Whatever type of vacation you’re looking for, anything from a beach holiday to a city break, Italy is a fantastic destination that caters for all needs. Flying to Italy from the UK is no problem at all, with regular routes from Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh and London airports. If you’re someone who plans ahead, booking flights to Italy a few months in advance can save you lots of money.

Rome is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Europe, if not the world. Italy’s capital is home to some great architectural wonders such as the Great Colosseum, the Piazza della Repubblica, the Trevi Fountain, and the Sistine Chapel. Located in the heart of the capital is the Vatican City, and St Peter’s square is something you simply have to visit when in the vicinity. The sheer beauty of the city makes it an ideal place for a romantic break abroad.

In addition to Rome, Italy is full of other vibrant and must-see cities. There is Milan with its beautiful cathedrals, Naples with its unique architecture, Venice with its network of waterways, and the Roman edifices of Verona. . Nearly all of Italy’s cities boast a rich historic heritage and are distinctive in one way or other, take Pisa, for example, with its Leaning Tower.  You can get cheap flights to Verona and all of Italy’s other major cities from the links below.

What’s so fantastic about Italy is that there is also so much to do outside of the country’s great cities. With the Alps to the North and the Appennine Mountains forming the peninsula’s backbone, the country houses some astounding places of natural beauty. Throughout the country there are some scenic lakes, of which Lake Garda is perhaps the most well known, as well as some quintessential small towns and villages.

The country’s mountainous region also makes it a great location for all kinds of outdoor sports and activities. Whether you’re keen to go bungee jumping, rock-climbing or kayaking, there will plenty of opportunities for you. Keen on Skiing? Italy has some fabulous skiing resorts, such as those at Alagna Valsesia and Courmayeur, that offer some amazing pistes.

While you’re in the country it’s definitely worth taking a trip to the iconic ruins at Pompeii. Having been buried under the ash an eruption at Mount Vesuvius, the city is near-perfectly preserved to present the best depiction ever of life in the Roman Empire.

If you’re someone who enjoys more of a quieter holiday, then Italy has a coastline that stretches some 7,600 kilometers that is strewn with secluded golden beaches. If you’re enjoying a family holiday, then there are plenty of beach resorts such as San Remo that cater for adults and children alike.

Whatever you’re after, Italy has it. It’s a fantastic country that boasts a friendly and accommodating atmosphere as well as some of the most beautiful buildings and landscapes anywhere in the world. And what’s more, there are plenty of budget airlines that will take you there for a very reasonable price.

Guest post by cheapflights.co.uk

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in providing personalized Italy travel services designed for the independent traveler visiting Italy with family and children, with his/her business partners or simply on his/her own! Based in Rome, Italy Nancy Aiello Tours offers a wide range of top quality Italy travel services for the demanding Italy visitor who wants to enjoy Italy art and history, Italian food and made in Italy shopping in comfort and style. We are glad to offer our privileged guests private Italy transfers by fully insured a/c Mercedes Benz limo and minivans, Italy V.I.P. concierge services, Italy accommodation tips, Italy tour planning services, private guided skip the line Italy museum private guided visits, and more.

Italy Private Guided Tours Tour Italy at your family pace with Nancy Aiello Tours of Italy

Ciao from Italy

Nancy Aiello @ ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2010, Cheapflights.co.uk and Nancy Aiello Tours

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Related posts:

1. Travel Italy at Your Own Pace with Nancy Aiello Tours!
2. Travel to Italy | Fashion Outlets and Slow Food Restaurants in Italy
3. Travel to Italy | Tour Rome in 48 Hours

Capri Grotta Azzurra

Capri is a beautiful island near the cities of Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano, and Amalfi on the western Italian coast. Capri is tiny, 4 square rocky miles spread under the sun, in the middle of the sea, on the southern tip of the Bay of Naples, in the Mediterranean.

Why spend a weekend or more in Capri? Because of its undeniable beauty. It’s a quiet place where lemon trees grow in streets; where cars are as useless as umbrellas, and just as rare; where perspectives and views change every few yards and the sea is the deepest blue; where a still white mist redesigns the horizon every few moments and the air is filled with the scent of jasmine, citrus and pine.

