New Year's Eve Dinner In Florence

If you are staying in one of our apartments in the center of Florence this New Year's here are a couple of options for dinner parties where you can ring in the New Year with friends new and old:

Ristorante Boccadama Located on the ground floor of a magnificent renaissance palazzo in Piazza Santa Croce, Ristorante Boccadama is a cozy and romantic spot for dinner.

Ristorante Finisterrae Also in Santa Croce, Finisterrae features a mixed Mediterranean menu with food inspired by Greece, Italy, and north Africa.

Mansard apartment in historical building

Palazzo Branca Aria della Ripa is a historic building from the end of the 19th century. Situated on the river Arno, the building is in one of the best areas of Florence, just a 10 minute walk from the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, 5 minutes from Santa Maria Novella, and 15 minutes from Fortezza da Basso. The building has been thoughtfully restored and preserves intact the refined elegance and warm hospitality of a true Florentine home.

Casa del Garbo

Casa del Garbo is located on the stunning Piazza della Signoria, home of the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, a marble replica of Michelangelo’s David, and the Renaissance Loggia dei Lanzi with the great statue of Perseus by Cellini. All of Florence’s most important and beautiful places to see and visit are mere footsteps from your door! In this completely restored ancient palace Casa del Garbo offers rich, finely furnished rooms in traditional Florentine style, equipped with every comfort.

Snow in Florence and Tuscany

There was a great winter storm (great if you like snow!) in Tuscany and Florence last Friday night into Saturday. Snow in Florence is sort of a rare event, and the city looks amazing coated in white. Here is a photo:

Cozy Apartment in Florence sleeps 4

This charming, completely furnished flat is situated on the ground floor, where it faces the 3000 sqf. terrace of the Villa. It includes living room with fold out sofa-bed and breakfast nook, kitchenette with electric stove, sink, refrigerator, and microwave, a bathroom with shower, gas heating, TV, DSL Internet connection. Price includes taxes, all utilities, Internet connection, use of the laundry room and final cleaning. Perfect for a family with children. Price is per night.

Florence Museum websites

If you find yourself staying in one of our apartments in Tuscany and need to plan some museum visits, these couple of websites may come in handy:

Firenze Musei is a network of thirteen state museums in Florence (Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Palatine Gallery, Silver Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and Costume Gallery, Medici Chapels, San Marco Museum, Bargello Museum, Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto, Davanzati Museum, Boboli Gardens, Archaeological Museum, Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure) housing works of art from most of the collections of the Signori who ruled Florence (the Medici and the Lorraine families) as well as some works originally belonging to ecclesiastical bodies that fell into the hands of the State as a result of the 19th-century suppression of religious bodies. The site has location information, opening times, ticket prices, etc.



Another website is the Polo Museale Fiorentino, a repetition of the one above (the state museums), this site is again run by the local government of Florence it seems.


And you can find tons of info on the church and museum of Orsanmichele at Orsanmichele.net

Apartment on the Arno

This apartment is on the first (2nd U.S.!) floor with an elevator. It is 80 sq. meters, has two luxury suites with double beds, with a sitting area in each suite, one of which has a sofa bed, two private bathrooms with bathtub or shower, both with hydromassage. There is a wonderful view over the Arno river,  a dining area with equipped kitchen, satellite TV, air-conditioning, and the use of the clothes washing machine and dryer (in the garden). The apartment can accommodate from 4 to 6 people.

Florence Tramvia Update

The new tram in Florence will be operational starting in 2010 - there is an update here, with a map of the first line.

Apartment Lorenzo, Florence

Lorenzo is a prestigious apartment on the second floor with breathtaking views of Piazza Signoria. Remodeled and fully furnished, it consists of an entrance hall, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room with a 19th century fresco and a large bedroom with a living area. Located in the heart of Florence in Casa del Garbo, right on Piazza Signoria - just seconds from the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi.

Christmas Fundraiser in Florence This Friday

You can rub elbows tomorrow with the mayor of Florence and infamous Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini who will act as the auctioneer at St. James Church in Florence, for 50 euros a person. The event is a fundraiser for the church, and there will be hors d'ouevres, great Tuscan wine, and live music.

