Shopping in Southern Italy

Italian goods are renowned for their quality and fine workmanship: From the glass creations tempered by fire on the island of Murano in Venice... to the gold and leather crafts of Florence... to the world's most exquisitely fashioned garments by the likes of Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Miuccia Prada, the living arts of Italy are unsurpassed.

Alas, with the exception of small accessories, acquiring fine Italian goods is also prohibitively expensive. The country's most exquisite wares cost far beyond what average travelers and many Italians themselves can afford to buy when they go shopping.

On a recent trip to Italy, I avoided the fancy boutiques and ateliers, seeking out the places where "real Italians" shop. Come along with me on this southern Italy shopping excursion and see where everyday people go shopping, where Euros still buy things that delight, and where name brands exist only in fashion magazines.