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ABC of cheap eats in Florence: Paninoteca or Fiaschetteria ?

 

 

 

It's the common problem you'll  find yourself in any major European city

Where can I go to find a decent priced meal which is authentic and good quality?

There's nothing more soul destroying that to go on holiday and fall for some tourist trap which you may have been enticed by an amazing all inclusive offer and free glass of substandard vino.

Florence is full of these wonderful rip-off tourist traps which cater to the exclusive plethora of tourists and American students.

General tip I follow in Florence: Wherever I hear too much English ( American) been spoken in a restaurant- I run! The more and alien the voices, the better.

Fortunately in terms of finding cheap eats in Florence there is a whole range of exciting food places to check out which offer an authentic Florentine foodie experience : Trattorias, Paninotecas, Fiaschetterias, Enotecas ( Amazing the names that Italians come up with. All we have is restaurants! )  then you have wonderful traditions like Aperitivo Hours.

I usually take advantage of menu del dia option in one of the basic rustic trattorias - my favourite so far in Florence is Trattoria La Casalinga.

 

Mixed Tuscan Antipasti : €4.50 at Trattoria Casalinga

 

You go here for the food. Not the table service. Be patient as long queues at lunchtime are common.You can sample local classic like Trippa all Florentina ( 7.50 euros) and the house wine is inexpensive.

You can trying grabbing a bite at one of the many paninotecas- you can get a panini stuffed with local gourmet ingredients and often a glass of the wine in the deal.

A great Paninoteca to check out in Firenze is Snack Bar Anna which I reviewed earlier on the BudgetTraveller.

Or maybe try a Fiaschetteria. Originally these wine bars would sell cheap wine from the flask  ( Latin word 'flasco' ) but now along with a glass of wine, you could get a decent bite to eat.

 

 

I Fratellini, Firenze

I Fratellini in Florence is still true to this tradition of selling wine by bottle or glass but also sells serves up a cracking selection of paninis to go with their wines. A typical selection of gourmet meats that you can include in your panini would be some porcetta, wild boar salami or maybe truffled pecorino with rocket. Fantastico!!

Another classic Fiaschetterria to check out just around from the Duomo is Fiaschetteria Nuvoli.

I did a writeup about the place a few years ago on Europebudgetguide.com. Love to revisit this place to see if they still serve the Baccala alla Livornese. Wow,thinking of it now, my mouth waters.

Other cheap eats options in Firenze would have to be a bit of be piazza squatting.

Watch the world go by on the Piazza and have your own gourmet picnic with few bits and pieces from a local deli or the food stalls at Piazza del Mercato where you can sample local specialities such as trippa alla fiorentina.

Hungry now?

 

Great. Come back for another slice of cheap eats in Florence next week on the sister budget travel blog BudgetTraveller.org

We'll be talking about just one amazing food tradition that is celebrated in Florence and all over Italy: Aperitivo Hour!

 

Note:

This post is courtesy of Oh-Florence.com who offer travellers a range of budget friendly Florence apartments

 

The Top Five Budget Rental Cottages in the Lake District

Opting to holiday within the United Kingdom has become increasingly popular again, particularly since there have been many scares concerning travel agents going bust and holidays simply being incredibly expensive.

Opting for holiday cottages UK is a great way to have a budget holiday, particularly in the Lake District.  Whether you are going on holiday as a couple, as a family or with a group there will be Lake District holiday cottages available that suit all your needs.  Let us look at the top five budget cottages in the Lake District, to give you a feel and idea of what is available.

 

Best Budget Rental Cottage Lake District for Romantic Breaks 

 

If you want to go on a romantic break with just you and your partner, where you can take the time to get to know each other and fall in love all over again, but only have a small budget, the Low Jock Star Country Guest House and Cottages are for you.

Lily Cottage in particular is great for a budget holiday, at only around £40 per night.  It has only one bedroom and the entire cottage is stylishly decorated with solid oak furniture.  All necessary equipment is available to make your stay comfortable and romantic.  

Although you may want to spend all your time simply being in each other’s presence, there are also plenty of things for you to do in the area, including individual photography classes.  Being right near the historic market town of Kendal, you can also go on a nice daytrip, or alternatively visit the Lake District National Park for a fantastic walk in nature. 

Best Pet Friendly Budget Cottage Lake District 

If you want to bring your four legged friend with you on holiday, you will obviously be looking for cheap holiday cottages UK that are classed as pet friendly.  Pet friendly almost always refers to a dog, so if you are thinking of bringing a different pet (cat, lizard, bird, fish or rodents for example), you need to contact the cottage owners. 

A great example of a pet friendly cottage is the Old Sunday School in Slaggyford.

This is on the border of the Lake District and Northumberland.  It sleeps six people in three bedrooms and is a fantastic character property, including an old fashioned potbellied stove.  And at just £269 per week, it is very affordable.

Around the cottage you will find a great village pub and the Moors are right on your doorstep for long and fun walks. 

Best Budget Historic Cottage Lake District for Families 

 

If you like the idea of a cottage that is steeped in history and if you want to take the kids on holiday with you as well, the Peat House near Windermere is for you.  This cottage, placed in the small Row hamlet, was awarded a four star graded listing.  This means it is not only historical, it is also in excellent condition and comfortable for those who are staying in it.  Prices vary, but can be as low as £295 per week. The cottage has two bedrooms, sleeping four, so it’s perfect for families.   

There are many towns within driving distance of the cottage, but you could also decide to stay on the grounds and go for walks through the fell or use the leisure club at the nearby hotel, which is included in the price of the rental.   

Best Budget Unusual Cottage Lake District for Families 

 

If you are looking for an unusual cottage on a budget, Berts Cottage in Westmorland is certainly something to consider.

It sleeps four in two bedrooms, so you can take the children.  It is classed as an upside down cottage, making it very unusual.  It has a gorgeous sitting, living and dining area with oak beams on the ceiling and stones on the walls.  Prices depend on when you are going, but they start at just £210 for a week. 

Berts Cottage is in a great location if you enjoy golf, cycling or walking, as there are some fantastic nature areas right on your doorstep. 

Best Budget Cottage Lake District for Large Groups 

 

If you want to go out with a large group, be they family or friends, and are on a budget, Irton Hall is a fantastic choice.  It is a listed building, thought to date bake to the 13^th century.  It comprises of several different buildings, with the Pele Tower (the oldest building) sleeping up to 15 people in 5 bedrooms, for just £1,300 per week. 

As you can see, there is no need to spend an arm and a leg on holidays anymore.  The Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas of the United Kingdom and it is right on your doorstep.  Regardless of the type of cottage you are looking for, you can find it in the Lake District and at a price you can afford as well.

 

Please note that this post is by Tom Brennan, courtesy of Holiday Rentals.