Fitness festival in Florence

Now in its 19th edition, the Festival del Fitness has taken its place as the largest Fitness event in the world. For the second year, from Wednesday, May 2nd to Sunday, May 6th in Florence, in the beautiful Fortezza da Basso fortress. Its highly successful first year in Florence last year, with over 300,000 visitors and 450 accredited journalists proved that moving the Festival and giving it a new face was a winning idea.

THE STORMING OF THE FORTRESS presented by CONSUMIT e EVERLAST

This spectacular event became the symbol of the 2006 Festival, and will return again in 2007.
Visitors able to climb up the ancient walls of the Fortress on the pre-set climbing ropes, safely set up by members of the Italian military, will receive a “Special Guest” pass once they arrive at the top. Last year, over 3,000 visitors made their way up the fortress walls, and this year’s goal is ten thousand!

1,207 KM FOR SOLIDARITY
One of the most important new events at the 19th Festival del Fitness will be 1207km long! An ongoing competition to raise money, with the non-stop participation of runners on a treadmill.
The competition, open to everyone, will begin on Wednesday May 2nd at 2pm and will continue, night and day without interruption until the closing of the Festival. Each participant will be able to run as long as he/she wants. For each km run, the event sponsors will donate money to a research charity. Considering an average of 12km per hour, the goal is to have runners non-stop for 100 hours, which would mean a total number of 1207km run. In collaboration with Technogym, Peugeot, Enervit and the magazine Runner's World.

SAMMONTANA BEACH VILLAGE
Bringing the sun and sand to the Fortezza fortress of Florence.
5 days of beach volleyball, relaxing massages, fusball contests and a delicious ice cream stand.

Other sport and fitness events:

- A unique and original sports and beauty competition whose winner will be named Fitness Model for 2007.

- Surrounded by the peace of the Fortress monument area, Healthness Village brings participants massages, relaxation, well-being and healthy eating, in the search of a better quality of life.

- An important area which will hold a grand urban dance event with prestigious special guests.
Hip Hop, VideoDance, Breaking, Popping, Locking, House and DanceHall contest, from hip hop to reggae dancers in the spotlight. Crews and solos, choreographed and freestyle, in a veritable hurricane of sound and urban movement.

- Another important area, looking out on the world of fitness and wellness. “Wellness on Stages” and the best national instructors and prestigious international guests.

- 5 days of lessons, demonstrations and activities related to Martial Arts

- training and lessons of Just Pump, Aerobics, Step, Hip-Hop, Just Yoga and Just Pilates, all held by some of the best Italian and international presenters

- Sunday May 6th takes a starring role as host of the biggest Body Fly convention ever

- AQUAGYM CONVENTION in collaboration with the Italian Swimming Federation.
Five days of water activities designed for instructors and all lovers of water-based fitness

- FITNESS OPEN Great competition: The competition includes 7 minutes on the treadmill and seven on the stationary bike: the most kilometers run and biked in that time wins a Grand Prize of € 50.000.
The Finals will begin on Wednesday and will end on Sunday, in an area of 500 square meters set up especially for the event.

- 1st Sweat & Smile Competition
Nikon, in collaboration with the 19th Festival del Fitness, is organizing an important photographic competition, from May 2nd to 6th at the Fortezza da Basso Festival location.
You will receive a special coupon at the Festival entrance. Present this coupon at the Nikon Festival area to participate in the "Sweat&Smile" competition.

FESTIVAL INFOLINE
The most important fitness event in the world will take place from May 2nd to 6th, 2007, in the beautiful city of Florence.
Dates:
Wednesday May 2nd - Sunday May 6th
Hours: from 10:30am to 9:30pm

Ticket price:
1 day: € 20
2/5 days (entrance pass): € 25

Group price:
1 day: € 15 instead of € 20
one free ticket for every 10 participants

from 2 to 5 days: € 20 instead of € 25
one free ticket for every 10 participant

Events in Florence at the end of April

This saturday starts Fabbrica Europa a nice festival in Florence with several events: dance, theatre, workshops, meetings, dj sets...

