I've been paying a little attention to the this board, when the subject is shopping. While neither my wife nor I are shoppers, we know severel people who are, and thus, I have accumulated information from several posters on this board into a list.

Here is the list that I have compiled. Please review it, copy it, and most of all, please add to it. After several additions have been made, I will repost the new list with the additions included.

With your assistance, we can make the list as comprehensive as possible.

Thanks --Marv

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Shopping in Italy

(General rule: when you see it, buy it, as you may not see that same thing or style again)


ROME:

Great little shops near the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) on Via Condotti (especially shoes and boots along here), Via Frattina, Via del Corso

Rinascente, which is near Piazza Colonna (along Via del Corso and is between Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain), a large department store with good choice of leather, scarves, perfumes, clothes.

Shops along Via Babbuino, between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo

Along Via Cola di Rienzo (starting at Piazza Risorgimento near the Vatican), is an excellent shopping area, especially for women's clothing and leather products

Store called Santa Maria Novella located in Rome and Florence

Via delle Carozze (between the Spanish Steps and via del Corso), has some nice jewelry stores, and Mondo Cattolico along there has very nice hand-made jewelry as well as many other things

Discount Dell'Alta Moda (on Via di Gesu' e Maria 16A) near the Spanish Steps. Discount but designer name fashions


FLORENCE (and Tuscany):

VERY good link for info on shopping in Florence: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/florence/ck_shopping.htm

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/notes/...shops_list.htm


Leather market on Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, near Palazzo Vecchio, where you can find lots of leather things from wallets to purses etc.


VENICE:

Great link for shopping in Venice: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/notes/...nice_shops.htm

Good shopping to be had on Strada Nuova.
Leave San Marco, walk to Rialto Bridge, detour onto Strada Nuova.


GENERAL:

Great links for shopping in several places in Italy:

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/TripReport.asp?tripid=92

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/notes/..._shopslist.htm

Santa Maria Novella is a Farmacia, which among other things sells their own brand of
soaps, potpourris, lotions, cosmetics,etc

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Great list Infotrack.

And speaking of Santa Maria Novella I just read in some magazine that they are now on Rodeo Drive in L.A. in case anyone is interested. I hadn't known that.

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There MUST be more input you all can add, yes?

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just an FYI, too...Farmacia Santa Maria Novella has recently opened a store in SOHO on Lafayette Street below Houston. It's a great shop.

As for Roma, I love the leather glove selection at Sermonetta across from the Spanish Steps. Another great area for shopping are the stores on Via Guibbonari near the Campo Fiori and the stores on Via D Pantheon and Via Campo Marzio. On my last trip I discovered some beautiful boutiques along Via Governo Vecchio and a few lovely artist/designer workshops on Via Boschetto.

You don't have to go all the way downtown (Manhattan) to buy products from SMN. They are also sold at Takashamaya 5th Ave. on the 6th floor.

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FLORENCE

In the square by Santa Croce is a leather store called "I Medici" which sells fabulous leather bags made on the premesis. The bags are well made durable but very very elegant. They also make leather gloves which are butter soft. Good prices.

LEather market by San Lorenzo - go and brouse and make sure you bargain. It's alot of fun and expected.

Stalls by Palazzo Vecchio - have great deals on silk scarves and pashminas. I got a cashmere pashmina (thick) for 50E and love it.

Gold - For a souvenier nothing beats buying jewellery on the Ponte Vecchio the traditional site of the goldsmiths. Expensive, but lots of fun.

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What about all the wonderful ceramics to be bought in the Amalfi Coast region?

POSITANO --- Ceramiche Casola
http://www.ceramicacasola.it/
I can’t remember the name of the street, Via Marconi or Via Colombo? Anyhow it’s the road that goes from Positano to Amalfi; store located on the edge of Positano. A short walk from the "La Fenice" bed & breakfast.

RAVELLO --- Ceramiche d’Arte
http://www.ceramichedarte.com

topping

linked to concurrent Shopping In Italy list
http://www.fodors.com/forums/postrep...p;tid=34561162