Off to Italy - what do you wish you had brought back home - but didn't?
 

We're going to Italy from the US and are interested in things(food products, souveniers, etc.) that you wish you'd had brought back - but didn't. Maybe you had brought them, but would really love more! We're always looking for terrific gifts for friends and collectibles and would like to know about some of the best from those of you who have been to Italy - specifically, Rome, Venice, and Florence. Thanks!

My husband and I were in Rome and Florence in March. We are still kicking ourselves for not bringing home more wine. We brought back the allowable 2 bottles, but wish we had brought at least a case and paid the duty. The wine we drink is a white, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, goes for about 14.00 a bottle here in NY in stores, double that or more in restaurants. It was $9 in restaurants, and $6 in a liquor store we found in Rome. We expected to be able to buy it at the airport, however, beware, there are no comprehensive liquor stores there. Oh well, my advice is if you see it and you like it, buy it!!!!!

For Venice - Lace and Venetian glass (go to the Murano factory) <BR>For Florence - Leather leather leather! ry their market it's a fabulous find! <BR>Rome - I agree on the wine theory and foods. There's also a liquor called Sireanuese. It's lemony and delicious and hard to find here. Shoes are also great for both men and women. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps and have a great trip!

Definitely a good, authentic Italian cookbook, perhaps one from each region I visited. And on the simple side, I wish I'd kept up with my journal keeping the last time I was there. My journal from my first trip to Europe was the best souvenir I brought home, and I regret not taking more time with the one I took on my last trip.

These are great ideas. I am leaving Saturday for Venice, Florence, and Rome, so I wanted this at the top to attract attention!! Are Venetian masks worth looking for? How expensive?

We brought back alot on our last trip - and would have loved to have brought back more from : <BR>Venice - Orecchini Veneziani - in San Polo just over the Rialto bridge by the open air market - lovely earrings that I brought back for family and friends and would've loved more!! <BR>Florence - leather goods, cameo jewelry, any foodstuffs from the wonderful Mercato Centrale (and it's great fun to eat lunch there standing up with the workmen from the town). 2 "don't miss" places are Passamaneria Toscana on Piazza San Lorenzo, 12r - a treasure trove of gorgeous interior design accessories, and the Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, Via della Scala, 16. This lovely place is an experience in itself, and their body care products are unmatched. I especially like the Idrasol moisturizing lotion. <BR>Have fun!

When we were in Italy, our time was very short, so we really didn't spend any time shopping. In Praiano, on the Amalfi Coast, I fell in love with Italian ceramics with a lemon design! The shop was closed and we had no time to return later. I have looked for similar ceramic dishes here and have been horrified at the price! Does anyone know what the hand painted ceramics cost in Italy? I still wonder if I missed my only chance. <BR>

<BR>Have to agree with Lori - if you see it and want it, buy it! We also couldn't believe the inexpensive wine in little trattorias we'd find compared to what we pay here. And I too wish I'd bought more pottery in Florence - but I didn't want to carry it, we still had Rome to go to and I thought I'd find more of what I liked later in trip, but didn't. Oh well, just have to back again!:)

I wish we had brought back more tassels and unusual fabrics and tapestries from Florence. I immediately used what I bought last year and wish I had some in reserve! <BR>I also cherish the mask I bought in Venice years ago. The prices in the summer are very high but what can you do?

Returned from two weeks in Italy in May and enjoyed my shopping. I wish I had bought more glassware from Venice, especially the round pendants (the ones I bought were the size of a quarter). They were L20,000 each (approx. $12.00). Should have bought more gold too! Bought the Italian pepper pendant and would have like to buy the Venice symbol, the Lion with book. Around the Amalfi coast, especially Vietri sul Mare, I wish I had picked up more ceramics! as Dayle says, the lemon designs were beautiful and I picked up only two pieces (blue background with bright lemons). Lemoncello is the specialty drink along the Amalfi coast and Naples. Pick up a bottle of that! It's a lemon liquor drink. Saw a bottle here in the U.S. (I was surprised) and it was very expensive. Ditto to the other two above that said, "IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!!!" Take 2 empty duffle bags to fill along with bubble wrap.

Thanks to all for your great ideas! Any suggestions for buying gold?

Shelly, shop around here at home to get an idea of prices. Remember that in Italy and other places in Europe they sell 18k gold. In Venice we bought a diamond anniversary band, 18k, for a very good price. Also remember that if you spend over a certain dollar amount (over L300,000 in Italy) in one location, you can get your VAT tax back. For Italy, that was 20%! So shop around for a store that has lots of variety if you plan to buy several pieces.

I just love these shopping conversations. I have <BR>traveled Europe a dozen times, mostly in Italy, <BR>and most of the time you can get better value at <BR>Pottery Barn on sale. If you want to shop, go to <BR>the outlets in North Jersey. If you want to enjoy <BR>Europe do not waste your time in shops--there is <BR>some culture, history, and fabulous scenery to <BR>be seen. The only good value is wine, and who wants <BR>to get tennis elbow from lugging back a load just <BR>to save $17.

I don't always agree with Bob the Navigator, however, this time I second his comments with enthusiasm!!!

