Outlet Shopping

GUCCI, PRADA, PINKO or CK? So you hear that the outlets are a must see place upon arrival in Italy, right? Well, let me give you the dirty downlow- but keep it quite guys!

Barberino Designer Outlet, half an hour away from Florence and less than an hour from Bologna. More than 90 shops featuring the best brands with fashion products from previous seasons at prices cut by 30 to 70% all year round. In the heart of Tuscany, Barberino Outlet is located less than a mile from the main italian highway 'Autostrada del Sole', crossed by 90000 vehicles. Shopping is a completely different story at Barberino. A pair of fashion shoes? Breathtaking lingerie? An item for home? Here you will be able to find something truly exclusive, choosing among the best brands. The prices? Discounted all year long 30% to 70%! Don't miss it!
The area, covered by Bologna and Florence airports, enjoys excellent links with Florence, Pistoia and Prato through ordinary motorways. There's also a daily shuttle bus from Santa Maria Novella, Florence main railway station, to get there (just exit on the right of the station and you'll see the bus stop near the green area).
Address Barberino Designer Outlet: Via Meucci - 50031 Barberino di Mugello (FI)
INFOLINE: 055 842161

The Prada outlet, as it is frequently called is actually called SPACE and it is home to not only Prada. Other names such as Helmut Lang, Miu Miu and Jill Sander. The prices are spectacular- it is really flooring. A few years ago, the prices were even better when the Lira was in action, however, prices for PRADA have remained the same, unlike other Italian fashion houses. Make sure you take at least half of a day for your journey. Trains leave to Montevarchi, where the outlet is located, throughout the day. Once you get there, you hop in a cab and you are zipped right to the all white intimidating building. After you press the button for your personal number- get ready. Among the many aisles of ornate bags, intricate ties, and gleaming shoes, you can find some great deals.
SPACE (Prada) - Località Levanella, 52025 Montevarchi (AR) - Tel : +39 055 91 901
Opening hours : Normally seven days a week. Please call ahead to check opening hours as they are subject to sudden changes. Saturday is the busiest day. Admission is possible until 1/2 an hour before closing time.
How to get there:
By train, take the train to Montevarchi station and then get a cab (about 15 minutes).
By car: take the A1 autostrada - Exit 'Valdarno', Out of the toll turn right and follow signs for Montevarchi or Centro. At the big round about that has an IPER - COOP supermarket exit left. Then continue towards Arezzo. Pass through Montevarchi and 'Località levanella' after the village pass a gas station and then follow signs for I PELLETTIERI D'ITALIA in the 'Zona Industriale' on the left. The sign for the outlet is at a traffic light. On your left is a huge grey factory that is all Prada and the out let is in the back of the main factory complex. Prada is the hardest to find but the most worth the effort. Do not hesitate to show local people the address to get a direction, they are quite accustomed to lost fashionistas. During the off seasons, you can basically go to the outlets at anytime. However, during summer hours, all of Japan and California flock to that stainless steele ticket dispenser to get their ticket and wait...and wait...and have a cappuccio at teh chic bar next door....and guess what...wait some more until their number is called. Don't lose your ticket. If you liek an itme, a sales associate will stow it away under your personal number. After your 10 or 15 sweeps around the store, it time to check out. You tell them your number and they ring you up. Hurry before the exit lines get big. Some people buy large and keep going. There is always something here worthwhile to buy!

The Gucci Outlet, is also located outside of Florence at THE MALL. It is actually pretty expensive to get there and the prices are not anything to drop your cheeseburger for.
The other stores at THE MALL are Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Loro Piana, Hogan, La Perla, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tod's, Sergio Rossi, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. All have older styles with high prices, however, you can always snag a good deal here and there.

THE MALL information desk opening hours are: from 9 to 18 non-stop Monday to Saturday
Tel +39 055 8657 775 Fax +39 055 8657 801

THE MALL address: Via Europa 8, 50060 Leccio, Reggello Firenze
Opening hours : from 10 to 19 non-stop Monday to Saturday and 15-19 on Sunday.
Please call ahead to check opening hours as they are subject to sudden changes.
How to get there: The mall provides a shuttle bus to collect clients from their hotels and take them to the out let. Seats may be reserved by calling THE MALL information desk.

