April 17th

An interesting and rather unique lecture will be held this evening at 5pm at Palazzo Nonfinito, Via del Proconsolo 12. Donald Johanson, the American paleoanthropologist famous above all for his research in Ethiopia and Tanzania and in particular for his 1974 discovery of the skeleton who became known as “Lucy” and gained fame when the Beatles sang about her, will be in Florence today. Johanson will hold a conference entitled “Africa and the Origins of Humankind ” organized by the Museum of Natural History and the Biology Department of the University of Florence.

Week of April 8th

I recently had the pleasure of going to the inauguration of the new exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, The Springtime of the Renaissance. Sculpture and the Arts in Florence 1400-1460, on through August 18th. Being there for the opening meant having the incredible opportunity to approach the statues and works of art up close, from marble statues dating to the BC era to the wooden model of Brunelleschi’s Cupola for Santa Maria del Fiore to monumental sculpture by Donatello and Ghiberti, among others. The exhibit was co-organized by the Louvre, and the exhibition will, in fact, be transferred there when it leaves Florence. It is truly an exhibit not to be missed. For information on tickets and opening hours, click here.

On Friday, April 12th, a dinner with a little bit of history will be held at Florentine institution Da Burde. To celebrate those most illustrious of Florentines, Giovanni Bocaccio and Niccolo’ Machiavelli, the dinner will have a medieval theme (yes, Machiavelli came later, but little details can be overlooked for the sake of delicious food). The wines are sure to be perfectly paired because Andrea Gori, part of the family who owns the restaurant and sommelier extraordinaire, will be present, as he always is, to explain each wine and why he’s chosen it for each dish–the honest, clear, and no frills way in which he talks about wine makes both novices and wine experts understand things better than anyone else I know. The five-course menu is below; dinner with wine included 35 euro; for information and reservations, call +39 055 317206 or send an email to info@daburde.it.

Torta di agli e Porco salato (Garlic and salted pork savory tart)

Carabaccia con le cipolle di Certaldo (Tuscan onion soup with local onions)

Maccheroni del BenGodi (BenGodi is a make-believe city invented by Bocaccio, so it’s anyone’s guess what this pasta dish will be…)

“Gru” alla Chichibio (Chichibio is another Bocaccio creation–he was a cook, and this meat dish will be prepared his way, whatever that may be; “gru” means “crane,” which is why I imagine it’s in quotation marks–some other kind of meat will surely take its place during this dinner)

Diriola (A typical medieval cake made with cinnamon and rosewater)

Buon appetito!

EVENT ARCHIVES

March in Florence means one thing to lovers of all things gourmet and Italian: Pitti Immagine’s Taste exhibition, on this year from the 9th-11th of the month. The very best producers of the very best gourmet products from the top to the bottom of the peninsula come together at the Stazione Leopolda, an ex-train station turned exhibition space that hosts some of the most important fairs in the country throughout the year dedicated to everything from wine and food to fashion and antiques. In addition to the Taste expo itself, there will be a series of off-site events throughout the city highlighting the products of Taste producers at some of Florence’s most exclusive restaurants, cafés, and private venues. The official list of events has not yet been published on the website, but I am lucky enough to be collaborating with the PR firm that’s working on the promotion of the event–stay tuned for a sneak-preview in the coming days. And if you’re traveling to Florence in March and would like some input on which producers to check out and which events to attend, please feel free to email us (just go to the “Contact” section of the website).

Happy tasting!

January is one of my very favorite months in Florence. The holiday madness has ended and the city, despite the brief invasion of international fashionistas for the Pitti fashion shows that take place throughout the month, is virtually empty, at least by the standards of one of the most visited cities in the world. Travelers savvy enough and lucky enough to visit Florence in the winter months are met with endless options and no lines, even at the Uffizi and the Accademia–often, reservations aren’t even necessary to avoid a wait. Climb the steps of the Duomo without feeling claustrophobic; see Santa Croce without lining up around the corner; climb the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo and marvel at having the stunningly beautiful view almost entirely to yourself. And, my personal favorite: get into the city’s best restaurants without reserving two weeks in advance–there are even nights when you may be able to walk in “senza prenotazione.” To me, that’s best of all.

