Scents found in soaps and bath gels in a country reflect that culture and their tastes. If anything, it may be something you’ve never smelled before. Nothing says “Italy” like Gianduja (hazelnut chocolate) bath gel!<\/p>\n The Pupa and Aquolina brands can be easily found at your local “profumeria” – L’Erbolario has its own stores. I like the Limoni profumeria chain as they usually have a good selection and can be found in most Italian cities. Sephora, one of my favorite beauty stores I grew to love in Paris and then back in California, is also becoming quite popular and has numerous stores all over Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some Pupa items are available on Amazon<\/a>, or Pupa has a list of worldwide distributors you can call or email for info. L’Erbolario has a list of distributors in the world as well as a good selection on Amazon<\/a>. Amazon also has a selection of Aquolina products, mainly the popular body sprays and perfume from their popular Pink Sugar line<\/a>.<\/p>\n Well-deserving its own category, the Santa Maria Novella Farmacia is just one of those places you know if you’re in the know. If you like wonderful scents and retro packaging, you’ll love anything from the SMN Farmacia. Considered to be the oldest continuously-running pharmacy in Europe, the ornate insides of their stores are as charming as their products. My favorite scents are Verbena<\/em>, Mandorla<\/em> (almond) and Melograno<\/em> (Pomegranate). Their bars of soap make excellent small gifts and the perfume is great for a special someone. Other favorites are the Acqua di Sicilia, the Rose Water and the foot and hand creams (Crema per le Mani and Pasta di Mandorle), as well as the moisturizers.<\/p>\n Visit one of their exclusive locations in Italy. The store in Florence is not only the original site, it’s also the biggest.<\/p>\n | Firenze<\/strong> Via della Scala 16 – Firenze – Italy | Roma<\/strong> Corso del Rinascimento, 47 – 00186 Roma | Milano<\/strong> Corso Magenta, 22 – 20123 Milano |<\/p>\n Besides eLuxury which sells their products online exclusively to the US market, SMN Farmacia has a list of official commercial agents who you can contact for more information, and addresses of their resellers in London, New York and Los Angeles as well as all of their outlets in Italy.<\/p>\n How could I mention Italy without touching at all on the food, oh the wonderful food! Unfortunately, the best part about Italian food is the freshness and eating it surrounded by wonderful sights and history, and this doesn’t fit well into a suitcase.<\/p>\n But, you may be able to take a little Italy back with you, or at least a taste of it!<\/p>\n Specialty food stores, like Peck in Milan<\/a>, Castroni in Rome<\/a> and Eataly in Turin<\/a> are excellent sources of high quality, limited-production manufacturers. Or stop by an Italian supermarket before you fly out – you’ll find that the prices are not-touristy and you’ll find some interesting brands and products to take back home. Popular supermarket chains include Standa, SMA<\/a> (pronounced smah), Coop<\/a>, and Esselunga<\/a>. Check online or ask for directions to your nearest one and stock up!<\/p>\n Modica chocolate<\/strong>: The fair trade version is sold in Altromercato’s “Bottega del Mondo Altromercato” stores all over Italy<\/a>, and some in Greece, Malta and Portugal. The classic version of Modica chocolate can be found in specialty food shops and some gelaterias.<\/p>\n Note: Read your country’s custom limitations before planning to stuff your suitcase full of no-nos like buffalo meat and fresh yogurt. Chowhound has a good thread about customs questions being answered by a supposed US Customs agent<\/a>, but be sure to read official government documentation.<\/em><\/p>\n Amazon has a varied supply of these Italian gourmet food<\/a>, including the Casa Don Puglisi chocolate from Modica I tasted in the US in March that was almost identical to the brand I buy here. I found it at Whole Foods<\/a>, which is another good resource for hard-to-find Italian products in the US, Canada and UK. San Lorenzo food<\/a> will ship everything from mozzarella di buffala to limoncello within Europe.<\/p>\n La Rinascente<\/a><\/strong> department store has a good selection of household goods and brands, and is present in most of the big cities in Italy like Milano, Roma, Firenze. Their website has an English version, otherwise click on “Gli Store” and you’ll be taken to a list of cities and addresses.