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Shopping Overview

For centuries Siena has been synonymous with distinctive ceramics and fine embroidery. Siena is also famous for its delectable variety of cakes and cookies made with recipes dating from medieval times. Some Sienese sweets are cavallucci (sweet spice biscuits), panforte (a traditional Christmas fruitcake with honey, hazelnuts, almonds, and spices), ricciarelli (almond-paste cookies), and castagnaccio (a baked Tuscan treat made in the fall and winter from a batter of chestnut flour, topped with pine nuts and rosemary).

Lucca's olive oil, available in food shops all over the city, is exported throughout the world. Look for extra-virgin oil whose labels clearly indicate that it is entirely from Italy or, better yet, the product of a local fattoria, or farm. Olio nuovo, or new oil, is available from November, when the olive-picking season begins, until about February. This new oil is full-bodied and peppery -- great for drizzling on soup, pasta, and bread -- and it's nearly impossible to find in North America.

Prato continues its centuries-old tradition of selling fine textiles crafted into fine clothing. Prato is also known for biscotti. Volterra has a number of shops that sell boxes, jewelry, and other objects made of alabaster. Gold production in Arezzo is on an industrial scale, and there are plenty of shops selling jewelry in fine Italian designs.

As you drive around the Empoli and Vinci area of Tuscany, you see signs advertising vendita diretta (direct sales) at the small local factories that work in leather and furs. Not all are set up for sales or have high-quality goods, and the stock is extremely limited.