The best part about not traveling in summer are absolutely off-season prices, excluding New Year’s Eve, you can find some absolutely great deals here. In fact, this past weekend I had the pleasure of staying the night at a brand-new boutique hotel that just opened in oltrarno, or ‘other side’ of the river opened by the passionate Betty Soldi, her partner Matteo and the bright team who are also the minds behind SoprArno suites on via maggio (where I’m staying on my wedding night!).
Ad Astra is quite possibly the coolest place I’ve seen lately, and if you go on booking.com, I have seen rates as low as 99 euros per night, which is a steal for this design-friendly spot with yes, a claw-foot tub in your room and Europe’s biggest private garden just outside your window. On the site, prices start at around € 118.16 per night in mid-December for two adults + breakfast.
SHOPPING IN FUN, ANYTIME – ANYWHERE. SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS
I am working on my annual list of holiday gift suggestions from in and around Tuscany, but in the meantime I have compiled a list of shops that I adore, and think you would too here. While heading to the open-air markets in Porcellino and San Lorenzo are decent for getting cheap scarves, I highly recommend looking into the city’s contemporary artisans, and visit their tiny shops in the center of town. Place like Aqua Flor, Mio Concept Store, Il Torchio and Societè Anonyme are places you can’t just find anywhere and certainly deserve a visit.
SANTA CLAUSE AKA (UBER) IS COMING TO TOWN
Rumors had it that Uber, a smart phone taxi app which I have coined the ‘airbnb’ of taxis, has arrived in Florence, but in a limited capacity and only in fancy ‘black’ rides. Taxi’s have had their panties in a twist for some time now because of the local government’s measures to increase the number of licenses (which was needed), but I was hoping this would make it’s way to the Italian market and I am proud to say that I have had my first experience this past weekend taking an Uber journey with a friend. It was painless, easy and comfortable and I was impressed! To get a free ride and see for yourself, I invite you to use my promo code here.
HOT CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, & A TRIP TO THE MOVIES
While let’s get real, people will eat gelato whether it’s boiling or freezing, when we get cold, we go for thick hot chocolate. This is a lifetime away from the crappy ‘swiss miss’ I used to make out of a packet in Texas, complete with tiny fake marshmallows. This is like drinking something solid, a thick creamy chocolate that only requires a small amount, and will change your life, it is that good. Favorite spots include Hemingways, which coincidentally serves wonderful cocktails and aperitivo in one cozy, attractive space. In the San Lorenzo neighborhood stop by My Sugar gelateria, Via de’Ginori, 49, to get a hot cup of chocolate to go.
For coffee lovers who want a serene place to sip, read, catch up on emails — top picks this winter with WiFi include Ditta Artiginale (which are consistently the best) on Via dei Neri, 32/R, the brand-new Andersen Cafe which is family-friendly Scandinavian spot close to piazza santa croce on Via Borgo Santa Croce, 21. Mama’s Bakery, a long-time favorite that serves bagles and American coffee on via della Chiesa 34/r. Volume is my go-to in hipster coffee car turned aperitivo hotspot at night in piazza Santo Spirito 5/r along with La Cite on borgo San Frediano 20. Le Vespe on via Ghibellina 76 is known for a kick-ass brunch with breakfast burritos, flat whites and freshly-squeezed juices, you can also bring your laptop and work alone here. Todo Modo on Via dei Fossi, 15 R is close to the train station and is an independent bookshop cafe with working WiFi.
If you haven’t yet seen the Odeon cinema in Florence, you’re missing out. This beautiful old theater is one of the coolest places I have had the pleasure to watch films. Right now there is the 50 days of International cinema, but there will also be popular movies like the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 playing some of the days. Check out the full program here.
MARKETS, MARKETS, WE ALL LOVE (MULLED WINE) MARKETS
This year the German Christmas market will start on December 2nd and last until December 20th, in piazza santa croce from 10am This is the prime spot to do a little pre-xmas perusing, drink mulled wine and pay way too much money for a huge hot dog in a short bun.
Additional markets include the Fierucola dell’Immacolata on Tuesday December 8, from 9 am to 8 pm in piazza SS.Annunziata and the Christmas Fierucola: Sunday, December 20 from 9 am to 7 pm, in piazza santo spirito. Also on the 8th of December is the lighting of the Christmas tree in piazza del duomo in Florence, typically starts around 5pm and attended by the major of the city.
The annual charity benefit, A.I.L.O Christmas Bazaar will be on December 8th, 10am – 5pm at Le Pagliere (ex scuderie reali) viale machiavelli, 24.
In late December, the weekend of 18-20th, will be the 13th edition of Nataleperfile at Palazzo Corsini by FILE, a charity organization helping the seriously ill. This is one of my favorites because it also lets revelers peek at this beautiful palazzo in the center of town, it’s a bit like entering another world. Typically the products sold here are of high-quality.
ICE-SKATING – SNOW TUBING, YEP IT EXISTS
For those who like to strap on some blades and skate around an ice rink, you have two options in the city. One is located in the Parterre area (near Piazza della Libertà) and the other is by the Obihall structure along the river. Called the Tuscany Winter Park they have ice-skating, snow tubing and it’s pretty cute, albeit small. Just take number 14 bus in the direction of ‘girone’. Equipment can be rented at both sites.