Like Dayle above, I fell in love with the gorgeous ceramics. The shops around the Amalfi coast area and on Ischia were full of fabulous designs - ones we don't see here in Australia (and if we do at vastly inflated prices). My friend and I wished we had bought some of the huge ceramic planters and the mosaic table tops - we could have had them shipped home, but didn't. Also in Assisi I resisted a gorgeous bird motif plate. Next time I won't resist! <BR>

The POINT of bringing back things from a trip is to enjoy them and use them for the great memories of ones trip. Just for a savings of $17? Hell yes!

<BR>Bob and Al - my husband would agree with you but HE's the one who loved sharing the wine (and memories) we brought home a couple years ago from a Swiss friend's vineyard, with some local friends for New Years Eve. I also enjoy going into little out of the way stores in the less touristy areas or local neighborhoods to find fun things. I've found unusual things this way that I would never have elsewhere.

We just got back a few weeks ago from Rome, and I could kick myself for not buying more than one leather purse and one pair of shoes. The quality over there is superior to that found here in the U.S., & I have gotten more compliments from people (not knowing where I got these items!) on them. I also regret not buying the biggest bottle I have ever seen of Amaretto Di Saronno at Da Vinci airport. I believe it was around $12 to $15, unbelievable considering a much smaller bottle here costs around $50. We also brought back a case of Italian Frascati, a great & cheap white wine from the town of Frascati, right outside of Rome. The folks at customs back home never even glanced at it! Have fun..

Just want to thank you for your refreshing comment re. forget the shopping and enjoy the sights-my family and I are leaving for Austria, Slovenia and northern Italy in a week and all those shopping suggestions were making me nervous! I don't even like wine or lace or ceramics but I was starting to feel like I better stock up- You put things back in perspective!

Terry, I can't understand why the suggestions on shopping make you nervous. Shopping is a personal thing - you don't have to shop if you don't want to.... <BR>Don't just do something because "its the done thing" - do it because you want to. <BR>

Wow---do I see a trend developing here. It is that <BR>Mars and Venus thing. Of course we bring home some great wine and ceramics--I have been married for <BR>almost 40 years and am not totally stupid. However, <BR>to plan your whole itinerary around shopping for <BR>bargains is crazy. Why not skip Europe and just <BR>go to Hong Kong??

Geez! I went to Italy once, came back with 18 rolls of film, 1 small hand painted Easter egg for my Mom for Mother's day and a handful of glass Venician "candies" for my best friend who collects them. I bought NOTHING for myself. I didn't go to Europe to shop. I went for the history, architecture, scenery, culture, food, wine, adventure, experience......but I sure would have loved some of those lemon design dishes to use as a memory! <BR>

To clarify my comments: The things I buy are typical of that country, not what I can normally get in the U.S. I don't think the people on this site are going to Europe JUST to shop. And like Dayle, I love those lemon design ceramics from the Amalfi coast. These items bring back special memories. And what a treat for me to hear my guests ooh and aah when seeing them!

Gee - I had no idea I would be opening such a can of worms when I posted this topic. Thanks to all for wonderful suggestions! I'm really looking forward to my trip. I know that most of you who posted, understood the intent of the question. We really love to share authentic "trinkets" with family and friends, and also love to have wonderful items to enjoy once we arrive home. And by the way - to Bob the Navigator, you must be from the NY Metro area. I always know a good, sarcastic, fellow New Yorker when I read one!

I wish I had bought some carnival masks in Venice!

I couldn't resist this topic. I have been to Asia several times with my best friend to shop and just shop. What fun times we had, along with interesting experiences doing just that.....shopping. <BR>I thank Bob for all his help in the past on this web site.......but Bob, I am going to, like one of the other posters, buy somethig for a momento to last a lifetime, in the local shops. This means I get to meet the locals at base, not just the tourist shop keepers. Am looking forward to EVERYTHING, including a little shopping. Born to shop........Denise <BR>

Bob The Navigator - I bet you have not been to Hong Kong lately. We have and, except for items such as Chinese antiques, there are no bargains. For me, I purchase the best item that I can afford from locally produced goods. I am currently researching venitian glass since we are going to Italy. I want to buy what either is not available in the States or would be prohibitively expensive. For example, in Bejing, we purchase some fantastic cloisonne (sp?). The cloisonne we have seen in this country appears to be China 2nds.

To Bob the Navigator -- remember, the question originally posted was about shopping. If you're not interested in shopping, why bother to open the post? I've been to Venice twice -- in 1979 and 1997. Buying a Venetian mask became so important to me this last time because I regretted not buying one in 1979. As others have said, if you really like it, buy it. I always buy at least one item representative of the area as a memory. As I travel late in the year, I usually do some Christmas shopping too. In Venice I picked up some pretty glass stick pins -- the recipients of these Christmas presents were thrilled, especially since they were giftwrapped with "Venice" labels included. Between the pins and silk scarves, I did much of my Christmas shopping and they took very little room in my luggage.

