February in Italy

Many people don't think about vacationing in February, but it can actually be one of the best times of the year to travel. Flight costs go down and there are often specials on hotels and other travel arrangements. (ApartmentsFlorence.it even has 15% off your stay in February! - with a few restrictions, of course.) But there's also plenty to do in Florence, and throughout Italy, during this time.


In Florence, you can always enjoy great food and drink, but this is especially true during the cold February month. With hearty dishes and bold chiantis, you can warm up quickly with a loved one during your Valentine's Day stay. From Firenze, take a trip to the Italian Alps for some skiing or put on your party pants and head to Venezia for Carnevale! 


We have some more great ideas for you at ApartmentsFlorence.it!

From Paris to Florence: macarons Ladurée

During the whole month of December, in the Lobby L'orangerie inside the Four Season Hotel is open the Salon de Ladurée Christmas Tea Time, with the famous Ladurée macarons!!
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Sausage, Prociutto, Salame – Oh My!

When people get to Florence, I often hear them first talk about Gelato. "Where can I find the best gelato?" "How many times a day am I allowed to eat gelato?" "What kind of gelato do I want today?"


These are all questions that I apply daily to the panini. Panini = sandwiches. In my mind panini = happiness. With all sorts of options to choose from, and trattorias scattered throughout the city, finding a good panini isn't hard. But if you have any concerns, ApartmentsFlorence.it has some suggestions of our favorite spots in town to mangiare! 

The Aperitivo

Italians do a lot of things right, especially eating and drinking. Put the two together and it's a thing of beauty. The aperitivo is a perfect blend of all things delicioso. 


Aperitivo is basically the American happy hour but done right. You order a drink, pay 8-10 Euros and help yourself to a buffet of vegetables, pastas, meats, cheeses, breads, you name it. Well, actually this depends on where you go for aperitivo. Some places only put out olives and carrot sticks, while some go the whole 9 yards to make your aperitivo experience one for the books. Here are some ideas for where to go for a nice aperitivo with friends in Florence, Italy. 

Florence for Families

A lot of people think of Florence as a place for romance (which it most definitely is, wink wink) but they may not realize that it is actually very family-friendly town with plenty to do for the whole family. There are festivals for children and activities for kids and teenagers throughout the year. There are ways for youngsters to get involved in the creative scene or to relax and hang out at one of the beautiful city pools or parks. You can find great apartments that are family friendly in the city center and keep those tots engaged and entertained during your memorable stay in Firenze. 

Thanksgiving in Florence

THANKSGIVING IN FLORENCE! WOOHOO!


What an opportunity to share some American culture with Italians for a change! I have a love-hate relationship with the way that Italians do many things. But at the end of the day, I tend to settle with the idea that "Italians do it better." However, there is one thing that they just can't compete with - no matter how good the gnocchi is, or how fresh the cinghiale ragu is, they just can't touch grandma's Thanksgiving dressing.

The good news is that most Italians I've met LOVE Thanksgiving. They wait for their invitation to an American dinner much like Charlie Brown awaiting the Great Pumpkin. And as much as I would like to make all of their Thanksgiving dreams come true, I would much rather keep Thanksgiving dinner an elite event and hand-select the few Italians I want to invite. (It's purely a control thing.) 


If you're going to be in Florence during Thanksgiving, let us know and we can help you find a great apartment and even introduce you to some Italians who would love to be YOUR guest for dinner. 

Lampredotto - The ultimate Florentine panino

I'll tell you what I know - it's made with the third stomach of the cow and it's the classic poor man's sandwich in Florence. The best place to get it is from one of the street carts found throughout the city center. I'll tell you what I don't know - what it tastes like. I'm fascinated by the thing, and honestly it smells pretty good, but I haven't had the guts to stomach it yet.