Alright, here is a frivilous post for all you going to San G. while there, I picked up some alabaster fruit pieces that were all over the shops for about $4-5 per piece. I just saw them over the weekend at Marshall Fields here in Chicago and they were $45-75 a piece depending on what type of fruit!!!!! I wish I had picked up more!!!

When I was in San G I bought a brightly-colored ceramic spoon rest, for about the equivalent of $5. Everyone who sees it in my kitchen compliments me on it. I wish I'd bought 20 of them.

I got them in a distinctly touristy store on the right side of the main street of San G, as you are walking up from the entrance to town, before you get to the cisterna and the church.

Well, now's the time to start planning your next trip.

My wife loves to shop in San G., and she is one of the best. Those alabaster pieces were made in Volterra--that is the place to buy alabaster.

Looks like we're just going to have to go back now...We didn't have time for Volterra but all the more reason to go back to Tuscany...like I need another excuse!

Elaine,
Funny you should mention spoon rests.

We saw hand painted spoon rest throughout Tuscany. My wife kept saying she would buy them in the next town. One thing led to another and we didn't get the spoon rests. ( We got plenty of other ceramics and glass though)

Needdlessto say, she is still kicking herself. The spoon rests were only a few dollars in Tuscany but we have seen them in the States for as much as $75.

Yes Dick.
Same deal with Venetian glass.
Quality items have high prices in Venice, but ridiculous prices in the US.

I too bought much ceramics and now wish I got more. Here are two websites from places I bought from --www.anticasiena.com in Siena (obviously) and www.ceramichedarte.com in Ravello.

Elaine,

At least in Venice/Muarano we have no regrets. We bought what we liked. An you are right, the glass we bought there would be much costlier in a gallery in the US.