Artviva The Original and Best Tours Italy

We've moved!

2010-03-11T16:11:00.003+01:00

We're moving to wordpress! You can check out our new blog here!

http://artvivaitaly.wordpress.com/

Tour Season changes: City Tours now running Monday-Saturday

2010-03-10T11:40:00.003+01:00

Walking Tours is now in mid-season, which means that we are regularly running our city tours. From Monday through Saturday, our Original Florence Walk is available from 9:30-12:30.
Tuesday through Saturday Masterpieces of the Uffizi is available from 1:45-3:45, and the Original David from 4:45 to 5:45.
Please remember to be at our offices atleast 10-15minutes before the start time. For more information on our city tours, visit us here.

Florence Art: Giorgio de Chirico exhibit

2010-03-02T13:59:00.004+01:00

Need a break from Renaissance art? Why not check out the new De Chirico exhibit at Palazzo Strozzi, located conveniently behind our offices.
The exhibit will be on display until July 18th. De Chirico is well known for his pre-surrealist works. Although born in Greece, his parents were Italian. He studied art in Athens, Florence and Germany. His artwork inspired many other artists as well as some poets and Florence itself inspired a few pieces (such as The Enigma of an Autumn Afternoon, pictured above.)

Florence Events: Music museum nights

2010-03-02T13:11:00.003+01:00

Calling all classical music lovers! During February and March, the famous Bargello museum will be hosting a series of nighttime classical concerts with a theme of Beethoven's sonnets,although there will also be other pieces by famous 20th century composers.
For more information check out the website here.
Concerts begin at 8.30 p.m.
Info: admission €10 (single concert); series pass 6 concerts €40

Celebrating the culture of Il Bel Paese

2010-02-26T15:46:00.007+01:00

According to a poll of 320 linguists from a London language firm, Italy is the rated °1 most Romantic language in the world.
And it's no wonder, as the Italian culture is full of beautiful words, phrases, and affection is shown openly. Besides the renowned art and history seen all around you, Italian culture and interaction is just as fascinating to witness as a tourist. Stay tuned, ArtViva will soon be presenting a special program on culture. A perfect solution for anyone wanting to learn about Il Bel Paese, and having fun while learning!

- famous photo shown, American Girl in Italy, by Ruth Orkin. For more photos you can visit her site at: http://www.orkinphoto.com/

Vasari Corridor Tours until June 2010

2010-02-23T14:24:00.005+01:00

The famous Vasari Corridor, built in 1564 by Giorgio Vasari, is the enclosed passageway which allowed the Medicis to travel from Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio without having to mingle with the commonors. Built in only 5months by the famous Tuscan architect, the corridor is one of the more prestigious secrets of this Renaissance city, and also has an amazing display of self-portraits and art on display throughout. Usually it requires a waiting list to enter and the costs are higher than your average museum.
The corridor will be closing in June 2010, and until then ArtViva will be offering private tours through the corridor (Uffizi tour also included). This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that may not be possibile the next time you visit our Renaissance city, so sign up now!
For more information on the exclusive tour, click here or feel free to email us at staff@artviva.com

Off the beaten path...a different type of tour

2010-02-19T11:01:00.005+01:00

At Artviva, we pride ourselves on offering more than your typical, run-of-the-mill tours. We are constantly searching for new experiences to offer to clients that will give them a truly unforgettable experience with us. Last year we began offering a tour that does just that.

Our Marvelous Chianti Castle Wine Tour has been receiving rave reviews. And how could it not? It's not every day you have the chance to visit a 12th century castle wine estate...deep in the Chianti hills.This award winning estate not only produces wines but also quality virgin olive oil and superb saffron. We'll take you there where you'll walk the grounds, visit the cellar, and learn how they produce their wine. Lunch and dessert of the famous Tuscan VinSanto and cantucci included...
visit our site for more details. Book now!

Florence Happenings: Dance Festival at Fortezza del Basso

2010-02-18T14:35:00.006+01:00

From February 25th to 28th, the Fortezza da Basso will be hosting the 5th annual Danza in Fiera.For those of you who are interested in dance, dance lessons, shows, costumes, theatre you will surely find something here. Over the course of 4 days the fair will host about 500 different dance-related events- including free dance lessons, and appearances by famous Italian dancers, as well as open auditions for dance schools and the chance to win dance scholarships.

Opening hours are:

Thursday from 3:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

Friday and Saturday from 10:00a.m. -9:00 p.m.

Sunday 10a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

1 day admission 15Euro

4 days admission 35Euros

For more information on events view the website, available in english here.

Staff Picks: Dining out for the budget traveller

2010-02-16T11:46:00.003+01:00

Not too far from our offices in the center of town is a wonderful little restaurant in Piazza Ghiberti called A Casa Mia. If you're on a budget, and looking for a place to have a filling lunch, we suggest you check this out. You won't be able to beat the price for lunch specials here, the service is fast and friendly, the food tasty, and the portions large.

Two of our staff members stopped by one day for lunch and were not dissapointed. There is always quite a crowd, as many locals take advantage of the lunch specials, but the service is so speedy you won't be left standing long. Alternatively, if you'd like to guarantee yourself a spot, try heading over around noon- chances are there won't be many Italians lunching that early.

A Casa Mia has 2 alternative lunch options:
3.90E for a first course, 1/2 liter of water, and an after-lunch espresso.
or
6.90E for a first course, second course, side dish, 1/2 liter of water, and espresso. (a real deal!)

When choosing the lunch special you will be handed a menu with your 3 choices of a first dish (the day our staff members went we had a choice of spaghetti carbonara, risotto with rucola and gorgonzola, or gnocchi with broccoli and cream sauce. They usually rotate this menu- see site for all they offer).

Our staffers both chose the risotto which was cooked to perfection: creamy, cheesy, and filling on its own. It only took about 10 minutes between waiting for the first and second dish- the second course was stuffed farmers chicken plus a side of grilled vegetables. The other options were filet and rabbit.

All in all it was filling, incredibly tasty and the service was wonderful. We each had a glass of wine which was only 2 or 3 Euros, and the serving portion, like the food, was very satisfactory.

Besides the special, they also offer pizza, deserts, and various other options. But remember-the specials are only on for lunch, so if you want to get the maximum amount of hearty cooked Italian food for your wallet stop by A Casa Mia. There are 2 locations in Florence: Piazza Ghiberti and Via Pisana. For a full menu, click here.

Carnevale in Viareggio

2010-02-15T15:16:00.004+01:00

The most prestigious Carnevale celebration in Italy is in Venice, however the Carnevale celebration in Viareggio is just as fun, and a lot closer to get to if you are in the Tuscan area.

The parade is open to visitors from all over, so no watching from the sidelines- you will be part of the show. And with 40 ton floats, masks, musicians in the street, musical comedies, and restaurants even showcasing special Fat Tuesday menus, who can argue with that?

Only one more day until the big Madi Gras finale! For more information, please click here.

Valentines and The Interior Design Walk

2010-02-13T18:19:00.004+01:00

A Valentines Day Treat...Experience some of the most beautiful and unique interior design shopping, picturesque squares, streets and vistas in the world....do one of our tours, or have one of our private guides show you Florence's best, window shop with us!

See Florence's most famous artisans' at work on our Artisans Work shop Tour…
The Artisan's Workshop Tour takes you into a world long lost anywhere else but the antique streets of Florence. You will find exquisite jewellery made by master craftsmen with workshops classified as museums, Europe's most famous antique tapestry dealer, magnificent renaissance furniture replicas, painstaking exacting gilders going about the work of centuries past, descendants of the famous Medici family selling oggetti d'arte to Windsor palace, Italy's most famous wood carvers…

Photo taken from the newest florist in town…Fiorile

Getting Married in Italy?

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Contact us about great tours and event planning, locations, the best wedding planners, rentals of fiat 500s and other classic cars and more

Experience the Best of Tuscany

2010-02-12T19:30:00.003+01:00

See beautiful views on our original Best of Tuscany tour...
No large buses, small groups only

http://www.italy.artviva.com/tours/13/best_of_tuscany

Carnevale in Italia!

2010-02-12T12:28:00.004+01:00

Carnevale is a big celebration in Italy- Many towns start the festivities around the beginning of February and the big finale is on Fat Tuesday.

Almost all Italian cities have some sort of Carnival celebration but the most famous ones are Viareggio and Venezia.

In Venice, Carnival celebrations start February 5th until February 16th (Mardi Gras this year). For a list of full events click on the Venice Carnival Italy link below:
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http://www.venice-carnival-italy.com/

Florence News: City developments!

2010-02-11T15:06:00.003+01:00

This year on February 14th, Florentines will not only be celebrating Valentines Day- they will also be introduced to the much-talked about Tramvia system.
At 6:30 a.m. the Tramvia will open and to celebrate this occasion, city officials are giving vistitors and residents a full week of free rides!
The tramvia Line 1, which will 7 times an hour, will connect Florene (near Porto al Prato) to Scandicci. There will also be a line 2 and 3 but ever since the Duomo became pedestrian-only, plans have been delayed.

www.ataf.net has more details.

Arriving In Italy?

2010-02-08T15:32:00.012+01:00

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...

2010-02-08T13:55:00.005+01:00

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?

2010-02-06T09:50:00.004+01:00

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?

2010-02-05T15:01:00.007+01:00

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

2010-02-03T14:31:00.003+01:00

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!

2010-02-01T16:25:00.003+01:00

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!

2010-02-01T15:54:00.010+01:00

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

2010-02-01T15:23:00.003+01:00

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

2010-01-29T16:16:00.003+01:00

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!

2010-01-29T14:51:00.006+01:00

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!

Florence Happenings: Shopping!

2010-01-28T15:22:00.003+01:00

If you happen to be in Florence this weekend, and you're a fan of shopping like us, you can't miss the Vintage Fair at Stazione Leopoldo!

From January 27th to the 31st, the annual market showcases vintage clothes and accesories. So whether you're an afficionado of those vintage PinkFloyd shirts, or are looking for that perfect old-school Gucci bag, this market is a must.

Cost is 5Euro, but you can recieve a 2Euro discount simply by signing up to the main Stazione Leopoldo website, here.

Divertivi, fellow shoppers!!

Follow us on Twitter!

2010-01-27T15:39:00.002+01:00

We've just joined the twitter community! Follow us at: http://twitter.com/ArtVivaTours

Staff Picks: restaurants you can't miss out on

2010-01-26T15:00:00.005+01:00

The staff here at ArtViva Walking tours has many common interests and passions: We are all expats, friends and co-workers who relish living in this amazing city. One shared interest that never seems to grow old (and is a constant source of conversation) is our search for great restaurants in the city and around the general area.
Each week we will be sharing a one of our personal picks. These are based on our food-and-wine loving backgrounds, everyday budget, atmosphere of the restaurant and personal experiences.
We hope you enjoy our picks as much as we do!

To start off this week, we suggest a restaurant that we all equally love, right in the middle of Florence. This gem of a restaurant has some of the freshest food, best wine and great appetizers and pasta plates. Coquinarius, located near the duomo on Via delle Ocche, is a great place to go even for a glass of wine and some yummy crostini. So if you're in the mood for excellent service, apetizers like cucumber and honey crostini, a great wine list and large selection of pasta and meat dishes to satisfy any palate, come here. Just make sure to reserve beforehand, as it is a small restaurant that is always packed.

For more info, contact, and reservations, click on the following link. Buon appetito!

Deal of the week: Firenze Scienza Card

2010-01-25T15:04:00.004+01:00

Need a break from the Renaissance art? Why not see what the city has to offer in the Scientific sector? Florence has long been known as a city of art, but it also has a signficant Scientific presence as well, that will be sure to impress.

If you are planning on visiting Florence, or are already here, check out the possibility of acquiring your Firenze Scienza Card.
The full priced card, which costs only 10Euros, is valid until May 9th and includes:

-Admission to Palazzo Medici Riccardi Museum
-Admission to museum of Natural History of the University of Florence
-Free visit on March 14th to research labs of the Scientific and Technology Department at University of Florence
-Discounts in certain restaurants and shops
-Reduced price for Orchestra tickets
-Free guided visits to certain gardens and collections in Florence
-much, much more

We suggest taking advantage of this offer, as it gives you the most bang for your buck, as well as a general list of fun activities that you otherwise may not have thought of participating in while visiting the Renaissance City. For more information, visit the Florence Science Website at:
www.firenzescienza.it.

Discover Piazzale Michelangelo ...

2010-01-06T13:17:00.004+01:00

Looking for the best place to get the perfect panoramic shot of Florence? We have found that one of our client’s favorite things to do before or after taking our tours is to walk from the city center to Piazzale Michelangelo, a large piazza that is in the southern part of Florence, on a hill overlooking the city below. It is a great way to see the city below and take a photo with the Arno river and the Duomo in the background, and it’s free!

To reach Piazzale Michelangelo, you can either walk or take the bus. There is one bus line that goes there and back that leaves from the main train station, Santa Maria Novella. The bus is number 13 and it leaves from Piazza Adua, which is along Via Valfonda, the road that runs just north of the train station where McDonald’s is. The bus will say “Piazzale Michelangelo” on it, and you can get off at the last stop in the Piazza. You can buy your bus ticket beforehand at any “tabaccheria” or purchase it from the bus driver when you board, don’t forget to validate it on the bus. The bus number 12 then goes down the hill to return to the city center.

To walk, simply cross the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno region and take a left after crossing the bridge. Continue to walk along the water, passing another bridge on your way. You will eventually see Piazza San Niccolo, which has a large set of stone stairs. Climb those stairs and wind you way up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the city center.

While there, try to time your visit to the Gregorian chants at the church of San Miniato, right behind the piazza. The Benedictine monks there chant at the late afternoon vespers, which are at 5:30pm from April to September and 5:00pm in winter. Call 055 234 2731 for more information or check our website for My Exclusive Beautiful Views of Florence Tour!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T18:25:00.004+01:00

A very happy New Year to all from our staff in Florence, Venice, and Rome!

It's snowing in Florence!

2009-12-19T21:32:00.008+01:00

It's snowing in Florence - bringing out the magic and enchantment of the ancient city! In the Renaissance, Florentines made snow lions (symbols of the republic) and figures of Hercules (the city's legendary founder); modern-day kids have just as much fun throwing snowballs! Here are some pics of the Ponte Vecchio and the beautiful church of San Miniato al Monte all covered with snow ... Enjoy Florence in winter and check our website for the best ways to discover the city's wonders at Christmas!

The Original David Tour by Artviva

2009-12-04T18:43:00.004+01:00

Experience the David by Michelangelo on our Original David Tour

Florence, Italy

Free Wireless Internet in Florence Piazzas

2009-11-30T09:59:00.003+01:00

Although filled with Medieval and Renaissance art, Florence is determined to be a modern city! This month, the city of Florence has introduced free wi-fi internet access in many city piazzas.

The free access is good for one hour in the following piazzas:

Piazza della Signoria
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazza Santo Spirito
Piazza Santa Croce
Parco San Donato
Piazza Ghiberti
Piazzale delle Cascine
Piazza SS. Annunziata
Piazza Bambini di Beslan
Parterre
Via Canova
Piazza Alberti

To get connected for free, simply search for wireless connections on your laptop or Iphone, and you will see a connection called "Firenzewifi". Connect and open a browser page, you will find a webpage that will ask you to register and enter your cell phone number. Once registered, call the local number 055 465 0034 from your cell phone and you will receive a password via a text message. Enter the password and you are online!

There are more areas planned to go wireless in 2010 such as the Santa Maria Novella train station and Piazza Duomo. Next year you will be able to use the service for more than one hour by paying a small additional fee as well.

Enjoy!

Pisa anyone?

2009-11-23T13:04:00.000+01:00

One of the advantages of staying in Florence is the opportunity to travel to nearby towns for more sightseeing and attractions. One of the most famous of these nearby towns in Pisa, more than anything for the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

From Florence, Pisa is only about an hour to an hour and a half away by train (depending on which train you take). Many tourists take day trips to Pisa as it is quite convenient with trains leaving everyday from Florence on the hour. Florence also provides a bus service that leaves daily for Pisa from the train station.

For train times, prices, and to buy tickets online, you may visit the Ferrovia dello Stato website in English.

Once you arrive at the main Pisa train station, catch the Bus #71 which will take you directly to the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) where you will see the Leaning Tower. Remember to buy your busticket at a local tabaccheria or at the train station, as local authorities periodically check onboard! You can also walk from the train station to Piazza dei Miracoli, follow this link for a Google Map with exact walking directions. The walk take about 25 minutes.

If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating town, why not take a tour? See more than just the outside of the Leaning Tower- learn all about the history behind it! Although Artviva does not offer public tours of Pisa, we do offer a private tour which you can read about and book here. For any further questions, please contact us at: staff@artviva.com

False Competitor Reviews and Other Important Issues

2009-11-18T05:57:00.000+01:00

Recently consumer advocate and well known travel journalist Gill Charlton from the UK 's Daily Telegraph newspaper published an article regarding unlicensed tour operators and insurance concerns.
This is the link to the article:
Unlicensed tours thrive on the internet

Our company is a licensed tour operator. We are very concerned about these issues not least because Florence and Tuscany are major tourist destinations where it is vital that international tourist consumers feel protected.

Our company also holds the international chapter presidency of ASTA (The American Society of Travel Agents) and holds dear the credo "Integrity in Travel".

It is to our great dissapointment that our competitors are making false and unsubstantiated claims in reviews regarding our services. The aim apears to be to damage our excellent reputation that has taken years of hard work to build.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns. Our company with our small team of English speaking staff and large team of wonderful guides in Florence, Tuscany, Rome and Venice are on hand to ensure you have a great stay in Italy.

Artviva Director is New ASTA President!

2009-11-17T16:54:00.000+01:00

All of the staff and guides at Artviva Walking Tours are happy to announce that our director Rose Magers has been named Italy Chapter President of ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents. ASTA is the world's largest association of travel professionals, and they pride themselves on representing integrity in travel. Congratulations, Rose!

50 Days of International Film in Florence

2009-10-24T15:20:00.000+02:00

Florence will be host to a prestigious array of film festivals at the Odeon Cinema from October 29th - December 13th, 2009. The ArtViva office is conveniently located right around the corner from the Odeon Cinema.

Artviva is the only tour agency in Florence selling tickets to the film festivals with the added bonus of 10% off any tour purchased with tickets!

The event, promoted by Mediateca Toscana & the Tuscany Film Commission, will be showcasing documentary films from all over the world (with English & Italian subtitles), as well as organising 3 separate festivals dedicated respectively to contemporary French, Finnish and Indian cinema.

Check out the listing below and take your pick!

France Odeon French Film Festival October 29-31, 2009

Festival dei Popoli International Documentary Film Festival November 1-7, 2009

Florence International Film Festival November 12, 2009

Finnish Film Festival November 13-15, 2009

International Cinema and Women Film Festival November 17-22, 2009

Lo schermo dell'Arte/Contemporary Art Film Festival November 23-29, 2009

Florence Queer Festival November 27-December 3, 2009

River to River Florence Indian Film Festival December 4-10, 2009

New Italian Film December 11, 2009

Ethno-music Film Festival December 12-13, 2009

Please see The Florentine for bi-weekly listing of events in Florence & Tuscany. In the meantime, check out our blog for further events!

Do you see what I see?

2009-10-23T10:06:00.000+02:00

Illusion, Deception, Objective Reality vs. Subjective Reality...these are all words that come to mind when describing Trompe-l'oeil artwork.

Trompe-l’oeil, meaning "trick of the eye" is a fascinating genre in art that has been popular for thousands of years. In fact, the earliest trompe-l'oeil pieces are traced back to Greco-Roman mosaics, and the most recent are pieces created by current day artists. The artwork itself is a visual deception, but the most fasicnating concept of this exhibit is whether all the pieces were actually meant to be trompe-l'oeil or, perhaps simply, misunderstood.

What is it that makes a work of art a real trompe l’œil? One of the keys is obviously the artist’s intention: does he want the work of art to "deceive" the observer or, on the contrary, is his work simply an attempt to reproduce an environment faithfully and in a realistic fashion, as for instance with a still life or an anatomical model? The illusion or ambiguity factor is also important in establishing whether a work of art is a trompe l’œil or not. -http://www.inganniadartefirenze.it

The exciting part is deciding for yourself. Florence is now exhibiting this 3-month exhibit at Palazzo Strozzi, which is only about a 10 minute walk from our office. Tickets cost 10Euro, and the exhibit is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. until January 24th .
For more information you can visit the english version of the Palazzo Strozzi website here.

Attention: Strike Friday!

2009-10-21T16:07:00.000+02:00

To all clients visiting Florence:
There will be a general transportation strike on Friday, October 23rd.

The strike conditions are as follows:

No public transportation (buses): on strike all day
Train schedule: on strike from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
General airline flight (please check your airlines as it may vary depending on company).

There is also a strong possibility of a museum strike on the 23rd, however it is unclear yet as to when that will be decided. We will post all news on the blog as soon as we're aware of the situation. Should there be a strike during the time of a scheduled tour, we will either fully refund our clients, rebook them to antoher day or issue credit towards another tour of their choice.

Please feel free to contact us at: staff@artviva.com if you have questions or concerns.

..and remember...strikes are just part of "La Bella Vita" here, so don't stress out! It's Italy, and we'll do all that we can to ensure your time spent with us is as enjoyable as possibile!

Florence International Art and Restoration Fair

2009-10-20T11:32:00.000+02:00

From the 29th to the 31st of October, The Florence International Art and Restoration Fair will be taking place at Stazione Leopolda Exhibition Center.

The fair will bring together all those working in the artworld, dedicated to the restoration and preservation of masterpieces. Florence is one of the leading cities dedicated to cultural preservation of the arts and has the largest percentage of schools and restorers in the world.

Click here for a full progam of the fair, or visit the english version by clicking the link below:

http://www.salonerestaurofirenze.org/eng

Florence Film Festival

2009-10-18T12:38:00.001+02:00

ArtViva would like to remind all clients that the Florence "50 Days of International Film" Festival is taking place right around the corner and we are the only tourist agency in town selling tickets with the added bonus of 10% off any tour purchased with tickets.

The last film playing in the Odeon theatre will be October 31st. Les Grandes Personnes will be shown in French with subtitles in English. Director Anna Novion will be present as well as the stars of the film, Anaiis Demoustier and Judith Henry. Film buffs, don't miss this spectacular event!

For more information on tickets, please contact us at: staff@artviva.com

“Great way to get introduced to Florence”

2009-10-17T18:22:00.000+02:00

"Wanting to avoid the huge lines at the Accademia we took Rick Steves advice and booked a walking tour of the museum with Art Viva (www.italy.artviva.com).

The tour we took was the Original David Tour, which concentrates on the statue of David within the Accademia.

Our guide was excellent and it was obvious to us that she was very passionate about art in general, and Florentine art and Michelangelo's David in particular. She provided some very unique insights into Michelangelo's style and the approachs he used to create this breathtaking statue.
I highly recommend Art Viva. They provide exceptional service and are professional in every way.

TravellerNanaimoB_C_ 1 contribution

Nanaimo B.C.

Oct 9, 2009

"All of the Florence in One Day tours were excellent! Good length and full of interesting information. Christine's sense of humor enhanced the Florence Walking Tour, Sarah brought Michelangelo to life when we visited the Accademia, and Paul made Renaissance art fascinating at the Uffizi. His passion for and knowledge of art was very evident."

CarolVol

Nashville, TN

Oct 9, 2009

ArtViva now selling International Film Festival tickets

2009-10-09T15:03:00.000+02:00

From Thursday the 29th of October until Friday the 17th of December, the Odeon cinema will be showcasing 50 Days of International Film in Florence.
ArtViva will be offering tickets to all of the films, as well as a special 10% discount for any of our tours when purchased along with the tickets. By purchasing through ArtViva, clients will be able to skip the line. For more information on the movies and purchasing tickets, please email us at: staff@artviva.com

ArtViva guides are among the best storytellers!

2009-10-07T15:00:00.000+02:00

"I recently visited Florence and took an Uffizi Gallery tour with the company Artviva.

The guides are qualified art historians, therefore they are passionate, so the tour is not only informative, but interesting and personable.

I was so impressed I booked for the Original David Tour later that day ( as did most of the morning group). Having the knowledge and story behind the artworks you are looking at makes such a difference.

There are many tour companies in Florence so ensure you get the correct company - Artviva. You can look them up on the internet prior to arriving in Florence. www.italy.artviva.com

There any numerous other tours you can take with Artviva and they will bend over backwards to ensure your Florence experience is a memorable one.

I would highly reccommend you take at least one of the tours of Florence offered by Artviva. The highlight of my Florence visit!

Trip Advisor Review
Gina - gandvadventure
Australia
September 18, 2009

Italy, France, Greek Islands

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Elisabetta was the most wonderful storyteller!

She brought the art to life with the explanations and made us wish the tour could cover all the museum!

Thanks!"

John & Theadora Browning
Washington D.C.
USA

The Brownings joined our Masterpieces of the Uffizi Tour & The Original David Tour on October 6th, 2009.

"Artviva Bike Tours - One of the most authentic experiences of the Tuscan countryside in the hills overlooking Florence..."

2009-10-04T17:06:00.000+02:00

"We could not have been more pleased with our Bike Tour, everything about it was fabulous.

The winery was truly beautiful and if we should decide in the future to stay out of the city it will be tops on our list of places to stay. They also had the best white wine I’ve ever drank. The restaurant was great food and very attentive service. Of course, having the place all to ourselves was an added bonus.

We can’t say enough nice things about our guide Giuseppe. He was very informative, had a terrific personality, and made us feel very comfortable. He went out of his way to accommodate us at our every request."

texassicialian
Dallas, Texas
Septe,ber 25, 2009

Trip Advisor Review: “What a wonderful Original Walking tour in Florence!”

2009-10-01T14:01:00.000+02:00

"The Original Florence Walk tour was great!

It was wonderful to have our visit to Florence given such interesting context.

The story about the young woman in the Middle Ages & the Plague; the one about the attempted coup on the Medici brothers that took place in the Duomo.

I loved how carefully the guide pointed out to us the "redone" Piazza Republic (done over in the 19th century to be more "modern"), and the comments about the Strozzi Palace (where Strozzi ran out of money to complete it, and the purpose of the bench at the front), and all the other general architectural details on the buildings throughout the city (i.e., what those tiny windows were used for, or the hooks, or how the buildings tended to expand outwards, so bars were run through to strengthen them), comments about the Ponte Vecchio and Orsanmichele were great too. Tidbits about Donatello and other sculptors and artists were woven in nicely as well.

All in all, a lovely tour which helped us contextualize our visit to Florence. It was an especially good choice for my 16 year-old, whose patience with looking at just one painting and church after another had worn a touch thin at this point in the trip.

Just a great tour, I'd recommend it highly. The guide did an excellent job."

Traveller7Michigan
USA
Trip Advisor Review from 20th September

Florence In One Day Package - Let the art historians at ArtViva show you what makes Florence world-famous!

2009-09-27T14:01:00.000+02:00

ArtViva's Florence In One Day Package is a great overview of Florence, it's people, history and art.

Immerse yourself in history on our Original Florence Walk and listen to medieval stories with a three hour stroll around Florence's essential sights. View the most famous sculpture, the David by Micheangelo with our entertaining art historians.

Hear our clients' Robert & Cathy Fowler's comments about our Florence In One Glorious Day Package they joined on September 22, 2009.

"Made Florence more endearing by learning so many interesting facts & different periods explained and pointed out in the city's architecture. Our Uffizi tour was made so much better by the tour's picking highlights to focus on "David" - was incredible & all of the information shared about Michelangelo made it so much better. Guides were well understood & very personable - we'll leave Florence with a much better because of these tours. "

ArtViva's Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery Tour will allow you to understand and enjoy the most important paintings of the Renaissance in this world famous museum! Rick Schwartz, who joined our Uffizi Tour on September 8th, 2009 says:

"Outstanding Tour. Elisabeth was articulate, interesting and injected personality and humour. She gave a "unified" story that really helped provide the bigger picture, not just details about each piece. This was the high point of our Firenze visit."

Reserve a tour with our art experts and make your vacation in Florence unforgettable! See our Best of Tuscany blog and hear more about about our most popular Tuscan tour that clients keep coming back to join!

Trip Advisor Review for Original Florence Walk and Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery Tour

2009-08-22T14:16:00.000+02:00

Find out more about our Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery Tour and the Original Florence Walk from one of our happy clients!

TripAdvisor Original & Best Walking Tours Review:

"We truly enjoyed both the Original Florence Walk and Uffizi tours.

We booked via internet from home and everything went well. Good information was provided regarding the tours and meeting place which was easy to find.

Both guides were so passionate about Florence and able to share both their love of the city and their tremendous knowledge. We had fun, we learned a lot from them and our tours contributed to make our stay in Florence a very memorable experience.

During the walking tour, you really get a good sense of the city: its history, influent families, religion, politics, arts and so on.

The Uffizi museum is a "must see" but can be quite overwhelming on your own. Our guide was really good at selecting the best art pieces and information was so interesting!

I would strongly recommend Artviva!"

Johanne
ArwenQc
Quebec, Canada
August 2009

The Original and Best Walking Tours: "This was so worth my time and money, that 3 years later, I came back for another!"

2009-08-22T11:51:00.000+02:00

The Original and Best Walking Tours TripAdvisor Review from August 19, 2009:

"This was so worth my time and money, that 3 years later, I came back for another!

This event, I'll refrain from using the phrase "tour" because it did not feel like one, was extraordinary to say the least.

Sylvia, our tour guide, was not only extremely knowledgeable, energetic, punctual, personable, highly talented, and communicative about the various architectural and historical wonders of the city, but she was also helpful to lead us in the right directions (various local points of interest) for the remainder of our 3 day stay in Florence.

With the large number of tourist trap boutiques that my group was definitely not interested in, we surely would have been lost amongst the crowds without Sylvia's expertise.

Thank you again, Sylvia and "The Original and Best Walking Tours" for this wonderful experience and tradition that we look forward to on our return to Italy."

JonathanHinkle

Florida, US

Aug 19, 2009

Why not try our Italy Grand Tour Special!

2009-08-20T16:32:00.000+02:00

Trip Advisor ArtViva Review:

"Wow!"

"We did the Grand Italy package tours of Venice, Florence and Rome with the Learn to be Gondolier Tour in Venice and Villa Swim tour with wine tasting in Tuscany as extras.

The company threw in an Evening walk with wine in Florence. Friendly staff, great service, really fantastic guides, best tours we did in Europe.

Venice gondola rowing teaching experience was our favorite, just being out on the lagoon with magical views and our son having a go at rowing was the highlight of our trip. We can't recommend Artviva more highly; we will definitely be using them when we return.

Can't remember all the guides names, but a special thanks to Stephan for a great Best Tuscany tour and Jennifer for the Grand Cana l and Original Gondola tours, and Sylvia in Florence for the Uffizi tour and Chris for a memorable Vatican tour ."

travelmum

Australia

May 12, 2009

"Best of Tuscany and Florence - Just Do It!" - ArtViva TripAdvisor Review

2009-08-19T17:38:00.000+02:00

Read further to hear what one of our recent clients have to say about our Best of Tuscany Tour, Tuscan Bike + Villa Swim Tour and Tuscan Wine Tour.

Did we mention they loved our Florence tours as well?

"We can not say enough about this very friendly company. Due to a mix up over setting our clocks-put it down to jet lag! and a problem with a bus strike we turned up late for our morning tour and Uffizi tour the next day.

No problems for the smiling Artviva young ladies in Florence who graciously took our rambling family to meet the already departed guides.

Our guides caught us up in the break with what we missed. Florence is a fascinating city and our guides Christine and Silvia just made it come alive for us. We loved the smallest bar we have ever seen, a cupboard sized hole in a wall where we stopped for a snack.

The best for us was the Best of Tuscany tour with Stephen with the wine, the lunch, views. He convinced us to do the Villa Swim tour as well. As our parents are elderly -we biked, they opted to be transfered directly to the villa. All highly recommended for young and old alike.

Artviva never made us feel unwanted, our questions about parking, restaurants, changing money, rest rooms, where to get medical attention, wheel chair hire (Mother not feeling too well), post offices (you get the idea!) ... were answered with a sense of humor and patience as I'm sure they must have heard most of our queries a million times before.

Our guides always made sure my mother in her wheel chair for this part of out trip felt included in the tour. Thank you Artviva you made what could have been a difficult stay in Florence not just a memorable experience but one we will all treasure."

naxos66

Balmain

14 August 2009

"A Great Tour of the Uffizi Gallery with ArtViva"

2009-08-18T14:51:00.000+02:00

What better way to understand the highlights of Renaissance art than with our expert guides!

Read the latest review from Trip Advisor about our Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery Tour!

“A Great tour of the Uffizi Gallery with Artviva”

"I had a really interesting and fun tour of the Uffizi gallery in Florence with a company called Artviva. We were escorted to the gallery by a young guide who is a native speaker of English and were able to gain entry without the usual interminable wait in the queue.

Having visited the gallery before, I know it is a vaste repository of wonderful paintings and sculpture. But you can wear out an awful lot of shoe leather trying to find the really good stuff and even then you might not realise what you are looking at. Our guide, on the other hand, knew just where to take us and was full of entertaining stories about the artists and their work.

There were some children in our group who were kept interested with questions to answer with a treasure hunt style quiz. They seemed to really enjoy the tour as much as the adults. After our tour we were free to keep exploring the gallery for as long as we wished, but I must admit my friend and I headed straight for the coffee shop."

Susieq056
Port Douglas
10 August 2009

For more details on this tour, please visit our website www.italy.artviva.com .

ArtViva Trip Advisor Review for the Uffizi and David Tours

2009-08-14T15:48:00.000+02:00

"What a find Artviva was! We took the Uffiz i and the David tours. The tickets were pre-reserved so we did not have to wait in any long lines. That in itself was great. It got better as the day went on.

Our guide was fabulous. Her knowledge base was unbelievable. She directed us to the certain masterpieces in the Uffizi that demonstrated the development of early to late renaissance styles with much added background information. The David Tour was great as well.

The staff at Artviva was very professiona l from the person who took our reservation to the guides. I will recommend Artviva to anyone I know who is traveling to Italy and will use them again next time I go."

Mya57
Brookline, Massachusetts
USA

Original Evening Walk offers you a glimpse into Florentine life, past and present, and treats you to a tasting of wine, olive oil & balsamic vinegar!

2009-08-14T15:25:00.000+02:00

TripAdvisor ArtViva Review:

"We went on "The Original Evening Walk" in Florence and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Heather was our guide, an American who had been studying art restoration in Florence. She seemed to know everything, and her enthusiasm was contagious. My sister and I are now both anxious to read all all about the Medici's.

This tour is limited to between two to eight participants, however, we were the only two that night for the tour. We learned more in those two hours than the rest of the week put together!

We loved learning about the little details of the architecture that you would normally miss. And the best part was the second hour that is spent in an upscale wineshop in a back room for the tasting.

The wineshop provided us with several types of olive oil, balsamic vinegar (including the 20 year aged cherry variety), chocolate, vin santo, chianti and grappa. We spent more than an hour talking about the history and use of each.

We didn't call to book the tour until that morning (in March) from the hotel, and they booked the tour for us. And when it started hailing in the middle of the tour, Heather offered us her umbrella. What a classy operation!"

DelawarianFemale
USA
March 26, 2009

Join our Original Best of Tuscany Tour for An Unforgettable and Memorable Experience!

2009-08-14T12:51:00.000+02:00

ArtViva Review:

"Excellent, exceeded my expectations overall. Didn't expect the stop at the wine estate with lunch and wine to be so nice.... Driver was very skilled driving through the countryside, views were magnificent, tour guide was very knowledgable and entertaining during the time in the car between towns, had a thoroughly enjoyable day, totally worth the price.

Having lunch with our tour guide at the wine estate in the cellar was one of the most memorable moments of my entire trip. Very special, even the Grappa, which I could barely swallow because it was so strong!

Thanks for the unforgettable memories,"

Karen Carpenter

Have a truly unique Italian experience with ArtViva in Florence, Rome and Venice!

2009-08-13T10:28:00.000+02:00

See what one of our satisfied customers has to say about our Original Gondola Tour in Venice, our Original Bike Tuscany Tour and the Florence In One Day Package!

"I traveled with my husband and daughter age 16 and son age 21. We all did the Florence in One Glorious Day tour and it was fabulous. We had two different guides. The second was especially beyond our expectations. She really helped us to appreciate the art that we encountered. I am sure that I would have looked at the statue of David, for example, and moved on. With her careful eye she helped me to see the work in such a way that it truly moved me. She performed the same magic in the Uffizi Gallery. My whole family speculated that she must be a scholar who keeps her hand in the field beyond just doing these guided tours.

My husband and I did the Bike tour of Tuscany ourselves and we absolutely loved it. The group was varied, the guide was lively, funny, and informative, and the entire day was just plain fun - great scenery, great food, a little introduction into the art of tasting wine (in an atmospheric setting), and some good exercise as well. This tour had it all. My husband says he would do the same tour again...

