Florence, Italy – April 30 to May 7

Air Europa from Lima to Madrid.  Biz class – from an accumulation of  AmEx Platinum miles – which was very nice.  Then a connection from Madrid to Rome.  Italo train from Rome to Florence.  After 24 hours of travel it was a fantastic surprise when Nikki – studying abroad at NYU’s Florence campus – met us at the station. 

Also great cuz we needed someone to help us find our Airbnb.  If you are thinking about going to Florence and need more than just a hotel room we very highly recommend this place.  [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/661521?check_in=2018-08-06&guests=1&adults=1&check_out=2018-08-11]

Two bedrooms – one with a queen size bed – and one with a twin.  Possibly two twins if you ask.  One and a half bathrooms.  Living/dining room and a serviceable kitchen (no oven, but a microwave).  But the best part is the location.  Just around the corner from the Palazzo Vecchio.  Right in the middle of Florence.  Walk out the door to the best shopping, bars and restaurants.  Three minute walk to the Uffizi Museum.  A great base to do Firenze.

Firenze is such a fun place.  Architecture, art, food, and shopping (especially for leather products) are all five star.  And the views are just so memorable.  Even the Arno River – which really isn’t much of a river – comes alive when the sun hits it just right.

We’d been in Florence a few times before so we opted to try a few different experiences.  First up was a tour of a Parmagiano cheese factory.  [https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/91363?location=Florence%2C%20Italy&source=p2&currentTab=experience_tab&searchId=dd83d5a2-9b87-40fa-b102-cb98ebdf358f&federatedSearchId=ce43c316-09b1-4fc5-95f6-25cfc884c8e1&sectionId=e0c2624e-2203-4195-be34-d03ed933978c]

Authentic Parmagiano cheese comes solely from Parma Reggiano – about an hour train ride from Florence.  The manufacturing process has been highly regulated and maintains its traditional roots.  We met Claudio – who’s family has been making cheese for generations – and, after putting on sterile lab coats, he took us on a tour of his factory.  Really cool to see the making of the cheese wheels and the “caveau” – where thousands of cheese wheels are maturing.  Smells so good!

Next up was a leather making workshop.  [https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/158168] This is what happens when you only have daughters.  But it was really fun.  Florence is one of the leather capitals of the world.  There are hundreds of leather stores with beautiful hand-crafted items.  We went to a small leather shop where the super nice proprietor let us pick out our leather and then taught us how to cut it with her patterns and ultimately – over about three hours – craft some very cool items.  Shawn and Nikki made purses and I made a sweet leather pouch.  Totally recommend this as well.

 

Also went for an Italian cooking class.  [https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g187895-d11450563-Cooking_Class_and_Lunch_at_a_Tuscan_Farmhouse_with_Local_Market_Tour_from_Florence.html]  Another great experience.  First a tour of Market Centrale – which is a must see and where we purchase our ingredients – then a very short bus ride to an beautiful farmhouse in the hills above Florence.  Chefs Issak and Carmella are funny and extra-energetic while teaching the group of about 20 to make bruschetta (pronounced properly in Italian, bru-ske-ta), roast pork, ragu, pesto, fresh pasta from scratch and amazing tiramisu.  All with generous amounts of Chianti Classico.  Great day and one of the best meals ever.  And no worries about having 20 in the group.  The kitchen and dining rooms (with an incredible view) are super nice and appropriately sized. After one glass of wine, everyone blends just fine.  Another excursion that is highly recommended.  

And, of course, beyond the “excursion/experiences”, we had time for just walking around.  There are so many marvelous things to marvel at. 

Eating is also pretty prodigious.  There are far too many good restaurants to name.  But some of our favorites, suggested by Nikki, were Osteria Santa Spirito for great pasta (know for it’s gnocchi with tuffle cheese sauce) [https://www.google.com/search?q=osteria+santa+spirito&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#lkt=LocalPoiAbout&trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:nav,rc_ludocids:8779609045513250019,rc_q:Osteria%2520Santo%2520Spirito,ru_q:Osteria%2520Santo%2520Spirito] and Gustapizza for great pizza. Both are casual, well priced and in the Santo Spirito area.  

Other favorites included Ristorante Hostaria il Desco [http://www.hostariaildesco.com/] and Natalino [http://www.ristorantenatalino.com] for dinner and if you’re craving a rooftop for cocktails, the Hotel Continentale Terraza Bar [https://www.lungarnocollection.com/la-terrazza-lounge-bar] at the base of the Ponte Vecchio is great!

There are so many other restaurants that you’ll find just by walking around.

And, of course, there is shopping.  Every famous (and not so famous) designer has a store in Florence. If you are looking for something unique – like perhaps a pair of red suede drivers – it will be here.

We’re on our way to Biarritz, France for a few days then to Bordeaux to meet up with Kevin and Linda Rosen for a cycling trip through the vineyards.  

So happy to be in Europe.  And to see Nikki.  We feel so fortunate to be on this journey.