New Year's Eve in Florence: dinners in florentine restaurants

Looking for a special way to ring in 2009? Look no further than the city of Florence.

From street festivals to restaurant specials to free concerts of every kind, the events that mark “Capodanno” in Florence are as various as they are astounding! Theaters in and around the city provide entertainment. Dining establishments dress up their menus, and, should you prefer to spend the evening under the stars, step out into the nearest piazza. You are bound to find a spectacle fit for the occasion. Pass San Silvestro’s feast day (and night) in cheerful company in Piazza Santa Croce with a free concert. This year, Maestro Giuseppe Lanzetta will direct the Philharmonic Orchestra of the European Lyric Theatre (Teatro lirio Europeo), showcasing Strauss and Verdi. Piazza Pitti is also a fine venue for a free classical concert. Following its success of last year, Capodanno al Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio will feature live music and excellent “Fish and Chips” for all. Wander over to Piazza Santo Spirito, where an association of local merchants will put on a grand evening. For the third year, the Uffizi Center organization will bring back its Capodanno Banquet and Ball, to be held near the Duomo of Florence in the center of the city, at palazzo Gaddi. And when it’s all over, New Year’s Day young musicians from the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole will perform a free concert in the Teatro del Maggio Musicale at 11:30 a.m.
Of course there will also be many festivals, parties and special dinners in other local venues and even theatres where the celebration will be interrupted only at midnight and only momentarily for a traditional toast.
Found what you were looking for yet? Read on.
The Finest Capodanno Dinners in Florence

Alle Murate Dining with Dante frescoes.. The fine restoration of the Guild has recreated an emblamatic location from 14th century Florence. These frescoes were intended to highlight the autonomy and greatness of Florence by portraying the genius of its humanists and poets, Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch. And the first of these is Dante. In the centre of the valuted ceiling is a magnificent circular representation of medieval Florence surrounded by its walls, the Arno river and the crests of the town of Florence, the fleurs-de-lis, the Guelph eagle and the cross. The recently restored 14th century premises of the Guild of Judges and Notaries in the heart of Florence, offer a unique experience in Florentine art and archeology, dating from the Roman epoca until early Renaissance. A life time experience: eating there for the New Year's Eve!
New Year's Eve December 31, 2008
Capon stock with hand made ravioli and Valdarnese hen’s special egg
Red prawns from Sicily, turnip tops sauce and bresaola from Chianina beef
Tortelli stuffed with burrata and ricotta cheese, sea bass ragout
Pumpkin soufflé, foie gras, black cabbage sauce
Free range lamb from Casentino country: leg stuffed with artichokes, stewed shoulder and fried chop
Variation on chocolate and citrus fruit: dark chocolate cake with tangerine sauce, orange jelly and white chocolate mousse
150 euro per person Wines are not included (Spumante included)
for info and reservation please send an email to: silvia@allemurate.it
Ristorante Alle Murate Via del Proconsolo 16/r Tel. 055240618
http://www.allemurate.it See some pictures of the restaurant here
While you are waiting to dine you can visit the frescoes with a free audio guide available in 7 languages.

Osteria del Caffe Italiano, Dine on fine Tuscan cuisine in the center of Florence (close to piazza Signoria and Santa Croce square). The restaurant is in a historical palace belonged to an aristocratic florentine family.
Taste the real Bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak), cooked on a real grill, and obviously italian pasta, pizza and tuscan specialties. You can order from the menu (a la carte) or choose the 5 dishes selection for a special dinner.
Here are some tuscan dishes you can find on the menu:
Tuscan croutons with: soprassata, Colonnata lard, sage-flavoured chicken livers, white cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes with basil. Platter of tuscan cheeses with sweet chutneys. Mixed mushroom and potatoes soup, Borrage purèe with radish, ribollita “The traditional Florentine vegetables soup”, Beans soup and crunchy pork rind, Scamorza cheeses, Mafaldine pasta with wild pork ragout, Ravioli stuffed with pumpkin and black cabbage sauce, Tortelli stuffed with potatoes and pecorino cheese from Pienza, Cinta Senese pork sauce, Oven-cooked lasagne.
Large mixed platter of freshly coked vegetables, Mixed platter of vegetable flan with stewed chickory, Lamb leg stuffed with artichokes and fried chop, thyme aroma, grilled chicken’s breast marinated in rosmary, garlic and lemon with vegetables, Stewed and crunchy polenta, Joint of beef braised in Chianti Classico with creamed potatoes, Veal lever with onion sauce and broccoli purèe, Choice of mixed boild meats with green sauce, preserves in vinegar,and hot Cremona mustard.
Wood fire grilled specialities
Fiorentine steak served with beans, coke green and roast potatoes
Brick roasted Valdarno cockerel with roast potatoes
Pork chop from Casentino country
Grilled or balsamic vinegar flavoured filet of beef
Osteria style sliced beef
Skewered meat with grilled vegetables
Remember to make a reservation: this tuscan restaurant is very popular in Florence and you can find it full! info@caffeitaliano.it

