Suggestions for Florence
 

I'm travelling with my family to Florence and would like some help in planning the trip there. We would love to do a wine tasting in a private winery. Shopping, both brands and local boutiques. Perhaps a private guide for the cultural sights. Does anyone know a good one? Perhaps an outside of Florence excursion? <BR>Dinner at a special restaurant for my father's birthday. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. <BR>

Sandra, <BR> <BR>It's a substantial "order" you've placed here, and you will likely get some less-than-friendly responses suggesting that you should search this forum and try harder to help yourself to information. For all we know, you HAVE done a lot of research - - or little - - or none. <BR> <BR>I have only been to Florence once (day trip), but I am actively involved in a trip that will spend two nights there later this month - - see www.rexbickers.italy.com for more info - - and so, I have some partial answers for you. <BR> <BR>Based on NO personal experience, the hotel we are using has information on tours at the webpage http://www.hotelgiada.com/tours.htm (excursion, for example to Perugia/Assisi, or guided walking tours of the city itself). I think you will find various options at weekendafirenze.com - - I have not actually used them for anything on this present trip. <BR> <BR>For a special dinner, we are going to Villa San Michele - - http://villasanmichele.orient-express.com - - which is actually in Fiesole (10 minute bus ride from center of Florence) - - one of the most elegant, acclaimed hotels in all of Italy (with many, many positive remarks here on this forum). It seems that its restaurant is on par with the hotel though interestingly enough, it does not typically make "lists" of top restaurants in Florence. Expensive ($40-80 USD per person, wine extra), and you will need reservations WELL ina dvance. They sent a very charming fax acknowledgement of my reservation request, and representative pages of their menu in Italian and in English. <BR> <BR>The restaurant most often cited as the "best" in all florence is Enoteca Pinchiorri - - http://www.pinchiorri.it is their own website - - or see http://www.eurogourmet.com/rest/enoteca.html for a third-party "review" of the restaurant. Even more expensive (by 100%?) than Villa San Michele, and very "haute cuisine" I believe - - which is not everyone's cup of tea. <BR> <BR>Hope this is information you can use - - and have a great trip to Italy. <BR> <BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio <BR>

I practically live in Firenze, so I always tell everyone who is visiting that they absolutely must go to the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It is the greatest perfumery in the entire world. You could easily drop hundreds of dollars in there buying soap, pot-pourri, and perfume. Everything smells so delicious that you want to take the entire store home with you. Plus, you get so addicted. I am always faxing them to send me more shampoo in the mail. The address is Via Della Scala, 16 n.-Firenze. Another thing--you must go to the Accademia and see Michelangelo's David. Your jaw will hit the floor when you see it. Also, go to Cafe Gilli in the Piazza Republica. This is wear the international jet-set stuffs their collective faces with pastries. It is almost impossible to get a seat--but elbow your way to a table if you have to. I sat next to Catherine Deneuve there once. Have a good time, John G.

Thank you so much for you help, I shall start checking out the websites. I shall also visit the perfume shop as well. <BR> <BR>Any good addresses for wine tasting? as my father would love this very much. Some place outside of Florence with wine tasting and prepare lunch at the winery. Any info would be appreciated. Once again, thank you for the previous tips.

John: <BR> <BR>When I studied Italian -- a couple of years ago though -- I lived on Via della Scala and loved to go to the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica, of course. For hot chocolate, we usually went to the Rivoire. <BR>We often went for dinner to two places, very close to Via della Scala and we found them very typical and not touristy at all: <BR>"La Sostanza" (I think on Via Porcellana) and "13 Gobbi" (can't remember the street). Do you know, whether they still exist? Thanks for your reply.

Sandra, <BR>There is a winery about 23 km NE of Florence called Selvapiana. Phone is 39.55.8369848 and fax is 39.55.8316840. <BR> <BR>Areas to visit outside the city include Fiesole (just for the view of Florence & easily accessible by bus), Artemino, (the former Medici hunting lodge) & Poggia a Caino (sp? sorry!), home of the Medici summer home. (Back in those days, the Arno was a wide & mighty river & the Medici family used to travel by barge to their summer home to escape the heat of Florence.) <BR> <BR>My recommendation for a special dinner is Da Noi at 46 r via Fiesolana in Florence. Very intimate, reservations will be a must. <BR>Buon Viaggio! <BR>BC

Dear Ursula: I don't know if they are still open. I can find out, though, because my mother is leaving for Italia tomorrow. She will be in Firenze for 3 days before going up to Lake Como. When in Firenze, I like to eat on the Oltrarno. I find it less touristy, more authentic.....as for the winery tour for Sandra: Antinori is the big winery in Tuscany. I'm sure they have tastings. Maybe they have a website, like Antinori.com? Im positive the concierge at your hotel could arrange something. And Sandra, too bad you weren't in Roma, because my friend, Eddy, is a tour guide there. He works for Trafalgar Tours, but Im sure he would conduct a private tour if he wasn't working. When are you leaving for Firenze? I could email him and ask him if he knows anyone in Firenze?....oh, and Ursula, I always go to Firenze in winter, so Rivoire is always closed. Yes, their hot chocolate is famous. Ciao, John G

Thank you everyone for your replies, so much appreciated. It helps me now to get started on researching a bit more. My family and I are planning on being in Florence at the end of October. <BR> <BR>The guide in Florence would be a big help as my father doesn't like a large group of travelers and would prefer a guide just for us. <BR> <BR>Thank you again.

Hi Sandra, <BR>if you want to speak directly with someone for your guide and wine tasting in Florence i reccomend you to try with a girl (catherina)who is an operator with a complete knowledge of what you need. <BR>Her e-mail is [email protected]

John, buon giorno! <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help. <BR> <BR>I did some research myself re. the two restaurants. They both seem to still exist: <BR> <BR>"I Tredici Gobbi", Via del Porcellana 9r <BR>"La Sostanza", Via del Porcellana 25r <BR> <BR>Both are non-touristy places next to Via della Scala.

I second Ursula's recommendation for hot chocolate at Rivoire--it's the best I've ever had, and the setting in central Florence is wonderful. <BR>Sandra I have a file on Florence; if you'd like to see it, email me.

John--I'm thinking of a winter trip to Florence. Is it very rainy?

Thanks Ursula and Elaine for the Rivoire info. How is it pronounced in Italian? Ree-vo-EAR-ay?

Carol, darling, I was just in Firenze in January. I was there for 6 days. The day I arrived it was raining, but not heavily. The rest of the days were sunny. The temp was around 55 F, but on the last two days I was there it was about 62F. It was glorious. Even if the weather is not that great in January it is fabulous to be there because it is cheaper (more money to spend at Gucci) and there are hardly any tourists to mar the experience. I was once in Firenze in June and I found it IMPOSSIBLE! It took me hours to walk across Centro because of all the tourists. You couldn't get into the Uffizi. There were lines to get into cafes. I swore I would never go back during the summer season again. In January I walked right into the Uffizi at noon. I could have any table I wanted at a cafe or restaurant. I could see across Signoria with an unobstructed view. This is the time to go!! Also, my hotel room was about $150 a night cheaper in January compared to July. And don't forget the saldis (sales) in January. I bought a Ferragamo coat that was originally $1500.00 for only $490.00. I highly recommend it. Ciao, John G.