We'll be in Italy in a couple weeks. With the terrible rate of exchange for USD, I'm curious as to what to shop for.

I hope to bring back: an authentic Venetian mask, pottery, a few bottles of vino and art. Items that are "one-of-a-kinds" or pieces I can't really get in the USA.

I assume that it doesn't make sense to buy any leather in Florence.

I thought about going to "The Space" and Prada outlet in Tuscany, but thinking...why bother.

What do you advise?

I honestly don't understand the question. If you want special mementos of Italy - you just buy them. Maybe adjusting your sights down just a little bit. The difference between a month or two ago and now is only about 1.5% - 2+%.

But if you mainly just want bargains - then you aren't going to find many dirt cheap things anywhere in the € zone.

I can understand the confusion...

I will buy the "one of a kind" mementos, regardless.

Does it make sense to buy leather in Florence? I don't know what kind of a bargain it is.

I agree with janis...buy something if you like it.

I bought a beautiful Venetian mask as well as an oil painting, and both are hung in a hallway so I look at them several times a day. I am so glad I didn't pass on either!

Both DH and I bought leather jackets in Florence. We don't wear them often, but we do like them. I prefer my other purchases.

It all just comes down to your preferences. Buy what you like and don't worry about anything else.

I always buy overseas with the attitude of "if I don't bring this home with me will I regret it" ?It works everytime! Don't go to Italy spending the entire time worrying about the exchange rate or you won't enjoy your trip.

you can buy wine that is very reasonable and not available in the US; go to the enoteca's and just ask. Segurso glass on Murano is beautiful; you'll pay a lot but its worth it. they only sell in two places here - NYC and Las Vegas(Wynn). For leather - go to Anna Pitti right across the street from Pitti Palace in Florence for the best. The stuff on the streets and that promise immediate alterations are not good at all. Christmas ornaments are always a good item for us to bring back.

Second all of the above. You won't find any bargains but you will find unique items that you will regret leaving behind.

You are going to go to Farmacia Santa Maria Novella in Florence to buy some pot-pourri, aren't you. Afterall, Fodor's uses my "endorsement" of SMN in their Italy guide.

Thingorjus

great advice.

MM,
What's your fave scent of potpourri? I'll be sure to check it out. Thx.

Please consider: The exchange rate is fair, the value of the USA dollar has lowered. At the beginning a Euro cost $0.85. Today a Euro is at $1.41 and rising! You may have to pay $1.45.

Hi A,

My advice is to not look for bargains, but to buy what you find of great interest and can afford.

>Does it make sense to buy leather in Florence?

If you would kick yourself for not buying it, yes. Again, don't expect bargains.

There is only one pot-pourri at Farmacia SMN. This is NOT the Dollar Store, sweetie darling.

Balenciaga

I went to the Space outlet when I was in Italy in 2001 and found many great bargains because the euro was weak and post-9/11 the prices were excellent.

However, unless you are looking for expensive haute couture clothing or bags, you need to realize that Prada is extremely expensive. So if a pair of shoes costs 600 euros in the store, it will be 300 euros in the outlet (though perhaps less). Would you ever spend $420 for a single pair of shoes? You can get a 400-euro wallet for 200 euros, but again, would you spend $280 for a wallet?

Um.....Doug.......I have paid $450 for sunglasses. I won't tell you how much I paid for my bespoke John Lobb shoes.

Thingorjus

<<Would you ever spend $420 for a single pair of shoes? You can get a 400-euro wallet for 200 euros, but again, would you spend $280 for a wallet?>>

That's a valid question, especially for someone who is concerned about "the terrible rate of exchange for USD."

Plus, getting a "genuine" Venetian mask will probably not be possible unless you go to one of the local Carnivale costume stores away from the tourist areas. And it will cost a pretty penny, even with a good exchange rate.

Charnee

Forget about the exchange rate. What you need to know is the value of an item or what it would cost at home.

So that beautiful purse is 300 euro and that costs you $420? If that same purse at home would cost $475 dollars, it's still a bargain. Who cares how many euros you get to the dollar if you don't know the value of the item? If an item cost 300 euro and the dollar was currently buying 1.4 euros instead of the other way around, you'd be getting that item for $215. Wow. A bargain, you say? Not if the same item sold for $300 in the US. The bargain has little to nothing to do with the exchange rate.

Bang on NP.
An exchange rate of 1.4 to 1 does not mean things are 1.4 times more expensive than at home. Some countries have an advantage in producing certain goods...that advantage may not disappear because of exchange rates. Standards of living may also affect how items are priced in a country.

Canada and the US are at par...but a recent study shows on average Canada is ~20% more expensive.

Like most of us, I don't have unlimited money to spend. I always figure out how many Euro I have in my shopping budget, or meal budget, or whatever budget. Then when I'm in Europe, I don't have to always be converting an amount to see if I can afford what I'm looking at. That way, when you're shopping and see something you love, just consider how many Euro you have left in your shopping budget and you will know whether or not you can afford it. Very easy!

Of course, my budgets for various categories are always in flux! I have no trouble transferring amounts from one to another if I want to.

Maybe it would help to think of comparing spending a zillion Euros on an item you love/would forever regret leaving behind despite the pain of the cost to amortizing a mortgage. The joy of wearing/touching/gazing at the beloved item - day after day, week after week, etc. - would eventually overcome the shock of the original payment. The pleasure of the memories involved is, of course, priceless.