Being on holidays means treating yourself; eating out multiple times a day, drinking a little more than maybe you should, taking taxis for journeys you might normally walk, and generally just being a little bit more indulgent than normal.
Shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for people at home is all a part of most people's vacations. However, when you find yourself somewhere completely alien to you, it can be difficult to even know where to start or where to find particular things that you might be looking for.
Shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for people at home is all a part of most people's vacations. However, when you find yourself somewhere completely alien to you, it can be difficult to even know where to start or where to find particular things that you might be looking for.
If you're a music-lover planning a holiday in Florence, you're going to need to find yourself a good record store to flip through some vinyl between scoping out the local attractions. Find a luxury villa in Florence and visit these little gems during the course of your trip!
Rock Bottom Records on Via de' Giraldi is a little off the beaten track for tourists, being a bit of a trek from the historical centre of the city, but is well worth the effort. Impeccably organised and arranged, with knowledgeable and friendly staff, it's an ideal shopping and browsing environment. You'll find rare originals and represses at very fair prices, with an extremely wide range to choose from.
Rock Bottom Records on Via de' Giraldi is a little off the beaten track for tourists, being a bit of a trek from the historical centre of the city, but is well worth the effort. Impeccably organised and arranged, with knowledgeable and friendly staff, it's an ideal shopping and browsing environment. You'll find rare originals and represses at very fair prices, with an extremely wide range to choose from.
Famous all around Italy, this is the big hitter that you should be sure to visit. If you only have time to visit one record store in Florence, pick this one.
Though much smaller, Data Records 93 is another highly popular record store in Florence with many contending that it is the best in the city. Established all the way back in 1977, it is a long-standing, decidedly unflashy shop that has survived due to the loyalty it causes in customers. Despite its size, there is quite a wide selection of records to choose from and prices are rather reasonable. It is, perhaps, its appearance that most endears it so utterly to long-term fans and first-time visitors alike.
Some liken it to something from a nineties movie, with everything seeming charmingly unpretentious, a little handmade and defiantly unique in a world of large franchises and dying independent stores. A must for anyone after a slightly more authentic experience and a passionate clientèle.
If you're not satisfied with either of those options and are after a record store where you might also pick up some awesome comic books, then head to Viale Petrarca. With a wide selection of classic and current graphic novel releases and Italian and international vinyl records, Fumetti e Dischi is another institution of the city.
Next time you find yourself in Florence you'll know exactly where to get your musical fix, just try not to go too crazy – you still have to get them home!
Though much smaller, Data Records 93 is another highly popular record store in Florence with many contending that it is the best in the city. Established all the way back in 1977, it is a long-standing, decidedly unflashy shop that has survived due to the loyalty it causes in customers. Despite its size, there is quite a wide selection of records to choose from and prices are rather reasonable. It is, perhaps, its appearance that most endears it so utterly to long-term fans and first-time visitors alike.
Some liken it to something from a nineties movie, with everything seeming charmingly unpretentious, a little handmade and defiantly unique in a world of large franchises and dying independent stores. A must for anyone after a slightly more authentic experience and a passionate clientèle.
If you're not satisfied with either of those options and are after a record store where you might also pick up some awesome comic books, then head to Viale Petrarca. With a wide selection of classic and current graphic novel releases and Italian and international vinyl records, Fumetti e Dischi is another institution of the city.
Next time you find yourself in Florence you'll know exactly where to get your musical fix, just try not to go too crazy – you still have to get them home!
Photo credits
picture 1: Florian Hirzinger / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 3: Fabo kun / CC BY 2.0
picture 1: Florian Hirzinger / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 3: Fabo kun / CC BY 2.0
