Shopping
Shops are usually open in the morning from 9am to 12:30pm, and from 4pm to 7:30pm. Some places may be closed on Wednesdays, so call before you go or ask your hotel concierge.
Naples:
If you want to buy some local handmade products, then walk around the Quartieri Spagnoli. This area still has the highest number of old craftsmen shops. The sophisticated and expensive Capodimonte porcelain, cameos and gouaches are particularly famous. The latter are small paintings that represent the most charming and characteristic Neapolitan views, which date back to the 18th century, when the first visitors wanted to take away a remembrance of the city.
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.
