Florence, The Cradle Of Shopping Three itineraries to discover the most beautiful secrets of Florence between fashion, craftmanship, fine food and culture

By Claudio Fantuzzi – Journalist & photographer –

Clearly, tourism has changed. People are traveling more, but for much shorter periods of time. The ritual of the leisurely vacation is long forgotten; now, in all seasons, most people travel on the weekend – 2, 3 or 4 days – and mostly to art cities, where there are often excellent opportunities for shopping along the way of their cultural itinerary. Florence has an unparalleled number of shops of all types for all budgets in its historical centre; indeed, these days there are almost more shops than residences.

So, we took on the challenge of elaborating three walking itineraries conceived for a stay of two or more nights, itineraries that allow visitors to identify some of the most important monuments, museums, buildings, restaurants and boutiques. Keep in mind, of course, that in order to follow the various walks more easily, it is ideal to stay in a comfortable, centrally located hotel – with a view, needless to say – such as the Hotel Lungarno on the left bank or the Continentale or Gallery Art Hotels on the right, a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio, the throbbing commercial heart of the city with its world famous jewellery stores.

Itinerary 1
Ponte Vecchio has numerous goldsmiths for all budgets, but before ogling their shop windows, stop in to see the splendid Mannerist paintings of Pontormo in the Chiesa di Santa Felicita. Then, walk three minutes along Via Guicciardini towards Palazzo Pitti. You may choose to enter any of the several museums within those monumental walls; otherwise, turn right at the end of the Piazza to reach the lively Piazza Santo Spirito, with its small stores, restaurants, and neighbourhood markets, where many visitors say this square reminds them a bit of Paris. Next you can either continue into the heart of the San Frediano district towards Via De’ Serragli, another street lined with antique shops and historic buildings, and then on to see Masaccio’s splendid frescoes in the Basilica del Carmine, or you can linger in Via Maggio and the surrounding alleyways like Via Toscanella, full of art studios and prestigious antique shops (Marletta, Frascione, Pratesi) as well as modern ones like Traslucido. Or, you may choose to do both. At the end of Via Maggio, with Ponte Santa Trinità in view, turn right for Borgo San Jacopo, where you will find the Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco and the lilliputian Lo Spillo, a true gem of a goldsmith shop.

Itinerary 2
After crossing Ponte Vecchio to the right bank, walk on Via Por Santa Maria, where, on the right, you can have lunch at La Buca dell’Orafo, a “typical” restaurant, or, further along after the arch in Via de’ Georgofili, at L’Ora d’Aria, for a more formal ambience. This area has a number of renowned shops. Inés, for one, a boutique sought out by stylish women both young and old, can be found on Via Calimala, which leads into Piazza della Signoria, with its famed attractions of Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus and other sculptures including the copy of David, and the Uffizi Museums. Also here is Chanel’s fabulous boutique as well as numerous outdoor café, comfortably covered and heated according to the season. Following the Chanel windows along Via Calimaruzza, you reach the Porcellino market with its popular street-food stand. From there, continue on Via Porta Rossa to find shops such as Eredi Chiarini, with classic yet modern clothes for men, including tailor-made items, Noi, selling prestigious leatherwear, Aspesi, Missoni and Moschino. This road leads into Piazza Santa Trinità – Via Tornabuoni, Florence’s ultimate fashion street. Between that and the cross street Via della Vigna, you can find virtually all the top designer shops. To the left towards the river are the Ferragamo headquarters with its flagship store and own museum; across the way is a Gothic cathedral with a masterpiece by Ghirlandaio in the Sassetti Chapel, and to the right, along the way to the Baroque Church of San Gaetano, you will find Gucci, Armani, Bulgari and Procacci, famous for its delicious truffle sandwiches, noble local wines and rich assortment of delicacies. Next come Tod’s, Scervino, Pomellato, Parenti “jewellery store of the élite”, Tiffany, Pucci, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, Hermès, and Loretta Caponi. At this point, if you decide to return to the hotel, take Via Del Trebbio (at the beginning of which stands Buca Lapi, another well-known Florentine trattoria). Then, hopefully after a visit inside the splendid Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, head towards the Arno River on Via de’ Fossi (another “must-see” for those interested in quality antiquities, along with the international art shop “Art & Libri”). After crossing the river on Ponte della Carraia, to the left you will find Via Santo Spirito and the Borgo San Jacopo with the hotel.

Itinerary 3
This itinerary begins with Ponte Vecchio, Via Por Santa Maria, and Piazza della Signoria. From there, continue along the ever crowded Via Calzaiuoli, lined with every kind of shop, hotel, and B&B. Following this to the majestic museum complex of the Duomo, you can visit the Cathedral and Baptistery, right opposite the flagship store of Patrizia Pepe. Next, walk up Via Roma, with its countless famous shops including Prada, Miu Miu, Luisa Via Roma, Liu-Jo, Pinko, Kors, Gucci, Armani Emporio, Zara, and Rinascente (whose roof bar offers a fabulous view of the monumental religious complex). Keep in mind that various other streets wind between Via Calzaiuoli and Via Roma, including the Corso, with a bar/café whose coffee blends are considered among the best in the city.