Free guided tour to Palazzo Portinari Salviati, the birthplace of Beatrice, Dante Alighieri's muse

There's a hidden corner in Florence, Palazzo Portinari Salviati, which was the birthplace of Beatrice Portinari, Dante Alighieri's muse. This amazing Palazzo will open its doors to the public on March 9th during a free guided tour. Palazzo Portinari Salviati has an invaluable historical importance, closely related to the most significant cultural events of the city of Florence. The Palace, which dates back to the 13th century, was inhabited by european rulers, diplomats and politicians and was the birthplace of Cosimo I de' Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany. Throughout centuries of history, the Palazzo has hosted prominent figures of the Renaissance, sculptors and artists and now it features important frescoes and invaluable works of art by famous artists like Giambologna. Invitation: A unique occasion to visit one of the most representative historic buildings in the city of Florence: Palazzo Portinari Salviati via del Corso 6, Florence 

The Palace will be open to the public during several guided tours thanks to the Associazione Culturale Città Nascosta on: Saturday March 9th every hour from 11am to 3 pm Booking requested ph. 055 6802590 or email: info@cittanascosta.it 

 N.B. Please be advised that there are only 25 places available. Being the Palazzo under restoration, we recommend comfortable clothes and suitable shoes.

San Valentine Flash Mob in Florence

On February 14th at 3:00 p.m. women throughout Florence will be engaged in a flash mob in Piazza Repubblica. This event will be part of a global movement on that day to bring attention to the growing issue of violence against women and girls. Over 190 countries and 13,000 organizations will participate. ONE BILLION RISING is the global campaign launched by Eve Ensler (activist and playwright from the USA) in this 15th anniversary of V-Day (a day to bring attention to violence against women created by Eve). Today, the statistics demonstrate that one in 3 women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. When we look at the world population this means more than one billion women and girls. The title of this initiative of the 14th of February is ONE BILLION RISING.  Information on the event and the video can be found at: www.theglobaltheatreproject.org 

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/105254802978476/ 

 The event will begin exactly at 15.00 and last no more than 20 minutes. Donations of any size will be collected by Associazione Artemisia for their work helping victims of violence. Everyone wear black and red and/or pink. Rain or shine. If the weather is not good... bring an umbrella, a hat and a scarf.

Home made Chocolate Fair in Florence: 8-17 February, 2013

“FI.nally Chocolate!” is a don't miss event for gourmet: 10 days of refined tastings, delicacies prepared by renowned international maitres chocolatiers, cultural events and a lot of fun. 

This chocolate fair will take place in Florence from the 8th to the 17th of February, in the enchanting Piazza Santa Maria Novella, close to the main railway Station. 

The 9th edition of the Home made Chocolate Fair will be hosting 40 exhibitors that will show the amazing variety of chocolate making. Maitres chocolatiers coming from all over Europe will show their best products, the result of tradition and experience. Beyond the refined tastings this fair will also have some important cultural events:

• “Chocolate Classes”, where the Maitres chocolatiers will tell good stories about this product, 
• lessons “Cooking with chocolate”, where the guests will learn how to cook using this precious spice. 
• program for kids: a “Chocolate Hunting” full of riddles with an itinerary through the streets and shops of Florence, between Piazza della Republica and Piazza Santa Maria Novella. 

Free entrance to the fair. 

Pitti Uomo 83: the major trends in man fashion industry

This morning in Florence has started Pitti Immagine Fashion Far: the world’s most important platform for men’s clothing and accessory collections. What’s going on at Pitti Uomo 83? What are the major trends of the coming Pitti Uomo fair? According to Antonio Cristaudo, Pitti Immagine’s marketing and development manager, there are 3 major trends. 

1. The first one is associated with contemporary craft. If, until now, craft production was associated with quality but not with style, from now on, the focus is going to be on top-quality craft products with high design and style content. The power of this trend will we be evident throughout Pitti Uomo.
2. The second major trend, probably the newest and most important one of Pitti Uomo 83, is the revival of heavy-weight fabrics, even felt, and, consequently, the iconic pieces of British-style men’s wardrobe, from the duffel coat to the loden coat, in a contemporary version, of course. 
3. The third trend consists of very technical, ultra-light and high-performance garments. There is also a comeback of sweatshirts. Relegated to sportswear and homewear in the past few years, sweatshirts will be replacing sweaters in the next winter season. 

