Christmas is approaching and in both Florence and its province the squares are teeming with markets. Once the prerogative of the northern countries, Christmas street markets are now a big success here as well, and there are numerous to choose from for gift shopping or to see the towns in the territory in an unusual and charming light.
For some years now in Florence, the Weihnachtsmarkt (German for Christmas market) has descended from the city of Heidelberg and arrived in Piazza Santa Croce. The market stands sell Christmas decorations for tree and home, seasonal sweets like Stollen accompanied by the fortifying Glühwein (spiced wine), as well as German foods that are not Christmas related (wursts and sauerkraut in particular), all to be found in Piazza Santa Croce from 1st to 19th December.
In Florence there is also another Christmas-themed event: Florence Noel, in the huge Leopolda Station: from 4th to 12th December, a fair entirely dedicated to gifts and decorations.
Many markets are also held on the 8th December holiday. If you are here on that day and you want to visit some museums but are not sure of the opening hours, here is a page that can help you.
In the province, Christmas fairs and markets are now common. While some have a long history, like that of Marradi, held on 5th, 12th, and 19th December, or of nearby Palazzuolo sul Senio, where Magie dell’Avvento held on 5th, 8th, 12th, 19th December has stands, crèches, the house of Father Christmas and many other surprises in store. With a bit of luck, you can also find some snow, to make the atmosphere even more festive.
Exploring the rest of the territory, note other events near Florence; for example in Signa, where already in November, on the 27th and 28th, the Market of Oberdrauburg and Maromme is held.
The town of Scandicci (easily reached from the centre of Florence using tramway line 1) will host holiday markets from 5th December to 8th January in Piazza Togliatti.
As regards the Mugello district, take note of the Christmas market in Vaglia on 11th December; in San Piero a Sieve a similar initiative on 18th December; in Firenzuola Fiocchi di Natale, on 12th December, and in Dicomano, on the 5th and 12th.
Moving from the Mugello to the Upper Valdarno, there’s an appointment in Rignano sull’Arno on 19th December, with a market and entertainment; Incisa will hold a holiday market on 5th December; and Fig
line hosts the initiative Aspettando il Natale on 5th and 8th December.
In the Chianti district, in addition to the popular event Chianti d’Autunno, Christmas markets are held in Greve on 8th, 12th, and 19th December, and in the village of Strada on 11th December.
In the environs of Empoli, the Christmas market of Empoli on 11th and 12th December; in Fucecchio on 8th December, in Montelupo Fiorentino on 4th and 8th December. Montelupo also holds a Christmas edition of its Gourmet food fair, on 18th and 19th December.
The complete list of markets, not just Christmas-themed markets but all the special markets held for holiday shopping, can be downloaded here
FONTE: http://www.firenzeturismo.it
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Locanda le Giunche - Ristorante Guardistallo - Ristorante Pisa
Thursday, September 16, 2010
European Tourism Day, Brussels 27 September 2010
27 September 2010, Brussels (Charlemagne Building – Room GASP)
The 2010 European Tourism Day event will be entitled "The role of Cultural Heritage in the renewed European tourism policy" and will be held on 27 September 2010, on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
27 September 2010 - Brussels, BELGIUM
The European Tourism Day will take place on 27 September 2010 in Brussels (Charlemagne Building - Room GASP).
Leader projects, policy officers, local and regional authorities, universities and other actors involved in tourism will participate to the event, that will be mainly devoted to the promotion and valorisation of European citizenship and cultural and historical heritage.
In line with new communication "Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe" adopted on the 30th June 2010, where the need of promoting cultural itineraries is specifically mentioned (see Communication - pages 7-8), a particular focus will be given to "European Cultural Routes".
A draft programme of the event is annexed. The final version of the programme, together with other practical details and information, will be available so
Room GASP
08:00 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 - 09:30 Official Opening
Address speech by Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou and
Ms. Isabelle Weykmans, Belgian Presidency, Minister for Culture and Tourism
09:30 10:30 Session I
European Cultural Itineraries: a Trans-European Cultural Tourism Model?
Chair: Mr. Hervé Novelli, Minister for Tourism, France tbc
- Mr. Sandro Bondi, Minister for Culture – "The Italian experience of the 'Consulta
Nazionale degli itinerari storici, culturali e religiosi'"
- Ms.Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, Director Council of Europe – "The future of Cultural
Routes: The Council of Europe's perspective"
- Mr. Michel Thomas Penette, Director Cultural Routes Institute – "Cultural Routes of
the Council of Europe: towards a model of quality tourism in Europe"
- Ms. Cristina Scaletti, President of NECSTouR – "The contribution of NECSTouR to
the promotion of the European Cultural Routes"
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 12:10 Session II
How can European Heritage sites and Cultural Routes help to develop new tourism
offer?
