A Shopaholic’s Guide to the Best Bargains of Bologna, ItalyBy Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
Italy is a shopper’s paradise. The wines, the oils, the cheese, the fashions, the leathers, the shoes--- Many people consider Florence the Mecca of shopping in Italy. But I wonder if they have spent much time in Bologna, one of my favorite cities in Italy. The city and the area surrounding it offer some wonderful things at amazing prices. If you are an upscale shopper, start at Fidenza Village outside of Parma, Italy. http://www.travellady.com/Issues/March06/3114OutletMalls.htm You will be able to shop like a princess even if your budget isn’t at the Armani or Versace level. And this can be an all-day excursion with a wonderful wine bar to stop at for a refreshing break for your weary feet. But my favorite part of shopping Bologna is the markets. Here’s a little summary of some of the most exciting ones for your calendar.
Markets
Monday: Weekly market in the streets via London and Via Bentini Tuesday: weekly market in the street Via del Beccacino Wednesday: weekly market in Via delle Scuole Thursday: Celo, Cello ma manca in Via Valdonica and Piazza S. Martino Friday: weekly market in via Ferrase
The second Sunday of the month and the preceding Saturday, Angique market in citta di Bologna, Piazza Santo Stefano The fourth Sunday of the month: Antique Village in the quarter Borgo Panicale under the long arcade of the street Via. A. Manuzio Where to Stay in Bologna Bologna Art Hotel, Via De'Pignattari 11, Bologna 40124 Italy Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who loves shopping. She has never met a bargain she did not love. You can read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, and www.teaAtlas.com, and www.carladynews.com Travel TipsBEST WAY TO GET TO ITALY Alitalia BEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT IN ITALY BEST WAY TO GET AROUND IN ITALY RailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes to connect big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history. The trains are comfortable and quick and easy to navigate. MORE ABOUT ITALY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR SHOPPINGSHOP LIKE AN ITALIAN Suzy Gershon’s Born to Shop Italy BERLITZ Shopping in Italian GREAT GUIDEBOOKS Italy: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE* Fodor’s see it Italy THE COMPLETE IDOIT’S GUIDE to ITALIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ITALY FODOR’S 04 ITALY Rick Steves Italy 2005 BERLITZ POCKET GUIDE ITALY SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIAN The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian Phrases, Second Edition THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO LEARNING ITALIAN THE POCKET IDIOT’S GUIDE to Italian Rick Steve’s ITALIAN PHRASEBOOK AND DICTIONARY BERLITZ Surviving in Italian IF YOU DON’T SPEAK ITALIAN The Franklin EuroInterpreter is the easiest way to communicate. It has over 400,000 words and phrases in 12 languages. It has a calculator with currency and units of measurement converter. EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN LA DISPENSA DI FIE BERLITZ Eating and Drinking in Italian How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names LANGENSCHEIDT’S POCKET MENU READER ITALY COOK LIKE AN ITALIAN Order your own set of The Best of Ciao Italia in Umbria and The Best of Ciaos Italia in Tuscany. You can enjoy four of Mary Ann’s favorite programs that capture the heart and soul of Umbria, a delightful, unspoiled and undiscovered region of Italy known for taste-tempting food markets, glorious street festivals, aroma-filled kitchens, fine art, friendships and more. The sets include interactive menus and printable PDF recipes. THE BEST OF GOURMET MANGIAMO Let’s Eat! DRINK LIKE AN ITALIAN VINO ITALIANO BUYING GUIDE TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOME Try Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at home. Robust bail leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese, ripened pine nuts, biting garlic and pure olive oil. LISTEN TO ITALIAN MUSIC Italian Café Music |
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I could go on and on with my shopping list.
Everyday: Alimentary market in the streets Via Clvature, via Pecherie and Vicolo Ranocchi
Fridays and Saturdays: “La Montagnola” in Via Indipendenza and Piazza VIA Gosto