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2009-12-31

Happy New year from Florence, Italy

It's raining from this morning. That's a pity: the major has organized many events in Florence this year (4 big free concerts) for those who want to celebrate the New Year's Eve walking and smiling in the streets... I hope this night the weather will be better.
I will go to a friend of mine's house to have a dinner all together.

I would like to send you the very best wishes in 2010.

Happy new Year!

2009-12-23

Cheap Florence new years eve dinner 2010

Are you coming to Florence for the New Year's Eve? Looking for cheap places to eat?
Buffet dinner (served, with your own seat) only 70 euros in a historical and elegant palace in Florence, close to the Duomo. For info: stefanobosia@stefanobosia.it or +39 347 4238636 After the dinner you can dance all night long.
If you are interested in Florence new year 2010 street celebration, I can tell you that there will be a free concert at Signoria square (classic music), a jazz session at Repubblica Square and an italian concert at Santa Maria Novella train station.
See also palaces in Florence for new year's eve dinner and dance>>

2009-12-20

Florence view with the snow

Yesterday I decided to get out by foot and after a lovely walk in the snow, to go to the center of Florence to see the city under the snow. So beautiful! It's vanishing... but I took a picture from piazzale Michelangelo.

2009-12-19

Florence under the snow

It happens very rarely, but when snow comes in Florence it's a breathless event.
Yesterday it started snowing and this morning from my windows all I can see is a wonderful white panorama.

So beautiful...

2009-12-16

Fine dining new years eve florence 2009

Here are the best places to eat and spend new years eve in Florence Italy 2009:
- Alle Murate restaurant: few steps away from Duomo (the main church in Florence), a restaurant in the warm, relaxed atmosphere of an antique florentine palace with the original frescoes of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Service is judged ‘close to impeccable'. For info: silvia@allemurate.it Here is the menu>>
- Big new years eve 2010 party at Palazzo Gaddi: a gorgeous italian dinner and after dinner dj + live music to dance until late. Open bar for only 50 euros! Close to the main rain station of Florence, in a 14th century old palace. For info: stefanobosia@stefanobosia.it

Don't miss the ice skating rink in Piazza LibertĂ  and the big Christmas Tree in Piazza Repubblica!

2009-12-10

Florence Noel 2009: Santa's house in Florence!

Until the next Sunday (December, the 13th) at Leopolda Station there's a Christmas fair for children called "Florence Noel": toys, stands, food and chocolate tastings, gifts. Visit Santa Claus grotto and take a picture with him!
Opening hours: from Friday to Tuesday from 10 am to 8 pm. On wednesday and thursday from 3pm to 10 pm.Tickets 7.50 euro. Kids under 3 years old: free entrance.

2009-12-06

Florence Christmas markets

christmas market Florence
Today I have been to Piazza Santa Croce, to see the Florence Christmas Market. I have bought some decorations for my Christmas tree and I have eaten bread with wurstel (typical german food). The square is full of wooden stands coming from all over Europe and you can buy gifts and presents for Christmas. The market will remain in Florence until the 20th of December.

Looking for info about newyears eve in Florence?
Here find the best Florence new year's eve 2010 dinner:
- Italian new years eve dinner with a gorgeous menu and after Super party with dancing all night long and open bar at Palazzo Gaddi (close to Piazza Duomo)
- Elegant and fancy restaurant Alle Murate (only dinner)
- Informal and cosy restaurant Il Rifrullo (only dinner)

Lodging in Florence for Xmas?
Romantic B&b in Florence with Jacuzzi>>
Brand new B&B in Florence belonged to a famous italian painter>>

Have a romantic Florence on christmas!

Read also ice skating at Parterre square skating>>

International conference in Florence: cultural heritage on line

Following the success of the previous conference in 2006, the 2nd "CULTURAL HERITAGE on line" conference will be hosted by Teatro della Pergola in Florence in December 2009. This conference aims to explore, analyze, and evaluate the state of the art and future trends in user communities and cultural contents on the web from an international perspective, and bring together academic researchers, policy makers and practitioners, providing a forum for the discussion and dissemination of the selected themes.
Internet continues to have an impressive impact on cultural heritage and humanist communities by affecting the way they work, use, exchange and produce knowledge. New architectures and radically different paradigms arise continuously engendering a deep rethinking of traditional roles and tasks. Though a continuous increase in ICT use has spread in the cultural heritage community, cultural institutions have been slower to adopt new technologies for cultural, economic and organizational reasons. Today it seems that users not only are able to adapt to technological changes faster than cultural institutions, but they are also driving innovation, by proposing new ideas and building up new paradigms of knowledge production.

The conference will start on the 15th of December with keynote lectures that investigate user needs and expectations, analysing how to better involve users and the cultural heritage community in creating and sharing digital resources. The plenary session on the 16th will start with the presentation of national and international scenarios, followed by two thematic sessions with scientific speeches selected through a Call for Papers, that will ascertain the advancement of the research on the relationship user-institution towards the development of cooperative Web 2.0 tools and on sustainable digital preservation policies.

Who should attend:
* Cultural heritage institutions administrators and curators
* Digital humanities researchers and students
* Cultural tourism operators
* Professional associations in the fields of museums, archives, libraries
* Funding agencies
* Technology providers and developers
here is the programme>>

2009-12-05

A Christmas tradition in Florence

Christmas in Piazza Repubblica: the switch-on of the towering Christmas tree given to us by the municipality of Florence takes place this Sunday, at 6.30 pm, with carols sung around the tree and the speech of our young brand new Major.