The first show "Lapsus" is not at Stazione Leopolda, but it's at Teatro Cantiere Florida (Via Pisana 109). Tickets: 12 €
At 9.30 pm.

Lapsus is a preview of a production that will debut in May in Le Havre. It is a sensitive investigation of the body as the sole subject and means of representation, and of the skin as the visible location of the relationship between the body and its surrounding space. The concentration on the perceptions of the body extends the idea of threshold, of edge. The objective is to bring to life the space just above the surface of the skin, where energy circulates. Space is not only a surrounding packaging but also the transmitter for dynamic energy. The choreography plays with the void to blur absence and presence and give substance to scenic volume. The skin, as the base level of representation, is at the heart of Pezzo 0 (2). In this first solo, the skin is the only visible surface, a membrane on which the events and signs of the body are registered. In Collection Pariculière, the relationship with a horizontal supporting surface allows a different scrutiny of the body and highlights the power of gravity as a creator of forms and events stripped of any illustrative or narrative function...

On saturday, the 28th, there will be another nice "event": WORLD TAIJI & QI GONG DAY.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) also spelled World T'ai Chi and Ch'i Kung Day, is an annual event held the last Saturday of April each year to promote the related disciplines of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and qigong in sixty countries since 1999.
World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day begins at 10 am with groups in New Zealand, and then quietly spreads time zone by time zone across the globe, to finish with the final events in Hawaii.
Also schools in Florence partecipate to this celebration: from 11.oo am to 1.00 pm, in Piazza Repubblica, there will be a special exhibition by a florentine school of Tai chi Chuan.

Champagne and other events...

Here's the new program for May by Rifrullo:

May 2007 – Special events every Wednesday at the “Rifrullo” restaurant and lounge bar in San Niccolò (very closed to piazzale Michelangelo and Lungarni)

-2nd May: Raw fish, French champagne.. and more

-9th May: a menu based on the fresh tuscany kitchen garden vegetables, recipes and presentation by Gianmarco Mazzanti

-16h May: Tasting of different types of “pesto”, the famous pasta sauce made with fresh basil, olive oil, cheese and pine seed, followed with a menu based on recipes from Liguria region

-23rd May: “The Carpacci”- a dinner dedicated to the “carpaccio” (garnished plate of raw meat and fish )

-30th May: wine tasting of “Prosecco” (sparkling white wine from Valdobbiadene) served with a small buffet.

This is the detailed program for May, the 2nd:


Wednesday, 2nd May 2007 – 8:30 pm
“Raw and Champagne”
CHAMPAGNE: PHILIPPONAT (Brut Royale Reserve)
Menu:
A selection of raw fresh fish: tuna, salmon and bass
Pasta ("Linguine" very similar to spaghetti) with fresh fish sauce
Dessert

€ 33,00 for person (wine, water, service included)

Please make your table reservation: ph. +39 (0)55 2342621

CHAMPAGNE: PHILIPPONAT (Brut Royale Reserve) is a wine composed mainly of Pinot Noir blended with Chardonnay and a small proportion of Pinot Meunier. It is the culmination of blending 25 different crus from diverse areas of the Champagne region and from several vintage years. The Brut Royale Réserve is a supple, fresh and fruity wine of great delicacy. Its quality is apparent in the extreme finesse and persistency of its bubbles. A champagne to be enjoyed at any time.
The House of Philipponnat is located at the very heart of the Champagne region, in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, 5 kilometers east of Epernay.

Events in Florence in April and May

From the 25th of April to the 1st of May there will be a beautiful fair of Flowers in the Giardino dell'Orticoltura: "Mostra mercato dei Fiori".

The garden lies between Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Bolognese near the Ponte Rosso. It's not in the center of Florence, but very close to.

