So… anyone shop in BOLOGNA recently?
 

Hi Everyone,

Will be headed to BOLOGNA in September… my first time. Since I love checking out the cool little shops all over Italy.,.. can anyone give any Shopping Tips or Advice?

Particularly interested in cool-looking leather shoes and interesting jewelry. Does not have to be the typical, well-known Brand Names. I love discovering local artisans, especially!

Many thanks / Grazie!

You will love Bologna, avoid all brands especially in Italy and you will do fine, finding better quality goods at lower prices (all that advertising has to be paid for by some dummies).

Many of the best stores are small and only open when the limited number of staff want to open. Walk down a street at the wrong time and all you will see are shutters, but at the right time you could be there for hours.

Leather is there, jewelry however in Italy can be "elaborate".

Have a look at Furla for handbags - beautifully made in lovely colours and not madly expensive.

I second the Furla recommendation, lovely bags and they stand up really well. I have a wallet and several of their bags, all looking great after a few years of steady use.

bilboburgler: Thank you! Would you say Via Independenza in Bologna is a good shopping street? Any particular neighborhoods I need to check out? (We'll be staying one night in the city center.)

tarquin and raincitygirl: Thanks! What I also love about Italy is that you will find really cool styles that never make it to the US... so you're really getting something uniques.

I'm a big fan of Suzy Gershman's "Born To Shop" book series... she always has cool tips.

Cheers, Everyone!

I would check out Via Ugo Bassi and via San Felice (once you reach the end of Ugo Bassi, west of Piazza Maggiore, cross the Marconi junction and just go straight ahead and it's narrower via San Felice.

Thanks, Keren!

Furla bags can be bought anywhere in Italy -- including airports.

There are artisan shoemakers in the old Ghetto Ebraico, around the via Canonica.

The via dell'Indipendenza is a fun shopping street, but it is for bargain shoppers and not high quality. If you want enduring high quality, head to the via Farini, and the Galleria Cavour. The via d'Azeglio has some interesting and original shops, also of high quality.

Grazie, sandralist! Unfortunately I'm not one of those patient bargain-shoppers... I get dizzy if I have to look at too much merchandise at once!

So it sounds like via Farini and via d'Azeglio might be more my thing.

Cheers!

Bookmarking

I was in Bologna the last week of July, staying in this wonderful apartment right on Piazza Maggiore:
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p6593725

Few pointers:
- Most stores, especially independent ones, are closed between 1pm and 3:30pm
- On Sun, stores are either close, or open only in the afternoon
- On Google maps, you can "walk" around and, sometimes, even see photos inside the stores

Of the recommendations already mentioned:
- Galleria Cavour: Gucci, Miu Miu, Prada, LV, Burberry, etc, luxury goods only
- Via Independenza, Via Ugo Bassi and via San Felice. : European medium price chain stores: Zara, Jennifer, Sisley, Pimkie, etc, with independent stores sprinkled in between
- Via d'Azeglio. Pedestrian only street with local shops. (This might be what you're looking for.) You can circle back on the area around Via Clavature as well.

Ciao!

carcassone, I was in Bologna in early July (my first visit) and had a lovely time. Your apartment looks great. I would be interested to hear more about your visit, as I'd like to return to the city for another stay.

carcassone: Great info... thanks!

P.S. Has anyone been to the Bruno Magli Outlet near Bologna? Any thoughts? (Wanted to get my dad a nice Italian-leather belt. Of course it doesn't have to be Magli... but just curious if this Outlet is worth seeking out.)

Cheers!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their shopping advice. We had a great time exploring Bologna.

sandralist and carcassone: Via d'Azeglio came through for us... I found a gorgeous leather belt from Florence for my dad. Also, don't you love how all the stores in Italy wrap gifts with such care?

Cheers!

We are headed to Bologna in a few weeks. Thanks for the timely info.
Now the big question-- how do I block this page from my wife?

… hee, hee!