Just before Christmas, I went to Florence to visit the Florence Christmas Markets.
It was something I’d always wanted to do but for the last few years family commitments meant that I had to wait and be patient. I’d heard from my friends that it was an amazing experience so it was tough having to wait.
Finally, this year, after waiting, very, very, patiently, I got my chance. I visited the German markets in the Piazza Santa Croce in Florence and after a brilliant overnight stay in the Loggiato dei Serviti, a 500 year old Florence hotel where we were upgraded, I went to a craft artisan, market.
It has to be said though that I was extremely underwhelmed by the German market which was more of an international flavour with Scottish, English, French and Italian stalls which were all very sparse on the ground. I put this down to the atrocious rainy weather which managed to soak us right through.
Although it was possible to eat there as there were table and benches set out, they were all wet and so couldn’t be used so we found a classy little restaurant which was warm and dry.
The absolute highlight of my trip to the Florence Christmas markets was our accommodation at the Loggiato dei Serviti, a 500 year old hotel where we were upgraded on arrival and we had a wonderful piazza view which was seen in the film A Room with a View. The hotel was refined with very unobtrusive and polite staff. I loved the scent of the soaps and spa goods provided and it is now my obsession to try to recreate them in some of my handmade Tuscan soaps and toiletries. Yes I’d go back there again in a second and yes I recommend it to you.
Watch my video for my Florence Christmas markets experience. I loved Florence which never disappoints and also found an artisan craft market in Florence the next morning.
Christmas in Italy is different to what I’m used to so if you’d like any more information about an Italian Christmas, please don’t hesitate to ask below.
Every Woman's Guide to Surviving Italy 