Shopping Finds: 2004
Here are some ideas of unique souvenirs and great deals in Europe: flea markets, Italian leather, Venetian glass, Bavarian Christmas ornaments, Turkish carpets... So much shopping; so little time!
Shopping for cool fashions with a budget
I will be living in Florence, Italy for 3 1/2 months starting April 1, 05. Does anyone know the names of trendy inexpensive clothing stores there? Or any web sites with the latest fashion trends of Italy?
Rhonda
San Diego, CA USA Mon 12/13/2004
Hummel Figurines
I currently live in Germany and was wondering if there is an outlet store of some sort for Hummel figurines that anyone might of stumbled upon. My aunt is collecting them and after checking prices here (where I could find them), online, and what she's told me for the states, there doesn't seem to be much difference. Any suggestions?
Alex
Ramstein Germany, DE Thu 12/09/2004
re:Wolford outlet
there was also some good mens stuff there too. I was there 2 years ago, and now I wish I could get their good cheep here in the US. My wife had a field day there.
George
PA USA Fri 09/10/2004
Wolford outlet
If you are a lady that loves Wolford there is an outlet at Lake Constance area and the factory ia adjacent. Prices are about half of US prices. Large selection avail.
JS
CA USA Wed 09/08/2004
Souvenirs from France
Blue & White 'pottery'. Went to France, summer of 1998. I wanted to find some functional blue & white pottery with french words written on them as my souvenirs. Finally found them in the small village of Biot, located north of Nice, at Faience de Biot, 27, Route de Valbonne. Phone is 04 93 65 01 43. Bought salt & pepper shakers, onion jar, olive oil dispenser, mustard jar and more. Made of terra cotta, painted white with blue lettering. The pottery is made there. All made it home intact in my suitcase. While I was there a man, who appeared to own his own shop in another village, was picking up his order.
D. Woodman
Tucson, AZ USA Mon 09/06/2004
Hard Rock Cafe shirts at Munich Airport
If you need a HR cafe shirt and do not want to go into Munich just for this purchase consider the International airport Franz Josef (Munich). I just returned and purchased 2 at a variety/souvenir store in the departure terminal. Unfortunately I do not have a receipt for the store name.Ask around these lg souvenir/variety stores at the terminal. prices are what I would expect at the cafes.
JS
Ca USA Wed 08/25/2004
"P?trole Hahn" Shampoo from Match store in Gaillard, France
If I am anywhere within a three hour train ride to Geneva, I usually take the line 16 tram to Moillesullaz (border with France / Switzerland) and I end up across the border in Gaillard. About a block away near the first traffic light, there is a "Match" supermarket that I have been going to in April 2001 when it was a "Spar" store at the time. I always get a 250 gram tube of Andouille sausage, fresh bread, and the most important thing of all, a special shampoo of the brand "P?trole Hahn" which I had first tried back in March 2000. The Match store charges about $3.25 per 200 gram bottle. I just love the orange-y smell. I don't like the Fructis shampoo even if it's available everywhere, since to me it smells too much like cantaloupe which I don't care for. The best souvenir from France in my opinion, is a 200 g bottle of P?trole Hahn shampoo.
I could have gone to a store in Bellegarde, a bit west of Geneva, and had a wider variety but maybe next time.
Josh Hanz
Frisco, TX USA Sat 08/14/2004
European DVD player that works on NTSC TV's
I recently bought a DVD Player in Germany thinking I would only be able to view German DVDs and have to use a voltage converter. However, there was an NTSC/PAL switch that allows me to view German or other DVDs with country code "2" on my american TV set. As far as a voltage converter goes, it came with an AC/DC adapter that had the converter built in so it could be used on either 110 V or 220 V outlets, and only a USA-flatpin plug adapter is needed to let it be used in US-households. I found that wonderful. Now I am watching my German-Language DVDs on my American TV. Who would have thought??
Josh Hanz
Frisco, TX USA Sat 08/14/2004
Italian Leather Florence
Just got back from Italy and went to Stephano's Uffizi leather store on Via Dei Neri 86R. I saw several posting and decided to shop there. First of all there is no Stephano there, but a gentleman named Giorgio. My daugther selected a jacket, but wanted a different color. Giorgio said that he would have his factory make her one and have it at the store the next day. When we came back the jacket was not the same one she had selected. Giorgio first said that this was the newest style and then later admitted there was a mistake. Since we were leaving the next day, he could not have a replacement. He said that he could mail the jacket to our home. Well, I paid him cash (not very bright) had put my faith and trust in him. Yesterday we got the jacket and it was perfect. This guy does what he says he is going to do.
