Subject: shop
Cheap Souvenirs: The Wonder of Thrift
Image: aghman.
Get your cheap on. Whether you're on a trip and looking for a cheaper place to get souvenirs, or you're looking for a fun day trip in, and around, your home town, the hunt for thrift stores offers something for everyone. Want a unique t-shirt to remember your vacation by, but don't want to drop $20 at a tourist trap? Hit up your local Goodwill and dig through their racks. We've had visitors strike souvenir gold in several different cities, so no matter where you are traveling (at least in North America) you're likely to find something up your alley, while supporting a worthy cause.
Bargaining 101 (Or, How to Learn the Art of Haggling)
Image: amirjina.
300 dollars? I don't know, I bet can get it for less. How about 175?
For many westerners, the thought of having to haggle back and forth with shopkeepers is as foreign as you can get. After all, we're used to paying a set price without even batting an eyelash. However, If you want to shop in much of the world, you're going to have to do a little bargaining. With a few basic rules and some practice, you'll be able to haggle without breaking a sweat.
Virtual Tourguide: Tackling an Italian Market
Real life travel advice from around the web. Have you written about a cultural experience and want to share? Send us a link and we'll feature it here.
Image: Jim Moran.
Have you ever found yourself lost in an Italian market? I don't mean physically lost, but overwhelmed by the sights and sounds one finds there. It almost seems like you've stepped into another world.
Michelle's charming account on her blog, Bleeding Espresso, reminds us to slow down and take a lesson from the pros when visiting an Italian market.
Alternatives to Shopping Guides
Image: Pensiero.
So, you want to get some shopping on while you're abroad....who do you turn to? Your ever trusting guidebook? Hardly. Who needs advice on where to buy the best t-shirt, when we can spot that for ourselves. Save the occasional cool find in Time Out, we've never relied on guidebooks for our retail therapy. Here's where we turn for shopping advice when we're in a new city.
Ask An Italian: Open Air Markets
Every week, Francesco Serra, our good friend and expert on all things Italian, gives us perspective on Italian culture. Residing in the northern city of Padova, but being a fiercely proud native Calabrian, he brings a unique perspective on all things Italian.
Image: antanask.
Our question today for Francesco....I've heard that Padova has one of the best open air markets in Italy. How often do you shop there? What do you buy? Guidebooks like to portray Italians as shopping for fresh food at the market every day, but is this reality? What are your suggestions for a tourist who wants to try shopping at a real Italian market?
Have a question about Italy? Send Francesco an e-mail and we'll have him answer your question here.