Wherever you go on the Isle of Capri you will have amazing views of the sea. If you like to relax on the beach or go boating, you will love Capri, long a favorite of the wealthy and famous of the world. Since the island is fairly small, you really don’t have to get in a hurry to see the sights, and it’s a nice place to slow down and breathe in the fresh air, get some sun, or just enjoy the spectacular views.

Essentials

• Sharing the island’s beauty with 60,000 day-trippers can be avoided if you book a room in spring or early autumn
• Work up an appetite with a walk up via Krupp.
• Ride the chair lift up Monte Solaro for postcard panoramas.
• Shop for quality souvenirs in the lanes of Capri or the upper town, Anacapri.
• Chill out on Capri’s famous Piazzetta, the place to see and be seen and enjoy the island’s most celebrated panorama over the Gulf of Naples, from Marina Grande to the mainland and Mount Vesuvius.
• Sample a fresh Caprese salad, tomato, basil and mozzarella, followed by a visit to Buonocore on via Vittorio Emanuele for the best ice cream in Capri.
• Rent a motor scooter to tour the island.

Capri The Faraglioni

Hotels

Rural Chic
Al Mulino
9 Via La Fabbrica
+39 081 838 2084

Charme
Orsa Maggiore
30 Via Tuoro
+39 081 8373351

Upscale
Villa Krupp
12 Viale Matteotti
+39 081 837 0362

Premium
JK Capri
225 via Prov. Marina Grande
+ 39 081 838 4001

Dining

Fast breakfast
Bar Funicolare
Piazza A. Diaz
+ 39 081 837 0363

Leisurely breakfast
Bar Ferraro
223 via G. Orlandi, Anacapri
+ 39 081 837 0363

Café for people-watching
Al Piccolo Bar
1 Piazza Umberto
+ 39 081 837 0325

Lunch with friends
Da Tonino
12 via Dentecale
+ 39 081 837 6718

Deli to get picnic food
Sfizi di Pane
4 via le Botteghe
+ 39 081 837 4105

Lunch on the beach
Da Luigi
5 via Faraglioni
+ 39 081 837 0591

Pre-dinner drinks
Aurora Vino
8 via Longano
+39 081 837 4458

Dinner for two
Da Gelsomina
72 via Migliara, Anacapri
+ 39 081 837 1499

Dinner with friends
Il Cucciolo
52 via La Fabbrica, Anacapri
+ 39 081 837 1917

Dinner on the beach
Lido Del Faro
Località Punta Carena, Anacapri
+ 39 081 837 1798

Big dinner with friends
Pizzeria Aurora
18/22 via Fuorlovado
+ 39 081 837 0181

Drink after dinner
Bar at Hotel La Palma
39 via Vittorio Emanuele
+ 39 081 837 0133

Late drink
Quisi Bar
2 via Camerelle
+ 39 081 837 0788

Late bite
Pasticceria Alberto
9/11 via Roma
+ 39 081 837 0622

On the tiles
Taverna Anema e Core
39e via Sella Orta
+ 39 081 837 6461

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1. Travel to Italy | Rome Guide to the New Best Restaurants
2. Rome Shopping Guide between Art and History | Tour Rome
3. Travel to Italy | Fashion Outlets and Slow Food Restaurants in Italy

Rome Shopping between Art and History

Shopping in Rome is a must on your visit! Rome is a tremendous place for shopping and all non-EU residents can claim a tax refund (Approx. 14% Net) on VAT Tax Refund if they spend over € 154, 94 in any one day in one shop, and if they live outside the EU for more than six months in the year. You just need to bring a copy of your passport when shopping since you will be asked to fill out a form with your personal data as well as your passport number.

Rome Al Fresco Lunch

Most stores are open from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm except Mondays when they open at 3:30 pm and close at 7:30 pm. A lot of shops close for a couple of hours at lunch time and that gives the perfect excuse for a long meal in one of the many delightful restaurants located along ancient streets transformed nowadays into trendy shopping areas.

Rome’s historic centre offers more than 2,000 years of history, hosting treasure-filled museums, architectural wonders, stunning landmarks and enchanting squares together with exclusive boutiques, innovative gourmet restaurants and lively wine bars to enjoy shopping while living the most cosmopolitan side of the Eternal City of Rome!

