Which city for retail therapy - Rome or Milan?
 

Guys,

So as to keep the peace with my lovely wife and kids, I'll need to consider giving them some time out for retail therapy when we're not museum hopping.

We'll be spending roughly 4 days each in Rome and Milan (in that order). I would like some tips and suggestions as to where to go for quality retail experiences. Both my wife and I are confirmed shopaholics. Hah Hah Hah

Am not interested in touristy trinkets and souvenirs but well made items such as clothing, cooking items (not pots and pans!) and other lifestyle things. My two teenage kids would love to get some personal items for themselves also.

If the cost of visiting museums and eating out won't melt my VISA card, I'm sure several hours in a few Italian retail stores would nuke it for good.

I understand Milan is the epicentre of Italian style - does this mean I write off Rome completely for shopping? Also, when do they have their sales?

Ciao,

Richard
PS oh yes, we'll be in Italy in mid Sept this year.

I've not spent enough time in Milan to know where the good shopping places are, but know that in Milan, the guy who draws Tokidoki recently opened up a shop. That would certainly interest your kids. It certainly interests me.

As for sales in Italy, there are sales 2x a year. One after Christmas, through to the end of January, and one in late June that goes through the end of July.

My suggestion is during Milan stay, a day trip, via train, to Florence. Leather, jewelry, food products! :)

Sarge56,


We're planning to stop in Florence for the day enroute to Milan (from Rome) - am thinking of a 6 or 8 hour stopover. It'll be a whirlwind stop, I tell ya!

I'll be sure to look out for stores etc. Got any specific shopping areas you care to suggest?

Richard

Milan for clothes- and don't think "cheap". Rome for food and clothing.

It's a while since I was in Florence, but "tacky" springs to mind- the shopping, you understand, not the architecture.

Most definitely Milan for shopping! You won't find sales in mid September though; all the new winter fashion will be in stores then.
In Milan 10 Corso Como is an interesting store.
Then the usual expensive shops on Montenapoleone and the streets around that area. The Armani shop on Via Manzoni. Corso Europa, towards the Duomo (some more reasonable shops for teenagers, and also La Rinasciente department store opposite the Duomo). Galleria Vittorio Emanuele; the original Prada shop.
The Brera district has some great little boutiques (Via Solferino, Via Fiori Chiari).

Oh, and be sure you're not visiting Milan during fashion week in September, you won't find a hotel!

I like it ...retail therapy !!! I am not a shopaholic but sometimes I need the therapy, sure !! ;)

I like La Rinascente a lot, it's good quality without having a heart attack looking at prices. I think that's why designer shops don't show prices at the windows...it's all about public health !! :))

Plus, if you have to ask (the price), then you can't afford it! [(

Yes, sure ! LOL

Milan, most certainly.

For things you're likely to buy, Sheila's absolutely right. For the world's leading fashion (possibly more about looking than taking home), slightly to the east and north of her recs: Via Sant'Andrea and Via della Spiga are less geared to brands in every airport boutique than Via MonteNap, and more about the clothes the US might wake up to in a year or so.

And slightly more gobsmacking. The last meeting I had in Via della Spiga was interrupted by a gay couple in his and his mink jackets.

Rome has some good shopping options, too (at least I have that impression from walking through the area near the Spanish steps--I had no interest in, or money for, shopping when we were there last year)
Since you have 4 days in each city and Rome has so many wonderful tourist sites I would try to do shopping in Milan and use the Rome time for sight seeing

By all means Milan for shopping even though both Rome and Florence have wonderful shopping. There is so much to see and do in Rome and you have such a short time in Florence to see its many treasures.

Milan has its sightseeing opportunities but 4 days will leave you plenty of time for shopping.