Shops in Rome are generally open from 9am to 1pm, 9:30am in the center of the city, and reopens from 4pm to 7:30pm.  There are however a few exceptions: I must break every shopaholic’s heart by saying that clothing stores in Rome are closed on Sunday and Monday mornings. I know it hurts it’s when you still have lots of money right? But then, they follow the general hours of opening and closing.

For those gluttons shopping their stomachs through Rome, food stores are open from 8am to 1pm and reopen from 5pm to 7:30pm. Sadly though, that on Sundays and Thursday afternoons, these gluttons must take a break since food stores are closed during these days, except during summer since they are close on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Vegetarians in Rome  must wake up early to catch the outdoor fresh vegetable markets such as Campo de’Fiori which is open from 7am to 2pm Mondays to Saturdays. Supermarkets on the other hand are 8am to 8pm all day, including Sundays.

Shoppers must consider the last two weeks of August as a summer holiday break for these shops as well as for their pockets.

If you’re looking for the best finds for clothes and the latest trends in Rome, you might want to try visiting the area between via del Corso and via del Babuino in the vicinity of the Spanish steps. Many of the posh shops and haute couture boutiques can be found in that area: those of Armani, Prada, Gucci, Ferragamo, Bulgari Jewelers, Cartier Jewelers, Swatch, Mont Blanc and La Perla can be found in Via Condotti. Other shops you must check out at the side streets of Piazza Mignanelli, Piazza di Spagna, Via Borgognona,  Fontanella Borghese, Via del Babuino and places surrounding the vicinity.

One top shop of hats that has a significant collection of hats worn by famous people such as Mussolini and Trilussa can be found at 7 Via Minghetti, the Fratelli Vigano men’s shop which dates back its existence back to 1873.

For those shoppers who would want to stick to a strict budget, Rome offers the lower cost clothing shops. You’ll find these budget friendly yet trendy stores near the Vatican centered on Via Cola de Rienzo and Via Ottaviano.

Cookware and kitchen wares are also very much affordable and available in Rome. You can check out C.U.C.I.N.A. at 65 Via Mario de’ Fiori for kitchenware and cookware that you might ever need and ‘Gusto at 7 Piazza Augusto Imperatore for cookbooks that will offer a variety of recipes that will surely satisfy your taste.

There are still a lot to see and a number of shops to go to in Rome. Just be ready to walk and have your feet sore as you empty your pockets in one shopping getaway of a lifetime!

At Greece most likely the summer months, international soccer exhibition matches are held with the soccer season kicking off in September until June.  This is because soccer is noted as the most favorite sport at Greece.  At this time of the year most resorts and beaches offers full sports and sea facilities mainly at Athens, Greece area.  These facilities namely the self-service bar, canoes, paddles, basketball courts and other leisure facilities are all usable at Greece at summer.

People from Greece value sailing so if you love sailing im assuring you this is the place to be.  Located at Athens, Greece accompanied with great weather conditions and great waves you can live a sailing life.

To have a full packed experience go to the Hellenic Sailing Federation located at A Xenofondos St., Athens, Greece.  Great beaches are just around the corner of Athens, Greece where every beach is just a minute away from your hotels.  Plus some of the beaches at Greece are free of charge, although most beaches at Greece charge admission fees. These organized beaches at Greece provide changing rooms, showers, umbrellas, chairs, coffee shops, watersports, sports facilities and parking space.

Beaches in Greece also provide fishing boats for those people who would do anything for fishing.  Boats and fishing tackle can be found in Piraeus at the Moutsopoulou Quay, where fishing fanatics licensed by the Port Authority to rent small boat for an hour.

If you like swimming at the pool and find swimming a shore at Greece is a bum then there are two hotels that offer their great pools and services for you.  The St. George Lycabettus Hotel at 2 Kleomenous Str. is open with its pool from April and TheCaravel Hotel at 21 Vas. Alexandrou Avenue, is open with its pool daily from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission includes the use of showers, a towel and a chair. Anything from the pool side snack bar is extra.

Had enough from water activities? Greece also have a lot of Golfing courses and Tennis courts for those who want their summer at Greece a bit sporty.  A lot of golf courses were developed around Greece challenging amateur to professional golfers have an unforgetable golf game at Greece.  Besides the golf clubs, there are hotels providing superbly designed and constructed golf courses.  The GLYFADA GOLF COURSE in Athens is open all year around and also known as one of the greatest golf courses in Greece and also in Europe.

After those sun and sweat Greece also offers the tourists a full make over into a shopper.  Greece offers people a full pledged shopper’s delight where they offer a wide variety of jewelries to appliances. Other interesting gift ideas are museum copies of ancient Greek art, sold in many shops and at the National Archeological Museum.  Shopping hours at Greece are normally 09.00-15.00 Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and 09.00-13.30, 17.30-20.30 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Sundays most shops are closed except those in tourist areas.

So why wait? Have fun and travel to Greece this summer!