The garden was created in 1859 and you can see there one of Florence's more unusual architectural treasures. Built by Giacomo Roster in 1879 for the Società Toscana di Orticoltura (the Tuscan Horticultural Society), this impressive steel and glass pavilion is used on a regular basis for gardening exhibitions. There's also a modern fountain in the pine tree-filled upper part of the gardens: the style is very similar to spanish architect Gaudì.
Opening hours: 9.00 am - 7.00 pm

Entrance is free and you can buy many kinds of flowers, plants and garden kits. I've been there last year, you can read (sorry it's in italian) my impressions.
Have a look at the lovely pictures made by Lucy.

In Piazza Santa Croce, from the 24th of April to the 1st of May there will be a market of typical tuscan products: cheeses, hams, cakes from Tuscany and other italian regions.
22 farms and shops will present their product in delicious little wood stands (alrealdy used for the Christmas Heildelberg Market). With a special attention towards Biological agricolture and healthy food.
Opening hours: from 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm.



On the evening of the 25th of April at Rifrullo, a lovely restaurant and lounge bar near Piazzale Michelangelo there will be a special dinner with wines and food from Piemonte.
Wednesday, 25th April 2007, at 8.30 pm
Tasting of wines from Piemonte region – “Fontanafredda” production
These are the wines that you will taste:

- GAVI di GAVI
- DOLCETTO di DIANO D'ALBA vigna LA LEPRE 2005
- BARBERA D'ALBA PAPAGENA DOC 2003
- MOSCATO D'ASTI MONCUCCO 2006


A special dinner will be served together. This is the menù:
Starter: “Bagna Cauda”, a special dressing from Piemonte with olive oil and anchovies, served with fresh crudités
First courses: Risotto made with Barolo wine
Main courses: Beef carpaccio with Castelmagno cheese sauce
Desserts: Bunette, a tipical sweet from Piemonte with chocolate and amaretti

Price for the dinner, service , wine and water included : 28 €/person
tel. +39 (0)55 2342621 +39 (0)55 2347850
more info: Rifrullo blog (italian version)

English Movies in Florence

English Movies in Florence: where and when you will find English movies screening in Florence.

English movies: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm.
Cost: € 7.20 (full price) PROGRAM-April

Thursday 19 RUNNING WITH SCISSORS (USA • 116’)
by Ryan Murphy with Annette Bening, Joseph Fiennes, Alec Baldwin, Gwyneth Paltrow
Shows 3.30 • 5.50 • 8.10 • 10.30 pm

Monday 23 HOLLYWOODLAND (USA • 126’)
by Allen Coulter. With Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins
Shows 3.30 • 5.50 • 8.10 • 10.30 pm

Tuesday 24 instead of MAN OF THE YEAR (USA • 115’)
there will be
"BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA"
Shows 3.30 • 5.50 • 8.10 • 10.30 pm

Thursday 26 PERFECT STRANGER (USA • 109’)
by James Foley. With Cynthia Loebe, Halle Berry, Bruce Willis, Giovanni Ribisi
Shows 3.30 • 5.50 • 8.10 • 10.30 pm

Monday 30 THE GOOD SHEPHERD (USA • 167’)
by Robert De Niro. With Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin
Shows 4.00 • 7.00 • 10.00 pm - Berlin Film Festival - Oscar nomination Best Art Direction

The Cinema: 2002 has celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Odeon Cinema. Built in 1462, Palazzo Strozzino, the building in which the cinema is located, is considered one of the most interesting examples of Renaissance architecture. Palazzo Strozzino was renovated at the beginning of the 20th century by the architect Piacentini who transformed the back and courtyard into an elegant art nouveau cinema-theatre which was opened in 1922. To this day the Odeon retains the original sculptures, tapestries, and the wonderful period stained glass cupola.
The cinema is in the center of Florence, near Piazza Repubblica and Ponte Vecchio. It's above Yab, one of the most glamorous disco in Florence, and close to Slowly, one very well known club in Florence for "aperitivi" and cocktail.

