Synopsis
Eight walks take shoppers to unique shops that uphold Italian standards of quality, craftsmanship, and creativity.
With this discriminating book as a guide, visitors will find a trove of eighty shops that only native Florentines know well. In its pages you’ll find exquisite handmade lingerie, jewelry inspired by Renaissance paintings, handcrafted leather boxes, beautifully tailored shirts for men and women, vintage French and Italian designer clothing, shoes, hats, gourmet items, and much, much more. The walks include forty dining recommendations from where to get a quick caffe-ciok (“the best thing to ever happen to espresso, hot chocolate, and steamed milk”) to a sumptuous Tuscan meal. The book also serves as an informative guide to often perplexing opening days and hours, the always perplexing street numbering system, and shopping etiquette.
Praise
"Where do Florentines go to for the finest handmade shoes, leather gloves, jewellery inspired by Renaissance paintings, artisanal chocolates, exquisite lingerie, and more? This discriminating guide of eight walks will take you to shops of legendary quality and fine craftsmanship. Also featured are dozens of dining recommendations, from where to find cioccolata da bere ('drinkable chocolate') to a sumptuous meal served in a former convent." --Tuscany Unlimited
"The Civilized Shopper's Guide To Florence, by Louise Fili lists Santa Maria Novella, of course, and dozens of other fascinating places to buy handmade shoes, leather gloves, jewellery inspired by Renaissance paintings, exquisite lingerie and much more besides. The perfect companion for your next city break in Tuscany." --The Mail on Sunday (UK)
"Before we left on our trip (to Italy)...it was nice to be able to retreat quietly into...the handly little Civilized Shopper's Guide to Florence by Louise Fili (I saw a preview copy; this one is out in September). Fili also did the adorable design and photography. ...So by the time I actually stopped in at Florence's fascinating shop Bizarri (spices, extracts, and elixirs from around the world) I was excited and ready to just...go with it." --Barbara Fairchild, Editor-in-Chief, Bon Appetit
"I think it's the best I've ever seen...It's tiny enough to fit in your purse and jam-packed with great information...This is the kind of shopping you hope for when you travel--the marvelous, unique, often handmade treasures, perfect for gifts or to indulge yourself--in a range of prices." --Paula Russell, co-founder and owner of Time of Your Life Tours
"This small new York publisher is producing some of the most innovative, beautiful and rewarding guidebooks on the market." –Minneapolis Star Tribune
"The Little Bookroom...wants travelers to slow down. They've carved themselves a niche in the over-crowded travel book industry by thinking small with titles that define the character of a city." –The Pittsburgh Tribune
"For pocket-sized, covetable books, turn to The Little Bookroom." –Vogue [UK]