Shopping experience.

Not only is Tuscany packed with artistic, architectural and natural masterpieces; in recent years the region has established itself as one of Italy's most important designer shopping destinations too.

Imagine the joy of purchasing a Prada hand bag at just 30% of the high street price!

Shop 'til you drop - in a Renaissance village

Located on the banks of the river Sieve, McArthurGlen International Group's "Barberino Designer Outlet" (tel. +39 055 842161), was built to look like an old Tuscan hamlet, an old Tuscan hamlet home to over 100 designer fashion brands, including Prada, D&G, Calvin Klein, Missoni, Guess and LaCoste!

In the accessories department, you'll find bags, belts and boots by Furla, Borbonese, Samsonite and a bundle of other designer labels. There are whole departments dedicated to children's wear and interior decoration too. One of the outlet's strong points is its location: in the heart of Mugello and within easy reach of Florence and Bologna (shuttle services run regularly to and from both cities).

The Valdichiana Outlet Village ((tel + 39 0575 649926) in Foiano, between Arezzo and Siena is a great place to shop, with or without the kids. Like Barberino, the design of the multi-brand mall has been inspired by that of a traditional Tuscan village: complete with porticoes, pretty little squares and a large children's play area.

A guaranteed hit with the younger generations, Valdichiana Outlet Village is the place in Tuscany to purchase designer jeans and shirts by Gap, Levi's and Tommy Hillfiger at truly exceptional prices

From Florence, fashion victims reach The Mall, in Leccio Reggello(tel +39 055 8657 775), in just 30 minutes. The outlet has achieved worldwide fame for its exclusive selection of Italian and international collections, produced by celebrity fashion houses such as Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Dior, Armani, Gucci, Ferragamo, Saint Laurent.

Great, mono-brand outlets

In addition to its huge designer shopping malls (or villages as they like to call them here), Tuscany boasts an ever growing number of mono-brand outlets which, together, have successfully transformed the region into a veritable paradise for all those with a passion for fashion.

Located in Levanella (Montevarchi) and conveniently close to the Valdarno motorway exit, the Prada outlet or Pellettieri d'Italia (tel.+39 055-9789481)is the perfect place in which to pick up a designer bargain. Alongside shoes and bags emblazoned with the much-coveted Prada label, shoppers will find designs by Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Church and Jill Sander: the other big names belonging to the same group.

Entry is granted to a limited number of shoppers at any given time and you'll want to arrive early to avoid returning home empty-handed!

Other addresses of mono-brand outlets:

Roberto Cavalli Factory Outlet in via Volturno 3/3 Osmannoro - Sesto Fiorentino (FI)

Gruppo Max Mara (l'outlet è chiamato Diffusione Tessile) in via Meucci Scopicci - Barberino di Mugello (FI)

Dolce e Gabbana in via S.Maria Maddalena 49 Incisa in Valdarno (FI)