People travel to Turkey for various reasons. Most often to the resort, to beach holiday, during which time is carved out for a run through the local shops. But there is a category of tourists who travel for the purpose of shopping, and then visiting Mediterranean beaches occurs in their free time from shopping.
If you buy a shopping tour, then choose the second option. This means that you are shopping to your heart's content, getting to know local restaurants, entertainment venues and make time for swimming and sunbathing.
If we are talking about shopping, then it should be said that it is impossible to imagine it without visiting Istanbul. This means that all shopping tours will have this city in their program, with the exception of small ones tied to specific places.
It is in Istanbul, the main trading city of Turkey, that the most interesting shopping is done. Trendy European goods and locally produced items are concentrated here; they are brought from all over the country. These are knitwear, leather and fur products, carpets, ceramics, and jewelry.
The tour usually begins with the Istanbul “Kapali Carsi”, or “Grand Bazaar”, which unites more than 4 thousand boutiques. Products here are grouped by quarters selling by a particular group, this is convenient for both buyers and sellers. Here, as in any market, it is customary to bargain, although the starting prices are quite affordable. You can shop especially well here if you get to Istanbul at the junction of February and March, during the annual Purchasing Festival.
After visiting the Big Bazaar, the shopping tour departs along its own route, which is determined by its orientation. But, in any case, the program of each shopping tour includes visits to large shopping malls, manufacturing factories with their showrooms, colorful Istanbul markets and shops. If you are taking part in group tour, focused on fur coats, sheepskin coats, bags, jackets, then after Istanbul you will be taken to Antalya.
Prices for shopping tour to Turkey
Tour operators each work in their own way, they provide services of different quality, and their prices for tours are not the same. For example, “TEZ TOUR” charges its clients more than “CONSI Travel”, by about 30%, but it already has authority and a reputation as a reliable company. Each tourist has his own priorities and chooses a tour operator based on them.
In any case, the cost of a shopping tour to Turkey consists of the following items:
— round trip flight — $300-500;
— hotel — $50-100 accommodation, depending on the number of stars;
— insurance — $1 per day; - transfer from and to the airport on the day of departure - $15;
— Russian-speaking guide services cost $10;
— commission — $10.
If we add the duration of the tour to this information, then everyone can calculate the total amount. They say that 2 days is usually enough to spend all the money.
Types of shopping tours to Turkey
1. Standard option – tour to Istanbul
Of course, you need to go here, here are the most trading enterprises per unit area, most factories operate here, a lot of shops and markets. This is where shopping is most convenient, both in terms of selection and price.
Group tours have their advantages: you can meet new people who, in most cases, are like-minded people, because your goals for the trip are similar. While traveling together, a sense of team is formed; there is someone with whom to discuss the purchase and get advice on what exactly to choose.
2. Shopping tours with obligations
Such tours cost a little less, but they have their own secret - an agreement concluded with a travel agency. It contains a clause according to which the client undertakes to make a purchase for a certain amount in a certain retail establishment. The contract also provides for the case of failure to fulfill this obligation: payment of a substantial penalty.
The travel agency also enters into an agreement with the specified shopping center, according to which for clients with obligations, the goods are sold at a slightly higher price than for other tourists. The client is not interested in how they pay each other, it is only important to understand that what he underpaid for the tour, he will overpay for the goods. Therefore, everyone will remain with their own.
3. Individual tour to Turkey
This is the most convenient tour, because you don't have to get bored following a group to stores that don't interest you. You are provided with an individual car, an accompanying person who speaks Russian and is ready to give you advice on any issue of interest. The route is proposed by the tour operator, but is adjusted by you. The only drawback of this tour is its high cost. If that doesn't stop you, then, of course, individual tour is the most preferred, although the most expensive.
4. Bus tours for shopping in Turkey
Today they have almost been abandoned because it is very tiring. Demand for them has fallen, because who wants to travel on the roads for 2 days if you can comfortably get to Istanbul by air in 2 hours. Yes, more expensive, but incomparably more convenient.
5. Last minute tours to Turkey
These are the most cheap tours, some tourists specifically expect such an opportunity. Vacation packages go out of service in the last days before departure, when seats on a charter flight have already been booked and there is no one to fill them. The organizers are ready to reduce the price by almost the entire cost of the flight so that the place is not empty. In fact, a tourist who bought a last-minute ticket only pays for accommodation, meals and transfer. It is not surprising that many people find this opportunity to go on a shopping tour tempting. The only obstacle is your own schedule, which may not allow you to drop everything and go shopping in Turkey for a few days. But, if you are a free person, not bound by obligations, then why not?
Go to Turkey for shopping, taking advantage of shopping tours. This is a great opportunity to visit the best shops in Turkey, shopping centers, factories producing quality products, plunge into the atmosphere of colorful markets. And make successful purchases in a short time.
It’s worth going for several reasons: you can buy Italian leather shoes, fur and leather goods (fur coats, bags, jackets) at reasonable prices and of renowned European quality, replenish your wardrobe with clothes from the latest collections of the most famous brands and designers, visit numerous outlets Italy, where things go on sale with crazy discounts.
