this is a very tricky question, (not sure that I should even make an attempt to answer it) and you will not really get a simple and straight answer from me as I always went to these outlets by rental car.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Some vital facts:

• The distance from Florence (Firenze, Tuscany) to the Prada Mall is 57 km (mostly on motorway).

• For taxis, the starting rate in daytime is € 3,20, for a night trip (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.): € 6,40 and for Sunday/holidays trip: € 5,10. Then there’s a luggage charge (max 4 pieces): € 1 per piece.

• The major taxi company in Florence is So.Co.Ta.
http://www.socota.it/eng

• There’s a 35 km drive between the Space Prada outlet and The Mall.

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If your intention is to go to the Prada outlet AND to The Mall by taxi, I would suggest calling or e-mailing the taxi company, telling them about your plans and ask them for a quote.

And I would suggest that you ask for a price going there and back, as getting a new cab from these malls could be very frustrating. I’ve heard about people spending many times waiting for a cab at these malls (the tows they’re located nearby are quite small and taxi services are therefore limited).
Sorry to say, it’s quite impossible to give you a straight up idea of what to pay.

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There are outlet tours that typically use shuttle vans or large sedans to take shoppers to from and between malls. If interested in such an option, I would suggest contacting a company like this:

http://www.tuscanyoutlets.com/tours/full-shopping/full-shopping-tours.htm

Sorry for a long and not-so-simple answer, but this is the best I can offer, as when in Italy I’m normally doing the driving myself.

All the best,

:: h ::

I haven’t made the trip from Rome to Montevarchi myself, (as I’ve only used rental car to get there), but I would expect going there by train being the most convenient option.

I found this thread quite useful – it contains all the right links to the Italian train service + some more useful info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/getting-from-rome-to-montevarchi-.cfm

Hope it helps!

:: h ::

I will go there from Rome for 1 day trip on sunday, and suggestion for the transportation?

as I begin this post: I’m certainly not an outlet guy.
I visited the Space Prada Outlet a second time in June 2011, which resulted in this post:
http://www.guidebook.se/archives/1174

I also payed a visit to The Mall with its 22 different brands represented, (Gucci, Armani, Zegna, Fendi etc.), after which I wrote this post:
http://www.guidebook.se/archives/1539

I’m aware of the fact that there are more outlets in the region, and also a few around Milan, most notably the Serravalle, with some 120 stores. But again I’m sorry to say that I’m not an outlet expert, so I guess that you’ll get more accurate tips by googling the subject, like this:
http://bit.ly/sPSzBI

All the best and happy shopping,

:: h ::

Happy travels

R

glad you enjoy the little stupid hobby of mine that is Guidebook.se. When it comes to finding somewhere to eat in Stockholm on Christmas Day, the options are pretty limited.

There’s one restaurant, the Sturehof, that will keep its doors open 365 days per year and it’s not a bad choice. I truly enjoy this place; both for food and for atmosphere. However, it’s not a place that wins international awards. It’s a brasserie, altough with an ambitious kitchen and it’s a very busy place.

There’s more on their website, (check the press section for images): http://www.sturehof.com/homeeng

Best,

:: h ::

PS. Please, bear with me and I’ll try to find some alternatives.

I really enjoy your reviews, I write something similar myself and it’s always great to get another honest point of view and some inspiration for my next trip. If you get a moment I was hoping you could give me a recommendation for somewhere fancypants to eat (lunch or dinner) in Stockholm on Christmas Day. You look like a man with good taste.

R