2009-12-03

Icerinks for skating in Florence

Yes! even this year we have the ice rink in Florence, it will remain open until January, the 11.
It's just above the Parterre parking, not far from the center of the city. You can rent the skates there. Probably it will stay open also for the New Year's eve, until midnight.
See the old post about ice skating in Florence>

2009-12-02

Winter sales













From the 1st of December romanofirenze.com, a shoe store in Florence, has started with the winter sales. Exclusively for those that buy online the whole fall/winter collection 09 is discounted, from 20% up to 40%.
Do not miss this opportunity to buy the trendiest shoes for a convenient price, and to get them shipped right to your home. The store has worldwide free shipping for orders over €250.

2009-12-01

Christmas tree and New year's Eve in the streets of Florence!

Sunday, December 6th at 6pm it will be will flipped a switch to light the Christmas tree in Piazza della Repubblica and contemporary they will be lit up also the lights along the main boulevard and in the Cathedral Square.

Following the Xmas theme, the Tuscany orchestra will give a concert at the Verdi Theater, In via Ghibellina on December 24th at 4pm. They will be played the Grand Mess of Mozart for chorus and orchestra K.427 in co-production with the Chigiana Musical Academy of Sienna.

And lastly the events for the New Years Eve in Florence with dancing and concerts in the squares (first time after years!)

There will be a free concert directed by Maestro Lanzetta of the Chamber Orchestra of Florence in Piazza della Signoria then in Piazza del Duomo and in Piazza della Repubblica there will be other kind of music: jazz, street bands...and in Piazza SS Annunziata there will be a space dedicated to Riccardo Marasco, the most important and celebrated Florentine singer.
See also Florence New Year's parties>>

2009-11-30

Traditional Christmas Roast in Florence

Traditional Christmas Roast and Fundraiser for Groups
December, 13. 2009
The Phantom Christmas
Starter: Welcome of mulled wine, cheese straws, blue cheese & walnut paté with port jelly
Main: Roast stuffed goose with prunes & cognac served with roast potatoes, braised red cabbage, carrot & celeriac purée OR Vegetarian option of red onion tarte-tatin
Dessert: Mince pies with custard and a glass of sherry
Water, wine and coffee included
Price: Euro 40.00*

* FUNDRAISER: Mention which group you belong to when reserving and we’ll donate 10% back to them!

at Villa del Molino “DULCAMARA”
Via Dante da Castiglione, 2 - Loc. Cercina 50019 Sesto F.no Firenze
335.6591939 – paula_carrier@yahoo.co.uk

2009-11-25

The exhibition L’Oratorio di Santa Caterina all’Antella e i suoi pittori

The exhibition L’Oratorio di Santa Caterina all’Antella e i suoi pittori (the Oratorio di Santa Caterina all'Antella and its painters) in Bagno a Ripoli (Florence) will last until December, the 31.
Approximately in the nineties of the 14th century, in coincidence with the realisation of the paintings by Spinello Aretino, a large triptych by Agnolo Gaddi, today in the Uffizi Gallery, was placed above the altar of the Oratorio: it represented "Madonna col Bambino in trono fra i santi Filippo e Lorenzo" and, in the round frames of the cusps, Cristo benedicente and the characters of the Annunciazione. The temporary reallocation of the artwork in the Oratorio di Santa Caterina, recently restored, represents the main event of the exhibition.
This exhibition near Florence aims to temporarily reinstate the original conditions of the florentine church thanks to one of its most evocative features, thus celebrating the undoubted splendour of this place, both famous and secluded at the same time as a religious building as well as for being a treasure chest filled with important artworks.
The two most important painters of the last years of the 14th century in Florence and Tuscany, that is to say Spinello Aretino and Agnolo Gaddi, found themselves side by side in Antella, after having worked together in 1387 when drawing the projects for the sculptures of the cathedral of Florence and for the famous decoration of the sacristy of the church of San Miniato al Monte, where the frescoes with Storie di San Benedetto by Spinello were put side by side with the polyptych by Agnolo Gaddi, now shown in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
The first-rate role played by Spinello di Luca in the development of late Gothic art in central Italy is pointed out in the exhibition thanks to the presence of Crocifissione tra dolenti e quattro santi. The definitive return to the Oratorio of the the fresco lunette Madonna col Bambino e due angeli by Spinello Aretino with its related sinopia, that Spinello painted above the entrance door of the Oratorio, is equally important.

Within the exhibition, it is necessary to remark the role of the relatively “minor” characters of Maestro di Barberino and Pietro Nelli, authors of the first phase of painting decorations of the Oratorio dating back to mid 14th century. Pietro Nelli's art is represented by an Annunciazione coming from a private collection and by round frames with detached frescoes, respectively representing Santi Antonio Abate e San Domenico, coming from the Franciscan building complex of Santa Croce in Florence.

Saint Catherine was particularly venerated during the Middle Ages and was considered the protector of judges and notaries.

Location and opening hours:
Oratorio di Santa Caterina all'Antella o delle Ruote, Via del Carota (Bagno a Ripoli)
Monday:
15.00 – 19.00
Tuesday to Sunday:
9.00 – 13.00; 15.00 – 19.00
The exhibition is closed on December 25th only
(31th December: 9,00 – 13,00)

Admission:
Standard ticket: € 5.00
Concessions:
Groups of 10 or more visitors , visitors over 65 years of age, Coop card holders: € 3.50
Students and school groups, families with children under 14 years of age: € 2.00
Free admission: teachers accompanying students, people accompanying organized groups of 10 people minimum, journalists with professional identification card, children under 6 years of age, disabled people with escorts, tourist guides, and public security officers

2009-11-17

Christmas Markets in Tuscany

Christmas Markets in Tuscany. While we are waiting for the annual Xmas Market in Santa Croce square, here are the best places to go to shop. Explore Tuscany in November:

- Florence Noel. Christmas market in Florence at Leopolda Station, from Novembre 28 to December 8.
- Christmas Market in the historical center of San Godenzo, not far from Florence. On Sunday, 22 of november.
- Advent exhibition and market in Palazzo Malaspina, at San Donato in Poggio, on the highway from Florence to Siena.
On 28 and 29 of November, 2009.
- If you like to admire the italian "presepe" (=nativity scene) come to Le Piastre, on the tuscan hills close to Pistoia (towards Bologna): from December until the 6th of January every person living in this village creates his own presepe. You can admire more than 100 of them!
Some of them are made with electrical movements!

