Shopping tips for your Italian holidays

This article was just published on www.italytravelnotes.com. For those headed for <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Italy and looking forward to great Italian shopping experience - you might find this information very useful.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />When you go to Italy for the first time there is so much to see, so much to visit that you rarely find time for shopping. And I don’t mean souvenirs, but the typical shopping – that of stylish and high quality goods Italy is famous for. And you always have a choice to hop into any of the shops lining the small streets leading to any of the famous moments in any Italian city. And at least from experience, I can say, that even there where it is packed with tourist – you still can find things to buy you would be  rarely disappointed with. As for those travellers who prefer to shop the way Italians themselves do, to discover Italy though shopping as an experience – here are some tips and spots you might consider next time you are there:
 Rome – Piazza del Risorgimento and via Cola di Rienzo:
Located in the vicinity of the Vatican and St Peter’s Cathedral – you can spend some hours wondering though the stores on both sides of via Cola di Rienzo, starting from Piazza del Risorgimento. Don’t shy away from looking at the stalls of the “marocchini” – the Moroccans, who sell “original” looking but still high quality hand bags, belts and sunglasses. Last time I checked they had started selling “brand-name” shoes as well. And don’t forget to bargain – especially if you are talking to them in a language different than Italian. Half way through via Cola di Rienzo and if you feel like taking a sip of a real Italian cappuccino – do go into Castroni, which is both a shop for food articles from around the world and they serve coffee at the bar. Drink it the Italian way standing at the bar, anyway you don’t have another option there since the space is limited and often packed with Italians, which offers an unforgettable athmosphere. 

Milano – via Monte Napoleone and via della SpigaNow this definitely is not a typical place where Italians shop, at least not the average Italians and still it is an experience in itself. If you happen to be in Milan, do dedicate an hour or so to linger among the shop windows of via Monte Napoleone and the parallel via della Spiga. Even if you have no intention of buying anything at that price-range only looking at the shop windows is a meditation in itself – on the creativity, the colour combinations and the luxury in the world. And outside on the street you can catch a glimpse of those who do shop there – a different world and an amazing experience.

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