Most of Rome’s fashion shopping is crammed into the Spanish Steps area from Via dei Condotti, the Madison Avenue of Rome, to Via Borgognona filled by elegant boutiques, several adorned with neoclassical facades, selling high style Italian clothes, where shoppers can purchase the latest collections s by famous brands such as Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, Valentino, Armani and Versace. But the streets worth a visit even if you do not want to buy anything as are also a great place for some serious window-   shopping and people-watching!

Early Baroque Fountain of the Old Boat

To the right of the Spanish Steps are two of the major street for antiques in Rome, Via Margutta today rich of art galleries and fashionable restaurants, starting from the Renaissance centre of life for craftsmen workshops, including the neoclassical artist Canova who had his workshop here, and the fine Via del Babuino lined with antique shops, some with a long history as the print shop at number 110 where both Wagner and Poussin used to live.

Many other streets intersect this trendy city-centre street filled with a variety of exclusive boutiques cafes and al fresco restaurants.

Rome Spanish Steps elegant shopping area has ancient Roman origins.

Via dei Condotti originally must have been the entrance to Lucullo’s Villa and remained during the Medieval times a country road. Since the 18th century became common and trendy to meet in Via Condotti’s cafes and at the Spanish Steps, and that has not changed much! Yesterday were Stendhal, Byron, Shelley, Goethe and D’Annunzio while today politicians, artists and movie stars keep meeting at the Caffé Greco in Via dei Condotti, 81, perhaps the most famous café in Rome.

Antico Caffé Greco, established in 1760.

From 1870 the street has pretty much remained the same as it was originally designed, when Rome became the capital of Italy and this area was designed to be occupied by banks and state administrative offices.  Bulgari opened here in 1905 its atelier and Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the radio, lived at Via dei Condotti 11, until his death in 1937.

Shopping in Rome

Via del Babuino, rich in 17-18th-century palaces was the artists’ street. In the 17th century, a colony of Dutch and Flemish painters came to live here and in the adjacent Via Margutta and therefore becoming the antiquarians’ street.
Today, prestigious antiquarians still have their shops here together with jewelers’ like Tiffany, Chopard, and Pomellato and icon fashion stores like Emporio Armani, Kenzo, Etro and Chanel.

The close Via Margutta, where Gregory Peck’s character lived in the classic movie Roman Holidays  became in the 1950s an exclusive address and home to  famous people, like film director Federico Fellini, and as result became one of the most cultural and lively areas in Rome.

Today this vivacious ancient area of Rome is one of the most important high-level shopping areas offering a wide choice of shops: antiques, jewelers, boutiques and fashion ateliers that keep the tradition and charm of one of the most beautiful old streets in Rome.

Via dei Condotti home to many of Italian's Designer Shops

Enjoy your Rome Shopping Stroll!

Ciao from Rome
Nancy Aiello
NancyAielloTours.com
Twitter.com/ItalyTravelista

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2. Rome Walking Tour | Best Bars and Restaurants around the Trevi Fountain
3. Walking Rome Tour | Tour Renaissance and Baroque Rome

Outlet Shops in Italy

Shopping in Italy, after museums and monuments, is another great reason to travel to Italy. Italy’s hottest places to shop are the hidden-away designer outlet malls offering Italian top quality brands and Made in Italy’s Fashion at 30 to 75% off their original store prices.
This short list of Italy’s outlets is guaranteed to make your designer-loving heart go a-flutter and give you major mileage for your buck! And after a long day of glorious shopping afford your feet and credit card a well-deserved break by sampling tasty Italian food in a Slow Food Restaurant.

Castel Guelfo Outlet City

Castel Guelfo Outlet, just a short ride from Bologna and the Riviera of Romagna, is the ideal place for quality bargain shopping in the Emilia Romagna Region. At Castel Guelfo Outlet there are over 70 outlets selling men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, sportswear, accessories and cosmetics, with huge discounts on over 100 leading Italian and international brands. Castel Guelfo Outlet also features cafés, restaurants, children’s dedicated areas and lots of events designed to entertain families with kids.

