Taste of Florence, a must
Sep 21st, 2008, 12:32 PM
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Taste of Florence, a must
Little forward...I used the wonderful information from the Fodor's Talk to plan most of my recent trip to Italy. It was so helpful and really helped to put my mind at ease. Although there were many great things experience on our trip-thanks to many of you, those reviews and comments will come later. This particular tour, Taste of Florence was such a delightful surprise, I wanted to share it with everyone....thank you!
Review:
The Taste of Florence tour was THE highlight of our Florence trip. Last month my husband and I had the chance to take a two week trip to Italy that was truly a dream come true. While scheduling tours, trips and museum visits I realized that after a week and a half of all this running around, I needed to plan something more out of the ordinary for my husband. I looked all over the internet and was having difficulty finding something truly unique to do in August and something that, to be quite honest, was not a complete tourist trap. Somehow in my search I found the Taste of Florence. I could not find much on it at the time, but thought it would be perfect for both my husband and me. Though a bit skeptical, I immediately contacted the company through their website and received a near immediate response from Antoinette that helped subside my anxieties in booking this tour. Booking was simple and the price was very reasonable when compared to food tours in other cities. I was sent clear details on where to meet and how to contact the company in case of last minute changes needed to be made.
The trip itself was just amazing. It was much more than either of us expected. We had a wonderful time wondering through the market gawking at all the fresh meats, pastas and produce. Playing guess the meat behind the counter with butchers was quite a laugh and seeing how well Antoinette knew the market folk made us feel less like outsiders.
While there we had the greatest time visiting the family that runs Perini's Delicatessen and savoring the largest taste testing of meats, sauces, spreads and dips, cheeses, breads, olives, truly gourmet balsamic vinegars...we'd ever seen. So thankful we did not have breakfast that morning. Afterward we made our way to a wine shop for a nearby winery and learned more about Chianti and the region than we ever did in any wine class we took back home. Miss Antoinette really knows her stuff, and how to present it so that it makes sense to the average person.
We then took a stroll through town to make our way to the greatest gelato shop in all of Italy. Along the way Antoinette told us stories of her time there in Florence and showed us great places to shop for books, foods and to rest our feet. She even went through our map and marked a wide range of local favorite places to eat [which we tried a few and had an adventure to remember]. We soon arrived at "Perche No?" and sat down to what real gelato should always be. It was pure heaven. It was so quaint, felt like a 50's American ice-cream shop, and quite busy, though it did not seem to be on a main roadway [but was near the Duomo]. So, we ended our day there...taking up much more of Antoinette's time than scheduled, but laughed, learned and enjoyed every moment of it. It was and will be the most memorable part of the entire trip in Italy.
Review:
The Taste of Florence tour was THE highlight of our Florence trip. Last month my husband and I had the chance to take a two week trip to Italy that was truly a dream come true. While scheduling tours, trips and museum visits I realized that after a week and a half of all this running around, I needed to plan something more out of the ordinary for my husband. I looked all over the internet and was having difficulty finding something truly unique to do in August and something that, to be quite honest, was not a complete tourist trap. Somehow in my search I found the Taste of Florence. I could not find much on it at the time, but thought it would be perfect for both my husband and me. Though a bit skeptical, I immediately contacted the company through their website and received a near immediate response from Antoinette that helped subside my anxieties in booking this tour. Booking was simple and the price was very reasonable when compared to food tours in other cities. I was sent clear details on where to meet and how to contact the company in case of last minute changes needed to be made.
The trip itself was just amazing. It was much more than either of us expected. We had a wonderful time wondering through the market gawking at all the fresh meats, pastas and produce. Playing guess the meat behind the counter with butchers was quite a laugh and seeing how well Antoinette knew the market folk made us feel less like outsiders.
While there we had the greatest time visiting the family that runs Perini's Delicatessen and savoring the largest taste testing of meats, sauces, spreads and dips, cheeses, breads, olives, truly gourmet balsamic vinegars...we'd ever seen. So thankful we did not have breakfast that morning. Afterward we made our way to a wine shop for a nearby winery and learned more about Chianti and the region than we ever did in any wine class we took back home. Miss Antoinette really knows her stuff, and how to present it so that it makes sense to the average person.
We then took a stroll through town to make our way to the greatest gelato shop in all of Italy. Along the way Antoinette told us stories of her time there in Florence and showed us great places to shop for books, foods and to rest our feet. She even went through our map and marked a wide range of local favorite places to eat [which we tried a few and had an adventure to remember]. We soon arrived at "Perche No?" and sat down to what real gelato should always be. It was pure heaven. It was so quaint, felt like a 50's American ice-cream shop, and quite busy, though it did not seem to be on a main roadway [but was near the Duomo]. So, we ended our day there...taking up much more of Antoinette's time than scheduled, but laughed, learned and enjoyed every moment of it. It was and will be the most memorable part of the entire trip in Italy.
