Travellady MagazineTM


Even the Outlet Malls in Italy have Style

By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

Imagine a place where you could find top designer fashions at bargain prices. This is every shopper’s fantasy. And this fantasy comes true at Fidenza Village outside of Parma., Italy.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

When you enter the mall, it seems like an elegant, expensive place. Can there really be bargains here?  It almost looks too elegant to be an outlet mall.The architecture of the Village itself which, while meeting all the requirements of modern retailing, recalls the historical, artistic and cultural traditions of the area. Suggestive romantic scenery from the operas of Giuseppe Verdi decorates the architecture of Fidenza Village, paying tribute to the rich hospitable area of the province of Parma.

THE CORPORATE MISSION

Fidenza Village is not just another outlet, but rather the kingdom of “chic shopping”, a grouping of prestigious boutiques creating a harmonious whole. Taking even the most demanding customers into consideration, Fidenza Village offers the best offers in fashion with a watchful eye on the price.

Thanks to this philosophy, Fidenza Village gives its customers the pleasure of luxury shopping. And I can’t think of any place where it would be more delightful to find a bargain.

MY FAVORITE PART OF THE MALL

 

 

 

I love vintage clothes. But in all my world travels, I have never before found anything like this in any outlet mall. I spent almost half my too short time at the outlet mall marvelling at the beautiful vintage designer items from all over Europe. I felt like I was in a clothing museum and loved the displays and noticed that even the hairstyles and clothes of the salespeople were vintage.

There were even some items for ten Euro.

The most difficult thing to resist was the vintage fashion designer drawings. But I knew I had 3 more weeks of travel and about a dozen days of changing hotels. Not heavy, but too fragile to kept flat. I hope to get back there and grab some.

NAME DROPPING

 

These are the brands you will find:

18 Camiceria, Barlumeria, Bassetti, Beverly Hills, Blunauta, Bodum, Bohemia, Bose, Cafè Aida, Cafè Coton, Calvin Klein Underwear, Camper, Castelbajac, Coccinelle, Datch, Divescuba, Elena Mirò, Ethic, Facis, Fornarina, Frette, Furla, Gerry, Goldenpoint, Indian Rose, Inghirami, Ixos, Lagostina, Lanificio Angelico, Lanificio Colombo, Levi’s – Dockers, Lindt, Madina, Massimo Ribecchi, Nannini, Nike, Officina di Ricerca Sport, O’ Neil – Simmer, Ottica Avanzi, Pancaldi, Phard, Pinko, Quicksilver, Quore by Mafrat, Rags, Rebecca Sanver, Reebok, Saldarini, Samsonite, Sapò, Sia, Simonetta, Stefanel,Store House, Store House Ragazzi 414, Sutor Mantellassi, Triumph, Trussardi Jeans, Black Box Pirelli, Versace, Vintage Delirium, Watch&See, Willy Miani.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP, JUST STOP FOR A SNACK

Sitting down at a table in Barlumeria, an original mix between design bar and a traditional salumeria, is a innovative way of enjoying a break. A wide variety of local products to taste and buy in the heart of the Italian “Food Valley” will satisy any hunger pains.. Irresistible Lindt sweet temptations are found in the chocolate store filled  with ice-creams and chocolate treats.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND ALL THESE BARGAINS?

Fidenza Village is located in a strategic position, halfway between Milan and Bologna, only 100 metres distance from the A1 Fidenza Salsomaggiore motorway exit.

HOW TO GET THERE

Fidenza Village runs a shuttle service connecting the Village to Fidenza railway station and periodically also organises a shuttle bus from Milan, which usually runs at the weekend.

For those who wish to reach Fidenza Village independently and shop on their own schedule, they could treat themselves to a special car booking service with driver or reach Fidenza Village with their own cars and take advantage of the free parking A play area, baby changing rooms inside the toilettes, also bar, restaurant, cash point and public toll phones are on site.

HOURS

The Village is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm. Even at festive times of the year Fidenza Village is always ready to welcome visitors with special opening hours. Because Italians obviously understand style and shopping.

IF YOU DIDN’T FIND WHAT YOU WANTED, THERE IS MORE

The mall developers, Value Retail understand shoppers. They know their average customer spends 4 to 5 hours shopping. And loves to do it all over the world. So keep this list handy whenever you are shopping in Europe.

