Services We Suggest

Listed below are some of our favorite restaurants, lodging options, places to see, services to use, and anything else we can think to recommend to our friends, family and blog readers. Remember, of course, that we recommend these products and services based on our experiences alone and that there is always a chance you will have a different experience or prefer something else! For a selection, check out the guide that I wrote for Design*Sponge.

TRAVEL SERVICES/CONSULTANT

We highly recommend Megan and her team at Bella Vita Italia. From one-day hosted tours to custom design Italian experiences, Megan is an expert at planning the perfect Italian vacation!

ACTIVITIES IN FLORENCE
For an awesome trip round the city of Florence, we suggest a Segway or bike tour with Italy by Cruiser Bike. Rob took one last year and really love it.

SHIPPING SERVICES

UPakWeShip. We’re working witih UPakWeShip to get about 20 boxes of our personal belongings from Philadelphia to Florence. Keep tabs on the process by reading all of our UPakWeShip posts. Also, be sure to check out their site for info on how to ship your stuff around the world!

TRANSLATION SERVICES

WordSpark Editing and Translation. Finding a reliable, fast and communiciative translator for our documents proved one of the easiest tasks on our list, thanks to Renee and Vittorio at WordSpark.http://www.elance.com/s/wordspark/

FOOD IN FLORENCE

Buongustai, Via dei Cerchi, 15r.A favorite of ours that we’ve written about on numerous occasions.

La Cantinetta di Dante e Beatrice, Via del Corso, 27/R.A great lunch spot smack in the historic center.

Gustapanino, Via de’ Michelozzi, 13/r (Santo Spirito). If you read this blog you know our love for this joint. Kate is a pomodoro, mozzarella, and pesto type of gal. Rob usually opts for prosciutto, mozarella and pesto.

Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco, Borgo San Jacopo, 43/R. Recommended to us by a local and now we recommend it to you. If you think all bruschetta tastes the same, think again! We also loved the ribollita, and the meat dishes can’t be missed!

Golden View, via Dei Bardi, 58/R. Here you’ll find a mix of tourists, students and locals. Show up after 9 for live jazz music or show up early (think 6pm) for a primo spot by the window. You can’t beat the view of the Ponte Vecchio. Skip the pizza (don’t think it’s all that great) and opt for one of the main dishes. Papa al pomodoro and Risotto alle Verdure are just a few of our faves.

ESPRESSO in FLORENCE

Robiglio, via Tosinghi, 11/R. Popular knowledge says you can’t find “the best” of something in heavy tourist areas, but the espresso at Robiglio is to die for. Located near the Duomo, it’s a perfect place to stop for a midday pick-me-up.

Volume, Santa Spirito. After a panino at Gusta, why not walk a few doors done to Volume, a cafe and libreria with a great vibe, tasty and cheap espresso (60 cents!) and good people behind the counter.

ACCOMODATIONS in FLORENCE

Home in Florence, via Santa Maria, 21. If you are looking for a low-cost, clean and comfortable place to stay we recommend Home in Florence. Their breakfast room in open 24 hours a day, the lodgings are great and the staff is extremely helpful. It’s also located in a fairly quiet and authentic area of the city.

Clients of ours with GORGEOUS villas: