november-2010

ITALY Population 58,090,681 Currency Euro GDP
FLORENCE
† €21,555 Dialling code +39
Airport code FLR Flight frequency Four times weekly Average temp (Nov) 9°C
Florence’s charms are
no less compelling in
the winter months, when
the cold is off set by huge
steaming cups of hot
chocolate. Don’t miss
the Festival dei Popoli
(festivaldeipopoli.org),
a well-established
documentary fi lm festival
that takes over various
venues in November.
Kamin Mohammadi
is our city guide
PIAZZA DELLA REPUBBLICA
AND AROUND
This 19th-century piazza, with its
triumphal arch, is the centre of
town, with the Duomo and the
Signoria very short walks away.
Boasting grand cafés and shops
such as Chanel, this is a great
place to linger and people watch.
SLEEP Design hotel the Continentale
(6r Vicolo dell’Oro, tel. 055 2726 4000,
lungarnohotels.com, rooms from €200)
has an air of the glamorous 1950s, and
a gorgeous little bar on the terrace
overlooking the river and the Duomo.
CULTURE The annual documentary
festival Festival dei Popoli (13-20
November) screens films at various
venues – the most atmospheric of which
must be the art nouveau interior of the
Odeon Cinema (2 Piazza Strozzi).
EAT Frescoes and archaeological
artifacts are part of the décor at
Alle Murate (Palazzo dell’Arte dei
Giudici e dei Notai, 16 Via del
Preconsolo, tel. 055 240618), situated
in the Palace of the Art of Judges and
Notaries. Take a tour before dining on
the wonderful menu, which is heavily
influenced by the Basilicata region where
cook (she doesn’t like the title of chef)
Giovanna was born, and Tuscany where
she grew up. A feast for all the senses,
not to be missed.
114
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2010
INFO
Florence’s Perètola
(or Amerigo
Vespucci) airport
is 5km northwest
of the city.
Bus A bus from the
airport to Santa
Maria Novella
station leaves
every 30 minutes
and the journey
takes 20 minutes.
Tickets cost €4.
Taxi A taxi from
the airport to the
city centre takes
20 minutes and
costs about €20.
Tourist offi ce
The City Tourist
Offi ce is at
1r Via Cavour
(tel. 055 290832,
fi renzeturismo.it).
Fit for a king: dine in palatial
surroundings at Alle Murate
SHOP Founded by the inventor of talcum
powder, British chemist Henry Roberts,
Profumeria Inglese (Piazza dell’Olio)
continues to sell delicious concoctions
for beauty and wellbeing.
TIP Make like the locals and stop for
a tripe sandwich at the lampredotto
stand (Mercato Nuovo) on the corner
of the market and the loggia of Piazza
della Repubblica.
SAN MARCO AND AROUND
A busy piazza a short walk north of
the Duomo that’s filled with buses
and cars, this area houses many
important cultural treasures,
including David by Michelangelo.
CULTURE Michelangelo’s masterpiece
is, of course, essential viewing when
visiting Florence, but be prepared to
queue for the Galleria dell’Accademia
(58 Via Riscoli, tel. 055 243640), where
you will also find further work by the
famous artist and other Renaissance
masters. You can also see (and hear)
a fascinating collection of old musical
instruments in the gallery. Dating from
the 17th century, they include a viola
by Antonio Stradivari and the oldest
vertical piano in the world. The
instruments once belonged to the Medici
and Lorraine families, and are on loan
from the Cherubini Conservatory.
SHOP Leather is one of Florence’s
specialities; I Medici (82 Via dei Servi)
sells beautiful, colourful handbags.
TIP Even though it’s winter, don’t miss
out on the delicious ice creams of Sicilian
gelateria Carabé (60 Via Ricasoli). Try
the heavenly pistachio or lemon.
VIA TORNABUONI
Florence’s smartest street, Via
Tornabuoni is home to all those
fabulous Italian luxury labels.
Here and in the surrounding
streets is where Florence’s
chicest ladies shop.
EAT A traditional Florentine cellar
restaurant, Buca dell’Orafo (28 Via
dei Girolami, tel. 055 213619) is small
and noisy and full of lively locals. The
menu is traditional Tuscan and all
ingredients are seasonal, local and
collectively delicious.
SHOP Discover the designers at
Versace (13-15), YSL (29), Prada (53
for women and 67 men), Armani (81)
and finally Cavalli (83), with a famous
café attached for a well-earned coffee.
SLEEP Set in adjoining palaces, Hotel
Tornabuoni Beacci (3 Via Tornabuoni,
tel. 055 212645, tornabuonihotels.com,
rooms from €120) has refined and
splendid surroundings, individually
decorated rooms and a wonderful roof
terrace, as well as – obviously – the
best address in town.
LATER Tiny and glamorous, Florentine
institution Procacci (64 Via Tornabuoni)
is a must for a glass of prosecco and
its famous panini tartufati (truffle
sandwich) after shopping. There’s also
an appetizer buffet in evenings, which
you can graze for the price of a drink.
€99 *
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