SHOPPING IN UMBRIA & TUSCANY

Give into the temptations

LINENS

Busatti, Via Mazzini, 14, Anghiari Tel: 0575-788-424 - excellent quality textiles and linens, weaving that has been carried out by the Busatti/Sassolino Family for 170 years. Ask to be shown the looms downstairs. It is absolutely fascinating to see these ancient carding machines and shuttle looms still at work. Closed Monday mornings.

L’Arcavolo, Corso Mameli, 10, Montefalco Tel: 0742-378711 (one of many shops selling Montefalco’s famed textiles, woven from all natural fibers. There are other shops in Montefalco that sell textiles by the yard, or ready-made linens for your home. They will also take custom orders).

Busatti, Table crafts and linens, Corso Italia, 48, Arezzo, Tel: 0575-355-295

Diana de Mori, Table crafts and linens, Corso Italia, 72, Arezzo, Tel: 0575-27505

CERAMICS

Morini, Table crafts and kitchenware. Piazza San Jacopo, Arezzo, Tel: 0575-23277

Sailor 89, Via S. Chiara, 1/e, Assisi Tel: 075-804-1709

Stedav, Assisi

Maioliche Rolando e Goffredo NULLI, Via Tiberina, 142, Deruta (family business, excellent quality - Rolando will demonstrate working the potter’s wheel if you ask. His wife and brother do the painting. Open all day.

Deruta PLACENS, Via B. Michelotti, 25, Deruta (fine quality, nice choice of items and fair prices)

Maioliche FIDIA, Piazza dei Consoli, 25, Deruta (four generations of the Veschini family have carried on ancient pottery traditions including the ancient technique of metallic luster. In addition to the traditional work, you will find very creative variations – some whimsical and contemporary.

Ceramiche Sbarluzzi, on the outskirts of Pienza on SS146, on your right as you head back to Umbertide. Beautiful ceramics, both for home interiors and gardens. www.sbarluzzi.nu

HANDCRAFTS & SOUVENIRS

La Spola, next to Le Tre Vaselle Hotel, Torgiano, (hand-woven fabric, embroidery, lace, wooden objects, ceramics, metal work, paper and glassware – both traditional and contemporary).

Bijoux Nassi – Via Oberdan, 45, Perugia Tel: 075-573-5894. A boutique with very fine and unique costume jewelry - great for gifts for friends or for yourself.

L’Apostrofo Rosa, Via San Francesco, 1/b, Assisi Tel: 075-812-934

Libris, across from the Bargello Fountain, Gubbio Tel. 075-922-0818 – leather book-binding down by hand. Exquisite work incorporating olive leaves, wheat, and natural elements pressed beneath the leather.

Biagiotti, Corso Il Rossellino, 67, 1, Pienza Tel: 0578-748-027 - excellent quality wrought iron decorative home accessories with a larger show room outside the city on your right as you come into town.

WINES

Molesini Wineshop, Pza. della Repubblica 3, Cortona Tel: 0575-62544, www.molesini-market.com. They ship wine worldwide.

L’Alchimista. Piazza del Comune 14, Montefalco Tel: 0742-378558, e-mail: info@montefalcowines.com, www.montefalcowines.com (one of many wine bars where tasting is available. They ship anywhere).

Perugia Wine Bar – Via Ulisse Rocchi, 16, Perugia Tel: 075-572-4824. In the heart of the city, in a building that dates back to 1100, this vaulted space is ideal for tasting an extensive variety of wines, whiskeys and cognacs. Mon – Sat (9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.)

Osteria del Museo, next to the wine museum, Torgiano (offers wine tastings and sales of the renowned wines of the Lungarotti vineyards of Umbria).

GALLERIES

Galleria “Il Pozzo”, Via Nazionale 10/12, Cortona Tel: 0575-603730, www.cortona.net. Wonderful selection of fine art, photography, and other artisan crafts.

Il Girasole, an Etruscan Gift Shop, Via Casali 2-4, Cortona Tel: 0575-601616, www.il-girasole.com.

CHOCOLATES & PASTRIES

“Sandri” dal 1860 – Corso Vannuci, 32, Perugia Tel: 075-572-4112 – a bar/pasticceria extraordinaire. Stop to feast your eyes on these decadent sweet creations, or buy one.

Galli Giampiero – Piazza Matteotti, 38, Perugia Tel: 075-572-9001, a small Perugina chocolate/candy store. Great little gifts to take home to the chocolate lovers on your list.

OLIVE OIL

Antico Frantoio Ravagni, Loc. Ravagni, 4 Anghiari Tel: 0575-789-244 – the olive mill run by the Bartolomei family since the second half of the eighteenth century. The mill has been in existence since 1421. It is where we take our olives to be pressed.