Randy Yumori
Manhattan Beach, CA USA Wed 08/11/2004
Shopping Tips
Just returned from a wonderful UK trip. Benefited GREATLY from Rick's guide books and maps and our BritRail passes.
This tip wasn't found anywhere: we found our BEST souvenirs in UK Charity Shops!! Especially the PSDA (like our USA Humane Society) and OXFAM. York, England has the absolute best charity shops (and more of them per capita) but the PSDA on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh ranks next with Conwy, Wales running a close 3rd best. I found a practically new Pringle lambswool vest for 4 pounds when 2 stores down the official Edinburgh Woolen Mills had the same vest for 40 pounds! I can't even list all my finds because I want to go back and don't want ya'll to buy them put.
Another plus there is no VAT on Charity Shop purchases!! It's fun and you meet more locals in these shops. The prices are a bit higher than Goodwill or Salvation Army stores here in the states but apparently UK doesn't allow the huge charitable trust foundations that we have so Charity Shops are the main money raisers for organizations like OXFAM and Cancer Society. They are listed in the Yellow Pages (Golden Pages?) in each city under "Charity Shops".
Another plus is if you have to dump ballast because you didn't "pack light" enough, you can donate YOUR stuff to these shops! I took an extra RickSteves fold up expandable tote and filled it up and spent only a fraction of what I would have in "real" souvenir shops.
NOTE: Some charity shops will take a charge card but most prefer cash.
Debby T.
Charlotte, NC USA Fri 07/02/2004
Paris shopping
Buy cokes and pepsis at the Monoprix(French grocery store) They cost only 1.38 euros for 1 1.5 liter. You can also buy cheap chocolate bars, wine, and liquor-also great soap for 1-2 euros. They have sandwiches in the refrigerator section at a very good price=saves you $ for a great dinner
P. Hilliard
Greensbor, NC USA Sun 05/16/2004
Florence & Leather
While eating lunch in a small trattoria in Florence my friend was describing the leather coat she was determined to buy while in Italy. The man sitting next to us overheard and told us of his leather shop. Soon my friend and I were at Stefano's shop and it was like we were eight years old playing dressup! Stefano's Uffizi leather gallery near Piazza Signoria contains coats that Stefano himself has designed. Stefano is very talented and isn't out to just get a sale. My friend ended up buying leather pants instead of a coat. I on the otherhand (being a poor college student) couldn't afford the amazing coat that I fell in love with. Stefano let us take a picture of me in it so that when I come back next year he can make it for me!
Cheryl
Littleton, CO USA Sat 05/15/2004
Ireland gifts
I enjoy bringing back small gifts for friends and family but with the devalued $ this is difficult to do. Imagine a fridge magnet is $10 in Ireland! So I purchase Irish Breakfast teas, and biscuits at the large grocery stores like Centra, Super Valu.Also, scenic calendars cost about $6.00 and are flat and lightweight.
J Straw
Walnut Creek, Ca USA Sat 04/10/2004
shopping finds
My shopping in Europe is usually limited to items that are impossible to find here or they are less expensive over there. I agree with the comments on soap being cheaper in France. We buy lots of it as well as mustard there. Those Mustela products are also cheaper in France. Beware of the China Reject shop on Regent St. in London--never received the VAT ref. However, I still got a very good buy on the china I purchaed. Ireland seems to have good buys on handknit sweaters. Also found at several places were adorable kilts for little girls for about $20--all the traditional plaids. Looking forward to shopping in Scotland!
Susan
Ga USA Wed 03/03/2004
Best Souvenirs for FREE
My best souvenirs from Japan, London, Paris, Munich, Austria and Switzerland were the colorful FREE tourist maps. I have framed them and have a fabulous and interesting collection in my long hallway.
Ginger Warder
St. Petersburg, FL USA Tue 02/10/2004
Umbrellas in London
James Smith & Sons Ltd. I love this umbrella shop. Going into this shop
is like stepping back in time. Over the past few trips, I've bought several
umbrellas from this place including one that also substitutes for a cane.
They also have a large variety of walking sticks. Visit them on their website
at www.james-smith.co.uk or if you're in Bloomsbury they're at 53 New Oxford
Street.
Susan
CA USA Mon 01/12/2004