Shopping in Venice

There is rubbish in Venice, very little on the streets, apart from the dog muck (no grass you see, unfortunately making shoe wiping difficult!), but there is a lot in a few shops and most of the stalls. Good quality bargains can be found off the main tracks or around the Rialto. I bought an excellent leather jacket for 110 Euro (£77), reduced from 180 Euro. and my wife bought a very nice quality handbag (OK, that was 170 Euro (£120) but it is well made and very attractive). There are good cosmetics and of course other leather goods, £18 for a good quality leather wallet/card holder and you can't get away from the masks. Yes, there is tat but there is also ...  Read the complete review

I have been to Venice a few times now and agree with others that it is a very magical place. However the shopping can leave a little to be desired. No doubt there are some lovely shops especially the very expensive ones in St Marks Square and some off the beaten track which sell masks. Many of the shops, however sell what seems to me as cheap and nasty souvenirs just like you would find in a British seaside resort. OK so they may be masks or plastic gondolas but they look as tacky as a Kiss me Quick Hat. The shops that sell these tend to be in the popular areas near St Marks Square so my advice to anyone looking for something different is to ...  Read the complete review