Spanish Steps and Via Condotti - as good as I imagined.

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on the Spanish Steps in "Roman Holiday"

It really is as chic and romantic as you might expect. Our first walk to the Spanish Steps, then onto Via Condorti didn't disappoint. (Although no Audrey or Gregory!)It was Saturday and, just like in NY, families were out en masse - babies in strollers, fathers and daughters together, old people, young people. This really did remind me of New York. The only difference is that the streets were mostly free of cars- people were just meandering in the street - fare una passegiata - into and out of the beautiful Italian shops lining Via Condorti. It was a celebration of the best of Italian design. Valentino, Armani, Prada, Loro Piano, Alberta Ferretti, Gucci, Ferragamo. Rather sweet, really - it seemed that there was something proud about it.

In Prada, I saw the best men's ties. I want to get one for Lee before we leave -skinny - the Italian men wear them and they look great! But we will go back to shop. This was what we call a scouting day. Here are some scenes: