A Perfect Italian Weekend: Pien in Florence
A perfect weekend in Italy, without the limitations of time, budget, or distance. Every week we ask interesting and inspirational Italians, or Italians at heart, to take us along for their perfect local weekend. This time, cookbook author and content creator Pien Wekking, founder of Pien laat haar eten zien, takes us to her favorite city: Florence.
Introduction
Hi, I’m Pien. I’m 27 years old, based in Amsterdam, and a cookbook author and content creator. My recipes and lifestyle are deeply inspired by the Italian way of living. I love the idea that everyone is welcome at the table.
Florence is one of my favorite places in Italy, and I'd love to take you along for my perfect weekend here.
Saturday
Morning
I always love starting the day at Café Cibreo, with one (maybe two...) cappuccinos and a little dolce.
Shopping
What I love about Florence is its craftsmanship. It’s the perfect city to discover small artisan shops. A few of my favorites:
Palazzo dello Strozzino – a beautiful combination of bookstore and cinema.
Giovanni Baccani (The Blue Shop) – for the most charming picture frames.
Alberto Cozzi – for the most stunning (leather) notebooks. Perfect as a journal.
Celeste Vintage
Heart to Heart
Todo Modo – a lovely bookshop with a great café.
Lunch
For lunch, head to Il Santino – my favorite winebar it is tiny, cozy, and they only work with the best ingredients.
Afternoon
A stop at Museo Marino Marini is always a good idea. “It’s a small, quiet museum in the center that I absolutely love—one of the few in the city you can visit without any crowds.”
Golden Hour & Aperitivo
Then it’s time for a glass of wine! Start at Enoteca Bellini, which is right next to the Museo Marino Marini or try:
Enoteca Spontanea
Loggia Rooftop Bar – perfect for golden hour sunsets.
Dinner
My favorite trattoria is Trattoria Sostanza. Don’t skip the famous meringue cake for dessert.
Sunday
Morning Strolls
Florence can be busy, but cross the river to the Oltrarno side and things slow down. Every second Sunday of the month, there’s an antique market at Piazza Santo Spirito – one of my favorite squares. On the third Sunday, there's a biological market.
Another lovely market is at Sant'Ambrogio on the last Sunday of the month.
While in Santo Spirito, don’t miss Momo Vintage – they have an incredible selection of designer vintage.
Lunch
Grab lunch at Alla Vecchia Bettola. They serve the best pasta alla vodka.
Afternoon
Take a walk up to Giardino Bardini – it’s peaceful, lush, and has one of the best views over the city.
Gelato
Stop by La Sorbettiera and order the lemon sage flavor – trust me.
Dinner
End the weekend with dinner at Trattoria Cammillo, a true Florentine classic with a menu that never disappoints.
Pien's Florence in a Nutshell:
Craftsmanship, slow mornings, good wine, vintage treasures and of course good food. Florence, through her eyes, is all about beauty in the everyday.
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