The gondola tour was a good bargain for the money and very pleasant. The gondola ride was off the beaten path and a unique experience made afforable. In planning the trip I thought that the full day tour in Venice would be too much canned itinerary, but in retrospect I would have done another in tour in Venice as well. My 16 year old thought the gondola ride was a highlight of our trip."

Patti Zucca
June 2009

Florence In One Day Tours ArtViva Review

2009-08-11T15:31:00.000+02:00

Visit two of the world's most famous art galleries, the Uffizi and the Accademia, with our entertaining guides who are experts in art history! Don't miss out in really getting to know the essence of Florence - let us take you on a journey through the city's past and present with the Original Florence Walk! What better way to see the masterpieces of the Renaissance than with our Florence In One Glorious Day Package!

Hear more about our Florence In One Glorious Day Package from one of our clients:

"Outstanding experience! Tanya was an excellent guide to introduce us to the architecture and history of Florence and the Renaissance. Her knowledge and presentation style were engaging and informative and all members of my family (my husband, my 10 year old son and I) found the tour one of our trip's highlights! We were left wanting to read books about the Medici family and spend far more time in Florence than our time allowed!

Christine did a fantastic tour of the highlights of the Uffizi! She was extremely knowledgable and her sense of humour and ability to make so many connections between the art and the history of the time was fantastic! I had been to the Uffizi previously (unguided) and know realize how essential a good guide is to a collection of that importance. My son, who is just acquiring a taste for art and the subtle (and not so subtle) elements in a painting, loved the tour (as did my husband and I!) and it ranks amongst the top of his tour experiences during our two week stay in Italy.

Our time with Elizabeth at the Accademia was also very informative. She pointed out a number of interesting things about Michelangelo's sculpting style and we felt it was of great benefit to have the background when trying to appreciate his work. Our greatest regret on our trip was that we had not booked more tours through Artviva (particularly in Venice!!). It is a great incentive to return to Italy and make better use of the excellent tours you offer!!"

Megan McColm
July 2009

Ryan Air Mag Article Artviva Learn to be a Gondolier Venice Tours

2009-08-10T14:37:00.000+02:00

Ryan Air Mag Article by James Williams

Learn to be a Gondolier-Artviva Gondola Toirs and Rides in Venice, Italy

Behind the MaskFrom the July/August 2009 issue

We all know the bridge of sighs, but what about the rest of Venice? James Williams enters a world of spritz drinking, gondola making and life surrounded by water.
Click here to view the gallery for this article
I’m sitting in a café on St Mark’s Square savouring the last dregs of my €14 cup of coffee, watching as a young woman covered in pigeons poses for a photo against the backdrop of the magnificent, multi-domed Basilica. It’s a familiar sight and this must be one of the most enjoyable public spaces in the world, but part of me is still asking why I came to Venice at all.
Just then through the crowds of teenagers buzzing round the tacky souvenir stalls I spot a rare sight on this iconic piazza – a local. I can tell instantly by the lack of a camera and casual demeanour that it’s my guide, Fabio – a 24-year-old Venetian who has agreed to take me on a tour of his hometown, show me Venice’s traditions are alive and well and introduce me to some of the best bars the city has to offer.

Ducking down an alley under the clock tower Fabio leads me through a dense maze of narrow passageways until I am completely lost and disoriented. “You could never find this place on your own,” he says five minutes later as we enter a medieval courtyard near the church of San Giovanni Crisóstomo. There’s a little taverna tucked away in the corner with a group of locals perched on benches outside, and at the other end a jetty stretching out onto the Grand Canal.
It seems the perfect place to try a classic Venetian cocktail. “So are we having a Bellini?” I ask. “No, Venetians don’t drink those!” says Fabio with mischief in his eyes. “We only drink spritz!” The red-orange cocktail was invented back in the days of the Austrian Empire and tastes delicious – slightly bitter yet completely refreshing. Here at Taverna del Campiello Remer (Cannaregio 5701) they make it with white wine, Aperol and sparkling water.
Fabio informs me this courtyard would once have been a workshop making oars and oar rests for the gondola. “You can tell by the name ‘remèr’. At one time there were remèri all over Venice,” he says. I’m intrigued, so we head off to meet Fabio’s best friend Pietro, who for the past five years has been carrying on the tradition.

We enter a workshop in the laid-back Dorsoduro district to the pleasing smell of wood and varnish, and the strains of Vivaldi’s Summer filling the room. Pietro shows us a finished forcola (oar rest), which has been carved from a whole piece of walnut wood. It looks beautiful. “This one provides the rower with two speeds and a reverse gear,” he explains. “And we don’t just make these for the gondolas – rowing is a very popular sport here and there are about 50 clubs. We make pieces for private buyers, too – there is even a forcola at the MoMA gallery in New York.”

As we are talking, Pietro’s boss – Venice’s “master remèr”, Saverio Pastor – appears and chats to us briefly before picking up a sharp tool and making intricate carvings to a freshly chiselled piece. Saverio is also president of the El Felze association, which helps to promote and preserve the crafts of the gondola, from boat builders to tailors and engravers. These artisans and their crafts offer a fantastic snapshot of the soul of Venice, and if you fancy seeing more you can even download maps showing workshop locations at www.elfelze.com.

I sense Fabio is becoming restless. It’s getting close to spritz hour, when the town’s bars come alive, so we take the vaporetto (water bus) over to the district of Castello, where along the quiet, tourist-free streets like Via Giuseppe Garibaldi we find gondoliers out enjoying a well-earned beer, some of them still in their stripy shirts.

And best of all Fabio reveals he is to take us out tonight by boat, which we find moored near the Arsenale. Soon Pietro, who has got cleaned up, joins us and we get ready for the night out. “Look you can see everything from here,” says Pietro, as the boat chugs along a narrow canal. We pass by secret gardens with plumes of purple wisteria leaping over the walls, a beautiful Greek Orthodox church, and Venice’s own leaning tower. We also capture hidden moments, such as people on running machines in the gym and couples kissing next to a bridge.

Unlike your average tourist boat ride, we also have to get our hands dirty squeezing the boat under the dangerously low Ponte Tetta, or “Tits Bridge”. “We don’t want to get wedged under here,” says Pietro, as he tells us about the prostitutes who used to display their wares from the windows in the houses above.

Happy hour is in full swing as we pull up alongside Ostaria Simson (Castello 6316), the first stop on our bacari tour. The aim is to visit several bars and osterias – small restaurants where you can either eat a meal or just drink great wine alongside cicchetti, bite-sized snacks that are a highlight of Venetian cuisine.

Clinking our glasses of white wine, we tuck into sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines in onions and vinegar), baccalà (cod paste spread over crostini) and tender baby octopus. Fish has long been a staple in this former maritime nation and we also see diners enjoying seared tuna and pasta with clams.

Next up we moor the boat at Ostaria al Ponte (Cannaregio 6378), where the owner greets us with a jug of ombra – white wine consumed in glasses so small it’s impossible to remember how many you’ve had. Another friend, Pippo, turns up and we all stand on the bridge overlooking Campo San Giovanni e Paolo eating wonderful soppressa salami, and hearing funny stories about Venice’s promiscuous nuns and people falling in the canal.

Now we’re all warmed up the Venetian boys proceed to lead us on foot through the labyrinthine back streets of San Marco. All around the deserted alleys are more signs of Venice’s weird and wonderful past. We see peculiar masks used to ward off the plague, discover the square where Marco Polo and his family once lived, and come across a hidden courtyard that not even Fabio knew existed.

It’s turning into a real adventure, as we sink yet more wine outside Trattoria Ca’ d’Oro (Cannaregio 3912), scoffing fried potato and mince balls, before hitting our last port of call around 1am at the trendy Osteria al Pesador in the nightlife hub of the Rialto market. We zoom up the Grand Canal and moor the boat by the jetty. “Having a boat in Venice is like having a car – only better,” says Fabio as we go ashore. I couldn’t agree more, and we stay on drinking until the early hours, before thankfully the boat is on hand to transport me back to my hotel.
Head spinning the next morning I wonder how I’ll manage spending this day bobbing about on yet more boats – having promised to meet with a few of Pietro’s highly praised rowers. Leaving behind my comfy bed in the Hotel Papadopoli Venice (www.hotelpapadopolivenice.com) – a luxury bolt-hole that’s close to everything, including the main vaporetto terminal – I’m soon on the water again heading to the Querini rowing club, one of the oldest in Venice.

“The great thing about this sport is that people of all ages can do it, whether you’re 17 or 70,” one grey-haired man tells me, as a father and son push their boat out into the lagoon. Traditions are strong here, and so is the competition between clubs – races have been a Venetian way of life for centuries. The biggest of all being the Regatta Storica (6 September), which sees teams of top racers battling it out on the Grand Canal.

Gazing out at the idyllic scene before me, I contemplate how I’ve seen this city in a whole new light since hanging out with some natives. And I wonder how people can come here on daytrips and venture only as far as St Mark’s Square. Or, as Fabio put it to me: “Venice is such an amazing, beautiful city – I just wish people would come and see more of it.”

Learn to be a gondolier!Ever wondered what it’s like to ply the murky waters of La Serenissima? We had a go ourselves and it’s not as easy as it looks. First you have to keep the oar in the water at all times and keep your balance. Second, keep your left hand below shoulder height and use those muscles. Many Venetians start rowing when they are kids, but luckily for us landlubbers a new hands-on course by Artviva The Original and Best Tours Italy will give you a two-hour lesson rowing a gondola. Unique in Venice, an experienced native-English-speaking tutor takes you out onto the lagoon in a specially adapted boat, where you’ll also hear plenty of stories about this age-old profession.