Call or email Jennifer for tickets 055 294417.

Ponte Santa Trìnita

The Ponte Santa Trìnita has been called the most beautiful bridge in the world. When you rent a villa or apartment in Tuscany or Florence, it should be on your short list of things to see. There is also a newer yet wonderful gelateria on the oltrarno side of the bridge that is not to be missed - grab a cone (the "sesamo" - crispy sesame seeds with stripes of dark chocolate with vanilla gelato - is one of our favorites) and sit on the bridge enjoying the views of the Ponte Vechhio!

How to become a Chianti tasting expert

The key to becoming an expert on Chianti wines? Tasting a lot of it. Where is the best place to taste a lot of Chianti? At its source: in the Chianti region of Tuscany. And who wouldn’t want to spend days traipsing through hamlets to find stone castles, hilltop villas, age-old cellars and sure romance in Italy’s famous wine region?

You will know Chianti wines intimately - because you shook hands with the vines. You will see the rolling hills and glistening sun, taste Chianti while peering at its vines, and love the family whose lives are entwined with their vineyards. After sipping from these tender grapes, you will be able to taste and compare terroir in each glass - because you toured across the hills and plains, and witnessed the lush ground that imparts its flavors to these famous vines.

The Chianti region stretches from Florence, south to Siena. It stretches toward Pisa in the west and Arezzo to the east. It is in the heart of Tuscany… and ultimately the heart of Italy. Chianti wines are famous all over the world, and for good reason. Wine doesn’t inherit a famous name, unless it has cause for fame. Chianti vines have earned their recognition, through careful tending to the vineyards and strict quality controls.

Here is a quick starter lesson for your Chianti tasting expertise:

IGT means "Indicazione Geografica Tipica" which gives plain information on geography, varietal(s) and year. It only needs to meet minimal requirements, and is the standard stamp on Vino di Tavola and more expensive Super Tuscans (IGT applies to inexpensive wines, as well as more expensive wines that don’t adhere to the regulations of DOC or DOCG).

DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which simply means the vines came from a specific (controlled) region. Actually, it means the quality is confirmed not only by grape region but storing, processing and bottling.

DOCG is a step above DOC, and includes wines and vines that have proven their consistency and commitment to quality for years. Instead of being just controlled, they are guaranteed: only 14 such wines exist at the top of this wine pyramid. For example, DOCG wines include Chianti, Barola, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

The entire Chianti region enjoys DOCG status, and is separated into seven districts. Two of the seven districts are readily available on the world market: Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina. Chianti is considered a dry red wine, is noted for its concentrated fruit, and is made from 80% - 100% sangiovese. Besides the sangiovese grape, tradition also puts the black Canaiolo grape and the white Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes into the Chianti blend; they give Chianti wines their familiar dry, full-bodied character, with notes of cherries and violets. Chianti can age ten or more years in a good vintage.

Now you are well on your way to your first Chianti tasting, armed with a few basics. The beauty of wine-tasting vacations is that you can enjoy it any time of year - grab some friends or family and rent out this small villa in the middle of Tuscany. Or plan an intimate wine-tasting trip with your significant other - this apartment is nestled right in the Chianti Classico region. (For more great ideas of where to rent, visit TUSCANY RENT DIRECT where you'll find a substantial list of country homes, well-appointed apartments and perfectly situated Bed & Breakfasts for your trip to Chianti).

And to think, after your amazing holiday in the Chianti region - with all your memories tucked away in your mind and on your palate - you will forever have nostalgia and recognition for Chianti wines. How warming will it be, to later stand in a grocer or wine shop, eyeballing the selection of Chiantis, and smile broadly because you have been there. You recognize the names and the places, you remember the wines and the food pairings. You can picture the cellar's you visited and let a smile escape - maybe it was something the owner said, or the remembrance of the nose of a particular wine, bringing you back again to the cellars of Chianti.

Christmas in Florence

The Christmas lights are going up all over Florence - different streets have different types of lights. This is Via Calzaiuoli in the heart of Florence: