hunchie352

are there grocery stores in cinque terre where we can buy drinks and foods to make sandwiches? fresh fruits? or do we have to dine or have meals prepared? i see a supermarket in la spezia but any in the villiages? same question applies to florence. is eating possible on a budget or should we plan to spend 10€ or more per meal? ialso, any suggestions on places to get iced coffee drinks to walk around town with?

worldinabag

Hi

In Florence try the Mercato Centrale - http://florence-markets-travel-blog....#San%20Lorenzo.

joannyc

Not familiar with CT, but where is your hotel located in Florence?

Ackislander

I don't remember seeing anyone walking around with iced coffee; in fact I don't remember iced coffee at all on any of my visits to Italy, but perhaps my mind just screened it out. In general, eating and drinking on the street seem less common in Italy than here -- excepting gelato of course!

You are certainly going to be able to buy bread, fruit, cheese, cold cuts (often local specialties), wine, and bottled water in virtually every village large enough to have a shop.

There are plenty of supermarkets in the congested parts of Florence, but they are not free-standing and they are not much larger than a 7-11 so you will have to watch for them. There is one across from the Accademia and another across from the Pitti Palace where we bought bottled water at less than half the price of a street vendor, and both had lots of picnic foods.

chartley

Generally speaking, Americans are more likely to walk around with a drink in their hand than Europeans are. It is unusual to see it in the city where I live. Similarly, it is unusual to see someone driving with an open cup of coffee in the car.

Every European country has its mix of larger supermarkets, smaller convenience stores, market stalls, etc. What is sometimes more difficult is to find large grocery stores in busy town centres. However, that is where the locals mostly shop. You just have to keep your eyes open, be prepared to go into somewhere unfamiliar, and accept that small traders sometimes charge high prices.

KayF

There was a small store in Manarola where we bought bread, cheese, ham, yoghurt etc. They had a fairly small selection but then the village is very small so it's what you'd expect. I'm sure all the villages would have a similar store for the locals to shop in.

Florence will have many supermarkets, lots of them quite small. In Italy we noticed advertising of the shop is often very low-key, so you may not realise you are walking past a grocery store until you see someone come out with shopping bags. Bags are not always supplied either, bring a couple with you.

I don't think buying a drink - hot or cold - in a take away container is very Italian. It may have caught on in the last few years but not something I remember seeing on our visits.

Kay

mamcalice

There are small markets in Vernazza where we bought bread, fruit and cheese, etc. I'm sure each of the 5 towns has markets. In Florence, the Mercato Centrale has absolutely everything.

StCirq

Every town in Italy has someplace to buy food to take away, even minuscule towns with a population of 75 like the one I stayed in for weeks in Umbria. But no one in Europe walks around with iced coffee drinks; that's a purely American habit. If you want a coffee, you go to a bar or sit down at a table and get a hot one.

clausar

<<But no one in Europe walks around with iced coffee drinks>>

With the exception of Greece, in Athens and other big cities it is very common to see people drinking their frape or freddo( cold instant coffee, or cold cappuccino/espresso, both a greek invention) on the street, that can be bought almost everywhere...

nytraveler

I would think that 10 euros for a meal - except a quick breakfast - is the bargain of all time. Are you planning on a slice and a soda or water for every meal?

And does your lodging have facilities for cooking and refrigeration?

As for iced coffee - I don;t know that I've ever seen any in Italy. They may have it - but not sure where you would get it - since cafe typicaly have cups or glasses - not plastic or cardboard containers. Perhaps in Mickey Ds - but I think that is only iced tea.

Elvtee

Hello Hunchie352,
We rented an apartment for 3 days overlooking the harbour at Rio Maggiore on the Cinque Terra a few years ago and had great joy in cooking the food we bought in a supermarket - maybe in La Spezia, sorry can't remember but it wasn't far on the train. No big deal, but a lot cheaper, particularly if you like meat and a few vege rather than paying extra for everything at the restaurant. We had a wonderful time, as I hope you do too!