STRANGE OLD FLORENCE
with Nicky Swallow, freelance travel writer
Nicky at the book presentation for Cala di Volpe in Sardinia, Italy
Looking for unusual attractions in Florence, Italy? Look no further.
In this episode, we talk to local expert and travel journalist Nicky Swallow.
A musician by training, Nicky Swallow first moved to Florence in 1981 to play in the opera orchestra. She tried bruschetta drizzled with newly-pressed, grass green olive oil early on, and was hooked. She has been writing about Florence for the past 20 years and continues to travel extensively throughout the country.
In this episode you’ll find out…
How Florence’s medieval football match gets surprisingly violent
Which of a cow’s four stomachs tastes best with salsa verde
Why you should ignore a Hollywood star’s wine-drinking advice
…and so much more.
You’ll find all Nicky’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com
Read Nicky’s travel articles in all the big publications, including The Telegraph, Condé Nast Traveller, The Guardian, AFAR, Travel + Leisure and The Florentine
Her latest book, Cala di Volpe, is available on Assouline Press or from Amazon
Classical music fans should also check out her festival: Incontri in Terra di Siena
You can also follow Nicky on Twitter (X) and Instagram. Connect with Joe by following him on X or Insta — or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk
Listen now
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Picks of the pod
Here’s a list of all the Strange Old Florence suggestions of Nicky Swallow. Attractions marked with an asterisk (*) are included on the map below.
Strange thing to see in Florence: Anatomical waxworks in La Specola*
Strange thing to do in Florence: Vespers service at San Miniato al Monte*
Strange event in Florence: Calcio storico fiorentino* (medieval football game)
Strange food in Florence: Lampredotto — try it at a food stall in the Mercato del Porcellino* (or at Il Magazzino restaurant)
Strange slice of history in Florence: Arno flood of 1966 — see the flood marker on the corner of Piazza di Santa Croce and San Via Giuseppe Verdi*
Stranger Danger™ in Florence: Overpaying for drinks from a ‘traditional’ wine window (bonus shoutout: wearing shorts and t-shirts in February)
Strange day trip from Florence: Bagno Vignoni* — take a dip at Hotel Posta Marcucci (bonus shoutout: Monsummano Terme)
Straight-up recommendations for Florence: Eat a bistecca alla fiorentina at Cambi, get a birds-eye-view from the Campanile, wander around Oltrarno, avoid the queues for Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo by visiting the far-less-busy Convent of San Marco and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Why visit now/when to visit: See the Tour de France Grand Départ in June, take advantage of scaffolding now up in the Cappella Brancacci and the Baptistry to see frescoes up close/Avoid summer (hot, humid, large crowds); come in Jan-Feb for art or late spring and autumn for pleasant weather with fewer crowds
Strange sight elsewhere in the world: Cimitero delle Fontanelle in Naples, Italy
Joe’s end-of-pod pick: Galileo's finger*