Hi, all. I was thinking about buying food as souvenirs for my friends and family and thought it might be better to have it shipped so that it won't be damaged in any way during my travels. I will be going to: <BR> <BR>Rome - read somewhere about chocolates made by monks <BR> <BR>Siena - maybe paneforte? <BR> <BR>Florence <BR> <BR>Any good souvenir suggestions and places in these areas that ship? I know it might take a while to get it.

Paneforte is pretty sturdy. I think your luggage would have to be hit by a train before it would be damaged! In Siena you can also buy delicious cookies called ricciarelli (or something close to that). They are divine!

Vita, in addition to wonderful chocolates, try dried porcini mushrooms, all sorts of condiments and artisan-made tomato sauces, truffle oil, balsamic vinegar, biscotti, dried sausages, cheeses. Paige is right, paneforte is pretty indestructible. I personally wouldn't bother shipping any of this stuff.

ciao vita <BR> <BR>the thing with shipping food is, that actually it's not allowed. you can try it send it with the post offices, but no one guarantee you, that it will arrive. i had a lot of clients they bought anyway some stuff and smuggeld it in the sates. the worst thing what can happen is, that costum take it away from you. nothing more. <BR> <BR>it allways was forbidden, since the mad cow desease problem they (should) controlle it more and i guess, that since the attack to nyc and pentagon, us costume are like drug dogs. but anyway you can try it. <BR> <BR>tanti saluti <BR> <BR>christina <BR> <BR>p.s. i am wrong or did fodor's cancelled your mail about american-arab in italy?

The only foods that are not allowed to be brought into the US are meats (that means no prosciutto crudo or cotto, salame, etc., fresh cheese (aged pecorino or parmigiano are okay) and fruits and veggies. Sweets are fine as are jarred or canned items. <BR>

Grazie, Christina. I think that anything I bring into the States will be either wine, sweets or canned food. I definitely don't want to irritate customs or airport security at this point. <BR> <BR>Yes, Fodors did cancel the thread. It was a shame since there was travel-related information in the thread. I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss concerns that people had about Arabs though.

ciao cristina <BR> <BR>unfortunately you are wrong. us customs doesn't allow no food which is not in cans. they took from my clients since now away: pecorino, cantuccini (no one knows why but they did), zafferano. it was in: jfk, and the airport in philadelphia. i guess, it depends very much at who you get when do the us custom. i had on the other hands people they took salami with them, 12 bottles of wine, pecorino and they took the risk that the salami and cheese would be taken away. the custom-guy just winked them through... <BR> <BR>tanti saluti <BR> <BR>christina

Hi everyone <BR> <BR>http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/travel.htm <BR> <BR>This site gives exact details of what is allowed/forbidden to be brought into the US. <BR>Always better to know the facts than listen to others. <BR>

Message: Christina <BR> <BR>There is nothing that bothers me more than someone in the tourism business who gives out bad information because they just assume they know the answer. If you would like to know what is okay and not okay to bring into the US from Italy and other countries then go to the website that was given by someone else and read up. <BR> <BR>A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!

Cristina & Helen same person????

I speak for myself and use my name and address. I don't not use aliases, anonymous messages or any other form of deception to make a point or answer a question. <BR>I wonder who YOU are and why you are trying to "muddy the waters"?

Now aren't we the funny one Just because we both told Christina she was wrong you want to believe that we are the same person. Well we aren't. I'm an American who lives in Siena. Helen is an Irish gal who lives in Perugia. Couldn't it be possible that 2 people, both expats living in Italy by the way, could disagree with someone who is giving out bad info? Isn't it possible that an American who has lived in Italy for 7 years and travels back and forth quite often would know a little bit more than miss "my clients said" Christina. <BR> <BR>Now why would someone who hides behind annonimity worry about who is who.

Actually, If everyone would read my original post, my question was if there were places that ship food and good souvenir suggestions, not what was legal to bring in.

Well Vita, <BR>another posting sidetracked by personal sniping.Too bad. <BR>Hope you get some more info that addresses your need. <BR>Have a great time on your travels, and definitely try out those chocolates! <BR>To some others; <BR>You know , there are ways to express a point without adding those tiny little <BR>unnecessary digs!

Vita, <BR> <BR>Many stores will ship for you. Mail Boxes Etc. has outlets in most major and medium cities so you might also be able to do that. If you speak Italian, why not just send it via the post. If you do it through the post, just make sure you get it return receipt. <BR> <BR>Do not use UPS whatever you do as they charge crazy rates (3 or 4 times what the post does). <BR> <BR>HTH

Nancy, <BR> <BR>Sorry you didn't like my post to Christina but I truly do not like being told I am wrong by someone who didn't even bother to check her facts first. She is in the tourism industry and should give correct information for people traveling or none at all.

ciao cristina a siena <BR> <BR>well, i don't have any problems with you being american. good for you. but first: why can't you say this normal and clearly on your first message, when you know exactly as it seems you travel a lot abroad. and why so agressiv, do we know eachother? did i step onto your brain somewhere or is it just your attitude to be like that? if it's the last, i feel so sorry for you. and by the way: mailboxes etc. in florence will not ship any food. <BR> <BR>wish you all the best down in siena and one tip: don't get botherd about persons you don't like, why not ignore them?? <BR> <BR>christina

sorry cristina, i forgott something: did you know that the main courrier for mailboxes etc. is ups and the second is fedex? <BR> <BR>again fun times at siena! <BR> <BR>christina

Christina <BR> <BR>What was not clear in my first message? It seemed very clear to me. Was it that I didn't say I was an American living in Italy? Well would that have changed anything? I think not except maybe you would not have been so quick to contradict me. <BR> <BR>As for my attitude, well I think I pretty much explained that. I do not like it when people in the tourism industry here in Italy give out bad or misleading information. There is no need. All it would have taken was one minute to find out the rules of Customs. You didn't and had the nerve to tell me I was wrong. <BR> <BR> <BR>Mail Boxes etc. here in Siena and also in Milano both allowed food the last time I used them. They also gave me a choice on who to ship with. <BR> <BR>As for ignoring people that bother me, well I normally do but when they give out bad info I jump in. If you don't want to deal with me correcting you then research your answers before giving them. It really is something that wil be helpful for you and your business. <BR> <BR>By the way, the Swiss Italian girl was kicked out of Grande Fratello yesterday after one day because she gave misleading information during the research and interview process. Are you two related? <BR>

what is grande fratello? <BR> <BR>funny days!! <BR> <BR>christina