Tuscany Recommendations
Tuscan Treasures aims to help you discover and enjoy to the fullest the less-travelled venues of Tuscany, in particular the hilltowns which are marvelous fonts of a rich and cultured lifestyle. Following are recommendations for dining, shopping, and accomodations in Tuscany (a few outside Tuscany are included); these are in addition to those on the hilltown sites.
With the high level of interest in Tuscany, many books have been published about living in or visiting Tuscany; there are also numerous cookbooks available. Click here for a list of some of the books available. If you're interested in touring wineries, enotece, etc. click here for the "Strade del Vino" in Tuscany.
When you visit or contact one of the businesses below, let them know you found them on the Tuscan Treasures' web site.
Florence - Siena/San Gimignano/Volterra - Tuscany/Other - Umbria -
Bellagio - Cinque Terra - Positano/Sorrento - Rome - Venice - Sicily
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Dilddarno |
Via dei Serragli 108/R - 50124 Firenze |
Genuine traditional Florentine "home" cooking; charming.
Closed Mon. & Tues. |
|
Cibrèo |
Trattoria: Via dè Macci, 122/r - 50122 Firenze |
Gourmet Tuscan food & wine; consistently on fine dining lists. |
|
Osteria dé Macci |
Via dé Macci, 77r - 50122 Firenze |
Traditional Tuscan cooking, but with interesting twists - e.g.
tagliatellini with gorgonzola cheese & grapes. Indoor garden
dining area. Typically more locals than tourists. |
|
Le Scuderie Bistrot |
Via Maffia, 31-33r - 50125 Firenze |
Large, bright & popular with good food & wine. Open evenings
only. Closed Mon. |
|
Pegna |
Via dello Studio, 8 - 50122 Firenze |
Gourmet food store; international delicacies |
|
Vivi Market |
Via del Giglio, 20/22 - 50123 Firenze |
International foods & spices. |
|
Passamaneria Valmar |
Via Porta Rossa, 53r - 50123 Firenze |
Textile shop - Tuscan tassels; table runners, pillows, etc. |
|
Piazza S. Lorenzo, 12/r - 50123 Firenze |
Textile shop - extensive display of Tuscan fabrics, pillows, tassels, table runners, etc. |
|
|
Casa del Tappezziere |
Piazza S. Lorenzo, 20/r - 50123 Firenze |
Textile shop - fabrics, also readymade or custom bed & table
linens, etc. |
|
Ferrini Firenze |
v. Calimala, 5/r - 50122 Firenze |
Textile shop - fabrics, also readymade or custom bed & table
linens, etc. |
|
Dolfi Tessuti |
Piazza Mercato Centrale, 16/r - 50123 Firenze |
Textile shop - fabrics, also readymade or custom bed & table linens, etc. for everyday |
|
Alice's Masks Art Studio |
Via Faenza, 72/r - 50123 Firenze |
Very creative artistic masks made from Papier-Mâché.