Until the 20th of December

Olio nuovo IGP from the Colline di Firenze will be the main protagonist of gastronomic creations at ten Florentine establishments: Caffe’ Giacosa, Cibreo Caffe’ and Teatro del Sale, The Fusion Bar & Restaurant (with drinks featuring extra virgin olive oil-interesting and fantastic), Borgo San Jacopo, Il Palagio at The Four Seasons, Ora d’Aria, Le Pool Bistrot at Grand Hotel Villa Cora, Targa Bistrot, and ‘ino, the best panino store in the world (and so much more)—I can personally vouch for the fabulousness of their creazione all’olio di oliva, with pecorino fresco cheese, cavolo nero (kale), and extra virgin olive oil. Utter bliss.

Until the 16th of December

German Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce every day from 10am until 8pm. Though not necessarily for Italophiles, this market is definitely full of local color and is constantly packed with families browsing through the stands of mostly German Christmas trinkets, as well as eating truly delicious strudel and everyone’s favorite: crepes with nutella (not as German as the other specialties).

Wednesday, December 12th

God Save the Wine at Hotel Bernini, Piazza San Firenze 29

These monthly “traveling” wine tastings take place at fabulous venues in and around Florence. God Save the Wine’s Christmas event will take place at the Hotel Bernini in Piazza San Firenze, directly behind Piazza della Signoria. Unlimited tastings of great wines from Tuscany and beyond and an ample buffet are the perfect way to begin ringing in the Christmas season.

Sunday, December 2nd

Antique Market in Fiesole

Every first Sunday of the month in the lovely hill town of Fiesole, there is an antique market that lasts from 8am until sundown. I always recommend a visit to Fiesole with or without the excuse of the market because of the absolutely stunning views of Florence from above.

Friday, November 30th

Trattoria da Burde (Via Pistoiese 154, tel. +39.055.317206), an institution for Florentine locals, will host a dinner highlighting the products of five important Tuscan producers-Badia a Coltibuono, Boscarelli, Fattoria Selvapiana, Podere 414 and Tenuta Capezzana-who have come together to form a new initiative: a course for wine enthusiasts from January to October 2013 during which lessons will take place in the actual vineyards. Among the teachers will be wine makers, enologists, agronomists, professional tasters, and journalists.During the inaugural dinner, each producer will bring one of their wines to be paired with a dish on the very tempting Autumn-themed menu created by Burde chef Paolo Gori:

Pecorino and hazelnut torte

Pumpkin soup with pancetta

Chestnut flour tagliatelle with duck ragout

Capocollo with pomegranates

Chestnut soufflé with persimmon gelatin

Buon appetito!

This Week in Florence

The new year up to now has brought quite a few adventures our way. Since spring has finally arrived (though really only in terms of the length of days in Florence–it’s rather bizarre to sit in winter clothes sipping an aperitivo in relatively bright daylight at 7pm, but such is life this year), I’ve been inspired to give a brief overview of what’s been happening and what’s yet to come in 2013.

I feel extremely lucky to be working for a truly fabulous PR agency in Florence whose clients are mostly in the fields of luxury lifestyle and food & wine. My work with Grassi & Partners has included organizing wine tasting dinners and checking out the spa at the gorgeous St. Regis in Florence (the background image of this post is from the afternoon tea I was invited to after taking a tour of the spa); being invited to the inauguration of the new spectacular exhibit on sculpture and the Renaissance in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi; accompanying very well-known and prolific journalists to my favorite exhibition of all time, Taste; and getting to know the wonderful people at the Osservatorio Mestieri d’Arte (OMA), who promote Florence’s artisan population–which is actually thriving and growing, contrary to popular belief–with tours, exhibits, and events, all of which Boutique Florence’s clients can experience.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, the This Week in Florence section of Boutique Florence’s blog will highlight the many amazing upcoming initiatives sponsored by the wonderful people and organizations we have had the chance to get to know. We hope you’ll stay tuned.

New Beginnings

Florence is full of unexpected surprises. I am forever stumbling upon tiny alleyways where artisans work away in workshops whose even tinier doorways lead to expansive collections of iron, antiques, or restored paintings; rooftop terraces with gardens that look like parks; and plaques on the sides of unassuming buildings commemorating where some of the most famous names in the world resided (Dante and Machiavelli are two such examples).