Capodanno 2008 2009 at Al Maracana, Via Faenza, 4 (Florence) Maracana hosts the one and only Brazilian New Year’s celebration in Florence, and boasts a spectacle of Brazilian dance.

Capodanno 2009 at Fortezza da Basso. Participate in this festival of dedication to Florence. Banquet by reservation.

Capodanno 2009 at Yab, Banquet by reservation with a special guest of Channel 5 and music and dancing to follow.

Auditorium Flog, Via Mercati 24-B, (Firenze) will feature live music and dance from 10:30 p.m.

Christmas Markets in Florence

Christmas Markets in Florence - Christmastime in Florence

In a country without Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is not so clearly defined, but for a city steeped in tradition, those surrounding the holiday are among its best. From the lighting of the tree in the Piazza della Repubblica to the annual opening of the ice skating rink at Paterre to choral concerts in the countless churches to visits from Befana and Babbo Natale, Florence knows how to celebrate. Still, perhaps the most notable of Christmas staples in a place where shopping is a way of life, are the many markets that fill the piazzas at this time of year. To name a few:

Mercato di Natale della Croce Rossa Italiana
The Mercato di Natale della Croce Rossa Italiana, organized by the Volontarie del Comitato Femminile, will be held from the 21st through the 23rd of November at Saschall, Lungarno Aldo Moro 3. The market will give shoppers the opportunity to browse a vast array of Christmas gift items. Proceeds too benefit those less fortunate in and around Florence.

Weihnachtsmarkt
Those interested in gift items from Germany and other parts of Europe will find what they are looking for at Weihnachtsmarkt, to be held in Piazza Santa Croce where crafts, foods and other typical products will be featured by merchants from the country that gave the world the Christmas tree. The market will be open from late November through December 16th. After December 17th, The Mercatino will replace the Weihnachtsmarkt at its venue. The Mercatino in Santa Croce will specialize in traditional Italian gifts and foods. Also featured will be a number of activities for children.

Florence Noel
The Stazione Leopolda will house the annual Florence Noel market, open from November 29th through December 8th from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday and on Monday, December 8th. Food, crafts and gifts of predominantly Tuscan origins will fill the merchants’ displays, but the main attraction is sure to be a visit to the house of Father Christmas. Tickets cost 7 euro.

Mercatini
Other small markets will be held in and around Florence. At Bagno a Ripoli, for example, will host “A tutto Natale” on December 9th and a special market, “A Natale con i Tuoi” (Christmas with your parents), on December 22nd. Proceeds from markets in Grassina and Antella will benefit Calcit (a cancer research organization). Greve and Strada, both in Chianti, will collaboratively present “Aspettando Natale: Mercanti Artigianali” in Piazza Matteotti and Piazza Landi, respectively. The exact dates and times of the Chianti markets are not yet available.

Florence marathon

Next Sunday in Florence there will be the 25th edition of Florence Marathon: more than 9000 participants from all the countries. Starting from Piazzale Michelangelo at 9.30 am, the marathon will be held through the streets of Florence. Arrival is at Santa Croce square.
Participants are coming from all parts of the world: from France (658 runners), from Germany (382), from Austria (248), from Spain (241), from Great Britain (230), Switzerland (117), USA (85), Denmark (73), Belgiium (71), Hungary (54), Slovenia (47), Netherlands (33) e Poland (31).
Car traffic will be stopped for the event.

