OUTLET SHOPPING
How can so many Italians afford to be dressed always in Prada and Gucci?
For many of you, these are the most important addresses which we'll give you.
IN LOMBARDIA
FOXTOWN – About 50 kilometers from Milan it has tons of brand names from 25-50% off. We have not been yet but here is a Web address if you want to check it out. www.foxtown.ch/mendrisio/us/welcome.html
IN TUSCANY – GUCCI & PRADA
I PELLETTIERI D'ITALIA (Prada): Località Levanella, SS 69, 52025 Montevarchi (AR)
Tel : (39) 055 978 9188
Hours : 9.30 a.m - 1pm / 2pm - 7pm (Get there early).
How to get there from Rome:
Take the A1 motorway from Roma toward Firenze.
Exit 'Valdarno', then continue on the SS 69 toward Montevarchi/Levane and follow signs for 'Località levanella.' You will find the outlet in the 'Zona Industriale' on the left.
The outlet is in the back of the main factory complex.
GUCCI OUTLET - MODE : Via Aretina 63 - Leccio Regello (Firenze) –
Tel : (39) 055 865 7775
Hours : Monday to Saturday – 9am to 6pm (continual hours).
How to get there from Rome:
Take the A1 from Rome towards Florence.
Exit INCISA out of the toll gate turn right.
Continue on this road for about 4-5 kilometers through the countryside.
See on the left a big modern white building with the sign "CAFE"
The outlet is not marked "Gucci " but the building is so sleek and modern and incongruous to the countryside, it could only be Gucci.
When is the best time to arrive?
It is best to arrive at the outlets when they open at 9.30 a.m. do not bother going on weekends, public holidays, during the sale periods (when the best old stock is sent to the stores). As with all outlets, it can be hit or miss, some times you will be lucky and other times you will not find any thing worth buying.
What about the sales in regular stores ?
During sale periods (January 6th and July 6th onwards) the bargains in the stores are almost as good as in the outlets.