Another welcome surprise in Florence is that some of the city’s most luxurious locations offer some very affordable ways of having an aperitivo (the Italian equivalent of happy hour but with snacks consisting of things like delicious cheese and olives instead of nuts and chips if you find the right place). The Gucci Caffe’ in Piazza della Signoria offers by far some of the highest quality and most reasonably priced drinks in town.

The Gucci Caffe’ is a true exception to the rule in terms of the other venues located in Piazza della Signoria. It is one of the city’s most majestic and most striking piazzas, but before Gucci chose the Palazzo della Mercanzia for its museum and café, overly expensive restaurants with mediocre cuisine and bars that sold drinks in plastic cups at plastic tables were the unfortunate norm. Gucci was like an oasis when it first moved in, and it remains so today. An interior worthy of the Gucci name—chic, understated, and sophisticated—hosts a bookstore adjacent to two spaces where food and drink are served. The first has a more traditional restaurant/café layout, whereas the second contains one long communal wooden table with iPads available for customers who want to browse the internet (they also have a wireless password for people who bring their own laptops). You can stay for as long as you please; there are actually surprisingly few places in Florence where you can order a coffee or a glass of wine and then sit uninterrupted for hours at a time, and Gucci is a welcome entry in that category. As for aperitivo, for less than 10 euro you can sip a lovely glass of wine accompanied by a complimentary dish of something interesting and delicious—usually olives, cheese, and some kind of savory tartlet. Just the other night, a friend and I had two glasses of sparkling loveliness (my friend’s was a Prosecco DOC and mine a Rose’ Brut), a bowl of delicious olives, and a plate with a potato croquette, a small crostino with anchovies and butter (a delicacy that might sound off-putting but that everyone should try), and a small salad of zucchini and pomegranate seeds for under 15 euro. The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, courteous, and attentive, no matter what you order. For the venue, the view of the piazza, and the service, you truly couldn’t ask for more—for less.

Affordable Luxury

I was walking home late with friends on a recent evening, and as we crossed Piazza della Signoria, we noticed that the doors to Palazzo Vecchio were open; it usually closes at 7pm and it was well after 11pm when we wandered into the courtyard. The occasion was one of the many in Florence during the month of September. It was admittedly not my favorite; Florence’s first edition of Vogue’s Fashion Night Out was essentially a series of long lines of people waiting to get into the city’s trendier stores and shops whose doors stayed open until close to midnight. But some of the city’s greatest sites kept their doors open, too; hence our late-night stop at Palazzo Vecchio. Despite the fact that the person among us with the shortest tenure in Florence has lived here for five years, we had a shared moment of quiet disbelief at the fact that we’re lucky enough to be in such a beautiful place. All three of us took pictures, one of which is the backdrop to this post.

My favorite things to do in and around town during the month of September have little to do with fashion and are all entirely vino-related. Some of the events listed below have already happened this year, but they take place annually and so the info will come in handy to travelers who are into planning their trips in advance. Happy sipping!

Vino al Vino: One of the all-time best wine tastings in Chianti. Some of the greatest producers in and around Panzano in Chianti come together once a year for a weekend-long tasting in the town’s tiny central piazza. I always marvel at the fact that 20 wineries can fit into a piazza that, when it’s empty, looks barely big enough to contain its own small central fountain. To learn more about the event, which is itself a perfect reason for a September trip to Tuscany, click here.

Macelleria Cecchini: Who besides Dario Cecchini could make a fantastic wine event even better? My friends and I have made it our tradition to arrive before noon on the Sunday of Vino al Vino, do a quick tasting loop around the piazza to choose our favorite wines, and run to the store to purchase our bottle of choice, which we then take to lunch at Dario’s. It’s Sunday lunch as it was meant to be.

Wine Town Firenze: Two afternoons of tastings of truly great wines. Often, the tastings that take place in Florence’s city center leave a bit to be desired in the way of quality, but they’re great fun nonetheless. During Wine Town, though, interesting and high-quality producers abound, and the tastings take place in the courtyards of some of the most beautiful palazzi in town, many of which are not often open to the public. This year, I spent the entire duration of my tasting experience at the Chiostro del Magistero in Via del Parione sipping incredible Brunellos, as well as a lovely Pinot Nero from Seggiano in the province of Grosseto. Tuscany is not generally known as Pinot Nero territory, but Castello di Potentino has made an outstanding exception to the rule.

