The apartment or appartamento in Italian is a flat converted into a bar…read more I heard about it through the grapevines, although it was just opened, and it's not very easy to spot. You get there, big wooden front door, ring the bell and reach the first floor through the stairs. In order to get in you must have their membership card: Arci You can make it there for 10 euros or 12 with a glass of wine included. Their offer is simple, a regular bar with choices you would have in your own house: bottle beer, wine of the house, coffee, teas etc. It's cheap to eat and drink here, they also provide a nice aperitivo to help you get to dinner time. It's quite and roomy, also has a small outdoor in the terrace. I saw they also host classes and workshops so be sure to check out their website for more information. Free wifi, armchairs and calm are also a great cocktail to go read a book or study in the afternoon.

Il Santuccio is an association that runs a sommelier course in three levels. It's only present in…read moreFlorence and is not nationally recognized, but it is certified through the AICS (whatever that is). I signed up for the level 1 sommelier class along with 3 friends. The cost is only 290 euros for 9 evenings, all wine tastings included, plus 50 euros for the association card. The location for the course is at the AC Mariott Hotel at Porta a Prato (not via cimabue as indicated here, which may be there legal location), in a comfortable conference room. I chose Il Santuccio mainly because I needed a very basic wine course and it seemed like too much of a commitment to join AIS or FISAR, which are much more serious courses. For my needs, this one is almost satisfactory. One thing I don't much like is that not all the teachers are top quality. Over half the lessons are led by reps from wineries, who bring their own wine to taste. Some might be good at what they do but not good at teaching. My other critique is that the focus is almost exclusively on Tuscan wines - which are the only wines I know. I was hoping to learn more about all the grapes in Italy at least and what wines are made from them. This course is a good idea if you know really nothing about wine.