Your tour will begin in front of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, one of the oldest churches in Florence. The magnificent building is associated with not one but three great Italian architects and designers: Brunelleschi (the master of domes), Donatello and  Michelangelo, who designed the Laurentian Library but sadly the façade was never completed. 

We’ll start in the area that was originally the leather market of Florence. Tuscans are still admired today as some of the best tanners of leather in the world, which is why a pair of leather shoes from this area is still a much coveted thing by stylish fashionistas (male and female) across the globe. As we walk you’ll see many colourful local vendors selling leather goods and souvenirs. 

Our first stop will be an old, family-run wine store and bar, owned by our friend Gianni, a proud Italian who knows Italian wine like the back of his hand. The straw-base bottles that you see everywhere (called fiaschi) were brought to the city centre by horse and carriage to be sold at this very store. Today, Gianni and his family stock a selection of fine Italian wines that includes firm favourites such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello, alongside delicious paninis and other local snacks. We’ll spend time with Gianni, tasting wine and local products before making our way to the indoor market. 

Next we’ll stop at a local stand selling typical Tuscan street food. Your mouth is sure to water uncontrollably once you catch a glimpse (and a sniff) of a panino with roast pork known as porchetta. Italian fast food doesn’t get much better than this! Then we’ll continue on to see the meat and fish stands, along with the fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetable stalls. Cameras at the ready!

Are you starting to crave something sweet? Cantucci accompanied by a chilled glass of Vino Santo dessert wine is how the Italians feed a sweet tooth. Cantucci is a type of biscotto made with almonds and it's delicious, trust us. We’ll stop at a local biscuit shop to try this firm favourite. 

Then we’ll continue to a cheese and salami stand which stocks local products from the hills that surround our city. Here we’ll taste an unusual craft beer made locally with saffron and sample Tuscan pecorino cheese with honey from the Casentino Valley.

The top floor of San Lorenzo Market is next on our culinary adventure, which became the Mercato Centrale in 2014 and has quickly become thought of as one of the best food halls in the world. We’ll start at Valerie Rugis’ stand which offers tasty fried vegetables. If in season, we can taste fried artichoke and zucchini flower — yum! Valerie's passion came from cooking with her grandmother Nonna Gina and she uses the same ingredients to fry her seasonal vegetables and meats — a true Tuscan specialty!

We’ll then stop by one of Florence’s best bakeries. David and his team use only the finest 100% Italian ancient grains in their baking, sourced from Verona, Arezzo and Lucca. Together we will enjoy a tasting of his breads with toppings including mozzarella di bufala, oregano and fresh tomato. 

To end our epic Florentine food discovery day, we’ll stop by Carmelo Pannocchietti’s stand of Sicilian specialties to taste fresh cannoli (a crazy-delicious stuffed pastry). We’ll then leave the market to visit a local coffee roaster to enjoy an espresso or caffe macchiato before parting ways with full stomachs and a newfound knowledge of the food of Florence. Before you go, don’t forget to ask your guide for more tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay in the city.