May 2008

Just about a year old, SKIN is one of the newest and hottest beauty spots in town. Billed as an "aesthetic medical clinic", they offer services ranging from botox injections and microdermabrasion to therapeutic massage and manicure/pedicure. The medical services are performed by licensed Dr. Georgios Foukis (a specialist in plastic sugery who can perform those procedures off site) and the aesthetic services are performed by top of the line professionals. More details about their services and Dr. Foukis here.

The treatments takes place in a space age setting realized by renowed architect Michael Young and Icelandic designer Katrin Olina - who somehow fits her floral designs and white Corian into a one thousand year old palazzo with remarkable results. You need to stop by SKIN just to see it, even if you don't have any services performed. You can find more pictures of SKIN on dezeen.com

SKIN Aesthetic Clinic
Borgo San Jacopo, 64r
055 274 1503

If you find yourself in Florence centro on a Thursday morning, you may notice the beautiful flowers all the Florentines are carrying home to their palazzi. They've already been to the Thursday Flower Market - the place to go for fresh cut flowers for your table, geraniums for your windowbox, rosemary for your kitchen sill or potted olive trees for your city garden.

The selection is extensive and includes everything from herbs and flowers to palms and cactus. We also purchase our Christmas tree there each year. Even if you aren't looking to buy a "mazzo" (bunch or bouquet) of flowers, this market is worth a browse for it's shear beauty.

The flower market is located on Via Pellicceria, starting on the southwest corner of Piazza Repubblica and running south under the arcade and past the post office. The market starts early and all the cut flowers are pretty much sold out by lunch. By mid-afternoon all the vendors are packing up to head back to their farms, so go early. Open all year round.

Moyo is another trendy spot for breakfast, a light lunch, or an aperitif - and unlike the recent move of nearby establishments, they do offer free WiFi (of course you have to buy something to use it though - like this €4 Coke I am nursing at the moment!)

At night it is a mostly younger crowd - and I mean crowd. Moyo is on Via dei Benci, a couple of blocks from the Arno. From the corner of Via dei Neri up until around Piazza Santa Croce, Via dei Benci is party central on most nights with people spilling out of the various clubs and restaurants, basically turning the area into a block party.

Moyo
Via dei Benci 23r
50122 Firenze
Tel. 055 247 9738
info@moyo.it
http://www.moyo.it

Rifrullo is a great place to get a coffee, an aperitivo, or a full lunch or dinner. Located in San Niccolò, across the Arno and towards the Porta San Miniato, in one of the quieter, less touristy spots of Florence - yet only a 5 minute walk from the Ponte Alle Grazie.

The bar is open all day, and they have free WiFi. There is also outside seating in the warmer months, a cozy dining room with a fireplace in the winter, and a famous Sunday brunch all year round. This is a great spot to relax, and there are several other good places to eat in the area also.

Via San Niccolò 55/r
Firenze
055 234 26 21
http://www.ilrifrullo.com

ATAF is the local bus company in Florence and the surrounding areas - their ubiquitous orange buses are everywhere - some are big, some are small, some run on natural gas, and some run on electricity. From their website:

Florence's second market (after the Mercato Centrale), Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio offers fresh food and other goods, from around 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM every day except Sunday. Saturday mornings are very busy - and some vendors only come on Friday and Saturday.

Outside on the long east side of the market you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as some cheeses and cold cuts, eggs, soaps, honey and more. On the smaller north and south ends there are clothes, shoes, and various household items. Inside are meat, cheese and fish vendors, along with some general grocery, a bar and a trattotria, "De Rocco", which is a great place for an inexpensive lunch.

This is our favorite market - the experience is authentic, the service is friendly, and the there are more Italians than tourists - not to mention great food, and some great prices on produce.

Piazza Ghiberti, near Piazza/Chiesa Sant'Ambrogio