Adventure enthusiast based in Colorado, sharing family trips and motherhood through storytelling and photos, with the hopes of inspiring you to do the same!
Moving to a new place with unfamiliar faces, and especially to a new country, is overwhelming. Not knowing where to find certain goods and services can cause a lot of anxiety and frustration at first. The language barrier, transportation, opening hours – a lot of things are probably different from your previous location, at least they were for me. Luckily, as an army wife, there are a million and one Facebook groups where people can ask these questions – but for the rest of the American community living in our area, the method to find these products and/or services is basically a translated google search or trial and errors. My hope is that this business (also resource) guide to Vicenza, Italy will prove helpful to all people living (or just passing through) the Province and surrounding area.
These are all the places that I personally shopped at, used their services, and loved (some not as much, but I’ll explain them) and returned to time and time again over the 2 years that I’ve lived in Vicenza. I will continue to update the list and categories with places that I find to be helpful. I hope you enjoy and are able to use this guide to make life abroad a little bit easier.
Please Note: These are my opinions. Not everyone loves shopping at the same place or eating the same type of food. It’s okay to not have the same opinions. One thing that I have found while living in Italy is that Americans can sometimes be taken advantage of $$ wise. When getting a costly job done like with your car, home, etc. make sure you know what you’re paying for – ask for a quote in advance and hold them to that estimate. Have someone translate for you if you’re unsure. Read reviews!
This business guide to Vicenza is separated into categories. Each listing will have at least one of the following: my review, if they speak English, a link to their website, a link to Google Maps with their location, or their times of operations (keep in mind these change so check Google for most up to date times, but they’re usually closed for riposo).
Table of Contents
Antique/Thrift Shops
Il Migliore Mercatino dell’usato
About: A more upscale and expensive antique store. They have a wide variety of furniture, paintings, frames, etc. Just walking in the villa and looking at all the items is a memorable experience. The place is beautiful and located right near Del Din.
About: A great thrift shop with a wide variety of items – from furniture and paintings to dishes and clothing. We bought a 6′ wide Tuscan painting for a steal! It’s probably one of my favorite paintings in our home.
About: They’re located within walking distance of Caserma Ederle and like to associate themselves with the American community. A lot of clients are Americans who return time and time again. However, you will hear mixed reviews on customer service, towing, etc. We took our car there quite often for a number of things – oil change, to buy snow tires, to switch tires, new headlights, etc. For more serious problems (like transmission), we sought out a specific dealership (like Mercedes). They provide rental cars (cash only) at a great price.
About: Mercedes auto repair shop. They fixed a lot of issues on our Mercedes B200. If you show that you’re affiliated with the military, they will withhold taxes. They can also provide a rental car while your car is being worked on. Our car was impeccable after we picked it up – vacuumed ed on the inside and washed on the outside.
About: Estetica Crisalide provides a range of beauty services from manicure and pedicure to massages and waxes. Their massages are out of this world. They’re nothing like I’ve ever experience in the states and yet way better. Gaia is my go-to masseuse when I visit for the Abhyanga massage and steam bath!
About: Their list of products also services is also wide – waxes, massages, manicures, pedicures, etc. I have always received the best semi-permanent pedicures from there. I love that it’s a one-on-one service and not a crowded nail salon like in the U.S.
About: If you’re thinking about purchasing a bike (whether a city bike, mountain bike, road bike, or multi-use), Liotto is the best place in Vicenza to visit! Their staff will help you find the best bike for your needs and at a great price. They also have biking gear, clothing, and accessories. You can get your bike tuned for a great price – even if you didn’t purchase it there. Don’t forget to use the Tax Relief forms if you’re military affiliated.
About: I found their parts extremely affordable. They were able to order the part that we wanted – a rack for the top of our Mercedes B Class – and called us to install it a few days later. It only took a few minutes to install. They’ll also waive the Italian tax if you are DoD affiliated! Here you can find many things including the part that is required for carrying bikes on the back of your car – the warning sign and license plate (avoid a few hundred euros fine by getting this up front)!
About: Presley has been going here ever since he arrived in Italy, and Sven loves it there just as much. They take excellent care of our dogs. We had to leave in less than 24 hours back to the states once for an emergency, and they took the dogs in for a few weeks with no hesitation. They provide training, daycare, grooming, etc. I appreciate their attention to detail and sending pictures when we’re away and missing the dogs. Their Instagram is also super cute! We will miss this place when we’re gone. *They sometimes provide a discount if you pay in cash versus bancomat/credit card.
About: This is my favorite flower shop in Costabissara, especially if I’m not able to make it to the Tuesday market in town. The lady there is so sweet and can put together the perfect bouquet for you.
About: IKEA is actually located in Padova, but it’s seriously only about 30-40 minutes away and blows every other furniture/home decor store out of the water. Half of our furniture is from there – even if it comes in 14 boxes with 19 pages of instructions…each! Don’t forget to use the Tax Relief Office if you’re military affiliated.