Chair: Mr. John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism, United Kingdom tbc
- Ms. Chrysoula Paliadeli, Member of the European Parliament – "The European
Heritage Label" tbc
- Mr. Stefano Zappalà, Regional Minister Regione Lazio
- Ms. Frances Warrington, Kent head of Tourism tbc
- Mr. Philippe Calamel, Project Director – "The Odyssea Project"
- Mr. Michael Cramer, MEP - “The Iron Curtain Trail”
12:10 – 14:30 Lunch break and Visit to the EDEN stands
14:30 - 16:00 Session III
Case studies: European citizenship and Intercultural Dialogue
Chair: Mr. Miguel Sebastián, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Spain tbc
- Ms. Silvia Costa, Member of the European Parliament
- Mr. Massimo Tedeschi, President of the European Association of “Via Francigena” -
"Via Francigena meets Abram Itinerary"
- Mr. Antoine Selosse, Director Saint Martin Route - "Saint Martin of Tours" and the
European citizenship
- Ms. Inmaculada Lopez, General Coordinator Foundation “El legado Andalusi” -
"The al Andalus Route and the Arab legacy"
- Roberto Varela, Regional Minister of Galicia for Tourism and Culture – “The Saint
James’ Route”
Open Debate
16:00 - 16:30 Coffee break
16:30 – 18:00 Session IV
Case studies: Tourism, Sustainability and Networking
Chair: Mr. José Vieira da Silva, Minister for Economy, Innovation and Development,
Portugal
- Mr. Antonio Cancian, Member of the European Parliament
- Mr. Edouard de Laubrie, Scientific Committee Cultural Foundation The Route of
the Olive Tree – "The route of the olive trees and traditional values"
- Mr. Antonio Barone, Director Phoenician Route - "The Phoenician Route"
- Mr. Christian Corne, President of "The European Historical Thermal Town
Association" (EHTTA) and Deputy Major of Vichy – "The European Thermal Route"
- Rev. Berit Lånke, Manager Nidaros Pilgrimage Center - "The Route of St. Olav
Ways"
Open Debate
18:00 – 18: 20 Conclusions
Conclusions by Mr. Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Mr.
Carlo Fidanza, Member of the European Parliament
The 2010 European Tourism Day event will be entitled "The role of Cultural Heritage in the renewed European tourism policy" and will be held on 27 September 2010, on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
27 September 2010 - Brussels, BELGIUM
The European Tourism Day will take place on 27 September 2010 in Brussels (Charlemagne Building - Room GASP).
Leader projects, policy officers, local and regional authorities, universities and other actors involved in tourism will participate to the event, that will be mainly devoted to the promotion and valorisation of European citizenship and cultural and historical heritage.
In line with new communication "Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe" adopted on the 30th June 2010, where the need of promoting cultural itineraries is specifically mentioned (see Communication - pages 7-8), a particular focus will be given to "European Cultural Routes".
A draft programme of the event is annexed. The final version of the programme, together with other practical details and information, will be available so
Room GASP
08:00 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 - 09:30 Official Opening
Address speech by Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou and
Ms. Isabelle Weykmans, Belgian Presidency, Minister for Culture and Tourism
09:30 10:30 Session I
European Cultural Itineraries: a Trans-European Cultural Tourism Model?
Chair: Mr. Hervé Novelli, Minister for Tourism, France tbc
- Mr. Sandro Bondi, Minister for Culture – "The Italian experience of the 'Consulta
Nazionale degli itinerari storici, culturali e religiosi'"
- Ms.Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, Director Council of Europe – "The future of Cultural
Routes: The Council of Europe's perspective"
- Mr. Michel Thomas Penette, Director Cultural Routes Institute – "Cultural Routes of
the Council of Europe: towards a model of quality tourism in Europe"
- Ms. Cristina Scaletti, President of NECSTouR – "The contribution of NECSTouR to
the promotion of the European Cultural Routes"
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 12:10 Session II
How can European Heritage sites and Cultural Routes help to develop new tourism
offer?
Chair: Mr. John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism, United Kingdom tbc
- Ms. Chrysoula Paliadeli, Member of the European Parliament – "The European
Heritage Label" tbc
- Mr. Stefano Zappalà, Regional Minister Regione Lazio
- Ms. Frances Warrington, Kent head of Tourism tbc
- Mr. Philippe Calamel, Project Director – "The Odyssea Project"
- Mr. Michael Cramer, MEP - “The Iron Curtain Trail”
12:10 – 14:30 Lunch break and Visit to the EDEN stands
14:30 - 16:00 Session III
Case studies: European citizenship and Intercultural Dialogue
Chair: Mr. Miguel Sebastián, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Spain tbc
- Ms. Silvia Costa, Member of the European Parliament
- Mr. Massimo Tedeschi, President of the European Association of “Via Francigena” -
"Via Francigena meets Abram Itinerary"
- Mr. Antoine Selosse, Director Saint Martin Route - "Saint Martin of Tours" and the
European citizenship
- Ms. Inmaculada Lopez, General Coordinator Foundation “El legado Andalusi” -
"The al Andalus Route and the Arab legacy"
- Roberto Varela, Regional Minister of Galicia for Tourism and Culture – “The Saint
James’ Route”
Open Debate
16:00 - 16:30 Coffee break
16:30 – 18:00 Session IV
Case studies: Tourism, Sustainability and Networking
Chair: Mr. José Vieira da Silva, Minister for Economy, Innovation and Development,
Portugal
- Mr. Antonio Cancian, Member of the European Parliament
- Mr. Edouard de Laubrie, Scientific Committee Cultural Foundation The Route of
the Olive Tree – "The route of the olive trees and traditional values"
- Mr. Antonio Barone, Director Phoenician Route - "The Phoenician Route"
- Mr. Christian Corne, President of "The European Historical Thermal Town
Association" (EHTTA) and Deputy Major of Vichy – "The European Thermal Route"
- Rev. Berit Lånke, Manager Nidaros Pilgrimage Center - "The Route of St. Olav
Ways"
Open Debate
18:00 – 18: 20 Conclusions
Conclusions by Mr. Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Mr.
