Venice pasta selection. Photo by Daneen Vol.

It’s true, you can buy a bag of pasta just about anywhere. However, purchasing colorful pasta in Venice not only carries the stamp of Italian authenticity, but it offers a cheap and tasty solution to a potentially costly dilemma!

Check-out bags of pasta in Venice

Pasta’s story goes way back: The Chinese had noodles in 1500 BC, the Greeks had “lagana” in the second century, and the Arabs may have brought pasta to Sicily. Though the origins of pasta in modern Italy are uncertain, it is clear that local chefs and manufacturers have turned strips of dough into a very profitable trade.

When in the twisty streets of Venice, we suggest starting your pasta search at the iconic Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Walk west toward the Pescheria, the fish market, also along the canal. Keep your eyes peeled for food specialty shops of all kinds.

Small bags of rigatoni, farfalle, and pennoni lisci start at around €3. Aliani (Casa del Parmigiano) at Erberia Rialto 214/5 in the San Polo district, near the vegetable market, has been open since 1936 and sells cheese, pasta, and ready-made picnic dishes. To start your mouth-watering research online, check out Gourmet Pantry’s Italian pasta inventory.

While you’re at it…

Tear out of town with a few sheets of marbled paper. Venetians specialize in the art of dipping paper into liquid gum before adding paint to create swirls of visual delight. Alberto Valese-Ebrû at Camiello Santo Stefano 3471 in San Marco uses the marbling technique on fabrics and papers. Prices vary depending on paper quality and craftsmanship.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Photo by Annie Shapero

A trip to Florence—or Italy in general for that matter—would not (and should not) be complete with a fabulous pair of leather shoes. Lucky for those of us with big shoe fetishes and somewhat less enormous budgets, there is Peluso, located right in the center of Florence!

The new collection is located at Via del Corso, 6/8. Peluso’s swank, all-leather designs don’t dare creep into the triple digits. The outlet store is located right across the street, and believe it or not, prices start at €19!

Your toes will be tingling with joy, and your wallet will hardly notice the difference.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Photo by biberchrigel

Cooperativa Latte Cisternino is an Italian dairy cooperative with four outlets in Paris. The Cooperativa sells high quality (and bargain-priced!) Italian cheeses, cured hams, salami, fresh pasta, olive oil and wine. Everything you need for a picnic lunch is here except for the fresh bread. Happily, fresh bread is not a scarce commodity in Paris.

The organization is a union of dairy producers, based in the town of Cisterna—between Rome and Naples—and has about one hundred stores across Italy. Shoppers, many of whom are Italian, get the pleasure of buying almost direct from the producers in a non-commercial, unhurried environment.

Best of all, everything is delicious! Meat-filled canneloni, cooked lasagne, fresh gnocchi, and orechiette are on display alongside a selection of cured hams including pancetta, speck, and mortadella as well as different types of salami. Other temptations include mozzarella di buffala, fresh ricotta, jars of olives and pesto, Italian yoghurts and olive oil. An interesting selection of wines from the south of Italy are available, starting at €3 a bottle.

Here are the four Paris locations:

108 rue Saint-Maur Paris 75011. Metro: Parmentier.
17 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire Paris 75005. Metro: Censier-Daubenton.
37 rue Godot-de-Mauroy Paris 75009. Metro: Madeleine.
46 rue du Faubourg-Poissoniere Paris 75010. Metro: Bonne Nouvelle.

All stores are open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Popularity: 4% [?]