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. 

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. 

Florence Tips - Where to Shop for Fragrances by Ana

LORENZO VILLORESI
14 via de' Bardi, Florence (00 39 055 234 1187; www.lorenzovilloresi.it). 

Lorenzo Villoresi creates personalised scents for clients in his beautiful 15th-century palazzo. Make an appointment to have something tailor-made, or simply buy one of his lemon verbena room fragrances. Continue Reading...

Driving in Florence - An opportunity or inconvenience? by Christine

The historic centre is filled with incredible history of the Renaissance, beautiful piazzas, museums, charming restaurants & cafes. However, what many guide books forget to mention is that Florence is compacted with very small cobblestone streets, making it very difficult to drive through. Not only is it very challenging to drive on these streets, its restricted to local residents. You have to have a special parking pass to enter, otherwise you can be ticketed by the authorities from the hidden cameras. Continue Reading...