In times of crisis and insecurity one could do well to look beyond the Christmas Holiday shopping and to start thinking about the beginning of the New Year, when the annual winter sales start in Rome and the rest of Italy.
The sales season for 2012 will start on January 5. From this date onwards the various Rome shops, shopping malls and outlets will offer discounts of up to 60% on their wares and it will therefore be an excellent occasion for visitors to Rome to combine their holidays with some bargain hunting.
Special transportation will, as always, be organized to get visitors quicker to some of Rome’s main shopping streets (Via del Corso, Via Condotti, Via Nazionale, Via Cola di Rienzo), malls (Galleria Alberto Sordi) and outlets (Castel Romano Designer Outlet, Fashion District Valmontone).
Note that the shop owners are obliged to not only clearly indicate the new price of the discounted item, but also the original price and the percentage taken off. Hang on to your receipt, because you will need to show it in case you wish to change the purchased item back.
Another pitfall to watch out for: Some shop owners refuse to accept credit card payment for items that are on sale. According to the law, however, they are obliged to accept credit card payment if they also accept this kind of payment during the rest of the year.
During the winter sales period there will be a special free bus line called Shopping 1 that will visit the main shopping streets of the Eternal City.
Accommodation will be more than affordable once the New Year’s period is finished: Check the rates of the Chaplin B&B and of Rome Bed and Breakfast Little Italy for cheap accommodation during the Rome winter sales period.
