Winter in Firenze
Welcome back! If you're new here- I’m Nikki, and welcome to AXN Atelier. Atelier is a fancy French word for studio; welcome to my metaphorical atelier, where I'll share some behind the scenes, travel recommendations, collaborations, gift guides, and more.
I began writing this blog about a year ago, just when I had returned from a Valentine's Day trip to Rome and Florence, Italy. Well apparently I never finished it or posted it! It's never too late to reminisce or give Italy travel recommendations so here she is, a year matured:
We just got back from ITALY! I love wintering- tea, warm blankets, early nights in with my dog. But towards February time I start to get restless- as do most people I think. We had some flight credits to use and booked a trip to Rome and Florence for mid February to celebrate Valentine's Day and collect some inspiration for axn.
I was lucky enough to study abroad and intern in Florence when I was in college for a spring semester (Jan-May) so I was not surprised by the cold and rainy weather in Northern Italy this time of year. I prefer the off season crowd-less streets to the hot and humid summers with body to body lines to get into museums. I’ve come to romanticize a cold and rainy, historical Florence anyways! There’s something special about museum hopping to avoid the rain- and of course stopping for espressos to warm up throughout the day.
I’ve become a self-proclaimed Florentine travel pro. Here’s some of my favorite, off the beaten path things to do and eat in the city:
Morning Cappuccinos and a pastry
-S. Forno (Via Santa Monaca, 3R, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy) A bakery, a caffè, a bottega.
-La Brac (Via dei Vagellai, 18r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy) also a bookstore!
-Cibrèo Caffè (Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 5R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy) next door to the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, an indoor market with fresh foods and specialty foods
Lunch
-Trattoria Boboli (Via Romana, 45R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy), my favorite place for lunch and dinner when studying abroad
-Ginos bakery (Via de' Guicciardini, 3/5, 50041 Firenze FI, Italy) Just across the Ponte Vecchio, perfect for a lunch on the go- specifically a cannoli and arancini!
Aperitivo
-Loggia Roof Bar (Piazza Santo Spirito, 9, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) Wonderful view of the Oltrarno neighborhood and Palazzo Santo Spirito. Great shopping in this neighborhood (artisans, vintage stores, trattorias, and caffes).
Dinner
-Buca Lapi (Via del Trebbio, 1r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) Traditional tuscan food in a vaulted cellar lined with vintage posters. Brock got the rabbit and said it was his favorite dish of the trip!
-Sabatini (Via Panzani, 9/A, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) Traditional pasta, Florentine steak, and wines. Beautiful space and food! You must get tiramisu no matter how full you are.
Gelato / Treats
-Gelateria Dei Neri (Via dei Neri, 9/11R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy)
-Vivoli (Via Isola delle Stinche, 7r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy) a viral classic for a reason
-Sbrino (Via dei Serragli, 32r, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy) I went twice it was so good. Also next door to a photoautomatica!
Cocktails
-Spiritum (Via Sant'Agostino, 14, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) a gorgeous interior
-Rasputin (Borgo Tegolaio, 21R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) speakeasy! make sure you make a reservation and get the secret password
Shopping for my artist friends:
-Zecchi Fine Art Store (Via dello Studio, 19, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy) my favorite art supply store. I cannot find it on the map but across the street was a very cute boutique grocery store! I got so many classic Italian treats and candies here to bring home.
-Il Papiro (3 locations in Florence) gorgeous vintage inspired stationery
-Alberto Cozzie Rilegatore (Via del Parione, 35 r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) another gorgeous stationery store (and my favorite). I got the cutest marbled paper trinket box!
To Do
-LA SPA Helvetia and Bristol (Via dei Pescioni, 8, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) A spa experience where Roman baths once stood. A bath house experience with 7 different rooms (sauna, salt, pools, etc.) with beautiful sunset ocean projections. And only 55-70 euros for the bathhouse experience!
-Giunti Odeon (Piazza degli Strozzi, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) Library and cinema, great spot to take a rest and watch some movie clips. Full of students studying when I was there and was a great place to wait out the rain! Also a beautiful classic cinema interior.
Photoautomatica
-Address: Via dell’Agnolo, 117 (NEAR SANT AMBROGIO MARKET)
Churches and Museums
-Bardini Gardens (Costa S. Giorgio, 2, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) Closer and quieter than the Boboli Gardens (although I would recommend to go to both!) and has a very wonderful view of the whole city
-Cappelle Medicee (Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 6, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) my favorite museum/chapel in the entire city
Until next time, Florence!
Cheers,
axn
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