For those planning a vacation to Europe this summer, don’t forget to put Florence, Italy on the itinerary. I just visited and I loved it!
The spring weather was a brisk 50 degrees, but it was perfect for walking 12,000 – 20,000 steps a day. That’s right! I had my Nike Fuel band tightly wrapped around my wrist letting me know it was okay to have that second piece of Italian bread, a gelato scoop or even a Spritz!
This will be a two-part blog of my adventures in Florence. I’ll be sharing my lodging and the best of restaurant recommendations in Part 1. In Part 2, I’ll be recommending shopping and sightseeing. Bellisimo! Now, without further ado…here’s Part 1!
Best of Florence Lodging
Lungarno Hotels Collection
If you plan to stay for more than a week, I suggest renting an apartment. I found a fabulous one adjacent to the Lungarno Hotel; a fun and fashionable Ferragamo collection nestled on the banks of the Arno River. We had our very own entrance to the 2-bedroom apartment complete with a kitchen, dining room and living room. We even had a wrap around outdoor patio where we were serenaded by cute Italian men from time to time. The best part was that you could order room service and use all of the hotel amenities, if you wanted to! The concierge service was also impeccable. This is a total find and is across the Ponte Vecchio in the hip Oltrarno quarter. Need help finding an apartment? Just Ask!
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
If you want total luxury with the most extraordinary and ornate gardens with statues and beautiful foliage, then check in at the Four Seasons. You will not be disappointed! And don’t forget to grab a drink in the elegant Atrium bar and listen to the live piano music. Fantastico!
Best of Florence Restaurants and Cafes
Best Panini – Osteria all’Antico Vinaio; Via De’Neri 56/r
One panini from this small and simple restaurant can literally feed a family of five. They are huge and inexpensive! The Italian guys behind the counter are hysterical and it’s best to leave their artistry to themselves. Choose the type of bread and meat that you desire and let them take care of the rest. And don’t forget the special sauce! Buonissimo!
Best Rooftop Café – La Rinascente; Piazza della Repubblica, 3-5
In this beautiful square resides a Neiman Marcus -style department store. So shop and then grab a macchiato on the rooftop and be one in the same with the Duomo. It gets windy up there, so bring a scarf to wrap around your hair. Bella!
Best Gelato – It’s a tie between Gelateria dei Neri and Gelateria della Passera
Gelateria de Neri at Via dei Neri 9 is a stones throw away from the best panini place. So, you can pick up a Panini, grab a gelato and head to Piazza di Santa Croce. A perfect afternoon rendez-vous or appuntamento in Italian!
Gelateria della Passera; Via Toscanella, 15r is located in a quaint square, Piazza della Passera, in a non-touristy area of Florence where locals sit at sidewalk cafes. It’s picturesque and lovely.
Both gelato places have interesting flavors. It just depends on which side of the Ponte Vecchio you’re on! Mangia!
Best Pizza – What you’ve all been waiting for! Il Pizzaiuolo; Via De’ Macci, 113/r
This osteria is only open for dinner. If you don’t have a reservation, plan on waiting – but it’s worth it. The restaurant is small but the pizza is big! And might I add, very tasty, too! I ordered the vegetarian and the roasted eggplant was incredibly fresh. Delizioso!
Best Chef – Pienkowski Boguslaw
A nice Polish man with a flair for Italian cuisine. Imagine that! He is a chef at the Apicius International Cooking School and the chef at CIBI, a cantina bistrot in the hip Santo Spirito neighborhood. He’s talented in the kitchen and also speaks English very well! Bravo!
Best Pastry – Pasticceria Giorgio; Via Duccio di Boninsegna 36
This way-above-par pastry shop (also a restaurant) is situated in the Soffiano neighborhood, which is far away from everything in Firenze. We hoofed it for 45 minutes and boy was it worth it. They’re known for their schiacciata, which is a creamy pastry, but I opted for a panini. Although I chose all’Antico Vinaio as my Best Panini choice, the panini at this pastry shop was tops, too! The bread was drizzled with olive oil and filled with veggies, smoked salmon and arugula. I would’ve been satisfied with just the greens and the bread. Squisito!
Best Trattoria – Trattoria Pandemonio; Via del Leone, 50/r
On our last night in Firenze, this restaurant in the cool Oltrarno neighborhood was by far my best meal on our trip! My good friend and classmate, Joe Simone, chef extraordinaire at Simones in Warren, RI recommended this place to me and WOW! The owners Zia and Manna and Bobo the waiter were phenomenal hosts and it helped that I knew Joe. Thanks, Joe! We had the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, aka a Porterhouse steak. It was an enormous piece of beef that was cooked to perfection! Ghiotto!
Best Wine Bar – Il Lounge at the Borgo Santo Pietro In the City Hotel; Lungarno Cellini, 69/r
This was a stumble-upon as we were exploring the San Niccolo neighborhood. This cozy wine bar was decorated with beautiful stone and wood décor with a blazing fireplace. I definitely would like to go back and stay at their villa in Tuscany. Perfecto!
If you’d like me to plan your trip to Florence, or to any place spectacular, Just Ask!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my Italian adventure.
Buon Viaggio!
