I thought that I had cut my 10-day trip down to Rome and a simple daytrip to Pompeii. A friend has now convinced me that I absolutely must take the train to Florence so that I can shop at the markets.
Can anyone give me feedback on the markets in Florence. What days/times are they open? Are they worth the trip?
Mizz Eve
summertime and the living is easy.......
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Are you going to doa day trip from Rome? It is an easy train ride on the IC, intercity,a bout 1 1/2 hours.
We have a fabulous food market ( Mercato centrale) which closes at 2pm. And a really fun open air market also right there in San Lorenzo. Of course them there is downtown stylish shopping.,some of the stores close at 1 and then reopen, which is when you can shop the open air market! I love it!!! and we can meet if I am not working!
I'll be in Rome 13 - 22 Sept. I plan one overnight trip to Pompeii. Not sure what day of the week I'll do that as I want to see the museum in Naples too. Otherwise, my schedule is open.
Diva ~ I think that I'll make it to Florence either Thursday, or Friday, or Saturdy (17th, 18th, 19th of Sept). Do you have any free time one of those days?
I am probably teaching all three days, but finish around 4pm! I can give you some advice where to go without me... and if you want to know where some of the secrets are,... there is a Eurostar to Florence, takes about 1 1/2 hours to get here, we could meet before my class I start at 11, and then again after!
I usually buy silk scarves at the markets in Florence and those burn-out velvet scarves. Occasionally I find a good belt. But my regret is that I haven't yet bought an umbrella that looks like Brunelleschi's dome. The first time I saw one I said "Tacky," and after leaving I discovered I really really wanted one! I've forgotten where the antiques and junk market is exactly, but I've found cool stuff there at times, too.
Posts: 2772 | Location: Umbria | Registered: 13 September 2001
quote:Originally posted by Mizz Eve: A friend has now convinced me that I absolutely must take the train to Florence so that I can shop at the markets.
If you are so much interested in markets, if you are interested in food markets too, don't forget to explore Mercato Trionfale in Rome!
Alice Twain -- – Che peccato, signora: lei ha partorito e suo marito non c’era. – Oh, se è per quello non c’era nemmeno quando sono rimasta incinta! Leo Ortolani, Rat Man, “Il primogenito”
quote:Originally posted by Alice Twain: you are interested in food markets too, don't forget to explore Mercato Trionfale in Rome!
Okay Alice, I left you the Fried Green Tomato recipe in the other thread - how about divulging a little more info about this market. I've never heard of it (where/when/what)??? Thanks a bunch
If you want a bit of the taste of old Firenze, have a meal at Nerbonne in the Mercato Centrale.
I loved the Mercato and bought the best lamb I have ever tried there. The butcher's family raised the lamb on their farm in sothern Toscana. It was still milk fed and the chops were tiny and delicious!
For Diva: We will be in Florence Sept. 25 and 26 and are very interested in the market as well. We are very close to the Uffizzi and wonder how far we would be from the market (not the food market) and how long it would take us to get there. We will arrive mid to late afternoon on the 25th and will leave mid morning on the 27th, but have all day on the 26th. We are interested in good quality shoes, leather jackets (bought our last ones from Anna - close to the Ponte Vecchio) as well as jewelry. Is the market a good place to look for those items as well?
Posts: 27 | Location: Orange, Ca. USA | Registered: 17 June 2003
Nancy, You're just a 5 minute walk to the San Lorenzo open air market. There are a lot of leather goods there, but I would also look in the area around Santa Croce for leather. The market is not especially good for jewelry, but there are a lot of little stores between San Lorenzo & Santa Croce that have interesting jewelry. Of course, Ponte Vecchio has loads of jewelry, but I find those stores have too many choices.
Posts: 495 | Location: San Diego, Ca. | Registered: 27 November 2002
Florence is a small easy walking town and if you don't do too much window shopping you can get anywhere in 15-20 minutes!
I have a hidden away leather guy under the arch ways near the Central Market STELLA LEATHER, tell them you know me and there is a magic discount. I always walk my clients by there, and the DIVINA prices are fabulous, soft antelope shammy shirts, 130 Euro instead of 250! leather jackets the same! he sells stuff to guys downtown and you are paying for the rent!
some of the more expensive stores do have more variety.. but for 150 I can be simple! one of my clients had seen a jacket downtown for 950, and got three for that price with me!
There are lots of nice gold store all around. do some price shopping! I take my mom to UGO something, right before the Ponte Vecchio coming from the duomo on the right. There are some other places for more unusual pieces.
Thank you Tomasso and Diva - I have printed out your recommendations and will include them with our travel info. Diva, I looked into your web site and will spend more time on it before we leave. I already have my goal for our next visit to Florence: at least one cooking class with you!! Your restaurant recommendations sound like we better try several. Thank you for this valuable reference !!! We're counting the days!!
Posts: 27 | Location: Orange, Ca. USA | Registered: 17 June 2003
As someone who is making their first trip to Italy, I find the resources in this forum as a must for anyone.
For Diva, I could only wish I could attend one of your cooking courses on my first trip, alas it will have to wait for the second trip.
On topic, how is the shopping compared to the US and say a higher end store such as Neiman Marcus or Nordstroms. While I salivate at the thought of an antilope shirt, would customs allow such an item through? Is haggeling the norm such as places in Africa/Mexico?
SAY SUEDE..!! My mom has brought 6 of the shirts in for all her friends.. my new favorite leather is from SKATE, stingray for shoes at the magic shoe maker of Panzano!
No haggleing, ask what the best price is, offer to pay in cash... or for mulitple purchases, tow or three items at the same shop. The only ones you cna haggle with are the African sales guys on the street, but hey, they are living 10 to a room and eating rice!
But for a fake Louis, you can probably pay half of what they are asking.
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