Switzerland: FoxTown, Factory Store
What do you think of when you say Switzerland? For sure the swanky banking, exquisite chocolates and ingenious & precise watches have tradition in our mind. What else can there be? Stylish stores are now also renowned, thanks to the outlet mall FoxTown from the Mendrisio town. Famous brands, at 50-80 percent off, are for sure an attraction point! Local brands are favorites, like Hanro, underwear icon, but since at only 45 minutes of train travel you can reach Milan, you can find also the Italian brands like Dolce&Gabbana, Missoni or the chic sneaker producer Superga.
Travel Tip: Switzerland is not part of EU, so remember to get your passport with you. You will need it for travelling inside and outside the EU borders via Swiss office of immigration. Your passport will be also handy at reclaiming tax on purchases for export.
Tuscany, Italy: Space, Outlet
Tuscany is famous for its natural landscapes, but if you would expect this Tuscany outlet to be in the middle of a natural park, you wouldn’t be more far away from the truth. In Florence’s neighborhood, a gray and gloomy industrial park is the obscure home for this hard to reach outlet. The travelling challenges are rewarded only by the fact that it’s the world’s best place for buying Prada’s gems discounted. So get your shop ticket and stay in line to get your chance to shop for last season’s fashion and style at a retail price cut off up to 50 percent.
Travelling tip: Lost in Tuscany’s space while trying to find Space? “Via Levanella, Florence” is the GPS clue that will solve the mistery, otherwise just follow the signs “I Pellettieri d’Italia”.
France: Le Creuset, Outlet
This outlet is nothing like the other outlets Le Creuset from America’s malls, first because the building that hosts it looks like a small farmhouse from outside Calais and second because this is the world’s resource of high-end cooking pans and pots made from cast-iron, at sale for even 50 percent off.
Traveler’s tip: The outlet’s staff can be very helpful if you send them an email in advance. They can check the levels of stocks and tell you if your dream item is discounted during your travelling time.
Tuscany, Italy: The Mall
Ever walked on Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue? The Mall offers you the same experience, in the middle of the Tuscan hillside, but the prices can be slashed up at the amazing 70 percent. No store stands out, even if there are stores that stand alone, like the Gucci group brands (Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, and Stella McCartney) or the equally famous Armani, Fendi, Zegna, Loro Piana. Even if it is an outlet with stocks from last season, it is not limited to that.
Traveler’s tip: Consider renting a car for getting your goods back to the hotel, since bargaining is ferocious here.
Photo credit: Stefano Bertocchi on Flickr