Florence with Love
The view from the window of the Lungarno Suites,,, I told you it was Fabulous!!!
**Lufthansa www.lufthansa-usa.com 1 800-645-3880
Business Class, a classy way to travel.
The overnight Flight to Munich, very civilized.
New Business Class Menu serving the cuisine of Alexander Kunz paired with the wines of the Alsace Region. Alexander is a member of the Rock star style chef organization Jeunes Restaurateurs D'Europe. You must be 25-35 years old to be in this group, with other less age-EST requirements.
Including Guinea Hen (Farra ona)
***Lungarno Suites hotel www.lungarnohotels.com you can email or reserve online. This hotel is the newest in the Group that includes the Gallery Art hotel, which is much like a W or the Clift.
The Suites give you a view of the Arno River, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, with the Uffizi and the Duomo moments away.
Owned by the Ferragamo Family this group is the Ultra Chic, ultra hip place to stay.
** Antinori www.antinori.com
Allegra Antinori treated us to lunch in their Palazzo Antinori, at the Cantinetta Antinori. This is the sort of place where the local business types take clients, Good solid Tuscan food, perfectly plated and served, and a glamorous setting.
. We sampled wines from a number of their properties, but not Atlas Peak... as that is close to home.
Allegra's Picks;
She suggested we try out Buca Lupa for Florintene steak...
GLORIOUS!
The best suggestion however was in the form of a Shop. The Glass Blowing, family owned shop located just outside of the walls of the old city has their works featured in places like Gumps and Neimans,,, here, we could sit and talk, and really hear the stories of the works and the culture behind it.
This is the place Allegra had her wedding gifts and favors created. Be an Italian trendsetter, and Visit Locchi
While you are in Florence, or on the web at www.locchi.com
At the moment they do not have an on-line store, but you can browse and then ask via email... they ship all over the world!
*** Saundra Gustafson's Great Eats Italy was our main dining guide, and she did not steer us wrong. We chose a range of expensive to Down right Cheap, Trattoria Marione for example is a brightly lighted noisy restaurant with tables very close together, armies of local and international diners... all drinking 7 dollar Chianti and 3 coarse dinners, delicious for $15.00 per person including wine. In fact, the 72-year-old gentleman and his wife next to us were given their bottle of wine by a neighboring table who could not finish. It was truly grand. Also, for a quick dining spot, we were never rushed and did not feel as though they wanted to turn the table.
*** Divina Cucina
http://www.divinacucina.com/ Judy Witts Francini Instead of doing a tour of the Market and cooking with Judy, she took us on an evening tour, Window shopping, pointing out historical and cultural monuments where large parties and such could be found. A bit of nightlife and capped it off at Beccofino the highest end, very chic restaurant where local products take on a San Francisco Flair.Salmon Carpaccio, Fennel and wild herb salad, Fois Gras and Braised Lamb leg for two. The wine steward, chose glasses of wine for each of us to match with each coarse. Needless to say, we were pleased that Ferragamo was closed on the way home.
We have many more stories to tell,
Of Prada, and Gucci, and not so Prada and Gucci,
Of customs and Running Through the airports,,,
It must be said, a vacation in Florence is the best relaxation for both mind and beltloops.
