Caffe Florian started as 2 simple rooms in Piazza San Marco in 1720, making it the oldest continuously running caffe in Italy. Casanova was a frequent visitor, largely because it was the only coffee house that allowed women. Later on Lord Byron, Proust and Charles Dickens liked to take their coffee there.
Today the caffe is sumptuously decorated and the prices reflect this. Florian is ridiculously expensive, but it is necessary to try it at least once during your Venice stay. How could you not visit a place that has been open since before Captain Cook sailed along the coast of Australia? (8 years before he was born, in fact)
In the warmer months there is an orchestra playing under the portico, adding a delightful touch to the already wonderful atmosphere. Expect to pay €6 per person if the music is playing…it is worth it.
Although it is fun outside, I prefer to sit inside in one of the gorgeous rooms.
We ordered affogato (which means drowned…gelato drowned in espresso)
It was brought to us by a beautiful boy. Actually he was a handsome man, but there is no alliteration in that. Here he is…don’t say I don’t think of you.