Outlets in Italy
As a rule, they are located outside the city, as they occupy quite a large area. They are huge shopping centers and include shops and boutiques of the world's most famous brands. You can get to the outlet by taxi and public transport. Having bought a city map with a bus map in Italy, you will definitely find the place from which minibuses depart.
In the outskirts of Rome there is the largest and most popular outlet in Italy - “Castel Romano”, which you will not be able to get around in less than 3 hours. It is open from 10.00 to 20.00 from Monday to Thursday and from 10.00 to 21.00 from Friday to Sunday. The second most popular outlet near Rome is "Valmontone Outlet", open daily from 10.00 to 20.00.
In the area of Milan, Genoa and Turin there are three outlets worthy of your attention: Serravalle Designer Outlet (open from 10.00 to 20.00 daily), Mantova Outlet and Armani Outlet Factory Store.
Not far from Florence there is an outlet of the popular McArthurGlen chain - impressive in its scale, which is open from 10.00 to 22.00 from Tuesday to Sunday, Monday is a day off. Also in this area there are several other smaller and less popular outlets: "The Mall", "Fendi", "Dolce & Gabbana", "PRADA & MIU MIU OUTLET" and "Valdichiana Outlet Village".
There is also a “Noventa Di Piave Designer Outlet” near the city of Venice, but it can hardly count more than a dozen stores.
The south of Italy can boast of only three “sale” shopping centers: this is the La Reggia Designer Outlet, located near the cities of Scalea, Maratea, Naples; "Molfetta Outlet" near Bari and "Sicilia Outlet Village" in Sicily.
In total, for tourists who have chosen shopping tours to Italy, it turns out quite wide choose, where you can spend time and reduce the size of your wallet. Very popular in Italy lately: excursions + shopping or seaside holidays + shopping.
Shopping is, of course, exciting, but tiring and expensive. To diversify your trip, successful combinations are offered, and you will also have the opportunity to show off your new swimsuit! The most common excursion tourist routes in Italy, by bus, they add a visit to two or three outlets, and, as a rule, these include the most famous: “Castel Romano” in Rome and “Serravalle Designer Outlet” in Milan. According to the tour program, 3-4 hours are allocated for shopping, which is quite enough.
For example, you can buy a bus tour to Italy under the “Italy MAXI” program, and then you will visit the most iconic cities: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan and Naples, and have time to go shopping in three outlets. This tour is an ideal option for tourists who want to get to know Italy in more detail and plunge into the dizzying shopping of this magnificent country.
Sales in Italy
Sales seasons in Italy take place in winter (January - February) and summer (July - August). To understand how much things will cost at this time, subtract 30-50% from the prices that are usually presented for things in boutiques and stores. This will apply to almost all brands (except for some luxury brands that do not have sales).
Cost of things in outlets
The cost of things, even the most famous brands, in outlets is 30-70% less than the price in a regular store, and during sales periods it is 30-50% less than the store discount price. For example: Prada boots outside the sales season in a boutique cost 600 euros, in an outlet outside of sales they will cost 300 euros, during sales in an Italian outlet they will cost about 150-170 euros.
Main shopping streets
In Rome, the boutiques of the most famous brands are located in Piazza di Spagna, Condotti, Nazionale, Corso and Cola di Rienzo streets.
In Milan, a whole “string” of shops and boutiques is located on the streets of Montenapoleone, Via Senato and Via Alessandro Manzoni.
In Florence - on Via Tornabuoni.
In Naples - Piazza Amadeo, Piazza dei Martiri, Calabritto and Via dei Mille streets. Shops are usually open from 09:00 (or 10:00) to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00 (or until 20:00). Sunday and Monday are days off.
TAX-FREE system
Tourists can buy many goods in Italy using the TAX-FREE system. Citizens who do not reside in the European Union and have made purchases in stores that have a TAX-FREE sign for tourists at the entrance, if they have a passport, can ask the seller for a Tax-Free receipt and, when leaving the country, get their value added tax (IVA) back. this is about 20% of the price of the product. When crossing the border at the Tax-free point, you will need to show the employees the purchased goods; they must not be unpacked or used. In addition, you must have a receipt issued at the store and a passport with you. you will receive it immediately in cash without any difficulty. Tax-free points are available in any place through which you can leave the European Union: airports, sea ports etc. Due to the opportunity to return 20% of the purchase price, shopping tours to Italy become even more profitable.
The word “Italy” itself, apparently, has a special magic and fascinates us literally from childhood, from school. And as soon as we learn about the existence of Italy, the history and culture of which are most closely and harmoniously intertwined with the heritage of the whole world, an irresistible desire arises at least once in our lives to see this beautiful, amazing and unique country in its charm, which has managed to inspire the creativity of countless a string of generations of humanity.It is also absolutely true that, according to various estimates, from forty to sixty percent of the world's cultural heritage is concentrated in Italy. Only in Italy can you cross a river on a bridge built before the birth of Christ, or, going into the first church you come across, discover a work an artist whose very name fills you with awe. Dante was born here, Saint Peter is buried here. The most skilled fashion designers live here and make the most expensive cars. There is brilliant cinematography and sophisticated theater here. Here we see the entire history of art and amazing architecture. Only here you can drink divinely wonderful wine and walk until you are completely exhausted in shops filled with everything your heart desires and of excellent quality.
