Ciao, I’m Melissa, an American living in Florence Italy. My full-time career is as a Travel Agent with my own agency, My Traveling Panda.
AUTHENTIC-MEANINGFUL-MEMORABLE
Have a “Truly Florence” experience with authentic encounters, traditional foods genuine accommodations & local products.
As an industry professional I witnessed firsthand the challenges and effects of over tourism in Florence and then the fallout of no tourism due to Covid-19, I saw a need to help support the city and the goal to strive for sustainabl
e, conscientious tourism. With this, I decided to mix my profession and passion for travel with the love of my adopted city to show others how you too can have a "Truly Florence" experience in an AUTHENTIC, MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE way!
If you would like some Italian wine in time for the holidays, now is the time to order. Our favorite driver in Tuscany will be sending out shipments tomorrow (Monday 11/15).
This is the most requested half a case, 3 bottles of Brunello di Montalcino and 3 bottles of Bordeaux style wine from the seaside of Tuscany. Of course it is also possible a case of 12. Contact [email protected] to place your order. #
Now that things are finally re-opening in Italy, it’s a joy to visit one of my favorite bars in Florence, Caffè Gilli & to have a handcrafted cocktail made by one of my favorite bartenders, David Sarallo.
What is your favorite cocktail?
It’s so beautiful to see life returning to Florence! Do you have plans to visit this summer?
Things in Florence are so different than they were a month ago!
Restaurants are open with outdoor dining, museums are open & even gyms are re-opening. Vaccines are getting scheduled (for example the first appointment may be in July and the second dose 3 months afterwards- it’s slow, but it’s progress). Masks are still required & there is still a curfew, but things are looking much brighter!
Photos: here many restaurants prepare outdoor tables for lunchtime.
Happy Dantedì! ⚜️
Today is the first ever holiday celebrating Dante. The word is a play on Dante and the Italian word for day. Dante is not only famous for writing The Divine Comedy, but he is considered the Father of the Italian language. 2021 marks the 700th anniversary of his death.
Apparently today celebrates the first day of his afterlife and his journey into hell/inferno. I sure hope that’s not a sign of things yet to come!
A sunset photo from the days when we had freedom to do things in Florence, including climbing to the top of the famed cupola.
We can’t wait for the days we can do this again. Have you climbed to the top of the duomo in Florence? Share your photo below.
Photo courtesy of Melissa IntVeldt
Happy 1st Day of Spring!
This statue represents Spring. She is one of four such statues on the Santa Trinità bridge in Florence, each representing a different season. This beautiful bridge was destroyed during WWII, the Italians retrieved the remnants from the river and re-created the bridge. ❤️
Here is a Florentine sunset photo I took on this day, 2 years ago. What is your favorite Florence sunset picture? Share below. 🌅⚜️
Happy weekend from Florence! ⚜️
Where are you spending your weekend?
Memories from the 2020 lockdown in Italy.
March 11, 2020
Day 2 of the Quarantine/Lockdown
The local market by our house, Sant’ Ambrogio, remains open. There is plenty of meat, fish, fruits, vegetables. Here, one of the butcher shops carved the duomo out of lard.
And, the shop on the way home even has toilet paper fully stocked!
There are certainly fewer people and everyone is respecting the 1 meter distance between each other.
Memories from the 2020 lockdown in Italy, which began one year ago today.
From March 10, 2020
Day 1 of the Quarantine
It’s a beautiful day, so I took a walk, as we are permitted to walk around and even go to places like the grocery store or restaurants. There are regulations about how many people can enter & the distance between people in such places, and they must close by 6 PM.
We made a quick visit to a local market last night, before the quarantine took effect, to pick up some essentials. No panic or chaos last night and none today. I peered in the windows of a few grocery stores today and the shelves were stocked & people were acting civil.
#
Happy 2021! 🎉💜⚜️
May this new year bring smiles to all! We look forward to sharing our beautiful city with the world again soon!
Merry Christmas from Florence!
Florence makes this list a few times! Which spots in Florence do you think are the most beautiful?
https://tinyurl.com/ycr6d94h
La dolce vita, indeed.
Are you still looking for holiday gift ideas? Giving unique and meaningful gifts is always a great way to show someone you care. And often in doing so, you can also support a small business. This is especially important in 2020. I’ve crafted a list of some wonderful Italian products from Florentine vendors that are sure to put a smile on the face of the recipient.
Massimo Ravinale Scarves
Unique Italian designed silk and cashmere scarves
For a 10% discount use code:Trulyxmas20
And orders over €150 qualify for free shipping!
http://www.massimoravinale.com
🇮🇹 Massimo Ravinale
Are you still looking for holiday gift ideas? Giving unique and meaningful gifts is always a great way to show someone you care. And often in doing so, you can also support a small business. This is especially important in 2020. I’ve crafted a list of some wonderful Italian products from Florentine vendors that are sure to put a smile on the face of the recipient.
The perfect gift for the jewelry lover on your list!