Don't forget the New Year's Eve events in Florence.
Here is the post of Xmas Markets in Florence 2008.

2009-11-08

Xmas holidays in Florence: new year's eve dinner and hotel

If you are planning you Christmas holiday in Florence or you are making up your mind where spend the New Year’s Eve in Florence (December 31, 2009) here are some suggestions for your trip.

For the lodging I can suggest you a small, lovely, and very fashionable boutique bed and breakfast in Florence center. There's a small spa with a romantic jacuzzi and a turkish bath available just for the guests.
They offer a special Christmas package:
- tasting the typical italian Xmas dessert “panettone” cake in your romantic room upon arrival, and the warm athmosphere of the candle lit SPA with jacuzzi hydromassage, a bottle of Champagne and red candles. Prices starting from only 145 euros for 1 room (2 people!) Here are more info and the prices>>

And for the night of the 31st of December enjoy the big party just few step away the B&B: new year's eve galĂ  and party in Florence at Palazzo Gaddi.

2009-10-29

Piazza Duomo, Florence, is for pedestrians only!

Last Sunday Florence had a very special change in its viability, a sort of revolution: the very central cathedral square, piazza Duomo for the Florentines, has become for pedestrians only. It means that all the buses, tracks, cars, motor scooters are not allowed to enter the area, and obliged to change their routes.

Thanks to the perseverance of its young major, the square has been given back to Florence citizens and tourists.

This revolution took place on October 25th and even if a lot of people had their say about that, many others understood the importance of closing the traffic in Piazza Duomo and enjoy the silence of the square, admiring the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Giotto tower.

This day was welcomed by concerts, historical parades and many events and even though a lot of buses had to change their routes, it's been a good thing for Florence and its citizens.

Come to see Piazza Duomo and enjoy its new magnificence!

2009-10-26

Chef in Tuscany

Lately there's a bit fashion to pay someone to come and cook at home: in short, a chef to prepare dinner for a special event. Knows something the good Arturo Dori who left the Black Cabbage ("Cavolo nero" restaurant in Florence) in order to dedicate himself to this activity.
How does the chef at home?
The chef takes care of all: does the shopping, food preparation, equipment, imbadisce the table, serve food, cleans everything ( I like especially this! ).
A reader writes to tell me a site where you can book just a cook at home (I did not understand if they work in all of Tuscany but I assume that at least in and around Florence is). I read on the site that they do for tourists who book a Tuscan villas.
Interesting ...

2009-10-21

The New Meyer paediatric hospital in Florence, a champion of respect for the environment

Last thursday I went to visit the New Meyer, the main paediatric hospital in Florence.

The New Meyer is the first bio climatic hospital in Italy. The whole complex has been planned and constructed with a new concept for the environment, capable of matching together the need to save energy and minimizing the impact of polluting the atmosphere. Both in the recuperation of the antique Villa Ognissanti in Florence, Italy, and the realisation of the new building, hidden in the hills that houses the confinements, eco compatible solutions have been adopted, financed by the European projects Revival and hospitals.

The New Meyer responds to a series of parameters: the reduction of emissions of Carbon Dioxide, protection of summer overheating, ventilation and the best air quality, containment of the use of air conditioning, the best use of natural light. To permit the best use of natural light within the areas of confinement, particular systems have been adopted, such as “Pinocchio’s hats” and “solar tubes”.

Systems that direct sunlight from the sky towards the inside, lighting up every room and every area within, including the day room, the play areas and even the consulting rooms.

Another particularity is the bio climatic photovoltaic “green house” hallway, that acts as an entrance way and a greeting area. A structure built from thin sheets of wood and glass, just like rows of trees. An “inside forest” that matches with the surrounding park. The “green house” hallway uses photovoltaic panels that have the double function of producing electric energy (30.5KW) and to filter natural light.

Thanks to these solutions the New Meyer beats 40% of energy consumption and reduces the emission of carbon dioxide by 35%. Light, sun, greenery at the service of the health of children and adolescents.

And on the roof there is a field!
At the New Meyer, greenery is everywhere, on the terraces and on the roof. A decision that the project managers of CSPE Studio in Florence have made in order to protect the building from heat, ice, rain and ultra violet rays. A carpet of cactus plants (Sedum), that during the summer remove heat from the structure up to a maximum of 4°C. The garden terraces cover a total area of 5,000 square metres. At the New Meyer, the greenery is inside and out. The hospital is surrounded by a 72,000 square metre park, rich in trees and plants originating from the Tuscan region.

The New Meyer is a hospital that for the attention paid to the whole project represents a total innovation in the healthcare sector. There is no area, no small detail that has not been thought of for the children and their families, the most important people of the Paediatric hospital.
It's a hospital for kids, but it's also a place where children can feel comfortable, receiving care, affection and respect, together with medicines and cures. Because children may feel ok also in hospital.