Venetian glass by far has been one of the most beautiful, breathtaking, and breakable souvenirs we have chosen on our trips. The time consuming thing about shopping for this treasure is that there are many shops and since our mothers taught us to comparison shop, we actually could spend too much time in the stores! We buy small items, colorful, and have them wrapped, and take them with us. I always pack a long, heavy cardboard tube that fits right down into the bottom of the suitcase. It is the kind of tube that they give you in the frame up shops in the US when you buy a poster or print and they roll up the print into the tube for you to carry home. For European travel, it is perfect to serve as a protector to those small items. One word of caution: if you can carry it with you rather than ship, do it. Or carry some and ship some. That way you lessen your chance of breakage along the way. Hope you have a great trip. Spend freely, because you don't know when you'll be back. You can mail order from Cottura and get some nice items, but there is so much more to choose from when you are in the country itself.

Allow me to apologize for my husband Bob. You must <BR>understand he is suffering from " post-ceramic <BR>trauma syndrome", and not without good reason. My <BR>girlfriend and I have taken him into every <BR>ceramic shop in Tuscany,Amalfi,and even Portugal. <BR>He was tolerant and helpful until the infamous episode last Oct. I got him up before dawn to drive 2 hours over a windy road to a ceramic factory near Vicenza---only open to the public on Sat. We had been told that they would pack and ship for us. <BR>Well, we bought some fabulous goodies only to find they did pack but did NOT ship. We hauled that big box for a week before Bob and my friends husband <BR>finally agreed to mail it in San Gimignano--we were off in Florence buying leather this time--and you should hear the the story of the "Abbott& Costello routine they had to endure at the local Post Office---it took them 2 hours. Well, the box did arrive about Thanksgiving, and in good shape. <BR>However, poor Bob has had a nervous twitch ever <BR>since--the Doctor has prescribed a trip to the Greek Isles this year, but has nixed any ceramic <BR>shopping. By the way, by the time we paid the <BR>shipping, we did save about 10%, and we love the <BR>beautiful colored fruit and flowered vases. We are <BR>hopeful for his complete recovery. <BR>

My husband and I have travelled to over 122 countries and he has "suffered" through a little shopping in each one. Guess who enjoys using, sharing, and giving aways our buys the most? Of course, he does. I have found I NEVER regret what I buy, it is what I DON'T buy that bothers me. Had to go back to China to buy a Cloisenne Cane for my mother, I saw on a previos trip. I too will be in Italy in the fall, thanks for the great ideas.

To Susan the Navigator (does this mean Bob is now extinct).. Poor poor Bob........Susan, I am heading for Tuscany for a week in October (armed with a car and a boot (trunk to you Americans?) . Can you give me any clues to buying the best ceramics at the best prices. Anything else, like fabrics or locally made homewares. Sounds like you have had some great fun shopping and gained much experience even with Bob slowing you down. Have fun in Greece Bob....... <BR>Thanks Susan Denise down under. <BR>

FOR SUE THE NAVIGATOR - WIFE OF BOB - good luck in Greece - I can't wait to hear "your" version of this trip! YASOU!

To Susan the Navigator et al - thanks so much for the wonderful, entertaining responses. I look forward to sooo many more!

To all you shopping lovers, I love shopping and its always an important part of any vacation or heck any travel I do. I love collecting things even if I paid too much for them or if they did'nt finally look that good at home. I enjoy beautiful scenery, history, art and culture but am not ashamed to say that I feel each day on my vacation feels nicer if I bought an interesting thing that day. Call it materialistic or whatever, I love it. <BR>By the way, I live in HongKong and its probably one of the worst places in the world to shop,too expensive. (for us as Chinese artifacts are much too common and don't interest us). <BR>Deepa

Hello Denise, The best general locations for ceramic <BR>shopping, at the source, are 2 villages where many <BR>of the things you see in shops are actually made. <BR>The first is Deruta, just south of Perugia in Umbria. The other is Vietra sul Mare near Salerno <BR>on the Amalfi coast. You will find different styles <BR>of ceramics based on regional art. The best shop I <BR>have found is on the right side of the main road as <BR>you enter San Gimignano from the south--I don't know <BR>the name, and there are several good shops in the <BR>the Etruscan town of Volterra to buy alabaster. <BR>Good luck in your quest---we have traveled most of <BR>Italy on several trips in the past 10 years, and I <BR>always get my share of shopping done while Bob is busy taking fabulous photos. It seems to work. <BR>

Thank you Susan the Navigator. Keep up the good shopping. Thank you Bob for your imput into my upcoming trip - all gleamed from the net. <BR> <BR>Thanks Denise <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

What to bring home from Italy. <BR>Good memories, a adresbook full of new friends and a tan... What else to ask for in life???..*S* <BR>WASA

What to bring home??? Whatever isn't made in China (darned little, it seems) and your are pretty darned sure you can't find at home...at least not at the local price. Last, best, criteria: Do you LOVE it??? <BR> <BR>As for Sue and Bob -- who needs summer TV reruns? Thanks, guys!! <BR> <BR>

I regret not taking more pictures or getting more of the sights on the videocamera! I guess I was too busy enjoying the sights and forgot all about my camera! The photos I did take of the Italian countryside (and some cities) came out so beautiful. They are the best reminders of a wonderful trip!