CITY GUIDE: FLORENCE, ITALY
Five Essential Things to Do in Florence, Italy
Thanks to our very own Brookes Boswell who spent a few days in Florence, Italy last month, we have her bite-size guide for what not to miss.
1) Drink aperitivo.
An essential for stimulating the appetite. Have a negroni and tiny sandwiches at Procacci in central Florence. It's a charming little micro-spot – sit outside for perfect people watching. Or, try the natural wine bar Le Volpi e L'Uva for a glass of local-ish wine and some snacks.
2) Wander the streets.
The buildings are old, the streets are charming, and there are churches and piazzas around every corner, with sidewalk cafes in abundance. Look out for weekend markets!
3) Make a dinner reservation.
Florence is a tourist town with plenty of tourist traps. Do a little research to find the restaurants where the locals frequent and make a reservation. Try Osteria Nuvoli for life-changing Ribollita, Casa Ciabattini for the cutest interior, Buca dell'Orafo for a traditional three-course meal, or Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo to eat amongst the locals.
4) Get to a museum.
Much of Florence’s charm is owed to the Medici family's influence on European art and architecture. I was lucky enough to be introduced to Caterina Izzo (caterinaizzo@gmail.com), who is a local art historian and tour guide in Florence. She took me on an inspiring private tour of the Uffizi Museum and walked me through the history of the Medici family and their relationship to the art scene. It was an incredible experience and I highly recommend hiring Caterina.
Other notable museums are the Palazzo Pitti and the Museo Marino Marini.
5) Do some shopping.
Florence has a rich history of craftspeople and makers working in the city, and many still have their workshops in central neighborhoods. Caterina gives artisan workshop tours if you want to go that route, but it's also fun to do a little research and wander from shop to shop (see recommendation number two, above) in between gelato and aperitivo. Try Il Bussetto for molded leather pouches, Martelli for gloves, Santa Maria Novella or Aquaflor for perfume, the Ponte Vecchio for jewelry, or Atelier Gatto for hand-blocked hats. There's also a wonderful assortment of vintage shops in Florence, all of which have a great selection of charming vintage clothes and designer bags.