Over the years some of the most glamorous names in show business have appeared in this jewel in the heart of Florence, musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, actresses such as Isabelle Adjani and Anjelica Huston, and directors such as Bertolucci, Branagh, Salvatores, Benigni, Verdone and star of the new Italian cinema such as Stefano Accorsi.

Tickets and Club Card : A regular ticket costs Euro 7,20 but you can buy the Club Card which gives you a 40% discount for 8 admissions of your choice. The card costs Euro 36,00 and expires at 31st of July 2007. It admits up to two people at a time (i.e. 2 admissions). It can be purchased at the Odeon Cinema box office.
Sometimes, we are obliged to change our programme because of variations of national film release schedule and we really regret the inconvenience.

Odeon Original Sound
Via Sassetti 1 - 055 214068
near Piazza Repubblica

Gardens in Florence

Florence is full of hidden gardens tucked away behind impenetrable iron gates and forbidding walls. The most famous is the Boboli garden, a big garden behind Palazzo Pitti, rich of paths, statues and fountains. You can reach it also through the beautiful Forte Belvedere, one of the best panorama of Florence.

I've been at Forte Belvedere 2 weeks ago, it was full of american girls sun bathing.. in these days there is also an exhibition called 15x15 (15 works for 15 artists)

Giardino di Boboli entrance fee is about 6 euro. With the same ticket you can access to Bardini Garden as well.
Finally open to the public after 5 years of restoration Giardino Bardini offers one of the best picture opportunities in Florence. This green oasis lies in the Oltrarno on a steep hill wedged between Piazzale Michelangelo and Boboli. The garden started life as a series of walled orchards, but has been altered and enlarged over the years. Today it retains its 15th century layout with terrace and paths planted with irises (the purple iris is the flower of Florence, see picture here), roses, wisteria, giant azaleas, fruit trees and dotted with statues and fountains. At the top is a charming ilex wood and the "dragon's canal", a faux-chinese water feature.
I've visited Giardino Bardini when it just opened to the public, after the restoration. Even if plants and flowers were not grown, I liked it a lot!
If you like gardens I will talk about others..

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Music has always had a fundamental role in the artistic life of Florence, where, at the end of the sixteenth century, the very first operas were performed, following the theory and practice of the Camerata dei Bardi. Today the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the centre of musical life in Florence, is based at Teatro Comunale, and produces the Maggio Musicale Festival - together with Bayreuth and Salzburg, the oldest, important European music festival - as well as its annual concert, opera and ballet seasons.

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino was founded in 1933 by Vittorio Gui; it is the oldest Italian music festival and, on an international level, one of the most important.
If the festival takes up the months of May and June, the activity of the theatre goes on all year round, with its opera season, its concerts and ballets, and the summer concerts in the magnificent and suggestive framework of the Boboli Gardens: a constant and varied offer of musical occasions for an international, exacting and qualified audience.

70th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, from the 24th of April to the 30th of June.
-The festival starts with "Antigone", great opera first performed in the world. Music by Ivan Fedele. 24-04-2007, h 20.30, 04-05-2007, h 20.30, 06-05-2007, h 15.30
- Then: "Orfeo ed Euridice", Opera in three acts by Ranieri de' Calzabigi, conductor Riccardo Muti, 28-04-2007, 29-04-2007, at 20.30

Other events:
- BÉJART BALLET LAUSANNE
La vie du danseur racontée par Zig et Puce Boléro
- Barenboim Project ZUBIN MEHTA DANIEL BARENBOIM
Bartòk - Concert for orchestra
Ludwig van Beethoven
Concert n. 4 for piano and orchestra op. 58
Franz Liszt
Concert n. 1 for piano and orchestra
18-05-2007, h 20.30
Conductor Zubin Metha
- Maggio OFF, Exhibitions of young artists. Several concerts.

