The Princess Guide to Rome by Belinda Darcey

Many of the stories reference the great Renaissance and Baroque artists-Michelangelo, Raphael, Pietro da Cortona, Bernini, Borromini, Maderno, Sangallo, Della Porta-and the Roman families who were their patrons. This section helps you to understand the symbolism and significance of what you’re looking at, along with the drama and occasional intrigue involved. So often a foreign visitor cannot appreciate what’s right beneath her nose, and is left wondering what all the fuss is about. The second half is filled with the stories behind the works of art.

a list of recommended private walking tour guides.

how to order a coffee in Rome like a local.

where to find custom-made shoes, leather jackets, wallets, etc.

private tours by Vespa, à la Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

the prettiest rooftop terrace bars and restaurants with a view of Rome.

antique shopping and specialty artisan shops for unique made-in-Italy souvenirs.

small classes in authentic Italian cooking and wine tasting in the Rome, Lazio region.

modern and vintage Italian fashion boutiques.

favorite cafés for people-watching and lingering over a cappuccino.

the loveliest Renaissance-style parks and gardens.

a tour of Bernini’s Baroque fountains of Rome, including the Trevi Fountain, the Triton, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

an extensive guide to the most magnificent Renaissance palaces and villas.recommendations on where to stay, including the pros and cons of each neighbourhood in Rome.

The first half is all the practical advice that a woman needs to plan a dream vacation to the Eternal City: Written in a deliciously irreverent tone, The Princess Guide To Rome (2014) covers all the fabulous stuff that’s so often missing from other travel guide books on Rome and Italy. Packed with truly helpful information and well-researched background stories on the art that fills every corner of Rome, this travel guide is a trip in itself.

The Princess Guide to Rome by Belinda Darcey