Florence Journal

Florence Christmas Lights, 2010

Lights are up all over town, except for Via Calzaiuoli - which means that there will probably be the dreaded Christmas boxes with trees and shrubs, etc. installed soon. Regular readers know that I highly prefer the lights - the boxes are okay but just don't do it as much for me, plus they take up a ton of room on the street on some of the busiest days of the year. Oh well... this is Borgo degli Albizi:

Last week in Florence

There's been a nearly non-stop parade of events in Florence this fall. This weekend is the end of Florens (which I did not do enough of), and the three day Florence Wine Event starts today (rain or shine). There are new parking regulations coming into effect (that to me are just as confusing as before), and the rain won't seem to stop. Here are some Friday photos - scenes around town from last weekend:

Notes from Florence

Just want to post a quick round up of some news and events coming up and things heard on the street:

1. The Grand Hotel in Piazza Ognissanti is closed for renovations, and will re-open May 1, 2011 (if on schedule) as The St. Regis Florence with half the number of rooms. Can anyone say "crisis"? Or are they going higher end and making the rooms larger?

2. The annual Florence Wine Event that usually takes place in September is scheduled for November this year - 19, 20, 21 (mainly in Piazza Pitti).

3. With that being said, I wonder what the plan was in moving this event so far back in the year? It could be cold and rainy by then, which doesn't sound like great outdoor wine tasting weather. We have had a couple of very cold mornings and some rain already, and starting tomorrow the forecast looks like rain all week.

4. Last year there was a rumor that the Hard Rock Cafe was coming to Florence, in the Loggia del Grano behind the Uffizi. That building has since been taken over by government offices, but there have been official reports of the Hard Rock opening just off of Piazza Repubblica, in an empty theater space. Count me as not looking forward to it!

5. Another new panino place will be opening on Via dei Neri, near the Via dei Leoni end of the street (what was the Cipriani furniture shop if I have my facts straight). The opening of cheap food, pizza, and food/mini markets everywhere continues, while more and more small retail shops close.

To end, a recent photo from one of our favorite places to have an espresso, Cafe Perseo:

Moon setting in Florence

This was about 6:30 AM, Friday morning, October 22nd:

TripAdvisor travel forum meetup Wednesday night

I am trying to make this tomorrow night at Donna Benci:

When: 20 October (Wednesday), 7:30 PM to ?

Where: Donna Benci, 34R Via de Benci, Florence (just south of Piazza Santa Croce). We have reserved the wine cellar for the exclusive use of the TAFF meet.

Cost (for the wine tasting only): €15 per person, includes 3 glasses of wine and antipasti accompaniments. Other items also available for individual orders if desired. Dinner in the main restaurant available before or after the meet for those so inclined.

More details here.

The Arno this morning

The weather is changing - this morning was there was quite a chill in the air. This is the Arno from the Ponte Alle Grazie at about 7:30 AM:

Kingfisher on the Arno

Lagrasse, France

We are on our end of summer holiday in the picturesque village of Lagrasse. Regular blogging of all things Florence will return in early September. Hope everyone is having a good summer!

Summertime in Florence

Pretty lazy days here in Florence. It is a little wet and cool the last couple of weeks, and many places are starting to close for summer vacation. We'll be heading to the mountains for a long weekend, and then somewhere else the second half of the month. I'll try to keep posting in between!

Biblioteca delle Oblate summer closing

The Biblioteca delle Oblate will be closed from August 9th to 15th, re-opening on the 16th.