Here there is a story in every stone, in every village, in every flower of Tuscany and in the sparkling Gulf of Naples. Whoever walked along these cobbled stones and centuries-old narrow streets: Gogol with a quill pen in his hands, Hemingway, a stunning movie star, and simply a charming motorcyclist in a police uniform. Here, the sun in the air and time have no power over the cheerful riot of nature and the wide expanse of the sea. This is a country of artists, poets and musicians. People come here to love, be treated and relax, enjoy and even die. People come to Italy for the feeling that the world is great and its history is eternal. This amazing country, in which both the genius of a sage and the touching naivety of a child are intertwined. Such is humanity, such is Italy.
Capital - Rome.
In territorial and administrative terms, Italy is divided into 20 regions, which in turn are subdivided into 103 provinces, including 807 communes. Within Italy there are also two independent states- Vatican and San Marino.
Population: about 60 million people. Over 60%- urban population.
Main religion- Catholicism.
Head of State- the president.
Geographical location: Italy - The Italian Republic, a state located in the south of Europe in the Central Mediterranean, occupies the Apennine Peninsula, the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and other small islands. The coasts of Italy are washed by the waters of 5 seas: in the west- Ligurian and Tyrrhenian, in the east- Adriatic, in the south Ionian and Mediterranean. Main rivers- Po and Tiber. Italy is a predominantly mountainous country: in the north- the southern slopes of the Alps, where the most high mountain Europe Mont Blanc (4807 m), Monte Rosa (4634 m) and Cervino (4478 m). Peaks above 2800 m are covered with powerful glaciers. Mountain ranges The Alps intersect with flowering valleys. The passes, accessible almost throughout the year, are traversed by automobile and railways, tunnels have been built in many places; further south- Padan Plain, on the peninsula- Apennine mountains ( highest point Mount Corno 2914 m). The most famous Alpine passes- Simplon (2005 m), Saint Bernard (2469 m) and Mont Cenis (2083 m). Almost at all altitudes of Alpine Italy there are world-famous climatic and ski resorts. There are 2 in Italy active volcano Europe- Vesuvius and Etna. In the north, Italy borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, and in the northeast with Slovenia.
Time lags behind Moscow by 2 hours.
Climate typically Mediterranean. The Alps provide shelter from cold winds.
When is the best time to go: It is difficult to choose the ideal time for a trip to Italy. Every season promises something interesting, and almost all months have their advantages. If you want peace of mind- best time for the trip mid-spring and early autumn (that is, March-April and September-October). It’s warm and sunny, but there are no crowds: the Christmas and Carnival season is over, and the Easter and bathing season has not yet begun.
Seasonal sales await you in January. In February- carnival sweets and guaranteed snow at alpine resorts. In April- blossoming almond and peach trees and fresh asparagus in restaurants. In May, strawberries and cherries appear, and the swimming season opens in the south. From June to September you can swim everywhere; In September, the grape harvest holidays begin, which last throughout October and even part of November. In October, people still swim in southern Italy. In November, however, it can be quite rainy, but in Rome, Florence and Venice you can wander through museums and central streets without interference: organized tourists at this time are rare, timid and almost invisible. Finally, you can have fun buying gifts in December. July and August are the peak season - hot, sunny, but many tourists, but the warmest sea is guaranteed good weather and the summer sales season is in full swing.
Language: Official language- Italian. In hotels, restaurants, and tourist centers, as a rule, you can communicate in English and French. German understood in the resorts of the northern Adriatic, in cities and on lakes. Any, even the most awkward, attempts to express yourself in Italian will be greeted with enthusiasm.
How to get there: By plane - Aeroflot and Alitalia operate daily direct flights from Moscow to Rome and Milan. In addition, Aeroflot flies 2 times a week to Venice from Moscow and once a week to Rome from St. Petersburg. Destination Petersburg- Milan is served by Pulkovo Airlines. In principle, you can also fly on European airlines with a transfer (for example, in Budapest or Frankfurt). In this case, the journey takes longer, but sometimes it is noticeably cheaper. In season from Moscow and others Russian cities charter flights are organized to almost a dozen Italian airports.
Internal transport: The intercity transportation network is well developed. Trains and buses are convenient for transportation. The super-fast Pendolino trains are especially good. The metro operates in Rome, Milan, Naples. Tickets for trams and buses are not sold in salons; they should be purchased in advance at tobacco and newsstands.
Car rent:
You can rent a car if you have a credit card, and in places of public recreation for our fellow citizens- and secured by cash. Prices are European. It is convenient to arrange a rental in Moscow (in this case it will cost 10% less). “Catching” a taxi on the street is quite difficult. It is better to go to a special parking lot or call a car by phone from a hotel, bar, or store.
National currency: The official currency since January 1, 2002 is the Euro, although private stores or markets will accept US dollars. It is best to change money at banks (open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 16:30) or exchange offices, but first make sure there are no commissions charged on the transaction. Credit cards of any well-known banks are accepted for payment.
