As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
While in Florence, you must head to the world famous Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. In its rooms, as in a jewel casket, the Officina hosts frescoes, furnishings and ancient implements of the pharmacist’s trade, alongside its products: a vast range of preparations to entice even the most demanding customer. Indeed, no one who enters the portal can ever forget the indescribable range of scents that linger in the air: this is the magic of potpourri, a sagacious mixture of flowers and herbs from the hills surrounding Florence.
Procacci
This is certainly one of the oldest delicatessens in the center of Florence. Located on the famous Via Tornabuoni it overlooked by some of the city’s most important buildings. Inside, the cool, sober atmosphere of early 20th century is preserved by the unmistakable aroma of truffles, the walnut shelves, and liberty-style green marble counter. Procacci is still a Florentine gem to this day.
Trattoria da Rocco
Inside the Sant’ Ambrogio Market there is this amazing trattoria where you will actually hear more Italian than English. Sharing the table with strangers is part of the experience that makes this one of the more exciting and lively places in Florence… Don’t miss Rocco!
Mago Merlino Tea-House
Only a select few know about this special tea house. Step inside, relax the body and the mind while drinking exotic teas and listening to music from India and Nepal. A dimly lit pillow room sits in the back to chat about old traditions, new cultures, fine tea properties, and far lands. The owner, a globe trotter and tea expert, will entertain you for hours with incredible stories of Moroccan travels. With a large variety of teas and home made sweets, this place makes for a very special evening.
Palazzo Bardini
The Bardini Gardens offer what we Florentines consider to be the BEST views of the city. Closer to the city than Piazzale Michelangelo, but just as high, you can get the whole panorama of the world's most beautiful Renaissance city. Only recently opened to the public, these terraced gardens are also horticultural treasure troves, generally deserted, which makes them even more enchanting than their more illustrious counterparts, they a moment of tranquility, beauty and unforgettable photo opportunities.
Viareggio
Viareggio is a seaside resort town in Tuscany, easily accessible by bus or train from Florence. Viareggio has an exciting annual parade, called Viareggio’s Carnevale, which was originally a protest against high taxes, with ship builders creating impressive floats that mocked politicians of the day and protestors wearing masks to avoid retaliation from the government. The parade has expanded over the years and now attracts tourists as well as locals, mostly due to its unique use of paper-mache in the floats. In addition to the parade, there is a paper mache school and a museum that exhibits the evolution of this special celebration. After the parade, explore the city further and take a walk along the harbor and stroll through the flea market.
