Outlet Shopping In FlorenceBy Susan Norton
My girlfriend and I traveled from California to museum hop and check out the Outlet Shopping we had been hearing about in the U.S. Since we were going to be saving lots of euros on our shopping spree, we decided to splurge and stay at the new Continentale Hotel on the Arno river at the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. It is a spectacular location to visit all of Florence on foot. We walked everywhere.
Late each afternoon we took the elevator, which was designed as a living room (including a couch), to the glorious roof garden for a libation and a few relaxing moments on wonderful couches, while listening to classical music. The view was memorable and the lighting, like in the entire hotel, was creative and subtle. I could have stayed there all night.
But let’s get on with the shopping. To gear up for our outlet spree, we began with an aerobic walk to the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum. We had made a necessary appointment and spent the next hour meandering among the display of a few hundred of the 10,000 pairs in the inventory - some of the most beautiful and timeless shoes imaginable. Imelda Marcos, eat your heart out! We spent the rest of the day getting ideas of the newest styles while meandering in and out of Florence’s most exclusive shopping district, Via Tornabuoni.
The outlet called The Mall carries Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Ungaro, Ferragamo, La Perla, Tod’s-Hogan and Zegna, just to mention a few. They provide a shuttle bus that takes visitors from hotels in Florence to The Mall and back for 25 euros. You can also get there by train and the SITA bus costs just 2.60 euros one way.
GUIDEBOOK: CONTINENTALE HOTEL: 43 Rooms & a Penthouse THE FERRAGAMO SHOE MUSEUM SPACE (Prada Outlet) THE MALL www.EnjoyFlorence.com and www.Artviva.com for Outlet Tours |
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Not since the 13th to 15th centuries has there been such a burst of creative excitement in Florence, Italy. Then, the names to watch for were Botticelli, da Vinci and Michelangelo. Now the “hot” ones are Armani, Prada and Ferragamo, and no better place to dress like “the rich and famous,” yet purchase like the smart and thrifty than at the Designer Outlets outside of Florence. They are so secretive that they do not allow being taken and are not allowed to advertise. So don’t repeat a thing I am about to tell you. It’s just between us girls.
The Continentale was a rare find and could be described as a boutique hotel where “high tech meets soft design.” Pictures of Floentine life were even projected on some of the walls. Our room was huge by American standards and looked out onto the magnificent Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the Arno. Every morning we watched the rats, as big as small dogs, swim back and forth, getting in their exercise laps. But our room was divine and critter free. The walls and beds were shrouded in white gauze. The bed tables themselves were lit from within and the bathroom was every girl’s dream.
The Ponte Vecchio below us is the oldest bridge in Florence, it is also an 18-karat gold buyers dream. It is lined with long time family owned jewelry stores where antique and one of a kind designer jewelry abounds. The bridge is magnificent in itself with vaulted pillars and a 1565 Manelli tower. An added treat are the street performers, painters and sellers of replica handbags. Here’s a tip: Go to the Ponte Santa Trinita at sunset and look back at the Ponte Vecchio. You will see as much Tuscan gold in the view as on the bridge.
Our outlet romp officially began the next day at the Prada Outlet called Space, which also has designs by Helmut Lang, MiuMiu and Jill Sander. It was in back of the main Prada factory. A sign like a traffic light announced that we were in the right place. To reach it, take the Train to Montevarchi then a 15-minute cab ride but be sure to call as the times change somewhat. Go early and plan to spend half a day. You will be given a number to enter. Go to the bar next door for a cappuccino and wait till your number is called. That will also be your number when you checkout. This store was my favorite and the deals were spectacular, sometimes 50 to 75% off.
One of the easiest ways to “do” outlet shopping is with tour groups. They charge anywhere from 27 to 90 euros, depending on how many of the outlets you want to visit in one day. Two of the better ones are Walking Tours Of Florence at Artviva.com and EnjoyFlorence.com. The other outlets you should know about are: Anteprima, Dolce & Gabana, Fendi, Victoria and The Outlet Store, but remember “Mums The Word” when it comes to who told you about them. We shoppers have got to stick together!