Via del Governo Vecchio

We ended our tour of the Vatican and crossed the river and headed back to the city center. Traveling east, we happened upon a most unusual shopping district.

The mile-long street, Via del Governo Vecchio, was packed with unique shops -- jewelry, clothing, leather goods, antiques, second hand stores, spices, tea, shoes, gelato, cafes, and more.

Little did I know at the time that the street is listed on Time.Com city guide’s top ten things to do in Rome (#4).

Many of the buildings on the street were still under renovation when we were there.

But this seems to be the place for the up and coming.

The feeling was charming and casual -- bargains with style.

The food smells wafting through the streets were so very appealing. It was too bad that we had just eaten. But there were so many options-- restaurants, cafes, pubs, wine bars, tea shops, pasta, and spice shops. There were crowds swarming the single gelato shop like the secret was out!

The store prices seemed more reasonable than other shopping in Rome and the quality and design still similar to designers you would find in finer shops.

Some fashion trends were quite modest and tasteful. Others I don’t think I could ever get used to.