When in Florence: Visit the Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Founded in the early 1200's next to the piazza Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, never mind Europe.  As I ventured on a tour of Florence last week with my family, the guide pointed it out as we passed as if it were just a landmark.  I made it my mission to go back as soon as possible.  The Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was much more than I could have ever dreamed of!

Dominican monks are credited to starting the pharmacy by creating medications, ointments, balms and preparing medicinal herbs in gardens for the friars in the piazza.  In the 1600's, it became famous and in the 1700's the formulas spread throughout the world.

I entered into what appeared to be more like a museum than your typical European pharmacy.  Filled with fragrances, pomades, waters and balms everything inside was special.  After speaking with one of the sales women who spoke a decent amount of English, I learned that the most coveted product then and now is their rose water.

It was used for medicinal purposes back in the early 1200's.  Plagues and diseases corrupted Florence and people drank the rose water believing it would cure them.  Today, it's one of their best sellers still, as a facial toner.  Of course, I had to buy it and covet every swipe.  The scent reminds me of the rose garden at my villa in Tuscany.

Eat, Pray, Sniff... Exploring the Laura Tonatto Profumi in Rome, Italy

Ciao from Rome!  Our first day here, of course ventured around from Piazza to Piazza admiring scenes like the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps and stopping for liters of wine along the way.  In the Piazza Di Pietra I found myself separated from my family. As they were sipping espresso, I testing my way through the Laura Tonatto Profumi, a boutique owned by Laura Tonatto herself, who created Queen Elizabeth II's signature scent.  Allow me to take you there...

Experiencing each note offered one at a time through an interactive wall by spritzing some of the already blended fragrances and single notes I felt at home. Albi was one of my favorites as it struck a cord with it's spicy note of black pepper blended with fresh lavender.

The store manager was excited to tell me that a scent blended by George Clooney is a big seller and of course I was in awe to find out that Laura Tonatto is also the nose behind some of the Kerastase and L'Oreal Professional fragrances.

As I ventured to the back of the store, I found TVs with headphones attached set up like a museum tour that walked through decades of famous concoctions.  The experience was a beauty-junkie's travel must-do.  You can visit the Laura Tonatto Profumi online boutique to custom blend your fragrance.  After all, you don't want any else having your scent.  Do you?