april04

We wrap up our short trip in Italy in Florence for 1 day/night before flying out of Pisa. I imagine, this is where we will do most of our souvenier shopping. Suggestions? I've heard so much about the shops on the Pointe Vecchio. Should we expect to use Euros, or will they accept credit cards, etc.?

mamc

I would stay away from the Ponte Vecchio. They will accept credit cards but the prices are high. It is lots of fun to look.
If you like ceramics, we visited two shops last October that we simply loved. They were each operated by a woman artist who painted all of the items. We bought wine corks, small plates and other items to give as gifts. Both were imaginative and lovely. They were: Arte Creta at Via del Proconsolo, 63r, about half way between the Bargello and the Duomo. The artist is Elizabeth Di Costanzo. The other shop is MG Design, near Santa Croce, on the Via Ghibellina, 119r, not far from Vivoli. The artist is Maria Giovanna Cimino. We loved both shops as the ceramics were unique and beautiful.

Eloise

Are you looking for anything in particular?

I would agree that on the Ponte Vecchio you will be paying a supplement for the address.

If you're into high-end designer things, Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna and that area are the place to go.

If you want to bring home special Italian foodstuffs (but be careful of what is and is not allowed in...), go to the Mercato Centrale.

LCBoniti

topping for me

ekscrunchy

Ponte Vecchio is almost all jewelry stores selling gold items. There is a great leather shop at the far (south/Pitti) end of the bridge; the women who run it are lovely, speak English and sell excellent shoes including great woven loafers and slides for excellent, but not cheap, prices. Designer shops are mostly around Via della Vigna Nuova, Via Tournabuoni, Piazza della Republica. There is a long thread about beauty items at Farmacia Santa Maria Novella on this web site so you can read it after a search. The San Lorenzo (central) market is a joy; great to stock up on cheeses, dried porcini, olive oil, etc to take home. The stalls outside this market offer some real junk in my opinion, although many people love to shop there. If you want polyester "pashmina"scarves for 5 Euro you can find them here, along with lots of synthetic scarves, sweaters, and some cheap leather goods that are popular with some shoppers. Most places take Visa/MC but you may get a better price with cash. If you are looking for a specific kind of shopping, post it here and you will get more help.

Balenciaga

Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, 16n Via Scala. High-end beauty products. The smell of the pot-pourri will haunt you for the rest of your life. Genuflect, sweetie, before you enter.

Pineider, Piazza Signoria. Beautiful stationary and paper products. The Mrs. John L. Strong of Italy, sweetie.

Ferragamo, Via Tornabuoni. A leather gift from Ferragamo will earn you a friend for life. Expensive, but sales (saldis) in January and July.

Valmar of Florence, 53r Via Porta Rosa. Tassles and throw pillows for aristocrats. Is your name Agnelli?

cls2paris

I have made purchases from this store on the Ponte Vecchio:
http://www.vaggi.it/eng/main.html

I have been pleased with the price and quality. I've seen others mention it here also. It is also fun just to look in the windows, I've never seen so much gold and jewels in one place like that.

The markets are fun and you can pick up inexpensive (or not) items like pottery, leather, murano glass, pashima, etc. Check the quality - I don't think it is as good as the stores, but you get what you pay for. You can usually get a better price with cash. You can pick up oils and wine and the Mercado Centrale - lots of fun to just wander there. Check the museum stores. If you are interested in paper, like stationery, look for the il Papier (can't remember the exact spelling).

have fun! I can't wait to get back there!

ekscrunchy

Il Papiro has paper goods but there are other places with better prices for similar items. Pineider is the top-of-the-line..fabulous, as our resident expert has already stated. Let us know a little more about what you are looking for so we can offer more advice! Dino Bartolini, a kitchen goods store just north of the Duomo, has beautiful olive wood salad bowls on their second floor; I purchased one about 6 years ago and count it among my favorite Florentine purchases. Expensive but will last you a lifetime! Check out the small shops on the south side of the river for interesting things, as well as the more usual shopping streets radiating away from St Trinita Bridge. If you want designer goods, you will be in heaven here.