Shopping

Sorrento:
If you need to buy any clothing, consider going to the weekly street market. This is held on Monday in Sant’Agnello and on Tuesday in Sorrento. You can find all sorts of clothing and other personal items that you may need during your stay. This is usually cheaper than shops but be sure to know your price. Vendors in these street markets come from around Naples (they are not locals) and they know how to recognize a tourist. The keyword is BARGAIN. If you know the price and they try to take you for a ride, just leave.

Rome:
Like the city, shopping in Rome is varied. For the most part though, Rome’s shops seem to cater to a more egalitarian crowd than the other major cities. The city’s most exclusive and high-end boutiques reside within a stone’s throw of the famous Spanish Steps. These shops, like the high percentage of those found in the famous shopping districts of Italy, are designed for the obscenely wealthy.

Rome is full of remnants of the past—from the ruins and the art to the ancient cathedrals and town squares—and the shopping is no different, with a vast accumulation of antiques awaiting your perusal. The interminable street of Via del Corso is a focal point of any Italy shopping tour, and contains a number of chic boutiques (and plenty of less-chic ones for the budget conscious) that cater mostly to the vibrant Roman youth. Rome also has the widest selection of neighborhood markets, where you can casually peruse everything from fresh fruit to handcrafted goods.

Greece:
Despite the importance of exploring the abundant geography of Ancient Greece, you’ll also want to fit some shopping into your busy itinerary. Here are some of the suggested items to purchase during your visit to Greece:

Greek jewelry has been created by artistic craftsmen since ancient times. It continues to be a sought-after product. The great thing about Greek jewelry is that they consist of popular gold or diamond with a mix of ancient design, so you will always have a piece of Greece long after you leave the country.

Most of the world's exceptional furs come from Kastoria, up in Western Macedonia. While fur is not so popular in the U.S., it is certainly a great buy in Greece. Some stores specialize in fur coats.

There are a few antique stores in Greece, since the best place to find Greek antiques is actually in London. But many sculptors make copies of famous ancient sculptures, and these are sold just about anywhere. Be careful though, because by law, a copy must have a government stamp of approval on it, otherwise it may be seized if taken out of the country.

Leather is very prominent in Greece. You can find sandals, bags, and jackets, but not all are of ideal quality. Be sure to examine the stitching and the size of thread that was used – the bigger the better.

Sponges are an important item for Greeks. Divers explore the depths of Kos to search for them. The real sponges are labeled as ‘made in Greece’ and are more expensive, but do not break apart as easily as the cheaper ones.

There are an abundance of department stores in Greece that sell products well worth your money. Just be careful not to buy things that aren’t made in Greece. You will end up spending much more than you need to.