Discover Tuscany’s Blog: exploring Tuscany and all its hidden corners…

If you are in Siena over the next few months, take advantage of the special opening to the public of the Palazzo Chigi Saracini, a beautiful medieval palace in the center of Siena normally closed to the public as it houses the Chigiana Musical Academy.

In an attempt to share its extraordinary art collection and offer a glimpse of the internal medieval architecture of the palace, the Academy has set aside a few days a week to open the palace to visitors during certain periods of the year.

Continue reading about the Palazzo Chigi Saracini »

As posted before in less than 10 days, on April 30th, Florence will be animated by a Creative Insomnia, the magical and sleepless Florence White Night 2010. And finally the calendar of this upcoming event in Florence is here.

Please click here to download the calendar of Florence White Night 2010 (in Italian).

Concerts of classic, rock, pop and jazz music, ballet performances, temporary exhibits, art installations, colorful lights, movies, lectures, comics, guided tours to museums and boroughs. And then lots to eat and drink, people, different cultures coming and mixing together.

It will surely be a great event in and for Florence and we strongly recommend you don’t miss visiting Florence on April 30th. Don’t miss Insomnia Creativa – Florence White Night 2010!

As most probably already know by now, the ashes of the Eyjafjallajokull, an Iceland volcano, continue to spread forming an ash cloud over Europe. This in turn has caused closure of important European airports in London, Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam and cancellation of flights across the rest of Europe.

This, of course, has a direct impact on the travel plans of all those visiting the Old Continent at the moment. Apart from the mayhem of being caught at airports or between hotels and airport,  the concern is being raised over the quality of the air we breathe in. So far, the WHO has issued an advisory saying that as long as the ash remains in the upper atmosphere, there is not likely to be increased health risk.

Experts said most people had no reason to be alarmed. While people with asthma or lung disease could stay indoors to avoid irritation, there is little real danger, especially with the ash falling so far from the source.

Air quality so far has not been affected in Italy but that might change depending on whether the volcano keeps up its activity, on the direction of the winds and temperature.

The ash cloud has not reached Tuscany so far, although predictions say it could arrive by the end of today but in a very diluted form. The most updated news source is La Repubblica (use Google translator to get an idea of what is being said). For now, our plans of hiking this week are still on, we’ll see how things progress and let you know.

From 7 pm 30 April to 6 am 1st May Florence won’t sleep. Florentines and not, will be up all night long to attend the great event of Florence White Night 2010, entitled Creative Insomnia and promoted by Florence Municipality.

Many events, concerts and performances will animate the city. Almost every borough, square and street will have its attractions. Also many museums and buildings will be open, such as Palazzo Vecchio (open till 6 am), Palazzo Strozzi and the art exhbit “De Chirico, Max Ernst, Magritte, Balthus. A look over the invisible” (till 5 am) and the Oblate Library (till 6 am) that will host special events, as well as the Uffizi Gallery open till midnight, Natural History Museums (till 1 am) and Bardini Museum (till 2 am).

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We recently blogged about the reopening of the Vasari Corridor through the guided tour “Percorso del Principe” or Path of the Prince and we are back with more details: the tour has officially opened and reservations are being taken.

The tours start today and go through July 7th. At the moment, you have to call +39-055-294883 to book the itinerary that passes through the monumental quarters of Palazzo Vecchio, over the walkway that connects Palazzo Vecchio to the Uffizi Gallery and on through the Vasari Corridor passing over Ponte Vecchio. The tour ends by the Grotta del Buontalenti in the Boboli Gardens.

The tour is being offered Wednesday at 9:30, 11:30, 14:00 and 16:00, Thursdays at 9:30 and 11:30 and on Fridays at 14:00 and 16:00 and costs 19 euro. From April 25, you should also be able to book online passing through the site www.polomuseale.firenze.it. To reserve, you have to call Firenze Musei at the number above.

The tour unfortunately is not accessible to people with mobility handicaps. Large bags or backpacks need to be left in the Palazzo Vecchio wardrobe before the tour begins.

From April 16 to the 25th the 12th European Culture Week will be taking place all over Italy and Europe and thus in Tuscany as well. The event, successfully organized by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities, opens State museums, monuments, archeological sites, archives and libraries, both for Italian and foreign visitors with free entrance.

In Italy there will be over 2900 events during the week, with over 200 just in Tuscany. Free guided tours, as well as special exhibits and events, will be organized across the region, such as the extraordinary opening of the Gardens at Villa La Pietra and its Acton Collection.

The European Culture Week is certainly a unique occasion to discover and visit unique Italian masterpieces, as well as hidden Tuscan treasures enriching your unforgettable holidays in Tuscany. Aside from free entrance into state museums, you can enjoy a full schedule of events.