Visa: Schengen visa
Connection: It is convenient to make calls from street pay phones. To pay, use coins or telephone cards, which are sold at a tobacco shop, magazine kiosk, or bar. GSM cell phones work without problems. Calls to Russia: 007 + area code + subscriber number. Calls to Italy from Russia: 8-10-39 + area code + subscriber number. Calls in Italy between cities, as well as to Cell phones: Be sure to type "O" before the code.
Shopping tour to Italy
It is impossible to imagine Italy without shops. You are unlikely to find better shopping than in Italy in any other country.
Shopping for Italians- there's so much more to it than just shopping. This is not only a way to have fun and spend free time, but also a kind of ritual.
There are many good shops in Italy. In large government stores, prices are lower than in small private ones. You can bargain almost everywhere, except for state stores with fixed prices. In boutiques it is not customary to talk about discounts.
A large selection of inexpensive and high-quality clothing and shoes in Standa and Upim stores and in cooperative stores, where the letters “soor” appear in the names. Prices for electronics in Italy are 15 - 20% higher than in Germany.
In Italy, there is a system of seasonal discounts (sconti) from January 7 to March 1 and from July 10 to August 31. The seller is obliged to indicate the original price of the product and the discounted price. There are also promotional sales that provide discounts and price reductions at any time of the year and stores with constant discounts. For example, the Marche region (province of Macerata) is famous for its high fashion retail stores with constant discounts of 30-70%. Viterbo (region of Lazio between Rome and Tuscany)- retail stores with competitive prices. But the signs “sale” and “discounts” can only be an advertising ploy. Italians themselves prefer to shop at markets or in shops further from the center, where the goods are also of high quality, but cheaper.
In the provinces you can find shops at wholesale warehouses, where items from the previous seasons' "pret-a-porte" collections of even famous Italian fashion designers are sold much cheaper than in the capital or big cities.
The further you go to the south of Italy, the cheaper the goods. In stores with the inscription "tax-free" (no tax), you can get a special check giving the right to a refund of value added tax when leaving Italy. A tax-free check is issued by the seller upon presentation of a passport after purchasing goods in one store in the amount of approximately 170 euros.
It is useful to know that the value added tax (IVA) in Italy is 12% on clothing and 19% on luxury goods. When purchasing goods, VAT is usually already included in the price; for services this is not always observed.
At the airport, port or border, you must present your passport and purchases (they must still be unused and in their original packaging) and ask for a customs stamp to be placed on your Tax-free receipt.
You will receive immediate cash (about 15% of the total purchase price) from your Tax-free checks at any Tax-free cash refund point at airports in Italy and Europe, at ports and at the border. If you prefer to receive money for credit card, send your Tax-free check, stamped by customs, in an envelope already marked with the address.
What delicious things can you bring from Italy:
It is worth bringing from Italy young wine "Chianti" (0.75 l - from 5 euros), real green olive oil (1 liter - from 6 euros) and, of course, one of the most exquisite Italian almond liqueurs "Disaronno Amaretto" (1 l - from 12 euros), the legendary drink of love, known since 1525, you can bring truffles from Tuscany, Pesto seasoning sauce from Liguria, pasta of various shapes and sizes are sold in any store in Italy.
Kitchen:
Italy has always understood a lot about food. Italian cuisine is very diverse: nowhere in the world can you find so many restaurants and dishes: luxury restaurants, typical family establishments, countless pizzerias and trattorias. Each region has its own typical dishes and wines: Venetian rasp shrimp, Roman roast veal, Milanese risotto, Florentine ice cream, buffalo mozzarella cheese, swordfish and of course pasta. Pasta in Italy is the name given to a huge number of dough products that have hundreds of names and flavors. Coffee and ice cream- Italians have no equal here. Italian wines have had an excellent reputation since ancient times.
Tips: Optional. But if you are satisfied with the service, then it is customary to leave 5- 10% of the invoice amount. In Italy, it is customary to tip waiters, porters, taxi drivers, and maids.
Emergency numbers:
Help phone- 100, carabinieri - 112, accidents- 113, ambulance- 118.
Russian consulates: In Rome, Milan, Genoa.
The Russian Embassy in Rome is located at: via Caeta, 5; tel.: 06/4 941 681.
Aeroflot representative office in Rome (via Leonida Bissolati, 27, tel.: 06/4 826 661) and Milan (via Vittorio Pisani, 19, tel.: 02/6 6 986 985)
Safety: The main danger for tourists is pickpockets in crowded places. large quantity tourists (watch your wallets!) and hooligans on motorcycles, especially in southern cities(watch your bags, it’s better not to put them on your shoulder- may be picked off by passing motorcyclist thieves).
Holidays and non-working days: When planning your trip, it is worth knowing about holidays in Italy. If you try to get your travel dates right, you might end up in Italy during the holidays. Believe me it's worth it. In Italy, all festive events are fun and colorful. Many traditional holidays in Italy they are of a religious nature. For example Christmas (December 25). On this day, everyone gives gifts to family and friends, in every house they decorate a Christmas tree or make a “presepe”, that is, a three-dimensional biblical picture of the birth of Christ. St. Stephen's Day is celebrated on December 26th.