Xmas fairs, Art exibitions and Japanese restaurants....

While we wait for the Xmas market from Heidelberg in December in Santa Croce square we can already taste the Xmas atmosphere at the Florence Noel from November 29th until December 2nd. The event will be, as usual, at the Leopolda station: Xmas expositions and gifts ideas. The main attraction will be the House of Father Xmas (Santa Claus). The entrance fee is € 7, 00.

If you have to organize an art event there is a new space in Florence called Artsenal63 in Via Santa Reparata 19r. On Saturday November 22nd opened an art exhibition called “GOLD” by Gabriele Mori a musician, painter, performer from Florence. This space with a surface of 400 square meters is excellent for big and small art event. Open to everybody. You can visit also their blog, http://artsenal63.wordpress.com

Then, for ethnic food lovers I finally tasted the famous Japanese/Thai restaurant two people (readers of the blog) tried before me and thanks to the presence of a very nice and funny Japanese boy who was having dinner with me and other friends, I was able to try also other specialties rather than only sushi and sashimi. We tried a very similar pork chop served in a bowl full of rice, very popular in Japan. We had of course a “boat” of sushi and sashimi and I was very surprised of the excellent quality of the fish, both salmon and tuna were very fresh and delicate.
A mention also to dessert both the sushi fantasy and the chocolate one. I had an ice cream to the taste of green tea. For the full meal you would be spend about 30 euro.
NIWA Japanese and Thai restaurant
Via Ponte alle Mosse, 16/r
tel. 055 355736

Aperitif....to the hairdresser!!!!

After having spent the entire day at the BTO, the fair of tourism on line, I ended up with a terrible headache.

I had an appointment with my favourite hairdresser and I was happily surprised that on Monday, as they close late in the evening, they asked Salamanca, the Spanish restaurant beside them to bring some tapas, the Spanish aperitif and between a shiatsu massage and a coffee; it is nice to grab some tacos and sauces with sangria. Jo explained me that if they have to stay open late in the evening it is nice to offer something to customers and I have to admit that this is “taking care of customers”…

Hairforce
Via Ghibellina 74r
Open from Monday to Saturday (Monday opens in the evening as well).

What's on this weekend in Tuscany

A rich week end of events....

This week end at Villa Strozzi, in via Pisana, Florence, the Lailac Japanese centre organizes again the Japanese festival.
It will be not a fashion event to underline all the news coming from that country but a truly jump in the Japanese culture where LAILAC tries to promote the language, the writings, the arts, food and so on. Trough ancient dances, ancient tradition and martial art the event will be at the LIMONAIA of Villa Strozzi, in via Pisana 77 from November 14th to November 16th from 11an to 8pm.

-Then on Saturday November 15th from 5pm to 9pm the guys from Officina Vintage opens their second shop few steps from the Medici Chapels, in via del Giglio 41/r. Clothing and accessories from the 70ties and the 80ties. Buffet for free.
-Tuscan buffet at Serafini Bar in Via Gioberti. This bar will stay open until 9pm to offer their customers a rich aperitif where the quality is essential. Tuscan appetizers, ribollita, ham, salami and cheese all from Tuscany.
-If you are still looking for Tuscan food don’t miss in largo Annigoni very close to the St.Ambrogio market the second wine and food biennale where you can taste different kind of food from Tuscany but also from other regions of Italy: lampredotto, arancini (from Sicily), focacce form Genoa, northern Italy pork and other things such as cakes, and a taste of different beers.

And if you fancy going outside Florence…

- Arezzo: Agritur, a fair dedicated to agriturismi
- San Miniato, between Florence and Pisa, there is the famous fair of the white truffle, another place where you can taste and buy this precious stone is also close to Siena, in San Giovanni d’Asso.
- In Certaldo there is the sweet fair of chocolate

- In Montespertoli at Castello of Sonnino the fair of bread and extra virgin olive oil and also the exhibition of white truffle again.

- And finally in Rufina on Sunday November 16th from 9am in the historical centre, the fair of the saint patron, S Martino. Concerts, wine tasting and chestnuts, games. Information: 055 8396529