Absolute Must Buys In Florence?
 

What are some of your favorite souvenirs from Florence?

Well, I do know that leather goods like wallets are very popular. But be sure to get one that they have at least removed the "made in China" label from, since that's what the vast majority of them are.

I've been to Florence 3 times and have bought a ring each time from a jeweler on the Ponte Vecchio. They are wonderful reminders of that beautiful city. The jewelry store has good prices, every piece I have bought there would cost much more in the U.S. I think you'll find other posts about people who like this store.

The store is S. Vaggi.
http://www.vaggi.it/eng/main.html


I also pick up a piece of artwork, sometimes from a store and sometimes a street artist - just a print of whatever captures my trip for me.
Have fun!

HMMMM, Yarn = Yarn and more yarn from a shop right off Ponte Vecchio. A must if you like to knit.

As much as I can carry from Farmacia Santa Maria Novella...... and also a really fine Italian fountain pen.....every visit, a different Italian manufacturer and model.....

Leather goods: shoes, bags, wallets, gloves - all made in Italy.
I also love to buy ceramics and I usually buy a piece of artwork from every place I visit.

Leather goods, clothing, dried porcini mushrooms. I usually buy woven leather shoes..loafers or slides..in a shop at the south end of Ponte Vecchio that has good prices and great quality.

OMG, Florentine paper goods! They make the most beautiful stationery. The elaborate floral stuff with the gilt touches is really gorgeous. Gives your correspondence some real class. (Not that I generally do much hand-written correspondence, and not that any of it is classy...)

Leather bags, purses, shoes...Handmade papers...silk scarves...

ttt

I like the papers too, and paper-covered pencils (marbled paper design).

I absolutely adore fountain pens and quality paper and journals. Are these items affordable? Ie....can I get a nice fountain pen for under 15 euro?

Leather boots..make sure they are made in Florence and not China!

ilovetotravel,

The paper goods come in all price ranges..they are sold in many shops..the more expensive are found in Il Papiro...as for the pens, the quality ones are very expensive, but I would stop in several pen shops and look around...they are scattered throughout Florence...at the very least, they are BEAUTIFUL to look at and aspire to.....someday...

Lots of people will tell you to buy paper goods at Il Papiro, which is a small 'chain" of paper goods shops. But the paper goods shop I liked better, because it had a much more personal touch with the owner and paper-maker present in the shop, is Abacus, Via dei Ginori, 30r. (not far from Mercato Centrale) I bought a number of journals there, covered with hand-made paper and bound in leather. I shipped a large one home to a friend as a gift and it arrived with no problem.

I doubt if you can find a great fountain pen for 15 Euro.

I bought two bracelets at P. Giacomo Tozzi on Ponte Vecchio, they are beautiful and I love them. I also absolutely love the work at Evolutions of Gold too, but they are a bit pricy. Wonderful etruscan designs though.

I also bought a beautiful pair of shoes, handmade and they stand up so well compared to what you buy here at home. They are also very stylish and comfortable.

A few years ago I bought a couple of pocketbooks off the carts in the street markets, but note that they are nearly triple price now what they were then!

Fragrances, soaps and potpourri,

Pharmacia de Santa Maria Novella, on the via Della Scala near the train station in Florence.

Which markets/stores are best for leather goods in terms of quality and price?

The best quality was beyond my budget. I saw some beautiful things at the leather goods store/factory by Santa Croce.

However, I found a purse I loved elsewhere. It lasted me six years, shoulder style of sturdy, thick leather that was soft and with a nice glow to it. (If you read my stuff elsewhere you know I had young children during this time and although I keep food products out of my handbags, they take a lot of tugging and other abuse.)

I found a small shop on the way to the church with the Masaccio paintings, on a side street. I thought it was on the other side of the Arno from downtown, but perhaps I am forgetting.

I looked on the Biasia website and it's at Via Della Nuova Vignia 16. No idea what their prices are now, but mine was very reasonable.

Speaking of which I would love to get the zipper on this purse fixed. The leather is a little scratched , but would be great for traveling.

Valmar La Passamaneria, via Port Rossa 538 for fantastic fabrics, cushion covers, tablecloths etc. The only shop licensed to reproduce patterns from the Uffizi. www.valmar-florence.com