Quite possibly the best Florentine souvenir is...
A wooden tray!!
Yep, the answer is a wooden tray, and here are just a few reasons why-
1. It's beautiful, classy, covered in gold leaf, and presents well.
2. Flat and lightweight, it is easy for transporting in your suitcase as it is sturdy and nearly unbreakable.
3. Hand-made and hand-painted by local artisans, true craftsmanship and quality are apparent.
4. It's something a bit different and not expected; not a typical gift like leather, gold, or ceramics.
5. Functional and practical, a tray has many purposes like holding your television remotes or displaying your fancy perfumes.
6. Many colors and patterns to choose from that include gorgeous Florentine designs.
7. Many options of shapes and sizes to find exactly what will work for you!
8. No need to worry about not having space in your suitcase or damage from transporting it home, the stores listed below will ship it anywhere in the world!
There are at least four shops in Florence that I know of where you can purchase these trays. My favorite is in the Piazza of Santa Croce, about the 2nd or 3rd shop from the corner of Borgo dei Greci and Via dei Benci. It is called "(Carlo) Giorgi Oggetti Artistici in Legno" which translates to "Carlo Giorgi artistic objects in wood" and the official address is 22 Piazza Di Santa Croce. Look for the mirrors hanging at their storefront and you can't miss it. You will feel like you are in a real artists workshop here.
The second store I recommend is located in the heart of Florence at the Piazza del Mercato Centrale 42/R and is called "La Bottega Di Fiorenza" (labottegadifiorenza.com). A family-run business, they also specialize in ceramics. This is more of a retail shopping experience than at Giorgi's in my opinion.
The last two places I cannot remember their names but have walked by them before. I believe both are located around the train station SMN, one on Via Della Scala just west of Piazza Santa Maria Novella on the south side of the street and the other on Borgo Ognissanti (2 streets south of Via Della Scala towards the river) between the Piazza Goldoni and Piazza d'Ognissanti.
Have you brought home a Florentine tray before? If so, let me know in the comments where you purchased it or if there are any additional stores where they can be found that I may have missed!
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