Arriving In Italy?

What could be more wonderful than arriving home to Italy and being whisked away to the closest good restaurant for a ‘welcome back to Italy’ lunch?
The restaurant: Pasucci al Porticciolo, close to a tiny harbour near Fuimicino airport; Rome’s main airport. Porticciolo means small and pretty harbour.

This restaurant follows the Slow Food movement credo and holds Slow Food classes.

The region is the home of a movement to celebrate and protect a local delicacy called ‘Tellina’; a tasty small shellfish. Try the “calamari fritti in composta di arancia e cipolla” . It was creative and delicious. Lightly battered in a tempura like paste, the calamari cut in thin strips and served with a side sauce of red onion rings cooked in a reduced orange sauce.



For more food sensations see our gourmet focused tours such as our evening tour, or our Best of Tuscany tour with local Tuscan treats for lunch and a visit to a great wine estate, or our bike tour that tastes fabulous wine and lunches at a famous restaurant...




See the restaurant's web site at www.alporticciolo.net


Other Delicious Dishes:

A Tuscan view...

This weekend, one of our office staffers ventured out into the heart of Tuscany, to take photos and view the gorgeous rolling hills and mountaintop towns.

If you asked any of us living in Florence, chances are we'll tell you the city is so amazing, with so many events, festivals and fun things to do, we sometimes forget to leave and explore all the beauty outside of the city!

But there's a reason Tuscany is world famous...as you can see from the photos. These were taken in San Gimignano. If you're visiting Italy this year, why not consider taking our Best of Tuscany Tour, which takes you into the heart of Tuscany to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggione. It includes a small group guarantee, a private driver and your own guide who will recount the fascinating history of the Tuscan area along the way. The guide will also be at your disposal to offer suggestions on what exactly you would like to see in each town- so whether you are looking for a view for photos, or some local wine shops, you will be fully informed. Once you arrive in each town, we'll give you time to explore on your own. A mouthwatering lunch and wine is included, at a special place only we know about. We guarantee this tour won't leave you disappointed.

*There are a few tour operators who offer a generic form of this tour, and we are often asked what is the difference between their tour and ours. ArtViva Walking Tours was the first tour operator to offer this tour in Florence. We are different because of the quality and group size of our tours. Our tour guides are mother-tongue English speakers who are extremely knowledgeable about the area. We also refuse to allow more than 14 people maximum per group- though usually the group size is much less. To ensure your spots are reserved, book now! If you're looking for a more exclusive tour, and wish to travel to Tuscany with your own personal guide, check out our private Best of Tuscany option.

Florence News: Digging up Da Vinci?

According to the Timesonline.co.uk, a group of Italian scientists are asking for permission to dig up the remains of one of Tuscany- and the world's- most famous artists, Leonardo Da Vinci.

The Times says, "A team from Italy’s National Committee for Cultural Heritage, has asked to open the tomb in which the Renaissance painter and polymath is believed to lie at Amboise castle, in the Loire valley, where he died in 1519, aged 67.

Giorgio Gruppioni, an anthropologist, said the project could throw new light on Leonardo’s most famous work. “If we manage to find his skull, we could rebuild Leonardo’s face and compare it with the Mona Lisa,” he said.

The identity of the Mona Lisa has been debated for centuries, with speculation ranging from Leonardo’s mother to Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine merchant."

What do you think? For the full article, click here.

Craving La Dolce Vita?

Are you planning your trip to Italy this summer? Does it seem as if your exciting itinerary is back-to-back tours, shopping, excursions, and nonstop sight-seeing?

Imagine being whisked away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, to a Renaissance Villa. Although only about 15 minutes from the centro storico of Florence, this Villa, up in the hills, will give you the impression that you have escaped the hustle and bustle of the city center. The gorgeous Italian garden, adorned with statues and beautiful views will leave you breathless. As you lay by the pool that is surrounded by olive groves, you view the Tuscan hills stretched out before you, you can truly savor the experience what is like to be under the Tuscan Sun.


Spend the day lazing by the pool, then enjoy a delicious gourmet Tuscan lunch paired with a crisp glass of wine- and just relax. This is what the La Dolce Vita is all about.

Walking Tours is the only tour operator to offer this exclusive experience. To learn more, or to book, click here.

Off the Renaissance Path: (other) things to do in Florence

Are you looking for a break from the amazing and exhausting collection of Renaissance art? Sometimes spending all day at The Uffizi or Accademia can be a bit overwhelming. Although at times it is hard to separate the city from the amazing art it has to offer, there are different activities to participate in and various museums to visit- you just need to know where to look. And we guarantee you won't be dissapointed-For example, did you know Florence's Museum of Natural History is the oldest in Europe? Museo dello Specola is now displaying the Giazotto collection of 500 pieces of crystals from all over the globe. So if you'd like to see a dizzying array of gorgous crystals, you're in the right place. For more info visit the website here.

No Starbucks here!

Coffee is to Italy as, well, wine is to Italy- or Spaghetti- for that matter. In other words , the Italian Cafe is a daily part of Italian culture. It is not uncommon for an Italian to have an espresso every few hours- some Italians drink up to 7 or 8 espressos a day. Considering one small espresso shot has the same amount of caffeine as an American cup of coffee, that’s quite a feat!

Italians like their coffee, but not in the Starbucks sense. On any main street in Italy you will be sure to find a local coffeeshop which Italians call a bar. Inside, your barman will serve you the best cappucinos, espressos, hot croissants, (and usually sandwiches, snacks, and drinks if you’re in during lunchtime or for a pre-dinner aperitivo).But don’t expect them to understand the meaning of a Double-Tal- Hal- Caf-Skinny-Latte. There is much to be said regarding the Italian coffee experience.