The Teatro Comunale originated in the Florentine Politeama, which was designed in 1862 by Telemaco Bonaiuti, an open arena over which the present structure was built. It seats 2003 people and is made up of a large stalls section, and two wide semi-circular galleries giving the impression of an amphitheatre. Near the main auditorium is the Piccolo Teatro, a small, modern theatre seating approximately 600 spectators. Partially destroyed twice, in the bombing of 1944 and in the flood of 1966, the Comunale was quickly rebuilt, symbolising the determination of the citizens to re-emerge and demonstrating its loyalty to the city (also witnessed at the concert in Piazza della Signoria after the bomb attack at the Uffizi in 1993). At the Comunale all the great conductors - Vittorio Gui, Bruno Walter, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Dimitri Mitropoulos, Zubin Mehta, von Karajan and Muti - and singers, as the 'divine' Maria Callas - have alternated, while composers such as Pietro Mascagni and Richard Strauss, Paul Hindemith and Bela Bartòk, Igor Stravinsky and Luigi Dallapiccola, Luigi Nono, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luciano Berio have interpreted their own music.

othe info: www.maggiofiorentino.com

Balloon express in Florence

Tomorrow in Florence starts an inusual event.. dedicated to balloons.

April 13-17 April 2007 Florence, Italy (13/14 large sculpture competition, 15/17 classes)

THE GREATEST EDUCATIONAL BALLOON EVENT!

Breathtaking sculptures, international teachers, the newest ideas and techniques, all in the beautiful Florence Italy city center.

A fantastic occasion!

Simple frames built up with pots and plastic tubes. Suitable to create compositions and steady deliveries for any occasion.

Florence 13/14 April 2007 large sculpture competition
15/17 April 2007 courses

13-14 April
8:00am - 8:00pm daily
international large sculpture competition
(5m x 5m x 6m height)

15 April
daytime workshops
4:00pm BACI inauguration

16-17 April
Balloon Arts & Party Decoration classes
8.30 am to 6:30 pm each day

In these classes you will learn some Japanese balloon arrangement style using air-filled foils.

The effects of simple balloon arches are truly magical, both visually and profitably! And nothing fills huge expanses of space more quickly or cost effectively. The ability to fill large spaces quickly is a balloon professional’s biggest competitive advantage over other décor media. Learn to create memorable wedding decor with amazing special effects.

16 April
8:30pm gala dinner and party
The enchanted forest: fairies & gnomes

€ 350,00
includes BACI kit, classes, materials,2 lunches, coffee breaks, gala dinner and party.

Where: Palaffari piazza adua 1 (besides the railway station Santa Maria Novella)
More info

Firenze Tango Festival

The fifth edition of the Firenze Tango Festival will take place in one of the most important theatres of the city: Teatro Saschall, easy to reach and with big parking.

Lessons will take place at Saschall and in the theatre Otel, with wood floor, 5 minutes distance from Saschall.
International guests, workshops with 6 different teachers, Shows and Tango nights with live music, 2 dancingfloors, tango theatre performances, tango foto exhibitions, tango shoes ecc..
Here's the program of Florence Tango Festival 2007:

Friday 27/4/2007
- 20.30 Big Tango Show at Teatro Saschall with: Ensemble Hyperion & Luis Stazo (Bandoneon)
Dancers: Andrea Missè & Javier Rodriguez, Andrea Reyero & Sebastian Missè, Patricia Hilliges & Matteo Panero, Marcela Guevara & Stefano Giudice
- From 22.30 to 4.00 circa: Milonga with live music HYPERION, DJ Supersabino
costs:
Milonga livemusic (from 22.30): 18 €
Tangoshow with orchestra Hyperion and 4 couples + Milonga with livemusic (from 20.30): 25 €

