gforaker

Some of the posters here have suggested leather, I'll be a little more specific and say clothing whether leather or not. Italian clothing for men and women is very stylish, much higher quality than most clothing you can buy in the US and is rarely imported except to very exclusive shops. Your husband could look for a sweater, sport coat or leather jacket and you could look for almost anything. They won't be cheap, but may still be a decent value.

Sassafrass

Husband always buys silk ties and leather belts. I buy glass beads and beautiful books. Friends bought cameos, embroidered tablecloths and inlayed wood boxes made in Sorrento. Anything Lemon.

pippy4tao

Buy the wine at the duty free shop at the airport. why not? It says made in Italy and you'll only pay a little bit more for the convenience of just carrying on the plane, not everywhere else.

If your in florence - leather,
Sorrento - lemon chello,

sambuka, of course,

Good luck deciding

Theresa

www.nomadwannabe.com

dutyfree

Unfortunately when you buy DUTYFREE wine or liquor, it has to be checked into your checked bags upon landing before your next flight. In some countries such as Greece, there are signs in the Dutyfree shops that will tell you that you cannot buy any liquids such as alcohol or it will be taken from you.

tomassocroccante

I used to enjoy grabbing a bottle or two in duty free (the good duty free) - still do-able, I guess, on a flight straight home. I also remember one horrible time when people a few rows ahead of me beganscreeching upon landing - someone's wine bottle had broken in the overhead and red wine was pouring through the bin onto their heads and clothes. A real mess!

Another caveat: anyone considered a "minor" by u.s. customs should not try to bring alcohol into the country. And anyone else, be SURE to remember to put the amount you have purchased on your customs claim. I knew someone who forgot that his travel partner's bottle was in his own bag and didn't claim it. You'd have thought he had a kilo of hashish! Was whisked away and given the third degree, searched etc. And had to pour the booze down a drain with his own hands!

Girlspytravel

Sammy-since you're going to be in Rome, there's a couple of shops that I can recommend for gifts-and one of them specializes in Italian marble-gifts. It's on the Via dei Coronari, just down from the Spanish Steps. It's called GALLERIA MARMI LINE, and you can get both antique and modern marble gifts, such as busts, columns, vases, inlaid marble tables, chess sets, etc. They have many different gifts at different price ranges, so there's something for everyone.

Another shop is on the lovely Piazza Madama, close to Campo dei Fiori-called L'ARTIGIANATO, they have lovely hand-made gifts from all parts of Italy, ceramics from Sicily, clocks, Murano glass, lots of nice things.

Their website is www.italianhandicraft.it

amor

Girlspytravel, I've been trying to remember the name of Marmi Lime since this was posted! We purchased a wonderful marble carving for our mantel there a few years ago. Shipping was too expensive because of the weight, so we carried it home. It somehow ended up in my suitcase and I almost knocked someone out trying to get it into the overhead bin. They also gave us three beautiful little marble vases that made great gifts for those taking care of things back home for us. A great shop, thanks for jogging my memory.

Girlspytravel

You're welcome, Amor-they've got some great gifts, don't they? When I was in Rome last September, I wanted to drop by the shop again, but I didn't get around to it-next time I will, because I'd like to purchase a small marble bust.

russwuf

Limoncello!
Limoncello
Limoncello,
did I say Limoncello?