A travel diary by the Istanbul-based baker turned jeweler Esra Dandin.

Ciampini

Gelato with zabaione, my favorite! And don’t miss the tramezzini with artichokes.

Porta Portese

Found lovely linen tablecloths and fabrics.

140-year-old gelateria with a beautiful interior and a fridge full of semifreddos.

Lovely lunch spot, had amazing polpette-Italian meatballs.

I am a lover of good bar soaps and their silk pouches with pot pourri. Literally a fan of Santa Maria Novella, almost have all their products.

This is the best store in Rome. They have dream vintage soap bars and tons of amazing brushes.

This pastry shop specializes in Sicilian sweets. This is the mini cassata.

The beautiful room of birds.

Family-run biscuit bakery which opened in the 40s. Get the chocolate-covered rum biscuits.

Amazing ravioli with artichokes and a raw mushroom salad with celery and emmental.

The most elegant chocolateria.

Try the tagliolini with black truffle and fragoline di bosco with lemon sorbet.

The best maritozzi in Rome!

This family-run historic shop has high quality shirts, pajamas and knitwear. It was lovely meeting Shirley.

This Roman family restaurant has such a beautiful interior. Their specialty ricotta and chocolate fritters palle del nonno were amazing.