want to save money head to the “Castel Romano” outlet village, where significant discounts are available throughout the year.
Expensive and luxurious
Via dei Condotti, Via Borgognona, and Via Frattina—forming the Trident district near the Spanish Steps—are among the most famous shopping areas in Rome. Renowned brands such as “Gucci,” “Prada,” “Fendi,” “Ermanno Scervino,” “Giorgio Armani,” “Dolce & Gabbana,” “Burberry,” “Chanel,” “Tiffany,” and “Bulgari” are located here. Almost all the streets near the Spanish Steps, including the famous Via del Babuino leading to Piazza del Popolo, are filled with shops and shopping centers. Even simply strolling through these streets, admiring beautifully designed shop windows, and enjoying a cup of coffee at one of Rome’s oldest cafés, “Antico Caffè Greco,” is a great idea. By the way, bringing coffee from Italy is also a good choice—products from well-known Italian brands like “Lavazza,” “Segafredo,” “Kimbo,” and “Illy” are often cheaper here than in other countries.
You can also find interesting shops at the Alberto Sordi Gallery—a shopping arcade in the center of Rome. Its façade opens onto Piazza Colonna from Via del Corso. A mix of high-end and mid-range stores such as “Guess,” “Pinko,” “Zara,” and H&M makes it especially appealing. The gallery also features the luxury Italian department store “La Rinascente.”
Finally, it is worth visiting the area around Campo de’ Fiori, where streets like Via dei Giubbonari and Via del Governo Vecchio are home to many small shops by Roman designers, better known among locals. Those who appreciate independent designers will also enjoy the boutiques on Via del Boschetto in the charming Monti district. This area is also a favorite destination for lovers of antique items.
Interestingly, leading Italian fashion and jewelry brands are not limited to boutiques—they also open hotels! This seems to be a uniquely Italian trend. Companies such as “Versace,” “Armani,” “Missoni,” “Moschino,” and “Bulgari” have their own hotels. The “Bulgari” hotel is located right in the Trident district, though we couldn’t stay there, as it is considered a symbol of local luxury.
Secrets of the Spanish Steps and “Bulgari” chocolate
Do you know what connects the famous Spanish Steps in Rome with the “Bulgari” brand? This magnificent staircase, built between 1721–1725 in the center of Italy’s capital, was long used by tourists as a place to relax. People gathered there, sat on the steps, and even had picnics. This caused inconvenience for locals and negatively affected the monument’s appearance. In 2014, one of Rome’s most famous architectural landmarks was closed for restoration, funded by the “Bulgari” jewelry house (around €1.5 million). In 2016, the renovated staircase reopened, but since then sitting on it has been prohibited and strictly monitored by authorities.
The “Bulgari Hotel,” opened in 2023, is located near these steps and surrounded by several other landmarks. Directly opposite the hotel stands the Mausoleum of Augustus, built in 28 BC. Around it are buildings constructed during the Mussolini era in the early 20th century, one of which houses the hotel. You don’t need to be a guest to see its interior—staff are happy to show visitors the rooms, restaurants, and even a unique chocolate and pastry boutique known only to a few.
The global “Bulgari” hotel collection began about 15 years ago with a hotel in Milan, but many eagerly awaited the opening of a hotel in Rome—the home city of this iconic jewelry brand. The company’s headquarters are also located in the Italian capital. The original “Bulgari” hotel concept is highly selective, focusing on exclusive and attractive locations. Finding and approving a site in Rome took considerable time. “Bulgari House” primarily remains a jewelry brand and does not aim to become a large hotel chain; its existing hotels can be compared to unique masterpieces of high jewelry.
The design of “Bulgari Hotel Roma” was entrusted to the Italian architectural firm “ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel,” whose architects softened the building’s strict aesthetics with rich textures and interior materials. Handcrafted mosaic medallions, custom fabrics, Murano glass inspired by “Bulgari” motifs, handmade lighting fixtures, original 1930s “Ginori” vases, and Venetian glass elements are just some of the unique details decorating the hotel.
Of course, fashion houses do not open hotels by chance—they use them to showcase their style and lifestyle. “Bulgari” has been a pioneer in the jewelry industry by creating exclusive hotels. Every detail reflects refined taste. For example, the “Bulgari Spa” recreates an ancient Roman atmosphere with marble columns above pools and soft warm lighting created by colored glass. Inspired by the famous Baths of Caracalla, this oasis of tranquility offers exclusive spa treatments by the German company “Augustinus Bader.”
Also noteworthy is the “Il Ristorante – Niko Romito,” located on the fifth floor overlooking the Mausoleum of Augustus. Niko Romito is a renowned Italian chef and a three-time “Michelin” star winner who collaborates with “Bulgari” hotels worldwide. The restaurant menu features traditional Italian cuisine reinterpreted in a modern style.
Additionally, the main historic “Bulgari” boutique, offering a full designer range of jewelry, watches, accessories, and perfumes, is located nearby on Via dei Condotti.
A destination for shopping lovers
As mentioned earlier, Rome offers a wide range of hotels suitable for every taste and budget. Based on our experience, we recommend choosing hotels from well-known international chains. Among them, there are also simple 2- or 3-star hotels that provide high-quality service. We had the chance to stay at one such hotel — “Mercure Roma Piazza Bologna” from the renowned “Accor” group. This 3-star hotel, which could easily be rated as a 4-star, exceeded our expectations.
Located just steps from the Bologna metro station, the hotel impressed us with its convenient location, cleanliness, pleasant interior, high-quality bedding, and bathroom amenities. The room featured not only a shower but also a bathtub, a kettle with complimentary tea and coffee, a coffee machine with capsules, and a minibar with free soft drinks. Such services are not always available even in 5-star hotels. For those who prefer to stay active, the fitness center on the first floor is open 24/7. Additionally, breakfast is served in a buffet format with a wide selection of local delicacies.
We will continue our shopping journey and head to an attractive destination for bargain lovers — “Castel Romano Designer Outlet Village.” Here, you can spend the entire day choosing items with discounts of up to 70%. The outlet features over 150 boutiques (“Michael Kors,” “Adidas,” “Burberry,” “Calvin Klein Jeans,” “Furla,” etc.), as well as cafés, restaurants, a children’s playground, and free parking. It takes about 30 minutes to reach from the city center (shuttle buses operate from Termini station). Another advantage is the nearby large shopping village “Castel Romano,” where mass-market brands like H&M, “New Yorker,” and OVS are represented.
When you get carried away with shopping, it’s important to think about baggage to avoid excess weight issues on your return flight. For our trip, we chose the Turkish low-cost airline “Pegasus Airlines,” which operates flights via Istanbul to many European cities. Its network includes 130 destinations in 49 countries, including cities in Italy. Baggage allowance on international flights depends on the selected package. The “Basic” package includes only hand luggage up to 8 kg (55×40×20 cm), suitable for light travelers who want to avoid extra fees. The “Essentials,” “Advantage,” and “Flex” packages include a suitcase up to 20 kg plus one cabin bag. It’s important to pay attention to baggage limits, as they are strictly controlled at check-in counters.
As with many low-cost airlines, meals are not included in the ticket price, but they can be purchased separately. The “Pegasus Cafe” service is available on board, offering a variety of meals (such as grilled meat, ravioli, sushi, and schnitzel) and budget-friendly options. You can get up to 20% discount on onboard purchases when paying by card. The same discount applies if you pre-order meals via the website or mobile app at least 24 hours before your flight. Notably, the “Pegasus” fleet is increasingly equipped with next-generation aircraft that are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.