Rome

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Smixr0DOPoI/AAAAAAAADYY/HAtKrxAQKq4/s400/209.1.jpg” border=”0″ />top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>While I love Venice, I’ve never exactly thought of it as a shopping mecca. Romantic, gorgeous and historic, yes… but I’ve always saved my euro for Italian shopping in Milan, Florence, Como and Rome, assuming that the prices in Venice would blow my bank budget for the next 6 months! But a recent trip to Venice changed my way of thinking. It started with scoring a perfect cocktail dress in one boutique nearby the train station. As the address was down-market by Venetian standards, the lower price point didn’t surprise me though I personally was pleased as punch with my purchase. As I continued on my way through town, weaving through alleyways and crossing tiny bridges over so many canals, I finally stopped consulting my map and just let my feet do the navigating. My husband and I wandered into a gorgeous linen store, scoring some plush new hand towels for the guest bathroom again at prices so low it felt like “The Italian Job!” We then visited Fortuny and while nothing in Fortuny is a bargain, it can seem like a bargain if you’ve ever shopped Fortuny in the USA, so comparatively speaking we were saving money even if my husband had to stifle back a cough when he saw my grand total for a few pillow shams!

On a roll, we rounded a corner in the arcades not far from Piazza San Marco and stumbled into one of the most gorgeous antique shops I’ve ever been into – Antichita Marciana!

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Smixsb5JuOI/AAAAAAAADYw/Z00hNhV0IP8/s400/293.JPG” border=”0″ />In typical Venetian fashion the exterior of the building was crumbling around itself, but the goods inside were fit for a palazzo!

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SmiyD7rbo7I/AAAAAAAADZA/oF6w-bWysIU/s400/scan0070.jpg” border=”0″ />Antichita Marciana specializes in 18th C paintings, furniture and special objects that will certainly be “conversation pieces” in your home! Each purchase is accompanied by a certificate of guarantee stating its period, the origin, the state of preservation and restorations done. And if you’re worried that the Italian commode (remember: commode isn’t a toilet in Europe but something similar to a buffet) won’t fit inside your carry on, don’t worry! Antichita Marciana ships worldwide, with specific transporters specialized in the care of high-end antiques and art.

to 10px; WIDTH: 374px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Smixsosm7MI/AAAAAAAADY4/6fQ-x70fVG0/s400/antichitamarciana.jpg” border=”0″ />to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/Smixrx6a03I/AAAAAAAADYg/0CT9IE9mfEQ/s400/291.JPG” border=”0″ />to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SmixsOxCl9I/AAAAAAAADYo/BqcX47QNcg8/s400/292.JPG” border=”0″ />For those arm chair travelers, if Venice isn’t on your travel itinerary, never fear! This shop even offers online shopping, but alas I fear the website is currently only available in Italian. There is an English option, but your mouse just hovers over it without clicking as if insisting you view this Venetian shop in the language it was meant to be seen – Italiano!

On that note, Arrivederci!

The Antiques Diva™

P.S. Stay tuned for an upcoming Diva Blog with divalicious details on Fortuny!!!

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