Are you planning any trips now that travel has opened in most of the world? I am back in the south of France and can’t seem to stop hopping on the train to Ventimille {or Ventimiglia as the French spell it}, Italy. I wrote about THE big Friday Market before, where one can find great deals on linen, leather, cotton, sheets, cashmere, furs, jewelry and a million other things. But today, I want to focus the Mercato dei Fiori which is open everyday but Sunday until 1 – 2 pm.
Most of the products that are sold here are from Italy and many come from the sun-drenched tiered farms on the hills above Ventimille.
If you come by train, to reach the mercato just go out the front doors of the stazione walk straight ahead down the Via della Stazione.
Almost 2 blocks down, I highly recommend you stop at Caffé Paris for one of the best coffee drinks EVER!
Their cappuccnos and macchiato are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. You can take a quick drink at the bar or sit down and enjoy some people watching and maybe get tempted by a few designer knock-off bags the sellers will bring to your table.
As the name of this mercato implies there are plenty of flowers here, again, many grown locally. They are all very fresh and the prices are incredible!
At the Scarfone stand, station #6, you can choose your favorite flowers and they will expertly arrange them for you. See the video of Antonio Scarfone arranging a bouquet for me on my instagram, Splendid7, over there->->->
Who wouldn’t want to receive this gorgeous arrangement??
I’ve never had a man make a flower arrangement for me, much less a handsome Italian man, but Antonio knows his business!
People come from miles around to stock up on the bounty of Italy, everything is so fresh and again the prices are unbeatable.
In addition to the fresh products you can find a huge variety of cured olives, sun dried tomatoes, tuna stuffed peppers, fresh truffles and other Italian delicacies.
The selection of fresh pastas, cured meats, Italian pastries, pestos and other sauces is incomparable.
And then, of course there are the olive oils, SO MANY different olive oils, most pressed locally. Many vendors offer tastings so you can choose one just as sweet or peppery as you desire.
The sunspots on these nectarines indicate that they are very sweet.
Squash blossoms ready to stuff, batter and fry.
These white beans {fagioli’s} are soaked in water and ready to cook.
These are my favorite tomatoes, meaty and flavorful.
Before hopping on the train back to France, I recommend having lunch. There are many restaurants on the beach with amazing seafood where you can have a long lunch, but I am hooked on the Paninis at Caffé Cavalier at 19 Via Roma, this one made with foccacia bread dotted with green olives was too satisfying for words!
Grazie per essere venuto a trovarmi per il tour del Mercato dei Fiori.
Alla prossima volta!
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