The Green Pebbles Girls are always on the look out for a bargain when it comes to designer bags and clothes (aren't we all these days!) and this year we thought we would combine a well deserved holiday with an even more well deserved shopping spree in Tuscany.
We booked into a most welcoming family-run hotel on top of a Tuscan hill in Poggibonsi (a stone's throw away from stunning Siena and San Giminiano) the beautiful Hotel Villa San Lucchese whose fine dinners and vews across the Tuscan countryside are something we will remember for a lifetime. This allowed us the freedom to ' explore' the sights but also to spend several days going through all the outlets the area is famed for!
Well, what can we say...... THE MALL is probably the designer outlet par excellence. Choose between tens of awesome brands from Alexander McQueen, to Sergio Rossi, to Valentino, Gucci, Fendi, Bottega Veneta and the list just goes on!
The dream outlet for all those PRADA fans out there (except they don't call it an outlet....of course!) , be ready to be pushed left right and centre as the fans try to scramble over you in a bid to get the best item at the best price (sales at Harrods came to mind!). MIU MIU pieces can also be purchased here. Don't expect to find the latest collections of course, but do enjoy the fact that you are getting some great Prada products at the fraction of the cost. No you can't have things shipped overseas..... and they don't have a website (just a facebook page we've linked you to above)....you basically need to book a ticket to Italy - but can you think of a better holiday than, sun, great food, the most amazing sights and ...fabulous shopping!!
Not too far from here you can sometimes catch the PRADA Helicopter at the Prada Tuscan HQ (we did hang around a while too see if we might catch a glimpse of HRH Queen of Fashion Miuccia Prada..... but no such luck!)
In the same region as the others you can also find the Dolce & Gabbana outlet, where you are bound to find last season's (who's complaining!?) items at approximately 50% off their original price tag.
Of course there are many other designer outlets in Tuscany and in other regions of Italy which we did not have a chance to pop to see (time was of the essence and our credit cards were feeling rather hot and bothered by the end of the long weekend!).
Watch this space as we plan our next visit to Italy...... the Le Marche region comes to mind as a possible new adventure.....watch out Mr.Della Valle the Green Pebbles Girls are out on a mission!
