I truly love touring the famous sites of wonderful and iconic cities. Florence is among the world’s most historically rich cities on the planet. No matter how many times I visit this place it always awakens something new. I spent a few days solo exploring before heading off on a Tuscany bike tour. Afterward, I joined my friends Tom and Jennie for evening tours of the most beautiful Florence museums. I enjoy mixing educational touring with…window shopping! Before I take you on a Florence shopping tour I must refuel with a fabulous pizza and a beer at a cute spot in the Piazza Santo Spirito.

The famous Via de Tornabuoni is fine for glittering high-end galleries, but I was interested in a different experience. I will take you to the Florence neighborhood of…Oltrarno. It is a delight to meander into the heart of the district full of narrow streets, beautiful piazzas, and excellent shopping and dining. Even on summer days the area is not really that busy, a refreshing change from the often crowded areas of Florence on the other side of the Arno. Along the way you’ll pass beautiful little boutiques, antique shops, and small artisan workshops that keep the neighborhood’s artistic traditions alive. You will see artisans making jewelry, shoes, clothing, and tiny art galleries.

An interesting window display at D.A.T.E. shoes, a sneaker company based in Florence.

I looked into a favorite gallery on mine, Bottega delle Stampe, on the Borgo san Jacopo. Many years ago Marla and I purchase a few nice items here, including a 1640 map of Tuscany and a 1910 French pochoir print of a skier with one pole. I love this place and am so happy it is still in business!

This gallery featured unique reproductions as well as original bronze and marble sculptures.

If you need a 6′ tall bronze or marble sculpture for your palazzo, this is the place!

There are numerous little fashion boutiques.

Embroidered cloth place mats for old fashion elegance.

This was a custom women’s and men’s tailor with oodles of different fabrics.

The elegance of old antiques.

I found this design gallery very unique with an eclectic mix of new and old style.

I sure wish we had more interesting home furnishing shops like this in more places in the U.S.

A boutique of high fashion glassware.

You seldom see children wearing fashionable clothing like this today.

I think our granddaughters would have loved this shop when they were very young.

High-end women’s vintage shop.

Everything plush!

Florence is known for jewelry!

Unusual bracelets.

Italian eyewear is always fashionable!

A fabulous inlaid cabinet.

A craftsman makes custom shoes.

My late mother-in-law would have definitely worn this outfit! She was pretty showy and loved driving around town in her Rolls Royce convertible!

The Ponte Vecchio bridge was built in 1345. Many of the exclusive gold and jewelry stores on the bridge are owned by descendents of the 41 original artisans on the bridge in the 16th century.

Window shopping on the bridge is fun for inveterate shoppers like me!

I found these cameos interesting. My great-grandfather was a 19th century Scottish sea captain. He had an Italian artisan carve a cameo broach from a photo of himself and gave it to his wife. He was often at sea for extended periods of time and thought she would be reminded of him when he was gone.

Very colorful enameled jewelry.

The jewelry boutiques on the bridge offer a huge range of designs.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.