Featured in DEPARTURES: "Get access to closed artisan workshops at some of the world’s top designer retailers."

By Jordi Lippe on May 17, 2019

For many travelers, shopping is reason enough to book a trip. Destinations like New York, Paris, and Tokyo, have an endless selection of stores to buy duds you can’t get at home. But, there’s arguably one country that’s the fashion mecca: Italy. That’s why luxury tour operator Couturista Travel created their new Tuscany Couture trip that takes you “behind the seams” of major Italian fashion houses.

As part of the nine-day, eight-night itinerary, travelers will get exclusive, curated access to shops including Emilio Pucci, Prada, Sergio Rossi, Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, and many more. Yes, you get to go inside the closed artisan workshops behind the most famous fashion houses in the world, check out private trunk shows, and receive discounts from the retailers if anything catches your eye.

This access is one of a kind and only available because of the company’s cofounder, Myriam Angulo's personal relationships with the designers and workshops. Also, the entire trip is led by local, fashion-focused tour guides, who are dedicated fashion enthusiasts, designers, and educators in Florence and Tuscany. One guide even works in the fashion houses and ateliers as a designer.

And while the visits to these couture houses might be the highlight of the trip, they certainly aren’t the only fashion-themed part. Also included in the itinerary are stays in luxury fashion inspired hotels such as the Ferragamo-owned Gallery Art Hotel—one of six properties created by the Ferragamo family—exclusive vineyard tours, a visit to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, and dining at Florence’s most revered restaurants.

“Tuscany Couture is suited for the curious shopper or the fashion-savvy, a group of friends seeking the ultimate getaway,” said Angulo in a statement. “Couturista organizers use their personal knowledge and intimate relationships to open the doors to artisan shoemakers, pop-up shops, flagship stores, and everything in between.”

The cost of the trip is $6,999 per person and includes the complete land program with transportation, hotel accommodations, guides, daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners, shopping tours, museum entrances, winery visits, and more.

Following the trip to Tuscany, Couturista Travel will offer luxury shopping destination vacations in Miami and Mexico.

https://www.departures.com/travel/couturista-travel-famous-italian-fashion-houses-tours