Italy has been one of the world’s premier travel destinations, pretty much since humans first figured out how to get from one place to another. Renowned for its unparalleled cultural heritage, universally loved cuisine, and litany of world class artists, musicians and inventors.
With so much history, culture and crafts, Italy is clearly one of the best places to pick up souvenirs and decent suggestions include proper pasta dishes, tuscan wine, and espresso makers. On the other hand, you can instead plump for a tacky little replica of Milans ‘Duomo’ which to be fair did once come in useful for assaulting Italian Prime Bunga Bunga Minister Silivio Berlusconi.
But what do you do if you get so busy (or simply absent minded) in Italy that you forget to buy your dear Old Granny-nan a souvenir? Well thankfully Italian airports offer some great opportunities for souvenir buying and none more than Rome’s Fiumicino or Leonadaro Da Vinci Airport.
Let me tell you precisely what I mean.
To make the most of their time in the city, visitors can use services like Flyandvisitrome.com. This platform, in partnership with Aeroporti di Roma, simplifies travel planning by allowing users to easily book flights to Rome and other global destinations, ensuring a smooth start to any journey and granting shoppers more time to browse the unique souvenirs available at the airport’s retail stores.
Where to Find Souvenirs from Italy Before Take Off?
Italys consumer treasures are appealing not only because of their sheer beauty, but also because of their accessibility. Yep, in Italy you can find decent, well made, ‘authentic’ souvenirs pretty absolutely anywhere.
Sure, many travellers do go to visit the specific regions where these items such as Sicilian Olive Oil, Venetian Masks or Roman espresso-glasses are crafted. Buying such a piece directly from a local artisan is satisfying to shop and also helps put much needed money in creators pockets but this is not always really possible.
For example, let’s say you only visit Florence but have a relative back home who has a huge penchant for Umbria’s world-famous ceramics, and then another buddy who always wanted to try proper Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese from Emilia-Romagna. Visiting every region or workshop during a trip simply isn’t always going to be possible. Thankfully, there are other ways to acquire these lovely and highly coveted pieces.
As we said in the intro, by far one of the most surprising places to find a diverse selection of Italian artisanal products is Roma’s Fiumicino Airport. This bustling global transport hub, which serves as la primera gateway to and from Italy, is home to numerous shops that offer authentic items from various regions.
Here, transistors and travellers can find an impressive range of shops and boutiques, where they can find the perfect souvenir from anywhere in Italy and enjoy a unique shopping experience before going home. Even if their journey doesn’t take them to every corner of this enchanting country, their time in the airport will offer a little taste of it and shoppers should not miss out on the opportunity to bring home artisanal products from all parts of Italy.
Discovering Italian Treasures
Italy is home to an extensive variety of handcrafted goods with each region contributing its own distinctive style or flavour.
Here are just a few examples that you can find on sale in Rome’s Airports and bring back home.
Murano Glass From Venice
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Among the most celebrated of Italy’s treasures are the Murano glass creations from the artist neighbourhoods of Venice. Known for vibrant colors, intricate designs and durability, Muran glass is produced using techniques that have been passed down through the generations. Each hand crafted piece is a true testament to Venice’s artisanal tradition.
Ceramics From Vietri
Equally captivating are the high quality ceramics from the town of Vietri on the Amalfi Coast famous for its brightly colored, hand-painted pieces. These gorgeous and useful objects are distinguished by their bold patterns and hues, inspired by the surrounding Mediterranean landscape.
The Vietrian ceramics range from everyday items like plates and bowls to tiles and decorative items. Whatever you go for, rest assured that the ceramics from Vietri are cherished for their aesthetic appeal and craftsmanship.
Limoncello from the Amalfi Coast (Campania)
Another entry from the Amalfi Coast here, Limoncello is a quintessential Italian souvenir for those who like a sweet, strong, post dinner digestif. Basically, in the Limoncello making process the region’s fragrant, oversized lemons are transformed into this iconic, hangover inducing liqueur.
It’s often presented in beautifully crafted glass bottles, making it both a treat to enjoy and a stunning keepsake. Whether you savour it after meals, give it to friends or down it on the plane home (which is technically illegal), Limoncello does capture the essence of southern Italy’s citrus groves and coastal charm in every swig.
Carnevale Masks From Venice
The Venetian’s are back again! Handmade Venetian masks offer a glimpse into the former city’s magnificent cultural history. These iconic masks, often adorned with feathers, gems, and intricate designs, were historically used in Venice’s famous Carnevale. Today, they serve as beautiful decorative pieces and reminders of Italy’s festive spirit.
Leather Goods From Florence
While Florence is primarily synonymous with art, culture and the renaissance, it is also known for its high-quality leather goods. From handbags and wallets to belts and shoes or even jackets, Florentine leather products are revered for their durability and elegance.
The leather artisans of Florence employ traditional methods to ensure that each piece is both functional and stylish.
Handmade Pasta From Puglia
How could we not suggest pasta? While all Italian pasta is top-notch, the handmade stuff from Puglia, particularly the iconic orecchiette (“little ears”), is a delightful gift to bring back for your friends or relatives who love to cook.
Crafted from durum wheat semolina and water, this simple, classic pasta is shaped by hand into small, ear-like discs that perfectly hold sauces like Puglia’s famous broccoli rabe or tomato-based ragù. Often sold in charming artisanal packages, orecchiette is a symbol of southern Italian simplicity and flavor.
Wine From Pretty Much Anywhere
Italian wine is some of the best in the world and makes for a great gift that you can share with friends, From the robust reds of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico and the rich Barolo and Barbaresco of Piedmont, to the crisp whites of Veneto’s Soave and the effervescent Prosecco (fizz), Italy’s wines reflect the character of their regions.
The thing is, it’s hard to go wrong with proper Italian wine. With that in mind I simply suggest you grab as many bottles as you can carry, invite your friends over for a post-vacation dinner (using the puglia pasta) and share the love while you regale them with tales of your vacation.
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