The Vibe in Rome

Perché le scarpe marroni? (Why brown shoes?)

This is what we kept asking when we first arrived in Rome. Everywhere we looked we saw elegantly dressed Italian men with impeccable taste wearing brown shoes. Coming from New York, where every well-dressed male is wearing black, we were taken aback by what we saw.

We were also astounded to see beautiful palm trees dotted around the city. I had always thought of palm trees as being in sunny climes such as Los Angeles or Key West – not Rome.

The hotel where we stayed was near the Piazza di Spagna or Spanish Steps. We found ourselves climbing up and down this rough terrain many times. At the bottom of the steps a sign says, “The English poet, John Keats, died here.” And every day my husband, Peter, would mutter, “Of course he died. The steps killed him.”

The shops by our hotel on the Via Condotti were fabulous – and closed. Every time we passed it seemed that everything was locked up tight. I never did get their hours straight.

We visited in May and the weather was just right. But we were told that August is brutally hot. So how does one move from one spot to another without melting?

Rent a scooter? No, no and no. The traffic in Rome is terrifying and unless you have a death wish, don’t do this. We actually stood on a street corner one night for 10 minutes and watched the chaotic traffic in action.

Here are a few pointers for August in Rome:

• Dress lightly, but be careful what you wear. No shorts or tank tops. At St. Peter’s, the guards won’t let you in if you’re not dressed correctly.

• You’ll walk everywhere, often on cobblestone streets, so wear comfortable shoes. And remember, you can always beat the heat with a gelato.

MAY WE SUGGEST…

Our elegant black tops are perfect for trips to faraway lands. We offer a choice of a V-shaped and a scoop neck version that’s just right for travel. A great choice when the plane’s air conditioning is on high.

Or, dress up these tops with sparkly earrings and a simple gold chain for a pre-dinner drink at the top of the fabled Hotel Eden with its view of The Seven Hills of Rome.

- Shaun

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