Shopping!

[cardbucfan]

Hi all. I'm not a big shopper in general but we are going on a grand med cruise in May. I usually collect magnets and Christmas ornaments and plan to do that in each port but we will be sailing over Mother's Day and my birthday so I've told DH not to worry about gifts, I will take care of those on my own!

 

So my question is what is the "thing" each port is known for. I don't want food items (I will be eating all the gelato I can while I'm there!).

 

I'm posting this here so I can avoid posting on each country's thread and to get a good cross reference of posters.

 

Here's our itinerary:

 

Barcelona

Toulon (going to Aix en Provence and Cassis)

Florence

Rome

Naples (gong to Herculaneum and Sorrento)

Mykonos

Athens

Kotor

Dubrovnik

Venice

 

I've been doing research with books but want your I out as well. A lot of the books give guidance as if you're going to be there for awhile (can't get a pair of handmade Italian shoes sadly!)

 

 

Thanks!

[Essiesmom]

Venice...Jewelry and masks. if it is your last port, I hope you are spending a couple of days there after the cruise. Don't rely on the stands and shops around San Marco, venture into the Cannaregio district for less expensive shops, and take the vaporetto out to Murano for better prices on Murano glass jewelry. Ports in Greece have good silver jewelry in Greek themes. Can you tell we like jewelry? We also collect magnets and pins, and take lots of pictures! Be sure to take plenty of memory cards...EM

[sail7seas]

I have collected book marks from all over during our travels. I have them in leather, silk, pewter, copper, lace..... every imaginable material. Almost all tourist spots have a museum store or souvenir shops and they travel light, pack easily and are easily accessible at home when I want to admire my collection. :) They provide outstanding memories.

 

In Venice, you may wish to find Murano glass beads. Some of the long strands are fun.... get earrings, too.

 

Gold jewelry in Greece is outstanding. I bought my late DH 22k cufflinks in Mykonos that he loved. This after he bought me gold in Athens. :D

 

In Naples, I found a delicate cameo earring I've enjoyed tremendously. They are known for cameo.

 

Florence is leather...... Oh the wonderful handbags and shoes. Though I admit to loving Spanish leather equally. Shoes I bought in Madrid and Seville were a dream. :)

 

In Rome, after a great many trips and lots of time spent there, of the many things I purchased, where some tall, very slim beverage glasses. They were of a size and shape in those days I'd not seen offered in any of the lovely housewares stores/departments. If you are Catholic or have Catholic friends for whom you'd like to bring a gift, Rosaries from the Holy Year purchased at St. Peter's Square and blessed by the Pope are quite special, of course. I brought them for my friends who had young children who had not yet had First Communions. They were so thrilled and the children use them to this day. (I am not Catholic. )

 

In Rome, we often saw street artists and purchased a few watercolor pieces we framed and love the scenes and memories. They were quite high quality and very lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[cardbucfan]

I like these ideas and sail7seas-thanks for the rosary reminder. My mom brought me one back from the Vatican back in the 70's and I still have it!

 

Keep 'em coming!!

[SuiteTraveler]

I'll try to help with you with ideas for inexpensive items that are magnets or could be used for Christmas ornaments. My answers in red below:

 

Hi all. I'm not a big shopper in general but we are going on a grand med cruise in May. I usually collect magnets and Christmas ornaments and plan to do that in each port but we will be sailing over Mother's Day and my birthday so I've told DH not to worry about gifts, I will take care of those on my own!

 

So my question is what is the "thing" each port is known for. I don't want food items (I will be eating all the gelato I can while I'm there!).

 

I'm posting this here so I can avoid posting on each country's thread and to get a good cross reference of posters.

 

Here's our itinerary:

 

Barcelona

Known for Gaudi - look for a magnet that looks like a lizard and is made of tiles at Parc Guell's gift shop or order online:

http://www.gaudibarcelonashop.com/en/35-park-guell-lizard

Another symbol of Barcelona is the Bull:

http://www.gaudibarcelonashop.com/en/bulls-gaudi/1226-red-trencadis-bull-magnet-.html

 

Toulon (going to Aix en Provence and Cassis)

Cassis is known for the liquor of the same name and also the Calques and the liquor of the same name. Provence is known for wine, lavender and herbs du province in a olive wood mill.

 

In Cassis if you go to the shop called Antinea on 2 Place Mirabeau, I believe you will find something that represents Cassis or at least France. They have a lot of handcrafted and gift type items.

 

Provence is a large area, but I would suggest something made of olive wood or something representing lavender.

 

Florence

Florence is famous for the gold merchants on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. The symbols of Florence would be Michaelangelo's David (at the Academia) and also Il Porcellino the famous bronze boar fountain of Florence. Rub his nose for luck.

