I am going to look for new eyeglass frames while in Tuscany this year. Can you recommend particular stores where you have seen some great glasses? I'm guessing that Florence will be my best bet. Perhaps Siena. We could also go to Orvieto.

Hi Dog_Mother, Florence would have the greatest selection. You will find Italian frames to be generally very beautiful. Although there are lots of Italian frames in the US you will find a larger selection in Italy. Just pop into some places that you see and take a look at the merchandise. Ask the shop person if you can try them on. They usually do not want the customer to "help themselves". Have fun..that will be a good souvenir.

Same idea, different question:

Would it be worthwhile bringing an eyeglass prescription with to have the whole eyeglasses done there?

VS

Hi Viaggio, some years ago there was a thread here on Fodor's discussing this very subject. The consensus was that is better to buy the frames in Italy and bring them back to your hometown to have the lenses made. That way if there is any problem with the prescription you will be able to have the lenses corrected. That makes sense to me as twice in the last 5 years I have had lenses made incorrectly and had to have new lenses made.

Gratzie LoveItaly

VS :-"

Found that thread, too.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Actually, this is the thread (I hope):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34402593

VS :-"

Prego Viaggio!! Actually there was another thread because I remember there was a gentleman on the other thread who resided in Great Britain and he gave some wonderful advice and if memory serves me correctly he was an eye doctor. I don't remember all the details but I do remember that the strong suggestion was to have the lenses made in the US.

I have a very complicated prescription btw. If one has a simple prescription and if one is going to be in the area where they buy the frames I am positive it is just fine to have the lenses made in Italy. But with the strong Euro it might be less expensive to have them made in the US?

I have an eye appointment this coming Monday. I will ask the office what their thinking is and post here again.

Also, the large glass manufacturing company which is known worldwide and is listed on our stock exchange is located outside the beautiful little town of Agordo in the Dolomites. I had brought a new pair of prescription sunglasses to Italy. The frames was by Fendi. I was spending a few weeks in Agordo. The sunglasses needed adjusting and I took them in to the local optomotrist shop in Agordo. The gentleman spoke a little bit of English. He kept saying "oh you brought your glasses home where they belong!" I couldn't figure out what he was talking about, LOL. Than friends of mine explained about the factory outside of Agordo. I should know the name of it. Luxe.... something or other.