Shopping and markets in Italy

It is 'the learned', because in 1088 it saw the birth of the first university in the western world, which still today attracts students from around the world. It is 'the red' because of the characteristic colour of its roofs, visible from the top of its medieval towers. And it is 'the fat' – you just try to resist the temptation of a sandwich stuffed with fresh mortadella or a dish of piping hot lasagna!

But for Italians, Rome is also the birthplace of some of the world's best-known fashion and jewellery houses such as Fendi, Laura Biagiotti and Bulgari and Valentino, who will be the protagonist in Rome on 8 July with an exclusive show featuring a route linking Trinità dei Monti, the Spanish Steps, an iconic place in the history of fashion, and Piazza Mignanelli, home of the historic Atelier. Historic boutiques, fashion history and haute couture shows. During AltaRoma, a festival generally held twice a year in January and July, the city' s streets are transformed into catwalks, and the most exclusive locations host the most glamorous parties and events, attracting celebrities and personalities from the international jet set. And whether you are in the capital as tourists, insiders or passionate Romans, taking advantage of Rome Fashion Week to experience the city in a different light is a more unique than rare opportunity. Here, then, is a small guide to the buildings, monuments and locations that you should definitely include in your Roman fashion itinerary. You won't be short of surprises.

Creations in gold and silver: rings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants, earrings and watches crafted by fine artisans, embellished with refined workmanship, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires or semi-precious stones; but also works by emerging designers, prestigious brands or very old and rare collector's jewellery. For centuries, the workshops that flank Florence's historic Ponte Vecchio have reverberated with the splendour and glitter of noble and precious metals, attracting hordes of tourists and enthusiasts every day, and even attracting commissions from royal houses and foreign governments. Jewellers and Ponte Vecchio, a combination of centuries-old tradition that follow one another seamlessly over the arches of the bridge, concentrates the best expression of the celebrated Florentine gold and silver tradition here: a stroll along its shop windows is a stop that cannot be missed among the destinations of your visit to the Medicean city, here you can relax, feast your eyes and perhaps find inspiration for shopping or for a souvenir to take home.

With its high-end fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, antique finds and workshops for artisan and leather items, the city is among Italy’s top destinations for luxury shopping, where you can buy unique pieces and discover all the latest trends in fashion design. Whether you're a collector or a fashion addict, there are some streets and neighborhoods in Florence that you really can't miss:

Genoa's famous Caruggi shopping centre sits near to an unexpectedly straight and spacious street: Via Roma, the heart of the city's luxury shopping, just 300 metres long but brimming with dazzling shop windows and the signs of big brands. Alongside the best boutiques in Genoa, you can also find historic shops that take you back in time from the moment you walk through the door. This street runs parallel to the Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini.

Whether you’re looking for an antique, an artisan gem or simply the liveliest atmosphere in Genoa, they’re all in the same place: take a stroll along Via Orefici and Via Luccoli in the historic centre to enjoy its shops, craft workshops and antique shops. Not only tourists, but also genuine Genoese like to come here and do business.