A friend told us about an area in old city Florence that has lots of antique stores and other really interesting shops. Does anyonw know where this area is? Would appreciate location, description, and any street names that folks recall.

The Oltrarno, on the south side of the Arno River, the other side from the historic center of Florence.

Probably the Oltrarno, the other side of the Arno from the Duomo. Borgo San Jacopo is one street.

Depending on when you go, and how long you are staying, there is a monthly weekend antique market in various towns around Tuscany. I would not be surprised if Florence was one of them, but Lucca (75 minutes by train) certainly is.

There's also a funky market with small shops in the Piazza Ciompi called the Mercato delle Pulci. I didn't bite on any of the stuff, but I was on a mission to get to indoor/outdoor Mercato San Ambrogio, where I did load up! The usual suspects will have to forgive me posting this walking itinerary again, but it was a very nice noon-time walk while my wife was getting her hair done

http://www.florencevillas.com/newsle...letter_34.html

Isn't there also an artisan area on the north side of the River on the east side of the city?

Via Maggio is in the area I was referring to.not far from Santa Maria Novella..many antique (as opposed to "Vintage&quot dealers.

Umm, Via Maggio is in the Oltrarno, nowhere near Santa Maria Novella. But it does have some very good antique stores.

ooops, you are right..what was I thinking?

Thank you for the information and the links! We will be back in Tuscany May 2009 and I will look into the cooking school!