It costs €80pp (maximum four) and can be booked at
www.italy.artviva.com.
Also check out Artviva’s Original Gondola Tour – the only one of its kind – and discover Venice with a quality guide in one of its magical black boats.

Artviva Tour Review

2009-08-09T01:36:00.000+02:00

Artviva Tour Review
“Tours with a personal touch”
Artviva

heyjude8
alberta
Aug 12, 2008

I cannot say enough good things about the two tours I took with this company. One was a 4 hour walking tour of Florence, and the other was a day trip into the heart of Tuscany on a bus. Each had no more then a dozen clients and we all felt that we had personal treatment.There was a small mix up with my original booking, but it was handled quickly and to my complete satisfaction. Thank you to both my tour guides who were fun and very knowledgable. Thanks to Artviva for adding so much to my trip to Italy. Worth every penny.

Trip Advisor Artviva Tour Review

2009-08-09T01:32:00.000+02:00

Artviva Review Trip Advisor

“Favorite Tour in Europe”
Artviva

Robles2010 Boston, MA
Sep 28, 2008

All the Venice tours were absolutely amazing! After doing the Walking Tour in Florence we fell in love with Artviva and had high expectations of the Venice tour. I am very happy to tell you that our expectations were met and surpassed. The guides were incredible, personable, friendly and brought the history of the sights to life in a funny, memorable way. What a wonderful experience! Their site is belowP.S. Throughout the tour they made up feel like old friends showing us the town.

Francisco "Artviva: The Original and Best Walking Tours" http://www.italy.artviva.com/

Review TripAdvisor

Artviva Review Trip Advisor

2009-08-09T01:28:00.000+02:00

Artviva Review “Grand Canal Tour”
Artviva

DivaCarol
Florida
Sep 28, 2008

Cynthia Johnson gave us all the scoop, past and present. It was fun to hear her stories - personal ones and those of the celebrities and past Venetians. It's a good tour to get off your feet and sit in a water taxi. We would take another one. Cynthia had a great way sharing. You felt like you know her almost instantly. She's knowledgable in her field and I love that she lives in Venice. She's a real part of the community, but still a part of ours. Thanks, Cynthia, hope to see you again in Venice!

Artviva Trip Advisor Review Venice Tour Grand Canal

Reviews Artviva Venice

2009-08-09T01:14:00.000+02:00

Trip Advisor Review

Review Artviva
“Wonderfull tuscan tours = great memories”
Artviva

wchambers
Sydney
May 4, 2009

The best tours we have ever done. We’ve just returned and still find ourselves talking about what a wonderful experience we had. We did the Venice in One Glorious day tours as well as the learning to be a gondolier tour (two memorable hours listening to stories from our gracious and insightful master guide) not to mention floating on Venice’s lagoon and trying to row like the Venetian gondoliers! We have to recommend this as a great and relaxing way to get out of busy Venice and see it from such a fantastic perspective. It's hard to imagine a better introduction to this wonderful city. Our guides exhibited a wonderful combination of in-depth knowledge of the city and its treasures, a wonderful presence, a sense of humor, a great ability for story-telling, not to mention a wealth of practical suggestions… Throughout our all too brief stay we found ourselves referring to the suggestions made by our wonderful guides; ranging from how to snack Venetian style, to tricky rowing tips, use of perspective, where to find the best Murano glass to ordering a Bellini at Harry’s Bar in native Venetian… we will recommend this company to anyone visiting Venice. Thumbs up Artviva!

Artviva Venice Review

2009-08-09T01:08:00.000+02:00

Artviva Venice Tour Review
“Fantastic tours we did with Artviva.”
Artviva

Australia
May 12, 2009

Wow! We did the Grand Italy package tours of Venice, Florence and Rome with the Learn to be Gondolier Tour in Venice and Villa Swim tour with wine tasting in Tuscany as extras. The company threw in an Evening walk with wine in Florence. Friendly staff, great service, really fantastic guides, best tours we did in Europe. Venice gondola rowing teaching experience was our favorite, just being out on the lagoon with magical views and our son having a go at rowing was the highlight of our trip. We can't recommend Artviva more highly; we will definitely be using them when we return. Can't remember all the guides names, but a special thanks to Stephan for a great Best Tuscany tour and Jennifer for the Grand Canal and Original Gondola tours, and Sylvia in Florence for the Uffizi tour and Chris for a memorable Vatican tour.

Trip Advisor Review Venice Artviva

Artviva Review Venice Tour

2009-08-09T01:02:00.000+02:00

Artviva Review Venice Tour

"We really lucked into your company. All the Florence and Venice tours were exceptional.”

Artviva provided knowledgeable and personable guides who made the tours a very pleasant experience. I felt like we got a lot extra out of our visits to Florence and Venice due to our Artviva guides. I wholeheartedly recommend Artviva tours.

RCWTexas Texas
Jun 13, 2009

Trip Advisor Review Venice Artviva

Looking for La Bella Vita? Look no further!

2009-08-04T11:09:00.000+02:00

For those of you looking to get outside the hustle and bustle of the city, why not try La Bella Vita offered exclusively by ArtViva?

We take you away from the hot sun and crowds, to a picturesque Renaissance villa on the outskirts of Florence. See beautiful views of Tuscany, enjoy a wine tasting and winery visit, a gourmet lunch...and then laze away by a private pool with stunning views of the Tuscan hills surrounding you.

Because not many hotels in Florence have pools, this is the perfect option to enjoy yourself, relax, refresh, and take in the best that Tuscany has to offer!

For more information on all of our ArtViva experiences, please visit us here.

Enjoy the Original Best of Tuscany Tour

2009-07-29T14:53:00.000+02:00

Everyone is talking about The Best of Tuscany tour that ArtViva offers. Where else can you participate in a full day tour that takes you straight to the heart of Chianti, offers you wine, a delicious typical tuscan meal and breathtaking views of Siena, San Gimignano and Monterrigione?
But don't take our word for it...here's what clients have had to say:

The Best of Tuscany Tour: "Great! San Gimignano was gorgeous!! Siena was lovely! Wine and lunch under the Tuscan Sun was just heavenly!!"-

"The Best of Tuscany Tour was incredible! The perfect mix of Tuscan hill towns and scenery. The lunch at the wine estate was amazing! It was neat to see how a traditional farm winery works. Highly recommended! Both the tour and our guide were fabulous!

For more information on the Best of Tuscany tour, dates the tour is run, and booking online, please visit us online!

The Best of Tuscany Tour

2009-07-26T15:04:00.000+02:00

The Best of Tuscany Tour is a fabulous exclusive small group tour at an affordable price. Maximum 14 persons.

See our web site and look for The Best of Tuscany Tour under tours for tuscany for more details.

Artviva: The Original and Best Walking Tours Italy has a fantastic team of professional and personable guides in Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Rome...

2009-06-03T10:10:00.000+02:00

Artviva: The Original and Best Walking Tours Italy has a fantastic team of professional and personable guides in Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Rome, Cinque Terre and Pompeii as well as super experts from the famous Maurizio Seracini the Da Vinci Code art detective finding a lost Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece in Florence, Italy to the best known Tuscany wine expert Burton Anderson to other great guides and art historians they have collaborated with over the years including Florence guide Silvia , Rome guide Chris , Florence guides Aniko Szabo, Elisabetta Francini, Freya Middleton, Tanya Bruckner, Tuscany and bike guides Stefan Derich, Douglas , Cristine , Andrea, Venice experts Cynthia Johnson, Jennifer, Rosemary, Louisella, Pompeii guide Gaetano Manfredi, and other Italy guides, Laurence, Paola, Molly, Sara, Suzy, Ros , Paul , to name a few... we are very careful about who we work with providing training and resources for our guides and historians.

Why use a reputable tour operator rather than go direct with a guide....reliability! Artviva is the Original and Best Tours in Italy with internationally acclaimed high quality services and entertaining guided tours. Enjoy your holiday knowing you have the security of a fully accredited tour operator based in Florence, Italy. Experience the best small group tours and exclusive private tours in Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Rome and beyond

Experience the Venetian way of life - Learn to be a Gondolier|

2009-05-25T13:12:00.000+02:00

Ever wondered what it would be like to manouver a gondola through the lovely water alleys of Venice?

We glide through Venice's prettiest canals and out into the Venetian lagoon where we will learn how to row a gondola.

Enjoy the chance for fabulous views of Venice from this unique vantage point and don't forget your gondolier hat!

Cruise along winding Tuscan roads on our Vintage 500 Fiat Tour

2009-05-12T14:07:00.000+02:00

Imagine being part of a classic old Italian film!

Experience a leisurely escorted driving tour in a vintage Fiat 500 car -we are talking about those cute tiny Italian cars you see in old films!

Enjoy a Half-Day Hike with a Perfect Morning In Tuscany Tour

2009-05-12T13:07:00.000+02:00

Enjoy a 2 hour hike through the woods in Fiesole, an ancient Etruscan town that overlooks Florence followed by a lunch at a famous Renaissance Villa where 'Tea With Mussolini' and 'A Room With A View' were filmed!

One Minute Guide To The Uffizi Gallery Florence Italy

2009-05-05T15:59:00.000+02:00

Chris Leadbeater from Travelmail has provided this overview of the Uffizi in Florence Italy.
See it in style and with a small group with our Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery Tour

"The One Minute Guide To...