Slow Food Restaurants:
Trattoria E’ Parlamintè | Via Mameli 33 | Imola
Best Bets: Culatello Ham | Meat Sauce Hand Made Tagliatelle | Rosemary Beef

Hostaria 900 | Viale Dante 20 | Imola.
Best Bets: Chianina Carpaccio | Tortellini in light broth | Lamb Rack

The Place Luxury Outlet

The Place Luxury Outlet is less than an hour’s drive from Milan or Turin showcasing the most prestigious Italian Fashion Designers such as: Ermenegildo Zegna, Agnona, Gucci, Sergio Rossi, La Perla and Vogart Sunglasses. The Place Outlet offers a wide selection of elegant clothing, Italian-Made shoes and classy accessories for both men and women, as well as a café and a fine restaurant that specializes in excellent Piedmont cuisine. A visit to The Place will transform a day of shopping into a true luxury experience!

Slow Food Restaurant:
Restaurant Baracca | Via Sant’ Eusebio 12 | Biella
Best Bets: Cold Cuts | Chilled Veal in Tuna Sauce | Cheese Ravioli

Veneto Designer Outlet

Veneto Designers Outlet is strategically located at less than one hour drive from Venice. The design inspiration for this outlet comes from the palazzos of the surrounding Veneto region paying homage to the classic Italian style. The buildings are laid out along streets, plazas and squares, some of which are lined with covered archways to give you the Venice feel, less the Gondola. There are over 140 stores including major fashion brands like Armani, Aspesi, Bikkembergs, Borbonese, Jill Sander, Les Copains, Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Valentino, and Costume National.
As added bonus in July and August Veneto Region will be the venue for Veneto Jazz Festival 2009 with an international star-studded program.

Slow Food Restaurants:
Osteria Cà D’Oro Detta Alla Vedova | 3912 Cannaregio Ramo Cà D’Oro | Venice
Best Bets: Busara Spaghetti | Liver Venetian Style | Polenta

Trattoria Dalla Marina | 652 Cannaregio Fondamenta San Giobbe | Venice
Best Bets: Gnocchi | Seafood | Tripe

Serravalle Designer Outlet

Serravalle Designer Outlet is located about halfway between Milan (80 kilometers) and Genoa (50 kilometers) and since its opening in September 2000 over 20 million conscious value fashion victims have visited these Made in Italy’s Mecca. The biggest and most impressive factory outlet in Europe, with a sales area of 40,000 square meters, consists of 180 stores, selling designer-label clothing, shoes and accessories, plus cafés, restaurants, fast food outlets, and a children’s playground.
Stores include Bulgari, Brooks Brothers, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, La Perla, Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Frette, Ferragamo, Versace, Benetton, Bassetti, Mandarina Duck and much more.

Slow Food Restaurants:
Restaurant Cappelverde | Via San Pio, 26 | Alessandria
Best Bets: Pesto Lasagna | Chilled Veal in Tuna Sauce | Meat Sauce Agnolotti

Trattoria Razmataz | Via Bellini 24 | Alessandria Best Bets: Cheese Platter | Oxtail with Barbera | Tripe

Shop 'til You Drop for the Latest Fashion Items

The Mall or Gucci Factory Outlet

The Mall Outlet, set in the Tuscan Hills, is often referred to as the Gucci outlet and is located just a thirty-minute drive south of Florence on the way to Leccio. The Mall was opened on August 2001 and has since expanded now offering Italian and international luxury labels like Agnona, Alexander McQueen, Armani (3 shops), Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Diesel, Zegna, Fendi, Ferragamo, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Pucci, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod’s, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto, Yves Saint Laurent …. need more reasons to visit The Mall?!
The Mall is bargain hunting at it’s finest, very popular with tourists, expect busloads of Japanese shoppers, so arrive early as it is likely that you’ll have to queue your way out. For a break head to the on-site restaurant for tasty Tuscan food and wine.