Saturday 28/4/2007
- From 13.00 to 20.00 workshops at Teatro Saschall and Ristotheater "Otel"
- 20.30 Show "Capitolo IX - Tango" with:
Orchestra Valetango
Singer: Mya Fracassini
Actor: Roberto Mazzi
Dancers: Laura Melo & Riccardo Barrios,
- From 22.30 to 4.00 circa Big Tango Ball with live music VALETANGO and DJ Felix Picherna
At the same time in the second floor of the theatre: "Tangolounge, alternative milonga" with DJ Supersabino
- 1.00 circa Teachers Show:
Andrea Missè & Javier Rodriguez, Andrea Reyero & Sebastian Missè, Laura Melo & Riccardo Barrios, Dana Frigoli & Pablo Villaraza, Veronique Bouscasse & Thierry Le Cocq
costs:
Tangoball with performance of teachers: 25 €
Tangoball with performance of teachers and show "Capitolo IX": 35 €

Sunday 29/4/2007
- From 13.00 to 20.00 lessons at Teatro Saschall and Ristotheater "Otel"
- From 22.00 to 3.00 circa: Big Milonga with DJ Felix Picherna
At the same time in the second floor of the theatre: "Tangolounge, alternative milonga"
- 24.00 circa Teachers Show and folklore show:
Laura Melo & Ricardo Barrios, Augustina Videla & Claudio Asprea, Silvana Torres & Ivan Alvarez
costs:
Tangonight with performance of teachers: 18 €

Monday 30/4/2007
- Workshops at Ristotheater "Otel"
- From 22.00 to 3.00 circa Milonga at Circolo "Grassina" with DJ Giovanni Carta & Federico Thei
costs:
Tangonight: 10 €

Tuesday 1/5/2007
- Workshops at Ristotheater "Otel"
- From 18.00 to 1.00 circa Milonga at Circolo Andreoni, Via A. D'Orso 8 (FI)
costs:
Milonga de despedida: 5 €
Full tangonightspackage (including milongas of friday with show, saturday with show, sunday, monday and tuesday): 70 €

Workshop program divided in levels

The tangonights will have place in Saschalltheatre. Only the milonga of monday will take place in Circolo Grassina and of tuesday will take place in Circolo Andreoni.

Lessons: Single lesson: 25 €
Special Packages: Small package: 3 lessons + 3 tangonights (friday with show, saturday with show and sunday): 130 €

Special lessons (tecnique for follwers and leaders; chacarera): Single lesson: 20 €
Package of 3 lesson: 45 € (including 3 technique lessons or 2 technique lessons and chacerera)
Free lessons for absolute beginners "first steps"
Wednesday 25 april at 17.00 at Tango Club in via Gemignani 1/a, Firenze (reservation is obliged at + 39 335 390 335 or by mail: segreteria@tangoclub.it)
Sunday 29 april at 20.30 Saschall-Theatre
Tuesday 1 may at 17.00 at Circolo Andreoni, v. Antonio D'Orso 8 , Firenze

Art exhibition n Florence

ART 2007, International Arts and Crafts exhibition, has reached it's 71 th edition and will happen at the Fortezza da basso in Florence from Saturday, April 14 to Sunday, April 22, 2007.
This exhibition is one of the most prestigious showcases for the Artistic Arts and Crafts and traditional quality, at both national and international levels. An appointment that cannot be renounced by those who are passionate about Arts and Crafts.
ART is the shop-window and the market for the unique products of handicraft, coming from Tuscany and from other places as well, which are being shown at the Fortezza da Basso in the spaces of the eight sectors the exhibition is divided into.
During these years, Firenze Fiera has worked with its partners – in particular with the Region of Tuscany – in full agreement, with the aim of making the International Handicraft Fair a top quality event, fully persuaded that in a globalised market the places where diversification, quality, tradition, skill can be observed, are the ones especially appealing.
All this is confirmed by over 700 exhibitors coming from the five continents, and taking part into ART 2007. These data should be regarded as extremely significant, especially in a period where the handicraft sector, and economy as a whole, are marked by positive trends, but by negative sides as well. I hope that both exhibitors and visitors regard especially the present event as a further example of the results that can be achieved when pursuing quality, and through co-operation and combined work promoted by Firenze Fiera and carried out in full agreement by trade-unions, CNA and Confartigianato, with Artex supervision.