2009-10-15

Pitti fashion fair


This is the calendar for Pitti fashion fair 2009 - 2010:
Moda prima 69 in Milan (November, 28th -30th )
Pitti Uomo (men) 77 in Florence (January 2010, 12nd -15th )
Pitti_W (women pre-collection) 5 in Florence (January 2010, 12nd -15th )
Pitti Bimbo (kids) 70 in Florence (January 2010, 21st -23rd )
Pitti Filati 66 in Florence (January 2010, 27th -29th )
Touch neozone cloudnine in Milan (February 2010, 28th - March 2010, 3rd )
Taste 5 in Florence (March 2010, 13rd - 15th)

related posts:
- Pitti uomo fashion fair number 74
- my pictures about Pitti Uomo 73
see also Pitti Immagine Uomo 72
and the post about Pitti UOMO 73

2009-10-14

Florence Indian Film Festival

Starting December 4th, 2009, until the 10th, the 9th edition of the Florence indian film festival will take place at Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi, Florence, Italy.
It's the first festival in the world totally devoted to films from and about India. The first edition of River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival took place in October 2001 in Florence, Italy, as the first festival in the world totally devoted to Indian cinema and films about India, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
More info: http://www.rivertoriver.it/

2009-10-13

Creativity festival in Florence

The Festival of Creativity returns to the Fortezza da Basso in Florence from October 15-18, 2009 and dedicates its 4th edition to the city, where creativity becomes innovation, production and development. After the increasing successes of the first three editions (with 400,000 visitors in 2008), the Festival is taking on an international profile as a premier event of the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation. The 2009 programme offers four days of meetings, talkshows, workshops and live performances with artists, scholars and scientists from around the world—a rich schedule which allows each visitor to create their own ideal route through the event, whatever their age or interest.

2009-09-18

CORRI LA vita, run the life!

This is one the most excited event of the year for the city of Florence and not only.
Corri la Vita is at its 7th edition and every year it brings more people. This could be a competition race for professional athletes or a simple walk but all the people who join the event do something important to fight against breast cancer. All the funds raised go to help doctors and people who suffer to improve the research.
CORRI LA VITA
Sunday, September 27th 2009
Piazza della Signoria, Florence
at 9,30 am
CORRI LA VITA is open to all: youngster, children, professionals, and aged people. A unique occasion also to see, during the walk troughout Florence, the most amazing secluded places of this important town.
All the funds will be given to the New Cancer rehabilitation Centre of Florence.
There will be two routes: the competition (12 km) and the walk (5,7 km) will be between the historical centre and Diladdarno. It will be the occasion also to see among others jewels like the church of Orsanmichele, Palazzo Strozzi Sacrati, The courtyard of Palazzo Rucellai, Frescobaldi garden, church of San Jacopo, Cloister of San Pier Martire, Giardino Corsi, Giardino di Boboli, Giardino Bardini and Museo Bardini

HOW to register and contribute:
FILE
Via S. Niccolò, 1 - Firenze tel. 055 2001212
Firenze Marathon
Viale Fanti, 2 - Firenze tel. 055 5522957
Universo Sport
Piazza del Duomo, 6/7/8r - Firenze
When you register and donate a minimum of 10 Euros you will be given two vouchers, one to pick up a gift the day of the race and one to pick up your Corri la Vita T-shirt 2009 designed by Salvatore Ferragamo, the main supporter of the event.

Join the race, CORRI LA VITA!

2009-08-19

New years eve Florence, Italy

As every winter even this year there will be christmas markets in Florence: at the end of November, 2009, in Santa Croce Square the little woody stand will offer to everybody many ideas fro Xmas gifts.
And what's on for the new year's eve 2010?
After the success of last year, the Uffizi Center organization will bring back its Capodanno Banquet and Ball, to be held near the Duomo of Florence in the center of the city, at palazzo Gaddi (historical building).
From 8 pm: entrance for those who want to have all-inclusive dinner.
From 11 pm: entrance to the party with open bar and midnight cheers.

Here's the menu:

- Carpaccio di cervo in crosta di sesami leggermente affumicato con bouquet di germogli di rafano e mele flambate al cocco grattugiato e ristretto dolce di vino rosso
- Fagottino al nero di seppia con salmone affumicato e salsa di carciofi Orzotto sfumato al Brunello di Montalcino mantecato con salsiccia al finocchietto e cardoncelli della Lucania
- Filetto di vitello in crosta di erbe aromatiche con mousse di foie gras e topinambur
then...
- Cotechino con lenticchie di Castelluccio
- Alzata di piccola pasticceria e finissima pasticceria
- Panettone con Moscato
INFO and reservations +39 347 4238636 or you can send an e-mail to stefanobosia@stefanobosia.it
Watch the video of the gorgeous location>>

2009-08-05

Up on Palazzo Vecchio walls

Visit to "Quartieri Monumentali" with the access to the "Camminamento di Ronda": tour of the ancient patrol walkways with access to the small balcony.
Scheduled every day at 11,30 a.m. - 3,30 p.m.
During the visit to the Quartieri Monumentali, visitors can track down the Medieval past of the Palazzo dei Priori in the present-day rooms. You can reconstruct functions and features of the public and private rooms, by visiting the apartment housing the Priors elected every two months, the chapel where they where used to pray before having a session, their audience hall where they administered justice. The final part is visiting the balcony used by sentries to watch over the environs of the Palace. You can have a special look over Florence from this point of view.
Information and bookings Call centre ph. +39 055 2768224, fax +39 055 2768558
every day from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
info.museoragazzi@comune.fi.it
Open all summer.

