Tuscany: A Holiday Shoppers’ Paradise
Tuscany, birthplace of the Renaissance, is a hugely popular tourist destination renowned for its gorgeous natural landscape, awe-inspiring architecture, amazing artwork, and to-die-for food and wine. Visitors to Tuscany always bring home stories of iconic sites such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Roman amphitheatres in Lucca, the medieval piazzas of Siena, the vineyards of Chianti, fond memories of their Tuscany villa rental, and, of course, exquisite, often one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
For many people, shopping is one of the most exciting aspects of travelling. In fact, shopping is so popular in Italy that shopping tours are a part of local tourism! Most retail therapists can’t wait to hit the shops around their Tuscany villa rental, and for good reason. The word ‘Italian’ is synonymous with quality when it comes to merchandise: Italian leather is considered the best in the world and the standard for all leather products, and Italian fashion is viewed as the height of couture. Italy is not only a centre for culture and the arts, it is also one of the fashion capitals of the world and many of the world’s best designer brands have their bases and factories in the region. Just to name one example, Valdarno is the home of Prada. There is a Prada factory shop within an hour of Chianti, as well as many other shops and outlet malls carrying the best merchandise. Don’t worry about your rusty Italian; most shops have bilingual personnel to assist you.
Outlet Malls
For one-stop shopping, nothing beats going to outlet malls that house many different brands. Among the sites to check out are Lo Spaccio, The Mall, Valdichiana Outlet Village, Barberino Designer Outlet, and Outlet Creations near Pisa. Among the brands you will find are Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emanuel Ungaro, Giorgio Armani, Hogan, La Perla, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Tod’s, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, and Yves Saint Laurent. Prada, Max Mara, Roberto Cavalli, and Dolce & Gabbana also have stand-alone outlet shops. These stores are quite accessible from your Tuscany villa rental by car—the recommended means of transport, as you will certainly want to shop till you drop!
Hand-made and Specialty Products
A plethora of specialty shops in the region offer the best materials, designs, and craftsmanship. Some of these shops are known the world over, whereas some are jealously guarded secrets! Hand-made shoes of the finest Italian leather can be made to order at Calzoleria Pientina, and they can be ready for you in only a few days. Santa Maria Novella offers luxurious lotions and potions concocted by Florentine monks, while unique hand-made and hand-painted ceramic ware is available from Ceramiche d’Arte,
Open-air Markets
Open-air markets are the best places for local produce and merchandise, as well as to fully experience the authentic Italian life. You’ll have to leave your Tuscany villa rental early though, as these markets generally become very busy and crowded. Don’t be shy: many of these markets are for locals, so you will need to be assertive in getting what you want! Learn to haggle like an expert and you’ll nab some great bargains.
The open-air market in Siena is ideal for leatherwear and fabrics, as well as paper, terracotta, gold jewellery, tapestries, and wine. Piazza Grande in Arezzo is the place for antiquing. In Lucca, you can find furniture, ceramics, and hand-made lace, and also visit the Piazza Marconi for exquisite cashmere clothing items. Check with the local tourist offices for each market’s schedule.
Giovanni Balboni works for To Tuscany, who specialise in finding the perfect Tuscany villa rental in Chianti as well as selected villas in Umbria and Puglia. To Tuscany is proud of their villas and their reputation. Each property is personally selected and visited by our representatives to ensure we offer only the best in the region.
This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest online marketing agency in London, and the proud host a series of internet marketing training seminars.
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