Gucci Outlet Tuscany

This series of Factory Outlets including the Gucci Factory Outlet are presented by Alessandro Sorbello, freelance travel writer, editor and producer. The Gucci outlet is also nearby in Tuscany, at Leccio Reggello. The building itself is not marked "Gucci" - in fact, there was no announcement when the store opened - but the secret is out and many have enjoyed buying last season's Gucci items at more than 50% off. Look for a white and green building with red awnings, that looks somewhat sleeker and a bit out of place with its surroundings.

Today, creative direction of Gucci is the responsibility of Frida Giannini and Gucci continues to explore its roots. "La Pelle Guccissima" - an entirely original, heat-printed signature leather - has been launched under Gianninis direction, and is destined to become the label's next icon, expressing in its workmanship and impeccable quality a strength that is singularly Gucci's.

The Gucci Factory Outlet

Via Europa, 8 50060 Leccio Reggello, Florence, Italy Telephone No: +39 055 8657775 City: Florence

Often referred to as the Gucci outlet, The Mall has since expanded and now offers labels that would make any die hard fashionista drool ... Alexander McQueen, Armani Jeans, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Emanuel Ungaro, Emilio Pucci, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Marni, La Perla, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Tod's, Yves Saint Laurent is just a sample of whats on offer.

This bargain hunting haven is popular with tourists, so arrive early as its likely that youll have to queue. Whats the damage? it varies by store but price tags are heavily slashed. Gucci bags, usually 320/$600, are a mere snip at 80. I bagged myself a pair of Gucci high heels for 40/$75 (well three pairs actually) and a jacket for 120/$230, plus a 1800/$3200 Bottega Veneta coat for 350/$680. Its also good for presents Gucci ties can be found for 35/$68 and jewellery from around 40/$75. Trousers suits are a prized investment but a rare breed.

How to find it - The Mall is about half an hour out of Florence. To get there take the A1 motorway towards Florence and take the exit marked Incisa. Stay on your right towards Pontassieve until you reach Leccio.

Soon after passing the centre of Leccio, The Mall will be on the left hand side. Alternatively take the train from Florences Santa Maria Novella station to Incisa station and continue by taxi (about 10 minutes) to Leccio. There is also a daily shuttle bus service from Florence to and from The Mall which costs around 25. You can book a seat by calling +39 005 865 7775.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have made a trademark of their surnames which is known throughout the world, easily recognizable thanks to its glamour and great versatility.

The Dolce and Gabbana Factory Outlet is loacted in Santa Maddalena 49, Plan dell Isola, Incisa in Val d'Arno, Tuscany, Italy, Telephone No: +39 055 83311 City: Florence, where else but wonderful Italy

The Dolce and Gabbana outlet is housed in a beautiful white building that stands on its own, but even so, it can be hard to spot. The store was peaceful and quiet when we visited certainly a welcome contrast to the Mall. Looking for accommodation in Tuscany

How to find it - It's around a 30 minute drive out of Florence on the A1. Exit at Valdarno and then continue on the SS69. Before you get to the Mall you will see signs for Fendi where you can fork off to the left. Turn left at the fork and follow signs for the Fendi outlet until you reach the fork in the road, where you will then see Dolce and Gabbana on the corner. It is very badly signposted so keep your eyes peeled for a stately white building that has a fence around it. Other Factory Outlets in the Area. The Designers of Madonna, Monica Bellucci, Isabella Rossellini, Kylie Minogue and Angelina Jolie, amongst others who are also known to wear Prada and Gucci

Information about Italy and its regions and attractions. Florence, capital of the region of Tuscany Italy, spreads on the banks of the Arno, between the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian seas, almost in the middle of the Italian peninsula. It is a city which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science. Being on the main national railway lines, it is easily accessible from most important places both in Italy and abroad. Italy is a land celebrated for the arts, and not the least among the arts that have attained their highest expression in Italy is the art of hospitality. The Italian welcome is as warm and traditional as a glass of fine wine. Italy is one of the most popular vacation countries in Europe, all seasons being good for a visit. In summer, Italy is an international playground, with visitors from all continents mingling with vacationing Italians at the famous resorts.

The Film is of '...Arrivi ...Partenze' which was Produced by Alessandro Sorbello for the Official Opening of Italian Week

Arezzo administrative centre of the province, is situated at the northern end of the Valdichiana and can be easily reached as it is linked to the Autostrada del Sole and is crossed by the main Milan-Florence-Rome railway line. Arezzo was founded by the Etruscan and called Aretium; the most representative work of the etruscan period is the Chimera, a bronze statuette of the Vth century B.C. which has become the symbol of the town. Later Arezzo passed into the hands of the Romans (IV-III century) and had a great development.

