The four main shopping
streets – Via dell’Indipendenza, Via
Ugo Bassi, Via Rizzoli and Via
D’Azeglio – lead off Piazza Maggiore
in crossroad formation. All the big-name Italian designers are located
here, as well as a proliferation of antiques and books.
The trend in Bologna fashion, led by the student population, is
‘utility chic’, with grungy clothes
and military-style gear currently en vogue. Italy is renowned for
its high quality clothing but the shops are expensive.
Italian sales (July/August and December/January) can throw up some
great bargains, when prices are often reduced by up to 70 per cent.
Leather goods which including jackets, wallets and belts –
are a safe bet. A high class souvenir are the quality handmade leather
shoes made by the legendary Branchini Calzoleria, Corte Isloani,
and which take up to 40 days to craft can be shipped worldwide.
The daily book market in Piazza Maggiore is open
in the mornings during the winter months. An antiques market in
Piazza Santo Stefano is generally open during normal
shopping hours, every second weekend of the month (excluding January,
July and August) and a flea market sets up shop from dawn to dusk,
every Friday and Saturday, at the Parco della Montagnola.
A collector's market, Celo’ Celo’ Mamanca,
in the former Jewish ghetto, Via Valdonica and Piazza San Martino,
is open every Thursday 0900-1900 hrs (not during July and August).
For a taste of Bologna, the Mercato delle Erbe,
on Via Ugo Bassi, sells fresh fruit and vegetables every morning
0715 hrs-1300 hrs and in the evening 1700 hrs-1900 hrs, except on
Sunday. Tamburini, Via Caprarie 1, is the place
to buy homemade pasta, local hams and cheeses.
Opening
hours are generally 0930 hrs-1300 hrs and 1530
hrs-2000 hrs, although larger department stores and supermarkets
may stay open throughout the day. Nearly everything is shut during
August, on Thursday afternoon and on Sunday.
Sales tax varies between 12-14 per cent, depending on the value
of the goods purchased. Travellers from outside the EU can
claim back sales tax on purchases over €155. On leaving
the country, customs officials will stamp the official receipt,
which should then be presented at the Tax Free Desk
at the airport. Global
Refund Italia (telephone number: (0331) 283 555; fax number:
(0331) 283 698/9; e-mail: taxfree@it.globalrefund.com;
provides further information. |