On the night from December 31 to January 1, Italians celebrate New Year, which is usually met in families, in restaurants or at discos. According to tradition, this holiday is accompanied by the general shooting of firecrackers and the throwing of unusable dishes and various rubbish from windows.
January 1 is also celebrated as World Peace Day in Italy.- On this day in the Vatican in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope celebrates a solemn mass. The Christmas and New Year holiday period continues until Epiphany (January 6). School days also fall on these same days. the winter vacation. On January 6th they honor “Befana,” that is, the good old sorceress. On this day, parents give gifts to their children on her behalf.
Italy is the birthplace of carnival, which takes place from Epiphany to the beginning of Lent. An indispensable accessory of the carnival- masks of Harlequin, Columbine, Pulcinella, Doctor, etc. Today, the carnivals of Venice and Viareggio are famous. In this Tuscan city, during the Carnival season, a parade of masks is held several times on huge floats. In the Piedmontese city of Ivrea, the famous “orange fight” is organized during the carnival.
Big spring holiday- Easter. It is celebrated with variable date, it starts on Easter Monday and lasts all week. On this day, children are given chocolate eggs with various surprises.
On April 25, Italy celebrates Liberation from Fascism Day. At this time, meetings of war veterans and partisans are held.
On Labor Day, May 1, various trade unions in the country hold workers' rallies. On the first Sunday in June, the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic is solemnly celebrated. Usually in major cities Military parades take place on this day.
August 15 - Feast of the Assumption. Since August in Italy- holiday time, this holiday practically falls on the very peak of the holiday period, when all businesses in Italy are closed and the majority of the population relaxes at the seaside or in the mountains.
Nov. 1 - All Saints' Day (according to the Catholic calendar), and November 2- All Souls' Day. Both believers and non-believers go to cemeteries to decorate the graves of deceased relatives with flowers.
On the Day of the Fallen for the Motherland- November 4 - It is customary to lay wreaths at the monuments on the graves of soldiers.
On December 8, Italy celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Among other holidays, I would like to note the grandiose horse races in the Tuscan city of Siena, the so-called “Palio”, which are held annually at the height of summer season. Every city block- "contrada" - exhibits a horse and rider in a medieval costume for a race. The performance is distinguished by unbridled passions and enormous intensity of struggle. Competitions are essentially held without rules; even without a rider, a horse can reach the finish line and win the race.
On the first Sunday in September, a regatta is held on the Grand Canal in Venice. The most skilled gondoliers compete with each other.
Recommendations: Tourists must have comfortable shoes. Please dress appropriately for visits to churches and museums. Despite all the liberalism of the Italians, you will not be allowed into church or cathedral in shorts and too revealing dresses.
A little history: No information has been preserved about the first migration of people to Italy. However, it is reliably known that its territory was inhabited during the Paleolithic era. The most ancient tribes that inhabited Italy were the Dust Ligures, Etruscans, Veneti and Iapyges. In particular, the regions of Liguria and Veneto received their name from these tribes. Later, Italy was settled in the Po Valley by the Celts (Gauls). Gradually, the Italic tribes, who came to the peninsula from the north, spread over most of the peninsula. Among them the most high level Latins differed in their development.
25 kilometers from the coast Tyrrhenian Sea upstream the Tiber River there are high hills above both its banks right up to the mouth. In the first millennium BC. e. these hills were inhabited by Latin communities, one of which was called "Ramnes" and later "Romani", which gave the name to the place. Therefore, the generally accepted, known date of the birth of Italy can be considered the year of the founding of Rome. According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus on the 11th calendar of May (21 April) 753 BC. e.
In the early days of Rome, it was ruled by kings. But in 509 BC. e. the last king, Tarquin the Proud, was expelled and a republic was founded. Power was given to the consuls (consul in Latin- Comrade), elected in pairs for a term of one year. By the middle of the 3rd century BC. e. Rome subjugated the entire territory of Italy and became a large state that sought hegemony in the Mediterranean, which led to a clash with another maritime power- Carthage.
After three Punic Wars (including the famous Hannibal) in 146 BC. e. Rome achieved a final victory and Carthage was razed to the ground. However, the period of the 2nd-1st centuries BC. was marked by other social upheavals and civil wars. So, in 45 BC. e. In the fight against Pompey, Gaius Julius Caesar won, but a year later he was killed by conspirators led by Brutus and Cassius. New period civil wars was completed by the victory of Caesar's adopted son- Octavian, in 27 BC. e. received the title of Augustus (“Sacred”) from the Senate. From that moment on, Rome became an empire.
The state reached its maximum boundaries during the reign of Emperor Trajan (2nd century AD). By this time, Rome from a small settlement had turned into the capital of a powerful empire, which from the Italian peninsula extended its influence to the entire Mediterranean, namely Spain, France, most of Germany, Britain, the Balkan lands, Asia Minor, the territories of modern Syria, Lebanon, Iraq , Israel, Egypt, as well as on the coast of North Africa.
In 395 AD e. Emperor Theodore divided Rome into Western and Eastern empires. In 476 AD e. The last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, the young Romulus Augustus, was deposed by the leader of the German mercenaries, Odoacer. The first barbarian kingdom arose in Italy. The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) existed. Subsequently, for almost 400 years, Italy was subjected to numerous invasions of barbarians, Byzantium, Lombards and Franks.