Ask most people to name the first Italian city that comes into their head and few will trump out Bologna. That suits this city just fine. While the tourist hordes clog up Florence, Rome and Venice, Bologna remains relatively tourist free, letting the locals enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Italy unmolested.The history of Catania, like any other place in the Mediterranean, is made up by the sequence of cultures passing through, conquering and being conquered by the locals, all leaving their mark in every aspect of life. It was founded by the Greek Chalsidian people in 729 b.c..Cefalu! A town of Medieval origins, going back to the V century B.C., which was built on a headland dominated by an overhanging cliff. Cefalù is characterized by beaches of fine sand, by the old houses which look onto the sea, and by its Cathedral of Norman origins, built by Ruggero II in fulfillment of a vow which he made when, overcome by a terrible tempest when at sea with his fleet, he managed to land in this town.

Five miles of rocky coast in eastern Liguria, two promontories lie at each extremity, thousands of kilometres of dry walling, cultivated into vineyards, five southerly villages castled up on spurs of stone or disposed in clusters of very small inlets. These are the co-ordinates of the Cinque Terre (Five lands). From a high Tuscan hill, fifty miles from Florence between Arezzo and Perugia, rises the equally ancient and nobile city of Cortona. Before the city lies a vast and beautiful plain, it is flanked on either side by distant hills and valleys while behind it are towering yet fruitful mountains. Cortona has a picturesque aspect, quite a bit longer than wide, turned toward the midday sun. Her district is fertile and is abundant with all that is necessary to human life. It is Cortona marked by the Meridian-Antartic star sign, feminine, in motion, pungent, earthy, frigid and dry and under the noble reign of...Lago di Garda is located on the border of Lombardia, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige. It is one of the most beautiful places in Italy and that's saying quite a lot. Over the centuries the lake has always been very popular with holiday makers. The area has been rich in well-known products since Ancient Times: marble and wine, which were exported in all parts of the world. Worth a special mention is the “Riviera degli Olivi”, the long golden shore running along the lake for 50 kilometres (from Peschiera to Malcesine).

Como is a nice town with a beautifully maintained historical centre and a scenic location at the southernmost point of Lake Como. The impressive Duomo (cathedral) was developed and added to over a period of several hundred years ( so you can admire Gothic and Renaissance features including fine tapestries and paintings. The town's earlier cathedral (built in the tenth century), San Fedele, is another popular attraction, as is the tall nine hundred years old city gate Porta Vittoria. Lucca likes to promote itself as a diminutive Florence or Siena without the afflictions of mass tourism, offering a cheerful normality not always encountered in its more illustrious neighbours. Yet with its refined churches, family palaces and the remarkable imprint of a Roman amphitheatre, all joined together by a spider's web of medieval streets, this carefully preserved, walled Roman town, the birthplace of Puccini, is worth a visit in its own right.

Palermo, synonym for one of the most prestigious cities of the Mediterranean , as well as being the ‘capital' city of Sicily rises up in a beautiful bay on the northern coast of the island. The history of Palermo goes back to the VIII-VI centuries B.C., the era of the Phoenecians of Carthage and then took the name of Ziz (flower). Perugia in Umbria, the great "Guelf strong-hold" rises up in the region's heart, with its 5 storical quarters closed-in by its Etruscan town walls. These enormous bastions formed by cyclopic square masses, were constructed 22 centuries ago and are still visible for long stretches. Rising 4 m. above sea level on the banks of the Arno river, on a fertile alluvial plain, this town is approximately 10 km. from the Tyrrhenian Sea. A centre of ancient origin, Pisa was already an important port in Roman times, definitively asserting itself as a seagoing power in the 12th century when it became a Republic after participating in the First Crusade. It extended its influence over the whole Tuscan coast and Sardinia, succeeding in defeating its rival Amalfi and the Saracens.

The Amalfi Coast. Nowhere do colours shine with such different, clear tones as on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which has always attracted visitors of the greatest prestige. Set like an incomparable gem in a precious diadem, the villages scattered along the coast enchants even the most astute visitor. The Cinque Terre in Liguria Italy! Five miles of rocky coast in eastern Liguria, two promontories lie at each extremity, thousands of kilometres of dry walling, cultivated into vineyards, five southerly villages castled up on spurs of stone or disposed in clusters of very small inlets. These are the co-ordinates of the Cinque Terre (Five lands).