The best thing)s) I ever bought in Florence were two water color prints of a rural Tuscan scene from the artist as he sat painting on the sidewalk. Every time I look at the prints, which are now framed and mounted on my staircase wall, I am taken back to that wonderful trip to Florence, Italy.<BR><BR>I can say the same about the prints I have picked up in Santorini, London, Paris, etc. To me, local prints are the best memories.

good quality truffle oil, body lotion from Officina Profumo Famaceutica Santa Maria Novella, shoes, panforte from Siena, and a special bottle of Brunello.

Cashmere goat's milk hand lotion from the Chianti Cashmere Company. I have no idea if the goat's milk does anything, but I love the lotion. It hydrates without feeling greasy. I bought it in either in Radda or Castellina.

Pat - I started doing the exact same thing! I have watercolors from Paris, Venice, Prague, San Juan, and Key West - I love them!<BR><BR>In Florence, I bought the most supple cropped leather jacket I have ever felt, and a simple 18K gold ring (I had planned on the jacket, the ring was a splurge). <BR><BR>Next month in London, I plan to hit the Harrod's sales! <BR><BR>Happy travels.

Are prices higher than they were last year?

ttt<BR><BR>I loved this thread, and hope there are new Fodorites who would like to add to it.<BR><BR>I love my paintings and watercolors purchased from the artists in various piazzas--particularly in front of Santa Croce. I plan to buy several miniature watercolors and bring back to frame to give to coworkers.

I like cooking so I brought home Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, which sells for around $45 for a small bottle. It's hard to find the true traditional balsamic in the U.S. and when I see it it's twice the price. Now when I use it I think of my trip to Italy, and when I run out then I've got a great excuse to head back!<BR><BR><BR>I also picked up some corkscrews for myself and as gifts.

<BR><BR>Outstanding memories!

I don't do lots of shopping; only for small, unique items that are easy to pack, and only if I happen to see them. From Florence, I have beautiful marbled papergoods (from Il Torchio - <BR>Via dei Bardi 17, in the Oltrarno), a couple of lovely silk cut-velvet scarves and several pair of silk or cashmere-lined gloves that I bought from the San Lorenzo market. Also some earrings that are vaguely &quot;Renaissance&quot; in style, with cabochon garnets or moonstones surrounded by seed pearls, which I found in a tiny shop near Santa Croce. None were expensive, and they are quality goods which remind me of Florence whenever I use them.<BR>

I brought a beutiful majolica pitcher from the factory store in Duruta that I love and tapestry pillows from the store right near the San Lorenzo market and leather wallets and coin purses as small gifts to give out and a leather purse for myself from the San Lorenzo market and loads of pictures and postcards of The David and a never ending love for Florence. I make my second trip in May and will ck out the farmaceutica.

Hi Katie,<BR>just wanted to chime in my 2 cents, I'm also a huge fan of Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella, it's true you can find it in the states, but it's more then double the price.<BR>I still dream of shopping at Passmaneria Toscanayou can do a web search and view lots of items by typing in the name- and get a nice preview of what glories a wait you.<BR>My Best advice is bring lots and lots of $$$$$$.<BR>Both shops are very close to one another, you should not have any trouble finding them.<BR>la dolce Italy<BR>Fluffy

Katie, this is a post script to my previous post:<BR>I was looking through my file and found a business card from Pitti Mosaici-mentioned above here's the info. ph#0551282127 at 16/R Pizza Pitti Florence.<BR>Also I bought some great leather stamped photo. albums for about $25- and shipped them home, at the San Lorenzo Market.<BR>la dolce Italy<BR>Fluffy

I bought some knee high black leather boots near Santa Croce in Firenze. I absolutely love them are they are so comfortable. In the US they are still a bit risque, but many Europeans wear them with skirts here. <BR><BR>We also bought the usual, like candy, olive oil, etc.

I always bring back those little, decorated (usually hand-painted) glass bottles that come in unusual shapes and sizes. They are often filled with olive oil, grappa (Italian whiskey) or limoncello/limoncino. Everyone has loved them and I now regularly bring that back since they are such a hit with my family and friends. They are small and inobstrusive, fitting perfectly inside a sock or wrapped inside some clothing inside my suitcase.