In 756, the Papal States were formed, marking the final division of the secular and ecclesiastical branches of government. In 774, the Lombard state was conquered by Charlemagne, and a little later- in 781 - The Italian kingdom was formed, which in 962 was included by the German king Otto 1 in the Holy Roman Empire. Thus began foreign domination of Italy. During the period of invasions, many monasteries were built in the countryside. This led to an outflow of population from the city to the countryside, as the monasteries provided protection only to those who worked on their lands.
It should be noted that later, in the struggle with the emperors Federic Barbarossa and Federic II, most of the independent cities were destroyed, however, it was during this time that such legendary dynasties as the Medici in Florence, the Este in Ferrara and Montelfeltro in Urbino were born. Under them, during the Renaissance in Central and Northern Italy, many works of architecture and art were created, which we have the opportunity to admire to this day.
During the Middle Ages, Italy was the subject of and influenced by numerous conflicts between European dynasties and the popes. Italy remained fragmented. After the Italian Wars of 1494-1559. the dominance of Spain was consolidated in a significant part of it, and after the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) - the dominance of Austria. The country was in a state of deep political and economic crisis. The cessation of hostilities in the second half of the 18th century led to some revival and the emergence of a movement for liberation, national independence and the unification of Italy, the so-called “Risorgimento”. At the same time, hopes were placed on the help of revolutionary France.
After Napoleon's Italian campaign in 1796-1797. Republics were formed in Italy, which after 1804 were turned into kingdoms. At this time, political and economic reforms were carried out in the country. In the War of 1812, Italy took the side of France, sending 27 thousand of its soldiers to Russia. Of these, only 333 people returned to their homeland.
Congress of Vienna 1814-1815 restored feudal-absolutist monarchies in Italy: the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Papal State, the duchies of Modena, Parma, Lucca, Tuscany. Lombardy and Venice were included in the Austrian Empire. However, the years after the fall of Napoleon were marked not only by the return of the Austrians to Italy, but also by the emergence and development of a new national consciousness. The struggle against foreign oppression for a united Italy was carried out under the leadership of the Carbonari, Young Italy and other organizations, among whose leaders were such heroes of the movement for the unification of Italy as G. Mazzini and G. Garibaldi.
Between 1821 and 1848 there were several unsuccessful attempts to rebel against the Austrians in Italy. However, already in 1859, with the support of Napoleon III, the Italian commander Cavour defeated the Austrians in the region of Lombardy, as a result of which it transferred to the Kingdom of Savonia, which already included such areas as Piedmont, Liguria and Sardinia. The following year, the campaign of the famous Garibaldi Thousand led to the liberation of all of Southern Italy. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was crowned King of Italy. As a result of the annexation of the Veneto region in 1866 and the capture of Rome in 1870, which again became the capital of the Italian state, all of Italy was united.
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Shopping tour to Milan: prices, nuances and features of shopping tourism.
Shopping fans will appreciate a trip to Milan. After all, the Italian soil was trampled by the famous feet of the founding fathers of fashion: Roberto Cavalli, Alberta Ferretti, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, etc. For the sake of open doors to these Fashion Houses, inveterate buyers storm the capital of Italy. True, boutiques and shopping centers reciprocate, and are happy to see their clients every day.
A shopping tour to Milan is a worthy reason to update your wardrobe and buy something for your family and friends. Staying in a magnificent European country, you will not only enjoy your vacation, but also bring suitcases of exclusive items, the prices of which are much lower than in Russia. But before you go to all lengths, it’s worth finding out what is included in a standard shopping tour, what programs are offered, and what you should pay attention to first.
Advantages of a shopping tour to Milan obvious to everyone:
You can always buy a 100% original brand item from the new collection;
- buying things on sale will delight you with significant savings;
- visiting outlets in the suburbs of Milan will allow you to buy designer clothes and shoes with discounts of up to 80%.
- the cost of a shopping tour is several times cheaper tourist trips to Milan for a similar period.
The cost of the most popular shopping tour to Milan (4 days/3 nights) will cost an average of € 900 - € 950. For each additional day in the capital of Italy you will have to pay an average of € 60 - € 70 per person.
What is included in the price of a standard shopping tour:
1. Air tickets;
2. Accommodation, as a rule, in a 3-star hotel;
3. Transfers (airport, hotel, excursions);
4. Medical insurance;
5. Visiting outlets, shops, spas.
6. Breakfasts.
There is also Additional services(for a fee): individual support (Russian-speaking shopping assistant), cargo design (when you receive your packaged purchases immediately at the airport), organization of a show-room with famous Italian designers, etc.
List of shopping tours to Milan 2013 that he can offer you tour operator:
Luxury shopping– collections of the latest pret-a-porte shows (first and second line);
Trendy shopping, Creative shopping, Classic shopping– varieties of shopping tour programs designed for different taste preferences.
Outlet shopping– shopping in large outlets in the suburbs of Milan (FoxTown Factory Stores, Serravalle, etc.)
Fur Coat shopping– tour of fur coats in Italy (factory prices): lynx, sable, chinchilla, mink, arctic fox, raccoon, silver fox.
