Florence off the beaten path
L'Oltrarno and the S. Niccolò Quarter
On the opposite side of the Arno to the Uffizi, you will find the rive gauche of Florence, otherwise known by the local Fiorentini, the “Dilàdarno” This area hosts the most bohemian Florence, made up of alleyways and streets of small boutiques, second hand shops, hand crafted shops, as well as many new restaurants and bars where the young pour in for the evening aperitif and dinner. The main meeting points are S. Spirito Square and the small square Piazza della Passera; some of the most trendy spots of the moments are “Ditta Artigianale” (http://www.dittaartigianale.it/it/) with its 50’s vintage design specialising in gin and coffee roasting, the trattoria “4 Leoni” (http://www.4leoni.it/4Leoni/) which hosts photographic exhibitions and Zeb (http://www.zebgastronomia.com/home/) a gastronomic paradise with counters to taste soups, cooked meals and other delicious Tuscan delicacies. Moving towards the S. Spirito Square in the direction of San Biccolò Bridge, take the road of the same name to get to Poggi Square. Right here, in summer there is a little beach on the Arno River with a kiosk where they organise superb evening events. From there you walk up to the Michelangelo Square where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city: not to be missed!
Explore this historic area known as the former stomping ground of Florence's Medici rulers and Renaissance artisans. You can also book a private guide who will help you discovering the secrets of local craftmen and their products.
A trip between wine and architecture
Over the last few years the latest trend are gastronomy tours and the Tuscany region, with more than 58 wines ofcontrolled designation of origin, and certainly it is one of the regions which lends to destination and quality of produce. Since the 1990’s the creation of wine cellars branded by great architects both Italian and foreign has been concentrated in the Tuscany Region (together with the Federation of the Roads of Wine, of Olive Oil and the Tastes of Tuscany) and has decided to create a circuit, the only in Europe, of these 14 contemporary wine cellars branded by these great architects from the XX century, to unite the tasting of wine and art and architecture (for info:www.winearchitecture.it). It goes from the Rocca Wine Estate developed by Renzo Piano to the Ammiraglia Estate created by Piero Sartago, to the wine cellar of Petra designed by Mario Botta and many other dispersed amongst the beautiful Tuscany hills.