alan

What would be a nice gift for my wife and myself to bring home from Italy? I'm budgeting $250 but go a tad higher.

jj

What about a nice scarf (for your wife), a tie (for you), leather wallets or belts?

x

Wait till you get there and see what strikes your fancy.

Rachel

I regret not bringing back more wine and dried porcini mushrooms.

Sandra

I love the hand-painted pottery from Deruta and Gubbio. You should be able to buy it for half of what it would cost in the U.S.

aj

I second the silk scarf. I love the ones that I have and can't wait to go back for more! Also, a cameo would be nice or some Italian gold jewelry. Leather gloves,a wonderful Italian wool sweater for male or female.

Ryan

If you are going to Florence, there is a great outdoor market just a few blocks from the Doumo. Florence is known for a quality of their leather goods and you can get a nice wallet, jacket, etc. <BR><BR>

Alice Twain

Ryan:<BR><BR>Most of the stuff sold by that market is just the regur stuff that is produced in sweatshops by chinese underpaid workers in Prato and that is sold in any market in Italy. This does not mean that the article is a picece of crap, it only mens that you can usually bu the sme stuff for a lower price somewhere else.

rob

Wine, Wine and more wine-'97 vintage was one of the best ever in Tuscany-look for Brunello di Montalcino which is produced around Siena.

Michelle

It depends where in Italy you will be visiting. Ceramics are great, but have them shipped home. It is expensive, but worth not having to carry them around. Limoncello from Sorrento. Wine of course. Venetian glass, masks or art. Whatever you are into!!

deb

shoes, shoes and more shoes..........!

Marj

I also vote for the hand-painted pottery. It's lovely and great value. If you wife enjoys cooking, you can also find some unique kitchen accessories and utensils. These are inexpensive little gifts but they remind me of Italy everytime I use them in the kitchen.

Dottie

Kitchen accessories. Someone will remember the brand of gear that is stainless steel, beautifully designed, and very very functional. Not inexpensive, but much better than in the US.<BR>Especially recommend their lemon and orange squeezers, graters, or tableware for freshly grated cheese. Anyone who cooks would appreciate...<BR>

loveitalia

Dependent on where you are going in Italy. If in Venezia, go to the island of Murano and pick up a small hand-blown glass dolphin or fish for around 12-15euro. If in Tuscany or Liguria regions, bring home a small bottle or 2 of their famous pesto; if in Roma or Napoli, pick up a souvenir bottle or 2 of limoncello - made famous by its creation in Capri. And of course, the good old stand-by olive oil in a beautifully decorated bottle is always nice. Buon viaggio!

Luigi

Some people like to buy wine even if it is heavy. Other people like to buy Scotch because it is cheaper (as they don't mind the weight).<BR><BR>Gucci things are cheaper than in US cities.<BR><BR>You might also buy a news magazine for school. Just play innocent when the cover has a nude woman that has nothing to do with the news stories inside!

Carol

My favorites :<BR>from Rome: a rosary from the Vatican, bring it home take it to your custom framer who builds a shadow box, sews the rosary laid out w/your favorite pix of Rome or of you and your husband on your trip.<BR>from Florence: marble inlaid jewelrybox<BR>from Venice: handblown glass wine decanter set<BR>Anywhere: tourist &quot;teatowels&quot;-pretty, light, cheap. You bring them back, stretch them, frame them w/a fabric liner and frame. I've got mine on my kitchen wall along with matching local pottery (oil and vinegar, canister set etc.)

Kay

The ceramic wine stoppers are great to bring home and you can easily stick them in your luggage. Also, the lovely<BR>leather boxes in Florence. Ties and scarfs and some of the beautiful stationary that is made in Italy.<BR>Don't forget to buy olive oil in the duty free shops at the airport when you are leaving.<BR>Have a great trip.<BR>Kay

Tim

Alan,<BR><BR>$250?<BR><BR>If you're in Venice -- and you love champagne -- have them box up a case of Brut Prosecco and send it home (the local one with the orange label.) Should be about $50 for twelve.<BR><BR>Spend the other two hundred on the missus at some overpriced Gondola-gazing trattoria...

Wendy

Depends where you're going, but in Rome there are excellent leather goods shops near the Spanish Steps, or you could take a trip to the Castelli Romani, the hilltowns outside Rome which are famous for their wineries. If you're visiting the Amalfi Coast, I'd buy: hand painted bottles of limoncello; ceramics from a little town called Vietri Sur Mare; packages of handmade pastas which were plentiful in the little grocery stores we visited in Positano; olive oil and flavored vinegars. In Venice, you could take a half-day trip to the showrooms of Murano, but just be forewarned that you'll be met on arrival by a salesman. Italy is also known for its heirloom lace tablecloths which can be found in Florence. Have a wonderful time!

Sarah

Limoncello from southern Italy, especially Sorrento; ceramics from Vietri Sul Mare; pasta from any region (the best), leather goods, and wine, wine, wine.