Florence has always been famous for its outdoor and indoor markets. One of the more famous among its various markets is the Sant Ambrogio Market which is held every morning at the Piazza Ghiberti near Santa Croce.

The open markets in Florence offer both the Florentines and tourists a chance to pick up fresher and reasonably priced goods when compared to the various supermarkets. They have such a lovely atmosphere teeming with life, filled with bonhomie and cheer that it is definitely great fun to visit and shop here.

Sant Ambrogio Market is an ancient Florentine market situated in a large attractive building built in the eighteen sixties with various stalls spilling outside the building. The market stalls offer fresh fruits and vegetables, various cheeses, fish and meats. The outer stalls sell fruits, vegetables, household items and even clothes whereas the inner ones concentrate on selling cheeses, various cuts of meat and fish and pastas as well.

As you wander around the market exploring the various stalls you can even get yourself a few snacks or even a small meal as there is a reasonably priced trattoria called Rocco offering authentic and tasty local Italian cuisine.

Spend some time at a local market like Sant Ambrogio Market and lose yourself in the exciting flavours and fragrances that a simple marketing experience in Florence can give. You can soak in the local atmosphere as you may even find some farmers selling their produce near the fringes of the Sant Ambrogio Market.

Sant Ambrogio Market is open from Monday to Saturdays from 7am to 2 pm. It remains closed on Sundays and other holidays.

Despite its American sounding name Danny Rock is much more than just a place to get your daily/ weekly dose of burgers especially cheeseburgers, and fries. Although it looks more like a fast food joint with its green metal chairs and tables and a basic décor it has a fairly extensive menu which is mainly a mix of American and Italian dishes.
 
Danny Rock offers what can be considered as among the best and most authentic (made by a French Chef) crepes in town. Both the sweet and savoury varieties are extremely popular with the crowds that throng Danny Rock especially to sample their crepes. 
 
Danny Rock also has a large and varied menu pandering to all kinds of styles. It offers pizzas, pastas, salads, (which are extremely popular), spaghettis, first courses, second courses, desserts, coffee. There are twelve different types of cooking styles on offer. There are over hundred choices of dishes in these twelve categories. So you will have enough and more choices to make.    
 
Danny Rock is situated on Via Pandolfini in the medieval district near Santa Croce, Florence. It is open all seven days of the week. It is reasonably priced and offers an extensive menu to choose from. Do visit this pub restaurant for its youthful crowds and long elegant marble bar where you can have a drink or catch up with music videos , television etc as you wait for a table. It does get a bit loud and crowded at night. If you prefer a quieter option you can always eat on the terrace where there are a few tables and it is advisable to make dinner reservations. Enjoy!!

Alchermes di Firenze or Elisir di Lunga Vita (Elixir of Long Life) is an Italian liqueur which has its origins in Florence. It is an ancient recipe of the House of Medici. The recipe was a closely guarded secret for decades. It was the favourite drink of many famous members of the House of Medici including Pope Leon X and Pope Clement VII. It is said that Catherine di Medici introduced Alchermes to French Court. Thus it is sometimes referred to in France as the “Liqueur of the Medici’s.”
 
Alchermes di Firenze has a lovely intense scarlet colour from which it derives its name. The main ingredients used to make Alchermes di Firenze include neutral hydrated alcohol, cinnamon, coriander, Alquermes (cochineal insect), mace, cloves, cardamom, orange peel, anise, vanilla, sugar and rose water.  
 
Alchermes di Firenze is a refreshing drink which also helps in digestion. It has a sweet yet spicy flavour. It can be consumed at any time of the day preferably chilled. It can be used a sweet and cooling drink. It can be also be used as a filling or to add colour to meringues, cakes and other desserts. It is sometimes added to mascarpone (soft Italian cream cheese) and sugar to make a simple and very tasty dessert in a jiffy. Alchermes can also be used to make Zuppa Inglese (translated to mean English Soup) which is not a soup but actually is an Italian dessert.
 
Although you may think Alchermes is an obscure liqueur you never know, you may be in for a pleasant surprise after you try it as a refreshing drink or as part of an Italian dessert.

The National Museum of Bargello is housed in the medieval Bargello Palace that is situated on Via del Proconsolo, Florence. It has an impressive collection of sculptures and art which is too extensive to describe in this blog.
 
What is of major interest currently is Jacopo Sansovino’s Madonna in Papier Mache. This excellent depiction of Madonna and Child has been painstakingly restored to a great deal of its original colour with the help of many modern day patrons. It is currently being exhibited at Museum Bargello. This huge bas relief by Jacopo Sansovino is made from papier mache which was rare in the sixteenth century and is still quite a fragile material. The restored Madonna in Papier Mache by Florentine sculptor Jacopo Sansovino is indeed an art work worth visiting and appreciating. 
 
The exhibition began on the twenty ninth of September two thousand and seven and will finish on the seventh of January two thousand and eight. Visiting the Bargello Museum is a cultural experience by itself as it is a treasure trove of art.

Christmas in Florence is a unique experience for all the excellent events in store. The   Exhibition of Jacopo Sansovino’s Madonna in Papier Mache is one more plus point to visit us in Florence. You can combine art, culture, religious festivities and enjoyment this festive season.

Many local and famous Florentines and tourists flock to Acqua Al 2 restaurant in Florence. It is a popular restaurant in the San Croce neighbourhood close to the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria in Florence. From 1978 it began serving locals and tourists authentic Tuscan food. 
 
Acqua Al 2 offers you tasty and authentic as well as innovative Tuscan food. It has a fairly good wine list. Perhaps the most recognized part of the restaurant’s menu is its tasting menus. Assaggi (meaning sample) di primi allows you to taste and enjoy five tasty pastas or risottos. Acqua Al 2 also offers tasting menus for salads, cheeses and desserts.
 
The walls are lined with plates signed by several famous celebrities and personalities who have visited and enjoyed dining at Acqua Al 2. It is always advisable to book a table at Acqua Al 2 since you can almost always find a mixture of locals and tourist enjoying their meal at the tightly packed restaurant. 
 
Acqua Al 2 is a place to experiment as you can mix and match traditional Italian cuisine with other international favourites. May be you can discover a few unique flavours. It is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. Acqua Al 2 scores well for tasty food, the price and the ambience
 
Our apartments are situated very close to Acqua Al 2 and we can book you a table there or at any other restaurant you wish to dine in. We are always available to make your experience in Florence with us wonderful in all aspects.