Hi Fodorites,<BR><BR>My husband and I are making a trip to Milan on 27th July and leaving on 1st August. Will most probably be staying very close to the Duomo where I believe most of the branded boutiques are. Could someone please tell us whether the dates mentioned above is too late to catch the summer sale? A friend told us that the last time they went around that time, most of the boutiques are closed.<BR>Also, we need advice on where else to shop besides the area around Duomo. Any recommendation of hotels around the Duomo (around USD 100-), Pls also include contact telephone nos or email address, if possible.<BR>We would appreciate any advice on some sights in Milan as well.<BR>Thank you.<BR>

The summer sales in italy start late June and end late July. Last year, I was in Florence mid July and some stores had a lot of sale items, but most did not. <BR><BR>I think many of the smaller stores close in August. If I am in Milan and I want to shop I take the train from Milan to Florence and go to the outlets. They are open in August.

In milano most shops are open all summer maybe except for a very few days near the 15th. As for the outlets, there are many outlets in Milano too (an near Milano as well). Prices in Milano (in both stores and outlets) are on average, 20% less than in Florence (I live in Milano but spend a lot of time in Florence: even the department stores ofthe same chain have differences in price in Tuscany!!!). Check:<BR>http://www.corriere.it/speciali/outlet/pop_foreigners.shtml<BR>http://www.milanoin.it/shopping/speciali/spacci/spacci.asp<BR>http://www.milanometropoli.com/grandimagazzini.htm

Darlings, you must buy a pareau at the Milano summer sale. There is a kicky little boutique filled with them near the Duomo (heading towards La Scala) that I simply adore.

Hi there,<BR><BR>Thank you for all your replies. It is so nice of you people to have responded so quickly. <BR><BR>How far is Florence from Milan by train? Is it easy to catch a train there and do I need to make a seat reservation? Are train services between the 2 places regular? What about VEnice...how are is it from Milan?<BR>Looking forward to your reply.

Milan-Florence takes about 3 hours --- actually a bit less if you're traveling on the EuroStar (yes, seat reservations required) or a tad longer if going on the InterCity train. Train schedules are available online at either www.trenitalia.com or www.fs-on-line.com. I think there's a train about every hour between Milan & Florence.<BR><BR>Getting to Venice is also going to take you about 3 hours --- of course, you're headed in different direction.