Explore the Gardens and Fountains of Florence

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Florence, from the scalding rays of Tuscan sun, into the magic world of gardens and the beautiful sculptures and fountains found within them. What better way to experience the changing of the seasons than with a private walk among the peaceful, historic outdoor retreats of the Florentines? For more information, visit our website at: http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytravel_best_tours_tour/personalized_tours/private_gardens_fountains_tour

Chianti, Tuscany Wine Harvest Event

Renewing Old Wine-Making Traditions

A number of years ago the citizens of Poggibonsi, Tuscany decided to celebrate the old tradition of “stomping” grapes in huge vats during the harvest. “The Pigio” was born - a competition of squeezing grapes involving all the seven districts of the city. Before the competition there is a parade interpreting historic scenes from the local festivities of the grape harvest. The contest takes place in the historic Piazza di' Gioco on the last Sunday in September. For more information see http://www.pigio.net/

Florence Off the Beaten Path

Museo della Natura Morta and the Medici Villa of Poggio a Caiano (Ongoing)

Piazza de'Medici, 14

Poggio a Caiano, Tuscany

A maximum of 20 people are admitted every half hour to visit the Museum of Still Life paintings(the only of it's kind in the world). Passionately collected by four generations of the Medici family, it is housed in their summer residence a short distance outside of Florence. You can visit the grand rooms in the villa itself and the surrounding gardens every half hour before or after the visit to the museum. Both are free and open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Closed the second and third Monday of each month. For more information visit http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/

Fabulous Fall News for Wine Lovers

Good News for Lovers of Italian Wine
It looks like this years vintage is going to be one of the best for years
Burton Anderson, the most famous wine writer on Tuscan wines is available to lead fabulous wine tastings and wine tours for Artviva
See a link to a description of tours with Burton for more information: http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytravel_best_tours_tour/personalized_tours/wine_tuscany/burton_anderson_tasting
See the following links to articles for more information on the 2007 Vintage

A rare vintage: Could 2007's grape harvest become one of the greatest ever? The expectation is growing after the hottest summer for 400 years
By Peter Popham in Lazio
Published: 11 August 2007
http://www.independent.co.uk/living/food_and_drink/news/article2853804.ece


2007 is going to be a record year of grape harvest...
http://www.toscanaechiantinews.com/pagina.aspx?LNG=EN&ZON=&PAG=0409

2007 Italian Harvest Underway
Vintners optimistic after strong growing season, but cool, wet weather right after the start of picking is cause for concern
Jo Cooke
Posted: Friday, August 24, 2007
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/0,1197,3959,00.html

Italian Fashion and Style

Exhibition:

For those interested in fashion, a visit to the Costume Museum in the Pitti Palace is a great opportunity to see how clothing has evolved over the years. The current exhibition is “Fashion and style, Interpretations of fashion in history. (Ongoing)8.15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Palazzo Pitti, Galleria del Costume, Tickets cost 6 Euros and also give you entrance to the Boboli and Bardini gardens, the Silver Museum, and the Museum of Porcelain, all within the Pitti Palace complex in Florence

Autumn Events in Florence and Tuscany

Enjoy the Fall Outdoors:

Soak up the last rays of sun before winter by visiting the special exhibit “The Ancient Gardens of Babylon in Rome” until October 28. Located in the Limonaia of the Boboli Gardens, the exhibition is open Monday-Sunday from 8:15–6:30 p.m. through the end of October. Tickets cost 9 Euro; the exhibit is closed the first and last Monday of the month. For more information visit http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/

Event and Street Party Data Base Italy

Visit Dan Hostetler's extensive online data base of events , street parties and festivals in Italy
See our web site for a list of seasonal monthly events on in Italy
at http://www.italy.artviva.com/essential_italy/essential_florence/events_in_florence_italy

Winners Italy Travel Writing Competition

The winners of the Italy Travel Writing Competition are those that reached publication status on our blog below. Congratulations to all published entrants! All winners- please ensure you contact us with your correct mail address so we can post your prizes!

Long Lunch

"Long Lunch " Painting by Rick Everingham