Page 449 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

SHOPPING IN ROME  447

Shopping in Rome
Food and Drink
Rome has always been a thriving centre for design and If you are tempted to take home
shopping. In ancient times, the finest craftsmen were drawn some irresistible Italian delicacies,
to the city, and artifacts and products of all kinds, including such as pecorino romano cheese,
gold, furs and wine, were imported from far-flung corners of Parma ham, extra virgin olive oil,
dried porcini mushrooms, sun-
the empire to satisfy the needs of the wealthy local population. dried tomatoes, olives and
Shopping in Rome today in many ways reflects this diverse grappa, as well as superb wines
tradition. Italian designers have a well-deserved reputation from Lazio and elsewhere then
for their luxuriously chic style in fashion, knitwear and leather the traditional food stores,
goods (especially shoes and handbags), as well as in interior alimentari, are a great place to
design, fabrics, ceramics and glass. The artisan tradition is start. Try the well-stocked
Fratelli Fabbi, near Piazza di
strong, and the love of good design filters through into the Spagna, with its exceptional
smallest items. Rome is not a city for bargains (although it is selection of delicious cold
often better value than Florence or Milan), but the joys of meats and cheeses from every
window shopping here will offer plenty of compensation. corner of Italy, as well as quality
wines and champagnes. A few
a street crammed with small doors down on the same street
Fashion specialist outlets, such as is Focacci, with its wonderful
Italy is one of the leading Le Tre Ghinee, which sells array of Italian delicacies. The
lights in high fashion, or alta ceramics and glass objects. historic but expensive Volpetti
moda. Many famous designers If you are more interested in in Testaccio is synonymous
may be based in Milan, but contemporary design, visit the with great service and
Rome is home to a cluster of Palazzo delle Esposizioni uncompromising quality.
sophisticated and internationally Arion, where a wide range of Aside from specializing in
distinguished fashion houses. objects by famous designers unusual cheeses, olive oils,
The most notable among them are available. vinegars and a fabulous
are probably Fendi, Laura The Feltrinelli International selection of food hampers,
Biagiotti, Prada and Valentino, bookshop has an excellent Volpetti also stocks a variety of
whose studio dominates range of foreign-language Italian lard and caviar – you can
Piazza Mignanelli. fiction, as well as non-fiction even try before you buy.
But even for those unable to covering various subjects, In Pinciano, Casa dei Latticini
splash out on genuine designer including Italian art and Micocci sells a comprehensive
gear, much fun can be gained architecture, cookery, travel and range of cheeses from even the
from a stroll down the streets history. It also stocks some most remote regions of Italy,
that radiate out from the superb photographic, art and while in Trastevere, the family-run
Piazza di Spagna: some of the cinema posters. For cut-price Antica Caciara Trasteverina has
window displays here are deals on books try the a vast assortment of local and
truly spectacular. second-hand stalls in Via delle regional dairy products, which
Rome is not a good place to Terme di Diocleziano and include sheep’s ricotta and the
buy everyday wear, since there in Largo della Fontanella Piedmontese toma del fen. More
is a distinct lack of mid-price di Borghese. local, reasonably priced cheeses
shops that bridge the gap Near the Pantheon, the are available at Cisternino.
between the dazzlingly priced Florentine Il Papiro sells a great If cakes and chocolate feature
alta moda designer exclusives range of illustrious paper-based on your list, then there is plenty
and the ultra-cheap goods sold products, including diaries, of opportunity to satisfy those
in markets. However, at notebooks, envelopes and cravings too. Il Mondo di Laura,
Discount dell’Alta Moda you beautiful seal-and-wax sets that in the Jewish ghetto, sells
can find end-of-season designer make ideal gifts. delicious homemade cookies,
labels at 50 per cent less than Religious artifacts are readily biscuits and cakes. The dark
the boutique prices. available in bookshops near chocolate “Pepita” cookie is
the main basilicas, such as spectacular. Moriondo e Gariglio
the Libreria Belardetti near specializes in chocolate delights
Books and Gifts
St Peter’s. Other shops made to traditional Piedmontese
Rome offers huge scope for gift specialize in religious items for recipes. To find all the above and
buying, both in the well- both the clergy and the a lot more under just one roof,
established tourist stores in the layperson. Facing the Vatican head to Eataly, a temple to
historic centre and in smaller gates, in Via di Porta Angelica, Italian food. Occupying an entire
shops located in less frequented there are several shops, section of Ostiense train station,
parts of the city that might not including Al Pellegrino Eataly is filled with the finest
feature in your holiday itinerary. Cattolico, that sell mementos Italian food products available
The central Via del Pellegrino is to visiting pilgrims. on the market.

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