Page 192 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

190  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

SHOPS AND MARKETS

Sardinia produces a great variety of handi- standard of design and workmanship,
crafts that are hard to find in other regions and include coral and filigree pins and
of Italy. Among these are hand-woven rugs, brooches, pottery and crockery, and items
linen napkins, pibbiones (embroidered made from cork and wrought iron.
fabrics) and baskets. Traditional materials In the larger towns and tourist resorts,
and techniques are used for all these traditional souvenirs are sold, such as
products, and while some are still made ashtrays in the shape of nuraghi, costumed
in the traditional style, others have been dolls and seashell pictures. Specialities
adapted to more modern tastes. Crafted such as pecorino cheese, salted mullet roe,
goods are often made to a very high sweets and wine are also worth trying.

Opening Hours Department Stores
Shops in Sardinia generally The main department store
open at 9am, close at 1pm for in Cagliari is La Rinascente
lunch and reopen 4:30–8pm in Via Roma. Other large stores
(5–8:30pm or later in summer). are Upim and Oviesse, which
Large supermarkets and larger you will also find in other
clothes stores are open through ­ Sardinian towns and cities. Large
out the day. In the cities most shopping centres have grown
shops close for a few weeks in up on the outskirts of towns,
August, while on the coast they with a wide selection of goods
tend to open on a seasonal on offer, from shoe shops and
basis (June to September). clothing stores to supermarkets
and fast­food restaurants.
Handicrafts
Local handicrafts for sale in a certified
Local handicrafts are on sale ISOLA shop
all over Sardinia. In the villages,
women display their wares, no longer exists, the country
such as baskets, rugs or supports its handicrafts
ceramics, outside their homes. through Sardegna Artigianato.
For half a century, many shops The products of these shops
have received the support of carry a special seal of
Istituto Sardo Organizzazione quality guaranteeing
Lavoro Artigianale (ISOLA), their origin and authenticity.
Sardinian Institute of Handi­ You can find some good
crafts, which had worked until bargains at the Fiera del
2006, to offer quality products Tappeto (Carpet Fair), which is
from the local craftsmen’s held at Mogoro in late July–
cooperatives, including rugs, August. Handicrafts can also
A potter at the wheel producing tablecloths, leather, jewellery, be purchased at holiday
traditionally shaped vessels baskets, pottery, carved wood farms. Other useful addresses
and wrought­iron objects. can be found at www.
How to Pay
Though the ISOLA trademark sardegnartigianato.it.
The majority of the larger shops
and department stores accept
credit cards, but it is advisable
to check in advance. The
smaller shops and artisan’s
workshops will generally prefer
payment in cash. You must get
a receipt (scontrino) when you
pay; it is required by law and
you may be asked to produce it
as you leave the shop. It will
also be needed should you
want to change purchased
articles later on. A fish stall in Cagliari’s covered market, San Benedetto

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