Packed with truly helpful information and well-researched background stories on the art that fills every corner of Rome, this travel guide is a trip in itself. Written in a deliciously irreverent tone, The Princess Guide To Rome (2014) covers all the fabulous stuff that’s so often missing from other travel guide books on Rome and Italy.

The first half is all the practical advice that a woman needs to plan a dream vacation to the Eternal City:

• recommendations on where to stay, including the pros and cons of each neighbourhood in Rome
• an extensive guide to the most magnificent Renaissance palaces and villas
• a tour of Bernini’s Baroque fountains of Rome, including the Trevi Fountain, the Triton, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers
• the loveliest Renaissance-style parks and gardens
• the best art museums
• favorite cafés for people-watching and lingering over a cappuccino
• modern and vintage Italian fashion boutiques
• the best espresso and gelato stops
• small classes in authentic Italian cooking and wine tasting in the Rome, Lazio region
• gourmet food shops for picnic supplies
• day spas and salons
• antique shopping and specialty artisan shops for unique made-in-Italy souvenirs
• the prettiest rooftop terrace bars and restaurants with a view of Rome
• exploring Rome by night
• private tours by Vespa, à la Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

• where to find custom-made shoes, leather jackets, wallets, etc
• how to get the most out of your budget
• how to keep your bag safe
• how to order a coffee in Rome like a local
• a list of recommended private walking tour guides

The second half is filled with the stories behind the works of art. So often a foreign visitor cannot appreciate what’s right beneath her nose, and is left wondering what all the fuss is about. This section helps you to understand the symbolism and significance of what you’re looking at, along with the drama and occasional intrigue involved.

Many of the stories reference the great Renaissance and Baroque artists—Michelangelo, Raphael, Pietro da Cortona, Bernini, Borromini, Maderno, Sangallo, Della Porta—and the Roman families who were their patrons.

You get :

• the inside scoop on the principal families that built the city during the Renaissance and Baroque
• brief bios and backstories of their most famous (and infamous) members
• a review of their Roman properties
• a handy guide to each family’s coat of arms to help you identify their churches, fountains and palazzos as you stroll around the city
• Recommended Extras: lists of the best Music, Movies, Apps, and Books on Rome to feed your dream before your trip, and sustain you when you come home

Written for the modern independent woman traveler who secretly harbours a princess fantasy (or two), with a special section for those on a shoestring budget, this book will save you time, money, and many headaches. Sure to motivate you (or a friend) to pack your bags and head straight to Italy.

The Princess Guide To Rome (2014) focuses on the beauty of Rome’s Renaissance and Baroque palaces, art, fountains and gardens, versus the ruins of Ancient Rome and the Vatican, which are amply covered by free online sources and general guidebooks such as the Rick Steves’ Rome and Italy series, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, etc.

Whether this is your first visit to the Eternal City, or you’re a confirmed Roma-holic, you are sure to find something new (or very old) to delight your senses.

“Solid logistical advice to minimize stress and delays, plus juicy stories about what you’re seeing to make the experience much more meaningful.”