Rome is a delight for shoppers. But if you are on a tight budget you can't go to the designer stores and pick up a Gucci bag or a pair of Fendi boots. Here's a quick guide to some cheap shopping options in the Italian capital.

For straight up «Middle of the Road» shopping, go to Rome's magnificent mile, aka, Via del Corso. The mile stretches from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, and is dotted with stores for every budget. Here you'll find Spanish import ZARA (which is cheap and trendy), Benetton, Etam, Sportstaff and other midrange retail labels. Termini Shopping Forum is actually one of the most varied places to shop for clothes are reasonable prices, beauty products, and gifts. While waiting for a train, or even if you're in the area, check out Sephora for beauty products, Sergio Tacchini for Italian sportswear, and a number of mid-range to low cost kiosks and retail chains for men and women.

The best bargains are often to be found at street markets. The street markets around town sell everything from house-wares to underwear at bottom of the barrel prices with quality to match. Porta Portese market and Via Sannio (Metro A 'San Giovanni') offer some gems at a great value, but be ready to beat the crowds and spend hours towelling the stands.

Sales are never hard to come by, especially in these times of global financial trouble. The word to look for is 'SALDI' (sales), and you'll notice it most in mid-July and January when stores start purging the old season to male room for new inventory. You're likely to find discounts of over 50 percent. If you see the phrase 'SVENDITA TOTALE'  (everything must go), a store is most likely closing or renovating, and will slice up to 70% percent.