About: Fantasy has the most random things. Clothing, blankets, homeware, electrical things (plugs, chargers), household cleaning items. Whatever you need – you’ll probably find it at Fantasy and for cheap!
About: Huge grocery store, similar to Target. They have a great wine selection and just about everything you could need from the grocery store. Also a great gluten-free section.
About: A fantastic small local grocery store in Costabissara. They have a good selection of Gluten Free items, fresh meat, and a wide variety of beers. Great prices and convenient.
About: I loved getting my hair done here when I first moved to Italy back in 2017. Their staff has changed, besides the owner Elona, and they can sometimes be super busy. Their prices are so cheap – but remember, you get what you pay for!
Best way to contact: Call or Facebook message Elona
Hours:
Tuesday
8:30AM–6:30PM
Wednesday
8:30AM–6:30PM
Thursday
8:30AM–6:30PM
Friday
8:30AM–6:30PM
Saturday
8:30AM–6:30PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
8:30AM–6:30PM
L’ideale Parrucchieri
About: I love how convenient their location is! Right across from Caserma Ederle’s Chapel Gate is L’Ideale Hair Salon. I can easily park on base then walk across the street, above American Graffiti and get my hair done. They do an incredible job, especially with my blonde! I love the airy and upscale environment – which goes hand in hand with their quality of products and services. Although we had to communicate via Google Translate with my little Italian knowledge, Jessica, my hairdresser, did exactly what I wanted and more!
English: Very little, will have to use Google Translate often
About: They are the best in the area, in my opinion. I know people who drive across town to bring their pets here. For us, it’s conveniently located in our town of Costabissara. They groomed our Bernese Mountain Dog, Sven, and have cut Presley’s nails multiple times. Their prices are incredibly reasonable and they work quickly! For a large dog to be groomed, it took them about an hour and cost me around 45-50euros.
About: Located in Costabissara, the entire store is dedicated to pets! They carry all sorts of dog food, treats, toys, crates (of all sizes), and they even have an outdoor dog shower area. Often when you check out, they will give you treats or free dog food based on the type/weight of your dog.
About: They have everything you could think of when it comes to plants, gardening, outdoor furniture, and more. On top of all that, they have pet supplies – harnesses, food, leash, treats, etc. Use your military ID to get 10% off!
About: Elisa worked wonders with our new Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, Sven. She was super flexible with our schedule and met with us at the dog training field one day a week for 5 weeks. Sven learned basic training and socialization skills. He’s a great dog now and I highly recommend all dog training issues be taken to her!
Best way to contact: if iPhone, schedule appointment through Apple
Hours:
Tuesday
8:30AM–12:30PM, 2:30–6:30PM
Wednesday
8:30AM–12:30PM, 2:30–6:30PM
Thursday
8:30AM–12:30PM, 2:30–6:30PM
Friday
8:30AM–12:30PM, 2:30–6:30PM
Saturday
8:30AM–12:30PM, 3–6PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
8:30AM–12:30PM, 2:30–6:30PM
Picture Frame Shop
Cornice Idea
About: They did a great job framing some of our massive paintings. You can pick out the exact frame design that you’d like. Ours were finished and ready to be picked up within a week. He texted once they were finished.
About: I compare my shopping experience at Decathlon with shopping at Target – you just can’t leave empty-handed. It’s an addiction. Decathlon is one of my favorite places to shop and undeniably has taken the most amount of my money (next to Ikea) while living in Italy. They have EVERYTHING. Camping gear, climbing gear, bicycles, bicycle accessories, clothing (for hiking or working out), water gear (for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, etc)…they have it all! There are two stores near Vicenza – the one we prefer to go to is in Thiene because it’s never crowded, but it isn’t as well stocked. You’re guaranteed to find more at the one in Torri di Quartesolo.
About: A walk-in emergency vet clinic that does not require appointments. We have taken our dogs there multiple times, even at 2am in the morning (after a toxic frog eating situation). The cost of an appointment is 40 euros during normal working hours or 80 euros outside of those hours. They are much quicker and cost efficient than going to the vet clinic on base, and no appointment is required. They’ll give you any prescriptions on the spot and send you on your way!
Whew! That’s it, folks! I hope this business guide to Vicenza has helped you in some small way. Please remember, as stated before, everyone has their own opinions of places so like I suggested – read lots of reviews before visiting – don’t just take mine to be the ultimate deciding factor! Enjoy your time in Italy because it’ll be over quicker than you know it.
If you’re looking to download this in a great PDF format, check out my FREE printable for the Business Guide to Vicenza, Italy. Download it by clicking here!
Hmmm there’s a print shop on the second floor in Palladio Mall. They print canvas and stuff so maybe they would. There’s also another print shop in the same shopping center as Auchan in Vicenza! They do lots of types of prints.
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Stacy
Do you know of a print shop for laminated, professionally done badges (like for a lanyard) and t-shirt printing?
Summer
Hmmm there’s a print shop on the second floor in Palladio Mall. They print canvas and stuff so maybe they would. There’s also another print shop in the same shopping center as Auchan in Vicenza! They do lots of types of prints.
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