My obsession with all things Florentine began my junior year at Georgetown University during an exchange program with the University of Florence. From the start, my friends and I wanted to go where the Florentines went in an attempt to become like the locals.

Just beneath the surface lies a different city from the one that people without local connections ever get to know; it is the real, almost secret Florence, and it is the city I fell in love with and never wanted to leave.

Florence is the city I fell in love with and never wanted to leave

After my time abroad, I spent the following few years working for Italian companies and pursuing and receiving a graduate degree in Italian Studies, all in an attempt to find a way of returning to Florence for more than just vacations. My tireless search finally paid off, and I am now lucky enough to call Florence my home; I spend my time between here and Amagansett, New York. My favorite part of being in Florence has always been the treasures of food, wine, and art that the city and the entire region of Tuscany have to offer.

Now, I’ve decided to make what was a passion and pastime my job. My experiences here have helped me form a wide network of colleagues and friends in restaurants, wine bars, vineyards, museums, and shops, and I have created Boutique Florence so that I can be the local connection for culturally curious travelers who want to live Florence like the locals do. After all, like locals, you should know and accept only the best!

—

—

If you’re admiring my website design, credit goes entirely to the very talented and truly wonderful people at Papermoustache. The photos are courtesy of my good friend Ivan Weiss.