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Shopping Finds

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!

I want to add my comments! 

Prague shop warning
Warning regarding shop in Prague: Wild Rose Shop, Husova 8, Praha 1, has very beautiful and unique glassware, but do not depend on the shop owner to ship to the US. She charged approx. $75 US to ship six glasses, but did not insure them and packaged them very poorly. All but one were broken, and she has refused to reimburse.
Anita S. <email>
Houston, TX  USA   11/19/2009

Great Wine Store . . .
My wife and I took a two week vacation in the off-the-beaten track city of Béziers in the Languedoc.

As a former professional sommelier, I was pleasantly surprised to discover one of the best wine store I have ever experienced in Béziers!

The store is called "Les Caves Paul Riquet". Google "les caves paul riquet" for their site.

The staff is young and energetic with excellent palates and a spectacular knowledge of the Languedoc and its wines. Their descriptions of wines are excellent and very accurate. Plus, they matched food and wine beautifully. And most important, their prices were very good. (We usually spent no more than 6 € and 8 € on their recommendations.)

They store is opposite the southwest corner of Les Halles (the covered market) at 7 Rue Flourens, 34500 Béziers.

Béziers is on a main rail line (TGV trains stop there) with easy access to Carcassone, Collioure, Montpellier, Arles, etc.

It is a very nice, old-fashioned French city (that is not swamped by tourists) and certainly worth a day trip.
Marc W.
Baltimore, MD  USA   10/25/2009

Gifts and Novelties
We try to hit a local grocery store for novelties and gifts. We bought several bottles of olive oil in Italy and other neat little things that they use or eat everyday. This makes bringing friends and coworkers a little something very affordable. I bought all kinds of pasta and doodads for under 20euro and everyone appreciated that we thought of them. Just one warning..I bought about 10 lbs of chocolate in Zurich on my way through to Italy (just had to have that Swiss Chocolate)...Lugged that stuff all through Italy only to find the SAME candy at the airport on our way home from Rome! HaHa.....
Becky
St.Cloud, fl  USA   08/16/2009

I Love Shopping and Fashion! Here are a few of my tips!
While the exchange rate made for overall poor shopping, a true shopaholic always finds a way! Here is what I found: We visited London, Paris, Amsterdam and Piedmont region of Italy. 1. Longchamps in Paris has excellent- robust selection and prices are better or equal to US. * Duty free in airport is also very good and is definitely less than US. But color and selection is limited. I like the backpacks as they have a low key fashionable look, offer practicality and are light weight. The large zippered bag is also great as a carry on bag for traveling and fits a lot of "stuff", yet is light weight and simple yet fashionable in design, appearance and care. Many woman in Europe carry medium sz Longchamp bags because they are light weight. 2. Paris: A small store on Ile St Louis called: 78 on Rue St Louis had very well price non branded clothes and leather purses. Very reasonable for cute styles. 3. Birkenstocks in London(for son, not me!) were much than in US and in Late July were on Sale. 4. Paris and Amsterdam: Lacoste had some accessories that were less than in US and also many styles not offered in US. My son liked this brand and I am sorry we did not purchase some gifts for him as what he liked is not offered in the US(I have researched since returning home). I could have had Christmas all wrapped up months in advance! *Overall the selection of mens/teens flat athletic type shoes, flats etc was much broader than in US relative to color etc but prices usually not appealing unless on-sale (but know your pricing going over and then can make an on the spot decision. 5. London: Cool Store for young people or young at heart and figure, in London called "SuperDry", near theater district. UK designed, Japanese inspired w/ American Retro look and finishes. reasonably priced and unique. My teen boys loved this line and wear the shirts constantly. I hit a home run on gifts this trip. 6. Amsterdam Many cool stores. I liked "Kitch Kitchen". Rather unique modern things for the kitchen (kitchen towels, pot holders etc) and bags made from a variety fabrics with a plastic coating. Great for shopping or beach etc. Unique looks and styles. -"Mark Raven" Art work. Wish I had bought some and did not( boo on my husband who refused to carry it home!) Felt it was well done abstract scenes of Amsterdam bridges and sites and "reasonable" for signed work. Some pieces are small and some are large.
Barbara <email>
Bannockburn, Illinois  USA   08/07/2009

Fantastic Store!
While living in Italy I found the most amazing store for original designer Italian leather bags at fantastic prices. The store is in Florence and the owner George is the most wonderful man with the best taste I have ever met..... His stock is original and looks like nothing else in the market, walking around other styles were a dime a dozen but George's store was truly unique, truly Italian. The boutique is called "monom" and it is located on Via Borgo La Noce, 15r it is a block away from San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels..... Truly I will be coming back to the States with style on my arm and over my shoulder!!!!!!
Michelle <email>
Seattle, WA  USA   06/17/2009

Cheap Knockoffs
While In Italy I found lots of cheap novolty items on the streets, probably spent 30 euros on junk on the streets.
Nickolas Smith
Boise , Idaho  USA   06/03/2009

Souvenir Ideas-- MILAN
When I was in Italy, I wanted to bring back some nice hand made decorations for my family. My last day was spent in Milan, and I was having a hard time finding such things. So, I went into this department store (La Rinascente)near the Duomo, went down to the basement floor and found a bunch of lovely handmade ceramic bells, ceramic animals, expresso sets, coffee presses, etc. The items I bought were on clearance and cost less than some "cheap" souvenirs from tourist shops or the airport. The shop attendants wrapped my items in bubble wrap and my items made the trip back in one piece.
Courtney
Austin, TX  USA   03/31/2009

Souvenir memories
Now on a budget I find that a photograph of a beautiful piece of pottery (tuscan ceramics)is a great souvenir. Frame it and reflect on a great trip you just experienced. You may need to approach storekeeper for permission.
Jas
CA  USA   03/15/2009

Shopping in Gimmelwald
No, really! In September of 2008, we visited the wonderful world of Gimmelwald, Mürren and Interlaken, Switzerland in the Jungfrau Region. On a very foggy day we walked from Mürren down the enchanting pathway to Gimmelwald. Almost there, we found a chalet open for shopping! Ursula von Allmen has a very tiny shop just inside the stairway to her home. She sells cow and sheep bells, new ones, as well as hand crocheted caps, scarves, socks and sweaters. I purchased some herbal tea she made from her homegrown herbs, planted right in front of her door. She and her husband are delightful people, and it was a nice experience just to visit with them. This also gave us a feeling of meeting some of the people of Gimmelwald, without being invasive tourists. We purchased a bell and managed to carry it home in one of our backpacks. If you can return another day for it, Ursula’s husband will tool initials onto the strap. It was a magical day with everything hushed by the fog and very few people about. Having been there before, we were reasonably okay with not being able to see the large view of the valley. We found instead the closer view, and enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

The chalet is (I believe) the second house you pass going down into Gimmelwald. Look for the butterflies on the door, the Horse Lovers Welcome sign, and a beautifully planted yard. If the door is not open, knock. Remember this is a private home, not a business.

If you need help to find this Chalet:

Handarbeiten Ursula von Allmen Gehren 3826 Gimmelwald Tel: 033 855 45 39 Oder: 078 609 70 15
slomama <email>
San Luis Obispo, CA  USA   01/23/2009