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European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools
Blog: Florence Journal - 3 November 2009
Interesting news just breaking - "European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools" - from the AP. Part of coming to Italy to live was knowing that the church has a very large presence in every day life (or at least...
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New Florence Bus Route Changes
Blog: Florence Journal - 2 November 2009
Due to the new pedestrian zone around the Duomo, several bus routes have changed. Below is the map, and details of the changed routes:
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Oh Sienna!
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 31 October 2009
I’m on my way to Sienna at the moment and am in somewhat of a stuper. I don’t really have a hangover but am just immensely tired. One more month of hardcore hi-octane travel action and then I will sleep for a week when back on English soil. When I arrived I had to have a [...]
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Gelatastic
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 30 October 2009
Here’s that Palladino goal I mentioned the other night, lovely stuff. I’m not having a very good day, I’ve wasted most of it trying to sort out a hostel for Venice. It’s pretty much impossible on my phone so I had to pay for proper access. Unless you want to pay through the nose though, there’s [...]
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Casa In Toscana, Real Estate in Chianti
Blog: Florence Journal - 29 October 2009
If you are looking for Real Estate in Chianti and the rest of Tuscany, Casa In Toscana is the place to start. Realtor Nikolaus Barnewitz has been selling real estate here for more than 10 years and has all the...
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The leaning tower of pizza
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 29 October 2009
The brekkie here is belter, €5 for as much as you want. I had a big plate of bacon and scrambled eggs, some cereal, a croissant and 2 glasses of orange juice. I also made four rounds of toast and whacked some cheese and ham in them for my lunch later. €5 for 2 meals, [...]
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Goooooooaaaallllllllll Napoli!!!!
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 28 October 2009
I made my train to Florence this morning by 1 minute due to a bit of a delay on my egg and bacon sarnie. Priorities, you know. Actually I hope I’m right in thinking Firenze is Florence otherwise I’ve no idea where I’m going to but I’ll be 4 hours away from Rome anyway. My pal Topi [...]
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Vasari Corridor Today
Blog: Florence Journal - 27 October 2009
Even though we just secured our own tickets for November, a visiting friend with "connections" is getting us into the Vasari Corridor today at 10:00 AM. I will let you know how it went later today. Pictures of the Vasari...
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SITA Bus Station, Florence
Blog: Florence Journal - 26 October 2009
The SITA bus station is just a couple of hundred meters from the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence (the main station), where you can check schedules and buy tickets. They have a website, but it is not working...
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Perugino's Crucifixion, Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi
Blog: Florence Journal - 26 October 2009
File this one under hidden Florence (and there really are so few things in this category - everything to discover in this town has been). On Borgo Pinti you'll find the church of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi - home...
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Piazza Duomo goes pedestrian only Sunday
Blog: Florence Journal - 22 October 2009
I am a little fuzzy on the details - like the mention of no bikes! But this Sunday Piazza Duomo goes pedestrian only. It seems to be quite a big deal - but I wonder what everyone is going to...
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Tuscany Rent Direct
Blog: Florence Journal - 22 October 2009
We just found a new website that is offering villa rentals in Tuscany without any commissions or fees - Tuscany Rent Direct. It is pretty useful for finding properties and has some nice built in tools, including locations on Google...
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Visiting the Vasari Corridor
Blog: Florence Journal - 20 October 2009
Excellent new tip just posted on Florence-On-Line on how to get reservations for the Vasari Corridor - until December 18th.
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Duomo hours, news
Blog: Florence Journal - 14 October 2009
This past weekend the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) had shorter than usual visiting hours - 1:30 to 3:30 PM. I was hoping to go in to see the Ucello painting of Sir John Hawkwood after reading about him in...
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Betty Woodman at the Porcelain Museum
Blog: Florence Journal - 12 October 2009
The following is part of the press release from the exhibition: The refined and imaginative creations of Betty Woodman find an appropriate setting among the prestigious porcelain conserved in the Palazzina del Cavaliere, in showcases that have been specially designed...
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Hotels in Florence for Under $150
Blog: Florence Journal - 10 October 2009
The NY Times just published a great list of bargain hotels for many cities - including Florence. Some of them have shared baths. Among the suggestions: Hotel Colomba 80 euros Residenza Proconsolo 85 euros Hotel Cestelli 80 euros Hotel Globus...
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Brunch at the Grand Hotel
Blog: Florence Journal - 9 October 2009
The Grand Hotel is in Piazza Ognissanti, across from the Westin. They just started their fall Sunday brunch again, the first one is this weekend:
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A High-Tech Hunt for Lost Art
Blog: Florence Journal - 6 October 2009
Maurizio Seracini has been looking for "The Battle of Anghiari" for over 30 years. I really think something has to be behind the wall in the Palazzo Vecchio - Vasari doesn't seem like the kind of guy to destroy a...
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Italy (Day 4) – Florence & Pisa
Blog: Andy's Rotten Ideas - 3 October 2009
Our journey to Florence begins right after breakfast at Prato. It’s just another day to visit the churches, squares and some other attractions. On reaching Florence and the bus parked at the parking lot, my wife and I took a short walk to Basilica of Santa Croce. What so interesting in Basilica of Santa Croce? According to the tour guide, it’s the burial place of Michelangelo and Galileo; and also the largest Franciscan church in the world.
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This weekend in Florence
Blog: Florence Journal - 3 October 2009
Sorry for posting these a little late! This weekend in Florence there is a fair in Piazza Santa Croce with mostly crafts and food, etc. from Germany and Austria. Good for a stroll and maybe some early Christmas shopping and...
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Free Champagne Tasting tonight!
Blog: Florence Journal - 1 October 2009
Free tasting of Champagne tonight - I have the whole schedule of their tastings up on Florence Wine Merchants (every Thursday during the fall): ENOTECA ALESSI Calendario Degustazioni Gratuite Free Wine Tasting Dalle ore 17:00 alle ore 19:00 From 5...
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Art Opening on Friday
Blog: Florence Journal - 29 September 2009
There isn't a lot of contemporary art on display in Florence - I think competing with the ghosts of the Renaissance is just too difficult for most aspiring artists. But that doesn't mean people don't try. One little gallery I...
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Cellini's Perseus
Blog: Florence Journal - 28 September 2009
Cellini's Perseus is one of the absolute masterpieces (and that is saying something!) of Florence. Still in place in the loggia (for nearly 500 years!), braving the elements century after century, Perseus never tires of holding Medusa's head aloft. What...
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Orsanmichele museum reopens!
Blog: Florence Journal - 24 September 2009
Orsanmichele will be open one day a week - read more on Orsanmichele.net