2009-08-04

Farmhouse in Tuscany

A perfect place for relaxing in the swimming pool sipping a glass of white Vernaccia wine, the typical white wine of San Gimignano, where the agriturismo is.

Agriturismo il Caggio – from San Gimignano on the route to Volterra
http://www.il-caggio.com/
info@ilcaggio.com
Tel/Fax 39 0577/941501

2009-07-31

Concerts in August

Concerts in August

Here you have some great ideas for your summer evenings in Florence from 8pm until 10pm

“ContemporaneaMente in Santo Spirito” live music and video in Piazza Santo Spirito, from 8pm to 10pm.

- Friday, Jul 31st at 8pm the Half of Mary with voice, keyboards, guitar, bass. The music is between pop and rock

- Wednesday august 5th at 8pm COOKS NO PROFIT. Funkand jazz, rock and bossanova

- Friday august 7th at 8pm FERITOIE DELLA NOTTE in “Homage to Fabrizio De AndrĂ©”. Fausto Billi: voice; Stefano Naldi: guitar.

- Friday august 21st at 8pm THE MEETINGS MIND. Quartetto jazz sperimentale strumentale.

- Wednesday august 26th at 8pm CLEOPATRAS, all a girl band!

- Friday august 28th TOO MUCH BLOND, opening concert, the Velvet

2009-07-27

Fresco painting classes at Palazzo Vecchio

Fresco painting between the 15th and 16th Centuries
Scheduled on Mondays and Fridays
at 11,30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Of all the forms of painting carried out by the artists, wall painting is the most skilled and beautiful as it consists of accomplishing in one day only, that which can be touched up on many days in the other forms”.
This was how Giorgio Vasari explained the technique of fresco painting, known and carried out since ancient times. Palazzo Vecchio houses a great number of “in fresco” paintings carried out by Giorgio Vasari himself, and by other famous artists. Besides illustrating and explaining the techniques of fresco painting, the workshop also allows the participants to gain firsthand experience by painting a small fresco themselves, experimenting the various phases of the work on a natural terracotta base: from the spreading of the plaster to the creation of the cartoon, from the preparation of the colours to the actual painting. If they like, the participants can also take home their artwork at the end of the activity.

see also tour of the secret passages
and guided tour with Vasari
Information and bookings
Call centre ph. +39 055 2768224,
fax +39 055 2768558
every day from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
info.museoragazzi@comune.fi.it
Open all summer.

2009-07-26

Palazzo Vecchio: a guided tour by Vasari

A guided tour by Giorgio Vasari in Palazzo Vecchio.
Scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10,00 a.m. - 11,30 a.m. (even during Summer).
The transformation of the medieval Palace into a Renaissance Court was mainly carried out by Giorgio Vasari, “architect and painter of His Serene Highness the Duke Cosimo”, between 1555 and 1574. Giorgio Vasari - author of Lives of the Artists, the first handbook of History of Arts – remembered that “the Duke had a very great desire that the palace, which had been built in a haphazard way in various phases, and more for the convenience of its occupants than in any good order, should be corrected. He wanted me to follow the existing walls and to make new buildings without destroying what was already there...” Who better than Giorgio Vasari can help visitors in understanding the extraordinary commitment he was invested with in creating Cosimo’s Ducal Palace? The explainer-actor who impersonates Giorgio Vasari illustrates to visitors the cultural policy decisions of the Duke and Vasari’s extraordinary skills in quickly realizing sumptous and richly decorated rooms for this Mannerist masterpiece.

see also tour of the secret passages>>
Information and bookings
Call centre ph. +39 055 2768224,
fax +39 055 2768558
every day from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
info.museoragazzi@comune.fi.it
Open all summer.

2009-07-24

Tour of the Secret Passages

There are places inside Palazzo Vecchio where time seems to have stood still and where it is easier for today’s visitors to relive the emotions of the past. Since 2000 the Museum has made many of these special places accessible to the public but they can only be visited by small groups accompanied by an expert guide:
The Staircase of the Duke of Athens - that is an escape route built inside the thick walls of the Palazzo between 1343 - that exits from a tiny door in Via della Ninna; the Tesoretto of Cosimo I and the Studiolo of Francesco I, the Trusses of the ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento holding up both the roof and the imposing gilded lacunar ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento.

Tour of the Secret Passages
Scheduled every day
at 10,00 a.m. - 11,30 a.m. - 3,00 p.m - 4,30 p.m
price: 6 euros.

Information and bookings
Call centre ph. +39 055 2768224,
fax +39 055 2768558
every day from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
info.museoragazzi@comune.fi.it
Open all summer.

2009-07-22

Music and wine at Grevepesa

Tomorrow evening at Castelli Grevepesa, close to Greve in Chianti, there will be the live concert performed by folk singer and player Clara Sanabras and Harvey Brough.
At 8 pm dinner, then music until midnight. Drinks and red wine in the break. Don't miss the Summer Festival at Grevepesa castels.
INFO Castelli del Grevepesa +39 (0)55 821911
info@castellidelgrevepesa.it
http://www.castellidelgrevepesa.it
Amici del Vino Toscano (friends of tuscan wine) 333 3355962
Tickets: 25 euros dinner included.

2009-07-13

Night safari in a tuscan villa close to Florence, Italy

NIGHT SAFARI in Florence

THE COURSES: The pathways are three and wind throughout the company. Routes are specially designed to introduce you to the animals of the wildlife that live in our countryside and the animals of the farm.

THE WILDLIFE: You can discover and admire in their natural habitat: foxes, deer, porcupines, pheasants and many other curios animals.

THE ANIMAL OF THE FARM: A herd of Limousine cows, a bull and the Amiata donkeys. Those animals that live in the wild will captivate you with their friendliness and docility.

