Even the Outlet Malls in Italy have StyleBy Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
Imagine a place where you could find top designer fashions at bargain prices. This is every shopper’s fantasy. And this fantasy comes true at Fidenza Village outside of Parma., Italy. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
THE CORPORATE MISSIONFidenza Village is not just another outlet, but rather the kingdom of “chic shopping”, a grouping of prestigious boutiques creating a harmonious whole. Taking even the most demanding customers into consideration, Fidenza Village offers the best offers in fashion with a watchful eye on the price. Thanks to this philosophy, Fidenza Village gives its customers the pleasure of luxury shopping. And I can’t think of any place where it would be more delightful to find a bargain. MY FAVORITE PART OF THE MALL
I love vintage clothes. But in all my world travels, I have never before found anything like this in any outlet mall. I spent almost half my too short time at the outlet mall marvelling at the beautiful vintage designer items from all over Europe. I felt like I was in a clothing museum and loved the displays and noticed that even the hairstyles and clothes of the salespeople were vintage. There were even some items for ten Euro. The most difficult thing to resist was the vintage fashion designer drawings. But I knew I had 3 more weeks of travel and about a dozen days of changing hotels. Not heavy, but too fragile to kept flat. I hope to get back there and grab some.
NAME DROPPING These are the brands you will find: 18 Camiceria, Barlumeria, Bassetti, Beverly Hills, Blunauta, Bodum, Bohemia, Bose, Cafè Aida, Cafè Coton, Calvin Klein Underwear, YOU DON’T HAVE TO SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP, JUST STOP FOR A SNACK
Sitting down at a table in Barlumeria, an original mix between design bar and a traditional salumeria, is a innovative way of enjoying a break. A wide variety of local products to taste and buy in the heart of the Italian “Food Valley” will satisy any hunger pains.. Irresistible Lindt sweet temptations are found in the chocolate store filled with ice-creams and chocolate treats. WHERE CAN YOU FIND ALL THESE BARGAINS?Fidenza Village is located in a strategic position, halfway between Milan and Bologna, only 100 metres distance from the A1 Fidenza Salsomaggiore motorway exit. HOW TO GET THEREFidenza Village runs a shuttle service connecting the Village to Fidenza railway station and periodically also organises a shuttle bus from Milan, which usually runs at the weekend. For those who wish to reach Fidenza Village independently and shop on their own schedule, they could treat themselves to a special car booking service with driver or reach Fidenza Village with their own cars and take advantage of the free parking A play area, baby changing rooms inside the toilettes, also bar, restaurant, cash point and public toll phones are on site. HOURSThe Village is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm. Even at festive times of the year Fidenza Village is always ready to welcome visitors with special opening hours. Because Italians obviously understand style and shopping. IF YOU DIDN’T FIND WHAT YOU WANTED, THERE IS MOREThe mall developers, Value Retail understand shoppers. They know their average customer spends 4 to 5 hours shopping. And loves to do it all over the world. So keep this list handy whenever you are shopping in Europe. Value Retail currently manages 8 Villages in Europe, including the one in Fidenza, with more than 300 shops and 150 fashion houses. Other openings are scheduled soon. There will soon be 9 Villages with the opening of Kildare Village in County Kildare near Dublin, Ireland, in the summer 2006. Bicester Village La Vallee Village Las Rozas Village La Roca Village Maasmechelen Village Wertheim Village Ingolstad Village Kildare Village WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO BESIDES SHOP?This advice is included to help shopaholics convince their travelling companions to travel to Fidenza Village. The area offers the opportunity to visit old fortresses, castles and suggestive medieval villages. Those looking for relaxation can benefit from the curative properties of the famous baths at Salsomaggiore and Tabiano, while lovers of fine cuisine will be spoilt for choice. The gastronomic tradition of the Parma area, Terra dei Sapori (Land of Flavours) par excellence, offers dishes which are unique in the world in its typical local trattorie. The wonderful city of Parma is also not to be missed to savour its beautiful