Chocolate Festial in Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

The days are dreary, wet and cold but if you’re here this weekend anyway, why not enjoy some time enjoying the best decadent treat there is at the Chocolate Fair in Piazza Santa Croce? Even with the rainy weather, the fair goes on under tents.

The fair started yesterday and goes on through Sunday, from 10 am to 10 pm. There are stands from local chocolatiers from Florence and Tuscany but also from the rest of Italy as well as France, Spain and Belgium.

Here is an idea of some of the free tastings or events available but, since space is limited, go ahead and email info@fieradelcioccolato.it right away to reserve your spot!!

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Florence is the perfect city to spend a romantic weekend with your beloved. The historical center is small and full of beautiful period palaces, large squares, narrow passageways waiting to be discovered as well the famous Ponte Vecchio and the streets along the river which all present a unique setting for a couple celebrating each other. Walking along the streets of Florence isn’t just romantic, it is also the best way to visit and appreciate the city itself. Since Piazza del Duomo was closed to traffic a few months ago, the heart of the city is even more enjoyable!

So where should you go on St. Valentine’s or on your special romantic weekend in Florence? First of all, let’s remember that the historical center is one of the most magical spots in the city so anywhere you go, you won’t go wrong. But Ponte Vecchio, particularly at night, is considered the most romantic spot in the city center and the softly lit sidewalks along the river make an evening stroll under the stars very romantic.

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We posted a fun video of the allegorical float parade of the Carnival of Viareggio from last year to give you an idea of what the carnival in Viareggio looks like. If you’re in Tuscany this month, you can head to Viareggio by train and join in the fun every Sunday during Lent!

In few days starts the famous Carnival of Viareggio 2010, one of the greatest masked parades in Italy. The official calendar for 2010 carnival is:
31st January (Sunday), 7th and 14th February (Sundays), 16th February (Tuesday) and 28th February (Sunday) and it starts at 3.00 p.m. (at 5.00 p.m. on 21st February).
Every Saturday before the carnival fair, in Piazza Mazzini and at the Natural Commercial Center there are entertainers, artists and music for adults and children.

The Viareggio Carnival is really spectacular both for children and adults. One of its unique characteristics are the giants Carnival floats in papier-machè, even 20 meters tall, that go along the seaside avenues of Viareggio, known as La Passeggiata of Corso Mazzini. These giant carts are realized over several months, thanks to hard work by following the ancient technique of sailing ships’ construction. Viareggio is known around the world for its workmanship in realizing sailing ships and yachts. Read Full Post »

December was a successful month for Florentine Museums. A local newspaper reported that in the past month, after a difficult year, museums in Florence have finally registered a relevant growth of visitors.

The most visited museums were the Uffizi Gallery and the Medici Chapels, but also the National Museum of Bargello and Davanzati Palace, recently reopened.
A great result also for the current exhibition “Artful Deception” – “Inganni ad arte” at Palazzo Strozzi till January 24. It displays several works of modern and contemporary art by European artists showing the phenomenal trompe-l’oeil technique.

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I’ve just found out about the Oblate Library, located in the former convent of Oblate between via Sant’Egidio and via dell’Oriuolo. I had heard about it before but had never been there until last week. I have to say that I am really impressed so much so that I became a member of the Oblate library right away

The Oblate Library is not just a library but a place where you can get a cappuccino looking at Brunelleschi’s Cupola, enjoy a game on a Play Station and spend some time with friends. Inspiration for this cultural and multimedia center in the heart of Florence has been the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. The antique and contemporary come together perfectly: the 3 floors of the 15th century convent has been transformed into a multifunctional building that has something for everyone, from 0 to 99 years old. Furthermore, it’s entirely and easily accessible for visitors with special needs and moms with strollers. Continue reading post »

Anyone who will be spending New Year’s Eve in Florence and wants to spend the last night of the year outside can choose from four different free performances.

In the main square right in front of Santa Maria Novella train station a rock concert will take place starting from 9.00 pm where great Italian singers Irene Grandi, Lucio Dalla and the Negrita will be performing. After them there will be a DJ set going on until 2.00 am. Irene Grandi (Florentine singer) and the Negrita (Tuscan rock band) are both Tuscan musicians and are loved by mostly young people, while Lucio Dalla (singer from Bologna) is generally more appreciated by a more grown up crowd.

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On Saturday morning Florence woke up covered with a soft snow blanket. The night before it started snowing in Tuscany even at low altitude, whitening cities on flats as Florence.

Florence under the snow is certainly a rare sight that of course doesn’t happen every year. Probably Saturday’s snowfall would have pleasantly impressed several tourists, but it surprised much more Florentine people. Someone would have cheered, I think about children and teenagers as well would have joyed (maybe some of them stayed at home from school because of it!), instead someone else would have said Damn! thinking of driving around and maybe going to work, while others are almost “allergic” to snow and would not even have left home (I know some of them ).
Anyway I think that it’s impossible not loving Florence under the snow: look at these beautiful pictures of Florence covered with snow (thanks to Pierpaolo that gave them to us!).

Take a look also at these cute pictures of Chianti under the snow >>

Everyone loves Christmas. I think Florence is magical during this time of the year. Maybe because of the thousands of lights along the streets, maybe because of  the nice Christmas decorations in the shops – or maybe because I got married in December .  I love Florence at Christmas time.

Starting from Piazzale Michelangelo, you can admire a breathtaking view of Florence that looks like a postcard. When it’s dark, everything lights up and you can see the Christmas trees and decorations in homes through the windows. Coming down into the city and crossing the Arno, you can feel that Christmas is all around. This year the municipality of Florence lit up all the avenues with thousands of blue Christmas lights which warm the atmosphere from Piazza Beccaria to Fortezza da Basso.

Most of the streets in the city center are also decorated and illuminated for Christmas. Via dei Calaziuoli is fabulously decorated with thousands of lights set as a rich drapery – it looks like the Red Carpet! Even smaller streets such as via della Condotta and others are illuminated by colorful lights shaped as snowflakes or falling snow. Then in Piazza della Repubblica stands a grand Christmas tree near to the characteristic merry-go-round for children. The shops and their windows are also embellished by Christmas decorations as well as Christmas trees decorated with various trimmings and colorful lights. Florence is just missing Santa’s bells to be perfect.

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Christmas time is coming and as usual December in Florence and in its surroundings means you can find many special events and markets related to Christmas.

Here are a few of the upcoming events in Florence, as well as in Mugello valley and Chianti region:

• German Christmas Market

In Florence in Piazza Santa Croce from December 2nd to the 20th you’ll find the German Christmas Market with its characteristic wooden cabins. Opening hours from 10 am to 10 pm.

• Florence Noël

Christmas Trade Fair at Stazione Leopolda in Florence from the 5th to the 13th of December. It opens from Friday to Tuesday from 10 am to 10 pm and on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 pm to 10 pm. Ticket costs € 7,50; reduced ticket is € 6,00; children under 3 years have free admission.

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