Why Italy

What are some good italy-themed gift ideas for a friend traveling to Italy?

She's great at learning languages so she doesnt need an english-italian dictionary, and i'm already giving her euros. What does a toursit need to fully enjoy Italy? What might be useful to her? Or just fun and Italy-themed? Thanks! A

Public Comments

1. a picture album or luggage or some books on italy or book some fun things for her to do there.. im going in march and you have to have tickets to see some of the things like the Colosseum the vatican etc.
2. A book with pictures from Italy or a book with recipes of the most typical italian dishes.
3. Perhaps a guide book or two of the region(s) that she'll be visiting, and also some fun books that integrate Italian culture into it, such as 1) Eating Up Italy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eating-Up-Italy-Voyages-Vespa/dp/0007214812 ) : the author travelled around Italy on Vespa while exploring regional cuisines and relates his interaction with the locals too - I love this book! 2) Francesco's Venice (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Francescos-Venice-Francesco-da-Mosto/dp/0563493631/ref=pd_sim_d_h__3 ) : this was on BBC as a series (so you could get the DVD too if you want) and I enjoyed it lots to see Venice away from the tourists' eyes, as Francesco brings us to tour the Venice as he knows it. 3) Under the Tuscan Sky (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Tuscan-Sun-Frances-Mayes/dp/0553506676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229348437&sr=1-1 ) or Bella Tuscany (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bella-Tuscany-Sweet-Life-Italy/dp/0553812505/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229348437&sr=1-2 ) : Frances Mayes has several books on Tuscany and I like these two very much. Under the Tuscan Sky has been adapted into a movie too, although I haven't seen that so I can't tell you if it's good. 4) Not Built in a Day (http://www.amazon.com/Not-Built-Day-Exploring-Architecture/dp/0786717491/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229349879&sr=1-43 ) : a fabulous book on architecture in Rome and there's even walking tours that allows exploration and seeing Rome with a fresh appreciation. Otherwise, if you want to get something else, assuminig she has a digital camera, you can get her some digital camera memory cards or spare batteries so that she can click away while she's on her holiday without worrying about having to delete some pictures away because she runs out of memory card space, or to have batteries to change in case one runs out of juice and she hasn't got a chance to recharge it. Of course, check the model of her camera before buying these accessories. If your friend will be in Verona in the summer (July/August) then you could get her ticket to catch an opera at Arena di Verona. Out of summer there are other philamornic, ballet and opera performances too. Check http://www.arena.it/en-US/opera-festival/arena-2008-2009.html for more details.
4. Green, white and red luggage tags.