Vino e’ Piacere: September never stops when it comes to degustazioni, and perhaps the best of all is saved for last. The name says it all: “Wine is Pleasure.” The Vinoteca al Chianti in Certosa, located under 20 minutes from Florence by car, hosts themed tastings throughout the year. The September event is dedicated to the best wines from all of Italy, and it also highlights the gastronomic wonders Italy is most known for, including olive oil and a range of fabulous cheese and cured meats. For more information on time, dates, and location, click here.

Settembre a Firenze

When they hear the name Ferragamo, most people probably think immediately of beautiful shoes as opposed to a phenomenal winery and a gorgeous estate in the countryside outside of Florence called Il Borro. The latter, however, is what I had the pleasure of touring recently; prior to that, I had the pleasure of meeting a member of the Ferragamo family at a charity dinner and auction that a friend and I went to a few months ago.

As one of the sponsors of the dinner (each course was paired with a different Borro wine, one of which was also being auctioned), he went around to each table to greet guests throughout the evening, including my friend and me. Before he left us he gave us his business card, and when we saw the name Salvatore Ferragamo written on it, we thought he had given us the generic company card; that would have been totally understandable, but we were, admittedly, a teeny bit disappointed.

Then, the auction started. When it came time to auction off the magnum of  Il Borro, the estate’s award-winning IGT, the restaurant owner, who acted as the auctioneer, turned to him and said, “Salvatore, why don’t you come and talk a little about  your wine?” We hadn’t been given generic business cards; we had been given Salvatore Ferragamo’s business card. He’s the grandson of the Salvatore who founded the fashion house in the 1920s. He is also the president of Il Borro, but despite his important role there and his heritage, he’s a humble, down-to-earth, and accessible person, which I found out soon after the dinner. I sent an email thanking him for the lovely evening and telling him that I thought Il Borro would be a perfect place to bring Boutique Florence clients, and he emailed back shortly thereafter saying he hoped I would pay Il Borro a visit soon and putting me in touch with the general manager, who he said would be happy to show me around the estate. I was pretty excited about the invitation.

When I finally made my way to San Giustino Valdarno, Gianluca D’Angeli, Il Borro’s general manager, was welcoming and gracious and took me all over the unbelievably idyllic property, which has just about anything that a person traveling in Tuscany could ever dream of seeing and doing. There are stables and visitors can take horseback riding lessons by the stable-keeper who is employed full-time not only to give the lessons but also to keep the horses and stables in immaculate condition; there is a local cheese producer nearby where guests learn about the cheese-making process and, of course, taste it; and there is the incredible wine cellar to visit and fabulous wines to taste. Villas decorated to Ferragamo-esque perfection with fabulous pools can be rented out for weeks or months at a time. And all of this is immersed in perfectly-kept vineyards.

When I wrote to Salvatore to thank him for inviting me to tour the grounds of the estate and to tell him how absolutely beautiful it is, he thanked me for my kind words and said that Il Borro is a very special place for him and his family. Anyone lucky enough to go there will understand why.

Il Borro

My good friend Julie and I recently decided to go to Capri for the weekend; one of the best things about living in Italy is how easy it is to get to places that many people can only dream of visiting. As post-card perfect and amazingly beautiful as Capri is, however, it was not the highlight of the weekend; our lunch at Oasis Sapori Antichi in Vallesaccarda was.

As I do whenever I go anywhere, I asked Faith Willinger, who I am unfathomably lucky to work with, where to eat. Without hesitation she said Oasis, and she immediately solved the problem of how to get to the rather remote village of Vallesaccarda, located a little over an hour from Naples, by calling her trusted driver and good friend, Vito Santoro. I mention Vito because he was another highlight of the day, and I recommend his services and immensely enjoyable company to anyone and especially to those who love food and wine because in addition to owning a transportation company, Vito is a seasoned foodie and a certified sommelier.

