With its majestic countryside settings and historical city sites, Italy continues to attract millions of visitors each year and has become a popular destination or romantic getaways, cultural explorations and historical adventures like no other.  Italy is also home to several shopping districts, plazas and unique cultural attractions that feature some of the finest fabrics, leather goods and gift items from Europe.  From the modern department stores in northern Italy to the independent boutique shops on the Southern coast, here are some of the best destinations to explore when shopping in Italy:
Night Shopping in Downtown Milan
Milan lights up at night for shopping events unlike any others in the world; the most popular time to take a night shopping excursion is during the post-holiday sales in early January where stores showcase their inventory at bargain prices and extend special offers on gifts, clothing, shoes, accessories and more.  Downtown Milan http://www.milan.world-guides.com/shopping.html  is the place to find modern retail stores, boutique shops and a plethora of restaurants and cafes.
Artiginatao al Palazzo in Florence
This outdoor fela market is the place to pick up beautiful handmade items including baskets, ceramics and painting sfrom area artisans.  The Artiginatao al Palazzo http://www.artigianatoepalazzo.it/enter.htm is famous for its beautiful landscapes and rich royal heritage; artisans from around the country head here to showcase their work, offering visitors a chance to pick up many luxury goods that not found in stores and outlet malls of the area.
Piazza di Spagna in Rome
This is the place to find several high-end boutique stores with designers including Missoni, Armani, Fendi and Gucci. The Piazza di Spagna http://www.rome.info/squares/piazza-di-spagna/  is also home to  beautiful architectural sites and literally means ‘Spanish Steps.’  In addition to the modern-day boutiques, visitors can explore several antique shops and gift stores around the shopping plaza.
Vintage Shopping in Milan
Milan is often considered the fashion capital of the world, but isn’t only for modern tastes.  The area is home to several unique vintage clothing shops that are tucked away in the city, far from the sophisticated shopping boutiques and malls in the downtown area. Shoppers can explore the vintage collections at L’Armadio di Laura in the Solari neighborhood for a wide selection of dresses, outerwear and vintage purses, or explore the Vintage Delirium di Franco Jacassi for clothing and accessories from an era gone by.
Chic Boutique Shopping in Fidenza Village,  Reggio Emilia
The Fidenza Village http://www.fidenzavillage.com/fidenza/home.asp   is one of Italy’s most popular outlet shopping centers, a lineup of upscale stores and boutiques with famous designer outlets including Versace, Calvin Klein, Elena and Trussardi.  The mall offers an impressive selection of fine clothing, shoes and accessories from several Italian designers, and is also home to several restaurants and bistros.