Souvenirs (General), Rome

2 more images

We loved this shop! It’s a store full of wooden items, small games, dolls and of course some beautiful Pinocchios in many different sizes. We liked the quality (comparing to other similar stores we checked) and we bought a medium size Pinocchio with a beautiful wooden chair.

The place is ideal for gifts, most of the items are nicely carved and the variety is huge, even if you don’t have a lot of money you can buy a small item.

2 more images

Stepping into this shop is like being transported into Pinocchio's world. The shop has toys, games, whatnots such as wall clocks, name plates, refrigerator magnets all finely carved. We are transported into old Gepetto's shop, albeit with a modern touch (a video showing the master craftsman-owner at work), on the left entrance of the shop where we see an array of tools that are used for the creation of these beautiful pieces of work.

Impressive are the displays of car, and a lifesized motorcycle on the door. It is a shop where everybody will feel like a child again, and it was a place I felt I could easily spend hours in...just admiring and touching objects that evoke memories of childhood.

This shop is busy, a lot of people come in, but service is also quick. A funny detail was a framed letter from Mrs. Obama thanking Bartolucci (i think the shop carries his name) for the wonderful time her daughters had in the shop in their recent visit. It could have been a simple photo of a couple of young girls anywhere, except for those secret service agents surrounding them!

On one side of the shop is a small hole trying to replicate a shop where tourists could go in and take photos of themselves.

What to buy: Woodcraft souvenirs -- everything is beautiful! Lovely as gifts...

4 more images

The shop is located on the second floor of the Colosseum. It's a nice shop because you can buy books and other souvenir items.

Make time to just look around and check out all the materials the shop has.

What to buy: There are many things to buy here, but mostly souvenir items like key chains, refrigerator magnets, books, vases, pens, etc.

What to pay: Depending on what you buy. I bought a bookmark for 2.99 euros.

4 more images

“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”
— Michelangelo (1475-1564)

For a wide variety of marble objects, Marmi Line offers three locations in central Rome. These works in marble are mesmerizing. The detail and polish of each item shows off the skill and craftsmanship that Italians have been known for since before the Caesars ruled the Roman Empire.

Unlike the handwork that Michelangelo used to create his David, the items for sale here were largely created with power tools. A looping video in the shop near the Pantheon shows how the process begins in the marble quarries and continues to the workshop using modern electric-powered tools for cutting, chiseling, grinding, sanding and polishing.

Do not let these up-to-date techniques stop you from buying some of these beautiful dishes, bowls, lamp bases or decorative items. We bought two fruit compotes and some marble fruit. The Bosc pear is remarkably life-like, until you pick up this piece of ‘fruit.’

What to buy: Whatever suits your fancy, but remember marble is heavy!

3 more images

Piazza Navona is a great spot to stop in and buy some art pieces. There is a large variety of watercolor paintings and oil paintings. The prices are usually displayed, but you can negotiate if you buy more than 1 painting from the same artist.
We got some really nice watercolor paintings and also an oil painting from here. Make sure you negotiate the price especially if you buy more than 1 piece from the same artist.

What to buy: watercolor and oil paintings

What to pay: 8 Euros per watercolor painting (if you buy more than 2 from the same artist); 75 Euros per oil painting (original asking price 100 Euros)

We found a wonderful little outside vendor just down the street from Trevi Fountain. She had a wonderful display of jewelry, specifically amber. I found some beautiful pieces for very reasonable prices. For example, I found several beautiful amber necklaces (actually they were the sliders but if you negotiate she will include the chains for free) and the cost ranged from 10-15 Euros each. Up the street there was a jewelry shop that had the same pieces for 30+ Euros each.

What to buy: At the top of the Spanish Steps are many local artists selling everything from caricatures to huge oil paintings. These paintings are great alternatives to overpriced souvenirs.

The cheapest tend to be small watercolor paintings, but the best deals are on the oil paintings. The subject matter of the paintings are really diverse, from landscapes, Roman attractions, to florals and imitations of the Mona Lisa and Sistine Chapel.

Just remember to make sure you have room in your luggage because shipping art from Italy is difficult and expensive.

What to pay: For a small watercolor painting, depending on the painter and the subject matter, can sell for as low as 5 Euros to a maximum of 10 Euros.

The price of an oil painting is harder to determine, because it really does depend on the seller and the actual quality of the work.

But just keep in mind, the first price quoted is always negotiable! :)

Best place to buy souvenirs will be the booths on the side streets of main tourist areas.
A nice t-shirt 5 Euros.
When looking at prices be aware that the shirt may look the same but you will find differences in the silk screen compared to embroidery as well as the type of material.
Purchase one size larger than you wear in the US.