Also conduct mask-making workshops internationally. |
|
Via dei Servi, 30/r - 50122 Firenze (40 m. from Duomo) |
Vast selection of porcelain, crystal, cookware, and kitchen accessories. Very helpful staff. |
|
|
Via S. Antonino, 31/r - 50122 Firenze (nr. Mercato San Lorenzo) |
Wide assortment of kitchen accessories, dinnerware, and cookware - including the traditional Italian "Moka" coffepot in various sizes. |
|
|
Via de' Bardi, 53/r - 50125 Firenze (nr. Ponte Vecchio) |
Wide assortment of dinnerware, cookware, and kitchen accessories; most white as the name suggests, but some accessories also in wood or metal. |
|
|
Pitti Mosaici |
Piazza de' Pitti, 16R - 50125 Firenze |
Decorative mosaic objects - tables, etc. from semi-precious stones |
|
Galleria Boboli |
Piazza S. Felice, 14R - 50125 Firenze |
Decorative mosaic objects - tables, etc. from semi-precious stones |
|
Arte del Mosaico |
Largo Bargellini, 2-4 - 50122 Firenze |
Decorative mosaic objects, both antique and new - tables, etc. from
semi-precious stones. Business started in the 1500s by the Medici. |
|
Baroncelli Renzo |
Borgo Allegri, 22/24r - 50122 Firenze |
Furniture, both antique (usually 1800s) and new - tables, armoires,
etc. typically in walnut, pine, or chestnut. |
|
Piazza S. Firenze, 9/14 - 50123 Firenze |
Lighting fixtures and home furnishings in iron and brass. Own
production. Other locations in Roma, Milano, & Miami (USA) |
|
|
G. Degli Albizzi & C. s.n.c. |
Via Maggio, 13 - 50125 Firenze |
Wide selection of artistic lighting fixtures in iron and brass. Own
production; can customize. |
|
Renzo Vaglica s.a.s. |
Corso dei Tintori, 35 - 50122 Firenze |
Artistic lighting fixtures and decorative home furnishings in iron
and brass. Own production. |
|
Libreria Antiquaria Cappellini s.n.c. |
Corso Tintori, 27/r - 50122 Firenze |
Antique and out-of-print books - Italian, French, German, and English
- at reasonable prices. 9 catalogs/yr. |
|
Antica Libreria Antiquaria L. Gonnelli s.a.s. |
Via Ricasoli, 14/r - 50122 Firenze |
Antique books, manuscripts, & prints - many rare and difficult to
find items |
|
Libreria Feltrinelli |
Via Cavour, 12 - Firenze |
Large bookstore with English, Italian, French, & German titles |
|
Librerie Centro Libri |
Via Verdi, 40r - 50123 Firenze (also Via S. Gallo, 75/r; Via dei Servi, 94/96r; & Via Pietrapiana, 1/r) |
Bookstore (mostly Italian titles) - specialize in art/architecture, cooking, history, & children's books |
|
Bruschi |
Via S. Spirito, 40r - 50125 Firenze |
Bookstore - specialty books for art, history, furniture |
|
via Fiesolana 31/r - 50122 Firenze |
Bookstore - English books |
|
|
Hotel Royal |
Via delle Ruote, 50-54 - 50129 Firenze |
Lovely hotel in its own quiet park & has parking on grounds! |
|
Hotel Albani |
Via Fiume, 12 - 50123 Firenze |
First-class hotel in central location. |
|
Loggiato dei Serviti |
Pza. SS. Annuziata, 3 - 50122 Firenze |
Charming hotel (ex-monastery) near Galleria Accademia |
|
Quisisana e Ponte Vecchio |
Lungarno Archibusieri, 4 - 50122 Firenze |
Charming hotel of "Room with a View" fame; rooms can be
noisy & without a view |
|
Hotel Lombardi |
Via Fiume, 8 - 50123 Firenze |
Nice hotel in central location at good price. |
San
Gimignano, Siena,
& Volterra
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Antica Taverna |
Vicolo Mainardi, 10 - 53037 San Gimignano |
A bruschetteria - old, traditional recipies and an outstanding wine
selection. Closed Tues. |
