Rome

What made Ferragamo famous? Maybe the heels: Used in the right fashion they could serve as murder weapons. Or the double plateau: Not quite as deadly as the other high heels, but in combination with cobblestone pavement they are still dangerous. Or was it the price: For a whiff of nothing Ferragamo asks 300 Euro, the bags start at 900 Euro, providing enough room for Handy, Make Up and credit line. Whatever Ferragamo got right, today shoe fetishists from all over the world storm into the flagship store in Rome to buy once in their lifetime what the stars are wearing on the red carpet:  Eva Longoria was seen there, Kate Beckinsale wore sun glasses from Ferragamo, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Angelina Jolie joined their ranks and also wore Ferragamo, Ferragamo, Ferragamo. Thus prices don't come as a surprise. By the way, male feet are also served: The shop for men is only one door over and sells classics in leather.

A concept store should have a clear concept. The weTAD founders knew from the beginning that they wanted to open a flower shop. Still, you have to put them into something and so they also started to sell vases. And once there is such a nice smell, why not sell a few beautifully scented cosmetics along with it? O.k. And a hairdresser would also go well with the cosmetics. Wearing artistic creations on your head, why not put some on the wall, too? Oh, you look tired, how about an espresso in our café? Or just lay down for a bit on our sofas here, which, by the way, are also for sale. This is how it probably happened, because today the weTAD Concept Store sells just about anything: Flowers, modern art, furniture, coffee and night lotions. And, of course, fashion, preferably from Vivienne Westwood and Alexander Wang. Never seen anything like that? Then it's time to take a look into the weTAD Concept Store, which has everything except for a concept.

Rome is ancient, but the brands of its stylish shops are always the latest. You will find the In stuff in the Nuyorica, which is Latin American for New York. Inside you will find everything that's hot, from Japan to New York. Of course, it's changing by the second, but currently it's Atsuro Tayama, Maria Chen, Balenciaga, Erotokritos, Nina Hohendorf or Girbaud. In the middle there is a surprising collection of classics: Marc Jacobs is the top dog, and Chloe shoes go well with the trendy garments. Some gossip to go: Cameron Diaz is rumoured to have been here! Around the corner there is a separate shop for bags: The Nuyorica Roots in the Via del Pellegrino 15.

The early 20s of the past century; the site is a confectionary in Rome. Alessandro creates cakes, pies and pastry and provides treats for the whole neighbourhood. 90 years later the store still exists. The great grandfather does not, that's why his offspring is now baking in his stead: Annalisa and her two borthers. The antique tables for their venue are taken from family belongings, the former Industria Dolciaria with benches covered with linen has made it into the present. Alongside of the treats you sip coffee or one of Annalisa's 120 tea flavours. These haven been brought from China, in addition to a lot of insider knowledge. Art is also near and dear to the siblings. Artworks by various Italian artists are exhibited on their premises on a regular basis. In their connected bar they serve wine and are pleased with their successful family business.

The Antico Caffé della Pace is history: Guests have been making the pilgrimag to the calm square since the 19th century to sip on their espresso. It makes you feel like in a time warp: Pictures by G.B. Piranesi and G.B. Falda show the coffee house and its sourroundings as it looked in their days, and the many antiquities take you back in time.The café was then and still is the location of choice for poets, musicians, painters and everyone within their immediate orbit. This is where comedy is written, fashion trends evolve on the sketch paper, and ideas for poems and pictures are born.The guest list reads like the who's-who of the Roman and international art scene: The Dutch Thorwaldsen was here, just as Scipione, Ungaretti or Monichelli. Hot Tipp: Take a notepad and pen for an autograph. And if there is no big shot in sight, maybe you will be kissed by the muse and make great art yourself.

Can you still remember the good old days? Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, period. Good kids could have them all, bad kids none at all. If you go the Gelateria della Palma today, you will be bowled over. With an estimated 150 ice cream flavours, you won't just be spoilt for choice but shocked and awed. And this is how it works: Go in, buy a coupon at the cash register, and then queue. It is almost impossible to decide on the flavours beforehand, considering that there are exotic options such as liquorice, passion fruit, chilli pepper or cherry chocolate.For tourists without advanced Italian the garnishing gives enough hints on what a flavour might be all about. There is soy ice cream for the lactose intolerant and sugar free for the calorie conscious, spoiling the choice even more. Since the cone for 150 flavours hasn't been invented just yet, you'll simply have to come back.

