In the heart of Rome, just south of Piazza Navona, lies a charming little square—the vibrant open-air fruit and vegetable market, a daily spectacle of freshness and seasonality. The square's name, "Campo de' Fiori," pays homage to its historical origins as a meadow, literally a field of flowers.

Dominating the square's center stands a severe statue of the philosopher Giordano Bruno, his visage cloaked in a hood and cape. It was on this very spot that he was burned at the stake by the Inquisition for his heretical ideas, primarily that the stars are all distant Suns with their own planets zooming around them.

Following the unification of Italy in 1889, his statue was defiantly erected, facing the Vatican—a silent testament to intellectual courage.

During my stays, I like to get fruit at Campo de’Fiori to have in my hotel room later.

There are some great places to eat in and around Campo de’ Fiori too, however my rule of thumb: should a restaurant flaunt a "barker" outside, brandishing menus in English, I seek an alternative. This principle, universal in any city, holds true here, where a few such establishments can be found (as can be in Piazza Navona and the Pantheon). Instead, I venture a street or two away, discovering unassuming gems.

Within the square lies Forno, a delightful bakery chock full of savory and sweet delights. A mere hundred yards away, nestled in the nearby Piazza Farnese, is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Rome — Ar Galletto. 100 yards in the other direction is the wonderful Il Fornaio (unrelated to the American restaurant chain) which is a dreamy little bakery with some of the best cookies and cannoli in all of Rome.