Sep 21st, 2008, 01:18 PM
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Thank you, RainyBird for the "heads up" on the Taste of Florence. While I know that advertising is not allowed on the Forum, I really do not like the ever present hostility and snide remarks that has increasingly become part of the Forum. The OP says she used Fodors for her research- so what if she didn't ask a question? She says she wanted to share her experiences, and I, for one, thought the suggestion an interesting one.
-Margret
-Margret
Sep 21st, 2008, 01:26 PM
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I'll bite, Rainybird, since I'm heading to Florence in a month.
What hotel did you use? Would you recommend it?
Do share the name of the wonderful wine shop.
Do share the names of the restaurants (of which you tried a few).
Do share the little shops, bookstores, etc. that were recommended.
That's what we do here. We share <i>specific information</i>. Thanks!
What hotel did you use? Would you recommend it?
Do share the name of the wonderful wine shop.
Do share the names of the restaurants (of which you tried a few).
Do share the little shops, bookstores, etc. that were recommended.
That's what we do here. We share <i>specific information</i>. Thanks!
Sep 21st, 2008, 01:26 PM
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Marget, I don't think I was hostile. And how do you know she actually took this tour? That description sounds as though it was taken directly from their brochure. When someone is obviously advertising, they could be doing so for a friend or because they're being paid to do so. You don't know that it is actually from experience.
Sep 21st, 2008, 02:13 PM
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It's a bit suspicious that someone takes a trip to Italy and only talks about one tour; nothing about the rest of the trip. And this is the first post from rainybird. It does seem like advertising but we will find out if rainybird comes back and mentions any thing else about the trip.
"the ever present hostility and snide remarks that has increasingly become part of the Forum."
I don't think anyone made snide remarks. Everyone is entitled to post his/her opinion or observations. It doesn't mean that everyone has to agree.
"the ever present hostility and snide remarks that has increasingly become part of the Forum."
I don't think anyone made snide remarks. Everyone is entitled to post his/her opinion or observations. It doesn't mean that everyone has to agree.
Sep 21st, 2008, 06:35 PM
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I also wasn't slamming anyone! And I'm sorry, but it IS very unusual to plan your entire trip with Fodor's and never ask a single question. And then have the only report from your trip be a glowing report of a certain tour!
I'm not being mean or nasty, but I've been around here for almost ten years, so I'm just pointing out that Fodor's doesn't allow advertising, which this post obviously was.
I'm not being mean or nasty, but I've been around here for almost ten years, so I'm just pointing out that Fodor's doesn't allow advertising, which this post obviously was.
Sep 21st, 2008, 08:18 PM
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Well RainyBird also posted this on TripAdviors as did some other travellers that made arrangements with The Taste of Florence.
I have seen post from long time Fodorites that at one point or another mentioned that they planned their first trip by reading threads on Fodor's and never asked a question and only started posting on Fodor's later on.
RainyBird, may I suggest when you post back on this thread to share the names of restaurants, shops etc., that you enjoyed would you be kind enough to break your post into paragraphs. It is really hard to read a long thread without paragraphs, or at least it is for a lot of us. Thanks!
I have seen post from long time Fodorites that at one point or another mentioned that they planned their first trip by reading threads on Fodor's and never asked a question and only started posting on Fodor's later on.
RainyBird, may I suggest when you post back on this thread to share the names of restaurants, shops etc., that you enjoyed would you be kind enough to break your post into paragraphs. It is really hard to read a long thread without paragraphs, or at least it is for a lot of us. Thanks!
Sep 22nd, 2008, 08:05 AM
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I agree that the comments were not exactly snide- just a little negative and suspicious. I apologize to the posters I might have criticized. However, as a longtime reader and contributer on the forum, I feel increasingly uncomfortable because I might be slammed at any point. However, as I said earlier, I understand the need for the non- advertizing rules.
Years ago, I was an active reader of the forum and used it often in preparation of trips. I was not registered and did not contibute. On a trip to Spain, we went on a walking tour in Madrid with an organization called the Wellington Society. It was a combination of a pub/tapas crawl and a history of the city with a very engaging professor. It was a highlight of our trip. If I had written after the vacation, and I was either short of time or unsure of a trip report format, I might have written such a post. It's true my post could have been written by someone who was advertizing the program, but what a shame it would have been to not share that experience.
All I'm suggesting is that folks think about how their words could be interpreted and how someone might feel. I love this forum and look forward to continued participation.
Incidentally, we're leaving for Tuscany in a week and a half. Thanks for everyone's help and comments.
-Margret
Years ago, I was an active reader of the forum and used it often in preparation of trips. I was not registered and did not contibute. On a trip to Spain, we went on a walking tour in Madrid with an organization called the Wellington Society. It was a combination of a pub/tapas crawl and a history of the city with a very engaging professor. It was a highlight of our trip. If I had written after the vacation, and I was either short of time or unsure of a trip report format, I might have written such a post. It's true my post could have been written by someone who was advertizing the program, but what a shame it would have been to not share that experience.
