Local Resources
The neighborhood surrounding the ACCENT Florence Center is full of places to stay, eat and shop. Following are local hotels, restaurants and markets for students, faculty, and visiting family or friends, as well as links to information about Florence and local housing agencies. Listed below are also links to taxi and shuttle services and local luggage storage sites.
Local Hotels
Hotel Aldini
Via dei Calzaiuoli,13; tel. 011 39 (055) 21 47 52 fax 011 39 (055) 29 16 21
Clean, comfortable and sensational location just a few steps from the Cathedral (Duomo). Wake up to the bells of the fourteenth-century campanile. Air conditioning and televisions. Highly recommended for visiting parents. Two star rating but three star quality.
Website
Hotel Ariston
Via Fiesolana, 40; tel. 011 39 (055) 247 6980 fax 011 39 (055) 247 6693
Newly restored quaint get-away with a two star rating. Just minutes from the Duomo. Facilities for paid parking.
Website
Palazzo Guadagni
Piazza Santo Spirito, 9; tel. 011 39 (055) 265 8376
This three star hotel, which is a converted 16th century royal residence, has spectacular views and second to none service. Located right next door to the ACCENT center, it also offers private, guarded parking.
Website
Local Restaurants
Trattoria Le Mossacce
Via Proconsolo, 55r; tel. 011 39 (055) 294 361
Hole-in-the-wall classic of downtown Florence. Here Chef Giovanni prepares the food right before your eyes. The chef manages to serve up food to only 12 tables where people all enjoy eating and chatting together. A squadron of five waiters will miraculously deliver these dishes in seconds. The atmosphere and the home cooking cannot be surpassed.
Website
Trattoria Baldovino
Via San Giuseppe, 22r; tel. 011 39 (055) 241 773
A fun chic restaurant and pizzeria that is owned by actor Hugh Grant's cousin. Modern and new gourmet additions to traditional recipes. Young atmosphere with a stable "regular" clientele. Candlelit and well decorated, fanciful and casual, a little bit of everything in this enjoyable restaurant.
Website
Acqua al 2
Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40r; tel. 011 39 (055) 284 170
Every guidebook will turn you on to this restaurant, where the favorite is the "Assaggio", where the waiter brings you several different kinds of pasta. Ask for the "Assaggio" for the dessert as well! The atmosphere is chic, new and classic all at the same time. The food is delicious and the service laid back.
Website
Trattoria Zà Zà
Piazza Mercato Centrale, 26r; tel. 011 39 (055) 215 411
Excellent Tuscan cuisine in the heart of Piazza Mercato Centrale. Outdoor seating makes for an enjoyable summer meal. From the friendly service, to the sensational eggplant parmesan to even the excellent bread, you will definitely have a memorable dining experience.
Website
Trattoria 4 Leoni
Via de'Vellutini, 1r; tel. 011 39 (055) 218 562
This authentic Tuscan restaurant is famous for its homemade pastas, succulent meats and rich desserts. Located just minutes from the ACCENT Center, it is not uncommon to see both local and international celebrities enjoying their wares. But don’t worry, you won’t be paying celebrity prices, as it’s one of the more moderately priced trattoria’s in Florence.
Website
Local Markets
The Mercato Centrale (Central Market)
Located near the church of San Lorenzo, the Mercato Centrale provides an interesting and traditional way to shop for food. The market consists of hundreds of individual stands. Downstairs, there are separate stands for meat, cheese, bread, chicken, canned goods, pasta, wine and oil; upstairs are the stands for fruits and vegetables. The market, offering fresh items at reasonable prices, is alive with shoppers scurrying about searching for the best buys of the day.
Mercato Sant'Ambrogio
Another excellent market with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads and cheeses is the Mercato Sant'Ambrogio in Piazza Ghiberti. This market is smaller than the Mercato Centrale, and therefore is a little less chaotic. The quality of the food is very high, and many of the vendors at this market are genuine farmers who bring their produce to the city to sell.
Cultural Information on Florence
- Firenze.net is a complete guide to Florence.
- Firenze Spettacolo is a monthly magazine and e-zine that has the entire goings on in Florence for the month, both in English and Italian.
- The Florentine is a bi-weekly English newspaper with a really comprehensive events spread.
Housing in Florence
Taxi and Shuttle Airport Services
Local luggage storage in Florence
ACCENT does not specifically endorse any of the listed resources and holds no liability with regards to these third party organizations.