THE VEHICLE: The vehicle we use for the paths is a Land Rover Defender 110 with 8 seats. It has 9 auxiliary headlights so as better illuminate the tour and wheels suitable to reach the more inaccessible locations.

NEW!
Exceptionally included in the “Night Safari” a visit to the charming Laghetto delle Colonne (small lake), situated at the heart of the estate, whose name celebrated the fact that the quarry at its centre is reputed to have provided the columns for the church of San Lorenzo in Florence. Among the many illustrious visitors, was Queen Victoria who sketched the lake of the columns while staying at the Temple Leader’s Villa

The tour is subject to booking
Fattoria di Maiano via Benedetto da Maiano 11, 50014 Fiesole – Firenze ph. + 39 055 599600

e-mail: maiano2@contemiarifulcis.it

www.FattoriadiMaiano.com

2009-06-30

Vintage fair in florence

Here we are again... Vintage Selection 2009, summer edition, is coming fast. From the 7th of July until the 11, at Stazione Leopolda, the best vintage stores will come from every part of Italy. The place to buy original vintage Louis Vitton bags and Gucci shoes from the sixties.
Read also:
- Vintage selection winter edition 2008
- Vintage fair winter edition 2009
If you are looking for best second hand clothes stores in Florence, Italy, or just vintage shops in Florence, visit one of these stores:
Officina Vintage via del Giglio (men clothes)
Officina Vintage Borgo Albizi (women and accessories)

2009-06-26

The new major

Yesterday the new major of Florence Matteo Renzi has taken his place in Palazzo Vecchio. It's a great opportunity for all of us to have such a young and dinamic person to rule Florence. He's only 34 but he's very smart... with a great vision for the future of our beloved city.

2009-06-16

Pitti Fair: Officina Vintage by night

In Wednesday 17th June, during the exhibition “Pitti Uomo”, Officina Vintage will start the 5-days event “Officina Vintage by night”: the main shop, located in Via del Giglio, will be open until 10.30 pm for the whole week (Sunday included).
An “aperitivo” will be taking place on Wed. 17 th from 7.30 pm up to 10.30 pm.
The main theme will be “ladies and gentlemen” elegance: outstanding evening dresses will be on the show, in a “starry sky” frame and lounge music.

Opening time:
Wednesday 17th: 7.30 – 10.30 pm (aperitif)

2009-06-15

Come to meet the Wedding Planner in a Florentine villa

Are you coming in Florence at the end of June? Are you thinking or dreaming to get married in Florence or Tuscany? If you are in Florence at the end of June and you want to have the first information about getting married in Tuscany, come at the free meeting with Simona, the Wedding planner of La Testimone di Nozze Weddings at the elegant Florentine Villa il Garofalo at 6,30pm on June 30th, 2009.
Simona will talk about organizing the reception, the ceremony, the documents and all the details to make your DAY into a perfect one. The meeting is absolute for free and it will be followed by a cocktail.
For info and booking email to info@latestimonedinozze.com

Palazzo Davanzati

After 14 years of expensive and hard restoration, one of most beautiful houses of ancient Florence opens its door again, Palazzo Davanzati, famous for had been the Florentine house. In fact, this house is a perfect medieval tower house of Florence. This is really one of the most beautiful small jewels of Florence. The entrance is for free and it is worth a visit.

2009-06-14

L’infiorata

This is an event outside Florence and it is in Cerreto Guidi: once again they repeat the tradition of the Infiorata. On Sunday, June 14th in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, at the feet of the Buontalenti staircase, you can see a carpet of flowers; real paintings with flowers made by the Cerretese community.
The event is organized by the San Leonardo parish in occasion of the Corpus Domini. One hundred meters of street will host 6 paintings measured 4 meters per 6. This is a work where 100 participants have worked at, simple citizens who wanted to create something beautiful for their town.

2009-06-10

Florence sunset at TINA

Giorgio Winspeare, famous for organizing the “4 inches heel party”, suggested me an event on Wednesday June 10th at TINA, Bardini terrace (Costa San Giorgio 6). The music is by Jacopo Corazza and I trittico Trio (Sax). For info and booking for the dinner 338/6733644. During the evening you can take the invitation for the Fornarina party during the upcoming Pitti man show (June 16-19). More pictures of Bardini Terrace here>>

2009-06-06

Shoes and butterflies...in Florence

I was searching for some info on Google when I found this post... about tiny shoes in a big town! And about strange butterflies flying in the sky of Florence!!
Take a look :-)

2009-06-02

Pizzeria in San Domenico (Fiesole)

If you fancy a pizza but you don’t want to stay around the centre of Florence you just take bus number 7 towards Fiesole and you stop in San Domenico. As soon as you get off the bus on the opposite side of street you have the pizzeria San Domenico. A very nice, informal and friendly environment where you can eat outside if it is warm enough or inside. They don’t accept reservations but you can find a free table even if you go at 8,30pm on a Saturday evening!
I had a white pizza with buffalo mozzarella cheese, small tomatoes and zucchini flowers, my friend Roberto had instead a partenopea (tomato, cherry tomatoes and buffalo cheese). They were both very good, mine, maybe too much cooked, but very tasteful.