|
Linea Oro |
Via S. Giovanni, 90 - 53037 San Gimignano |
Jewelry, alabaster, & glass art |
|
Bigazzi Donella |
Via S. Giovanni, 3 - 53037 San Gimignano |
Textile goods - broad selection including tablecloths & napkins |
|
Hotel "La Cisterna"*** |
P.za della Cisterna, 24 - 53037 San Gimignano |
Very pleasant and old hotel in the center of San Gimignano. |
|
Ristorante Pizzeria "Il Duomo" |
Via dei Fusari, 19 - Siena |
Traditional Siena & Tuscan cooking; pizza lunch & dinner |
|
Libreria Feltrinelli |
Banchi di Sopra, 52 - Siena |
Bookstore with English, Italian, French, & German titles |
|
Bianchi Cornici |
Banchi di Sopra, - Siena |
Prints (numbered) & frames - focus on Tuscany |
|
Scali Salvatore |
Via Matteotti, 16 - 56048 Volterra (PI)
Studio/workshop - Loc. Campiano (SS68 Km 33) dir. Cecina |
Excellent selection of alabaster art pieces & gift items - sculptures, vases, plates/bowls, lighting, etc. and at reasonable prices. Will also make custom objects to your design, including tinting. |
Tuscany/Toscana -
including Arezzo, Chianti
and environs
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Le Camelie |
Piazza del Popolo, 5 |
Small, family-run restaurant - French/Italian cross-cuisine |
|
Loc. il Sodo 5/6 |
B&B with rooms and 5 apartments. |
|
|
Da Antonio |
Via Fiorita, 38 |
Excellent - speciality is fish |
|
Via Mazzini, 3/a - 52100 Arezzo (AR) |
Popular trattoria with typical Tuscan cooking ; excellent wine list |
|
|
52031 Anghiari - (nr. Arezzo) |
Home cooking in a haunted castle; daily fixed menu. Closed Mon. |
|
|
La Torre |
53011 Castellina in Chianti (SI) |
Classic trattoria; traditional dishes (esp. cinghiale); excellent
Chiantis. Closed Fri. |
|
Al Camino Vecchio |
Via S. Giacomo, 7 - 06081 Assisi (PG) |
Popular trattoria near the main Basilica; traditional dishes. |
|
Trattoria da Carolina |
Via Pescheria, 3 - 55100 Lucca |
Cucina casalinga - homestyle Tuscan cooking; also good wine list &
excellent, friendly service |
|
Enoteca "Montagnani" |
Via F Ferrucci, 14 - 53013 Gaiole in Chianti |
Friendly shop with large selection of local Chianti - e.g. Riecine |
|
Le Terre |
Piazza San Francesco, 11 - 52100 Arezzo |
Majolica, terra cotta, & ceramics objects - good selection |
|
Areté |
Piazza Grande, 34 - 52100 Arezzo |
Artistic terra cotta objects - artist on premises |
|
Morini |
Corso Italia, 262 (Pza. S. Jacopo) - 52100 Arezzo |
Gifts, flatware, tableware, wedding list, extensive kitchen items. |
|
Bel Vedere |
Via IV Novembre, 23 - 52100 Arezzo |
Furniture & kitchen furniture, decorative accessories, flatware, tableware, wedding list, extensive kitchen items, bed linens. |
|
Piazza S. Agostino, 14 - 52100 Arezzo |
Traditional Tuscan baked goods, including breads and dolci. |
|
|
Corso Italia, 65 - 52100 Arezzo |
Typical specialty foods of Tuscany, e.g. cheeses, sliced meats, soups, & sauces. |
|
|
Biagiotti |
Via I Maggio, 1 - 53026 Pienza (SI) |
Artistic ironwork - lamps & chandeliers, tables, grillwork,
firebacks (cast iron) |
|
Mobili DecorArt |
Via Procacci, 12 - 52046 Lucignano (AR) |
Very good reproduction period furniture made using either old or new
wood; furniture (incl. kitchen & bath) also made to measure. Many
items with inlaid wood designs. |
|
Via C.S. s.n.c. - 52042 Camucia (AR) |
Outstanding custom stonework - in pietra serena, marble, granite,
travertine, etc. Fireplaces, monolithic marble or stone sinks,
countertops, etc. |
|
|
Lumen s.a.s.