Value Retail currently manages 8 Villages in Europe, including the one in Fidenza, with more than 300 shops and 150 fashion houses. Other openings are scheduled soon. There will soon be 9 Villages with the opening of Kildare Village in County Kildare near Dublin, Ireland, in the summer 2006.

Bicester Village
London
The Value Retail Village par excellence, in peaceful Oxfordshire, has become the most exclusive example of outlet shopping in England.

La Vallee Village
Paris
A miniature Paris hosting the favourite brands in French fashion.

Las Rozas Village
Madrid
First shopping at the Village, then fun in the busy lively city of Madrid.

La Roca Village
Barcelona
Immersed in Catalan culture, the Village is situated near the wonderful city of Barcelona.

Maasmechelen Village
Brussels
In the heart of Northern Europe, this Village offers a unique mix of big fashion brands and less well-known names. In keeping with local preferences.

Wertheim Village
Frankfurt
This Village is situated between Frankfurt and Wurzburg in the heart of Germany, in a wonderful region with a rich culture.

Ingolstad Village
Munich
The second Village in Germany is in picturesque Bavaria.

Kildare Village
Dublin
Opening soon, summer 2006, a stone’s throw from Dublin in the delightful Irish countryside.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO BESIDES SHOP? 

This advice is included to help shopaholics convince their travelling companions to travel to Fidenza Village.

The area offers the opportunity to visit old fortresses, castles and suggestive medieval villages. Those looking for relaxation can benefit from the curative properties of the famous baths at Salsomaggiore and Tabiano, while lovers of fine cuisine will be spoilt for choice. The gastronomic tradition of the Parma area, Terra dei Sapori (Land of Flavours) par excellence, offers dishes which are unique in the world in its typical local trattorie. The wonderful city of Parma is also not to be missed to savour its beautiful sights.

BEST WAY TO GET TO ITALY

Alitalia
www.alitalia.com
1 800 223 5730

BEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT IN ITALY

WWW.airportshuttle.it

BEST WAY TO GET AROUND IN ITALY

RailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes to connect big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history. The trains are comfortable and quick and easy to navigate.
www.raileurope.com
1-888-382-RAIL.

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

Gelato
Finding Italy’s best Gelaterias

Happy Belly Guide
Fancy Pants Press
www.happybellyguides.com
info@happybellyguides.com

More about Gelato from Travellady’s experts

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/June05/1535Gelato.htm

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January05/1178Gelatos.htm

GREAT SLEEPS ITALY
By Sandra Gustafson
Florence. Rome. Venice
www.chroniclebooks.com

GREAT EATS ITALY
By Sandra Gustafson
Florence. Rome, Venice
www.chroniclebooks.com

Diffordsguide to City Drinking #0.1
from the Publishers of the Magazine for Discerning Drinkers
It tells the Best Hotels, Restaurants and Bars in top cities
www.diffordsguide.com

Italy: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE*
By Nan McElroy
*when all else fails, read the instructions
The personal, on-site assistant for the enthusiastic but inexperienced traveler
www.Italyinstuctions.com

Fodor’s see it Italy
Detailed maps and lots of color pictures
www.fodors.com

THE COMPLETE IDOIT’S GUIDE to ITALIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
By Gabrielle Euvino with Michael San Filippo
www.idiotsguides.com 

ITALY
INSIGHT GUIDES
www.insightguides.com

FODOR’S 04 ITALY
Shows you the way on and off the beaten path
WWW.fodors.com

Rick Steves Italy 2005
Avalon Publishing
www.ricksteves.com

BERLITZ POCKET GUIDE ITALY
www.berlitzpublishing.com

SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIAN

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian Phrases, Second Edition
BY Gabrielle Euvino

Traveling to Italy for business or pleasure can be a fun and exciting adventure, but for those who don't know the language it can also be a frustrating one.  The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian Phrases, 2nd Edition is a must-have for travelers.   This completely revised and updated edition contains more phrases than ever and includes extensive word lists and verb charts.  The book has new grammar and punctuation sections that make it easier for readers to use more effectively, useful tips about Italian culture and dialects and also contains a map of Italy.
WWW.idiotsguides.com

THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO LEARNING ITALIAN
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com

THE POCKET IDIOT’S GUIDE to Italian
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com

Rick Steve’s ITALIAN PHRASEBOOK AND DICTIONARY
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Ricksteves.com

