Venice Shopping Tips by mapakettle

Loris Marazzi-Scultore: Sculptures....in wood

This tiny little shop creates the most amazing wood sculptures I have ever seen. Items include jackets, hanging on a wall hook, slippers, a wallet, womens under garments, books, shoes, gloves......the list goes on.

Ma Kettle and I first spotted his work in a very exclusive shop in The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. It was a series of various items 'hanging' on a coat hook. The wood is like velvet, you have to touch it in order to believe it is carved out of wood. Loris Marazzi is truly an amazing scultore.

Ma and I had the pleasure of meeting Loris a few weeks ago (April 2006) in his shop in Venice. He is a very unassuming man, not at all what I would expect of a man with his amazing talent. Very soft spoken, very polite, and most passionate about his craft. I strongly recommend everyone reading this page to stop by for a visit. Please advise that you are there upon my recommendation. He only knows me by description (the couple from VT, and the wife spoke Italian, the husband took pictures). He needs to feel his work is getting the recognition it duly deserves.

Finding the shop is difficult, but an easy way is to open a map of Venice, find the Ponte d Scalzi (bridge by the train station), and draw a straight line down to Campo Santa Margherta (large oblong square), and look for a monument with a tall red flag pole. Just ask anyone after that.

Trust me, well worth a look. Bring money.

What to buy: Other things we found interesting are bar stools (see photo) which has a seat carved out of wood to look like a fluffy pillow. Surprisingly comfortable. They are available in complete bar sets or intended to be used as focal points within a room. Each one is individually hand carved.

Loris also makes glass topped coffee tables, with the platform flawlessly carved to resemble half opened books. Tremendous detail. He uses three such carvings for each piece.

My favourite is a wonderful, wonderful leather jacket, with amazing detail such as stitching and zippers. Carving adorns both front and back. He even has carved a wooden strip resembling a leather shoe lace to hang the jacket from the ceiling. Fantastic work.

What to pay: Every piece is hand carved, one of a kind. I guarantee you will find no such items anywhere else in the world. Expect to pay for the honour of owning one.

Address: S.Margherita, 2903 30123 Venezia-Italia

Directions: Look on a Venice map, find the bridge outside the train station, and trace a line straight down until you find Campo Santa Margherita. You'll know you're in the correct square (campo) when you find a monument with a red flag pole in the centre of it.

Phone: 041/5239001 (also fax)

Theme: Local Craft

Many shops like this one: Baking, local treats Food, wine and sweets Review

Baking, Venetian style. Much of this is different than the usual fare found in other parts of Italy. My favourite is the green pastry shown in the photo. Goes well with coffee.

Be aware, bakery goods are sold by weight, not per piece or by the loaf as is usual in North America. The exception would be a set price for one piece (higher) eaten at the counter.

What to pay: sold by weight, priced accordingly.

Theme: Food and Drink

Most shops in Venice: Attractive window displays...

The shop in the first photo sells womens accessories. Note the use of contrasting colours for their window display.

In fairness, most shops in Venice excell at window displays. They have to be able to grab the tourist's eye as they wander past, and their use of colour and product is wonderful.

What to pay: All items in Venice are pricey. Expect to pay more, and get less.

Address: throughout Venice

Theme: Other

Giunti al Punto: Looking for English books... Books Review

This bookstore, located within six minutes of the train station in Venice has proven to be a God send to me, because I 'Need' to read.

This is primarily an Italian book store, but fortunately, they have included books for English readers also, as well as a decent selection of guide books and maps.

At present, the English section (poorly marked) is located behind the sales counter, in the second of two rooms. You won't have a real big choice, but, a book is a book.

What to buy: They have a good selection of cook books, written in 'all' languages, plus many guide books in various languages as well.

The selection of novels consists of authors like Stephen King, and Michael Crichteon, Sandra Brown, and Patricia Cornwell.

A computer is nice, but nothing beats a good 'old fashioned' book.

What to pay: English books range from 10 euro to about 14 euro. (all English books in Italy are expensive) Guide books widely vary, as do language books and maps.

Address: Campo S. Geremia, 282 30125 Venezia VE

Directions: turn left from the train station (do not cross the bridge) and walk towards the Jewish Ghetto. This route has oodles of shops, bakeries, and bars. Store is located within Campo S. Geremia

Other Contact: fax 041-2750152

Phone: 041-27550152

Theme: Books

Everywhere in Italy: You pay exactly what the price shows...

There is no sales tax in Venice (Italy), at least it remains hidden as it SHOULD. You pay the price as indicated, and no more... In Canada we are used to 'guess-timating' the price of an item, because all provinces have GST (Goods and Services Tax) added, and most have PST (Provincial Sales Tax) also, which increases the total paid at the cash register.

Also, in Venice (Italy), prices often are rounded off, or rounded 'up' as the locals complain. It is unusual to North Americans to see a price rounded to the nearest WHOLE EURO. ie: (7 euro, not 6.99)

Remember, when shopping in Venice, if you produce 'exact' change for your purchase, you will be provided with a huge smile, and a very warm "Mille Grazie".

Why do blondes like jokes about the GST tax in Canada?
Because they can spell it....

Address: Everywhere in Italy

Directions: from the tip of the boot, to just under the knee

Theme: Other