Table of Contents
Wherever you land in Italy, your travel will start in a simple and easy way. One step after another. Whereto?
Italian map changes according to the place you move from as if an entire world of unique traditional shops opened its doors for you.
Italy is a large mosaic where every single tessera owns its peculiar features and regional specialities are part of Italian charm.
Frame is represented by ancient towns that date back long time ago and in such a picture every place is proud of keeping alive its own identity and style. In Turin artisan workshops display their ceramic creations in ancient wooden stores. In Naples coral jewels and statuettes are sold through the alleyways of the ancient town. In Florence you will find rare book edition and clever artisans.
And what about the rest of Italy?
What to buy in Turin?
Before starting your shopping, take a rest and sit at a cafe, please.
A time travel that will bring you back to the Belle Époque period like a Midnight in Turin experience. Leaving your table the best idea is walking around the city center through marble arcades and wide squares surrounded by an impressive Royal architecture. Balon area is the core of vintage and traditional dealers with a huge market that happens on the second Sunday of the month. Ceramic creations are part of Turin identity. Hand-painted dishes, decorative tiles and religious statuettes become artistic pieces through an alchemy between old tradition and modern design.
Handmade craft in Verona
Romeo and Juliet, passion and love. Arena di Verona, artistic performances and scenographic context. Style and tradition for an old town that welcomes guests through narrow cobblestone streets and large medieval squares. In Verona arts and crafts are connected with iron and wood.
Artisan skills follow ancient method and modern tastes to create unique objects: from small horses to huge decorations for balconies and houses. Wrought-iron manufacturing started in 1887 with Roberto da Cogolo and it carries on nowadays in small workshops that follow the same manufacturing techniques. Wood carving reached Verona from the countryside. Traditional skills were born in the mountains where shepherds carved soft wood as a collateral activity. Today you could buy in Verona those wood carving objects with a great variety of subjects: masks, statues and tiny amulets.
Traditional treasures between Naples and Capri
If you are wondering what to buy in Naples, Capri and Sorrento, no doubt that you will find here a great variety of traditional and exclusive products.
A fascinating and scenographic territory with friendly and welcoming people is the perfect setting to start your shopping.
Traditional coral processing has become one of the most significant artistic production of the area. The result is a variety of jewels and decorations made with different coral qualities. The “ Skin Angel “ one (a pale rose variety) is used for very precious creations like pearl necklaces and cameos.
Fine and artistic china is part of Naples tradition thanks to a processing unvaried from ancient times. In Naples and Sorrento’s shops you will find out those masterpieces created by famous artists such as Caselli and Gricci. What to buy? Vases, plates and little smiling angels.
What should I buy in Florence?
Symbol of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is the right place to discover artistic and traditional creations. City itself is an open air museum full of artisan workshops. In Ponte Vecchio area gold and silver processing has created jewels well known throughout the world.
Rare book editions appear like memories of a forgotten past from antiquarian shop windows.
Refined and elegant Scarperia’s knives remind us of the Medieval age when those objects were used by nobles as a status symbol.
Leather workshops represent a distinctive element of Florence landscape. Shoes, bags and other accessories made with the best Italian leather quality mixed together with artisan skills. An alchemy that dates back long time ago and results are unique and exclusive creations.
Glass craft in Venice: a unique techinque
In Italy there is a place by the sea which seems to be born as the fantasies in the mind of an artist. Venice comes from the water as a dream made with daring architectures as much as the traditional masterpieces that artisans create. Air and glass transform a common material in high quality and exclusive objects known all around the world.
Glass blowers move from the furnace to the anvils in a continuous process supported by secret skills and unchanged passions.
Arts and crafts in Rome and Milan: what to buy?
Two cities, two souls, two different ways of representing themselves.
Rome shows an ancient past through its impressive architectures, while marbles and stones reflect the Mediterranean light. Traditional shops and family restaurants fill up with people in a loud and friendly atmosphere.
Marketplaces are everywhere full of vintage objects and dealers are proud to describe their goods.
The best souvenirs can be found in via del Corso, for those who like antiques and art shops the right places are in Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo.
Milan’s identity is strictly connected with fashion, famous brands spread their shop windows along elegant streets.
Via Montenapoleone and Corso Venezia are the best addresses where to meet independent boutiques and international top brands.
Corso Venezia could be compared to Paris’s avenue des Champs-Élysée as one of the longest shop street in Europe. For those who like fashion and brands is the right place to buy their clothes.
