Welcome To Florence!
Yes, nighttime in Florence Italy is magical, as the Arno river flows through the center of town…my wife Alex and I love the city, filled with incredible architecture…such as the famous “Ponte Vecchio” bridge that houses many classic shops…
There is so much to see in this magical city – you can go inside one of the iconic Museums – or just wander the streets – we did both!
It truly is a stunning city, and of course when you are there in summer, the crowds will be there as well..here’s a look:
After wandering through the crowded streets, we worked up a thirst…and we took care of it in a very unique way, as Sophie Anne Nadeau recently posted about:
Florence Has “Wine Windows!”
Sophie’s post reminded me it was time to share our “wine window” adventure!
Step Up To A “Buchette del Vino!”
These are uniquely Florence! These tiny windows actually serve wine!
Here what I found out:
A “Buchette del Vino” is a wine window that emerges from the façade of ancient palaces in the center of the city.
Wikipedia describes them this way:
“They are little windows with inscriptions on the walls of some local nobles’ palaces. They have been used for hundreds of years to sell wine in a fiasco (glass bottle) without having to open a shop and avoid paying taxes.”
When we found one, there was a line outside waiting to order…Alex took her spot while I took pictures!
When it was her turn, here is what happened:
That is literally how easy it is – the tiny window opens to take your order, then closes until they re-emerge with your wine – and you simply stand away from the window, enjoy your glass of wine, and someone comes out to collect the empties!
And they are so nice and fun!
By the way, there were health reasons for these windows to be created. Wikipedia goes on to explain:
“These wine windows also posed a useful anti-contagion way to sell wine during the epidemic of 1630-1633. And more recently, during the days of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. When restaurants, bars, and gelateria began reusing these ancient buchette del vino to sell their products, just like 400 years ago. “
Cheers to that!
We stopped in Florence before heading onto Cortona, home of the house seen in the film “Under The Tuscan Sun!”
Here a look at the road outside the house – the one used extensively in the film:
Click here to get a tour inside with more video from inside the house and more!
This was all part of a whirlwind “planes, trains and automobiles” adventure..a plane first to Rome for a few days, then the train to Florence for two days, then a rental car to take us to Cortona, then on to Burgundy France!
We stopped for a night in the tiny village of Guarene, and stayed in a castle!
Click here for a tour – and a visit to the wine town of Barbaresco too!
After we left this charming area, we drove THROUGH the Swiss Alps – literally!
Yes, our road to Burgundy France took us through one of the longest tunnels in Europe – until it didn’t!
Click here to see the wild adventure that was our journey into Italy’s Alps!
If you enjoy these posts, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like – from music to movies, books, travel, food and more…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
Leave me a comment on your thoughts on Florence’s unique wine windows – and if you like this story, please share with friends on social media!
Goodnight from Florence!
Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Italy, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, wine
johnrieber 
Hi John, these windows are a great idea. I enjoyed this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Robbie! They are unique to the city and a fun way to enjoy a glass of wine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved, loved this post. Wine windows! What a brilliant idea to reuse them during Covid, and continue the 400 year old tradition. There’s a small string of windows across the top level of the Ponte Vecchio. During WWII that’s where they stored many of the paintings from the Uffizi Museum. And, you drove through the Swiss Alps. Wow!
LikeLike
wha?! wine windows?! so incredibly brilliant. and the city looks pretty good too -)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the history of them – it helped prevent the spread of deadly plagues – and during the pandemic they were used for the same purpose! Now they are just cool to try and we did and loved them – thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it really makes sense
LikeLike
John, you just know that I am going to love ‘wine windows’! I have never been to Florence (put off by the crowds of tourists) but it might well be going on my list now. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, they are really cool and have an interesting history as well – cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those wine windows are adorable. What fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there are a number of them and we tried two different ones! Thank you for commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person