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Discover the Magic of Hamley's Rome
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World's oldest toy store, opens in Rome
I've been living here in Rome since June 2001. I came here for three days and ended up staying.
I don't get the chance to go back and visit the UK as often as I'd like and so sometimes feel a bit homesick for anything and everything British.
When I was a kid I remember going to London for a day trip and visiting Hamley's. It blew me away! It was paradise for a kid like me so you can imagine how excited I was when I found out they had opened a store here in Rome.
The store is located in the beautiful Galleria Alberto Sordi on Via Del Corso (a shopping arcade named after the actor Alberto Sordi in the centre of Rome).
I went with my youngest son to check it out.
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As we entered we were greeted by magicians doing magic tricks and bubble machines that fired bubbles over our heads before entering into a tunnel of lights that lead into the store.
They definitely created an atmosphere of excitement, fun and curiosity.
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The store has three levels and is decorated throughout with red, white and gold.
One the ground floor there was a guy standing on a box throwing a boomerang, another guy flying a drone, and another showing how to use one of those indoor hover football disc toys.
There were also other toys set up on tables so you could see them in action and give them a try.
There was a choice of how to get from one floor to another; stairs, lift or escalator.
The first floor was toys for babies and toddlers, arts and crafts, and educational games.
On the top floor there was a huge selection of toys and a build your own cuddly toy area with a huge range of accessories.
Whilst it wasn't anywhere near as magical as the London store, it was fun to explore. Younger kids will definitely still get that "wow buzz" when visiting.
For me personally, it was nice to be able to show my son the British elements. There was a part by one of the staircases that had photos and info about the opening of the original store in London which was nice too.
As an expat I'm curious to know what stores from your childhood you'd like to revisit now. If you moved away, what would be some of the things you'd miss from back home?
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