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Gold in Florence
Gold and jewellery making made its way into the Florentine tradition relatively late in comparison with the other artisan traditions, but had a long-lasting effect on Florence. While goldsmiths were doing all right making garlands of gold wire and pearls for women’s headdresses, it was Lorenzo the Magnificent, himself a fond collector of gold jewellery, […]
Leather in Florence
Leather is one of the world’s most ancient of traditions, and it certainly has left its mark profoundly on Florence. With street names still dedicated to the old areas (especially Santa Croce) of the leather workers, leather is still very much a part of Florence’s commerce, with bags, jackets and gloves still being popular items […]
Be Italian
10 best shops to blend in with the locals! The Florentines may not be the most adventurous dressers, but they are certainly known for dressing up and not shying away from fashion. Both men and women put a lot of effort into and take pride in their appearance (an obsession that can be traced back […]
Shoes in Florence
Florence is a wonderful place for shoe shopping and shoe lovers, simply because of the extraordinary history that this fashion item has in this city. Shoes have been an important fashion item in Florence since the late 1200s, coming in different styles from knee-high boots to Grecian style sandals, and in materials from leather to […]
Markets in Florence
Markets are abundant in Florence, and together with the daily markets there are even weekly and monthly markets to add to the mix. You will find the markets are generally selling either leather and other souvenirs, food or household goods. The monthly markets tend to be a bit more special with handmade goods or antiques. […]
Tuscan Food: Staple Foods
Where would Tuscans be without bread, olive oil and beans, the foods that nourished centuries worth of geniuses? Bread Tuscan bread has one main defining characteristic: it is bland. Made without salt for centuries, this tradition goes back to the Middle Ages and essentially has its roots in poverty, when the cost and tax on […]
Tuscan Food: Pasta
The word “pasta” in Italian can refer to different kinds of food made with a paste of flour and water, so it includes not only what we know as pasta but also pastry. Una pasta at breakfast time in a bar is the general term for one of the fresh baked sweet pastries usually eaten […]
Foodie Itinerary
Florence has a wealth of gastronomic delights to discover during your stay. Here are some of our favourite places to visit for a taste of what Florence has to offer. A grocery store since 1860, Pegna, in the Via Dello Studio next to the cathedral, has all the essentials that a grocery store should have, […]
Vegetarians in Florence
Simple Tuscan country cooking was, once upon a time, more vegetarian than carnivorous. Country women fed their families on what they could grow in their gardens and only introduced poultry or meat for special occasions. Eating out was also for special occasions so meat tended to get top billing on the menu for those days. […]
Ice Cream Tour
Italians are famous the world over as the best makers of ice cream so while you are visiting Florence here are a few places where you can sample some of the best. Not far from the church of Santa Croce in the interesting shopping street called Borgo degli Albizi is a piece of chocolate heaven […]
Florence cafes & bars with a view
What a better way to to take in the city than with a view of Florence’s most iconic monuments or a panorama of the red-rooftops of the city? The warm weather especially brings out the outdoor tables and chairs and livens up the city’s favourite outdoor spots. With a drink in hand, it becomes even […]
Guide to Italian Sparkling Wines
A quick guide to the country’s best sparkling wines – perfect for a summer evening or an excuse for celebrating. The best of the bubblies come from the north of Italy, but they are popular all over the country. Italians will drink sparkling wines for any occasion, and especially as an aperitif, served chilled or […]
The Best Wine Bars
Right opposite the main entrance to the Palazzo Pitti on the south side of the river is the enoteca called Pitti Gola e Cantina. There is a good choice of wines by the glass, including exquisite dessert wines, and a daunting list of wines by the bottle, displayed on shelves from floor to vaulted ceiling. […]
Early Evening spots
Life is taken at a more leisurely pace in Italy, so when you are visiting, slip into the Italian way of spending an evening and chill out for an hour or so with an aperitivo before dinner. The idea of an aperitif is to work up your appetite, get together with friends, and relax while […]
After Dinner spots
If you are looking for a lively atmosphere after dinner, head over to the tree lined Piazza Santo Spirito, one of the prettiest piazzas with its bars, restaurants and cafés attracting a cheerful crowd. Open till late, Volume recently took over a wood sculptor’s workshop which is reflected in the café’s stylish decor with the […]
After Meal Drinks
A digestivo comes at the opposite end of a meal to the aperitivo, and as the name implies, it is intended to help you to digest. A popular digestivo in Italy that you may be offered in a restaurant is grappa, a clear spirit made from crushed grape skins, pips and stalks left over from […]
Tuscan Food: Meat
Bistecca alla Fiorentina The jewel in the crown of the carnivorous Florentine menu is without doubt the Florentine beefsteak. This T-bone steak traditionally comes from the prized, white Tuscan Chianina cattle which has a particular tenderness and depth of flavour. Some restaurants also use Limousine or Maremmana breeds of cattle in place of the Chianina. […]
Window Shopping Itinerary
As Italy is known world-wide for its style, fashion and an appreciation of beauty, a walk through an Italian shopping district can be much like a live walk through the pages of a beautiful fashion magazine. This makes Florence a window shopper’s heaven – the perfect mix of fashion, aesthetics, architecture and city views. Here’s […]
Best Gift Shops
Want to bring home a thoughtful souvenir of your time spent in Florence? Try one of these picks, each of them a true part of Florence’s history and tradition. Pampaloni – a covetable silverware shop, legendary in Florence since 1902, known for its sleek and clever contemporary silver. Find something special for home, including egg […]
How to Explore Chianti from Florence
When visiting Florence, it would be almost criminal to miss out on exploring nearby Chianti, a region famous for its fragrant red wines, delicious traditional cuisine, and breath-taking countryside. Indeed, the Chianti landscape is widely considered one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, attracting tourists from across the globe in every season. But […]