All I'm suggesting is that folks think about how their words could be interpreted and how someone might feel. I love this forum and look forward to continued participation.
Incidentally, we're leaving for Tuscany in a week and a half. Thanks for everyone's help and comments.
-Margret
Sep 22nd, 2008, 09:35 AM
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SusanP - if it makes you feel any better I once posted about no advertising and said I was going to inform the editors and someone called me a "nasty girl." Now I usually don't post anything about threads that look like advertising but send a message to the [email protected] and let them decide if something is or is not advertising. That way you don't get slammed by others. Even responding to these posts brings them to the top which is what advertisers want to happen. I only posted here to defend you as I didn't think you said anything out of hand.
Sep 22nd, 2008, 10:00 AM
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Hi Margaret,
I've been a lurker for years. Last week after Franco slammed someone for wanting to take day trips from Venice my husband posted, to rescue the poor woman.
The response from other "regulars" was he must be "new" here. LOL
I see by SusanP, Adrienne's, and LoveItaly's response some clearly feel they know what those of us who lurk but do not post are looking for.
Thanks for speaking up for those of us lurkers who get tired of hearing from the same old voices.
BTW, LoveItaly - do you police all the forums or just TripAdvisor too.
Why don't you and SusanP speak up when posters link to SlowTrav or TripAdvisor? Or Franco's apartments? or hotels? Ekscrunchy hotels in Campania? Or car service? Are they adverts? You both seem selectively quiet. Adrienne, when you link to other websites is that advertising or just helping others out?
I am really asking b/c honestly I am scared to post, even though I lived in Rome for years....
I've been a lurker for years. Last week after Franco slammed someone for wanting to take day trips from Venice my husband posted, to rescue the poor woman.
The response from other "regulars" was he must be "new" here. LOL
I see by SusanP, Adrienne's, and LoveItaly's response some clearly feel they know what those of us who lurk but do not post are looking for.
Thanks for speaking up for those of us lurkers who get tired of hearing from the same old voices.
BTW, LoveItaly - do you police all the forums or just TripAdvisor too.
Why don't you and SusanP speak up when posters link to SlowTrav or TripAdvisor? Or Franco's apartments? or hotels? Ekscrunchy hotels in Campania? Or car service? Are they adverts? You both seem selectively quiet. Adrienne, when you link to other websites is that advertising or just helping others out?
I am really asking b/c honestly I am scared to post, even though I lived in Rome for years....
Sep 22nd, 2008, 10:49 AM
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Although this does sound at first as if it might have been an advertisment, I don't honestly think it was. I do agree that the lack of prior history with the OP might lead to that conclusion, because that is invariably the case with advertisers.
But read through for what is missing: no website, no info on how to get in touch via phone or helpful addresses.
And if you do try to 'google' Taste of Florence, you just get masses of stuff on some restaurant in Escondido CA that tells you you don't have to go to Florence to eat well...LOL
So if RB is not for real, she isn't a very adept advertiser...lets be kind and simply welcome her information, even though based on it, you'd be hard put to follow up.
But read through for what is missing: no website, no info on how to get in touch via phone or helpful addresses.
And if you do try to 'google' Taste of Florence, you just get masses of stuff on some restaurant in Escondido CA that tells you you don't have to go to Florence to eat well...LOL
So if RB is not for real, she isn't a very adept advertiser...lets be kind and simply welcome her information, even though based on it, you'd be hard put to follow up.
Sep 22nd, 2008, 06:43 PM
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nycjazz - when I link to sites I'm attempting to help people. I don't have to spend the time to get the link but I find it's helpful to me when other posters give links. I'm not asking anyone to take my advice but it's there if someone wants it. I believe I have been helpful to some people and others have been very helpful to me.
Do you see that there is a difference between someone who posts once to give a recommendation to one place and someone who posts once to give a trip report or ask a question.
I have no idea what you are looking for and I've never claimed to be able to read minds. If you're "tired of the hearing from the same old voices" why do you bother reading. Frankly I think your remarks to me are rude.
Do you see that there is a difference between someone who posts once to give a recommendation to one place and someone who posts once to give a trip report or ask a question.
I have no idea what you are looking for and I've never claimed to be able to read minds. If you're "tired of the hearing from the same old voices" why do you bother reading. Frankly I think your remarks to me are rude.
Jan 31st, 2012, 10:53 AM
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I used Taste of Florence a few years ago, after finding it here on the board. Everything mentioned was absolutely true. The owner is from North Carolina, I believe, and has lived in florence for some time. Her business seemed quite good, even tho we were there in March, when it could have been down. I don't think this was an owner advertising, but I can personally recommend Taste of Florence. It was very reasonably priced and we had a wonderful time.
