Cheap flights and mega-shopping? Onwards to Fidenza Shopping Village

In the UK and in Italy, designer shopping villages are a dime a dozen. Every major motorway has some kind of mega mall sprouting out of it like a nasty mushroom. Most of these outlet villages do not stock designer items at all.

Whenever I see their lists, I always remember that precious moment in Britain’s Next Top Model when, asked who her favourite designer was, one of the wannabes answered ‘Karen Millen’. The judges patiently, and while looking down their considerable noses, explained that Ms. Millen was not a designer or a human being, but a high-end high street chain.

Now I’m all for that, seeing as Banana Republic (The GAP’s adult arm) is my first stop in London (their office-appropriate clothing and accessories are quite lovely) but when I am going to spend an entire day wielding the plastic, I want to come back with some seriously long-term investments.

In Italy I discovered Fidenza Shopping Village. One cheap flight to Verona or Bologna, one booking at my favourite 'restaurant with rooms', the delectable Locanda Il Rigoletto and one rental car later combine to make for a fabulous few days... and amazing wardrobe content. READ ON inside planetmona.com

Mona Farrugia is a food and travel writer from Malta and Editor-in-Chief for http://www.planetmona.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.