Author: Lourdes Flores

An American living in Florence for over 10 years, Lourdes continues to explore and discover new places in Tuscany with the eyes of a tourist but with the experience of living in Italy. She shares her experiences on this blog and website, particularly offering lots of travel planning help on the Forum!

In Siena this second half of October

October 15, 2021

You have until November 2 to go see the exhibition dedicated to the commissions of Cardinal Antonio Casini, bishop of Siena between 1408 and 1426 inside the monumental complex of the Cathedral of Siena. The exhibition “Masaccio: Madonna del solletico : The inheritance of Cardinal Antonio Casini, Sienese prince of the Church” in fact delves…

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The European Night at the Museum returns this Saturday

July 2, 2021

This Saturday July 3 several cultural sites in Tuscany are open for the European Night of Museums 2021, with extended evening hours paying for entrance only 1 euro. Normally this event, designed to promote the artistic heritage of the Old Continent, takes place in May, but this edition was moved to summer due to the…

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Italy opens borders to Europe

May 13, 2021

Exciting to think that this coming up weekend Italy is welcoming back all visitors across its borders with a few simple requirements: no more quarantine, with a big yes to the new national “Green Pass“. If you’ve contracted and recovered from Covid in recent months, tested negative to a Covid test 48 hours prior to…

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Italy reopens once again

April 30, 2021

Exciting news! Most of Italy “reopened” just 3 days ago, easing the restrictive measures that have characterized the past winter and spring months. Signs of falling infection numbers and the vaccine effort accelerating (over a quarter of all Italians have received their first dose, and nearly 5 million are now fully vaccinated) have led to…

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Covid-19: New Rules in Italy Starting November 6

November 6, 2020

Nationwide curfew and clamping down by region On Tuesday night, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a new presidential decree in an effort to curb the growing Covid-19 numbers throughout Italy. The Prime Minister explained these measures in a live address in the evening of November 4, with measures to go into force today Friday,…

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VillInvita at Poggio a Caiano Medici Villa

October 30, 2020

The best way to visit the Medici Villa at Poggio a Caiano is with a guided visit! The villa is offering, from every Thursday September 24 through November 26, the project “VILLINVITA” which offers free guided visits by the personnel of the monumental apartments in the Medici villa. Part of various initiatives to promote the…

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Le Rinacenze at Villa Reale di Marlia

July 25, 2020

Two events we cannot miss await us at Villa Reale di Marlia This summer, the beautiful Villa Reale di Marlia together with the Lucca-based association Kreativa organize two special events dedicated to art, culture and entertainment: the first one is Le Rinascenze by Night – Art Under the Stars scheduled for the night of San…

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La Lastra Wine Shop is Online

July 17, 2020

If you’re missing Italy and your Italian wines, then it is a pleasure to find wineries that have used the months of lock-down to ensure it is easy for you to order your favorite wines directly online. This is the case for the organic wine estate La Lastra just outside of Siena. We’ve visited the…

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Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa reopens its monuments and museums

May 29, 2020

It will once again be possible to visit the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, including the Leaning Tower, starting May 30th. The Leaning Tower, the cathedral, baptistery, Camposanto and Museum of the Opera del Duomo will reopen their doors after almost 3 months of being closed due to the coronavirus health crisis. The sights will…

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There is always hope, even when you cannot leave home

March 13, 2020

There is always hope. Even though we are stuck at home, the streets are mostly deserted, we can still reach out to others. Here are some pics of the main squares in Tuscany, from Pisa to Siena to Florence over the last few days. Pisa, on March 9, compared to one year ago. In Siena,…

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