Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › Florence, what should I get?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Florence, what should I get?

post #1 of 12
2/22/13 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, there is a dearth of fragrance shops here but I would like a reminder of my few days here. I have been to farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella and wasn't particularly impressed. Any suggestions?
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
post #2 of 12
2/22/13 at 3:00pm
Try Lorenzo Villoresi or I Profumi di Firenze - both houses are based in Florence...
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 12
2/22/13 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dane77 View Post

Try Lorenzo Villoresi or I Profumi di Firenze - both houses are based in Florence...

This.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 12
2/22/13 at 3:24pm
Fantastic! I haven't been to Florence, but perhaps this review of a scent adventure in that city will help.

Hope you report back and tell us how it went!
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 12
2/22/13 at 3:46pm
If you don't like the perfumes, at SMN you can buy stuff like the great Carta d'Armenia (benzoin perfumed strips of paper), bath oils (eg melograno), or similar body products. You can also stop by the equally characteristic farmacia Santissima Annunziata
http://www.farmaciassannunziata1561.it/
just south of the said square. Their scents are heavier than the more sedate SMN, though more expensive. The patchouli indonesiano is a blast. They also sell great creams - I like their face and their hand creams for men, they smell very nice.

But probably my best recommendation is to stop at L'O profumo
http://www.loprofumo.com/
a 15min walk west of duomo (there are some very characteristic restaurants nearby, by the way, like la pentola dell'oro). It's a very good niche store, but the lady also prepares perfumes herself. I especially like her Kalos, which is based on (true) ambergris. This year's new offers were two realistic chocolate scents - which are excellent if you like to wear said material (I don't).

cacio
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 12
2/22/13 at 7:12pm
Let us know what you picked up when you finish making your purchases.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 12
2/22/13 at 8:32pm
Agreed with the recommendations. The last time I was there I picked up an SMN, a Villoresi and a couple of I Profumo di Firenze. Florence is a beautiful city.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 12
2/23/13 at 12:35am
If you weren't too keen on SMN, I think you won't be keen on Lorenzo Villoresi either.

- - - Updated - - -

Needless to say though, enjoy Firenze. It's magical.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 12
2/23/13 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacio View Post


But probably my best recommendation is to stop at L'O profumo
http://www.loprofumo.com/
a 15min walk west of duomo (there are some very characteristic restaurants nearby, by the way, like la pentola dell'oro). It's a very good niche store, but the lady also prepares perfumes herself. I especially like her Kalos, which is based on (true) ambergris. This year's new offers were two realistic chocolate scents - which are excellent if you like to wear said material (I don't).

cacio

This is the best suggestion one can give about fragrance shopping in florence...

For other options, check this (there's a comprehensive list of shops):

http://www.basenotes.net/threads/198741-Florence-Italy
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 12
2/23/13 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacio View Post

But probably my best recommendation is to stop at L'O profumo
http://www.loprofumo.com/
a 15min walk west of duomo (there are some very characteristic restaurants nearby, by the way, like la pentola dell'oro). It's a very good niche store, but the lady also prepares perfumes herself. I especially like her Kalos, which is based on (true) ambergris. This year's new offers were two realistic chocolate scents - which are excellent if you like to wear said material (I don't).

Will have to try that line next time I'm in Italia.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 12
2/23/13 at 12:42pm
  • aaz
  • offline
  • Gender:
There was a lovely little perfumery called Mario's - cannot remember the address but was on the way into Piazza della Republica - and love the Laboratorio Olfattivo range. Iris from Odori - Profumo di Firenze would be a lovely way to remember Florence for the florentine iris - mind you, nobody has heard of this when I was last there and the only thing anyone knows is Santa Maria Novella - am not a fan unfortunately but what a building it is housed in, absolutely breathtaking! If you have a chance, go to Siena for the day - it is every bit as stunnning as the picture indicate.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 12
2/23/13 at 11:51pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks all! Well it hasn't all gone to plan. Yesterday I set off to try some of your suggestions. Within an hour I started to feel really ill so headed back to my hotel. 22 hours later I've just managed to crawl out of my sickbed for a much needed hot shower and shave. I feel more or less human again but it's Sunday now and most places are closed. I fly back to the UK tomorrow morning so it looks like I've struck out.
It wasn't a total disaster though, before I felt bad I managed to pick up Costume National Scent Intense, Lutens Ambre Sultan and Villoresi's Piper Nigrum. Thanks again everyone, I am definitely returning to this beautiful city in the not too distant future!!!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Male Fragrance Discussion

Features on Basenotes

Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › Florence, what should I get?