Don't miss:

Henry Cotton's Rugged Capsule Collection, from the brand that was worn by action movie actors such as Sylvester Stallone (Cliffhanger) and Mel Gibson (Letal Wheapon). To underline the spirit of the outdoors they posted a video with 2 guys playing Parkour: http://www.henrycottons.it/rugged/.

Always inspired by the sea the Marina Yachting A/I 2013 man collection: from the choice of materials to the colours all the details can be referred to a modern high tech and still elegant sailorman who has to browse the city and the web...

New Year's Eve Costume Party on the Tuscan Coast

If you would like to spend a great New Year's Eve in Tuscany, enjoy the Costume Party at Forte dei Marmi in Versilia. For those of you seeking adventure and the exciting nightlife Tuscany has to offer, Bottaccio has announced limited availability for their new year's eve Gran Galà Party. Bottaccio is a Boutique 5 star hotel near Forte dei Marmi offering unparalleled accommodation. The Hospitality provided by the Bottaccio to its gourmand travelers matches the quality of its cuisine. The new year will be welcomed with Fireworks on the hotel property and the menu foresees the following dishes:

• Bottaccio’s Amuse Bouche
• Crispy red Mullet with Wild Rice in Basil and Pine nut Sauce
• Fresh Pasta stuffed with Lobster in Crabmeat Soup
• Gilthead with violet Potatoes and Foie Gras
• Venison with Rasberries and Balsamic Vinegar
• Pumpkin puree with red lentils
• Green Tea and Date Sorbet
• Chocolate Mille-feuille with passion fruit and fresh Custard cream

Cost per participant: € 150 per person - wines and spirits a la carte.
Further information and Bookings: www.bottaccio.it 

Pizza cheap dinner for the New Year's Eve in Florence

For New Year's this restaurant in Florence will be offering to different shifts. 

The first from 7.30pm to 10pm (for those who want to welcome in the new year outside with the masses!). The second from 10pm til midnight (for those who want to party but stay warm) A la carte menu (with a surcharge of 20%) .So that you can order just want Pizza menu at €28 (1st shift only): Tuscan antipasto toscano with crostini and cold cuts ,Your choice of pizza, Tiramisù, Espresso Medium beer o Coke o 1/2 liter of water and one glass of Chianti.

Tasting menu for New Year's Eve at €55 (both shifts)_ Tuscan antipasto with crostini and cold cuts - 1 glass of Vivia Le Mortelle bianco Antinori Double pasta course: risotti with black cabbage and truffled pecorinotto and wild boar pappardelle - 1 glass of Chianti Classico S.Felice Steak slices with porcini mushrooms and parmesan on a rocket salad beda -1 glass ofAchelo Sirah Antinori Tuscan roasted potatoes with garlic and rosemary. Choice of dessert 1 glass of spumante Espresso. 

I Ghibellini is in the center of Florence. You can easily walk to the main venues of the New Year's Eve.

I Ghibellini

Piazza di San Pier Maggiore, 8  50122 Firenze

055 214424

Moving nativity scene in Tuscany "Presepe di Lecore"

An extraordinary Italian moving nativity scene at Lecore in the Signa area, close to Florence. A massive depiction of 15x10x7 meters and more than 100 moving figurines. Every Christmas for the past 7 years a different theme has been chosen to reflect and pray in the little Saint Peter’s Parish in Lecore. This year the title is: “The Moon Lights the Way of God’s Seekers”. 

Sauro Mari is the man behind this magnificent work. Every year he conceives the idea during a visit in Lourdes - France in front of the Grotto of our Lady. He needs three months for planning and building the area using several mechanical gears, special lighting and about 200 ice cream cardboard boxes to build Baby Jesus’ native Bethlehem. The event will start on 24th December at midnight and from 25th December onwards it will be open free to the public every day from 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm till 27th January. Follow them on Facebook (Presepe di Lecore) or on www.presepedilecore.it.