Made in Italy: A Shopper's Guide to the Best of Italian Tradition

by Laura Morelli

Each year, Americans flock to Italy in search of rich Old World cultural traditions and handmade crafts. Now Laura Morelli, art historian and Italy aficionado, has created the first guide to shopping and touring Italy's handmade treasures-including Sicilian ceramics, the Murano glass of Venice, Tuscan terracotta, gold and coral jewelry of Sardinia, Florence's marble paper, Torre del Greco's cameos, and much, much more.

Genres: Italy, Italian Literature

207 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2003

About the author

The first time I visited Venice as a wide-eyed teenager, I knew I was supposed to buy Murano glass, but I had no idea why.

All I knew was that I was whisked to the famous “glass island” on an overcrowded, stinky boat. I waited behind two dozen American and Japanese tourists to pay an exorbitant price for a little glass fish—what a bewildering experience!

Still, it was the artistic traditions of the world that inspired me to study the past. Living in Europe and Latin America, I realized that in many places, centuries-old craft traditions are still living traditions.

So began my quest to discover craftspeople passing on a special kind of knowledge to the next generation.

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Laura Morelli holds a a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University. Her books include Made in Italy, Made in France, and Made in the Southwest, which lead travelers to some of the world’s most authentic experiences. She has written for many national publications including USA Today and the New York Daily News, and has authored a column for National Geographic Traveler online called “The Genuine Article.” She has taught at Trinity College in Rome, Tufts University, Northeastern University, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and has spoken to public audiences across the U.S. and Europe.

Reviews

[C.L.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rich discovery! Made in Italy is much more than a quick shopping guide for tourists. Laura’s deep research and knowledge of Italy shines in this amazing, detailed tour through each region of Italy. She not only identifies the unique gems to be found in every area, but also lets readers know how each item was made and the history of each craft. Laura tells stories about the objects and their makers, as well as giving readers links to see current recommendations of artisans in every genre she mentions. Made in Italy is a treasure for travelers, but also paints a picture of the many Italian subcultures for armchair travelers. Highly recommended!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, interesting guide to Italy. Makes you want to buy a ticket, and pack your bags.

[Dr. Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Morelli’s Made in Italy is an easy read and a great start for preparing for a trip to Italy. While you may not be going just to shop, the book is organized in regions so it gives you a flavor of the areas in the artisans and craftwork she describes. This is a “just the facts, ma’am” type of read but somewhat entertaining nonetheless.

[Anna E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors attention to detail is truly a delight to read. This book is very informative and her shopping tips are so helpful. It is obvious that there is a true love of Italy and I found myself quickly immersed in this book, wanting to learn and travel to each region and visit all of the mentioned places in this wonderfully written guide. I would recommend this book to everyone that travels to Italy.