We'll be in Rome in early March. Does anyone know where we can buy very high quality comforters and sheets in Rome? Of course, if it is at a discount, that's even better. That will be our souvenir. Also, any recommendations for good "gourmet" italian restaurants would be appreciated also. Thanks you and happy trails!

Are you familair with Frette and Pratesi? They both have shops in Rome near the Spanish Steps, I believe. What do you mean by "gourmet" restaurants?

You are planning to declare all these items when you come through Customs of course.

I wouldn't spend the money on Frette in Italy when you can buy it right in the US using the good, old dollar. I don't know where you live, but they have a store on Madison Ave. I don't know about Pratesi.

I agree about buying it in the USA (if that's where you live). European bed sizes are metric-based and different from those in the USA, for one thing. It would be a shame to lug expensive bedding home from Rome and find it didn't fit.

If you Google Frette, you'll find the location of their outlets in the US.

And ABC Carpet in NYC sells other Italian makers of very-high end (and very expensive, like up to $500 a sheet) bedding. Prices in Italy for this kind of thing are not cheap, either, unless you happen to hit a sale.