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Shopping in Italy can be a magical experience. After all, the most beautiful
fashions in the world come from this land. Impress your friends at home with
the latest designs from Gucci, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. You can buy designer
frocks here before they even reach American shores. Not only is Italy on the
cutting edge of fashion but it is a land of traditional craftsman who still
work with leather, glass, iron, paper and ceramics, with methods their ancestors
developed. There's literally something for every shopper in Italy.
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Don't let the weak dollar scare you. Italy's latest discovery, the designer
outlet mall, makes brands like Etro, Frette and La Perla affordable, as these
stores offer recent designs for 30 to 75% off their original prices. Another
good choice for one-stop shopping are Italy's department stores - Coin and
Rinascente - found in most cities. Don't be afraid to bargain with proprietors
in markets or small family-run shops. Ask for a discount when paying cash
or buying large quantities of something.
Each city and region offer special local items. In Venice, look for Murano
glass and Carnevale masks. Florence is home to the best leather, gold jewelry
and decorative paper. Some Italian towns offer whole industries unto themselves.
The town of Como in northern Italy is known for silk. If you are looking for
ceramics, visit the town of Deruta in Umbria and Grottaglie in Puglia. Want to
buy Italian antiques? Head for the town of Arezzo in Tuscany, where a
world-famous antiques market is held every month.
If you're going into a designer store, be sure to look the part. Leave
your sneakers at home, Italians still dress up to shop. Don't plan a
shopping extravaganza for Monday. Most stores don't open until the afternoon.
With some exceptions in the big cities, most stores are closed for lunch
between 1p.m. and 4 p.m., affording your feet and credit card a well-deserved
break from all of that shopping.
Florence Shopping: The most prestigious shopping area in Florence is the
area between Via Tornabuoni and Via Calzaiouli. Be sure to also stroll down
Via Maggio. Jewelers set up shop along the Ponte Vecchio. Don't miss the
wonderful open-air markets, especially the nearby Straw Market (Il Porcellino).
San Lorenzo Market is another great shopping choice. If you like lotions
and sachets, go to the Santa Maria Novella store.
Florence Outlets: If you want to hit the incredible outlets outside Florence,
hire a car and driver for the day or rent a car. The Mall is Italy's coziest
and most upscale outlet center with stores such as Gucci, Ferragamo, Bottega
Veneta, Sergio Rossi, Tod's and Yves Saint Laurent.There's an excellent café
there as well. About a half-hour away is Space a.k.a the Prada Outlet is
housed in an unmarked warehouse. There's a limit to how many customers can
shop at one time and sometimes there is a wait to get in. For more information:
39-055-865-7755 (The Mall) or 39-055-978-9481 (Space)
Milan Shopping: Grouped in an area often referred to as the Golden
Triangle, Via Montenapoleone, Via Della Spiga, Via Senato, Corso Venezia
and Via Manzoni house every one of the designers you are looking for. Don't
miss the Armani Superstore. The Brera neighborhood is up and coming and
home to small boutique and artsy stores.
Milan Outlets: Serravalle Outlet Center, about 40 minutes from the
city, can be reached by a combination of train and taxi. Over 130 designer
discount stores await, including the venerable Prada. Discounts average
about 50% year round. For more information: 39-14-360-9000;
www.mcarthurglen.it
Rome Shopping: The best designer shopping in Rome is in the area of
the Piazza di Spagna on the following streets: Via Condotti, Via Frattina,
Via Borognona, Via Delle Carrozze. Also visit the more moderately-priced
stores near the Campo dei Fiori.
Rome Outlets: Although just 10 miles outside of Rome, the taxi ride
to McArthur Glen's Castel Romano Outlet Center will make a dent in your
shopping funds, so it is more economical to rent a car for the day. Here
you will find over 90 designer stores including Bruno Magli, Ferragamo,
Frette, Fratelli Rosetti and Puma. Items are discounted 30-75%. Open daily
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information: 39 06 50 50050;
www.mcarthurglen.it
Naples Shopping: While shopping isn't the first thing that comes to mind
when visiting this city, Naples offers surprising good opportunities to
spend your euros. Hit Via Calabritto for upscale shopping. You will more
affordable shopping and the true Naples experience nearby on Via Chiaia
and Via Roma. Looking for antiques, head for Via Constantinopli near the
old town (centro antico).
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