The Uffizi Gallery, Florence By Chris Leadbeater, TravelMail

The Uffizi is home to some of the finest treasures of art anywhere in the world
The gallery is as beautiful on the outside as it is from within
What: One of the world's finest art galleries – if not the finest. After all, the Galleria degli Uffizi, to use its full Italian name, has been open to the public as a cultural treasure trove since 1765 – a time when the Louvre was still slumming it as a plain old royal palace. The Uffizi was also one of the key stops on the 'Grand Tour' of Europe – the cross-continental travel route followed by the wealthy and the itchy-of-feet in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. They didn't have budget flights in those days, you see.
Where: Right in the heart of Florence, just up from the River Arno, on the Piazzale degli Uffizi. To be precise, it sits within a Renaissance pile built between 1560 and 1581. The sort of building that looks just as glorious as the art it holds, in other words.
Why go? Well, at this time of year, there is one very good reason to visit. The Uffizi is home to Sandro Botticelli's The Birth Of Venus – the masterpiece, painted some time between 1482 and 1486, that shows the famously lovely deity perched on a shell as she emerges from the sea, nothing but well-positioned strands of her long golden hair preserving her immortal decency. Venus was, of course, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Valentine's Day is this week. Do you see where we're going here?
Random fact: The world can consider itself fortunate that The Birth Of Venus still exists. It could easily have perished in 1497 during the infamous Bonfire Of The Vanities – the destruction of thousands of priceless works of art and literature on large pyres in the Piazza della Signoria. The purge was ordered by Hieronymus Savonarola, a Dominican priest and the city's then-leader, as a way of ridding Florence of items he deemed impure and sinful. The Birth Of Venus, with its glorification of a pagan icon and – let's face it – blatant nudity, might well have fallen victim to the flames (other works by Botticelli, as well as pieces by Michelangelo certainly did), but somehow survived, possibly because Botticelli had friends in high places with immaculate taste.
Best bit: Unless you're an art historian who wants to argue the matter, Botticelli's chief achievement is the best bit about a visit to the Uffizi. But the gallery's list of showstoppers does not end there. Its walls play host to glories created by Da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as other Botticelli numbers..."

New Villa Swim Tour

2009-05-04T12:12:00.000+02:00

Fancy lounging by the pool with a glass of wine with a view of the marvelous Tuscan countryside below?

We are now offering visits to private villa where you can choose to spend half a day relaxing by the pool with a light lunch, and alternatively, also lounge by the pool side and join a wine-tasting at the villa with the experts!

New York Times Article Europe Discounts

2009-04-30T18:16:00.000+02:00

New York Times still recommends booking now as the reasonable prices make Europe affordable. “Right now, the great deals are for departures before the end of May and some are leaking into mid-June,” said Rick Seaney, chief executive of Farecompare.com, a price tracking website. He recommends that Americans book now for trips to Europe in May or June, but to hold off for flights later in the summer.

See our Super Special Rick Steves Readers Grand Tour of Italy Special DISCOUNTS

Tuscany Bike Tours Review and Information about the new Tuscany Bike Tours and Villa Swim Tours

2009-04-18T11:52:00.000+02:00

Here is a review of our Tuscany Bike Tours and an introduction to our new Tuscany Bike Tour and Villa Swim. We are the first company in Italy to offer a day bike tour with a villa swim. If you don’t fancy biking, you can choose to meet family and friends up at the Villa to enjoy with them the wine tasting, walk around the vineyards and olive groves, and lunch. You can laze away the afternoon beside the fabulous pool with stunning views of the Tuscany countryside. Our new Tuscany Bike Tour allows you to just do the bike tour, or take the option to stay at the Villa and laze away the afternoon swimming. The guide then comes back and brings you back to Florence.
The Villa is a magnificent renaissance villa replete with beautiful olive groves, vineyards and ancient hunting grounds. The Villa estate also produces wonderful wine and olive oil.
Book the Original Tuscany Bike Tours or Tuscany Bike Tour and Villa Swim at http://www.italy.artviva.com/

You can also choose to have a day just lazing around the Villa pool with lunch or a wine tasting, Villa visit and lunch with or without a swim, see our site http://www.italy.artviva.com/ for more information.

Spring 2009 Tours Italy-Review Marvelous Chianti Castle Wine Tour Tuscany Italy

2009-04-17T11:57:00.001+02:00

Our favorite review so far for 2009

"the epicentre of wonderfulness" said by one of our clients while relaxing over a glass of wine and delicious Tuscan lunch at the castle on our Marvelous Chianti Castle Tour....

and for those that love the Tuscan spring, here's one of the first poppies in Tuscany for 2009!

Concerts July 2009 at La foce, Tuscany Italy

2009-04-13T10:32:00.000+02:00

A Wonderful July Concert Series at the Famous La Foce Villa in Southern Tuscany

About La Foce
The property of La Foce lies on the hills overlooking the Val d'Orcia, a beautiful and miraculously intact valley in Southern Tuscany. Midway between Florence and Rome, it is also within easy reach of Siena, Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto.
Renaissance and medieval gems such as Pienza, Montepulciano, Monticchiello and Montalcino are only a few miles away. The countryside abounds in lovely walks among woods and the characteristic crete senesi (clay hills); the food is among the best in Tuscany and famous wines such as the Vino

“Incontri in Terra di Siena” is a not-for-profit cultural association, founded in 1989 in memory of Antonio and Iris Origo, who dedicated their lives to the development and progress of the Val d’Orcia. The Incontri chamber music festival is now recognized as one of the best and most refined in Tuscany.
Incontri is based at Villa La Foce and in a medieval castle nearby, Castelluccio di Pienza. Its aim is to spread the appreciation of music and art through concerts, meetings, and artistic events in the many beautiful venues of Southern Tuscany. Members and donors receive invitations for the many activities – contemporary art exhibitions, conferences, symposia, youth concerts – initiated by Incontri.
The Avalon String Quartet with pianist Alexandros Kapelis The famous zig-zag road visible from Castelluccio
Antonio Lysy, the internationally acclaimed cellist, now also Professor at UCLA, and grandson of Antonio and Iris Origo, is the Incontri’s Artistic Director and its principal founder.
Musicians like Charles Dutoit, Maurizio Pollini, and Hans Werner Henze, among others, are on the Incontri’s Honorary Board, while some of the most interesting and talented artists have played in the Incontri concerts – such as Louis Lortie, Ronan O’Hora, Kathryn Stott, Jeremy Menuhin, Daniel Phillips, Ani Kavafian, Anthony Marwood, Daniel Zisman, Rachel Podger, Mark Kaplan, Lucy Shelton, Stephan Genz, Nicki Kennedy, Steven Isserlis, Carter Brey, Colin Carr, Janet Hilton, Antony Pay, James Campbell, Stephen Stirling, and chamber groups like the Orpheus and Schidlof Quartets, Goldberg Ensemble, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, Red Priest, and many others.

“The Incontri constitute one of the most enjoyable musical enterprises of the Tuscan summer” — William Weaver, Financial Times

July 22 - 25 2009
The 2009 festival sees the return of Vladimir Ashkenazy and Pascal Rogé and the first visit of The Tallis Scholars. Mr. Ashkenazy will conduct the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto in a programme of music by Prokofiev, Poulenc (soloist Pascal Rogé) and Schoenberg.
Other festival highlights include the legendary Tallis Scholars in the newly restored S.Maria dei Servi in Città della Pieve, a recital by the renowned Irish pianist Barry Douglas, and the return to Incontri of the Italian violinist Domenico Nordio in duo with Russian pianist Mikhail Lidsky.

Wednesday July 22Mercoledì 22 luglio
S. Maria dei Servi, Città della Pieve‘The Tallis Scholars’, conductor Peter Phillips
music by Victoria, Allegri, Palestrina, Monteverdi
Thursday July 23Giovedì 23 luglio

Castelluccio di Pienza, La FoceBarry Douglas, piano
programme to be announced / programma in preparazione

Friday July 24Venerdì 24 luglio

Castelluccio di Pienza, La FoceDomenico Nordio, violin, and Mikhail Lidsky, piano
J.Brahms, Sonata op.78E.Grieg, Sonata no.2A.Dvorak, “Romantic Pieces”L.Dallapiccola, “Tartiniana Seconda”N.Paganini-K.Szymanovsky, Tre Capricci op.40
Saturday July 25Sabato 25 luglio

Villa La Foce, ChiancianoGala Concert in the Lower Gardenwith the Orchestra di Padova e del Venetoconductor Vladimir Ashkenazy - Pascal Rogé, piano
choreography by Alessandra Ashkenazy
Dinner in the Limonaia Garden before the concertCena nel Giardino della Limonaia prima del concerto
Sergei Prokofiev, Sinfonia n.1 in re maggiore 'Classica' op. 25Arnold Schoenberg, Verklärte Nacht, op. 4Francis Poulenc, Aubade per pianoforte, 18 strumenti e tre danzatori

Update

Barry Douglas' concert on July 23rd:

Tchaikovsky, May and June from Les Saisons Op.37b
Rachmaninov, Moment Musical No 5 in D flat
Schumann, Sonata No 1
Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition

For more Information and bookings :

INCONTRI IN TERRA DI SIENA

tel/fax +39 0578 69101

info@itslafoce.org

http://www.itslafoce.org/

The Florence in One Glorious Day (or two) Special

2009-04-11T11:18:00.000+02:00

See this review and introduction to our Florence in One Glorious Day special package. The package consists of 3 great tours covering the must see highlights of Florence with a 3 hour Original Florence Walk, a 2 hour Masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery tour and a 0ne hour Original David Walk. All tours are eco-friendly and have great guides. We keep the group sizes small. We have specially designed our tours to ensure that they cover all the must-sees in the most entertaining way. See our site http://www.italy.artviva.com/location/1/florence_tuscany_italy for more information.