Katie- <BR>My husband has gotten me 2 pieces of substantial 18 kt jewelry ( YES, on the Ponte Vecchio-contrary to all the posts-it WAS a great buy)...<BR><BR>I have been back numerous times to S.Vaggi on the Duomo end of the Ponte Vecchio-- Roberto is the owner and he is terrific to deal with--<BR>All my jewlery was appraised at 3 X the Italian purchase price- Even had a jeweler here offer to buy it from me at WHAT I paid for it......<BR><BR>Plus S.Vaggi has tons of super affordable 18 kt ---best part is it is totally different from what we normally see in the States.....

ttt

Oh this is bringing back so many memories! Seems like the best things I bought were in Florence: a leather jacket from a store one block away from the Ponte Vecchio, a carved wooden angel where the store's owner &quot;signed&quot; his initials on the back while I waited, marbled papers, a silver watch. And a fabulous Sienese straw hat.<BR>Nora

ttt

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This thread is amazing.. thanks all

I just had to buy an Italian &quot;peace&quot; flag, mostly because the word translates to my maiden name. Since my entire family leans pretty far to the left, I started regretting that I only bought one for myself; I found a web site that sells them, and everyone on my side of the family is getting one for Christmas.

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hi, katie,

I bought 4 x 5E silk scarves from the market in florence and wish I'd bought 20.

also stationery and christmas decorations from the shops at Pisa airport.

I knew nothing about the santa maira novella shop - I may make a special trip to Florence just to go there!

Thanks so much for starting this thread.

regards, Ann

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I saw in a pottery shop that they were selling drawer pulls. I bought enough for a cabinet at home (each one different), and enjoy the memory every time I use the cabinet.

The only time I've left Florence without a leather coat was this last trip this past summer when the temp was 96 and I couldn't stand the thought of even trying one on.

Vita, the Cashmere Company is outside Radda. I, too, loved the lotion. Hated to see it gone. In the same neighborhood is La Ceramica, a very small shop where Angela sold us 2 large, square platters that I adore using. Everyone looks at them and knows they came from Italy.

DH's pride and joy is the mosaic he bought from Pitti Mosaici--- and his Brunello, of course!

Several coffee table books and cookbooks.

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Hi, capxxx

&quot;I saw in a pottery shop that they were selling drawer pulls.&quot;

please put me out of my misery - what are drawer pulls???

regards, ann

My shearling coat with funky stitching and a collar I can arrange 3 different ways. It set me back a TON but it's so worth it. And it's the only damn thing that makes this prolonged winter worthwhile.

Drawer pulls are the things you use to pull open a drawer. Like tiny doornobs, or the little handle thingys. These were painted in the intricate colors found on Tuscan pottery.

What do you call them?

hi, katie,

Drawer handles - what else? [drawer pulls, i suppose!]

two nations divided again!

regards, ann

Brunello Wines from Tuscany are to die for and very hard to find (the really good ones anyway) in the states. There are too many little wineries to count all thru tuscany (we used montalcino as our base) - just stop, taste, buy and ship! In florence, I bought a leather jacket from anna pitti - shop across from the pitti palace and love it! custom made from top to bottom, avoid the huckstsers on the street if at all possible. my son did buy some very ugly sleasy ties from a vendor (3 for 12e) since he has to wear one to school every day!

We found a quite little shop in florence that dealt with ancient/antiuqe maps. We bought two prints one of italy and one of florence. Incredible converstion starters in our home.

In Florence, a gorgeous leather bag from the flea market (50 euros)--someone here has already offered to buy it right off my shoulder!

In Positano--some beautiful pottery, decorated with lemons of course, and a tiny Capodiamonte lemon tree.

Brando, do you happen to have the name of the antique map shop, or approximately where it was located in Florence?

mary09 I will get back to you on this post with the name of the joint, we have it in our scrapbook, I have to ask my wife where it is!!!!

Thanks, Brando, that would be great!

Unique mouthblown glass beads and Italian mesh ribbon at Beaded Lily near the Pitti Palace. The ribbon is actually finely spun metal, not fabric, and impossible to find in the U.S. (They craft mouthblown beads for Chanel and Ferragamo and also sell finished beaded jewelry.)

Quality cashmere sweaters and scarves, leather shoes, handbags, business satchels, wallets, belts. Everyone has their special favorite and we are partial to Santa Croce Leather School. Their goods aren't inexpensive but they are beautifully made and have only become more lovely after years of daily wear and tear.

Eyeglass frames--with lenses ground to your Rx in about an hour just like back at home, except your frames will be so much more unique and stylish. My husband loves his and gets daily compliments. Italians consider eyewear an essential accessory, not a necessary evil.

Outdoor markets are fun but check stitching, materials, construction, thickness, hand, etc. carefully.

Florentine hand-decorated paper makes a wonderful gift for yourself and others and we never come back without a few bottles of oilve oil (Umbrian if at all possible and always purchased outside Florence).

You'll have a wonderful time, Katie!

Prescription glasses - what a wonderful idea!