|
Casello Autosole Valdichiana |
Wide selection of lamps - hanging, standing, table, track, etc. Large store; can order most any item and style you want from their extensive catalogs. Very capable & helpful. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Via Aretina, 28 Lerchi - 06012 Città di Castello (PG) |
Old "recycled" building materials - vast assortment of
fireplace surrounds, stone sinks/tubs, stone & cotto flooring,
rooftiles, stone door frames, beams. |
|
|
Zona Ind. Regnano - 06012 Città di Castello (PG) |
Antiques (primarily); also some reproduction period furniture made
using old wood or pieces of multiple antiques. Large showroom. |
|
|
La Farma - Mobili Artistici di Francelli Rita & C. |
Via C. Pavese, 1 - 06011 Cerbara Città di Castello (PG) |
Reproduction period furniture made using either new or old wood;
furniture (incl. kitchen & bath) made to measure. |
|
Mobili di Castello |
Via Treves, 21 Cerbara - 06011 Cerbara di Città di Castello (PG) |
Reproduction period furniture; noteworthy "Linea Decori"
hand-painted line. Beds are available in both European & U.S. sizes. |
|
Centro Commerciale Collestrada - Perugia (PG) |
Large & small appliances, computers & accessories; all at
favorable prices. |
|
|
Antica Cantina |
P.zza Monaldeschi, 18-19 - 05018 Orvieto (TR) |
Traditional Umbrian food; friendly staff. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Via Valassina, 180 - 22021 Bellagio |
Pleasant hotel with outstanding view of Lake Como; many rooms with terraces; accomodating staff. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Via Roma, 109 - 19016 Monterosso al Mare |
Updated hotel with excellent views over the town and to sea; rooms with patios or terraces. |
|
|
Hotel Porta Rocca**** |
Via Corone, 1 - 19016 Monterosso al Mare |
Hotel with outstanding views over the sea. |
|
Ristorante Al Pozzo |
Via Roma, 24 - 19016 Monterosso al Mare |
Local dishes with local wines. Excellent seafood; friendly staff. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Albergo California** |
Via Cristoforo Colombo, 141 - 84017 Positano (Sa) |
Lovely hotel with magnificient views over Positano & the sea; most rooms with terrace or balcony; accomodating staff (esp. Maria) |
|
Via dei Mulini, 23 - 84017 Positano (Sa) |
18th century hotel in the center of town. |
|
|
Ristorante Da Costantino |
Via Corvo, 107 - 84017 Positano (Sa) |
Local dishes with local wines. Excellent seafood, pizza, & bread
(forno al legno). Oustanding view of Positano. Reasonable prices.
Free shuttle from/to some hotels (e.g. Alb. California) |
|
Ristorante "La Cambusa" |
Piazza A. Vespucci, 5 - 84017 Positano (Sa) |
Very good seafood & pasta. At the beach with views to the sea. |
|
Ristorante "Buca di Bacco" |
Via del Brigantino, 35/37 - 84017 Positano (Sa) |
Very good seafood. At the beach with views to the sea. |
|
Hotel Imperial Tramontano**** |
Via Vittorio Veneto, 1 - 80067 Sorrento (NA) |
Very comfortable hotel "on the cliff" with outstanding sea views, gardens, & terraces. |
|
Via Marina Grande, 218 - 80067 Sorrento (NA) |
Modern hotel on the sea with excellent views. Very quiet; has pool & garage. |
|
|
Ristorante La Fenice |
Via degli Aranci, 11 - 80067 Sorrento (NA) |
Outstanding seafood (all dishes are excellent), especially catch of the day. Close to center of town. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
