What's the best thing you bought in Florence or Tuscany?
#41
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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.
#44
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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.
#46
Join Date: Feb 2003
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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.
#47
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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.
#49
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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 "Renaissance" 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>
#50
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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.
#51
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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
#52
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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
#53
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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.
#54
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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.
#55
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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.....
#57
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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 "signed" his initials on the back while I waited, marbled papers, a silver watch. And a fabulous Sienese straw hat.<BR>Nora