We tried to sleep in a wee bit the next morning before we headed over for our next walking tour. This time our destination was Central Market. Our guide arrived & informed us that no one else booked the tour-we wound up with a private guide!
Our first stop with Elisa was a Cantucci bakery. Cantucci is the Florentine version of biscotti except softer. We watched the baker while we sampled fresh Cantucci with Vin Santo (a sweet wine), then headed into the Market.
It was a Saturday & most vendors were busy. Elisa brought us to a cheese & salami vendor. While we nibbled on several varieties, Elisa explained why certain methods are used-like wrapping cheese in hay to preserve it but also give it special flavor. Or that fennel is used in Florentine salami to preserve it instead of salt. Keenan was in heaven-there was plenty to sample with truffles.
After we placed a lunch order for fresh spinach cannelloni, Elisa brought us the meet Mario & his charming mother. They sell delicious, fresh olive oil and some vinegars as well. His mothers pesto was divine.
Then we took a quick espresso break at a friendly coffee bar before Elisa brought us to Bambi.
Bambi is another family run business. Their specialty is the famous Florentine Lampredotto sandwich.
We all got ours topped with salsa verde & dove in. I was probably the most nervous if I would like it or not, but it was delicious. And it was paired with a wee cup of Lambrusco wine, which was also delicious.
What is Lampredotto made of? Tripe. Boiled & chopped tripe.
We polished off our sandwiches, went by to collect our fresh from the oven cannelloni, then headed over to another family owned Enoteca (wine store).
The owner had us set up in the back of the store with a couple local wines to try while we ate.
His retired father (who spoke limited English) hit it off with Kevin and he brought out a very nice Chianti for Kevin.
By the time we left, we were stuffed and thought we couldn’t eat any more.
Until Elisa brought us to our final stop….gelato.
We said goodbye to our amazing guide (who had to go give another tour), then walked over to the Opera Museum next to the Duomo.
This museum has pieces of art that used to be on or in the Duomo. And it has the original:
Ghiberti’s original Gates of Paradise.
They are even more stunning in person.
We explored the rest of the museum & soaked in the a/c. Florence was having an early season heat wave.
Then we doubled back to buy some goodies from some of the vendors we met that morning,
before heading over & up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for an amazing view of the city.
We didn’t stay long since it was blazing hot.
Headed back to our apartment & noticed several more wine windows along the way.
Our morning guide had given us some restaurant suggestions in our neighborhood & we let the boys pick.
It was our last night in Florence & we wanted to soak in more of their delicious food.
The boys ordered the same main dish.
Fried cow brain.
Then sorbetto, tiramisu & panna cottas for dessert.
Except me-I had more fresh Cantucci.
Florence, you were amazing.
Hope to return again one day.
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