Cristiano Pierazzuoli Master Jeweler
Master Italian Goldsmith creating stunning one of a kind pieces
For a 15% discount use code P6A1P1U15
http://www.cristianopierazzuoli.com/
🇮🇹
Are you still looking for holiday gift ideas? Stay tuned for gift ideas from Florence Italy!
Giving unique and meaningful gifts is always a great way to show someone you care. And often in doing so, you can also support a small business. This is especially important in 2020. I’ve crafted a list of some wonderful Italian products from Florentine vendors that are sure to put a smile on the face of the recipient.
From leather handbags to silk and cashmere scarves to silver works and master crafted jewels and even Italian olive oil, beautiful shoes and trips to Italy, here are some wonderful gift ideas.
All these shops are able to ship internationally and many have been kind enough to offer a promotional code for followers of Truly Florence!
First up, Digerolamo Handbags
Handmade Italian leather handbags
Free international shipping (no code needed, mention Truly Florence in order notes) https://digerolamo.it/
🇮🇹
Holiday Shopping with a Touch of Italy!
Giving unique and meaningful gifts is always a great way to show someone you care. And often in doing so, you can also support a small business. This is especially important in 2020.
I’ve crafted a list of some wonderful Italian products from Florentine vendors that are sure to put a smile on the face of the recipient. From leather handbags to silk and cashmere scarves to silver works and master crafted jewels and even Italian olive oil, beautiful shoes and Tripp’s to Italy, here are some wonderful gift ideas.
All these shops are able to ship internationally and many have been kind enough to offer a promotional code for followers of Truly Florence!
Digerolamo Handbags
Handmade Italian leather handbags
Free international shipping (no code needed, mention Truly Florence in order notes)
https://digerolamo.it/
Digerolamo
Cristiano Pierazzuoli Master Jeweler
Master Italian Goldsmith creating stunning one of a kind pieces
For a 15% discount use code P6A1P1U15
http://www.cristianopierazzuoli.com/
Monghit Leather Firenze
Handmade Italian leather handbags
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Monghitleatherbags
Receive 10% off with code M21179
Monghit
Massimo Ravinale, Scarves
Unique Italian designed silk and cashmere
For a 10% discount use code:Trulyxmas20
And orders over €150 qualify for free shipping
http://www.massimoravinale.com
Massimo Ravinale
Argento Firenze, Silversmith
Italian designed silver works
Visit their online catalog
https://portfolio.argentofirenze.it
Email [email protected] for orders & pricing.
Mention Truly Florence for a 10% discount
2020 Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil
Large 750 ml bottles of 2020 olive oil
Visit http://www.alessandrocammilli.com or email [email protected] and mention Truly Florence
Viajiyu Footwear
Italian ready to wear & custom made shoes
https://www.viajiyu.com
VIAJIYU
My Traveling Panda, Travel Agent
Plan and book your trip to Florence & the rest of Italy for 2021 and beyond. Purchase gift vouchers for an Italian or European holiday by December 11, 2020 for future travel (valid until December 2022) and receive a 20% bonus
http://www.MyTravelingPanda.com
My Traveling Panda
Happy Shopping! Love, Truly Florence
With everything going on in the world, many are heading straight into Christmas season. Followers of Truly Florence have started receiving wine shipments from Italy, just in time for upcoming festivities. 🎄🍷🥂
You can still get your wine (and olive oil or balsamic vinegar) shipped for FREE, in time for the holidays. These products make ideal hostess gifts, client gifts, and of course celebratory gifts of any sort!
To all of you who want to receive these organic Italian products from Casa Emma here is how to get FREE shipping!
Visit the website www.casaemma.com, select the bottles you want and before the checkout insert the promo code “alecamma”
***It’s best to order before November 16th for your shipment to arrive in time for the December holidays.
Salute! 🍷
(Photo credit: Truly Florence follower Jessica Cooper)
Start holiday shopping now, with gifts made by hand right here in Florence, Italy.
I recently met with Mona Ghith of Monghit Firenze Handbags.
Mona is originally from Egypt but has been living in Florence for quite some time now. She makes beautiful one-of-a-kind leather handbags by hand right, with genuine Italian leather, from her home in Florence!
Each bag is individually inspired by design elements such as hardware & leather patterns. And zipper pulls, clasps, straps and shape of each bag is unique and one-of-a-kind. Not only that but Mona hand stitches each bag - no machines are used! So each bag is literally an individual masterpiece. Plus, for all handbag lovers, these bags not only have beautiful top handles, but crossbody straps as well!
Now is a great time to start shopping for holiday gifts & one of the Monghit handbags would be an ideal gift. I invite you so visit her online shop. Mona has been kind enough to offer followers of Truly Florence a discount on her Etsy shop.
Shop online: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Monghitleatherbags
For a 10% discount, use promotional code: M21179
💜Thank you Mona Ghith of Monghit Leather Bags💜
It’s a beautiful Fall day in Florence! 💛🧡🍁
If you are a fan of quality extra virgin olive oil, I have a great opportunity for you receive some from Italy, sent directly to you, with free shipping to the USA!
