Florence Journal

Rumors abound of new Leonardo

This would be amazing if it is true, a new work from one of Florence's favorite sons (by way of Vinci of course): Rumors abound that new Leonardo da Vinci painting has been found in Boston

Update from Florence

After the beautiful snowstorm of last week, the usual winter weather - rain - has returned to Florence. The center seemed quiet today and especially this evening - with the lingering mist and wet streets it was nearly deserted. That will probably all start changing tomorrow again as everyone starts getting ready for New Year's Eve. If you need a dinner party, there are a couple of restaurants mentioned here where you should find good food and drink along with friendly people.

We have been spending a lot of time with family and friends, and the posting will probably not pick up again until the kids go back to school. Buon Anno!

Florence Museum Tickets

B-Ticket is the (allegedly) official site for online tickets for the state museums of Florence (which include most of the big ones you probably have heard about - the Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti Palace, Bargello, etc.). I only say allegedly because I have not been able to verify the site as "official", although it claims to be and I have read many people online refer to it as such. Anyway, if you want to reserve tickets in advance, this does seem to be the place to go. Check it out here: http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default.aspx

Florence Snow Storm

A pic from yesterday of Brunelleschi's Dome covered in snow - full set of pics here: Florence in the snow

It's Snowing In Florence Tonight

Perseus in the snow:

Tuscan Trails Chianti Tours

Came across this site "Tuscan Trails" as top 5 "Thing To Do" while in Florence on TripAdvisor.

A great bit of marketing (I think) by the owner, Todd Bolton. It is a good looking website and it sounds like he runs great tours - I have an email out to him asking about which wineries he visits.

Video Game Mayhem in Florence (and Venice)

So the new video game Assassins Creed II actually sounds (and looks) very intriguing - this is from the NY Times:

"There, perched atop the highest spire of Santa Maria del Fiore, I can see Florence stretching into the mist below me. Down in the clamorous streets, I am surrounded by merchants, nobles, thieves, clerics, guards, artists and courtesans going about their business. I flit over rooftops like a zephyr, skirt balconies and dance along clotheslines as I try to avenge the betrayal and killing of my father and brothers by the powerful cabal known as the Templars. I save Lorenzo de’ Medici from certain death and he becomes my benefactor. I befriend Leonardo da Vinci as he decodes the secrets in ancient codices I discover."

Florence Wine Merchants

Just want to point out that you can get a really fantastic Chianti Classico over at Florence Wine Merchants - the Castellare Chianti Classico 2006. We highly recommend it!

Florence Tramvia, Line 1 Map

The Tramvia (or Tram) Line 1 (from Santa Maria Novella to Villa Costanza in Scandicci) is nearing completion. I think this is going to be great for Florence - but line 1 is definitely more of a commuter than tourist line. Hopefully it will be operational in early 2010. Whether the rest of the line as planned gets finished (around the Duomo and Piazza San Marco, etc.) remains to be seen - but this has been a huge project and it will be fantastic to see this thing working after all these years. Below is a map of line 1:

More info can be found on these websites: www.tramvia.fi.it and www.muoversiafirenze.it.

Berlusconi is bloodied by attack

From the BBC:

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been hit in the face and knocked to the ground after a political rally in Milan. Pictures showed Mr Berlusconi, 73, with a badly cut lip and blood on his cheek and chin. A man has been arrested. The prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right. Reports suggested he had either been punched or hit with an object. He was taken to a hospital in Milan after the attack. The Italian news agency Ansa said he was to stay under observation for 24 hours, but there was no immediate report on the extent of his injuries.