Prada Outlet in Tuscany

Space or Prada Outlet | Via Levanella Becorpi | Montevarchi (AR)

Some 35 minutes away from either Arezzo or Florence, in the middle of nowhere, housed in a depot as big as an hangar, Prada Outlet, also known as Space is a not to miss experience for the value conscious fashionista! This is a shopping Mecca where you’ll find great bargains not only on Prada most coveted items but also on labels like Miu Miu, Car Shoe, and Church. It’s very easy to rack up a bill in the hundreds, but keep in mind you’d never find prices like this in a Prada store. This is by far my favorite factory outlet in Italy!

Slow Food Restaurants:
Antica Trattoria da Guido | Via Madonna del Prato 85 | Arezzo
Best Bets: Cold Cuts | Ribollita Soup | Rabbit stuffed with Artichokes

Enoteca La Torre di Gnicche | Piaggia San Martino 8 | Arezzo
Best Bets: Onion Soup | Pappa al Pomodoro | Zolfini Beans

Fidenza Village Outlet

Fidenza Village is one of Italy’s most popular outlet shopping centers, a lineup of 90 upscale stores and boutiques with famous designer outlets including Versace, Calvin Klein, D&G, Duvetica, Furla and Trussardi. Fidenza Village, midway between Milan and Bologna also offers, for a fee, expert style consultant services to guide customers towards exciting new looks.

Slow Food Restaurants:
Trattoria Ai 2 Platani | Via Budellungo, 104 | Parma
Best Bets: Parma Ham of course | Balsamic Vinegar Gnocchi | Cotechino

Trattoria Antichi Sapori | Via Montanata 318 | Parma
Best Bets: Culatello Ham | Ricotta Ravioli | Pork Knuckle

Barberino Designer Outlet

Barberino Designer Outlet is located just 20 minutes from Florence and less than an hour from Bologna, located in the beautiful natural environment of Valle della Sieve, resemble a Renaissance town. Here you can choose from more than 100 fashion stores including D&G, Jean Paul Gaultier, Les Copains, Missoni, Cavalli, Ferrè, Polo Ralph Lauren and Diesel, selling clothing, shoes, sports, accessories and much more. Avoid Sunday afternoon when it gets very crowded with locals and families. The good news for avid shoppers who don’t like driving, like me, is that there are daily shuttle services to/from Florence.

Slow Food Restaurant:
Ristorante Marisa | Via del Lago 21 | Barberino del Mugello ( My Favorite for a tasty Chianina Steak!)
Best Bets: Cold Cuts | Beans Soup | Chianina Beef

Castel Romano Designer Outlet

Castel Romano Designer Outlet, half an hour drive south of Rome, is one of two Designer Discount Outlet Malls travelers can reach easily from Eternal City. Castel Romano Designer Outlet is a very big mall, selling everything you could wish for, in a modern and tasteful environment. Since its opening in 2003 over 11 million visitors have come here to save money and find excellent bargains in the over 100 stores that offer the most prestigious Made in Italy brands like Trussardi, Ferrè, Malo, Valentino, Burberry, Valentino, Diesel, D&G, Zegna, Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli, Etro, and more so!

Slow Food Restaurants:
Ristorante Da Vittorio | Via Musco, 29 | Rome
Best Bets: Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe | Lamb | Roman Artichokes

Osteria Priscilla | Via Appia Antica 68 | Rome (Great Location!)
Best Bets: Amatriciana Gnocchi | Tagliatelle with Wild Boar Sauce | Tripe

Fashion District Valmontone Outlet

Fashion District Outlet is located in Valmontone about 40 km away from Rome, in the Roman Castles area famous for the locally produced Frascati White Whine. Spreading out on 45,000 square meters, it hosts 180 shops with a wide and wild choice of style and fashion including brands like Mariella Burani, Elena Miro, Luisa Spagnoli, Cacharel, Calvin Klein, Papermoon, Francesco Biasia, Coccinelle, Antica Murrina, Lamborghini and a lot more. A good news for avid shoppers who love shopping rather than driving is that there’s a daily shuttle bus to/from Rome Termini making sure you shop ’til you drop!

Slow Food Restaurants:
Ristorante Cacciani | Via A. Diaz 13 | Frascati
Best Bets: Tonnarelli Artichokes and Bacon | Lamb | Roman Chicken

Ristorante La Scuderia | P.le Sforza Pallavicini 1 | Genzano di Roma
Best Bets: Beans Soup | Ricotta Cheese Ravioli | Roman Tripe

Tod’s Outlet | Della Valle Factory Outlet | 134 Corso Garibaldi Casetta D’Ete | Ascoli Piceno

Up to 50% Discount on Tod’s shoes and clothing, Hogan, Fay and Koss

Bargains during Sales Season in Italy

Italy Shopping Tips:

Hire a Local Personal Shopping Guide:  An expert personal shopper understands your needs and your budget. A local personal shopping guide knows all the stores, all the tricks and provides insights and Italy shopping tips. You will be treated like a star on your Italy shopping trip. When in Rome I strongly recommend to contact Stefania Troiani, a very professional and fun personal shopping guide in Rome.

Hitting the Sales: Twice a year, in January and July, outlets sell off seasonal stock at further reduced prices and you can enjoy an additional discount!

Tax Back: Non-EU residents can claim a tax refund (Approx. 14% Net) on VAT if they spend over €175 in any one day in one shop, and if they live outside the EU for more than six months in the year.

Have a Plan: Because you never know exactly what you may find at a Designer Outlet Mall, have a checklist of items you are looking for.

Be Smart: Clothing, no matter how cheap, is still a waste of money if it never gets worn. Ask yourself if you really have a reason to wear it in the next year.

Check the Web: Before departure visit the Outlet Official Website to check for on-going sales and clearance.

Ready? Take your pick – Italy has it all!

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it! Buon Viaggio!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

Join me on Twitter!

© Copyright 2009, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours, based in Rome, specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article on your website please contact us for consent and further info.

Made in Italy with Style!

Related posts:

1. Travel to Italy: Fashion Outlets and Slow Food Restaurants-Part One-
2. Travel to Italy | Rome Guide to the New Best Restaurants
3. Travel Italy at Your Own Pace with Nancy Aiello Tours!

Shopping in Italy, after museums and monuments, is another great reason to travel to Italy. Italy’s hottest places to shop are the hidden-away designer outlet malls offering Italian top quality brands and Made in Italy’s Fashion at 30 to 75% off their original store prices.
This short list of Italy’s outlets is guaranteed to make your designer-loving heart go a-flutter and give you major mileage for your buck! And after a long day of glorious shopping afford your feet and credit card a well-deserved break by sampling tasty Italian food in a Slow Food Restaurant.

Castel Guelfo Outlet City- Official Website: www.outletcastelguelfo.it

Castel Guelfo Outlet, just a short ride from Bologna and the Riviera of Romagna, is the ideal place for quality bargain shopping in the Emilia Romagna Region. At Castel Guelfo Outlet there are over 70 outlets selling men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, sportswear, accessories and cosmetics, with huge discounts on over 100 leading Italian and international brands.
Castel Guelfo Outlet also features cafés, restaurants, children’s dedicated areas and lots of events designed to entertain families with kids.

Slow Food Restaurants:
Trattoria E’ Parlamintè- Address: Via Mameli, 33. Imola
Best Bets: Culatello Ham, Meat Sauce Hand-Made Tagliatelle, Rosemary Beef.

Hostaria 900- Address: Viale Dante 20, Imola.
Best Bets: Chianina Carpaccio, Tortellini in light broth, Lamb Rack.

The Place Luxury Outlet- Official Website: www.theplaceoutlet.com/inglese

The Place Luxury Outlet is less than an hour’s drive from Milan or Turin showcasing the most prestigious Italian Fashion Designers such as: Ermenegildo Zegna, Agnona, Gucci, Sergio Rossi, La Perla and Vogart Sunglasses. The Place offers a wide selection of stylish clothes, Italian-Made shoes and classy accessories for both men and women, as well as a café and a fine restaurant that specializes in excellent Piedmont cuisine.  A visit to The Place will transform a day of shopping into a true luxury experience!

Slow Food Restaurants:
Restaurant Baracca-Address: Via Sant’ Eusebio, 12. Biella
Best Bets: Cold Cuts, Chilled Veal in Tuna Sauce, Cheese Ravioli.

