Take the fashion-focused route in Florence and Milan
Milan
The country’s largest city is also the best place to find fashion. Couture brands such as Valentino, Gucci, and Prada have made Milan their headquarters, and some of the world’s best-known brands line the streets of Milan’s fashion district. The Galleria Vitorio Emanuele II in the Piazza del Duomo is believed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall, and the 19th century glass-vaulted structure is a site not to be missed. Visitors here will certainly want to window shop along the high-end streets of Milan, though shopping tours are also an option, as sites including the La Scala Opera House and the Milan Cathedral are just steps away from the shopping district. An hour outside of Milan is the Serravalle Designer Outlet, offering bargains on the city’s most luxurious brands. Milan Shopping Tours is a good option for those looking to take a fashionable tour.
Florence
Florence offers many of the same high-end shops as Milan, but in a less urbanized setting. Fashion-related attractions in the city include the Palazzo Pitti, which as a gallery devoted to centuries of clothing; Via de’ Tornabuoni, offering designer boutiques; and jewelry of all kinds along the Ponte Vecchio overlooking the Arno River. Just outside of Florence (about an hour and a half by car) is the Prada outlet in Montevarchi, with deeply discounted prices on the designer products. In addition, the McArthurGlen Barberino Outlet is nearby, home to more than 100 stores and The Mall.
