Page 311 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

FL ORENCE  309

Shopping in Florence also stocks marble sculptures and
statues. It was established in
Few cities of comparable size can boast such a profusion and 1860 and is still run by the same
variety of high-quality shops as Florence. As you wander founding family. For lovers of Art
through its medieval streets, you will find all the big names in Nouveau and Art Deco, there is
Italian fashion and jewellery alongside artisan workshops and Galleria Tornabuoni, while Ugo
Poggi has a selection of elegant
family-run businesses. The city has translated its reputation as porcelain. Ugolini and Mosaico
a centre of artistic excellence into a wealth of antiques and di Pitti create tables and framed
fine-art shops. Tuscan tanneries are justifiably renowned, and pictures using the age-old
there is nowhere better than Florence to buy shoes, bags and tech nique of marble inlay.
other leather goods. Those searching for unusual gifts and
souvenirs – from handmade stationery to delicious foodstuffs – Books and Gifts
will also be spoiled for choice. Feltrinelli and Feltrinelli RED
(the latter also a restaurant) sell
publications in several languages,
Where to Shop Shoes and Leather Goods
while Paperback Exchange has
The centre of Florence is packed The main meccas for fans of a wide selection of new and
with all sorts of shops, from designer Italian shoes are second-hand books in English.
fashion designer flagships to Ferragamo, Gucci and Prada. Typical Florentine crafts
second-hand bookstores. The For more classic styles, head include bookbinding and
tiny jewellery shops on the to Quercioli, which stocks handmade marbled paper, used
Ponte Vecchio sell both antique handmade leather footwear. to decorate a variety of objects.
items and high-quality new The mid-priced range is well These are avail able at Il Torchio
gold pieces. Antiques shops represented by Peppe Peluso and Il Papiro.
are mostly clustered around and the chain store Bata. For terracotta and ceramics,
Via dei Fossi, Via dei Serragli The streets around Piazza di try Sbigoli Terracotte; for
and Via Maggio. The best Santa Croce are filled with chandeliers and decorative glass
bargains can be found in leather shops. Inside the objects, head to La Bottega
the January and July sales. cloisters of the church itself is dei Cristalli.
the Scuola del Cuoio, where Signum sells postcards, posters
customers can watch the and prints, while Mandragora
Clothing
leather craftsmen at work. has a wide range of gifts based
Most leading Italian designer Classic leather bags are sold on famous artworks in the city.
names – Gucci, Armani, Versace at Il Bisonte and Beltrami; for
and Prada, for example – can more contemporary styles,
be found on Via de’ Tornabuoni. head to Coccinelle and Furla. Food and Markets
Opposite Palazzo Strozzi is Bound leather books, leather Florence’s main food market is
Louis Vuitton, with its boxes and leather-covered the covered Mercato Centrale
collections of footware, clothing wooden desk objects are sold (see p299), but fruit and vegetable
and luggage. Dolce & Gabbana at Scriptorium. stalls can also be found at the
is nearby, as is Patrizia Pepe, Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio.
while Valentino is in Via dei Jewellery On Tuesday mornings, there is a
Tosinghi. La Perla, specializing large market at the Parco delle
in sophisticated lingerie, is Florence has always been noted Cascine with food, affordable
located in Via della Vigna for its gold- and silversmiths. clothing and shoes.
Nuova, but more affordable Visit Torrini, whose family has Pegna is a mini-supermarket
lingerie styles can be found produced jewellery for six that stocks fresh foods, as well
at Intimissimi. centuries, and Pomellato’s as a range of gourmet items.
Most department stores stunning shop for its chunky The Bottega dell’Olio sells extra-
sell clothing. For mid-range white gold rings with huge semi- virgin Tuscan olive oils and Grom
fashion, try Coin. The more precious gems. Bulgari is on the is famous for its artisan gelato.
upmarket La Rinascente has same street, and so is Parenti, Dolceforte sells chocolate
designer clothing, lingerie and which has unique antique jewels. souvenirs in the shape of the
a great rooftop bar. Try Aprosio & Co for decorative Duomo and the statue of David.
For discounts on designer jewellery made from precious Biscuits and chocolates fill the
fashion, visit The Mall or metals and tiny glass stones. front half of Alessi, while at the
Barberino Designer Outlet, back are fine wines, spirits and
both about 30 minutes away Art and Antiques liqueurs. At Procacci, you can
from Florence. stop for a glass of Italian wine
There are fine silks and Galleria Romanelli has bronze while choosing between pots of
hand-woven fabrics at Casa statuary and works encrusted in black or white truffles and other
dei Tessuti. semi precious stones. The gallery delicacies to eat or buy.

it_308-309_central_italy.indd 309 26/04/16 5:17 pm