Casa Emma is an organic winery in Tuscany and they also harvest their own olives to produce extra virgin olive oil. They don’t use heaven machinery and rely on traditional methods & hand harvesting, making their olive oil extra special.
Extra virgin olive oil is called so because it comes from the first pressing of the olives making it the purest olive oil. As such, it has a strong almost spicy flavor that complements foods such as salads, grilled vegetables, grilled fish and of course grilled meats including steak! Yummy!
To order your extra virgin olive oil directly from Italy visit www.casaemma.com and shop for your preferred mix- whether it’s all olive oil or if you want to include some wine. At checkout use promo code ‘alecamma’ for free shipping to the USA.
If you are outside the United States, please contact me and I will see if it can be shipped to your destiination as well.
Thank you!
Do current travel restrictions have you yearning for the day you can visit Italy? Truly Florence can help bring a part of Italy to you! Here are the details on how you can receive authentic Tuscan wine sent to you (in The States) with FREE International Shipping!
Visit www.casaemma.com
Create your custom case or half case (you can also include extra virgin olive oil in your combination).
To receive FREE shipping & a surprise gift with your order use this promo code at checkout:
alecamma
Please bear in mind international shipping takes about 3 weeks, so place orders soon to arrive in time for Thanksgiving. Here are some wines I suggest including in your order:
For pre-meal snacks/aperitivo, celebration toast, etc. I adore this sparkling wine. It’s made in the traditional method (fermented in the bottle just like champagne, but since it’s from Italy & not Champagne, France, it can’t be called champagne, but it’s equally delicious & it’s one of my favorites)!🍾🥂
La Cinciallegra Spumante Metodo Classico
For a well-rounded, red wine that is a blend of Merlot & Sangiovese, suits nearly every palate & nicely complements Thanksgiving cuisine 🍁🦃
SuperTuscan TU Dream 2016
For a smooth sophisticated red wine, sure to impress any wine connoisseur
SuperTuscan Soloìo 2015 🍷♥️
Follow Truly Florence for more Italian made products you can have shipped to the USA.
I have been working with one of my favorite wineries in Chianti to put together a promotion for family, friends, clients & followers of Truly Florence for Italian wine from a small producer that sells wine exclusively in Italy (so you cannot buy it in American shops).
This is the perfect time to order wine for your Thanksgiving feast, Christmas dinner or Hanukkah celebration as well as hostess gifts, holiday gifts for co-workers, clients, friends, etc.
The offer will include FREE international shipping from Italy!!! Stay tuned for details on how you can order your wine & have a bit of Italy shipped directly to you!! 🍷🇮🇹🍷
I recently discovered a new wine bar in my neighborhood. I’ve walked by many times & yesterday I finally visited. Oh my, I can’t wait to go back! My friend and I ordered Prosecco & a small tagliere. I was wowed by the beautiful presentation (and it tasted as good as it looks). I definitely plan on returning and hopefully featuring them one day on
What is your favorite item on a tagliere or charcuterie?
Today Truly Florence is highlighting its first Florentine business, Alessandro Cammilli Wine Tours. He is a private driver and gives wine tours and provides transfers and around Tuscany!
Read the blog entry below to learn more about the benefits of taking a private wine tour from Florence to Chianti and beyond and what you can expect on a day trip with Alessandro.
Have you taken a tour with Alessandro? What was the favorite part of your day with him?
Stay in touch with Alessandro:
www.alessandrocammilli.com
Instagram
A private wine tour with Alessandro Cammilli is the perfect day trip from Florence, way to transfer between destinations on your Italian holiday or shore excursion on your Mediterranean cruise.
Good morning from Florence! Here are a few photos from my morning walk through the Santo Spirito neighborhood in the Oltrarno. ♥️
Do you have a favorite part of Florence for a stroll?
For those who miss Florence or who are dreaming of visiting in the future, here is a quick 20 second tour of the Uffizi!
I invite you to join the journey on YouTube. Subscribe to the TrulyFlorence channel to receive alerts about new content!
Ciao amici! ⚜️💜
p.s. I LOVE the song! Who else likes it??
https://youtu.be/QeHf8ZSUhm4
Watch a 20 second highlight of what is in store for you with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence Italy.
Yesterday afternoon I took advantage of my annual pass for the Uffizi and enjoyed the museum with lighter than normal crowds. It’s always a treat to wander through the galleries, but it becomes even better with repeat visits to enjoy lesser known artworks or new displays.
For your first visit, touring the museum with a professional guide is always a good idea. Not only do you avoid the long wait in line, but the guide can share with you the highlights of the museum so you can better appreciate each art piece.
Have you been to the Uffizi? Which works are your favorites?
Hello! I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Today I’m sharing more photos I took in Florence during the lockdown. Walking around the empty streets of Florence was like walking on a movie set- it was very surreal!
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Now that things are finally re-opening in Italy, it’s a joy to visit one of my favorite bars in Florence, Caffè Gilli & to have a handcrafted cocktail made by one of my favorite bartenders, David Sarallo. What is your favorite cocktail?
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