<\/p>\n Amazon has a good selection of Alessi products<\/a> and my Kitchen tool lists (click here for part 1<\/a> and part 2<\/a>) have many Italian products sprinkled in. Alessi also has an online shop<\/a> for USA, UK, the Netherlands and Germany. Williams Sonoma was my first introduction to food porn when I was little, and I love wandering their stores even today – gift an Italian tomato press<\/a> or Imperia pasta machine<\/a> for your “serious” cook.<\/p>\n For me, Venice has its own section in the gift guide. It’s not only a city, it’s a shopping destination, and I usually make a trek once a year for gift buying. I could (and do) spend days shopping when I’m in Venice, and I always find something unique for everyone on my list.<\/p>\n Venetian Glass<\/strong> Notable: If you are into Carnevale masks, Venice is the place for them.<\/em><\/p>\n Shopping in Venice is best done by walking around. Almost no two necklaces, vases or statues are alike and deserve a good look. I have my favorites, but I think treatment in Venice is based largely from person-to-person and one person’s rude is another person’s welcome. I do have a suggestion, though. If you’re undecided about something, leave the store, but don’t go far.<\/strong> Get a coffee close to the store, think about your purchase, and then go back if you want it. “Coming back later” are famous last words in Venice and continuously navigating the narrow streets and crowds will suck all desire to come back later, given you can find it in the maze! But when you arrive back home, you’ll be kicking yourself. Stick close by until you’ve decided. Worst case? You have an extra gift to give.<\/p>\n Other than shopping in Venice itself, there are some places you can find Venetian glass in Italy. La Murrina<\/a> (site appears to work only with IE) is all over Italy and guarantees the quality of the work being shown.<\/p>\n This is one thing that I’m not really comfortable recommending purchasing outside of Italy. If you try a site like eBay, there is the risk of finding fake products. Buyer beware.<\/p>\n Italy is a high-fashion mecca for many. I am not an expert or specialist since I refuse to spend that much money on clothes. But, I will share a few low-to-mid range favorites that will make a special treat for someone.<\/p>\n If you came to Italy for a high-fashion bargain, you’ll probably go away disappointed. Unless 500euro for a T-shirt is a bargain for you, and that means this guide is probably not for you. I wouldn’t bother with the Via Montenapoleone (Milano) or Via dei Condotti (Roma) unless you enjoy window-shopping or have a particular goal in visiting these high-fashion showplaces.<\/p>\n Italy also has outlet centers, the most famous being “the Mall” in Leccio Reggello, outside of Florence, and the McArthur Glen Designer Outlets in Serravalle (northern Italy, Piemonte). Corriere della Sera has a list of malls and outlet centers in Italy<\/a>, McArthur has links to their outlet centers in Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Madova gloves have an online catalog and store, Furla<\/a> and Coccinelle<\/a> both have several stores outside of Italy.<\/p>\n Perhaps my favorite category as I’m a big list-maker. When I first came to Italy, I was fascinated by the marbled and fleur de lis paper in Florence. I also bought a blank, leather-bound book to use as a diary. Now I carry a Moleskine around in my purse all day every day, a ready receptacle for my ideas.<\/p>\n The best place to get inspired by Florentine paper is at the San Lorenzo market. Be sure and visit the more specialty paper shops in the area surrounding it for something truly authentic. I don’t have a favorite, and most paper sellers’ websites are horrendous, but there are a few stores in Florence that you can visit and possibly order from online: Signum<\/a>, Lilium<\/a> and Parione<\/a>.<\/p>\n To buy Moleskine and other agendas, the big chain bookstores in Italy will have a good selection – Mondadori<\/a> and La Feltrinelli<\/a> both have numerous stores all over Italy.<\/p>\n I added a few Moleskine models to my eStore<\/a>, but Amazon has a much larger selection available<\/a> that can’t be added to an estore. Moleskine also has a list of locations where their notebooks can be found in the world<\/a>, highlighting Barnes & Noble, Borders, Feltrinelli, FNAC, and Mondadori. Amazon also has a small selection of Florentine paper and products<\/a>.<\/p>\n I love music, and living in Italy means I can often enjoy free concerts like Festival Bar this summer<\/a>, and hear the latest “it” songs. Music for me has a way of recalling past emotions and experiences, so even if I don’t love the song, I can often remember an event or feeling I had surrounding it.