The Insider's Guide to Shopping in Rome By Ken Sand At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Tourists visit Rome to see the Vatican city, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and eat crusty thin pizza. But Rome is also a delight for shoppers whether you’re after a Gucci bag or a pair vintage boots. Below you'll find my «insider's tips» to shopping in Rome. I'll tell you a little bit about everything from expensive and designer clothes to cheap bargains on sale and in the markets.

Let's start off with the high end fashion. For the big name labels, the area around Piazza di Spagna is the spot. Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Valentino, Tod’s, Costume National and Bulgari all rub shoulders in this pristine and obviously costly neighbourhood. For fancy labels at outlet prices (rarely less than 50% off, so calculate accordingly), check out the TAD outlet (5 Via San Giacomo) nearby. If you’re willing to make the trek beyond the city limits, the outlet centres Castel Romano (www.mcarthurglen.it) and Fashion District (www.fashiondistrict.it) are both about 45-minute drive away and worth the trip.

Rome has plenty of unique boutiques. If you’re more on the lookout for something original, local designers, and boutique collections, scour the twisting streets around Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, and Trastevere. Pick up arty jewellery, house-wares, shoes and accessories. Via del Governo Vecchio (Piazza Navona), and the Monti district are the places for vintage and second-hand clothes, shoes and bags as well as funky gift items and house-wares.

For typically middle of the road end of the market, head for the center. Rome’s magnificent mile, aka, Via del Corso, stretches from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, and is dotted with stores for every budget. Here you’ll find Spanish import ZARA (which is cheap and trendy), Benetton, Etam, Sportstaff and other midrange retail labels. Termini Shopping Forum is actually one of the most varied places to shop for clothes are reasonable prices, beauty products, and gifts. While waiting for a train, or even if you’re in the area, check out Sephora for beauty products, Sergio Tacchini for Italian sportswear, and a number of mid-range to low cost kiosks and retail chains for men and women.

Want to haggle your way to a bargain? The street markets around town sell everything from house-wares to underwear at bottom of the barrel prices with quality to match. Porta Portese market and Via Sannio (Metro A ‘San Giovanni’) offer some gems at a great value, but be ready to beat the crowds and spend hours towelling the stands.

It may be smart to book your stay for a period with sales. The word to look for is ‘SALDI’ (sales), and you’ll notice it most in mid-July and January when stores start purging the old season to male room for new inventory. You’re likely to find discounts of over 50 percent. If you see the phrase ‘SVENDITA TOTALE’ (everything must go), a store is most likely closing or renovating, and will slice up to 70% percent.

Enjoy your shopping in Rome, and remember to bring some extra luggage to get everything with you on the plane back home. Careful though, you may need to pay for the extra weight..

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