 

Rome - If you go into gift stores in Rome, look for something to do with the Vatican or the Coloseum. It is also in Rome you may find Christmas ornaments representing Pinnochio - usually these are made of wood.

Naples (gong to Herculaneum and Sorrento) Sorrento is famous for Italian Pottery. Many of the pottery stores carry small items such as magnets. They can ship anything you buy to your house should you decide to buy something big. The other thing this area is famous for is Limoncello.

Mykonos - look for a bright blue plate or magnet that shows scenery from the area such as those here:

http://www.greeka.com/blog/greece/things-buy-greece-else-gifts-take-back-home

 

Athens - buy a blue Matia - for warding off the evil eye. It may not be a magnet, but you can easily make it into one. Or buy an Owl, which is the symbol for the goddess Athena.

http://www.athensguide.com/gifts.html

 

Kotor - if possible buy something with the Seal of Kotor on it or something themed around the cats which are all over Kotor - there is even a cat museum there.

 

Dubrovnik - Licitar hearts (red with white and an inscription) - people use these to decorate Christmas trees even though they are made of Gingerbread. My suggestion would be to seal it with a clear veneer when you get home. Glagolitic script - a method of writing that was devised to span languages in this area - you can often find small items with this on it. You can see the script here:

http://www.croatianhistory.net/etf/et03.html

 

Venice - Venice is famous for Venetian Masks which work great in Christmas trees and also nearby Murano which is famous for colorful and very detailed glass items.

 

I've been doing research with books but want your I out as well. A lot of the books give guidance as if you're going to be there for awhile (can't get a pair of handmade Italian shoes sadly!)

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Hope these ideas help you!

Edited March 27, 2016 by SuiteTraveler

[arkiesgirl]

Damascene items in Spain are beautiful and reasonably priced. (Toledo steel inlaid with gold or silver) I have several jewelry pieces and a small clock from a previous trip.

[sail7seas]

Oh, YES...... I forgot the Toledo steel pieces. I love them. A visit to Toledo was very special as was the shopping. :)

[Keith1010]

sail7seas has offered some wonderful suggestions so I am just going to add a few.

 

In Greece, ceramics are a nice choice as well.

 

In Italy, my wife and I like to pick up something made out of wood such as a small bowl.

 

Barcelona, would include Lladro

 

If you were going to Sorrento I would highly recommend a nice music box. You will find them in Venice but they are made in Sorrento and will be more costly there.

 

Have a wonderful time on this cruise and congratulations on being on board for these celebrations.

 

Keith

[GUT2407]

Florence you can also visit Visconti pens, if great pens float your boat.

[cardbucfan]

I'm loving these ideas! Thanks all!

 

Any more?

[SadieN]

In Florence there is a wonderful mosaic shop, never saw one in Rome.

Scarpelli Mosaici

scarpellimosaici.com

As mentioned above there are lots of street vendors selling all sorts of leather goods. Don't be afraid to bargain.

 

 

 

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[Floridiana]

Italy is famous for high fashion and elegant clothing, leather goods and fine wool. All of it expensive. I always go for the scarves :)

[Dave Ayton]

There's a Christmas shop in Sorrento and plenty of hand made leather shoes to choose from. Unfortunately there are also two very good leather goods shops which seem to specialise in HANDBAGS as my wallet knows only too well !!

[SadieN]

Italy is famous for high fashion and elegant clothing, leather goods and fine wool. All of it expensive. I always go for the scarves :)

 

 

A few years ago Florence was the place for the cheapest 'street' scarves. Those scarves sold on the carts.

 

 

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[jocap]

A few years ago Florence was the place for the cheapest 'street' scarves. Those scarves sold on the carts.

 

 

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That reminds me- in Livorno once (the port for Florence) I bought two long scarves, wide enough to be used as stoles on formal evenings. This was in the market. The peach coloured one is man-made fibres, but very pretty, and the sea-green one, shot with silver, turned out to be pure silk. They cost less than €10 each.

[cardbucfan]

Good to know about the scarves-those are great souvenirs for the golf girlfriends!

 

@sadieN-you recommend bargaining. How aggressive can it get? DH loves to bargain but I hate it!

[SadieN]

How aggressive do you want it to be? We've walked away many times, only to be called back.

 

 

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[slidergirl]

The carts are still in Florence. I also cruise the stalls in the San Lorenzo Market for cheap scarves. I wear scarves all year, so I like to pick a few when I travel.

In Florence, also go to the Mercato Centrale and look for some of the food and wine and spices that you are allowed to take home (or take on the ship for some yummy snacks)!!

[cardbucfan]

Thanks for the ideas!