The Gartnerin

In a previous post, I shared our action-packed itinerary for 3 days in Florence. Now, it’s time to look back to the delicious side of the trip! Also, we went on an, shall I say, interesting and nerve wrecking experience – a scooter trip to Chianti Greve in the Tuscany countryside. Yes, it had its moments (we might have done things a little differently in hindsight!), but overall, it was an experience we’ll never forget. Stay with me till the end!

Delightful food experience in Firenze

After settling into our place at noon on May 10, we wasted no time and headed straight for lunch at All’ Antico Vinaio, a spot near the Accademia Gallery (and just a 2-minute walk from the Duomo!). There was already a line when we arrived around noon, but it moved pretty quickly.

The bread is fantastic, but be warned: it’s massive! One serving is definitely enough for two people.

One thing we learned the hard way – many restaurants in cities we visited in Spain and Italy don’t accept walk-ins! Our host recommended the Fork app for booking tables, which offered some discounts. However, our experience was mixed – it wasn’t always reliable. Here’s what worked best for us: using Google Reviews to find cafes and restaurants on the go, and then booking tables directly through the platform itself. This proved to be a much smoother experience!

Il Francescano trattoria was a delightful find for a cozy and romantic dinner. Twinkling candles illuminated the outdoor tables, olive trees behind the terrace chairs creating a charming atmosphere. The restaurant wasn’t overly crowded, allowing for a relaxed and enjoyable experience.

The food was equally impressive. We went for the seafood pasta and a pizza, both of which were delicious, the ended the meal with a classic tiramisu. That was not the best tiramisu I had on my trip, but was not too bad either. 

Paolo E Francesca: A local cafe and breakfast pastry. The coffee is great and very good price too. Just 4 euros for all of this!

Of course, a visit to the legendary Vivoli! We couldn’t resist trying both the classic affogato and the pistachio version. Let’s just say, they were absolutely divine.

Gustapizza: This was the only time we tried white pizza (without tomato sauce). We tried Mortadella pizza with Mortadella Bologna, mozzarella, burrata cheese, chopped pistacchio and olive oil. This cost us €14 for 1 pie.

La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale: This popular gelateria chain offers delicious gelato throughout Florence, where they originated, and has one location in Rome too.

Gelateria Edoardo (Piazza Duomo): they offer delicious gelato, too! While they might not have the most extensive selection of flavors (which is a huge green flag for me actually), the quality of their gelato is undeniable.

Osteria Vecchio Vicolo: Since they don’t accept walk-ins, we booked a reservation for the following day. While the restaurant’s decor wasn’t quite my style, the food itself was fantastic. Fresh, delicious ingredients and of course the prices were on the higher end.

If you’re looking for a diverse food experience, Mercato Centrale is a good choice. While we arrived a bit later in the evening, there was still a good selection of food available. It’s true that the focus here isn’t on high-quality ingredients. This lively marketplace is a perfect option for families with different references, offering something to satisfy everyone’s cravings.

Mo’ Si Caffetteria : it was another delightful cafe we discovered in Florence. While I missed out on trying the Ginseng coffee, I did try in a cannoli – a classic Sicilian pastry filled with ricotta. It was a bit sweeter than I prefer, though.

Dù Pizzeria: After our scooter day trip to Chianti (see below!), we went for the Calzone farcito, a delicious oven-baked turnover pizza that originated in Naples and the classic pasta bolognese. The food was satisfying and arrived quickly.

Pizzium: We went for a delightful dessert stop here. The desserts themselves were tasty, and we enjoyed lingering in the pleasant ambiance. The only thing that bothered me was it took quite a while to get our order placed and then to receive our food.

Ben cafe: Our last stop in Florence before our train to Rome couldn’t have been more delightful! Tucked away in a quiet & low key alley, Ben Caffè served up the perfect cup of coffee, a fitting farewell to this charming city. The coffee was so good, we decided to take some home with us – a delicious souvenir and a way to relive our Florentine coffee experiences.

Scooter trip to Chianti, Tuscany

The day before our train journey to Rome, we craved a bit of spontaneity. After some deliberation, we decided to try something unexpected – a Vespa trip to Tuscany! (Keep in mind that most rental shops are closed on Sundays for new customers.)

My husband had obtained his international driver’s license before our trip, which made renting a scooter a smooth process. It’s important to note that having a valid license and experience operating a scooter are both essential requirements.

We took a chance on Vespa Hanger, and luckily, they had scooters available that morning! Their check-in counter is located right at Hotel Domus, the staff at Vespa Hanger were fantastic and the deposit process was a breeze. The rental rate was 90 euros for 8 hours.

Our Vespa trip took us along the scenic SR222 route, with a stop for lunch in Impruneta before reaching our destination of Greve in Chianti-Panzano. The rolling hills and picturesque landscapes were absolutely breathtaking – a true highlight of the trip!  Lesson we learnt the hard way: When renting a 150cc scooter, be sure to toggle off highway options on whatever navigation app you use, as these routes might not be suitable (and safe!) for smaller engines.

While the lunch we had in Impruneta wasn’t impressive – perhaps due to the limited options in a smaller town or simply not aligning with our taste preferences – it didn’t dampen our spirits. Overall, the experience of exploring Tuscany by Vespa was incredible, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an adventurous way to explore the region!