Carlo Fidanza, Member of the European Parliament
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Poggio ai Santi, Tuscany: A New TV Series on Food Tourism in Tuscany
“Cooking in Tuscany” is a TV series available for satellite and cable channels, private and public generalist TV, as well as Internet TV.
A new concept: this series can be of interest, on the one hand, for specialised channels or programmes that deal with cooking, but also for travel and discovery channels. Producers have chosen as a unifying theme twelve products of Tuscany (cheese, cured meats, beef, saffron, truffles, fish…), twelve people to present them, and twelve recipes prepared by a charismatic chef, Denny Bruci of the “Il Sale” restaurant at Poggio ai Santi (San Vincenzo, Italy).
This series of twelve 13-minute episodes was financed by a group of professionals put together by Dominique Curchod Communication (Monaco) with the participation of local tourist boards, hotels and restaurants.
The series is distributed free of rights. The programmes do not contain at the same time any logos or indirect advertising. With the exception of sports programmes and documentaries offered by NGOs, this is probably the first factual “travel and cuisine” series to be offered free of rights.
To learn more about distribution:
The series is partially available for viewing on YouTube (cookingintuscany channel)
Starting on August 30th, the entire series will be available for viewing on the Eurovision site (www.eurovision.net/worldlink)
On 8 and 9 September, from 10.00 to 11.30 AM GMT, the 12 episodes will be offered to TV stations on the Eutelsat, Intelsat and Asiasat satellites (Eurovision network) www.eurovision.com/worldfeed
A new concept: this series can be of interest, on the one hand, for specialised channels or programmes that deal with cooking, but also for travel and discovery channels. Producers have chosen as a unifying theme twelve products of Tuscany (cheese, cured meats, beef, saffron, truffles, fish…), twelve people to present them, and twelve recipes prepared by a charismatic chef, Denny Bruci of the “Il Sale” restaurant at Poggio ai Santi (San Vincenzo, Italy).
This series of twelve 13-minute episodes was financed by a group of professionals put together by Dominique Curchod Communication (Monaco) with the participation of local tourist boards, hotels and restaurants.
The series is distributed free of rights. The programmes do not contain at the same time any logos or indirect advertising. With the exception of sports programmes and documentaries offered by NGOs, this is probably the first factual “travel and cuisine” series to be offered free of rights.
To learn more about distribution:
The series is partially available for viewing on YouTube (cookingintuscany channel)
Starting on August 30th, the entire series will be available for viewing on the Eurovision site (www.eurovision.net/worldlink)
On 8 and 9 September, from 10.00 to 11.30 AM GMT, the 12 episodes will be offered to TV stations on the Eutelsat, Intelsat and Asiasat satellites (Eurovision network) www.eurovision.com/worldfeed
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuscany Charming charming accommodations Tuscany - Tuscany hotels, Accommodation Tuscany, Tuscany villas - Countryinns Tuscany - Tuscany Castles - Farmhouse Tuscany - Country house Tuscany - Historical House Tuscany - Accommodations Tuscany
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Certaldo, from Boccaccio's tricks to the pranks of "Amici Miei"
Certaldo is the Tuscan town where Giovanni Boccaccio, author of The Decameron, was born in 1313. His major work, which signed the beginning of Italian literature, is a collection of often humorous stories, like that of the tricksters Bruno and Buffalmacco, who make fun of their victim Calandrino. Tricks and pranks are now returning in Certaldo with the latest film shot there by director Neri Parenti, "Amici miei-come tutto ebbe inizio>". Produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis and starring Michele Placido, Giorgio Panariello, Paolo Hendel, Massimo Ghini and Christian De Sica, the film is a prequel of the famous "Amici miei" (My Friends) directed by Mario Monicelli in 1975, a comedy-drama movie that popularized the irreverent character of Tuscan people. The latest work by Neri Parenti is one more reason for visiting beautiful Certaldo, with its Pretorio Palace containing 15th and 16th century frescos, the 14th century church of Saints Michael and Jacopo and Boccaccio's native house.
Info: [www.turismo.intoscana.it/eng]
Info: [www.turismo.intoscana.it/eng]
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