Wedding shopping– wedding shopping: dresses, rings, accessories.
Men's shopping– tours for men (individual, and not only programs, taking into account personal characteristics, tastes and preferences).
Business shopping– offers for store owners and buyers: wholesale centers and warehouses, factories, stocks, outlets, spaci.
Gourmet shopping– offers for clients who deal with food and wine.
Furnishings shopping– furniture buying tours in Milan.
Standard tour programs may remain standard or may change depending on the client’s wishes. Currently, more and more tourists are choosing not group shopping tours to the capital of Italy, but individual ones. The price increases by the amount of services of a professional stylist - shopper in Milan, about? 40 per hour. At the same time, you receive advice on your wardrobe, additional discounts on clothes (most often, each shopper has a 10% discount in any store), a shopping route, and the possibility of transfer to an expert shopper’s car (for an additional fee). For those who have never been shopping abroad, the individual escort service will be especially useful, as it will save both time and money.
True, this is not without pitfalls. For an individual shopping tour to Milan to take place, it is worth stick to simple rules:
If you need a shopping guide, then use the services of local Russian-speaking shoppers in Milan (€ 150 - € 250 per day);
- if you need professional advice, a personal meeting before the trip, then the services of a shopper in your home country will cost you € 400 per day;
- be sure to read the recommendations, talk personally with tourists who used the services of this stylist or company, since your trip should go without any problems;
- clearly discuss the route with the shopper: what brands do you need, what items from your wardrobe would you like to purchase, how much money do you expect;
- the issue of transfer should be closed even before the trip to Milan, who pays for what, and how much it will cost.
- be prepared for the fact that at customs you will be asked to show your luggage with purchased items (including to receive a refund through the system Tax Free). It is advisable to have a separate bag with things for each check, so that it is convenient for the controller to show it. Items must be new and with tags. Receipts, of course, are available.
Some agencies offer cheap shopping tours to Milan with commitments. This means that for a low fee (compared to other programs) of a shopping tour, you have an obligation to buy things for a certain amount in a certain store (boutique, outlet, shopping center). Many people ask questions on forums: what is better to choose: “with or without obligations?” Such a super offer is fraught with a big nuance. Having concluded an agreement with a certain shopping center, the attitude of the sellers towards you is completely different from that of an ordinary buyer on the street. An ordinary buyer can bargain, reducing the cost of goods several times (this is true for factories, outlets, stocks and spas). And a tied buyer will not buy a product below a certain price. Sellers include losses from the low cost of the tour into the price of the goods. Most often they are the sponsors of such trips. Shopping tours with commitments in Milan are only for groups, and have recently acquired a commercial connotation. Therefore, the cost of a trip to such a shopping tour ranges from € 250 - € 400. That is. you are actually only paying for the airfare.
If you don’t have time to travel abroad, you can use the virtual shopping service. Such an offer appeared on the shopping services market relatively recently, but domestic customers have already experienced the beauty of off-line shopping abroad. This offer is interesting both for shopaholics and for owners of Russian stocks, boutiques and shops. You choose clothes on branded Italian websites, pay, and then the clothes are sent by parcel to your home. The cost of an offline shopper's services will cost you on average 15% - 20% of the cost of your order including shipping. Shipping, depending on the weight, can cost from € 20 to € 50. This service is several times cheaper than a trip to Milan, especially since the shopper’s services will include not only ordering clothes through the website, but also searching for the item you need in stores and outlets in the city.
A properly organized shopping tour to Milan will allow you to return home mentally rested, with suitcases full of designer items and souvenirs. Therefore, plan everything in advance, negotiate all the points and you will succeed!
Top tours and travel ideas
Shop tours abroad
Dear visitor, if you have looked at this page of our website, it means that you want to get something more from your vacation than positive emotions... something more significant. And you are on the right track! Here we are talking about shopping and only about him!
Such a phenomenon as shopping tour It has been positioned on the market for quite a long time as a tour of profitable acquisitions. And the name seems to speak for itself: a trip solely for the purpose of shopping. But if you agree to go, for example, to Italy or, say, to France and see only stocks and boutiques, this is, to say the least, strange. Is it shopping for shopping's sake?
No, we are going the other way! Our company has been organizing shopping tours for several years. And our managers know, if not everything about shopping, then enough to create and offer to your attention a shopping tour that combines shopping itself with individual excursions and entertainment in the most fashionable cities in the world. And accommodation in comfortable hotels will allow you to get great holiday after a busy shopping program.
Luxury and pleasure are the motto of shopping with Weekend Tour. Are you interested in fashion, books, gastronomic delights, interior items - everything you are looking for, you will certainly find in our shop tours. And, of course, a huge number of mass market brands, young Western designers at more affordable prices.
We draw conclusions: if you are planning to update your wardrobe, change your image or purchase things that will help you stand out, focusing on your exclusivity, then there cannot be a better solution than a shopping trip!
with our company it is always interesting, exciting and profitable!
