Florence
- All’Antico Vinaio Sandwiches, go early
- Vivoli Gelato, get the Cream
- Don Nino Fresh cannoli by the duomo
- Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio Fruit, cheese, meats
Getting there
We LOVE Florence! If you take the train or metro there from the airport, you’re going to want to get off at the Santa Maria Novella Train Station in Firenze (Florence). From there, walk towards the basilica (the tallest building in town), you can probably follow the crowds, or just use your phone. (GPS still works and will show you where you are)
All’Antico Vinaio
Wander around Florence as much as you can. It’s amazing there. My sandwich place, where you have to go, no excuses: All’Antico Vinaio .
There are three of them all side by side. When you see 150 people lined up on the street, you know you’ve found the place. The lines go really quick. You’ll see they have their top 6 or so on a board outside. Get any of them. They’re all good. Off the top of my head, the “il Dante,” “Inferno” and “Favoloso” are good.
I normally just tell them to make their favorite sandwich, and I’ve never really been let down.
You can go for lunch… just get there around 1030 or 11 and wait. Or if you want to go with less people, you can wait until 4 or so, but then you miss having a killer dinner in Florence.
Bistecca Fiorentina
When you go out to dinner in Florence, you should at least try the Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine Steak) It’s a 1 1/2” T-bone that’s cooked rare made from a special type of cow (Chianina). So good and it’s that city’s specialty.
Gelato
In Florence, there are a few Gelato spots that you can go to. My #1 is Vivoli . Get their Cream (basic creme gelato) so ridiculous. Then try something else. I pretty much go everyday.
Don Nino
Another place for a good treat is on a corner that is directly next to the duomo/basilica. A place called Don Nino . I like to get a freshly made cannoli there. Just something I do…
Piazzale Michelangelo
If you want the crazy view and to walk a bit, head towards Piazzale Michelangelo across the river. It’s a bit of a walk, but gorgeous once you get up there.
Other things in Florence
Other things in Florence:
Crazy famous bridge “Ponte Vecchio”. Has all kinds of super expensive jewelry stores on it. Great place for sunsets if you aren’t up at Piazzale Michelangelo.
Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio
A market in a cool part of town we like is Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. They sell fresh fruit, cheese, meats and all kinds of stuff both outside and inside. Try the fruit. Insane.
If you make it to Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio , you may pass a small white food truck that says “Lampredotto”. They make very good sandwiches that are pretty famous. It’s worth a stop. Not nearly as big or filling as All’Antico vinaio, but still an experience.
Leather: Scuola del Cuoio
If you have any desire to buy leather while in Florence, which it’s famous for, don’t do it from any of the street vendors. It’s all imported and not authentic. Instead, go to the leather school, it’s called Scuola del Cuoio.
It’s behind a church and kind of tucked back there. Just keep walking back where you think you shouldn’t be going and it’s back there. Somebody will point you in the right direction if you’re going the wrong way. It’s a pretty cool thing to see. Nothing crazy, but free and you can buy small things if you want, or a $500 handmade leather jacket.