BERLITZ Surviving in Italian
A handy mini phrase book with maximum information
www.berlitzpublishing.com

BERLITZ Shopping in Italian
Pocket-size with easy to read pronunciation
www.berlitzpublishing.com

EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN

LA DISPENSA DI FIE
By Stefan Pramstrahler
Hugendubel
www.hugendubel.de

BERLITZ Eating and Drinking in Italian
Convenient pocket size
www.berlitzpublishing.com

How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names
By Dianna Bellucci
They also include a bonus of Austrian, Spanish and Portugese Wine Names
Luminosa Publishing
www.howtopronounce.com

LANGENSCHEIDT’S POCKET MENU READER ITALY
A gastronomic dictionary, phrasebook and guide 

EUROPE’S TOP RESTAURANTS 2004
Zagat Survey
www.zagat.com

SHOP LIKE AN ITALIAN

Suzy Gershon’s Born to Shop Italy
The Ultimate Guide for People Who Love to Shop
www.frommers.com

COOK LIKE AN ITALIAN

Order your own set of The Best of Ciao Italia in Umbria and The Best of Ciaos Italia in Tuscany. You can enjoy four of Mary Ann’s favorite programs that capture the heart and soul of Umbria, a delightful, unspoiled and undiscovered region of Italy known for taste-tempting food markets, glorious street festivals, aroma-filled kitchens, fine art, friendships and more. The sets include interactive menus and printable PDF recipes.

THE BEST OF GOURMET
Featuring the Flavors of Rome

From the editors of Gourmet Magazine.
Random House
www.randomhouse.com

MANGIAMO  Let’s Eat!
A collection of family recipes by Sylvia Sebastiani
Sebastiani Vineyards

DRINK LIKE AN ITALIAN

VINO ITALIANO BUYING GUIDE
By Joseph Bastianich & David Lynch
From the Award –winning authors of Vino Italiano
The ultimate quick references to the great wines of Italy
Crown Publishing Group
www.randomhouse.com

TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOME

Try Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at home. Robust bail leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese, ripened pine nuts, biting garlic and pure olive oil.

LISTEN TO ITALIAN MUSIC

Italian Café Music
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com

ITALIAN LITERATURE TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD

FALLING PALACE
By Dan Hofstadter
A portrait of the sun-drenched volcanic city from an American who has lost his heart to the place and to a beguiling and mysterious Neapolitan woman.
Alfred A. Knopf
www.aaknopf.com

THE GENIUS IN THE DESIGN
Bernini, Borromini, and the Rivalry that Transformed Rome
By Jake Morrissey
HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com

PALLADIAN DAYS
By Sally Gable with Carl I. Gable
Finding a new life in a Venetian Country House
Alfred A. Knopp Publishers
www.randomhouse.com

VENETIAN STORIES
By Jane Turner Ruylands
Pantheon Books
www.pantheon.com

The thoroughly engaging characters who are the focus of these stories are from different backgrounds and various Venetian neighborhoods, but their lives—and the stories—overlap and intersect in surprising and playful ways.

CASA ROSA
By Francesca Marciano
(author of Rules of the Wild)
Pantheon Books
www.pantheonbooks.com

A mesmerizing story of three generations of a twentieth-century Italian family who lived in a farmous in Puglia.

JOHN PAUL II
A personal portrait of the Pope and the Man
By Ray Flynn
St. Martin’s Press
www.stmartins.com

BEHIND LOCKED DOORS
By Frederic Baumgartner
The author is a former president of the American Catholic Historical Association and takes readers behind the scenes and offers an insider’s view on the highly secretive Papal Conclave.
Palgrave Macmillan
www.palgrave-usa.com

DANCES WITH LUIGI
By Paul Paolicelli
A moving an intimate memoir of award-winning television journalist Paul Paolicelli’s ancestral search.

UNDER THE SOUTHERN SUN
By Paul Paolicelli
Stories of the Real Italy and the Americans it Created
Part Travelogue, part journalism and part sociological study, this book follows Paolicelli as he explores Southern Italy dealing with the concept of heritage.
Thomas Dunne Books
A division of St Martin’s press
www.stmartins.com

VENICE AGAINST THE SEA
A city Besieged
By John Keahy
In a few years, much of Venice may be under water..can this beautiful city be saved?
Thomas Dunne Books
A division of St Martin’s press
www.stmartins.com

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