what specialty items should you buy when visiting italy?

In our era of global trade and commerce, you typically don’t have to look too far when wanting to purchase imported goods from other countries. That said, however, there are still certain specialty items that are best purchased in the location where they are made and Italy is no exception to that.
 
During your upcoming visit, here are three specialty items to look out for that you’ll want to purchase to remember your trip by:
 
Leather
Italian leather is known across the world for its hand-made quality. Today, leather is a staple in Italy’s fashion industry (particularly in Milan), but the tradition of leather working dates back several centuries to Florence where the Arno River was the main water source for the leather tanning process.
 
You can find Italian leather goods in practically any city, but Florence is still considered the capital for products like leather jackets, handbags, belts, gloves, and more. If you’ll be visiting Florence during your trip, be sure to stop by the San Lorenzo Market for an endless selection of local Italian leather goods.
 
Ceramics
Italy is also known for its abundance of intricately hand-painted ceramics and pottery. Different regions of Italy are known for their unique painted designs on pottery.
 
For example, along the southern coast in Campania and Calabria you’re likely to find more pottery designs that include citrus fruits and bright colors, while in the Tuscany region you may see more themes with earthy tones featuring olives and grapes. You’ll be able to find an endless selection of different ceramics you can bring home as a useful souvenir, like pasta platters, serving bowls, spoon rests, vases, and more.


Deruta, a town in Umbria, is one of the most important places in Italy regarding ceramics. It is not a stretch to say that Deruta ceramics is world famous due its quality and intricate details. Deruta is actually one of the cities that Bluone takes its travelers to during the Umbria olive oil and food tour!
 
Faenza, a small town in Emilia-Romagna, is home to The International Museum of Ceramics and it contains the biggest collection of ceramics in the world. In Faenza, there are at least 50 artisans that own a ceramic workshop studio and produce wonderful products.


Venetian Glass
If you’ll be visiting the floating city of Venice, you won’t want to return home without bringing some world-famous Venetian glass back with you. Primarily crafted on the nearby island of Murano, this specialty item is known for its colorful, elaborate, and intricate designs. There are so many items available made from Venetian glass that you’re sure to find something that fits your style.
 
Some tourists prefer more luggage-friendly items like glass bead jewelry, small paperweights, and Christmas ornaments, while other tourists prefer statement pieces like vases, drinking glasses, tableware, or sculptures.
 
Bringing home a few unique specialty items from your upcoming visit will be a fun reminder for years to come of all the sights, tastes, smells, and sounds you experienced during your Italian adventure!

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