Summer 2007 Newsletter

Welcome to the summer issue of the Walking Tours Newsletter! Glorious summer, or the bella stagione as it is known in Italy, has finally arrived! The days are warm and sunny and the nights are perfect for an evening stroll along the cobbled streets. The city's museums, including the Galleria Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David, and the Uffizi Gallery - world's largest collection of Renaissance art - have extended their opening hours. Outdoor events abound: jazz, classical music and rock concerts under the stars as well as exhibits and readings. And that's just within the city limits, the surrounding countryside bursts to life in the summer months. The Chianti Festival offers a wealth of outdoor plays and concerts. Food festivals called sagre give you a chance to sample each village's local delicacies . There's no better time to visit vineyards for wine tastings and to see some of Italy's most breathtaking scenery.You'll need a place to rest your head after all of that sight seeing, and Florence's hotels are better than ever. Below you can read interviews with a fascinating hotelier, whose vision and innovation led him to create one of Florence's most unique, and beautiful, hotels . You'll also find an interview with Rick Everingham, an extraordinary contemporary painter.We hope to see you soon! In the meantime, don't forget to visit out website at http://www.italy.artviva.com/ for all of our latest tours and services. Let us help you to create the vacation of a lifetime.