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Shopping

To understand the habits, tastes and desires of a people, you need to know the places for shopping. Shopping in Piemonte (Piedmont) means attending one of the many local markets, searching for curiosities and unique pieces in the antiques markets such as the historic Balon of Torino (Turin) mentioned by Fruttero and Lucentini in “La donna della Domenica” (the Sunday Woman) or that of Cherasco. You have to have a good eye and a lot of time to find bizarre and often unique objects at the "flea market" counters, or decorations and original ornaments in the Christmas markets. But the markets are but a part of the complex commercial system of Piemonte (Piedmont). There are numerous traditional shops, starting with those of the goldsmiths of Valenza Po, the furniture masters of Saluzzo, the ceramists of Mondovì and Castellamonte, or those of the masters of taste. The Piemonte (Piedmont) Region rewards the activity of some shops with the brand of craftsmanship excellence. Another attraction for shoppers in Piemonte (Piedmont) is the Outlet Villages, a contemporary evolution of the factory company stores. In Serravalle, in the province of Alessandria, the first Italian outlet opened, and then hundreds of them followed. Do not forget the shopping center malls, where shopping is an opportunity to walk, have a coffee, listen to music and maybe go to the movies.