December 11, 2011
San Lorenzo Leather Market
When visitors to Italy's famous Renaissance city of Florence think of outdoor markets, more than likely the large San Lorenzo market is the first to come to mind. Tourists and locals meet at this daily market to buy items from leather coats, handbags, and hats, to linens, t-shirts, and handmade souvenirs.
Located on the streets surrounding the San Lorenzo Church, and open Tuesday to Saturday (and first Sunday of the month) 7:30am to 7pm, there are vendors and stalls with products varied enough to please the most picky of shoppers. Covered stalls line the streets between the church and the busy Via Nazionale, and stay open rain or shine. Be prepared to bargain, as this is one of the best markets to shop around. So many vendors sell similar items that if you don't get a price you like with one seller, don't hesitate to walk to another stall.
If you've come to Italy with a list of leather goods to buy, this market is a great place to check a few items off your shopping list. Leather sellers (pelletteria) are abundant and offer belts, coats, shoes, wallets, bracelets, bound books, and more...and many of the vendors are connected with the shops that line the streets behind the stalls. So if you don't see something you like, or your perfect size, don't worry, as many of them can take you into the shop to look at a bigger selection.
Just a couple blocks from the Duomo, the San Lorenzo area is a convenient stop and the church is worth checking out while you're visiting the market. It's one of the oldest churches in Florence and houses the famous Medici Chapel. Don't miss taking a gander in the Mercato Centrale which is the indoor market connected to the San Lorenzo market and offers fresh produce, meats, and cheeses.
Open Tu-Sa, 1st Su of each month 7:30am - 7pm
Admission Free Read Less
Source: http://www.igougo.com/journal-j73210-Florence-Off_to_the_Market_in_Florence.html#1365996
I definitely bought Graven's pair of crocks from this man
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San Gimignano
San Gimignano
There’s
good reason for such popularity. The towers, which once numbered 72, were symbols
of the power and wealth of the city’s medieval families. San Gimignano delle
Belle Torri (meaning ‘of the Fine Towers’ – though they’re actually almost
devoid of design and rather dull unless sheer height impresses you) is
surrounded by lush, productive land and the setting is altogether enchanting.
I
enjoy getting to San Gimignano early in the morning before the town awakens.
It is quiet and magical, creating a sense of timelessness. This is
the perfect time to stroll the small streets capturing beautiful photographs of
antiquity and charm. Around mid-morning, the town begins to stir and
storefronts open to offer an array of trinkets and treasures--a great sampling
of local agricultural and hand-made products. After a leisurely lunch, I
insist on taking a walk around the 13th-century walls where breathtaking views
of the surrounding valley can be found.
Home to the BEST gelato IN THE WORLD
Ponte Vecchio and Arno River
Be sure to visit the Ponte Vechio and find the lovers locks. If you go at night there's usually someone playing music.
Fast Facts About Italy
Coffee
consumption
Italians drink 600 cups per head a year, according to one
study!
Endangered
species?
They’re not quite extinct, but Italian children are in increasingly
short supply. Italy’s birth rate is one of the lowest in the Western world, and
with one-fifth of the 59.1 million population over 65, there are more
grandparents than grandchildren!
Population 59.1
million
Currency What's the
euro (€) worth today?
Terms
of endearment
amore mio - my love; delizia - delicious
one; dolcezza - honey/sugar; pollastrello/a mio/a - my little
chicken
Most
famous aperitivo Campari
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