sights. BEST WAY TO GET TO ITALYAlitalia BEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT IN ITALYBEST WAY TO GET AROUND IN ITALYRailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes to connect big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history. The trains are comfortable and quick and easy to navigate. GREAT GUIDEBOOKSGelato More about Gelato from Travellady’s expertshttp://www.travellady.com/Issues/June05/1535Gelato.htm http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January05/1178Gelatos.htm GREAT SLEEPS ITALY GREAT EATS ITALY Diffordsguide to City Drinking #0.1 Italy: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE* Fodor’s see it Italy THE COMPLETE IDOIT’S GUIDE to ITALIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ITALY FODOR’S 04 ITALY Rick Steves Italy 2005 BERLITZ POCKET GUIDE ITALY SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIANThe Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian Phrases, Second Edition Traveling to Italy for business or pleasure can be a fun and exciting adventure, but for those who don't know the language it can also be a frustrating one. The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian Phrases, 2nd Edition is a must-have for travelers. This completely revised and updated edition contains more phrases than ever and includes extensive word lists and verb charts. The book has new grammar and punctuation sections that make it easier for readers to use more effectively, useful tips about Italian culture and dialects and also contains a map of Italy. THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO LEARNING ITALIAN THE POCKET IDIOT’S GUIDE to Italian Rick Steve’s ITALIAN PHRASEBOOK AND DICTIONARY BERLITZ Surviving in Italian BERLITZ Shopping in Italian EAT LIKE AN ITALIANLA DISPENSA DI FIE BERLITZ Eating and Drinking in Italian How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names LANGENSCHEIDT’S POCKET MENU READER ITALY EUROPE’S TOP RESTAURANTS 2004 SHOP LIKE AN ITALIANSuzy Gershon’s Born to Shop Italy COOK LIKE AN ITALIANOrder your own set of The Best of Ciao Italia in Umbria and The Best of Ciaos Italia in Tuscany. You can enjoy four of Mary Ann’s favorite programs that capture the heart and soul of Umbria, a delightful, unspoiled and undiscovered region of Italy known for taste-tempting food markets, glorious street festivals, aroma-filled kitchens, fine art, friendships and more. The sets include interactive menus and printable PDF recipes. THE BEST OF GOURMET MANGIAMO Let’s Eat! DRINK LIKE AN ITALIANVINO ITALIANO BUYING GUIDE TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOMETry Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at home. Robust bail leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese, ripened pine nuts, biting garlic and pure olive oil. LISTEN TO ITALIAN MUSICItalian Café Music ITALIAN LITERATURE TO GET YOU IN THE MOODFALLING PALACE THE GENIUS IN THE DESIGN PALLADIAN DAYS VENETIAN STORIES The thoroughly engaging characters who are the focus of these stories are from different backgrounds and various Venetian neighborhoods, but their lives—and the stories—overlap and intersect in surprising and playful ways. CASA ROSA A mesmerizing story of three generations of a twentieth-century Italian family who lived in a farmous in Puglia. JOHN PAUL II BEHIND LOCKED DOORS DANCES WITH LUIGI UNDER THE SOUTHERN SUN VENICE AGAINST THE SEA |
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When you enter the mall, it seems like an elegant, expensive place. Can there really be bargains here? It almost looks too elegant to be an outlet mall.The architecture of the Village itself which, while meeting all the requirements of modern retailing, recalls the historical, artistic and cultural traditions of the area. Suggestive romantic scenery from the operas of Giuseppe Verdi decorates the architecture of Fidenza Village, paying tribute to the rich hospitable area of the province of Parma. 
Camper, Castelbajac, Coccinelle, Datch, Divescuba, Elena Mirò, Ethic, Facis, Fornarina, Frette, Furla, Gerry, Goldenpoint, Indian Rose, Inghirami, Ixos, Lagostina, Lanificio Angelico, Lanificio Colombo, Levi’s – Dockers, Lindt, Madina, Massimo Ribecchi, Nannini, Nike, Officina di Ricerca Sport, O’ Neil – Simmer, Ottica Avanzi, Pancaldi, Phard, Pinko, Quicksilver, Quore by Mafrat, Rags, Rebecca Sanver, Reebok, Saldarini, Samsonite, Sapò, Sia, Simonetta, Stefanel,Store House, Store House Ragazzi 414, Sutor Mantellassi, Triumph, Trussardi Jeans, Black Box Pirelli, Versace, Vintage Delirium, Watch&See, Willy Miani.
