We couldn't but notice the gelato windows which are just about everywhere in Florence.......
but managed to resist them most of the time.....
We were warned that we should look for a price displayed or ask for a specific euro amount of gelato.... which is what the locals do.....otherwise we could end up like some tourists last year. Apparently a couple asked for 2 cones around the Piazza della Signoria and were then asked to pay 22 euros! They objected but were told that was the price. They took their gelato and receipt and found a police person outside and registered a complaint which made it all the way up to the Mayor's office. And the gelato store was fined and closed for 48hrs as punishment! The tourists wrote about it in their local German newspaper and Florence does not like bad Press!
However we had no idea, until one day when we went to the Piazza della Repubblica , that they took their Gelato very seriously....
and that each year they have a Gelato festival!
We found this map and decided to also visit Piazza S.M.Novella
And found that this is where small artisans have stands........
the flavours seemed to be extremely creative......
Then we noticed the sign for the Gelato university...
And watched as many of the Gelato chefs were given diplomas.....
We assume that the ones there were the Gelato artisan chefs of the gelato available in the Piazza.........
but managed to resist them most of the time.....
We were warned that we should look for a price displayed or ask for a specific euro amount of gelato.... which is what the locals do.....otherwise we could end up like some tourists last year. Apparently a couple asked for 2 cones around the Piazza della Signoria and were then asked to pay 22 euros! They objected but were told that was the price. They took their gelato and receipt and found a police person outside and registered a complaint which made it all the way up to the Mayor's office. And the gelato store was fined and closed for 48hrs as punishment! The tourists wrote about it in their local German newspaper and Florence does not like bad Press!
However we had no idea, until one day when we went to the Piazza della Repubblica , that they took their Gelato very seriously....
and that each year they have a Gelato festival!
They even had cocktails..............
the flavours seemed to be extremely creative......
Then we noticed the sign for the Gelato university...
And watched as many of the Gelato chefs were given diplomas.....
