"Opened in 2008, Carapina, on the Piazza Guglielmo Oberdan, has a younger, fresher feel than many of Florence's older gelato establishments. There are even TV screens showcasing the gelato-making process and an area where artisanal products, including jams and cookies, are sold. Seasonal fruit, high-quality cacao, and rich nuts form the basis of this shop's preservative-, thickener-, and excess sugar-free gelatos. Flavors change with the calendar—at Christmas, for instance, there's panettone—though some flavors stay put year round, including olive oil and crema del artusi, an egg-based vanilla custard (both are wins)." - Bridget Arsenault