Italy it’s one of the most famous fashion houses, yes better than France..! Not to argue with French people, I am sure French will say the contrary and I respect that.
Fashion in Italy
Gucci, Armani, Prada, Valentino, Versace all names that all men and women associate with style, class and…Italy. Those of you like myself that can’t afford a tie on sale in any of the above stores (check out those little invisible prices in their brand’s official stores in Via Tornabuoni, 800 € ops it was the tie…) will sure find helpful how to combine a day spent originally around Florence and some ultimate affordable shopping! It’s 2009 not a good year will you agree to that…!
Welcome to The Malls of Florence
Outlets in Florence have certainly boomed in the last few years and many are now ready to help your shopping in offering high-end brand names at discounted prices, for almost all pockets. Few kilometers from Florence in the Valdarno area you will find a handful worth of visiting, here is a list:
- The Mall Gucci Outlet in Valdarno, OUCH the web site could be improved!
- Prada Outlet Space Strada Statale 69 Levanella Spacceo Montevarchi
- Dolce & Gabbana
- McArthur Glenn in Barberino Val D’Elsa
The first three can be visited together in one single day, save one entire day instead for Barberino as the McArthur Glen is gigantic over 90 stores, it’s a city on its own looks a lot like those super mall you would expect in Northern America.
How to get there
You can start your shopping tour from The Gucci Mall take the Autostrada A1, exit Incisa in Val d’Arno, take the S.S. 69 Pontassieve/Firenze. After 6/7 km to the right after the Fina gas station and follow directions. The other three are all nearby but show off your Italian and ask for directions, ok I am just jocking…
To reach Barberino’s always on A1 from Florence to Bologna, exit at Barberino di Mugello follow directions.
Assisted tours
If you don’t feel like renting a car for the day, find the route, don’t feel learning Italian but simply be assisted you can always choose some ready made tours at the following web address. Enjoyflorence.com organizes tours to the malls in the Valdarno & Barberino areas, prices seem reasonable and I am sure you will get some very good tips on shopping as well.
Happy Shopping in Florence 🙂