Our three-hour-plus lunch began with the amazingly warm welcome of the Fischetti family—the sincerity of their warmth is what struck me most of all. Brohters Carmine, Nicola, and Puccio source the very best local ingredients. Lina and Maria Luisa work magical wonders in the kitchen. On the day we had the immense pleasure of dining at Oasis, Carmine was in the dining room and Nicola was pouring the wine. Julie and I were accompanied to the table and presented with menus that we really didn’t need because the decision was made for us by Carmine that we would do a tasting of almost everything the restaurant offers. The insanity began with a seemingly infinite selection of antipasti that just kept coming accompanied by a delicious Greco di Tufo from the producer Quintodecimo (Giallo d’Arles 2009)—everything we ate and drank was from the region, and what a region it is. We started with a perfectly stuffed zucchini flower served over a bed of pureed cherry tomatoes—you’ve never really tasted cherry tomatoes unless you’ve eaten them in Campania. Next came the zeppola di melanzane con anguilla affumicata, fried dough stuffed with eggplant and smoked eel which, to my surprise given that I’m not a huge eel fan, was delicious—the smokiness turned it into something that I would like to eat again. Next came the carpaccio of veal with veli di pomodoro, which translates to tomato veils, and that is exactly what they were—paper thin but literally exploding with flavor. It was topped with stracciatella di mucca, which is essentially burrata but with a slightly more liquid texture. It was heavenly. The zuppa di fagioli’s already delicious flavor was enhanced by the extra virgin olive oil (produced, of course, from local olives) that Carmine told us was a perfect accompaniment, and it was.

Then came the ravioli (fresh and hand-made) stuffed with burrata and herbs and topped with black truffle from Irpinia, the area of Campania in which Vallesaccarda is located.  I think the ingredients speak for themselves, and I am without words, as was Julie—we both just looked at each other and started laughing in disbelief at what we were tasting. The next primo (there couldn’t be just one) was paccheri with a delicious ragu’ made with lamb, veal, and pork with a fondue of aged cacciocavallo, a cheese commonly found in the region. With this complexly flavorful ragu’ we were advised by Nicola to move on to the next wine, Luigi Tecce’s Satyricon 2009 Irpinia Campi Taurasini, a DOC made from Aglianico, one of my favorite varietals—I tend to like big wines. Because of the producer’s nontraditional production methods it was fresher than Aglianico generally tends to be, but it was more than able to hold its own with the ragu’. The next two (yes, two) dishes were an amazing lamb so tender that you didn’t even need a knife to cut it on top of a puree of potatoes with cherry tomatoes and mint, followed by a cheese plate—we didn’t think we could do it but were happy when we did. The cheeses were all local—the freshest ricotta I’ve ever experienced drizzled with honey and topped with toasted almonds was lovely. Nicola, who sure does know his vino, brought us an unexpected third wine, a 2004 Taurasi (Azienda Contrade di Taurasi) with a more traditional take on Aglianico, a perfect match for the aged caciocavallo on the cheese plate.

The meal closed not only with a dolce, but also with a pre-dolce which consisted of the smoothest, creamiest yogurt I have ever tasted—in fact, it’s called crema di yogurt—and a plate of small, delicate, delicious cookies—the hazelnut covered with white chocolate and the coconut were particularly wonderful. We were served two different desserts so that we could sample both. Mine was a millefoglie topped with crema casalinga and local sour black cherries—the tartness of the cherries combined with the sweetness of the cream was nothing less than perfection. Julie had ricotta whipped with citrus served in a pastry crust made with hazelnuts and topped with warm chocolate sauce and accompanied by a little scoop of licorice gelato. We couldn’t resist an after-dinner drink (we had already thrown caution entirely to the wind); I went for a grappa by the amazing distillery Domenis, and Julie chose a vino dolce called Mel by the producer Antonio Caggiano. It was exquisite.  And to make all of that even better, Vito joined us for the dolce.

After a visit to the kitchen to thank the chefs, it was time to go. Each member of the lovely Fischetti family said that they hoped to see me again soon, and they most certainly will.

Oasis Sapori Antichi

Via Provinciale

83050 Vallesaccarda (Avellino)

Tel. +39.082.797021

The Best Lunch Ever

Florence’s Via Maggio (short for Via Maggiore because it was the main thoroughfare on which the Medici family’s elaborate processions on horse and carriage traveled) is populated with beautiful stores that sell gorgeous restored antiques but that are also rather imposing-looking and seemingly places that only serious art collectors might frequent. About three months ago, though, &CO (And Company) opened at number 47R, and its eclectic and very cool mix of home decor, jewelry, fabulous paper cuts, and many other items all with an artisanal slant is something extremely unique not only to Via Maggio but to the entire city of Florence. What it does share with the other stores on the street is the owners’ appreciation for artisanal techniques, the quality of the objects it sells, and the space itself which has the same perfect, showroom-like quality of its neighbors; the difference is how welcoming and bright the space is—I couldn’t wait to go in the first time I passed by.