Coffeeshops in the states have a different lounge-like atmosphere in which you can sit for hours reading, studying, or chatting over a steaming cup of chai or frappucino. Italian coffeshops, however, are a completly different experience, as noted here:

- Italians do not sit for their coffee. They will buy their morning espresso or cappucino, drink it at the bar, elbow to elbow with other customers who will be munching on their monring pastries while wiating for their order.

- It is completley acceptable to sit down and enjoy your morning cappucino, as most tourists do. Otherwise how else would you be able to take full advantage of the outside seating and beautiful piazzas? Just be aware that sitting down inside or outside of an Italian coffeeshop will raise the price signficantly on your bill. A cappucino that normally costs 1.10E will more than triple in price once you sit outside. Consider it your cover charge.

- If you’d rather skip the cover charge and brave the bar next to your local Italian, decide what you’d like to order to drink-eat and then head straight to the cash register. Once you pay, you’ll head back to the bar and hand the barman your reciept.

- Most bars also sell bus tickets, tabacco products, lottery tickets, light lunches, and alcoholic drinks. Just ask at the register. (called cassa in Italian)

- Italians do not generally ask for anything “ToGo”, however as Florence is a tourist town, they may have the cups available, so if you’d like to take your cappucino with you, as for it “A portare via.” (Take away)

Life in Italy has a fabulous summarized Italian coffee term list, which we suggest you look over for a quick lesson: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/coffee.asp

Lastly, and most importantly, our staff has listed their favorite coffee shops that are conveniently located just steps away from our office!

Caffé Donnini 15/R- located in Piazza Repubblica (best prices, wonderful coffee and mouth waterin pasteries)

Caffè Paszkowski- Piazza Repubblica 6(great for the closest thing to a frappucino on a hot summer day- Cafe Shakerato), great lunches with everything from big salads to pasta dishes for only about 5 or 6 euro.

Caffè La Posta- Via Pelliceria 1. Right around the corner, great lunches as well.

Il Kiosko- A kiosk right across from our office that will gladly offer their frothy cappucinos in big cups to go!

Staff Picks: Restaurants you can't miss out on!

Ringo's is a little restaurant right across the river from us that we've all passed numerous times without giving it a second thought. Its dark tinted windows, flashy outdoor seating and little neon sign advertising hamburgers seemed a little out of place on Borgo San Jacopo, and a little too "diner-ish".

Then something strange happened. One of our bonafide and trusted "foodies" in the office noticed that there was a "SlowFood" sign on the door- this created quite the buzz in the office. SlowFood hamburgers? In Florence?

For those of you who are not aware, SlowFood is a movement that promotes cooking and serving food that is fresh and, well, not rushed. (For a better explanation, check out the SlowFood website http://www.slowfood.com). Basically anything that is promoted by SlowFood is sure to be mouth watering good, fresh, and definitely something to write home about.

If you're visiting Il Bel Paese, and will be travelling around for a few weeks, chances are that as many yummy pasta dishes you try, you may eventually have a craving for some good ole home cooking burgers. (And for those of you that have been here for a while this is common!)

We decided immediately we had to try it out this little place- and spread the word on what these burgers were really like. Thanks to our office manager for volunteering, and giving us some mouth watering photos of a hamburger she described as a "one-in-a-million hamburger made with homemade ingredients."

But don't take our word for it...the photos speak for themselves. We will definitely be going back!
Ringo (Florentine owner of Ringo's) uses all fresh ingredients, and has a unique way of making his burgers. He uses the freshest meat and condiments, scoops out the bread on each bun, and fills the insides with his own special sauce. The hamburger is so mouth-watering delicious, and so filling, you won't need any sides!

So if this interests you, make sure to save the address: Ringos at Borgo San Jacopo, 19/r 50125.

**these are all honest and personal opinions of the staff at Walking Tours Staff and in no way advertisements to restaurants!**

Cultural Festivals in Florence: Middle East Film Festival

From February 3rd to the 7th, Film Middle East Now- the first Italian film festival dedicated soley to the contemporary Middle East- will be displaying a total of 14 films.
These young directors- coming from Isreal, Iran, Palestine, Iraq, Kurdistan, Afghanistan and Lebanon, will be presenting films at the Odeon Cinema (right below our offices) and Auditorium Stensum Cinema, on Via Don Minzoni.

The cost of individual tickets are 5Euros. The festival is more than just films: there will be open discussions about the middle East, photography exhibits, and even a night with a Lebanese dinner and a movie for only 10Euro.

For more information on prices and the full schedule of events, please visit the website here.

Florence Happenings: Festivals

Until February 7th, Sante Croce Piazza in centro will be hosting a Chocolate Festival!

Stands of different kinds of chocolate will be set up in Sante Croce Piazza where you can taste, buy and learn about different kinds of artisinal chocolate.

For more information visit the festivals website here.

Walking Tours New Season!

Walking Tours will start the new tour season starting February 1st. Please see all information below on tour times and days our public tours will be running. Keep in mind these are only public tour prices- our private tours are always available.

Low Season: February 1st to March 7th.
Mid Season: March 8th to April 4th
Main city tours available, all other tours available as private tours only.
Original Florence Walk: available Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 9:30 am
Uffizi Gallery Tour: available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 9:30 am
Original David Tour: available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 1:30 pm

*during mid season, Evening Walk is available Monday to Saturday at 5:00pm*

High Season: April 5th to November 7th
All tours running on normal schedule
Original Florence Walk: Monday-Sunday at 9:30 am
Uffizi Gallery Tour: Tuesday-Sunday at 1:45
Original David Tour: Tuesday-Sunday at 4:45

Feel free to contact us at staff@artviva.com if you have any questions!