Archive for 'Florence'

Everyone knows that the best part of travelling is getting to try new culinary delights and gastronomic adventures that you might otherwise have never experienced. However, just because we all might be stuck at home right now doesn't mean you have to miss out on this aspect of travelling, with an internet connection at hand, you can readily explore and try out dishes from all over the globe from your own kitchen! So, if you're craving something a little different and want to turn your hand to experimenting in the kitchen, why not try these tasty, unique, and sometimes bizarre, Italian dishes?!

As Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance and has, and continues to, given rise to some of the most famous artists to ever exist, there is an incredible artistic heritage in the country and endless museums, galleries, churches, towns, mural walls, stately homes, temporary exhibitions, and more that are stuffed with outstanding works of art to take in all over the country. However, if, as in moments like this, you can't quite make it to Italy or her exhibitions then fear not! A large number of truly excellent exhibitions and world-class museums and cultural institutions are available online to visitors through virtual tours and other online resources. We've rounded up a list of some great examples that you can visit right now from the comfort of your own homes as we all look forward to adventures in the real thing sometime very soon in the future...

We recently wrote about Florence at Christmas and how it is lit up and made even more beautiful and magical over the Holiday Season by the incredible lights and projections of the F-Light Festival. The amazing beauty of the city and its seasonal trimmings alone is reason enough to find a luxury villa in Florence and get planning a winter break in Tuscany but there is another excellent incentive: the variety of amazing Christmas markets that take place in the city each year. Whether you are looking to shop for unique gifts and souvenirs or merely want to wander around and take in the festive atmosphere, Florence and her numerous Christmas markets are exactly what the doctor ordered! Here are just five examples that you should visit if you’re in the city this Christmas.

1. The Weihnachtsmarkt

The Weihnachtsmarkt, which takes place in Piazza Santa Croce, is the city’s most famous and biggest annual Christmas market and is named for, and based on, the style of Christmas markets that you can typically find in Germany. Launching on the 23rd of November 2019 and continuing until the 22nd of December 2019, the market is open daily from 10am to 10pm and features a little Christmas village made up of the little wooden huts that are found in markets in Germany and the north of Italy, from which various merchants are selling gifts, handmade crafts, food, beer, mulled wine, and plenty of other culinary specialities from all over Europe.

Florence is undeniably lovely and beautiful no matter what time of year you visit but it is especially charming at Christmas, when it is filled with excitable shoppers dashing around, cheerful traditional Christmas markets, bright and pretty, seasonal displays in storefronts, festive cheer, and, of course, Christmas lights. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning a Christmas getaway in Florence, you might be glad to know that the city goes a step further with their lighting arrangements to make something extra special and even more magical over the Holiday Season: the Florence Light Festival, or F-Light Festival.

When one thinks of art in Italy, it is the grand heritage of art that first comes to mind. One pictures the museums stuffed with works by the likes of Botticelli, Titian, and Caravaggio, the grand churches with art pieces and frescoes by the likes of Michelangelo and da Vinci, and elegant palaces and villas that bring together works by endless lists of talented artisans and artists under one roof. This long-standing history and wealth of cultural heritage is, of course, to be found in Italy, but it is not all there is to offer. It might be hard to imagine at first but Italy is also home to incredible works of art that are outside these lauded institutions, works of art that anyone can enjoy at any time of day and for free. That is to say, it is home to some rather special pieces of street art.

This street art is incredibly varied in size, age, style, and more. Some pieces are even centuries-old and other pieces are being added all the time. Some are by unknowns and some are by some of the most famous names in art history. If you are planning a trip to Italy and are interested in art, be sure to also spend time outside galleries, keeping your eyes peeled for street art surprises as you explore. If you are looking for some particular highlights to specifically set aside time to visit, then these are some of our top street art picks around Italy.