Page 436 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

434  IT AL Y AND GREECE

Shopping for which Italy is famous.
Stainless steel and copper
Italy is known for its quality designer goods, ranging from kitchenware is a favorite
chic clothing and sleek cars to stylish household items. There buy with visitors.
is a strong tradition of craftsmanship, often from family-run
businesses, and there are numerous markets selling regional Regional Crafts
specialties. Apart from the town markets, it is not a country Traditional crafts are still
for bargains, but the joys of window-shopping will offer practised in Italy and range from
plenty of compensation. delicate lacework and glassware
in Venice to leatherwork,
jewelry, and marbled paper in
Opening Hours Jewelry Florence. Elaborate Tuscan
Opening times for shops are Glitzy gold jewelry is very popular pottery, hand-painted dishes
usually 9:30am–1pm, and 3:30 in Italy and every gioielleria from around Amalfi, and De
or 5–8pm. In many places, (jewelry shop) will offer a wide Simone’s stylized designer
stores are traditionally closed selection of items. Elegant, classic plates from Sicily are among
on Monday mornings, but jewelry can be purchased at Cusi many ceramic styles available.
shopkeepers are increasingly in Milan, while Venice’s smartest Among the best craft work-
working more flexible hours. jewelers are Missiaglia and Nardi shops in Rome is Spazio
in Piazza San Marco. Bulgari, Artigiano, which specializes in
known for its beautiful jewelry original, handmade wood, glass,
Department Stores and watches, has a number of and terra-cotta items. Naples’
Department stores are often retail outlets, as does Buccellati, Il Cantuccio della Ceramica is
open without a lunchbreak famous for its delicately engraved the place to go for ceramics.
(orario continuato) from 9am designs inspired by the Italian In Venice, the best place to
until 8pm Monday to Saturday. Renaissance. For reasonably buy local blue- and claret-
La Rinascente stores are good priced jewelry try Gioie in Rome. colored glass is the island
for ready-to-wear clothes, Naples has several jewelers’, and of Murano. Here, Barovier e
haberdashery, and perfumes. goldsmiths’ shops where Toso produces original designs.
traditional engraving and cameo Some of the most expensive
work can still be seen. Unusual glass in Venice can be bought
Designer Fashion and original items can often be from Venini. Carnival masks,
Italy is famous worldwide for found in artisan shops (oreficeria). available from Tragicomica,
its fashion industry. Milan, its and traditional Burano lace
designer capital, is stormed each Accessories are also popular buys.
year by Italians and foreigners The Etruscan art of working
alike in search of the latest cat- Stylish Italian leather shoes and alabaster is best seen in Volterra.
walk novelty. Giò Moretti, in Via handbags have an international Handmade perfumes and
della Spiga, features articles by market, and are a popular toiletries, and hand-painted
the top names, as well as pieces purchase of visitors to all parts majolica are favorite purchases
by up-and-coming designers. of the country. Ferragamo, the in Tuscany. Sicily is well known
Retail outlets of famous well-known Italian designer, has for its ceramics, and for
designers can be found in most stores in most Italian cities, traditional puppets. The latter,
Italian city centers. In Venice, offering elegant, classic shoes. now rare, can still be found in
Armani and others have stylish Leather bags and luggage are antique shops.
shops just off the Piazza San available at La Valigeria, and
Marco. Rome’s most famous Mandarina Duck bags are sold Gourmet Foods
designer is Valentino. His and in boutiques throughout Italy.
other top fashion names Ottica Nuova di Malizia Many of Italy’s regional food
dominate Rome’s Via Condotti, Michela sells trendy sunglasses, specialties are world-famous:
Via de’ Tornabuoni in Florence, and Borsalino is the place for Parma ham, Chianti wine, olive
and the Chiaia district of Naples. top-quality classic hats. oil, and grappa. Regional sweets,
One-off pieces by local including Sienese panforte and
designers can also be found. Sicilian marzipan, are also well-
Clothing Stores
In Naples, Marinella has a known, as are cheeses such as
Less expensive clothes are store selling her famous ties Gorgonzola from Lombardy and
available in high-street stores, worn by many celebrities. Parmesan from Emilia-Romagna.
where styles tend to be more Other delicacies include truffles
conventional or clas sical. Sales Household Items from Piedmont and Umbria. The
(saldi), are held during summer Lombardy region produces the
and winter. The rare second- Household stores in cities and famous panettone cake, and
hand shops may seem pricey, towns throughout the country amaretto biscuits are made in the
but the quality of clothes is good. sell the well-designed utensils Veneto. Vesuvio chocolate with

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