|
Walking around near Via Tornabuoni, you will also come across Palazzo Strozzi,
a superb example of civil Renaissance architecture in Florence. The exterior
of the fortress is elegantly refined with smooth rusticated stonework and mullioned
paired (arched) windows on the upper floors. Today Palazzo Strozzi is home to
the most important modern art exhibitions.
But Via Tornabuoni is also famous for its shopping: where you will find exclusive
boutiques of Italian and international designers offering a wide range of clothing,
jewellery and accessories.
Strolling around in the evening you will experience a different side of Florence,
the narrow streets and medieval alleyways allure tourists where you can browse
the countless artisan workshops. Here secrets of ancient workmanship are passed
down from generation to generation, preserving the knowledge of jewellery making
and engraving, leather inlaying and many other painstaking handmade crafts.
At the end of the day it’s time to relax in a wine bar to sample some of the
region’s finest wines: a Chianti or a fine Brunello, a Morellino or a Sassicaia.
There are plenty of restaurants and trattorias. Don’t forget to try out some
of the traditional Tuscan cuisine: the various soups including l’acquacotta (watery
vegetable soup) and carabaccia (onion soup), while the ‘must have’ second course
is the world famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina (thick cut steak). | 
