Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DEPARTMENT STORES
Rome's three major department stores are Coin (shoes, undergarments, and
midrange fashion); La Rinascente (sunglasses, cosmetics, mid- to upper-range
fashion); and Upim (lower-end fashion, toys, cosmetics), all located throughout
the city.
FASHION BOUTIQUES
The big names in Italian fashion like Gucci, Prada, Versace, Armani, and
Valentino have boutiques in the Tridente, below the Spanish Steps. Mainstream
shops selling more moderate fashions dot the city and it's not hard to find small
boutiques with great deals.
FLEA MARKETS
The best known flea market in the city, and perhaps in all of Italy, is the Sunday-
morning bonanza at the gates of Porta Portese between Trastevere and Testaccio.
Stalls start setting up before 5am and you can start haggling shortly thereafter. If
you have ever dreamed of owning it, you can find it here.
GIFT SHOPS
La Chiave
(Largo delle Stimmate, 28;
%
06-68308848)
sells imported crafts,
interesting antique toys, and paper masks, in addition to lots of rugs, blankets,
and handmade clothing. There is a small stationery shop in the back of the store
selling journals and scrapbook albums.
If you are looking for a handmade memento, try the medieval-feeling
Polvere
de Tempo
(Via del Moro, 59;
%
06-5880704).
It specializes in handmade jewelry,
antique-aspect globes, candles, and time-related gifts like hourglasses made from
hand-blown glass or small used Campari bottles, which are calibrated to 3 min-
utes or 1 hour down to the last grain of sand. The items here are priced fairly and
are one of a kind.
For the inner gladiator in you, go to
Archeo Roma
(Largo del Teatro Valle, 5;
%
06-6877590)
for reproductions of statues, jewelry, and gladiator arms. You'll
find costumes, capes, and realistic looking swords—perfect for your next costume
party.
HOUSEHOLD GADGET STORES
One of the best souvenirs from Italy is a funky kitchen gadget or item of wine para-
phernalia. Stores that cater to everyday Italians sell what's standard in an Italian
kitchen, like pasta rollers, Parmesan-cheese graters, and mod-looking utensils, for
much less than you'd pay for these imports at home. The best place to find these
gadgets is in the Jewish Ghetto at
Leone Limentani
(Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 47;
%
06-68806686),
though this is a true hunt-and-peck store resembling an aban-
doned warehouse that hasn't seen a duster in years. You can find Italian-designed
crockery and gadgets for 20% less than their market value, and have your purchase
shipped to your home. A source of household gadgets that's a little more expensive,
but more straightforward in terms of the shopping experience, is
C.U.C.I.N.A.
(Via
Mario de' Fiori, 65;
%
06-6791275; www.cucinastore.com),
below the Spanish
Steps. This is a perfect place to shop for things you don't actually need at prices you
don't mind paying. And most of these gadgets are worthy gifts to bring back home.