Shopping tours with a stylist
Shopping with Weekend tour will never disappoint. Shopping tours are an absolute must for anyone looking to change up their wardrobe or make a more expensive purchase such as a designer wedding dress. But it's not just about the products and unpredictable purchases that are part of shopping, what's more important is discovering (finding) truly rare and outstanding items and accessories from little-known designers and, of course, worthy of attention. And here it will come to your aid shopping accompanied by our stylists. Image experts will guide you to all secret addresses, offer highly professional service regarding your style, help you choose things and accessories that suit your image and meet your individual needs and goals. You will be aware of all the latest fashion news, you will only have the right things to buy, taking into account your personal style and budget.Famous designers who have earned a high reputation in the world will open the doors of their fashion houses if you wish. There's nothing better than visiting a designer's flagship boutique in his home country.
Our calling is to always provide quality service. Therefore, we offer you an exclusive and personalized fashion shopping experience, tailor-made shopping routes tailored to your needs, either independently or accompanied by experienced and talented image experts.
Great atmosphere plus cost and time savings guaranteed!
Three simple steps - and your shopping tour is ready!
If you are going on a shopping tour for the first time and don’t know where to start, start by calling our company and our managers will tell, advise and help you make your choice. We have a number of ready-made individual shopping programs (see at the end of the page), which our specialists approached with creativity and knowledge. But if for some reason the shopping tours we have developed do not satisfy you or they are not this moment are inactive, this does not mean at all that it all ends there. No matter how it is)These shopping programs are presented as an example of the most popular offers,
But! You can:
- choose from the available shopping programs (see at the end of the page) and send a request directly from the page of your chosen tour.
- Call us and discuss the components of your individual trip. These could be shopping tours to Italy, Greece, France, UAE, Spain, Germany...etc. in general, wherever you want.
- put together a shopping tour for yourself online. To do this, you just need to follow the link Create your own tour, and then note your most important wishes. We will provide you with a shopping program as soon as possible. Many, many of our clients, having taken advantage of this type of recreation, resort to it again whenever necessary.
Shopping during sales
- And now some information about what attracts lovers of smart shopping the most... sales!
Twice a year, in winter and summer, Italy is overwhelmed with sales. From shop windows, customers are lured by signs “Sconti” (Discounts) and “Saldi” (Sale). After all sales in Italy- this is the time when leading fashion designers arrange a collapse in prices for their goods. In order for the buyer to easily determine whether the purchase is profitable for him, sellers indicate the original price of the product and the discounted price. If you see a “Liquidazioni” sign in front of a store, be sure to go there - this sign indicates a total sale, and here, as a rule, the prices are the lowest.
This is a wide variety of fur clothing and high-quality shoes, leather goods, clothing from Italian fashion designers, knitwear, linen, porcelain, crystal, jewelry and costume jewelry at competitive prices. But sale in Milan
- occupies a special place. After all, Milan is considered the king of shopping among Italian cities. The most sophisticated shops in Milan are located in Via Montenapole, Via Santo Spirito, Via Gesu and Via Sant Andrea. During sales seasons, Milan becomes the most visited city in Italy. The fashionable American word "Outlet" is used in Milan with three meanings: stocks (shops that sell discounted goods), spacci (shops that sell goods directly from the manufacturer) and outlet centers (these are shopping centers that consist of spacci and stocks). If you come here for the purpose of shopping, then be sure to visit the outlet centers of the city; without visiting them, shopping in Milan will be simply a crime!
Sale seasons
Sale seasons in ItalyWinter sales season - from the first half of January.
Summer sales season in Italy from the first half of July to the beginning of September.
Main cities sales: Milan, Rome, Turin, Venice and areas: Liguria, Piedmont, Calabria, Apulia. Discounts during sales reach 50-70%.
Sale seasons in France
winter sales season - from mid-January.
Summer - from the end of June/beginning of July.
Main cities: Paris. The main streets of expensive boutiques are Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and Rue St-Honore. Here are the stores of Hermes, Christian Dior, Prada, Gucci, Escada, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Pierre Cardin, etc. Famous department stores - Galeries Lafayettes, Le Bon Marche, Le Samaritaine, Printemps - also hold sales.
Discounts during sales reach 50-70%.
Sale seasons in Germany
Winter sales season - from mid-December.
Summer - from the end of July.
Main cities: Dusseldorf, Munich. In Düsseldorf, shopping centers and boutiques of famous fashion houses are located on Konigsallee street. In Munich - on Maximilianstrasse.
Discounts during sales reach 90%.
UK sales seasons
Winter sales season - from the end of December.
Summer - from the beginning of July.
Main cities: London. Expensive boutiques are located on Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as in the Covent Garden and Soho areas. Largest department stores - Harrods and Liberty
Discounts during sales reach 80%.
Sale seasons in Spain
Winter sales season - from the beginning of January.
Summer - from the beginning of July.
Main cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Tarragona, Seville, Malaga, Valencia, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, etc.
Sale seasons in the USA
Winter sales season - from the end of November.
Summer - from June.
Sale seasons in the UAE
Sales run throughout the year. The main event is a shopping festival.
Main cities: Dubai. Large shopping centers - The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, etc.
Discounts during the shopping festival reach 70%.
The Weekend Tour company will be happy to organize shopping tours for you, including visits to stores, the services of personal shopping experts, as well as accommodation in the best hotels!