No juice bar, but a refreshing and fruity boutique hotel: The Orange Hotel wins you over with its original design and wonderful view. You guessed it? Yes, it's orange all over. Yet they didn't overdo it and mixed the strong colour with a subdued grey, resulting in a joyful impression. A clear concept, modern and stylish execution, the rooms are straightforward and not overloaded. The Deluxe Orange even offers free room service for an extra serving of vitamins; however, those who have enough of orange on grey should move over to red and take a wine on the amazing rooftop terrace. Along with the Chianti you get a free view of cupola of St. Peter's Basilica, which is less than a hallelujah away from the hotel. Big plus: It's a juicy deal, with doubles starting at 69,- Euro.

Classical modernism? Modern classic? Hard to know. The Rose Garden Palace Hotel is definitely old, which is demonstrated by the high ceilings, the stucco in the rooms and the marble columns, which were built for eternity as the old Romans did. The furnishing, however: W-Lan, SkyTV and a fitness centre, thus anything but staid. The flower garden is particularly beautiful, offering the scent of fresh espresso and Italian specialities next to that of roses. A welcome retreat, since the heart of Rome with its busy cafés, the Spanish Steps and baroque churches is right past the front door. By the way: While smokers are run into the streets in the north, non-smoking rooms are thin on the ground here. They are available, but almost a secret. Doubles starting at 300,- Euro per night.

The Hotel de Russie once hosted Pablo Picasso. Naturally, this drives up the price. Those who can still afford it should treat themselves to it. After all, you can do a lot without leaving the hotel. The spa is Italy's only luxury spa, offering exclusive beauty treatments, a Finnish sauna and a sea water whirlpool. There is an unpacking and packing service - doing the tiresome folding for you - a breakfast buffet room service, check-in inside the suite, and free usage of a Nokia mobile telephone. You see: You get what you pay for! Included is also access to the hotel butterfly oasis, which features all sorts of rare species, as well as the terraced garden in which you can dine as in paradise. Doubles starting at 680,- per night.

Once the Globe theatre was the centre of the action, today the Teatro Dell'Orologio is rocking the boat: This small theatre has left the mainstream and is as off-Broadway as you can be. Far beyond classical tragedy, the theatre is experimenting to such an extent that critics are left speechless. You might recognize the plays, but you will never have seen them like this: Ionesco, Genet, Becket and Maeterlinck are all rediscovered in strange ways. Shakespeare would be delighted and Brecht overjoyed: The Teatro dell'Orologia lacks the technical sophistication of the great stages, but its dedication to the art that makes this theatre so special. Valentino Orfeo is the artistic director, but other directors also play their parts. To be there or not to be? Poor Yorick would have had no doubt!

Who's better, the Swedes or the Italians? Last year most would have said that it depends on your tastes. The Italians have traditionally specialized in baroque knickknacks, lots of brocade and kitsch ribbons, while the Swedes swore by practical, striped and minimalist furniture. Now everything is different, because today everyone agrees: Back to the roots, charming and cosy furniture made of precious wood should help you live the easy life!   Europe is finally united. Each year more than a thousand visitors storm the Moa Casa.  Some are there to evaluate the trends and others to buy the newest in interior design. 200 exhibitors work their customers on 20,000 square meters. If you need a break from all the furniture, you don't need to walk very far: Next to the MOA Casa the MOA Gustibus offers tastes of traditional Italian specialties, and naturally for purchase, too.

It took ten years, various culture secretaries and 150 million euro to complete the eccentric building designed by star architect Zaha Hadid. She especially put emphasis on the interaction between glass, fair-faced concrete and metal. Once again it becomes obvious: it's not only art, but also architecture which is maximal here in the Flaminio quarter.   The 27.000 square metres of the area with its 20 metres high entrance hall forms an open, urban space and guides the visitors along curved walls and interwoven levels on unexpected paths through five galleries. In the well-lit museum (thanks to the glass roof) we find the two museums MAXXI art and MAXXI architecture. The house is devoted to preserve and conserve the cultural heritage by means of exhibitions, workshops, performances and (educational) projects. But more: it offers space for experimenting and exploring modern aesthetic contents.   Tickets for 11 euro (reductions possible).