Barberino Designer Outlet, Barberino del Mugello, Florence

Just 30km from Florence, this McArthur Glen Designer Outlet has over 100 stores with well-known brands offering between 30% and 70% reductions on clothing, accessories, kitchenware, home furnishings, sportswear, electronics and Lindt chocolate! Brands include Dolce and Gabbana, Pinko, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Marlborough, Diesel and Guess.

There is parking in abundance and a good selection of cafes and restaurants.

Directions:

From Florence, take the A1towards Bologna and exit at Barberino di Mugello.

From Bologna, take the A1 towards Florence and exit at Barberino di Mugello.

Castel Romano Designer Outlet, Castel Romano, Rome

The Mall and Barbarino are close to Florence Credit: Keith Palmer

Another McArthur Glen outlet, this one situated just south of the Roman province of Eur. Prestigious labels can be found within the 110 stores here, selling sportswear, lingerie, fashion clothing, household goods and accessories with reductions of up to 70%. Discounted designer lines to be found within this attractive outlet include Calvin Klein, Diesel, Dolce and Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zegna, La Perla, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo and Valentino.

There is a playground for children, numerous bars and coffee shops in addition to ample, free parking.

Directions:

From the Rome orbital road, take Exit 26 and
the main road 148 Pontina. Exit at Castel Romano.

Franciacorta Outlet Village, Brescia, Lombardy

The Mall and Barbarino are close to Florence Credit: Keith Palmer

Open seven days a week, Franciacorta shopping outlet, near Brescia’s famous wine region, has over 160 stores selling well-known brands such as Levis’, Calvin Klein, Rip Curl, Sisley, Boggi and Bose with discounts of up to 70% on retail prices. Sportswear stores include Nike, Adidas and Puma. There is plenty of parking and a number of restaurants/ snack bars in addition to a children’s play area.

Directions:

From Venice and Milan, take the A4 and exit at Ospitaletto.

Serravalle Designer Outlet, Serravalle Scrivia, Alessandria

With 180 stores, this McArthur Glen outfit is the largest factory outlet in Europe. Situated on the borders of Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria, Serravalle enjoys the stunning surroundings of Gavi. This extensive and elegant shopping village is within one hour of Milan and Turin and just thirty minutes from the coast. It is also suitably close to the stylish towns of Cinque Terre and Portofino.

Visitors here can find luxury designer brands such as Bulgari, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo and Dolce and Gabbana with men’s and women’s clothing at discounted prices. For sportswear, amongst other popular brands, there is Adidas, Nike, Puma and Reebok.

A shuttle service runs from Milan and Torino on the first weekend of every month. Return tickets are €20 for adults and €10 for children (5-15 years of age). Children under 5 can travel for free.

Directions:

Take the A7, Milan-Genoa motorway and exit at Serravalle Scrivia.

The Mall, Leccio, Regello Firenze

Situated a short distance from Florence, The Mall is Florence’s largest shopping outlet and any fashionista’s dream with labels such as Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottego Veneto, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and La Perla being just some of the designers available here.

Whilst some of the luxury designer clothing and accessories are reduced by up to 60%, The Mall can still be on the expensive side for the average shopper. However, visitors simply window shopping are in for a treat. The Mall enjoys a majestic setting in the Tuscan hills and there is a stylish cafe/ bar to rest weary feet.

Directions:

From Florence and Milan: Take the A1 towards Roma and exit at Incisa. Follow the road towards Pontassieve and continue through Leccio. The Mall is on the left.

From Rome: Take the A1 towards Firenze and exit at Incisa. Follow the road towards Pontassieve and continue through Leccio. The Mall is on the left.

Vicolungo Outlet, Vicolungo, Novara

Just 30 minutes by car from Milan in the Piedmont region, Vicolungo boasts over 130 stores with 30%-70% discounts on menswear, womenswear, children’s clothing, sportswear, home accessories and beauty products. There is even a return shuttle service that runs from Milan Foro Bonaparte at 10.30am and leaves the Outlet at 4.30pm for €10. Children under 14 can travel for free. Stores include Hilfiger Denim, CK Underwear, Levi, Nike, Puma, Rip Curl and Samsonite.

Within one hour of Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, the historic city of Novara is also within easy reach of the Vicolungo Outlet.

Directions:

From Milan, take the A4 and exit at Biandrate/ Vicolungo.

In many cases, the shopping outlets in Italy offer much more than well-known and designer goods at discounted prices. Largely situated in beautiful surroundings, within a stylish setting and offering an impressive selection of restaurants and pasticcerias, the average tourist will invariably leave one of the many shopping villages with far more than they bargained for.