I am heading back to Italy and am looking for suggestions on some unique shopping experiences that are out of the way. Also looking for the same with restaurants in those areas. I do have a gluten allergy however, most places can work with that. I would just like to experience something new that I have not experienced and authentic.
Thank you so much for all suggestions.
Posted by
World
138 posts
In Venice definitely get yourself something made of Murano Glass, Milano - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
Being gluten-free does not mean you should limit yourself while in Italy :) Italy is a heaven on Earth for a foodie
I had the list for Rome restaurants somewhere provided by the local guide, I will share with everyone once I find it
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16687 posts
In Venice definitely get yourself something made of Murano Glass,
Milano - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
I'll gently disagree with this as Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is definitely not "out of the way" and Murano glass is not especially unique nor are Murano workshops especially "out of the way". They are very popular tourist attractions and included in a lot of packaged tours. There may be, however, some smaller, less-visited workshops that someone could recommend.
But Kristine, are you looking simply for the browsing experience or more in, say, artisan demonstrations, such as glass blowing, mask-making, marbled paper-making, etc. and purchasing such products? It would help to know what a "unique shopping experience" means to you. :O)
Posted by
OP
Michigan
72 posts
THANK YOU KATHY,
I REMEMBER SEEING ALL THOSE THINGS WHEN THERE IN THE PAST. I WAS HOPING FOR SOME HIDDEN PLACES THAT POSSIBLY WOULD BE WORKING TO MAKE THEIR PRODUCTS PLUS SELLING IN THEIR FAMILY OWNED SHOPS. I ENJOY JUST POPPING INTO LITTLE PLACES TO SEE WHAT I CAN FIND. SOMETIMES THEY ARE JUST WORKING AND NOT SELLING ANYTHING.
THE PAPER MAKING AND MASK MAKING WOULD BE FUN TO SEE.
THE FIRST TIME VISITING I HIT ALL THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS SO THIS TIME I FELT I WOULD LIKE TO RELAX A BIT AND JUST EXPERIENCE THESE PLACES FOR WHAT THEY REALLY ARE.
I TRY TO GO TO RESTAURANTS THAT ARE OFF THE BEATEN PATH TO EXPERIENCE LIKE EVERYONE THE TRUE ITALY.
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16687 posts
Excellent information, Kristine! That's exactly the sort of insight that will help the folks make some suggestions.
Just as a start, take a look at paragraph about the artisans in the Otrano neighborhood (Florence) on the Walks of Italy website? Sounds like it's right up your alley:
https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/florence/oltrarno-florence-italy-pitti-palace
I don't know how current this piece is but it might be useful as well:
https://www.walkaboutflorence.com/articles/florences-artisan-quarter
LOL, you might want to take caps lock off your keyboard? :O)
Posted by
OP
Michigan
72 posts
Thank you. I will check into those areas.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
You can get a few ideas from these news articles:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/sep/27/top-10-souvenir-shops-venice-vintage-art-bookshops
http://www.bbc.com/travel/gallery/20181113-the-last-velvet-merchant-of-venice
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/fashion/craftsmanship-antico-setificio-fiorentino-florence-italy.html or https://www.thelocal.it/20181218/the-florence-silk-mill-still-using-a-da-vinci-designed-machine