On my latest trip to Florence I discovered a few new things, some new to Florence and some I found for the first time.
There is an excellent new hotel called Piazza San Paolino in Via Palazzuolo, in the Santa Maria Novella district. I didn’t stay there but I visited the ground floor where there is a restaurant, fitness centre, bar, open courtyard and a cafe/deli. I will definitely be planning an overnight stay there soon. http://www.25hours-hotels.com
The Jeff Koons exhibition is open in the Palazzo Strozzi. The queue to enter was a bit long so that can wait for another visit too.http://www.palazzostrozzi.org
The Sophia Loren cafe/ restaurant and bar opened earlier this year and on this Florence visit I went there for breakfast. It is situated on the edge of the Piazza Republica in the centre of Florence. The coffee and pastry were excellent and the setting is lovely. http://www.sophialorenrestaurant.com
I have been wanting to go to Nugolo, a restaurant I follow on Instagram. It is not open for lunch so I was provided with a good reason to stay overnight in Florence. We met owner Nerina Martinelli when she introduced herself and explained the menu and the reason for the name of the restaurant.
Her family grows 200 varieties of fruit and vegetables including the “nugolo”, a variety of tomato. For Nerina excellent fresh produce is the basis for her contemporary style food. She is involved in every aspect of the business and is also a charming host. http://www.ilnugolo.com
The setting is inviting.
Every dish was a delight.
I found a shop called Julia B. Casa in Via del Fosso 33r. It has exquisite linens and accessories for the home. The shop is gorgeous with many things I would like to take home. http://www.juliab.com
This restaurant opposite Julia B. Casa is not new and I have noticed it before. I absolutely love the facade of the building. I will eat there on another visit. It is called Tre Merli… 3 Blackbirds.I hope the food is as good as the setting.http://www.3merli.com
The shop windows are full of winter clothes, which is handy, winter has come a bit early this year.
Some things don’t change in Florence. Santa Maria Novella church is always beautiful.
The view over the Arno is always delightful.
The Palazzo Vecchio is definitely not new and puts on a good show at night.
I stayed at Hotel Maxim Axial in Via dei Calzaiuoli 11. It is right in the centre of Florence, the room was great and looked onto a pretty internal courtyard. http://www.hotelmaximaxial.com