The lovely Betty Soldi, who owns &CO together with her husband, Matteo Perduca, is a native Florentine who lived in London for 35 years and worked as a packaging designer there. The store merges her calligraphy and graphic design studio with a collection of objects and furniture that she and her husband find along the way—“or that find us,” she says. She and Matteo see &CO as “a creative space open to collaborations,” and in fact the name “&CO” came about as a result of the couple’s desire to fully integrate the artists and artisans with whom they work into their space.

A perfect example is the current exhibition by Roberto Menchiari that the store is currently hosting—its title is “Roberto Menchiari and Company.” I can only describe the miniature scenes of Florence created by Menchiari as unbelievably perfect. If you see photos of his recreations of the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Santo Spirito, Borgo San Frediano, and the Palagio di Parte Guelfa, to name just a few, you can’t tell that they are not photographs of the streets and structures themselves. Every last detail, from the wooden slats of shutters to plaster peeling off walls to graffiti covering buildings is reproduced exactly as it is in reality. The miniatures become the city itself.

Words are not really able to adequately describe the incredible minute detail of Menchiari’s creations, which are on display and on sale at &CO until June 2^nd. The full effect of the miniatures and the store itself can only be fully appreciated in person, and I highly recommend the experience.

And Company

Via Maggio 47R

Tel. +39.055.219.973

Open Tuesday through Saturday

10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm

Menchiari and Company

Since Florence is the capital of one of the greatest wine-producing regions in the world, the fact that wine tastings abound here makes perfect sense. God Save the Wine is one such event, and the monthly tastings take place at beautiful hotels and other exclusive venues in and around Florence that are almost as much of a draw as the wines themselves. I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the organizers of the event, Andrea Gori, who is a well-known sommelier and a fixture at wine tastings and events throughout Italy.

Travelers (or locals) who find themselves in Florence over the next few months can find detailed information about God Save the Wine in my interview [here] published in Firenze Spettacolo, a monthly culture and entertainment magazine.

Another event for wine lovers who don’t mind spending a pretty penny to sip in style is Divino Tuscany, which will take place in Florence from May 17-20. The four days are dedicated to wine tastings and seminars as well as gala dinners at amazing locations in Florence—to give you an idea of the venues, the final lunch will be held at the villa of Sting and Trudie Styler. You can find detailed information and purchase tickets at www.divinotuscany.com.

Americans in Florence, the current exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi on through July 15th, is extraordinary, as is always the case at this amazing venue. The exhibit is dedicated to John Singer Sargent and the American Impressionists, and in addition to admiring the exceptionally beautiful works of art on display, visitors learn an incredible amount about the very strong ties that bound many American artists and scholars to important cities throughout Europe and in particular to Florence at the close of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. For more information on the exhibition and on the history and mission of Palazzo Strozzi, visit www.palazzostrozzi.org.

Wine to Drink and Things to See

When people come to my tiny little apartment on the very top floor of my very old apartment building for the first time, they always tend to gasp when they see the big window that looks out onto red rooftops and the ridiculously picturesque hills of Fiesole.

When they step out onto the terrace, their gasps inevitably turn into oh-my-gods, which then become shouts of “are you kidding me?!” when they walk up the stairs to the second level, which is pretty much the highest point around and allows me unadulterated views of Palazzo Vecchio, San Miniato al Monte, the Bargello, Santa Croce, and the Duomo, not to mention almost total privacy when sunbathing weather arrives. I remember the realtor saying as he attempted to convince me to take the apartment, “sì, è piccolo, ma hai il Duomo proprio in faccia” (“I know it’s small, but the Duomo is literally in your face”). Little did he know that as soon as he opened the shutters of the picture window in the bedroom that’s not even big enough to fit a bed, I had already made my decision.

From lying in the rays of the summer sun to enjoying wine and cheese with friends as the sun sets behind some of the most famously beautiful monuments in the world to having the absolute best view of fireworks during the numerous occasions throughout the year when Florentines love to set them off (Easter, the Feast of St. John, and New Year’s Eve, among others), my little rooftop terrace offers endless ways to enjoy the sights and sounds below.

And as a person whose job is to show people the best of Florence, I feel very lucky to have such an incredible view.

My Terrazza

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