Pompeii Shopping

Before peering into any of the glass cases filled with the particular jewelry this factory store offers, we were given a demonstration illustrating which part of the seashell a cameo actually comes from. We learned that the beauty of the final product depends on the expertise of the artisan. Well, that makes sense!

I was hoping to find a ring to go with a cameo pendant bought decades ago for me by my parents on our first visit to Pompeii. Ah-ha! In minutes I spied a ring which bore a profile that to me seemed a delicately carved beauty. It was also modest in price.

Yet if you are not searching for jewelry, there are other items to be found at the store, such as music boxes, inlaid furniture and other keepsakes.

The cameo factory continues to be a traditional stop for travelers who are visiting the ancient ruins. Its location certainly makes it convenient since it is directly outside the site.

There are several shops and street vendors at the entrance of the ruins and they sell everything you can imagine, from a pencil to a piece of lava! There are also very explicit souvenirs :). Prices were high as in any souvenir shop but they accept credit cards.

What to buy: my sister bought a piece of lava for 1€!
I bought a book of Pompeii's history.

What to pay: as much as you want

There are many shops outside an entrance gate of Pompeii. You can buy the souvenir from these shops, because you cannot find the souvenir shops in train station. Actually there are one shops at train station, but its quite expensive.

What to buy: Buy 'Pompeii activities'!

What to pay: If you are young, just say that you are student, then they give you very cheap price. I get almost 60% discount of their shown prices bucause I acting as a student... hehehe

This vendor was close to the main square on the way to the ruins, close to McDonald's. I really got suckered into buying this corral necklace. The man and woman running the "shop" seemed nice, but I accidentally asked how much this large corral necklace cost. They picked up the necklace and put it in a bag before I could even look it over and inspect it. They started making a big to-do about how pretty I was and how they were going to give me this great deal!! I asked how much it was, even though it had already been put in a bag! I couldn't really understand their broken English. I thought they said $15, which wouldn't have been a bad price. I asked my husband to get out money so I could negotiate. Big mistake!! The nice lady took 50 euros out of his hand and actually gave him back 30 euros! (Big suprise) My necklace cost 30 euros. My Mom liked it and bought one for 30 euros too. The next day, my beautiful corral necklaces orange paint started to chip to reveal large plastic white beads!!!! Both of our necklaces were fake corral. Upon inspections it was actually pretty obvious too....if we would've been given a chance to look!! The holes of each bead where it is strung are lighter in color and look obviously painted!!!

We visited a cameo factory and I was totally bowled over. This is a dying artform and I truly hope that the Italian government will ensure and put plans into action to keep this art form alive.

What to buy: Side lamps

Just a block outside of Pompei there are several shops that sell high quality copies of Roman and Greek pottery. Shop around and avoid the shops right near the entrance usually they sell the cheap tourist goods.

What to buy: Some of the pottery jugs are very realistic.

Warning its illegal to buy and take real antiquities out of the country! Best to have a proper receipt for customs.

Once you finish sight seing at Pompei, it's time to start bying gifts and souvenire. You can find street vendors in front of the Pompei selling different tacky little things... Prices are pretty much the same with all of them...

What to buy: If you are looking for a typical symbol of Pompei, don't be surprised if a street vendor offers you a phallus statue. It has nothing to do with Vesuvius or with sex (I know, I know... Strange!) Actually, a model of errected phallus was kept in every house or was painted on their doors to keep the evel away (and what else?!)!
"Limonchello" is also a typical gift from this area. It is a sort of lemon liquer.
You will find volcanic stones being soled or typical souvenires like ashtrays, amphors etc.

What to pay: Be prepared to pay a lot of money, because gifts in here are not cheap. But you can always try to bargain!

A guidebook is essential. Even though we paid an official guide to show us the highlights of the city, I'm glad we purchased a book from one of the street vendors near the train station. This book proved useful before, during and after the tour.

What to buy: Pompeii Under The Volcano-Guide to the town buried by Mount Vesuvius 2000 Years Ago, by edizioi spano. The book contains guided itineraries illustrated with 250 photos, reconstructions, maps, drawings and thematic notes. This book was especially helpful to me as a reference for my photo album and VT pages!

What to pay: We paid 7.23 Euros for the book.