Souvenirs from Florence
Souvenirs From Florence
Aside from the memories of a trip I always try a little something to remember a trip. My go-to souvenir is a magnet, they are the best souvenirs since they are cheap and small. It always brings a smile to my face whenever I see my magnets on the refrigerator door! :)
For my last Florence trip I actually bought a lot of goodies and souvenirs to take home. I found a lot of the shops in the historic town were affordable and there were enough things that were small enough that I could take a little bottle of oil or vinegar, along with a bunch of other things.
There are too many Italy souvenirs to choose from. Here are the souvenirs from Florence that I brought back home:
Leather goods
Florence is renowned for its high-quality leather products. You can find a beautifully crafted leather jacket, bag, wallet, belt, and gloves. Look for items made from genuine Italian leather and shop at reputable stores or markets like San Lorenzo Market or Mercato Nuovo.
The leather stalls are lined up outside the San Lorenzo Market, where I got a pair of gloves lined with cashmere that I'm excited to use for winter. I also wanted to get a leather fanny pack and was super excited to get one for 20 euros. Their leather goods are high quality and makes a great souvenir that will last a lifetime.
Moka pot
The Moka pot is an iconic Italian coffee brewing device that has become deeply ingrained in Italian culture. It represents the traditional and authentic way of preparing coffee in Italy. By purchasing a Moka pot, you bring a piece of Italian coffee culture back home with you.
I bought one years ago during my first trip to Europe. But when I saw they had engraved ones at the Bialetti store in Florence, I had to get one! I don't know how they do it, but with a Moka pot, you can enjoy a rich and flavorful cup of coffee with a strong aroma similar to espresso but at a fraction of the cost of an espresso machine. It makes my morning cup of joe really tasty and enjoyable :)
Florentine Paper
Florence has a long tradition of papermaking, and Florentine paper is highly regarded for its beauty and craftsmanship. You can find elegant stationery, journals, notebooks, and decorative papers with intricate designs, often featuring Renaissance motifs.
Il Papiro hand designs their paper and has a ton of products to choose from. I got an ID tag from Il Papiro that I use for my office ID.
Santa Maria Novella
Aside from the church, Santa Maria Novella is also a perfume brand founded in 1221. Monks created the fragrances and other herbal medicines and the original laboratory is still around and can be visited.
The parfum is a bit pricey and goes for 150 euros or so for a bottle. Luckily, they had these scented wax tablets that I placed in drawers to perfume my clothes.
Italian Food
It was also at the San Lorenzo Market that I bought a lot of food, not only to eat but to take home too. Florence is famous for its gastronomy, so consider bringing back some culinary delights. Look for local olive oil, balsamic vinegar, truffle products, pasta, or traditional sweets like Panforte or Cantuccini (biscotti). These edible souvenirs allow you to savor the flavors of Tuscany even after your trip.
Pasta sauce mix
I found the dry pasta sauce intriguing and I was happy to find a store that solf it in smaller packs. It's small enough for one or two servings of pasta. I couldn't find the directions to prepare it, though. So I rehydrated it in pasta water and added some butter, and it was delicious! These make a perfect gift to share with foodie friends and family, they can have a taste of Florence.
Lemon candy
They also sell candies by the piece which is great to get a taste of it and not have to feel guilty eating all that sugar. This lemon candy was really good - tart and a little sweet.
Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil
The food tour that I was on dropped by a store where we were able to try all sorts of olive oil, truffle olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Again, they had small bottles, which was perfect for me and very carry-on luggage friendly.
Pro-tip: look for the number of years that the balsamic vinegar is aged. After trying the different kinds, I found the 6-year-old vinegar to be balanced--not too sour or strong.
Amarena Fabri Cherries
At the Bologna airport, there is a humongous ad for Amarena Fabri Cherries, which made me really excited. I love the blue and white ceramics and I use the cherries in mixed drinks. We ended up going to the supermarket and I got this jar for less than 10 euros, which is about half of what it costs here in the US.
Italian Wine
Tuscany is renowned for its excellent wines, and Florence serves as a gateway to the region. Consider bringing back a bottle or two of Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, or other Tuscan wines. Look for reputable wine shops or visit the local wineries for a more personalized selection.
I didn't bring home any wine since it was affordable to have a glass of wine with every meal. We ended up getting a couple of bottles to try from a wine shop and the grocery store for a nightcap after a day of touring.
Pistachio everything
I fell in love with everything pistachio! Even the pistachio latte at the Biblioteca delle Oblate, a library with a cafe, was very good. The pistachio liqueur is really good, but I opted not to buy a bottle. (If you see the melon liqueur, make sure to try it. It tastes like the Korean Melona popsicle bars and absolutely delicious.)
Instead, I got a tube of pistachio paste and Italian cookies as a souvenir. I am still working on it a couple of months after the trip.
Other Italian souvenirs from Florence that you might be interested in are Florentine gold. Florence is home to many skilled jewelry artisans. Consider purchasing unique and handmade pieces of jewelry, such as gold or silver necklaces, earrings, bracelets, or rings. The city's goldsmiths and jewelry stores offer a wide range of styles, from contemporary to traditional.
Jewelry shops line the Ponte Vecchio, which is on the way to the Medici Riccardi Palace, the former residence of the Medici family. There are also a lot of Medici-related souvenirs since Florence's rich history is closely tied to the influential Medici family. You can find souvenirs related to the Medici, such as replicas of Renaissance-era statues, books about their legacy, or jewelry inspired by their heraldic symbols.
OK, I only realized now how much stuff I bought on the trip. Good thing I was limited by my carry-on luggage. Although my friend had a check-in bag, so I added a bag of goodies to her luggage. If I remember anything else that I bought, I'll update this post!