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)