From the pungent fish
market to hand-blown glass factories, Venice may not be focused
on pure shopping style but it certainly has some of Italy’s
more interesting gifts. In the past trading post of silks and spices,
the city’s shops are now filled with carnival masks, hand-painted
fabrics and Murano crystal.
There is no set shopping area, although most of the fashionable
haunts, including Benetton, Max Mara, Sisley and
the more recently opened Calvin Klein, are situated
on or just off the main drag between the train station and St Mark’s
Square. As well as the international designers, all of the big Italian
names are present including Versace, Armani, Missoni, Gianfranco
Ferre and Valentino.
There are also some more unusual clothing lines, including Emilio
Ceccato, Sottoportego di Rialto, San Polo, who specialises
in gondolier’s outfits. Of the carnival masks, the best can
be found at Emilio Massaro, Calle Vitturi, San
Marco, where shoppers can watch them being made.
The islands of Burano (lace) and Murano
(glass) are also prime excursions for speciality shoppers. Glass
is the most celebrated of the city’s industries. From chandeliers
to jewellery, all manner of shapes and objects are reproduced in
the delicate colourful glass. Prices vary enormously but tourists
should expect to be fleeced in the elegant shops around St Mark’s
Square and even on the island of Murano.
Carlo
Moretti at L’Isola, Campo San Moise, San Marco, and
Lucio Bubacco, Calle Rughetta, San Polo, are two
of the best designers. Other chic glassware outlets include Ma.re,
XXII Marzo, Markus Art Gallery, Piazza San Marco, and Cesare Toffolo,
Bressagio 8/A Murano.
For the ultimate novelty gift, visitors should head for Giacomo
Rizzo, Calle San Giovanni Crisostomo, Cannaregio, where
there is a selection of local produce, including gondola-shaped
pasta.
Countless outlets around Venice cater for those with a penchant
for overpriced and poor quality art, while there are some hidden
gems, such as Galleria D’Arte L’Occhio,
Dorsoduro 181, with large prints and originals by innovative Italian
artists on sale. Papier mâché masks can be bought all
over Venice with high quality masks offered by Papier Mâché,
Calle Lunga San Maria Formosa and La Bottega Dei Mascareri, San
Polo (Rialto).
Of the markets in Venice, the Fish Market is open
0800 hrs -1200 hrs, Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday)
is the most memorable. Tucked away under the arches alongside the
Rialto Bridge, visitors should aim to visit in
the early morning, when the dawn mists rise off the lagoon and piles
of shimmering fish glisten in the sunlight.
Dedicated bargain-hunters should also look out for the flea market,
which appears infrequently in the Campo San Maurizio.
Food shops in Venice often close on a Wednesday afternoon and many
gift and clothes boutiques stay shut on Monday morning. In general,
shops are open 0900 hrs-1930 hrs, with many smaller
shops closing between 1300 hrs and 1600 hrs.
Sales tax is 12-14 per cent depending on the value of the good purchased.
Non-EU citizens should retain receipts for goods over €155
to reclaim their VAT (IVA) at either Venice’s main airport
or at nearby Treviso Airport. Global
Refund Italia (telephone number: (0331) 283 555; fax number(0331)
283 698/9; e-mail: taxfree@it.globalrefund.com)
provides further information. |