The Marvelous Chianti castle Wine Tour, Tuscany Italy

2009-04-11T09:45:00.000+02:00

See Tuscany tour reviews from 2009 travelers for our Marvelous Chianti Castle Wine Tour. To book this tour go to :

The Marvelous Chianti Castle Wine Tour booking page

Madonna of the Gold Finch by Raphael to be Returned to the Uffizi Gallery

2009-03-25T18:22:00.000+01:00

Madonna of the Gold Finch Returns to the Uffizi Gallery

The Renaissance masterpiece Madonna of the Goldfinch, by Raphael, is finally ready after 10 years of painstaking restoration.
The 107-centimetre by 77-centimetre oil-on-wood work, known in Italian as the Madonna del Cardellino, portrays Jesus Christ's mother Mary with two children caressing a goldfinch.
The children symbolize a young Christ and John the Baptist while the bird, feeding among thorns, is interpreted as representing Christ's future suffering.
The restored painting has been transformed from its faded and dour colours, more green and brown, to its original glory — a vivid blue sky and an equally bright blue dress on the Madonna.
Meticulous restoration has removed centuries of film and grime.
Raphael, who died in 1520, painted the panel as a gift for the wedding of Lorenzo Nasi, a wool merchant.
The work was broken into 17 pieces when the Nasi house collapsed in 1547. Another artist used nails to put it together again and also repainted the piece to conceal the breaks.
It later became part of the collection of Florence's powerful Medici family, who also commissioned several repairs to the painting.
"I think I probably know this painting almost better than Raphael," chief restorer Patrizia Riitano said.

Join our Masterpeices of the Uffiz Gallery Tour to see other Raphaels and works by great masters such as Da Vinci , Botticelli and Michelangelo

www.italy.artviva.com

Telegraph March 20 2009 Guides in Florence, Masterpieces of the Uffizi gallery Tour

2009-03-23T10:06:00.000+01:00

The Telegraph 20 March 2009

Guides in Florence

Michele Lester from London writes
We are travelling with a couple of friends to Florence next month. It is our first time in the city and we would like to employ a guide to show us around the Uffizi Gallery (above) as I understand it's a bit of a scrum. Any ideas?

I can personally recommend Artviva (00 39 ..., http://www.italy.artviva.com/italy_tours_2009), which employs art history experts (all native English speakers) who use humour and anecdotes to explain the background to the gallery's most famous works.

You can join a three-hour guided tour for up to 14 people, which costs €25 (£23) each including entry charge, or hire a private guide for your party of four for €76 each. Artviva also offers excellent walking tours of central Florence, similar guided visits to other galleries in the city and "exclusive experiences" including an irreverent look at the city's history with a count from one of Florence's oldest families followed by drinks at his palazzo on the River Arno. The three-hour tour costs about £450 for up to five people.

See our Masterpeices of the Uffizi Gallery Tour, Florence Tour, Italy

Italy Tour Review-Highlights of Our Venice in One Glorious Day Offer

2009-03-20T15:48:00.000+01:00

See this review of our Italy tours. Try our Venice in One Glorious Day Package Special with four great tours and a free transfer to the island of Murano by luxury motor launch.

Venice in One Glorious Day:

1.The Original Gondola Tour

2.The Original Venice Tour

3.The Original Doges Palace Tour

4. The Original Grand Canal Tour

and a free transfer to the island of Murano.

see www.italy.artviva.com for more information

The Original Best of Tuscany Tour Review

2009-03-13T16:35:00.000+01:00

Our Original Best of Tuscany Tour is low in price but high in quality. Enjoy seeing the Best of Tuscany with a great guide and a small group. We don't do what we call "Industrial Tourism" large groups being led around by a guide with a flag. We visit Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggoni as well as a wonderful old Tuscan winery. We spend time browsing quaint little shops in each town. A gourmet Tuscan lunch is included of course. We also do great tours of Venice, Tuscany, Florence and Rome. Our Original Tuscany Bike Tour is also very good value. See www.italy.artviva.com for more information. Hurry, because our small groups book up quickly. You can also do all our tours with your own private guide. Great value if you are a party of four or more.
Thanks very much to a wonderful small group who enjoyed our Best of Tuscany Tour on an early spring day 2009, and a special thanks to Liz from Orlando, Florida who was kind enough to be filmed for this review.

My Prestigious Original and Best Artviva Gondola Tour Venice Italy

2009-03-12T18:29:00.000+01:00

Our Gondola Tour in Venice, Italy is the only tour of its kind. Enjoy hearing about Venice and the fascinating Gondoliers with our marvelous story tellers that will bring Venice and its history to life. What's more, we only do small groups. You can get a great discount with this tour by doing our special Venice in One Glorious Day package. You can do this special package tour over one or more days. Our tours are high in quality but low in cost. We provide the best value for quality for tours in Italy. Our other great Venice tours are The Original Venice Tour, The Original Doges Palace Tour and The Original Grand Canal Tour. You also get a free transfer to the island of Murano by a classic Venetian motor launch to see a glass factory with this special package. You can also choose to do any of our great tours exclusively with your own guide. If you are a party of four or more this often makes great sense.

See http://www.italy.artviva.com/ for more information

The Original Best of Tuscany Tour Review, Italy Tours

2009-03-12T09:07:00.000+01:00

Here is a review for the Best of Tuscany Tour, 2009. Our Best of Tuscany Tour is a wonderful way for the budget conscious to see fabulous highlights of Tuscany, Italy in one day. Our tours are low in price but high in quality. We leave from Florence and return to Florence. We only do small groups, maximum 14 persons per tour. The price includes a great gourmet lunch of Tuscan treats, a wine tasting, cellar and winery visit, three fabulous hill top towns, and of course the most important element -a great guide to bring the past to life. See our web site for hotel accommodations to construct your budget dream holiday.

Learn more about the Best of Tuscany Tour

Italy Tours Budget? Italy Tours Cheap?

2009-03-10T15:16:00.000+01:00

We have wonderful high quality tours for those on serious budgets. What our company proudly does really well is what we call -'bringing history to the people'; that is, we do high quality tours at a really cheap price...our tours start at around 25 Euro per person. For our Original Florence Walk you get a great introduction to Florence with one of our wonderful guides, with a company that is recomended by just about every major travel guide...The price for this flag ship tour has not gone up in five years. We also have great tour specials such as our :
Florence in One Glorious Day Special Cheap but high quality small group tours in Florence, Italy
Venice in One Glorious Day Special -Cheap Tours for the Budget Minded Traveler
Rome in One Glorious Day Special -Great Tours at Great Prices

We also do a cheap daily Tuscany Bike Tour that has great reviews
See Our Tuscany Bike Tour Here

So if you need to travel to Italy on a budget, or need Italy tours cheap, we've got exactly what you need without compromising on quality.

Artviva The Original and Best Tours Italy-For Kids?

2009-03-07T11:43:00.000+01:00

We are asked a lot if kids will enjoy our tours...

Artviva
Great Guides
Great Kid Friendly Tours

Venice

Florence

Rome

Tuscany

www.italy.artviva.com

Italy Tours Tuscany Bike Tours

2009-02-19T14:47:00.000+01:00

SEE OUR 2009 ORIGINAL AND BEST TUSCANY BIKE TOUR

See our other Italy Tours at www.italy.artviva.com

Italy Tours Tuscany Bike Tour Artviva Tours

2009-02-16T18:06:00.000+01:00

Italy Tours...
Try our Tuscany Bike Tour ...
The Original and Best Italy Tours with Artviva

Florence Italy Tour Review

2009-02-13T19:39:00.000+01:00

See a recent review of our Italy Tours at www.italy.artviva.com

The Venice in One Glorious Day Special 2009

2009-02-05T16:05:00.001+01:00

Experience our Venice in One Glorious Day Special for 2009

Venice Tours Italy 2009

2009-02-05T15:46:00.000+01:00

http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytravel_best_tours_tour/venice_tours

See our wonderful private My Exclusive Venice tours and My Prestigious Venice Tours for 2009

My Prestigious Venice Walk St Marks Venice in One Glorious Day Special

2009-02-05T15:42:00.000+01:00

See the very best Venice has to offer with our

Venice in One Glorious Day Special

My Prestigious Original and Best Gondola Tour

2009-02-05T15:35:00.000+01:00

Our My Prestigious Original Gondola Tour is unique in Venice.

Other companies advertise 'gondola tours' but without the guide.....we offer the full experience with our wonderful story tellers there to explain just why Venice is the way it is....

My Prestigious Original Venice Tour

2009-02-05T15:28:00.001+01:00

A Door way god in Venice. See Venice on one of our new series of My Prestigious tours in Venice.

Italy Tours 2009

2009-01-07T10:51:00.000+01:00

See our great tour offerings for Italy Tours 2009

Virtual Cinque Terre Walking Tour

2008-12-18T21:02:00.000+01:00

Here's a taste of our walking tour at the Cinque Terra ...

Cinque Terra Tour Sunset

2008-12-18T19:29:00.000+01:00

Sunset...

Cinque Terra Tour

2008-12-18T19:28:00.000+01:00

Moss on a stone wall...