Where: Fortezza da Basso, Viale Strozzi 1, 50129 Firenze

When: From April 14 to April 22 2007

	Fees Art 2007 Admission ticket € 5.00 Reduced price € 4.00
	Free entrance
	Reserved exclusivly for: Children up to 12 years old of age accompanied by an adult Handicapped guides

How to get there:
By train: 4 railway stations in Florence: Santa Maria Novella (this church is 100 m from Fortezza da Basso), Rifredi, Campo Marte, Porta al Prato.
By plane: the "Amerigo Vespucci" airport (linked to the main European cities) is 4 km away from Florence, and can be reached by "Fly by bus", a shuttle linking the airport with Santa Maria Novella railway station, jointly managed by ataf and SITA; and by taxi (20 minutes).
Public transport: ataf - Lazzi - Sita - Rama - Train - Cap
Parking: two large parking areas, for 600 and 800 cars, respectively, are just 100 metres away.

Apperitivos : an American College Student’s Dream

Apperitivos –An American College Student’s Dream
(thanks to english.firenze.net)

Any American College student understands the desire to want to find the best deal possible. We all know our tendencies to want to stretch the worth of our dollar. Fortunately for those college students studying in Florence, they are in luck. Apperitivos are a great way of enjoying a great glass of wine or trendy cocktail as well as a meal comprised of the complimentary taste treats served alongside.

Apperitivos (aperitivo, in Italian) are generally served anytime between 18:00 and 21:00. To avoid being blatantly obvious that you’re American, I would suggest frequenting an apperitivo bar anytime after 19:00 or 19:30. Depending on the bar you choose, the appetizer type treats will vary. However you are sure to find a great atmosphere as well as a fresh breathe of the Italian culture.

Colle Bereto, located in Piazza Strozzi just through the arches of Piazza Repubblica, is this season’s trendiest apperitivo bar. For 8 euro you can order a delectable cosmopolitan from one of the friendly staff members in this very fashionable atmosphere. Choosing to sit either inside in the warmly lit bar or outside on the large patio with heat lamps, grab your plate to sample the wide range of taste treats. Enjoy chicken wings, pasta salads, savory tarts, dips, vegetables, or glass noodles.
Slowly is another great apperitivo bar just to the left of Colle Bereto and up the block. Similar to Colle Bereto this is a great place for Americans to go to observe fellow Italians.

Trendy as well, Slowly offers tiny sandwiches, guacamole and tortilla chips, bread and dips, as well as cheese. Another special addition is a crudités brought to your table with savory breads and dips. Be sure to try Italy’s popular beverage, a negroni while there. While there is no outdoor seating, one will be sure to feel comfortable inside Slowly in its gently lit ambiance while listening to trendy songs and chatting amongst friends.

Balduccis is a great place for apperitivos if you’re in the mood for a neighborhood environment. Located on Via Marconi, near number 58, Balduccis takes you away from the center and instead hosts the locals. This is a great place to visit after a long day at work or school, to enjoy apperitivos without having to worry about being trendy enough. It is clear that there is a familiar crowd inside but everyone is completely welcoming to newcomers. Being smaller than Slowly and Colle Bereto be sure to get there early to grab a table, and enjoy the wonderful bar snacks. Delicious mini sandwiches, little pizzas, nuts, breads, pickled vegetables, and chips line the bar table in Balduccis. Grab a glass of wine with some girlfriends for 6 euro or choose to split a bottle between you for around 20-25 euro.

Apperitivos are a great idea for college students because it is not only a great bargain but it also encourages you to get together with friends. Living in a big city, places like Colle Bereto, Slowly, or Balduccis serve as great meeting places. While you may be splitting a bottle of wine between American friends you’ll be drinking it in the company of fellow Italians, a great way of absorbing the culture while satisfying your appetite.

One last recommendation : even if Italians are usually very indulgent and friendly, drinking too much is not considered elegant. And most of all, may get you in trouble! So, have a nice aperitivo but do not exaggerate!