Before you do, check what it is legal to take back with you - some plant seeds are prohibited for plant health protection reasons

Resin

It's possible to buy a brand of Italian seeds in Britain - there were quite a few around last spring. Big paper envelopes with a huge picture, very appealing, but not the cheapest. The contents didn't seem to be anything different from stuff that was already available from UK firms, mainly Mediterranean vegetables.

I was in Milan in April and read too late in my guide book that there is a flower and garden market on Sundays. But I don't know if it is open all-year or if they sell seed. My impression is that Italians are quite conservative about their vegetables so it is likely that you can find "heirloom" varieties in any supermarket in Milan.