Syracuse
The flamboyant jewellery of Messina-born Massimo Izzo is not for wallflowers. Bursting with life and whimsy, his creations are bold and idiosyncratic,…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Milan
It all began in Padua with Marol Paresi combining her love of travel and her craft skills to create ethnically inspired and artfully beaded, embroidered…
Modica
Modica's much-loved flea market is one of the best in the region. Held on the last Sunday of the month, its rows of stalls peddle everything from vintage…
Vernazza
Hidden behind a small weather-beaten facade, Bottega d'Arte sells the lush paintings of Antonio Greco, who spent his childhood in Vernazza. His works of…
Centro Storico
Outfitting Catholic clergy since the early 1800s, and bringing the Knights of Malta and the Holy Sepulchre into the fold in the 1960s, this large boutique…
Corniglia
One of Corniglia's shop-owning pioneers, Fanny has been in business since 1997, selling brightly hued ceramics (pitchers, trays, cups, olive dishes) as…
Centro Storico
An offshoot of the cult Jerry Thomas Project speakeasy, this shop stocks a collector's dream of vermouth, spirits and liqueurs. Among the Italian and…
Umbria
At Maioliche Nulli, Rolando Nulli creates each item by hand, while his brother Goffredo finishes them with intricate paintings, specialising in classic…
Venice
Occupying one of the Grand Canal's most imposing buildings, a 16th-century German trading house, this branch of the DFS chain is worth visiting whether…
Bologna
Bolognese designer Alessandro Vignoli is a one-man show at this San Vitale boutique featuring streetwear-inspired sweaters, dresses and leaf-shaped flap…
Naples
Beautiful, lightweight and precisely fitting suits from the granddaddy of Neapolitan tailoring. Former clients include Neapolitan film director Vittorio…
Merano (Meran)
Meranese designer Martino Gamper is behind this weekly artisan and produce market that showcases South Tyrolean traditions and includes seasonal farm…
Venice
Bragorà is a multipurpose space: part shop, service centre and cultural hub. Its upcycled products include beach bags sewn out of boat sails, toy gondolas…
Monterosso
Near the entrance to the old part of town, Ciak is a good first stop for picking up gourmet food items: high-quality olive oils, pastas and limoncino …
Oltrarno
Pop into this pocket-sized boutique and artist studio to shop for 'made in Tuscany' crafts and admire the colourful, floral-inspired contemporary…
Naples
Head to this corner workshop for a beautiful range of finely carved cameos, including pieces made on-site. Small pendants start from around €50. Other…
Naples
The softly spoken Signora Matuozzo was once the apprentice of Mariano Rubinacci. Now the signora and her daughters are famed for their bespoke shirts,…
Lake Como
This delightful ceramics shop is a fine place to browse for gift ideas. You'll find artfully wrought vases, bowls, vases, mugs, ornaments, picture frames…
Venice
Knitting nuts rejoice: the mother and daughter team that runs Lellabella has more than 40 years experience in the craft and stocks a huge range of top…
Chianti
Tuscan ceramics are often twee, garish and badly made – descriptions that certainly don't apply to the plates, vases and other pieces on show and sale in…
Manarola
This colourfully decorated shop sells works by local artists and artisan: marine-life and lighthouse paintings done on pieces of old fishing boats,…
Corniglia
Right at the entrance to the village, this narrow shop is packed with appealing gift ideas – with better quality than your average souvenir shop. You'll…
Venice
Stocked with speciality Italian wine, olive oil, jam and pasta, this excellent store has plenty of comestible souvenirs that you could happily lug home…
Ischia
Despite the headmistressy name, this boutique is the exclusive stockist of Italian label Brunello Cucinelli. The look is Polo Ralph Lauren with a sexy…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This Fausto Santini outlet, named after the Roman accessory designer's father Giacomo, sells last season's and discounted Fausto Santini boots, shoes and…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Marcello Mastroianni and Jean Paul Belmondo all wore them, and now you can too. Borsalino has been producing quality men…
Tuscany
Previous season's collections by D&G, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni et al at discounted prices, 40km north of Florence. A shuttle bus (adult/reduced €13…
Centro Storico
In business since 1890, De Sanctis stocks an impressive line of ceramics from producers in Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria and Campania. Sunbursts of colour…
Montalcino
Stocking pecorino, stracchino, caprino and fresh ricotta made by the Chironi family at their podere (farm) on the edge of town, this wonderfully pungent…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
When in Rome, buy a beautiful hat handcrafted by Rome-based milliner Patrizia Fabri at her tiny boutique near Piazza del Popolo. Be it a stylish turban,…
Venice
Kids may have to drag adults away from the 2D wooden puzzles of the Rialto Bridge and grinning wooden duckies before these clever handmade toys induce…
Bottega dei Sapori e dei Saperi della Legalità
Palermo
For edible souvenirs with a dollop of social consciousness, consider buying some wine, olive oil, pasta, couscous or marmalade – all grown on lands…
Venice
The 19th century bumps into the 21st in this hidden corner showcase of rare Murano glass, ranging from spun-gold chandeliers beloved by royal decorators…
Centro Storico
If your 12 year old (or younger child) needs a wardrobe update, look up Rachele in her delightful shop just off Via del Pellegrino. With everything from…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
During the 1960s Ferruccio Serafini was one of Rome’s most sought-after artisans, making handmade leather shoes and bags for the likes of Liz Taylor and…
Corniglia
This Italian fashion brand markets itself as an all-female workshop of ethical fashion, and has thoughtfully designed pieces in organic cotton and other…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Whether it's a unicorn or a steampunk explorer mask you're after, this traditional workshop will see you right. Alternatively you can paint your own…
Bologna
A temple for musical purists, this old-school record shop is of more modest days, when browsing rows of vinyl and CDs was a perfectly entertaining way to…
Naples
Pick up anything from Italian DVDs and music CDs to novels and coffee-table tomes at this buzzing three-level book-and-music megastore, complete with cafe…
Centro Storico
Take home some Mediterranean sunshine. Artist Maria Grazia Luffarelli's paintings are a riotous celebration of Italian colours, with sunny yellow…