Pizza prices were from € 5,00 on, we spent € 28, 50 (without coffee and dessert), but these are the prices of Florence; the pizzeria is fine, the waiters are kind and they don’t make you pressure while you have finished.
PIZZERIA SAN DOMENICO
Piazza S. Domenico, 11
50014 - Fiesole (FI)
Tel.+39 05559182

After dinner, we had an ice cream at Gelateria Il Sorriso, in viale Giannotti, not my favorite, but the ice cream was good.
Other pizzerias in Florence are:
Pizzeria Caffé Italiano (the best pizza in town)
Pizzeria Firenze Nova
Il Pizzaiuolo
Orto del Cigno
Corte dei tre
Pizzeria 00

2009-06-01

CANTINE APERTE 2009

Together with my family I visited the Castello da Verrazzano, one of our Chianti jewels. There was a good occasion to visit this castle because of the open cellars 2009, a week end dedicated to wineries. We visited the garden (very well maintained), the tower and the sign dedicated to Verrazzano, the sailor who discovered the Hudson Bay. Then we visited the cellars with its enormous barrels (80hl!) and finally the tasting. We had two red wines and something to eat together.
At the end of the tasting we proceeded towards another close by castle, the Castello of Vicchiomaggio, once a Medici residence, but unfortunately we didn’t have any visits or tastings because their cellars were only open at 11am and at 4,30pm (too late for us).

2009-05-29

What's on in Florence

Ballet for the Meyer children hospital
This is not a simple ballet but a declaration of love and poetry showing the life of Flora Wiechmann Savioli and his beloved husband Leonardo.
Mrs Wiechman Savioli will attend the ballet which wants to celebrate the love story with his husband but also the fact that Mrs Savioli left all her archive to the Tuscan region, see also http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa-studio_Savioli . Her husband, Leonardo Savioli, was a very famous architect (the house in Via Piagentina, for example) and Flora too is a famous artist as we can still see some of her major works exposed in the Modern art gallery and costume of Palazzo Pitti.
The ticket costs only 10 euro and all the proceeds goes to the Mayer children hospital of Florence. The ballet will be in the beautiful baroque style theater Goldoni in via dei Serragli. The ballet is composed by music from the Vivaldi’s Four Season with the choreography of Keith Ferrone for the Florence Dance Company.

Terra Futura

From May 29th until May 31st at the Fortezza da Basso there is TERRA FUTURA. This is an entire week end dedicated to green buildings, human rights, volunteer jobs, communication and much more such as family’s projects, non conventional medicines, and responsible tourism. Free entrance, every day until 8pm, on Saturday until 10pm. You can find more info here: http://www.terrafutura.it/

2009-05-25

B&B in Florence: seniors special

In this lovely bed and breakfast in Florence if you are older than 60 you can get a great discount all year off.
Moreover there's a gorgeous Jacuzzi and a Turkish bath if you would like to relax after visiting the big Michelangelo's David.
Enjoy...>>

2009-05-21

Florence rental apartments in Ponte Vecchio

San Niccolò is one of the most authentic quarters of Florence, where many Florentines still have their homes and where you can still find small food shops, craftsmen shops and art galleries. More about San Niccolo>>

2009-05-19

FLORENTINE GENIUS: what's on in May

Among the so many things I have to do in this period, I didn’t have the chance to write about the Florentine Genius, the May event started on May 15th.
You can find below the complete program:
- Visit to Literary café
- Night vist to the churches
- Sailing the Arno with the typical Florentine boat (barchetto).
- Cinema festival with a special homage to Francesco Nuti who directed all his movies in Florence
- Discovering Florence with three different routes in Italian and English: Historical streets of Florence, Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella.
- Restoration open to public
- Nemoland, dedicated to cartoon and animated movies.
- Aperitif in bars, divide Riondino, Exhibition and events of various kind.

2009-05-18

Obika mozzarella bar

Obika is a new place in Florence in the fashion district. It is in the Tornabuoni palace on the homonymous street and you can choose from three different things: lunch, aperitif at the Mozzarella Obika bar or a dinner at the Osteria Tornabuoni.
Yesterday I tried the aperitif and it was worth to pay € 9, 00.
In the small courtyard of the palace the atmosphere is cosy and elegant, tranquil with soft music and a care environment. Different kind of food and all presented very well.
I had a cosmopolitan and it was the best I had so far.

You can find different kind of people, from the most stylish couple to the informal tourist who is reading a book while sipping a Mojito drink, business men or a table with girlfriends: a very nice place in the heart of Florence.
Aperitif: 9 euro
Lunch break: 10 Euros

2009-05-15

Opening party at Bardini Terrace

Last night I went to an opening party of the American Bar “TINA” by MOBA, at the Bardini Terrace, together with a couple of friends (the kind owners of a Boutique B&B in Florence). It was as beautiful as last year and it seems very promising. They have added some comfortable sofas at the ground floor, close to the restaurant, where I spent most of the night after my fancy high shoes started to hurt really bad (why didn’t I bring my new purple ballerinas that I bought from romanofirenze this afternoon???) . We had a really good time even though it came some raindrops, and there were a lot of people. I also bumped into some friends from Santo Bevitore and Santino (two restaurants in Florence), as always very pleasant to meet them.

Anyway from tonight ,if the weather allows it, they will be open:
Aperitif from 19 to 22
Light Dinner from 20 to 23.30
American bar – live music & dj set.
Open all days from 19.00, except for Mondays.

