+++ Poll: Italian Souvenirs. +++
Nov 29th, 2005, 06:54 AM
#22
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A beautiful leather Carnivale half-mask from Venice about 10 yrs ago. The shop in Dorsoduro where I bought it (Ca' Macana) at that time was relatively unknown--and I found it quite by accident--so that made it even more special. Now the shop is more "famous."
Nov 29th, 2005, 06:56 AM
#23
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The pottery was sooo tempting, but didn't see anything I couldn't live without..but since we are older and haven't anymore room we bought t-shirts everywhere we went.. WHY!! Because we are going to make a memory quilt of every place we went on our 15 day trip..lol..From Orvieto we bought an embroidered t-shirt of the Cathederal..Since we will have somebody cutting the up I realized we could buy chldren's sizes too.. We didnt get to Rome,b ut Tuscany and I did see some beautiful Murano glass but I already have glass hearts..lol But the pottery is absolutely gorgeous... especialy the ones with the sunflowers.
Nov 29th, 2005, 07:09 AM
#24
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I agree with everyone here. I've bought pottery and have a beautiful plate in Siena hanging on our wall that is a constant reminder of our trip. We also bought the alphabet tiles used for addresses that you see in pottery shops. My husband mounted them on a piece of plywood and put hangers on it and it hangs in our dining room. (It looks better than it sounds, trust me!) 
I second Il Papiro-I got some beautiful postcards of places in Florence and just recently in Venice and have them framed as well. Can you tell our house is pretty much decorated from our trips-it makes me happy to see reminders of our travels everywhere I turn!
I second Il Papiro-I got some beautiful postcards of places in Florence and just recently in Venice and have them framed as well. Can you tell our house is pretty much decorated from our trips-it makes me happy to see reminders of our travels everywhere I turn!
Nov 29th, 2005, 01:21 PM
#25
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We were in Rome a couple of years ago and my daughter wanted something she had seen once. Not even on e-bay. Outside of the vatican we found it for her and she loves it. It's a snow globe with a picture of Pope John Paul II in it.
Nov 29th, 2005, 01:36 PM
#26
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We were in italy when the Poppies were in full bloom and loved them so when we went to Siena and found a beautiful watercolor Poppy painting we had to buy it--for only 58E. I did not care for the San Lorenzo market so no temptations there for me. We bought pottery in Assisi, pesto and olive oil in San Gim, beautiful stationary and paper in Florence and also bath products at Santa Maria novella there, Pinocchio items in Rome and Greve, wine in Piensa and other places, and Limoncello in Montorosso. I am ready to go back and shop some more!
Nov 29th, 2005, 02:52 PM
#27
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I always find a stationary store and buy a fun notebook to use as a travel journal of the trip.
In Bologna I bought a set of espresso spoons at a tiny, dusty old housewares shop. The little old owner spoke no English and we spoke tourist Italian, but it was a great experience!
In Bologna I bought a set of espresso spoons at a tiny, dusty old housewares shop. The little old owner spoke no English and we spoke tourist Italian, but it was a great experience!
Nov 29th, 2005, 04:09 PM
#28
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In Venice I bought a very pretty pill box and a watercolor on the street from a local artist. In Florence we bought silk ties (for a pittance), and lapis earrings. In Rome I bought little hand clay lamps and path markers at the catacombs. My son went to the the market in Florence and bought a wallet with his money he had saved. It was so cheap he wanted to buy two and we talked him out of it--who needs 2 wallets. The first day we got home the dog ate it! My poor boy, he was so sad.
Nov 30th, 2005, 06:53 AM
#29
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We bought some beautiful platters in Florence that I had strung and are hanging in my kitchen. Also, anywhere we go in vacation I always look for something cat oriented, so I have a lovely bronze statue from Florence and a jade one from Rome. Just love to rub them sometimes and remember.
LisaS
LisaS
Nov 30th, 2005, 09:01 AM
#30
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Lisa...there is a shop in Venice....everything is CATS!!
You may want to check it out!!
My favorite Italian souvenirs?
My black leather bound journal with an illustration by Rossario Morra on the first page.....from Scriba a terrific little gallery in Venezia.
AND every year I buy reading and sunglasses from another Venetian shop....Ottica. They carry a terrific and interesting selection of glasses that I can't resist. (glasses usually ready in a couple of hours)
You may want to check it out!!
My favorite Italian souvenirs?
My black leather bound journal with an illustration by Rossario Morra on the first page.....from Scriba a terrific little gallery in Venezia.
AND every year I buy reading and sunglasses from another Venetian shop....Ottica. They carry a terrific and interesting selection of glasses that I can't resist. (glasses usually ready in a couple of hours)
Nov 30th, 2005, 09:11 AM
#31
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THE CAT SHOP IN VENICE is located in Campo dei Meloni....directions:
from Campo San Polo go in the direction of Rialto the first little square you meet is Campo dei Meloni...the shop is on your left!!
from Campo San Polo go in the direction of Rialto the first little square you meet is Campo dei Meloni...the shop is on your left!!
Nov 30th, 2005, 09:39 AM
#32
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I always buy kitchen tools, different things I can use at home and remember by trip. In Italy it was a silver plated pasta server, kind of like a big spoon or spatula, but with "fingers" to scoop up pasta from a bowl. Not more than $10 and easy to bring home as gifts for others too. Enjoy your trip!
Nov 30th, 2005, 09:44 AM
#33
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I bought beautiful leather luggage and a matching knapsack in Florence in the San Lorenzo market. And I do love the pashminas that are so reasonably priced...but the thing I love most from Italy is a tacky statue of David that stands about 15" tall and sits on my mantle. It reminds me every day of all of the beautiful things to see in Italy.
Nov 30th, 2005, 10:01 AM
#34
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I don't mean to take anything away from your pleasure, but the scarves sold in outdoor markets in Italy, or anywhere else in Europe for that matter, are NOT pashminas. Many are wool, however (many are not) and they may be good value, depending on where you are from. But please, do not think you are actually buying pashmina for those prices!
Dec 1st, 2005, 04:04 AM
#38
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ekscrunchy....Well, obviously they are not real pashminas at that price. You'd have to be an idiot to think they were. But hey, thanks for pointing it out. I was just using the word for lack of a better one.
Dec 1st, 2005, 05:17 AM
#40
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My souvenirs are of the culinary kind; an entire Parma or San Daniele ham, some kilos of raviolis stuffed in different ways, a reasonable piece of Parmigiano, a box of tomatoes and peperonis, a selection of antipasti, a bottle of grappa and some bottles of wine...
These things are necessary to leave the country without a mental collapse and give me the impression that the holiday goes on when I'm back home.
Whenever one of these goodies is finished, a tear is shed and we swear to return as soon as possible.
As Italy is only some 2-hours away by car, life isn't that harsh.
These things are necessary to leave the country without a mental collapse and give me the impression that the holiday goes on when I'm back home.
Whenever one of these goodies is finished, a tear is shed and we swear to return as soon as possible.
As Italy is only some 2-hours away by car, life isn't that harsh.