Veneto Designer Outlet- Official Website: www.mcarthurglen.it/noventadipiave

Veneto Designers Outlet is strategically located at less than one hour drive from Venice.
The design inspiration for this outlet comes from the palazzos of the surrounding Veneto region paying homage to the classic Italian style. The buildings are laid out along streets, plazas and squares, some of which are lined with covered archways to give you the Venice feel, less the Gondola. There are over 140 stores including major fashion brands like Armani, Aspesi, Bikkembergs, Borbonese, Jill Sander, Les Copains, Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Valentino, and Costume National.
As added bonus in July and August Veneto Region will be the venue for Veneto Jazz Festival 2009 with an international star-studded program.
Official Website: www.venetojazz.com

Slow Food Restaurants:
Osteria Cà D’Oro Detta Alla Vedova-Address: Cannaregio 3912-Ramo Cà D’Oro. Venice
Best Bets: Busara Spaghetti, Liver Venetian Style, Polenta.

Trattoria Dalla Marina-Address: Cannaregio 652-Fondamenta San Giobbe. Venice
Best Bets: Gnocchi, Seafood, Tripe.

Serravalle Designer Outlet- Official Website: www.mcarthurglen.it/serravalle

Serravalle Designer Outlet is located about halfway between Milan (80 kilometers) and Genoa (50 kilometers) and since its opening in September 2000 over 20 million conscious value fashion victims have visited these Made in Italy Fashion Shops. The biggest and most impressive factory outlet in Europe, with a sales area of 40,000 square meters, consists of 180 stores, selling designer-label clothing, shoes and accessories, plus cafés, restaurants, fast food outlets, and a children’s playground.
Stores include Bulgari, Brooks Brothers, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, La Perla, Lacoste, Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Frette, Ferragamo, Versace, Benetton, Swatch, Bassetti, Mandarina Duck and much more.

Slow Food Restaurants:
Restaurant Cappelverde-Address: Via San Pio, 26. Alessandria
Best Bets: Pesto Lasagna, Chilled Veal in Tuna Sauce, Meat Sauce Agnolotti.

Trattoria Razmataz-Address: Via Bellini, 24. Alessandria
Best Bets: Cheese Platter, Oxtail with Barbera, Tripe.

The Mall or Gucci Factory Outlet- Official Website: www.themall.it

The Mall Outlet, set in the Tuscan Hills, often referred to as the Gucci outlet, is a thirty minute drive south of Florence on the way to Leccio. The Mall was opened on August 2001 and has since expanded now offering Italian and international luxury labels like Agnona, Alexander McQueen, Armani (3 shops), Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Diesel, Zegna, Fendi, Ferragamo, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Pucci, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod’s, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto, Yves Saint Laurent …. need more reasons to go?!
The Mall is bargain hunting at it’s finest, very popular with tourists, expect busloads of Japanese shoppers, so arrive early as it is likely that you’ll have to queue your way out. For a break head to the local restaurant for tasty Tuscan food and wine.

SHOPPING TIPS:

Hitting the Sales: Twice a year, in January and July, boutiques and outlets sell off seasonal stock at reduced prices to make way for incoming collections and you can enjoy an additional discount!

Tax Back: Non-EU residents can claim a tax refund (around 14 per cent) on VAT if they spend over €175 in any one day in one shop, and if they live outside the EU for more than six months in the year.

Have a Plan: Because you never know exactly what you may find at a Designer Outlet Mall (orange, chiffon-ruffled blouse, anyone?), have a checklist of items you are looking for. The sheer volume of items can be distracting, but if you know you need a black turtleneck, it will be easier to scan the shops for what you want.

Be Smart: Clothing, no matter how cheap, is still a waste of money if it never gets worn. See a cute dress you may wear if you ever go on a cruise? Ask yourself if you really have a reason to wear it in the next year.

Ready? Take your pick – Italy has it all!

Ciao from Italy!

Nancy Aiello
www.NancyAielloTours.com
twitter.com/ItalyTravelista

Related posts:

1. Travel to Italy | Fashion Outlets and Slow Food Restaurants in Italy
2. Travel to Italy | Rome Guide to the New Best Restaurants
3. When in Rome | 10 Slow Food Trattoria in Rome Serving Real Roman Food!