Mo

Is it true cameos are found around Sorrento? I want to get some for gifts when there in November. What is the name of your favorite shop and what is a reasonable price for a cameo pendant today?? Any other shop that I "must" visit while there?

Linda

Can't give you the name of particular shops but your hotel should be able to guide you to a good one. But, yes, Sorrento is a great place to purchase cameos--they are made there. One of my favorite pieces is a shell (the same type cameo jewelry is made from) that has a cameo face carved into it. They should be fairly inexpensive, under $15, I should think. Jewelry will be found in a wide price range. You may be able to find small ones for as little as $20 USD, but there will be very expensive ones also. It really depends on the quality and size. While in Sorrento, especially if you are looking for gifts, stop in a Sorrento woodworking shop. Inlaid wood is one of the specialties of the region. You can buy small musical jewelry boxes for as little as $25 USD--and they cost at least half again as much in the US. The larger the box, the more you will save. For instance, I have one that cost $35 (about 5 years ago). I've seen inferior ones here in the States, the same size, for over $100. There are also other inlaid wood pieces: trays, tea tray tables, game tables, etc. The shops will ship for you. Just be sure to get a recommendation from your hotel for a reputable one first. Oh, and they will bargain with you. Lastly, if you get a music box, look on the tag on the bottom of the box. It will tell you it has a Swiss movement (that's OK--you don't really want an Italian, but the box is Italian), and will say what song the box plays. My favorite box plays "Ritora a Sorrento" (Return to Sorrento). Every time I play it, memories of this beautiful city of oranges and warm breezes play through my head. Another plays O Sole Mio, which brings wonderful memories of Naples and walking by the bay on a warm summer night. A wonderful way to return for a few minutes. Have fun in Sorrento.

Myer

My wife wants to plan another trip to Sorrento because she forgot to buy a music box she saw in a store. <BR>I don't remember the store or the street but I'll describe how to get there. <BR>If standing in the main square on the main street face the Marina (you can't see it). Turn left. Walk on the right hand side of the street. Walk 5 minutes looking for the store. Can't miss it. <BR> <BR>We were there before Y2K and bought a calendar for year 2000. My wife took it out to use just before the new year and noticed a problem. All months started at the same place on the page. To do this each month had a different column (S, M, T, W, T, F, S) starting the month. Needless to say we did not use it.

Kavey

Off topic for the post title... but to continue on the inlaid boxes... <BR> <BR>We found it was worth shopping around Sorrento... though we had assumed the cheaper and smaller pieces were factory made we changed our mind when we noticed a marked difference in quality of workmanship between some shops. <BR> <BR>Infact in the shop we eventually bought from the old gentleman showed us how he did the inlay on a template lathe thing. <BR> <BR>We found his work much finer and neater than neighbouring shops. (Some shops just buy from local workshops, others make their own). <BR> <BR>We got a few small boxes as gifts and chose a magnificent chess board for ourselves... very heavy handluggage but worth it (the postage would have been prohibitive). <BR> <BR>Also my hub loves chilled Limoncello from the freezer... another good buy (if you can stomach it... I am not so keen) <BR> <BR>Kavey

Myer

As to my post above. The square is Tasso and the street is Corso Italia. <BR> <BR>Kavey. <BR>Why don't you let us know where you found the best work and value? Save us the trouble of visiting every store.