2009-05-14

Summer clubs in Florence

Summer is here!!
On Wednesday May 13th the grand opening of TOGETHER FLORENCE INN: from 7,30pm Costail party with buffet, music (info 3474238636) Via A.De Gasperi 6 Sorgane - 50012 Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze
From Thursday, May 14th in S. Ambrogio Las Palmas coming back with music for the summer nights.
In Piazza Ghiberti everyday music and dinner: Eastern European sounds, swing, gipsy, tango and South American rhythms. Low cost aperitif: 4-5 Euros with finger food and first dishes (pasta) and crystal glass because as Mario Falcini says”Martini is not done for plastic”.
On Thursday, Le Pavoniere managed by Leandro Bisenzi, that will start with the aperitif, dinner, spa relax and the Mojito tend for after dinners, besides the swimming pool.
Another space in Piazza LibertĂ  opening next week managed by Daniele Locchi e Riccardo Chiarini.
On Thursday the new space at Terrazza Bardini opens with TINA (if this like MOBA, this is something that you cannot miss!) and the new Meccanò: invitation only. As for as Meccanò the opening night will be with music from OSTRASBEACH, from Milano Marittima and the Win effect will donate each girl who wear a Zoppini bracelet the entire summer for free! Info at 338 6733644
Last but not least the Parco of Anconella and the Cambia Musica association will open on Friday may 15th with something different, not the aperitif but low cost dinners, music and theatre and many events.

Going with your car to the center of Florence?

As every year or better every summer, Florence will have its ZTL, a restricted traffic area controlled by a network of video cameras from may 15th to October 31st 2009 in the following nights:
Thursday and Friday
Friday and Saturday
Saturday and Sunday
From 11pm to 4am

If you want to want more https://ztl.comune.fi.it/tzi/index.jsp
Be careful! Because the fine for violating the limited area is 80 euros!

2009-05-13

Artcraft in the garden

This is a nice event especially because it takes place in the garden of Palazzo Corsini in via il Prato on May 15th, 16th and 17th. More than 80 artisans will show on hand the ancient art of old crafts such as the old soap makers Alighiero Campostrini or the Foundation Lisio Arte della seta (the silk art).
PROGRAM
Friday May 15th
10,00am Opening for the public
11,00am Opening of the exhibition “The young Florentine genius: the leather of Fucecchio”
Creativity competion on the leather working (Lodge of Palazzo Corsini)
5,30pm Opening meeting with the two candidates for beign the Florence Major “The role of the arcraft in Florence” (Hall of Palazzo Corsini)
8,30pm Closing of the day
Sunday, May 16th
10,00am apertura al pubblico della Mostra
7,00pm assegnazione del “Premio Perseo – Banca CR Firenze” (Loggia) drink
8,30am Closed
every day: guided visits of the garden with the “CittĂ  nascosta”association
Friday and Sunday at 12,00pm – 3,00pm – 4,00pm – 5,00pm
Saturday at 12,00pm – 4,00pm – 5,00pm – 6,00pm
Bar
Ticket: 8 euro
Reduced: 6 euro

2009-05-06

What's on in Florence in May

GUSTA RUFINA
From May 4th to May 10th there’s the second edition of this fair which want to promote the wine, the territory of the Rufina. For this occasion some restaurants, wine bar, particular sites and bookshops organize something. The complete list is in www.gustarufina.it. My advises are the following:
Wednesday May 6th at Rifrullo restaurant tasting dinner in the gazebo with 4 different wines, for € 20,00. In the menu, salami, bardiccio, pecorino cheese and other specialties from Rufina. For reservation please call 055/2342621 or info@ilrifrullo.com.
Thursday May 7th Art Bookshop Babele- Via delle Belle Donne 41/r Firenze Tel. 055.283312. From 6,30pm: Aperitif with Rufina Chianti and presentation of two books regarding the wine “History of ancient wines” and “Wines of Italy”.
Friday, May 8th at Osteria da Melo - Via di Rosano 198, Bagno a Ripoli - tel. 055.6519000. Wines from the Fattoria of Grignano

BRUNCH IN FLORENCE
The sun, finally, shines on Florence and this is the perfect time for brunch lovers to sit in an open air cafĂ© or restaurant to eat the typical American brunch. For a Sunday brunch the hotel TOGETHER FLORENCE INN in Via A. De Gasperi, 6 a Bagno a Ripoli offers a buffet with salt and sweet, warm and cold beverages, fruit juice and a choice of one dish from the brunch menu. The brunch is from 11,30am to 3,30pm for € 18,00 per person. There is also a different use called brunch with sauna and swimming pool from 10am to 6pm for € 48,00 per person.

FABBRICA EUROPA
Fabbrica Europa has started yesterday today at the Leopolda Station: this is a very interesting festival of dance, musical events, theater and performances that are not coming from big productions. A very interesting production could be Febre : modern and contemporary dance with capoeira influences. Dancers are coming from Membros and they show the cruel reality of our times. Until May 23rd.

2009-04-28

Weather is crazy in Florence

Last Saturday I was lying on my garden's grass trying to get some brown tan on my skin, since it was very warm (25 degrees). The day after, was raining and very cold! (13°).
It's crazy. One day you could go out with your flip-flop, next day you have to take your umbrella and a wool sweater.
I hope weather will be better, I would like to go and visit the Artcraft fair at Fortezza da Basso. Some friends of mine, owners of a lovely Bed and breakfast in Florence, went there. you can some pictures here.

2009-04-20

What's on in Florence on April, 25th

What to do on April 25th, 2009 (Bank holiday)
Things to do on April 25th:
- Florence tango festival at Saschall
- Artcraft fair at Fortezza da Basso
- Flowers fair at the Orticoltura garden. The entrance is free and it worth! (here you can see a picture of the garden)
If you want, instead, to spend a day outside Florence I suggest the antique fair in Impruneta and the gastronomic fair in Fucecchio.
Summer in Florence: do you have some ideas?
You have exactly ten days to submit your ideas about the Florentine summer 2009. By April 28th at 12pm you can submit them in Via Ghibellina. Unfortunately there is only a budget of € 120,000, but if you want to share your ideas you are more than welcome to propose them.

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