Shopping
Shop 'til you drop!
Before embarking on your trip, you are faced with the ever-important dilemma of deciding whether you are going to pack lightly or just buy another suitcase while you're in Italy, because, try as you may, you are fated to come back with more than you came! How it is possible to see Italy's high fashion as such cheap prices and not treat yourself to something special? After subsisting solely on Italy's amazing food and wine during your vacation, how could you even think of returning to America without at least a few bottles and a package of artisan pasta.
Walking down the streets of each Italian city and town, you will notice
a single thread uniting each Italian man, woman, and child: extremely
fashionable clothing! Sold everywhere from Milan to the most remotet
own in Sicily, the highest fashions tend to be, despite the dollar's
recent weakness, an absolute steal. In the more cosmopolitan cities
like Rome, Milan, and Florence you will pass the usual suspects like
Diesel, Gucci, Versace, and Armani, which have the latest season's
collection way before we get them in America. But particularly exciting
is the opportunity to go to the towns that originally inspired Italy's
fashion. Como, is home to the silk industry and where you can buy the
most unique lingerie, ties, scarves and other items of the highest
quality.
For fans of leather, Italian cities, particularly Florence, offer guests tremendous quality at bargain prices. Whether you are looking for that smart leather jacket, sleek leather pants, or other
paraphernalia, Italy is the place to find it. Accessories, especially jewelry, are very inexpensive considering their craftsmanship. Look for shops that carry the much-coveted 18 karat gold, which is also offered in luminous white gold.
As is widely known, Italy's glasswork has been made famous by the Venetians, who offer guests of Venice amazing artistry that is manifested in beautiful sculptures, both large and small, and a variety of other items like glass decorative candies. Antiques, art, and ceramics are also sold throughout the land and make for excellent mementos of your vacation and your passion for Italy.
Among the most popular purchases in Italy are the exquisite items
partaking of its superior culinary tradition including the finest extra
virgin olive oils, herbs, spices, pestos, sauces, pastas, and cured
meats. For lovers of wine, well, the selection in Italy is
unparalleled, so we urge you to bring home a few bottles along with one
of their amazing liquors or grappas.
Any shopping in Italy, however, must be done while bearing in mind that
the stores operate on a schedule that most of us will find unusual.
Those of you who have heard stories about lazy afternoons around Europe
during a cherished siesta (or pausa in Italian) heard
right: for a few hours in the afternoon, shops close to let workers
have a relaxing lunch and maybe even a brief nap. Shops are generally
open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 4 to 8 p.m. Thankfully,
Italy's urban centers like Milan and Turin have adapted to aschedule
more befitting of the American face-paced lifestyle, with more familiar
store hours.
All major credit cards are honored in Italy. For more information on currency and exchange rates see our Currency page.
VAT or Value Added Tax (or otherwise referred to as IVA in Italy) is a tax levied by the European Union on the sale of most goods, especially pricier ones. Non-EU citizens are entitled to receive this VAT back when they leave Italy. It is imperative that you fill out the special VAT return form stamped by the shop where you have made your purchases. This form and all receipts with clearly defined purchase prices and VAT information must be presented with your unopened purchases to the Customs office at the airport in your city of departure. The customs office will not accept receipts without the necessary VAT forms from the shop. In some instances, you will be entitled to receive a cash refund directly at the airport; in others, some stores will automatically reduce the price at the time of purchase. Be aware that if you do not return the forms within a certain time period, the store is entitled to charge you the VAT that they had originally taken off your bill.
You can carry merchandise purchased with you, or have it shipped home, whichever is more convenient.
For information on goods offered in specific towns, cities, and regions, be sure to check out our Destination pages.
|
|