What to buy in Italy?

If you were to go to Italy what are some things you just couldnt come home with out?(ex. Venetian mask, italian leather, etc.)

A good aceto balsamico and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to start. You can find these in the US, but they are much cheaper here. When I looked in December the aceto that I can get here for 60 euro was selling for $180 in the US. Other than the masks, there is some very nice Murano glass available in Venice, but a lot of what you see is uninteresting tourist stuff.

There are some interesting jewelery shops in many cities - look for the small independent artisans that design and make their own.

Some of the street artists in the cities do pretty nice work. That can provide a good memory when you get back from a trip.

There are some excellent ceramics in Forence and along the Amalfi Coast.

Limoncello and Nocino - although the home made ones are better than commercially produced versions.

owning some old castles or ruins , look them up they are really inexpensive!!

Gold and olive oil!!!

Ceramics is Sicily, clothes shopping in Rome and Milano, Glass & masks in Venice (just make sure that are made in Venice before you lay your money down).
Leather goods - are now sold in many shops run by Chinese... you'll need to make sure that what you are buying is actually made in Italy (anymore).
I always buy coffee in vaccum packed bags. I buy dried mushrooms, hot peppers, saffron, balsamic vinegar, mixed spices for meats.....

Instead of acting like other tourists spending a lot of $$$s in crappy souvenirs you could buy some speciality you surely can't find in the US (or even if you found em they're surely cheap imitations).

I have spent many summers in Italy and also spent a semester in Sicily. The things I have brought back over the years that remain special to me are: the murano glass vases and neclaces from Venice, the rosary from the Vatican, ceramic plates from Taormina, Sicily, gold jewelery from Florence (Florence is famous for their gold although you should try not to buy it on the ponte vecchio as it is much more expensive), and most of all my photos are a constant reminder of everything I saw and experienced in Italy. My favorite places in Italy are: Taormina, Tropea, Chianti Region of Tuscany, Florence, and Sorrento. Rome is a must see if you have never been to Italy. You can see everything in Rome in about 3 days.

Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), balsamic vinegar, limoncello or limoncino or another type of liquor, shoes, Venetian mask, and food items.

food,clothes and beautiful...... car that in america there aren't
click her and see the beautiful car of italy..and if you want comment..http://lanciadeltahep.spaces.live.com/

those beautiful Italian paper-bound books, and the pretty stationery with the same designs.... they make lovely gifts for all your family and friends, too

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