la Rosetta |
Via della Rosetta, 8 - 00186 Roma |
Superb restaurant specializing in seafood. Closed Sun. |
|
Rist. La Cupella |
Via Sardegna, 39 - Roma |
Good "home cooking" & wine at a reasonable price |
|
Enoteca Cul de Sac |
Piazza Pasquino, 73 - 00186 Roma |
Wine bar with excellent food & huge wine selection |
|
Taverna Le Copelle |
Via delle Coppelle, 39 - 00186 Roma |
Pizzeria & restaurant with very good food at reasonable prices |
|
Ristorante Bonsai |
Via Magnanapoli, 6 - 00187 Roma |
Excellent Chinese restaurant |
|
L'Arte Sacra |
Piazza S. Agostino, 20 - Roma |
Broad selection of nativity scene items (presepe) & religious items |
|
Libreria Feltrinelli |
Via V. E. Orlando, 84/86 - 00185 Roma |
Large bookstore with English, Italian, French, & German titles |
|
Librerie Internazionali |
Largo Chigi, 15 - Roma |
International bookstore with English & Italian titles |
|
The Corner Bookstore |
Via del Moro, 48 - 00153 Roma (Trastavere) |
Bookstore with broad range of English titles |
|
English Bookshop |
Via Ripetta, 248 - 00186 Roma |
Bookstore - English titles |
|
Via della Vite, 102 - 00187 Roma |
Bookstore - English titles |
|
|
Via Torino, 136 - 00184 Roma |
Book & video store - English titles |
|
|
Libreria Esedra |
Via Torino, 95 - 00184 Roma |
International bookstore in heart of old Rome |
|
Libreria La Strada |
Via V. Veneto, 36 - 00186 Roma |
International bookstore with English titles near American Embassy |
|
Scalinata di Spagna |
Piazza Trinita dei Monti, 17 - 00187 Roma |
Excellent hotel at the Spanish Steps just across from the Hassler |
|
Madrid |
Via Mario De' Fiori, 93 - 00187 Roma |
Very good small hotel near the Spanish Steps |
|
Sant'Anselmo |
Piazza Sant'Anselmo, 2 - 00153 Roma |
Charming hotel with garden near Via Appia |
|
01020 Bomarzo (VT) -just off A1 near Orte
|
The renowned "Park of the Monsters" - created in 1552 by architect Pirro Ligorio & commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini - aka "Vicino" Orsini |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
S. Polo, 1608 - 30125 Venezia |
Very good restaurant - open since the 1500s - near the Fish Market & Rialto. Specialty is seafood. Avoid house white wine. |
|
|
Cantina do Mori |
S. Polo, 429, Rialto - 30125 Venezia |
Cantina with excellent selection of wines; numerous typical Venetian antipasti available. |
|
Trattoria "la Canonica" |
San Marco, 339-341 - 30124 Venezia |
Very good & reasonably-priced restaurant; excellent pasta. |
|
Flavia |
Campo S. Lio, 5630 - 30122 Venezia |
Handmade masks & gifts |
|
Ermanno Nason |
Dorsoduro La Salute, 346 - 30123 Venezia |
Glass art |
|
Il Pavone Peolosin |
Dorsoduro, 721 - 30123 Venezia |
Clothing, paper & accessories |
|
Lampadari in Stile |
Gran Viale, 40 - LIDO Venezia |
Beautiful crystal chandeliers, light fixtures, and accessories; can
also be made to order |
|
Galleria Mazzucchi s.a.s. |
San Marco-Frezzerio, 1771 - 30124 Venezia |
Fine art gallery - oils & prints. Will ship. |
|
San Polo 1069, Ruga Rialto - 30125 Venezia |
Artwork - prints, originals, and items incorporating elements of the original works. |
|
|
Dorsoduro, 780 - 30123 Venezia |
Pensione with view to the Giudecca; also suites & apartments are available.
