can anyone please tell me where are the factory outlets in or around Milan and Florence for Italian fashion brand names such as GUCCI, VERSACE, GIROGIO/EMPORIO ARMANI, PRADA,VALENTINO,FERRAGAMO ?

Do they have factory outlets???

Isn't the point of going to italy to get away from malls?

Hi. I don't know about factory outlets, but if you're interested in great shopping (especially for leather) the street market in Florence is amazing. It is only a few minutes from the train station, and it's lots of fun. A great place to haggle. As for factory outlets, you may want to contact the local tourist board for that info. You could ask the question on the Eurotrip site at www.eurotrip.com as there are many backpackers that may know where to shop.

There is a Prada outlet as well as one for those wonderful sheets. The place to ook is a shopping guide to Italy.

Among the many scraps of paper I set aside with bits of Italian minutia is one which states that the town of Parabiago, outside Milan, has both a Fratelli Rosetti shoe outlet and a Mila Schon warehouse....!!! A virtual bonanza! Carol L

A fey informations that you asked at Fodor's:

FLORENCE

PRADA
Localitá Levanelle (Montevarchi) 35-55/978-9188
PRATESI (bed)
Via Montalbano, Casalguidi (near Pistoia)
BOTTOGUCCIA RICHARD GINORI (ceramics)
19, viale Giulio Cesare (Sesto Fiorentino)

IN (OR NEAR) MILAN
FRETTE (linen)
via Visconti di Mondrone (Milan)
45, via Vittorio Veneto (Concorezzo)
IL SALVAGENTE (designer's clothes)
16, via Fratelli Bronzetti (Milan)
ETRO (ties, robes, etc.)
3, via Spartaco (Milan)
SETERIE RATTI ( silk goods)
10, via Cernobbio (Como)

I'm glad to help you, Ismael

Factory's Store, Via Provinciale per Bregnano 13, Vertemate (Como), Ph. 031/887373.