<\/p>\n Ask for the latest “Compilation” – popular recurring compilations are NOW<\/strong>!, Hit Dance Mania<\/strong> or Festival Bar<\/strong> and have a good mix of English and Italian songs popular in Italy right now. Keep up to date with RadioItalia’s Italian music chart<\/a> or MTV’s Hitlist Italia chart<\/a>.<\/p>\n I try to keep my Italian Music page in my estore updated for some great Italian albums<\/a><\/strong> – there’s over 40 now!<\/p>\n If I had to buy three albums for an Italian music lover right now:<\/p>\n A quick list of some Italian artists to look out for when shopping: “Newer” talents: Nek, Neffa, Negramaro, Tiziano Ferro, Francesco Renga (after winning Sanremo in 2005, he’s more popular), Finley.<\/p>\n Not Italian, but…. La Feltrinelli and Mondadori are good places to buy books as well as music – Messaggerie Musicali stores used to be separate stores, but they’ve been acquired by Mondadori, so the sign may remain, but they are the same store.<\/p>\n Check my Italian Music page in my estore for some albums<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Movies are just as moving as music.<\/p>\n Again, my estore is full of Italian movies, so go there and check it out.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n If I had to buy three movies for Italy lovers, I would buy:<\/p>\n I don’t really recommend buying films in Italy unless you’re sure your DVD player can play them. Music, movies and books are found at Mondadori and La Feltrinelli.<\/p>\n I could go on and on about gift ideas. In fact, I’ve gone on too long already. Here are some other ideas that I may cover in more depth later.<\/p>\n I have added a lot of things to my Amazon store in case you’re looking for inspiration!<\/a><\/p>\n![\"michaellinilly.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/11\/michaellinilly.jpg?ssl=1\")
FREE STUFF! After you read my list, leave a comment by December 1st about what non-perishable gift you’d love from Italy in the comments<\/strong> (even if I’ve already listed it) and I will send one lucky commenter this Illy collector’s tin (full of Illy coffee) designed by Michael Lin!<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>In the Bathroom<\/h3>\n
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In Italy<\/h5>\n
Outside Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Santa Maria Novella Farmacia<\/h3>\n
In Italy<\/h5>\n
Out of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Kitchen (food)<\/h3>\n
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In Italy<\/h5>\n
Outside of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Kitchen (Tools and Gadgets)<\/h3>\n
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In Italy<\/h5>\n
Outside of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Venice and Venetian glass<\/h3>\n
\nVenetian glass, and more specifically glass from the Murano island, can be beautiful works of art. Recently there has been an influx of “Chinese glass” in Venice being sold as Venetian glass. Unfortunately, there is no good rule-of-thumb about how to tell which is the real Venetian glass, so purchase with care. If you are making a substantial purchase of Murano glass, make sure you see a Vetro Artistico Murano<\/a> sticker on it.<\/p>\n\n
In Italy<\/h5>\n
Outside of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Clothing<\/h3>\n
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In Italy<\/h5>\n
Out of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>For the Writer, Blogger, Scribbler, Organizer<\/h3>\n
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In Italy<\/h5>\n
Out of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Music<\/h3>\n
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\nClassics: Luciano Pavarotti, Mina, Eros Ramazotti (albums also in Spanish – most recently has a duet out with Ricky Martin “Non siamo Soli”), Pino Daniele, Vasco Rossi, Laura Pausini (albums also in Spanish), Andrea Boccelli, Irene Grandi, Gigi d’Alessio, Elisa.<\/p>\n
\nBrazilian Girls<\/a><\/strong> is a great mix of lounge and funky electronic music where the lead singer intermingles her amazing 5 languages with innovative beats. Born in Rome, she sings at least one song in Italian, “Lazy Lover.”<\/p>\nIn Italy<\/h5>\n
Out of Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Movies for the Italy Lover<\/h3>\n
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\nMy eStore has quite a few Italian or Italy-inspired films!<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\nIn Italy<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Other honorable mentions for Italy lover gifts<\/h3>\n
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