Shopping

Greece:

Despite the importance of exploring the abundant geography of Ancient Greece, you’ll also want to fit some shopping into your busy itinerary. Here are some of the suggested items to purchase during your visit to Greece:

Greek jewelry has been created by artistic craftsmen since ancient times. It continues to be a sought-after product. The great thing about Greek jewelry is that they consist of popular gold or diamond with a mix of ancient design, so you will always have a piece of Greece long after you leave the country.

Most of the world's exceptional furs come from Kastoria, up in Western Macedonia. While fur is not so popular in the U.S., it is certainly a great buy in Greece. Some stores specialize in fur coats. 

There are a few antique stores in Greece, since the best place to find Greek antiques is actually in London. But many sculptors make copies of famous ancient sculptures, and these are sold just about anywhere. Be careful though, because by law, a copy must have a government stamp of approval on it, otherwise it may be seized if taken out of the country.

Leather is very prominent in Greece. You can find sandals, bags, and jackets, but not all are of ideal quality. Be sure to examine the stitching and the size of thread that was used – the bigger the better. 

Sponges are an important item for Greeks. Divers explore the depths of Kos to search for them. The real sponges are labeled as ‘made in Greece’ and are more expensive, but do not break apart as easily as the cheaper ones.

There are an abundance of department stores in Greece that sell products well worth your money. Just be careful not to buy things that aren’t made in Greece. You will end up spending much more than you need to.

Turkey:

Turkish carpets are the most sought-after item for outsiders visiting Turkey. You can not return from your tour without this great keepsake. The carpets are either knotted or flat woven. They were originally woven as utility items, but they soon became desired for their beauty and durability. Your home will be finely decorated with a piece of Turkish beauty.

Turkey has beautiful gold and silver jewelry. Fortunately, jewelry here is cheaper than in other places because of the low labor cost. There is a large variety of designs to meet the needs of everyone. Just like any other item you will buy on your trip, make sure to inspect each piece to find the best one.

Just like Greece, Turkey is famous for its leather products. Some of the best leather items manufactured in Turkey are found in shops in Italy, but there are many for sale in Turkey as well. Premium grade leather is selected then designed by craftsmen to ensure beauty and style.

Meerschaum pipes are a unique item in Turkey that you will want to buy, or at least see. It is a type of heat-resistant sea foam that becomes soft when wet. The sea foam is used to carve these distinct pipes that even the non-smoker will want to have.

If you are looking for a gift for someone, you’ll want to pick up the hand-painted ceramics and porcelain made in Iznik, Istanbul and Kutahya.