|
|
|
Salute, 222 (Fondamenta Ca' Bala'- Venezia |
Hotel in quiet location in Dorsoduro; furnishings characteristic Veneziana; some rooms with canal view
|
|
|
Pensione Seguso |
Zattere, 779 - Venezia |
Charming hotel with view to the Giudecca; excellent food. Half &
full board available. |
|
Ventura |
Via degli Zabarella, 8 - Padova |
Unique textiles, lamps, & accessories. Will do customization. |
|
Osteria dei Fabbri |
Via dei Fabbri, 13 - Padova |
Excellent family-run osteria with creative menu including game. No
credit cards. |
|
Ristorante La Cova |
Via Calvi Piero Fortunato, 20 - 35122 Padova |
Very good restaurant near Piazza Garibaldi. Specialty seafood;
extensive wine list. Outdoor seating available. |
|
Ristorante al Fagiano |
Via Locatelli, 45 - Padova |
Good restaurant near the church of Sant'Antonio. Specializes in local
cooking; excellent game fowl & pasta. |
|
Pizzeria/Trattoria Marechiaro |
Via D. Manin, 37 - Padova |
Good restaurant near Piazza Erbe. Excellent pizza and pasta dishes. |
|
Panetteria Pasticceria "Al Santo" |
Via Belludi, 52 - Padova |
Outstanding cookies & cakes/torte in local Padovan style. Especially those made by Forin. |
Sicilia (Sicily)
Most parts of Sicilia can be toured easily via car (note: the larger cities, especially Palermo & Catania are very crowded
and traffic stressful); various agencies, e.g. Imperatore Travel and
Nitrodi viaggi offer "Auto + Hotel" weekly packages and will customize your
itinerary and book 3- & 4-star hotels based upon your preferences. If you don't want to drive, both companies also offer
group bus tours which include all meals and accomodation in 3- and 4-star hotels; most tours generally originate in either
Palermo or Catania. If you prefer your accomodations in one location but also want to see many of the island's attractions,
you can book an apartment, residence, hotel, or B&B in Catania or Siracusa and make daytrips via
the numerus bus (AST, Interbus,
or ETNA Trasporti) lines and train connections.
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
General Tourist Information for Sicilia. |
||
|
General Tourist Information for Sicilia. |
||
|
Sicilia Map - Provincia. |
||
|
Listing of vacation houses and apartment rentals. |
||
|
Listing of B&Bs in Sicily by region. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Via del Bosco, 62 - 95125 Catania (CA) |
Excellent hotel in a quiet residential area near both the center of Catania and the major roadways; some rooms with terraces and some with views of the sea over the rooftops of Catania. |
|
|
Listings of hotels and B&Bs in Catania & nearby. |
|
Name |
Address & contact info. |
Comments |
|
Via Tripoli, 40 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Hotel just across the bridge from historic Ortigia; also have several nice rental apartments available in Ortigia - some with terraces/balconies and views of the sea. |
|
|
Residenza T. Alberghiero dei Baroni*** |
Largo della Gancia, 32 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Residence in excellent location on east side of historic Ortigia; many of the rental apartments have balconies and views of the sea. |
|
Via Maestranza, 111 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
B&B on the east side of Ortigia; some rooms have balconies with views of the sea. |
|
|
96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Local, friendly staff. Several nice, centrally-located apartments available, especially "Duomo". Also, Apt. "Arezzo" is roomy and has a terrace, but bathroom substandard and neighbors (with infant) can be noisy. |
|
|
Listing of hotels in Siracusa |
|
|
|
Castello Fiorentino (Closed Mon.) |
Via del Crocifisso, 6 (x Via Roma) - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Restaurant & pizzeria centrally-located in Ortigia. Very popular with locals for pizza and seafood. |
|
Panificio Bianca |
Via Roma, 43 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Breads, cookies, hot foods, & pizza near the Duomo. |
|
Aretusa Pasticceria |
Via Saverio Landolina, 32 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Pastries, gelato, & rosticceria centrally-located in Ortigia. Pastries are especially worthwhile. |
|
Via Maniace, 23 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Internet point with speedy connection. Also scanning, CD-burning, and photocopy facilities available. |
|
|
Via San Sebastiano, 43 - 96100 Siracusa (SR) |
Tourist agency; also has a location in Ortigia on via Trento just off Piazza Pancali. |
Slow Food: This site (in Italiano, English, & Français) lists dining establishments (e.g. trattorie & osterie) noted for their food; it also has agricultural producers (e.g. wine & olive oil).
ther
locations