Tour Israel Blog

Tingling sensations, slight dizziness – can’t help it – when I see a sign with the magic word Outlet – I simply need to cross the street to investigate. As I dash through traffic (this can get you fined in Israel), I see the sign hung in the window: 70% off Italian Imports.

Six women in various stages of undress twist and turn in front of the mirror and ask the opinion of the well-accessorized saleswoman.

I spy a huge hot pink straw hat which shades my face (I look kind of like a walking parasol). Anticipating seven months of strong sun in a cloudless sky, I buy the finely made, richly detailed Italian straw hat. It shades my face and is the perfect accessory to create a look, with minimal breezy summertime clothing.

Filmy gossamer scarves – not made in India, but made in Italy, as stated on the very classy tags – in cool pinks, shades of chartreuse, and hot fuschias, as well as a linen sheath with an overlayer of linen cut on an angle, all catch my eye. These are Italian designer pieces at outlet prices, without the Milan hotel bill.

As I leave, the saleswoman (yes, the well-accessorized one) promises to phone when the collection of flowy summer skirts arrive – I’m thinking bare legs and sandals.

Closer to Israel than to the U.S., the influence of Italian design and products is visible in housewares, furniture and clothing. Italian designer items are widely available in stores in Israel’s larger cities.

Goia Roma Outlet Store can be found on Rehovot’s main street at 194 Rehov Herzl. Tel: 08.946.5897.

During trips to foreign countries, shopping for original products created by local craftspeople is a prime source of pleasure. That pleasure can be doubled (tripled?) when the items are produced by members of a non-profit organization: your purchase supports a worthy cause and you return home with original crafts.

In Israel, visits to the Almaz Workshop for Ethiopian Women surprise the visitor with the choice of creative, unique products in different media.

A risque gift for that special pair, this Ethiopian couple’s communicator tool, is a graphic, non-verbal way for a woman to let her man know when the time is right. The custom in Ethiopia, as related by the women at the workshop, is for the top of the box to be left open as a signal to her mate, one way to avoid mixed signals, so to speak.

Handmade from dark clay, each box differs slightly in appearance. A shelf of boxes at Almaz are ready for inspection and the shopper chooses the one that pleases most.

Question: Dare you give this original piece of folkart as an engagement gift?

Almaz Workshop for Ethiopian Women, Rehov Haim Moshe Shapiro, Ramle. Tel: 08.921.0194