Outside of Windsor Castle I bought two woolen sofa throws that were a total steal and that I love. I almost killed my dog when he ate a hole in one, waited a day, then nibbled a hole in the other one! Now my 13 yr. old wraps himself up in them and I think, Windsor. <BR>When we visited the catacombs outside of Rome I found two terrific buys: a tiny clay oil lamp that fits in the palm of your hand that the Christians used to light their way in the catacombs; and a 2"x3" placque that the Christian families hung at the entrance of their "caves" in the catacombs. I gave the clay lamp to my friend as a symbol of our friendship and put the placque tucked away by my front door where I look at it always. We're not religious buy I like the symbols. <BR>I also bought my husband a leather wallet at the market in Florence 8 years ago that he uses everyday that looks almost brand new. Also in Florence I splurged on some lapis earrings for me that make me feel extremely elegant, even when I'm not. <BR>We're heading to Italy soon and my husband and I regretted not buying a watercolor when we were there before. So that's our mission.

Art... tsk, tsk, tsk... <BR> <BR>You realize that if you WERE a woman, you'd be a shameless "hussey", don't you? <BR>

Art: Isn't that a bit expensive? Go for the croissants in Paris. They are around FF 6.--. <BR>.. and there is no Lichtenstein, but Liechtenstein. <BR> <BR>PS: Pls explain the difference between "to shop" and "to buy" (you know I am German speaking). To me, it's the very same thing. Thanks

On my last visit to Italy, I bought toothpaste (ok, and a bunch of other stuff). Using Italian toothpaste once in a while (alternating it with regular old Colgate) makes me feel like Italy is not so far away in time or space. I will try to find other boring little every-day things like that in the future. Like Elvira, I also like to check out hardware stores.

Ursula ya old vixen, how are you? All of my wives and fiancee’s loved to shop, i.e. go to stores and look and try. It took all of them hours to decide on anything to actually buy the object. Men generally (I know, don't generalize) tend to go for something specific and BUY it and go home. Most men hate to spend hours in stores (Note that I stated Most not All).

Sorry, forgot. Also note that I mentioned Women, not girls.

I like shopping for books. European printers do such fine work. I even buy titles in languages I can't read. (Picture books).

Okay Ursula , here goes. <BR>A man and a woman are given a paper saying to go to the grocery and buy 6 tomatoes. <BR>The man is a "Buyer"--He goes to the prodice department and picks up 6 round red things , pays for them and goes home. <BR> <BR>The woman is a "shopper"- She goes to produce dept., checks out the premium tomatoes, the plum tomatoes, the tomatoes on the vine, the hydroponic tomatoes, the vine ripened tomatoes, checks the prices, gives them all a good squeeze, and chooses those 6 which she thinks are best, then goes and pays for them. <BR>That's the difference, whether tomatoes, clothing, appliances, whatever..

Actually, the man has his eyes glued on the check-out girl, and is thinking to himself, "how 'bout THEM tomatoes!" <BR>

well, I live in Florida, if the guy has his eyes on the checkout girl, the one who is collecting her social security, the "tomatoes" are probably sun-dried!!

This thread is so great, I have made all ist of all the shopping tips, and there are some VERY funny people posting here.

Great Question: <BR> <BR>I shop for postcards, stylish coasters, wine, sweatshirts, books,( eventhough they weigh a ton) Unique jarsof foods/snacks/etc. One stylish outfit. <BR>In addition to collecting wine, I collect copper for the kitchen, so I always buy some copper pieces. <BR> <BR>Happy Travels and Happy Shopping <BR>Oaktown

Ooooh, Pam!! I do that, too! When my friends see me with a tube of foreign-labeled Colgate, they look at me like I'm a freak. I am SO relieved to know I am not the only one!! <BR> <BR>Aside from everyday items, I also like to buy prepackaged crepes in Paris to extend my vacation when I get home. Olive Oil and hand-milled soaps from Italy and Provence are also great. <BR> <BR>And CHEESE! My sister and I also get cheeses from Neal's Yard Dairy when in London. Have you gone to a cheese farm in Amsterdam? I bought some cheeses there, and I have to say, it was soooo creamy. I've never found anything in America quite like the cheese you get in Europe. <BR> <BR>(I didn't eat dinner this evening so my post is a little food-obsessed.)

JOdy: <BR> <BR>Thank you soo much for enlightening me. <BR>Everything is clear now! <BR>Women do definitely a better job when it comes to shopping. We do not just buy a thing, but go for the best... not only regarding tomatoes, right? ;-) <BR> <BR>PS:Sorry, but I cannot answer the original question, I SHOP every day over here.

A few years ago on a Provencal trip I bought some fabric - wonderful mustard colour with olives, on it. One piece of fabric I cut into a round and had a hole sewn in the middle (it was a shiny fabric-looked like it had been water-proofed)..the other fabric I made napkins. Every summer, the tablcloth goes on my outdoor patio table and with the matching napkins and wonderful "jug" I bought, I feel like I'm back in France.

So happy to know that I'm not the only one who likes to buy "foreign" toothpaste and everyday stuff like that. But what I didn't expect in Paris were the great stationary shops. I found a wonderful green leather appointment diary made in Paris. It has the metro stops and all the holidays and its all in French. Everytime I open it up, it's like a mini-vacation.

Do you know what is good to bring from <BR>Greece ( other than wine and olive oil)?

Paris - Clothes, art and wine. Heddiard - they have the best jams and goodies. London - tea, clothes and music. Greece - olive oil - backgammon set - <BR> <BR>I love to get music in Europe - they are always way ahead of us as far as club tunes.

Here are my favs: <BR> <BR>1. Provence - olive oil (from Maussane), soaps, and wine. <BR> <BR>2. Paris - persillade...the BEST blend of spices that you cannot find in the US. I just brought home 15 bottles of it. Also, Longchamps purses! :-) They're "all the rage" here, and half priced there! I love them. <BR> <BR>3. Italy - pottery from either Deruta or Siena. Wine. <BR> <BR>4. Iceland - wool sweaters...the BEST. I wear mine ALL winter. <BR> <BR>5. From any duty free airport shop outside the US - Amarula. It's a liquor from South Africa, and again, you can't get it here. We have to pick up a bottle each time we're boarding a plane. It's South Africa's answer to Bailey's! <BR> <BR>Also - art...we love purchasing a piece and sending it home...

In France, I'm a sucker for those little sachets of lavender in Provençal fabric. Also like any type of soap with lemon in it (why Americans seem to not like lemon soap -- <I>bath</I> soap -- is a mystery to me) and lemon-flavored Volvic mineral water. <BR> <BR>I usually pick up a pair of Italian loafers when I'm in Nice. I like them far better than most American shoes (which I find, for the most part, to be rather clunky-looking.)