Tag Archives: percutian Italy

Florence Peretola Airport, Florence

April 2016

After two weeks, we bid farewell to Italy with the Tuscan road trip being the most memorable. After returning our rental car, we proceed to the airport by taking the free shuttle bus. Check-in counters at the airport are on the 1st floor. If you need to do your tax refund, the counter is toward the back of the escalator. The custom and refund counters are next to each other.

Once check-in done, passed passport control, we proceeded to the departure lounge passing through various duty-free shops. Our City Jet flight uses an Avro RJ85 aircraft, the first we’ve flown in. It’s a high wing aircraft powered by four jet engines. Although high wing, passengers in seats nos. 5-10 will have their outside views partially obstructed by the engines. Our flight will be heading to London, arriving into London City airport, our next destination. Thus this brings to a close, postings of our vacation to Italy.

Centralised car rental offices close-by to the airport..

Parking lots storing various rental cars.

Florence Peretola Airport.

You can get something to eat & drink at the Ground floor of the airport.

Check-in counters on the 1st floor. Tax refund counter is to our back behind the escalator.

Duty-free shops before the departure lounge.

More duty-free shops.

Tarmac view of the apron.

Florence Peretola Airport from the tarmac.

Boarding our City Jet flight bound to London.

City Jet flight safety card.

Somewhere above the ice-capped alps.

B&B Hotel Firenze Novoli, Florence

April 2016

Our final night in Italy, we put up at B&B Hotel Firenze Novoli due to the fact that we will be flying out from Florence. We will be returning our rented car to Europcar at their off-site office close to the airport. From the rental car office, we’ll need to take the free shuttle bus to the airport. The close proximity of the hotel to the airport is the deciding factor we choose it.

This is a budget chain hotel with some features offered, are better than star rated hotels. Free parking, international TV channels, fast, strong, stable and reliable 100mbps wi-fi. Modern room interior, clean, spacious, comfortable and with air-cond. Room was provided with hairdryer and a safe. Please note all rooms are non-smoking.

Reception staff are welcoming, friendly, attentive and engaging. They speak good English. If you check-in after working hours, there is a kiosk at the entrance for you to do self check-in. Room entry is by pin number issued at the counter or at the kiosk – no keys, no card. When its time to leave, you just walk out.

Free city map is offered and local attractions briefed at check-in. Bus stop is across the road and tickets at €1.20 are available from reception. It’s a 20 minutes bus ride into the city center.

The rooms are great value for money. Like what the hotels’ motto say : Some hotels are cheap, but not chic. Ours are economical and chic, or as what B&B Hotel call them, “Econochics.” Personally I would say that B&B Hotel would be a serious threat to other budget hotel chains like Travelodge, Premier Inn and Tune Hotels.

Location map of B&B Hotel Firenze Novoli near-by Florence airport.

View of hotel from car park.

Hotel is located off the main road.

Multi storey hotel with lifts.

The green motif hallway to the rooms.

Large room with king sized bed. Room is furnished with linen, made-in-Italy mattress and soft quilt.

26″ flat screen TV with international channels.

Hair dryer in bathroom.

The bathroom. Everything functioned.

Barberino Designer Outlet, Florence

April 2016

The last destination in our itinerary before we leave Italy is a visit to Barberino Designer Outlet. Upon checking out from Grand Hotel Bonanno Pisa, we drove straight to Barberino via the motorway. The journey is slightly more than 100km and took about 1¼ hours to reach. The drive was easy although at some stretches of the motorway nearing Florence, the traffic was heavy. The outlet is in Barberino north of Florence located to your left as you exit the toll booth. It is set on a beautiful setting and has a stream flowing through with fishes waiting for you to feed.

If you are coming from Florence by bus, you can board the dedicated black colored shuttle bus in-front of the Zoppini Store near-by SM Novella train station. It’s about 38km from Florence and a 30 minutes ride. The bus ticket will cost €13 return.

At Barberino, find your favourite designer brand of up to 70% off, year round albeit not the latest design. Expect to find brands like Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Puma, Adidas, Guess and Furla among others.

There is a store that sells kitchen appliances and utensils, a store that sells accessories for motorcycle enthusiast like helmets, leather jackets & gloves and a store by BOSE for audio products. Enjoy tax-free shopping in addition to the exclusive discounts for non-EU citizens by receiving a tax refund on products purchased at Barberino Designer Outlet.

At Barberino Designer Outlet, you can browse your internet for free with a high-speed WiFi network throughout the Outlet. At the restroom, experience one of the cleanest and modern facilities there is. Even at its waiting area, you can sit and have a pleasant rest. There are cafes and restaurants, children’s play area, free parking and more than 100 boutiques.

Barberino Designer Outlet, managed by McArthur Glen.

A stream running through Barberino Designer Outlet. Clear waters with fishes.

The bridge over the stream. Polo Ralph Lauren has two outlets here.

Store at Barberino Designer Outlet.

Dolce & Gabbana, Furla & Les Copains from across the stream.

Prada’s store.

Furla’s frontage. See the handbags inside?

Benches to sit, wait and browse the internet while wife goes in and out of the stores.

First time seeing this brand.

Audio store by BOSE.

The super clean restroom.

Solid doors of the toilet.

Been to Barberino Designer Outlet

Location of shuttle bus pick-up point to Barberino Designer Outlet – In-front of Zoppini Store. If you intend to go to The Mall, take the shuttle bus at the other point marked.