Canadian musician Allison Crowe live in Florence, Italy

Canadian musician Allison Crowe is delighted to return to Firenze to perform at Teatro del Sale. The concert will be in the venue of famed Chef Fabio Picchi and Artist Maria Cassi Teatro del Sale, the cultural home of the Cibreo – Teatro del Sale family. 

17.10.2012 Teatro del Sale Via dei Macci 111r, 50122 - Firenze, Italia 

Once famously described as possessing a style akin to 'Elton John meets Edith Piaf', the Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Crowe is renowned for her ability to blend control and melodrama." (MOJO magazine, UK) 

"Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe." Robert Reid, The Record (Canada) 

"Allison Crowe has a voice to fall in love with. She is from Vancouver Island in Canada, descended from Scottish, Irish and Manx stock. She's exactly the sort of artist who can make serious headway on her own label and that's just what she's doing." ~ Record of the Day (UK) 

"Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today." ~ Bob Muller, JoniMitchell.com (USA) "Her version of 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' would give Aretha Franklin goose-bumps." ~ Robert Moyes, Boulevard (Canada)

Florence and Wine Town 2012

Here we are! Tomorrow the great wine event "Wine Town" will start: several historical buildings will open their courts for 2 days. People can enter to taste some of the best wines in Tuscany and Italy.

Besides the tasting there will be live music, events for Kids, art and many interesting events (Theather, Dance, Chocolate Awards). 

How does it works? you can buy a winecard for 15 euros: you will receive a glass and 5 points that give you the possibility to try 5 different wines. When you finish the "points" you can charge again your card.

For more info: http://www.winetown.it

When?

Friday: September, the 21st from 3.00 pm to 11 pm

Saturday: September, the 22nd from 3.00 pm to 11 pm

This is the map with the 3 areas and places where to go:

 

Vogue Fashion Night in Florence!

Yesterday I have been to VFNO: Vogue Fashion Night Out. After Milan and Rome, even Florence had its opportunity to celebrate the fashion world for a night: stores open until 11 pm, events, dj sets and exhibitions in the center of Florence.

 

I saw many girls with their high heels wandering from a place to another. For once it seemed to me like it was New Year's Eve. Streets were crowdy and you could hear music everywhere. 

Here are some Patrizia Pepe fans in queue in front of the store.

Even if I didn't buy anything it was fun to be there dressed up with my Scervino bag and Ferragamo shoes, and enjoy the atmosphere. And to watch the looks of other girls walking in via Tornabuoni.

 

Autumn in Florence - food festival in 4 star hotel in Florence

From Thursday 20 September to Saturday 13 October at Grand Hotel Minerva, Florence there will be this special food event.  Fried, grilled or sautéed porcini mushrooms; Caesar’s mushroom salad; verdino and dottato figs; Italia, strawberry and globe grapes. These are just some of the products accompanying the classic Florentine steak, duck, wild boar or pappardelle. A festival for rediscovering traditional flavours and recipes, and experimenting with the sometimes bold combinations of chef Sandro Pedica. Traditional dishes: salame (sausage) and figs, pappardelle with porcini mushrooms, Mugellan potato ravioli with wild boar ragout, charcoal-grilled Florentine T-bone steak with grilled porcini mushrooms. Creative interpretations: porcini mushroom cheese cake, verdino fig muffins with Tuscan ham, porcini mushroom cappuccino with poppy seed puff pastry for dipping. All of this "seasoned" with a view of Alberti’s facade for the Church of Santa Maria Novella and the whole square. 

In addition to a generous menu of 27 dishes to choose from, Autumn on the Table offers: 

Promo-Dinner: 2 courses to choose from for € 29.50, including mineral water and coffee, excluding wine. 

Promo-Dinner: 3 courses to choose from for € 39.50, including mineral water and coffee, excluding wine.

Have a look to the menu>>

All hotel customers who book a table with their receptionist are granted a 10% discount. Please note that those who book their stay at the hotel through its official website (www.grandhotelminerva.com) are entitled to a bonus equivalent to 10% of the value of the reserved room, which can be used for dining facilities, including a dinner at our Food Festival. 

For example, if your room costs 100.00 Euro per night, 10 Euro per day can be used at the hotel bar and restaurant. 

How to survive to the hot Summer in Italy! A day in the local swimming pool in the Chianti

Today I decided to escape from the hot temperature of Florence, and spend one day of relax in a local swimming pool in the Chianti area, in the town called Greve in Chianti (famous for the wine!). You can reach easily Greve in Chianti by car or by bus: it takes 20 minutes more or less. 

The swimming pool is immersed in the country, with some umbrellas close to the pool and some umbrellas and chairs on the green. Outside there are 2 pools: one with deeper water and one for kids. Inside there's a big swimming pool for the ones who want to swim. 

The place is clean, not so crowdy and with a big free parking.

Entrance fee is only 6.50 euros in the week days, and 7.50 euros for the weekend. Plus 3 euros for every sunbed you take.

There is a small bar, but except for the ice-creams, I suggest you to buy your lunch outside and bring it inside with you. 

Free entrance to see Michelangelo's David on thursday evenings

On the official site you cannot find anything... but for all the summer, on thursday evening, you can enter  for free to the Accademia Gallery, where the original Michelangelo's David lies! The opening hours are extended from 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

After the museum you can have a tasty ice-cream or a great "granita" (a sort of ice cream made only with ice and fruits) at Carabè: on thursday evening they have a special menu. It's close to the gallery, on the same street: Via Ricasoli.

Happy "Ferragosto"

In Italy "Ferragosto" (=mid of August) is a traditional feast: stores and factories are closed. People like to gather together with parents and relatives and to have a big lunch. And at the end of the huge lunch, everybody is wishing for a big water melon.

Enjoy your Ferragosto in Italy!