So you left behind important items of clothing and the furnished room in Florence turned out to be very unfurnished—che casino!—what to do now? Hop onto an IKEA shuttle bus, precariously balancing a flat-pack desk chair and spur-of-the-moment-buy plant pot, trying to avoid someone else’s drying rack? Or set off through sun-kissed piazzas in search of the bargains available in Florence’s winding side streets? I recommend the latter. Bag some unique purchases at local thrift shops and save money for those all-important gelato breaks!
In the Novoli area, Il Mercatino (via Maragliano 31r) is a great place to pick up some unique, second-hand furniture. It is also worth heading to the Isolotto area, to the Mercatopoli (via Frà Diamante 12a) where you can find just about everything, from used furniture to books and clothing.
The Paperback Exchange (via delle Oche, 4r) offers an impressive range of new and used English books.
Determined to improve your Italian? Discover all genres among the stacks of used books of Libreria Conforti (via de’ Ginori 53r).
One of the first charity shops in Florence is at via Palazzuolo 9r. The owner, Isabella, welcomes you into a haven of second-hand and brand-new clothes and accessories. Half-price cashmere and occasional designer finds make for happy customers while helping those less fortunate through the Arcobaleno Project.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Whether venturing beyond the historic centre to the thrift shops in Novoli and Isolotto or looking for a way to get home with purchases, plan the trip by public transit at www.ataf.net.
