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!