France and Italy

[monaro]

my parents are going to france and italy next week and they asked if there was anything special over there that they could get. like when your in asia they have cheap electronics and stuff whats good to get from france and italy?

[chris]

I think if you are in Italy, especially if your father likes rare cars, the place to go is a little workshop in Maranello, Toni Autoriparazioni. This workshop is found at Abetone Inferiore 41, 41053 Maranello, Modena.

At any given time, there is likely to be F40's, 360 Modenas, F50's, 288 GTO's, etc in his workshop, along with other older rarities like 250 GTO, etc.

The proprietor Toni doesn't mind people coming in and having a look around. Also in his garage is a Lancia-Ferrari LC2 Group C race car. That's his own car. :eek:

No cost to go in and have a look around, unlike the museums of Ferrari and others. It's not very a pretty place, it's a workshop, but it just happens to be a great place to see some very rare stuff.

[Y2kGoofball]

chris, I know you meant well but I think the word Cheap gives alot away in Monaros first post ;)

[monaro]

dads not a major car nut like his son but he does enjoy fine cars, i'll tell him to take my camera and check that workshop.
do u know of anything to buy over there?

[chris]

Not really sure what to buy in Italy that isn't expensive. Maybe fashion or something like that, but just about anything like that will have some mighty prices attached to it, especially if it has a major brand attached to it.

Italy has other reasonable things like various food-stuff and things like that, but you'd never be allowed to bring any of that back to Australia, and it'd probably expire anyhow.

Italy is the land of coffee drinkers, so you might be able to pick up some things like maybe things such as stainless steel moka-express machines cheaper than you could here in Australia. (they are damn expensive here, especially in larger sizes).

I can't think of anything else that would be cheap, apart from the usual odds and ends that are sold in most countries to people on holidays. (you know, the cheesy shirts, etc).

I used to know someone who actually got paid to go on holidays for work in places like Paris and Milan, and go shopping for the lastest fashions.. Of course, they get brought back here and they'd go through them all and the designs would be sort of duplicated, well, I use the D word with caution, because there were visible differences, but they'd get ideas, if you know what I mean. ;) Then the new designs would sort of appear on sale in stores here, at a much reduced price.

[Sepecat]

It depends on where your folks will be going, in France and Italy… If they are in Paris, well they can go to the Eiffel Tower, checkout Notre-Dame, and visit museums…

But I suggest they get out of Paris, and visit the county… They can try out/buy some nice French wines while there…

Italy; if they are in Rome, visit Vatican City, then head over to Milan, and Pisa… And then go for a drive on the Italian Autobahn…

[SquiresAU]

When in France, (Although i dont know whereabouts, this is just an 'in general' thing) youre going to have to be careful of the people selling stuff on the street. (Not trying to give the place or its people a bad name/rep or anything) A friend of mine, whos French, and went back to his homeland about two years ago said he had a lot of trouble with 'pushers' or whatever these people are. If someone comes up to you just out of the crowd for no reason and tries to sell you stuff, DONT make eye contact, and Dont even react to them being there, otherwise they will follow you and be in your face for the next two kilmetres and will NOT give up. Once again, not trying to give a bad name to the country or its people, just passing on a 'be careful' note.

On a brighter note however, If you know where to look, in market places, and the like, leather jackets are the go, good quality, reasonably cheap. But that also comes down to the current trends, that sort of stuff, so dont bank on finding yourself a killer trenchie just yet lol.

Things in general over there are quite expensive, so, if you can't find yourself anything more than the usual trinkets and souvenirs, just blow your dosh on the food. For that is exsquisite (spelling?). Or so i've been told, lol.

As for Italy however, youre on your own.

Hope this is helpful in whatever way it can be.

[monaro]

i have been to france, went about 5 years ago with my parents then and remember it pretty well, its just this time they are going alone and told me that i could get something while they are over there. i'll probably get some good aftershave and lacoste gear in france, and probably some equivalent italian clothes. maybe some ferrari gear.

cheers for the help

[FIATLOVE]

In Italy you can get hi quality leather products for cheap prices, belts shoes jackets..
Avoid the mainstreet markeds to find the best offers.. (and do not deal with street pushers), use the shops.

If you try to send a PM question to DC_Tox, he may can give you more hints
;)

In both countries you will find alot of really nice food, and of course wine :D

[NO]Head

[monaro]

cheers, i'll try him now