Fodor's Expert Review Santa Maria Novella
A heavy, iron-barred door leads to a hushed, scented inner sanctum of beauty products. At this U.S. outpost of the 600-year-old Florentine company, shoppers can browse intriguingly archaic perfumes, colognes, creams, and soaps such as rose rice powder, prepared according to both traditional and modern recipes. Everything is packaged in bottles and jars with antique-style apothecary labels. If you prefer to perfume your home rather than your body, there are candles and sachets as well.