Our Shop 'til you drop weekend in Florence via Lufthansa First Class
#62
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 215
SFO777, your narrative is a treat.
I highly appreciate it that you reveal prices of meals/hotels/tours you partake. It adds an extra perspective in perceiving things if you know how much they charge for various items at various places around the world.
For example, Villa Kennedy...the rack rate is €275 and the room is supposed to be some 35 sq.m. but your photo shows it a bit... cramped. Illusion of the photography?
Also, am I right that the room's decor was just so-so?
I highly appreciate it that you reveal prices of meals/hotels/tours you partake. It adds an extra perspective in perceiving things if you know how much they charge for various items at various places around the world.
For example, Villa Kennedy...the rack rate is €275 and the room is supposed to be some 35 sq.m. but your photo shows it a bit... cramped. Illusion of the photography?
Also, am I right that the room's decor was just so-so?
#63
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,139
This is a wonderful report, as usual.
The Palazzo Magnani Feroni looks like the real deal to me, true hotel happiness; and that linguini with clam sauce actually looked pretty good.
I really do need to get back to Italy even if it will involve a plane change!
The Palazzo Magnani Feroni looks like the real deal to me, true hotel happiness; and that linguini with clam sauce actually looked pretty good.
I really do need to get back to Italy even if it will involve a plane change!
#64
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
Programs: AS; BA Silver; UA; HH Diamond; Sprngli Connaisseur
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#66
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: North of Carlisle
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,529
For those of you wondering what that is exactly (myself included)
Obatzda is a Bavarian cheese delicacy. It is prepared by mixing two thirds aged soft cheese, usually Camembert and one third butter. Sweet or hot paprika powder, salt, pepper are the traditional seasonings as well as a small amount of beer. Wikipedia
Great trip report once again sfo777
Obatzda is a Bavarian cheese delicacy. It is prepared by mixing two thirds aged soft cheese, usually Camembert and one third butter. Sweet or hot paprika powder, salt, pepper are the traditional seasonings as well as a small amount of beer. Wikipedia
Great trip report once again sfo777
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
Mrs SFO took a nap? She was just there for a weekend and she snoozed through shopping time! I've said it before.. I'm happy to trade places with Mrs SFO so I too can go shopping in Italy. I'm very jealous of her! She can come to Australia and go on a holiday with my husband.
I loved the hotel.
I loved the hotel.
She only napped that first afternoon. Believe me, she didn't nap again during shopping hours.
Really terrible that you didn't get a Porsche ride to the terminal, or more accurately the driver refusing to take you. I think you should write a complaint to Lufthansa. Also is it possible to access the FCL the day before e.g if you have an overnight connection, or is it only for same-day departures and arrivals?
SFO777, your narrative is a treat.
I highly appreciate it that you reveal prices of meals/hotels/tours you partake. It adds an extra perspective in perceiving things if you know how much they charge for various items at various places around the world.
For example, Villa Kennedy...the rack rate is 275 and the room is supposed to be some 35 sq.m. but your photo shows it a bit... cramped. Illusion of the photography? Also, am I right that the room's decor was just so-so?
I highly appreciate it that you reveal prices of meals/hotels/tours you partake. It adds an extra perspective in perceiving things if you know how much they charge for various items at various places around the world.
For example, Villa Kennedy...the rack rate is 275 and the room is supposed to be some 35 sq.m. but your photo shows it a bit... cramped. Illusion of the photography? Also, am I right that the room's decor was just so-so?
For those of you wondering what that is exactly (myself included) Obatzda is a Bavarian cheese delicacy. It is prepared by mixing two thirds aged soft cheese, usually Camembert and one third butter. Sweet or hot paprika powder, salt, pepper are the traditional seasonings as well as a small amount of beer. Wikipedia.Great trip report once again sfo777
#69
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Racine, WI/VCE
Programs: AA EXP, MR LT PPE, Arise Mucci des Hommes de Fer
Posts: 1,047
Beautiful trip report SFO777! Outside of our family home in Bassano del Grappa. Florence is our favorite city in Italy. The last time we were in Florence, we stayed at the Four Seasons, which was a short walk from La Giostra. The only time we dined at an Anitori restaurant was in Zurich!
Will there be a special girls of Florence TR?
Will there be a special girls of Florence TR?
#70
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
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I for one really liked the photos of the Villa Kennedy's decor. My understanding is that Rocco Forte's sister leads the design team for the RF hotels, and I do like her mix of modern textures with more classic pieces (I have a VERY low tolerance for over-the-top rococo exces).
#71
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: FLR
Programs: M&M
Posts: 104
Great report (as always!) SFO777! It's always interesting when a TR is mainly focused on my hometown next time you come to FLR drop me a line and I will suggest a few eateries. Did you go to the Mercato Centrale http://www.mercatocentrale.it/en/ ?
Our airport will be renewed "soon", a new 2,400 meters runaway (kind of parallel to the highway) should be released by the end of 2016.
I am glad you enjoyed Firenze!
Ciao,
Giovanni
ps. next time give Four Seasons a try, they have an amazing restaurant as well!
Our airport will be renewed "soon", a new 2,400 meters runaway (kind of parallel to the highway) should be released by the end of 2016.
I am glad you enjoyed Firenze!
Ciao,
Giovanni
ps. next time give Four Seasons a try, they have an amazing restaurant as well!
Last edited by taxi_driver; Apr 30, 2015 at 4:19 pm
#73
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
I assume savings can only be had on ultra luxury European designer clothing?
As my experience shopping in Europe is that everything is actually more expensive in Europe, in part due to the extreme VAT rates.
For example, jeans is definitely cheaper in Boston than in Amsterdam.
As my experience shopping in Europe is that everything is actually more expensive in Europe, in part due to the extreme VAT rates.
For example, jeans is definitely cheaper in Boston than in Amsterdam.
Last edited by Dieuwer; May 1, 2015 at 6:10 am Reason: Grammar
#74
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: FLR
Programs: M&M
Posts: 104
I remember (15 yrs ago?) buying a pair of Levi's at a mall in Texas for 30$ (if less) while back home RRP was around 90. Levi's used to be a premium product in Europe. Jeep is positioned in the "premium-luxury" segment here in Italy, I bet it's not the same in the US.
Even with VAT most high end designer clothes are cheaper. If you hold a non EU passport you also get VAT refund, and that's 22% (!!!) off the retail price!
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
I assume savings can only be had on ultra luxury European designer clothing?
As my experience shopping in Europe is that everything is actually more expensive in Europe, in part due to the extreme VAT rates.
For example, jeans is definitely cheaper in Boston than in Amsterdam.
As my experience shopping in Europe is that everything is actually more expensive in Europe, in part due to the extreme VAT rates.
For example, jeans is definitely cheaper in Boston than in Amsterdam.