We will land in Milano at 0830 on a Tuesday then off to Varenna. Carryon bags only, so large bottles of lotion, shampoo, etc cannot be packed. (I use a lot of lotion on my dry skin!) I am searching google for shops in Varenna that might sell these products, and there must be stores for the local residents, but I can't seem to find any info! Are these types of supplies available to purchase at Milano Centrale?
Posted by
Green Bay
21370 posts
At Milano Centrale ground level.
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/service/detail/farmacia-1
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
795 posts
This one might have a little more options for you, beyond just being a pharmacy... http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/store/detail/essere-benessere1
But I would probably go straight to Sephora...
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/store/detail/sephora1
after continuing to look through that.....WOW Milano Centrale has gotten cooler since last time I visited! I could use that as a mall!
Posted by
OP
Columbus, Ohio
142 posts
Perfect! Thank you both so much! Sephora will be perfect, and I hope it's the only shopping I do in an "American" shop while we are in Italy! 😊
Posted by
1539 posts
Milan is a better choice.....Varenna has a couple of adorable mom & pop grocery store/deli places, but you would probably find not much selection there. you'll love the cute restaurants and gelato shops.....I bought one hand made angel ornament there from the artisan, wish I'd bought a few more. ride the ferry over to Bellagio just for an afternoon....but I LOVED Varenna
Posted by
Alexandria, VA
771 posts
There is a Farmecia there that would carry lotions, tho not large sizes, maybe. It is on the town square.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
360 posts
I could be wrong, but I don't recall seeing many travel-sized options while over there, so you'd be lugging around larger bottles of stuff in your carry-on, which are heavy and take up more space. I don't know how long your trip is, but I've been able to use 2 or 3 oz. Go Toobs to fill up with my own supplies and I've had enough to spare after a three-week trip.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
Any profumeria or a Farmacia will have that stuff. How long are you staying in Varenna? A travel size lotion will do for a few days.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34335 posts
Actually being able to go the stores in Varenna and get what you want in the size you want when you want it is problematical. The one grocery is exceedingly tiny with much of their food in the two freezer cases at the front of the store, the fancier gourmet store is also very limited and not cheap, and the handful of other places are tiny.
You can get everything you want in Milano Centrale, and maybe at the airport (although I have never flown into or out of Milan so have no first hand knowledge). I do have first hand knowledge of Varenna.
Posted by
OP
Columbus, Ohio
142 posts
Thanks for all of the replies. I will pick up a small bottle at the train station in Milano and can replenish if needed along the way. We will be in Italy for 3 wks, and my 3-1-1 bag is pretty tight. I live in a small town and I know it can be challenging to find what I want locally, which is why I was concerned about "shopping" in Varenna.
Posted by
752 posts
Farmacia has all that stuff and more options than supermercato or smaller grocers, look for the big neon green Plus sign.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9079 posts
You're just a short ferry ride away from Bellagio and Menaggio both of which are larger, with all sorts of shopping options.