12.19.2012

Christmas 2012 and New Years Eve in Florence 2013

Christmas is just few days away, and also New Year's Eve... I know from the increase of visitors that a lot of you are luckily spending time in Florence for these festivities, so here some tips to enjoy your time over here, swinging by closed restaurants, closed museums, lots of people, lots of drinks.. :)

*** Museums exceptionally open ***

Christmas and January 1st will be basically all closed, shops museums and most restaurants... so stay in your hotel room as much as you can, or if you really want to do something here what there is open:

- Archeological Museum - Dec 25th from 08,30 am to 2,00 pm and Jan 1st from 1,30 pm to 7,00 pm
Medici Villas La Pietraia and Poggio a Caiano - Jan 1st from 09,30 am to 3,30 pm
"Never Seen" temporary exhibition at Reali Poste room - Jan 1st from 1,30 pm to 7,30 pm
"30ies - Art during Fascism" temporary exhibition at Strozzi Palace - open Dec 25th and Jan 1st
Vecchio Palace Museum - Jan 1st from 2pm to 7 pm

*** Restaurants for Christmas Lunch 2012***

Just few places are open in this occasion, cause Christmas is definitely the most important religious event in Italy, and everybody is home eating like it's their last supper in the life, so if you are around and you don't want to come over my house, you could go to:

- Touch Florence - Via Fiesolana 18/r - 055 2466150 - a new and super yummy reality in Florence
- Caffè Pitti - Piazza Pitti 9 - 055 2399863 - causy and charming caffè
- Paoli - via dei Tavolini 12/r - 055 216215 -  a guarantee in the tuscan cuisine

*** Restaurants open for New Year's Eve***

They are divided into 3 categories: those who are closed; those who are open and have a huge, fixed, long and pricy menu; those who have an almost regular à la carte Menu. Here's my favourites:

- Touch Florence - Via Fiesolana 18/r - 055 2466150 - à la carte
- BSJ - Borgo San Jacopo 12/r - 055 281661 - big Menu
- Buca Lapi - Via del Trebbio 1/r - 055 213768 - à la carte
- Alle Murate - via del Proconsolo - 055 240618 - big Menu
- Cinghiale Bianco - Borgo San Jacopo 43/r - 055 215706 - à la carte


Have fun!


Cappellacci @ Touch
Bistecca @ Buca Lapi
Gazpacho and fried prawns @ BSJ

10.24.2012

Vasari Corridor November 3rd

Se capite un pò d'italiano e siete a Firenze il prossimo weekend, venite con me a visitare il corridoio Vasariano! Una visita unica! Per dettagli visitate l'altro mio blog qui

Hi! I'm organizing a special visit November 3rd at the Vasari Corridor, it is going to be in italian, therefore I have written in italian :) If you understand enough my language check details of the tour here and then write me!

9.13.2012

A luxurious sandwich @ 'Ino

This place is a hidden pearl, a very little Bottega where you can have the sandwich of your dreams. You can inspire yourself looking the full list of possibilities or just asking a suggestion to the girls at the desk, as I did.
I have chosen a fresh Pecorino Cheese with herbs, and they easily suggested me to mix it with a Pepperoni Mustard and Salame.... It will come hot, crunchy and definitely delicious.
It will cost you a bit, but you can trust the excellent level of quality of food.
In the small rooms, three, there are high chairs and little tables to enjoy your sandwich, and maybe putting the icing on the cake by buying some of the products they sell, all coming by DOP regions (italian control system of quality and specific areas where a product come from), like Capperi from Pantelleria, Pasta of Gragnano, all different types of ExtraVergine Oil, wine, sundried tomatoes, jams, wines.....

Via dei Georgofili 3/7 red
just behind Uffizi Gallery
open from 11,00 am to 04,30 pm 




1.16.2012

Outlet the Mall and restaurants close by

Florence it's a fantastic city, full of art treasures, nobles palaces, art galleries, sculptures... a month it is not enough to visit all of the secret corners... while you're exploring the city, you might want to desire to do some shopping. Why not, we have the best boutiques, or the small artisan shops... but if you feel like do some shopping AND save a bunch of money, then you have to go to the Outlet the Mall!

It is very famous, people come on purpose, I think it's the best outlet. 22 of the main brands, such as Gucci, Armani, Valentino, Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Loro Piana, Marni, Dior, Tod's and so on....

Discount from 30 to 70 %, on items of the past collection.

It is only 30 minutes south Florence, going south on the highway A1 directions Rome; exit at "Incisa Valdarno", turn right after 10-15 minutes ride you'll get to Leccio, the little town where the Mall is located.


Very close by there is also Dolce & Gabbana outlet, and a bit more far away, 20 minutes souther there is Miu Miu and Prada Outlet.


The Mall
Via Europa, 8
Leccio-Reggello




Photo Source: Hotel Rigacci



Inside the Mall there is a cafeteria and a restaurant. But if you want to experience also the typical tuscan cuisine, in the countryside, then follow these tips:

Piazzetta al Burchio - a little Alimentari (a groucery shop) that have few tables where you can have a very simple but incredibly tasty meal. Typical tuscan cuisine, of course, pasta, lasagne, ravioli, tortelli, tagliata, bistecca, fried chicken, also different types of fish and cakes.They have a Menu del Giorno (menu of the day) that changes frequent, written on a simple yellow paper. Prices are incredibly low, first course 5 Euro, second course from 7 to 10 Euro, side dish and desserts 2 Euro. Nothing, no?
It is open every day for lunch and dinner, and it is also take away.



- How to get there from the Mall?
Go back towards Incisa Valdarno (out the Mall turn right) - before to get inside the town of Incisa turn right, cross the river Arno and turn right. Follow that street for 5 minutes and you'll get to a very small group of houses, called "Il Burchio". Park the car and look for the Alimentari, right on the main street.

There is also a Trattoria, but I have not tried. Seems definitely more expensive, and not necessarily better tasting.


Piazzetta Il Burchio

Località il Burchio, 13
055 8330880 - cell 335 6831844

No website
Open daily lunch and dinner


Accept credit cards


Rigatoni Gorgonzola and Mascarpone



Sformati (similar to omelette) of Broccoli, Zucchine and Spinach




Tagliere di salumi and crostini


Tasty Tagliata rosemary




If you want another tip, then I have to tell you a secret place, a pure jem, an Agriturismo located in the middle of Chianti hills, with 4 rooms, an amazing pool, a beautiful traditional restaurant... during the summer they organize open air cinemas, art forum, paitings exhibitions, it is a very cute and interesting place. And of course they produce their own wine, oil, vegetables, raise chickens and rabbits. The owner, Perla, is a charming lady very welcoming and warm.


What's the name of the place? Perlamora. They have fixed menu lunches and dinner, with 25 euro, beverage included, you'll have a full meal of antipasti, 2 first course, a second course and dessert. All products of the Agriturismo.


Go, I love this place.


- how to get there from the Mall?


Go right out the outlet, like going back to highway. Pass the town of Incisa and go on until you get to the next town of Figline Valdarno. Turn right at the Hotel Torricelli, then again right, towards Greve in Chianti and Ponte agli Stolli. Follow directions for Perlamora.



Via Golfonaia, 29

Pavelli - Figline Valdarno

055 951904


Reservation recommended

Accept credit cards

The beautiful Art Decò Villa in front of the agriturismo



the Restaurant


Antipasto Coccoli (like fried bread) ham and stracchino cheese


Sorry, no more photos, too much wine :)

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