Italy is a favorite country of fashionistas from all over the world and without exaggeration is called the capital of fashion. Every day, crowds of tourists come to this sunny country in order to wander through fashion boutiques and update their wardrobe. Read our article about where to go, where to buy and what to bring from shopping in Italy.
The benefits of shopping in Italy
Choosing a place for budget shopping in a warm country, many immediately think of Italy. And not in vain, because Italian boutiques are famous for their excellent quality and style. And the best part is that even in the most famous stores, prices for clothes differ markedly from the prices of a number of European countries. In general, this difference is quite impressive, in Italy the cost of things is 20-25% lower. The country is famous for its huge number of outlets, where prices, depending on the season, are even an order of magnitude lower. During the sales season, there are incredible discounts, reaching up to 80% of the total cost of products. And all this with a huge assortment that is in Italianstores. Simply heaven for a shopaholic!
Tours to Italy
Not so long ago, travel agencies began to organize shopping tours to Italy. Their essence lies in the fact that everyone can visit this wonderful country in an organized manner in order to replenish their wardrobe and have a good time. This approach enables people who do not have the skills to organize a trip to make shopping in comfort. Typically, shopping tours in Italy include: flights, insurance, hotel accommodation, a shopping program with visits to boutiques, a Russian-speaking guide. Which city should you go to? How to choose a shopping tour to Italy? Read more about it below.
Self-Guided Tours
Those who have at least some travel skills can be recommended to go on independent shopping tours to Italy. This is also suitable if you know exactly which boutiques you want to visit. To organize a tour on your own, you need to get a visa, book a hotel closer to the place where you plan to do shopping, and purchase a plane ticket. After identifying all the boutiques you need, create an accurate route on the map. So it will be easier for you to navigate and not forget anything.
Italian boutique opening hours
In Italy, there is a time for rest in the middle of the working day, namely from 13 to 15 hours. At this time, all shops and shops are closed so that people can gain strength to finish until the evening. Most shops open quite early, at 8 or 9 in the morning. However, they also close early, at 19.00. so measured anda relaxed lifestyle is inherent in all cities of Italy. This slightly surprises the inhabitants of other countries who find themselves in sunny Italy. Italians categorically do not work on Sunday. All shops are closed on this day. Therefore, if you plan to go shopping in Italy for 3 days, then be careful and choose weekdays.
Also, two weeks before September, that is, in mid-August, Italy seems to turn off. At this time, not only shops and offices, but also other establishments are closed. This is because the Italians go on vacation to the sea.
Sales: big and small
Before you buy a shopping tour to Italy, thoroughly study the time when the biggest sales take place. The time of their spending does not differ from that in other European countries. Summer: July 1 - August 15, winter: January 1 - February 28. Specific dates may vary slightly, but not significantly. First, mass-market stores discount prices for clothes and shoes by 15-20%, and at the end of sales, the discount reaches 80%. Unfortunately, expensive boutiques do not reduce the cost of products by more than 20%, and they simply send all the leftovers to outlets. And already in the outlet centers, these things are sold at half the price. The most expensive of the branded boutiques most often do not arrange sales at all.
For those who like to bargain and "knock out a discount" Italy is not the best option. Bargaining is not accepted here. If only in small private shops.
When going on a shopping tour to Italy, be prepared for the fact that there are always a large number of people during the sales seasons. Therefore, be patient in advance and have a light snack, anticipating huge queues at the cashier and fitting rooms.
Shopping in Rome
The capital of Italy is ideal for those who do not expect to spend a huge amount of money in this country. Because people go to this city not for luxury clothes, but for the mass market.
Be sure to pay attention to leather goods: bags, shoes and belts. It is not at all necessary to go to shopping centers for them. It will be much more exciting and cheaper to go to the local market for leather things. There you can bargain and find unique products of their kind. The cost of a bag or a pair of shoes made of genuine leather starts from 50 euros.
People often go to Rome for fur coats. For example, for 1000 euros you can buy a decent fur coat from a little-known designer. For a price of 10,000 euros, you can already claim a fur coat from an eminent fashion house.
From Rome they bring cheese, dried meat, wine and olive oil. You can buy them in any local shop or in the same market.
Shopping in Milan
More often than not, lovers of well-dressed travel to the very heart of the fashion industry - Milan. Those who want to buy clothes of a higher standard come here: Armani, Versace, Gucci, Prada, etc. And the range of stores such as Mango, HM, Zara is simply amazing in its diversity, unlike the same stores in Russia. Therefore, for those who arrive onshopping tour to Italy from Moscow and St. Petersburg, already familiar stores open from a completely different side.
In fact, shopping in Milan can be very, very diverse. It all depends on your financial capabilities and love for brands. It is worth buying leather goods, shoes, evening and wedding dresses, hats in Milan.
A scarf bought in Milan will be a great gift for yourself or a loved one. Italians know a lot about wearing this accessory and wear it with pleasure. You can go to any market to buy a scarf, there you will see a huge selection and you can save a little.
For a branded and super-fashionable fur coat, also come to Milan. It is best to avoid boutiques, as prices there are suitable only for the wives of millionaires. But in the outlet you can buy a branded designer coat for quite reasonable money. Prices generally start from 2,000 euros for artificial fur, from 3,000 for natural fur. A mink or fox coat will cost you 4000-6000 euros. The most popular outlet centers in Milan are Dmagazine and Serravalle Design.
Shops are located literally at every turn. Therefore, you are unlikely to wander for a long time in search of the right thing while shopping in Milan. All tours to Italy cover the most popular tourist streets with boutiques.
Shopping in Florence
According to the Italians themselves, Florence is the most beautiful city in their country. Therefore, combining walks in this beautiful place on the planet and shopping is a good solution.
But Florence itself is notvery good for shopping. Prices here are slightly higher than in Milan and Rome. Mostly people come here for jewelry, delicious wine and cheese, large leather goods.
Tornabuoni Street is full of luxury jewelry stores. And just an hour drive from the city, you can enjoy beautiful views and buy clothes made of genuine leather in very large sizes (60-64 size). The Facimp factory is located in Empoli and is considered one of the best in Florence.
Florence has a large number of antique shops. Vintage vases, crockery, clocks, personal items and more make great gifts for mom or antique lovers.
Going to Florence, pay attention to cosmetic stores. They run promotions and often have big discounts. If you want to buy Versace or Prada eau de toilette, then it is wiser to do it in the country of its manufacturer, i.e. in Italy. Thus, you will protect yourself from fakes and please yourself with a wonderful fragrance from Italian designers.
By the way, about fakes. Be careful not to buy fake brands from street vendors. According to the laws of Italy, for the desire to save money, you can pay a rather impressive fine. The miser pays twice.
