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Made in Italy! – A Buyer’s Guide to Rome

If you’re looking for top designer names or brands, you can start browsing along Via Condotti. This famous street leads to the Piazza di Spagna and is home to the best designer shops such as Gucci, Fendi, Prada and Dior to name just a few. Many Rome tourist guides will highlight this area as the main shopping point. However, don’t be disappointed if you have a more modest budget, Via del Corso is just around the corner! On this street you will find a variety of local shops, as well as international favorites such as Benetton and Zara. Book lovers shouldn’t miss the multi-level Feltrinelli bookstore located inside a small shopping center called Galleria Alberto Sordi. This is also a good place to grab a frothy cappuccino or coffee while you’re there. If you are in the Vatican area, you can take a walk down Via Cola di Rienzo and visit the Coin department store. Here you will also find a wide variety of local shops and street vendors selling at very low prices.

Beware of vendors selling fake handbags and particularly sunglasses at Termini Station and in Piazza Vittorio (Rome’s Chinatown). Under Italian law, it is a crime to buy or sell any kind of imitation items. Possible fines can be up to 3,000 euros, usually imposed by undercover police. So it’s best not to risk turning your vacation into a legal nightmare.

As for the markets, this is where you’ll find the best deals in Rome! The largest and most popular is near Trastevere and is called Porta Portese. This market is only open on Sundays and sells new and used items at great prices. You can find information about Porta Portese in most major Rome guidebooks. There is no admission fee to enter and it is a great place to pick up cheap souvenirs. During weekday mornings, great bargains can also be found along Via Sannio, near the Church of San Giovanni. Getting here is easy as it is located right next to the San Giovanni Metro A stop.

Unfortunately, for some travelers coming from outside the European region, the Euro is likely to be much stronger. In this case, finding a good buy can be a bit trickier.

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