What is the best method of transportation from Florence to the Prada outlet??? I heard that there are sometimes long lines to get into the store? If you really want to buy Prada is it worth finding?

I was there about 4 years ago. I wasn't ready to shell out the kind of cash they were still charging. However, I did get some Prada driving loafers for about $120 USD at the time, marked down from about $450 (the equivalent at the time). There were some great deals. My sister and I snagged a bag for my mom as well. If you are a serious shopper and love Prada, I'd say it's worth it.

We were lucky because we have friends who live in Massa and they came to pick us up and drove us out to the Prada outlet as well as The Mall where Gucci, YSL, etc are.

I think there is a bus that will take you out there but I never checked it out. I think most people either rent a car for the day or take a cab? Other than that, it seems that the tour buses specifically bring their clients there and that's how many get out there.

I hope this helped a little!

Dana

Here is one option:

http://www.caftours.com/en/outlet.htm

I do not love to shop at outlet malls or any mall for that matter, but I would also like to go here and maybe get some Prada shoes....

Is this an all day venture? Is it huge? I dont think DH could stgand more than 2 hours of this!

PS - we are going at the end of Jan - should I assume that lines into these stores are less since it is off season...

Is shopping ever off season! LOL

The Prada outlet (Space) is at Levanella near Montevarchi.

Here are some links:

http://www.outlet-firenze.com/
http://www.outlet-firenze.com/mappa_outlet.htm

http://www.touritalynow.com/italy_ar...ping_italy.php
http://www.arttrav.com/florence/travel-info/shop.htm


Some links for outlet shopping at The Mall:

http://www.outlet-firenze.com/

http://www.outlet-firenze.com/the_mall.htm

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/activit...085480,00.html

http://www.outlet-firenze.com/shuttl...et_firenze.htm (- shuttle service)

http://www.enjoyflorence.com/english/outlet_List.html
http://www.enjoyflorence.com/english/outlet_Tours.html


http://www.arttrav.com/florence/travel-info/shop.htm
http://www.tours-italy.com/florence/outlet_stores.htm

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve - that was very helpful!!

I dont do outlet shopping here at home, but after seeing a pair of killer prada shoes on a friend sho bought them there recently I have to give it a whirl!!

Thanks again.

I am hoping Jan is slow there!

This thread is about the Sita bus schedule for the outlet stores.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34586768

We've been to the Prada outlet and the Mall a number of times now. The mall is very easy to find and only about 30-40 minutes outside of Florence. The Prada outlet is further away and it has taken 3 visits to find it on the first try (somehow we always drive by the turnoff)! Just ask a local if you can't find it and they will point you in the right direction.

We have always driven ourselves but as others have pointed out - there are tours from Florence and public transportation is also an option.

We travel to Italy in the fall(Sept/Oct) and have only waited in line once for Prada. We have never been there on a weekend so I don't know if that impacts the waiting times.

If you LOOOVE Prada, then yes, a great place to go. They also carry Miu Miu and have a good selection of menswear, bags and shoes.

Next time in Italy we are passing on Prada and going only to the Mall - great selection of stores that is getting better every year.

Happy outlet shopping!

When we were there 2 summers ago, there was no line. It is not huge, so your husband should be fine! I bought a purse there for my daughter, but I also found some wonderful shoes at a great price in Milan, at the Prada discount section on the level below the regular shop.

Anne

We are going at the beginning of January, I'll report back!

Steve, thanks for the info.

flygirl - I look forward to your report!!

Thanks!!!

I just visited the Space Prada outlet.

For those of you who drive there yourself, it's way easier to find these days, as they have added some much needed signs to help you when you're in the area. As for transportation from Florence, my vote would be on taking the train – although taxi services in the area are known to be sketchy.

Just wrote a blogpost about it with all the coordinates and driving directions and opening hours + a little about the shop experience, (no fashion report, sorry!).

Read (almost) everything about it here: http://bit.ly/nZdJPU

All the best,

:: hknn ::