February 10, 2011
This morning was a bit noisy. My fault - I did not close the window as tight as I should have and heard sirens and drunk American students during the night, but the sound of those bells ringing at 8 a.m. was heaven. Up and continental breakfast in the breakfast room down the hall as I had a meeting with Maria Luisa of the Brunelleschi Hotel at 10 a.m. (need to be packed and ready to go.... yet again).
Maria Luisa arrived right on time. I said my "arrivederci e grazie" to Giuliana and we walked to the Hotel Brunelleschi. This hotel is one block from the Duomo and is much larger than I thought. The hotel has an old tower and they have renovated 75 rooms and are presently working on the remaining 25 (which will be done by June). All of the hotel can be called an “omaggio a Brunelleschi “ (an homage to Brunelleschi), the architect of the Duomo and the hallways reflect this very well – with the colors of the pietra serena typical of his buildings. The rooms are high ceilinged, herringbone wood floors, spacious feeling, quiet, some have Duomo views or street views (pedestrian streets) and as I mentioned, all newly renovated. I have worked out special pricing for my clients at this hotel – ask me about it!
After the Brunelleschi, I pulled my luggage across the river to my next hotel for the night to find they have upgraded me to a superior room with a river view and a terrace- jackpot!!!!!
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| Hotel Lungarno from Borgo San Jacopo |
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| Room 544 - Hotel Lungarno |
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| my balcony to look at the Ponte Vecchio |
Venturing out, I stopped in at a hotel I have booked several times and met with the General Manager and the Front Desk Manager. The Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci on the famous Via dei Tornabuoni, (Florence’s Rodeo Drive). A very nice and accommodating new employee, Valentina was able to show me some of the hotel’s 63 rooms. After touring the hotel, I enjoyed a caffe with Signore Litta and discussed business – I am happy to announce that now I am able to offer my clients a better rate and I was able to review with him the rooms my clients (who are already scheduled to stay) will have in the coming months.
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Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci between Burberry and Tiffany
on Florence's version of Rodeo Drive |
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| apartments overlooking Piazza Santa Croce |
Thanking them all for their time, I walked across the city to Piazza Santa Croce for the next meeting – to see a number of apartments overlooking the piazza. As I arrived, there was a chocolate festival taking place – so I had a crepe with Nutella and then met with Cecile and Francesca. These apartments are wonderful for people who want to spend a week in the city center. All are newly updated and can accommodate from 1 person to 11 people. There, I saw many and a few even have terraces overlooking the piazza. A great place to call home from 4 nights to a year!
After the tour of the apartments, I wandered around the tents of the festival again and came across a focaccia stand serving authentic Focaccia di Genova –hot and fresh out of the oven Focaccia with ricotta, pesto and some mozzarella over the top – SO GOOD
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| Focaccia Genovese fresh out of the oven |
As I write this, I am thinking it is getting to be time for dinner, but am I really hungry? Not particularly. I do have to try to go to a Mailboxes Etc to send home all of the brochures I have received (to lighten the load as I head to the country in a few days) – perhaps after that I will head out in search of a delicious ribollita – it is a cold and cloudy day here a Firenze- perfetto per ribollita!
Ok back from dinner at Cammillo (yes, I am a creature of habit - and it is right on the same street as the hotel- I love the ribollita here) -washed it down with a supertuscan and zucchini fiori fritti - the owner brought out some house made sopressata for me to try and I am positive it was made of the Tuscan staple - Cinghiale (wild boar) - yummm
Buona notte ragazzi!
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| The Ponte Vecchio at night |
Florence observations and notes – no conditioner at the hotels in Florence, EVERYTHING is less expensive (compared to Rome), people are so friendly and encourage you to try your Italian no matter how good or bad you think it is - if you are a "shopper" February is the best time to come here - prices are low for hotels and airfare and EVERYTHING is on a HUGE SALE! I would love for this to have been a shopping trip - but alas, I am a travel concierge NOT an heiress
General Italy observations – scales in all bathrooms at hotels now – and anyone who knows me – I do NOT weigh myself, especially in Italy J
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