If your idea
of absolute retail bliss is shopping in Rome,
then you’d better take a couple of empty
suitcases, because you won’t be disappointed
once you get there.
From kitsch religious trinkets
to superb handmade leather shoes, Rome is a
shopaholic’s
playground.
You won’t find supermalls here and you
won’t find neon-lit chain stores with flitty,
perky sales clerks who will wish you a happy
day.
What you will find are thriving, noisy markets,
exclusive boutiques where you have to ask
to see particular items, and small stores that
have
been in families for countless generations.
All
this makes shopping in Rome an experience
in itself, not just an activity to fill in time
between sightseeing appointments.
Being the Catholic center of the universe, you
are bound to find gazillions of souvenirs of
the Vatican for sale; not just in the official
outlets but also from street vendors who will
practically beg you to part with your money because
a coffee mug with the Pope’s serene face
on it is a compulsory purchase when shopping
in Rome.
Depending on what you’re looking for,
there are various shopping districts in Rome
that will appeal to you more than others. The
Via Cola Di Rienzo is popular for mainstream
purchases such as homewares, leather goods, clothing
and books. It is an avenue with shops on either
side and the occasional street stand offering
interesting goods.
The Via Del Corso attracts
a younger crowd, with clothing, fashion accessories,
jeans and sportswear the order of the day.
There are also a few antique stores to browse
in and plenty of hip cafes in which to re-energize.
For more upmarket shopping in Rome, visit the
Piazza Di Spagna at the base of the Spanish
Steps.
As one of Rome’s most exclusive, not to
mention expensive, shopping precincts,the very
affluent are the clientele here.
Versace, Prada, Gianfranco Ferré and
Armani all have Piazza Di Spagna addresses, and
it’s not uncommon to see beautiful celebrities
dressed down to avoid the paparazzi as they go
about their shopping missions.
For bargain shopping in Rome, try the
Pantheon and Via Del Governo Vecchio. Secondhand clothes
shops abound and you’ll also find terrific
buys on jewellery and other fashion accessories.
Shopping in Rome is different to what you’ll
be used to at home. Aside from the language and
currency challenges, you may find that the sales
assistants are more formal and less inclined
to make chit chat. Still, it is Rome and the
charm and atmosphere of the environment in general
has its own appeal.
Use the menu on left hand side
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Culture section
of my site.
