http://www.arttrav.com italy. art. travel. lifestyle. Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:27:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en On a whim, I accepted an invitation posted to the members of De Gustibus, a local enogastronomical society, for a "ski weekend" in the Dolomite mountains near Bressanone/ Brixen, in a small town called St. Andrea, at the ski hill Plose (also known for its mineral water of the same ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/sudtirol-weekend/ The 2010 Festival dei Fiori (March 12-15) promises to be a beautiful and royal event. Held at the Venaria Reale near Torino, Italy and Europe's best flower designers go head to head in competition. You can see them at work and admire final products; best of all, bouquets created at ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/flower-show-venaria-reale-torino-2010/ I am at the major tourism show BIT in Milan and have picked up a brochure I think will be of interest to a lot of people who love shopping in Italy. The area in and around Prato, a town 8km from Florence in Tuscany, is one of the region's ... http://www.arttrav.com/tuscany/factory-outlet-shopping-prato/ [caption id="attachment_2651" align="alignleft" width="273" caption="Profiles of the bases of columns for the Laurentian Library, British Museum"][/caption] Michelangelo: Anatomy as Architecture consists of drawings, archival pages, and engravings on loan from the finest collection of Michelangelo drawings and the ancestral home, the Casa Buonarroti in Florence, Italy.  The exhibition explores new ... http://www.arttrav.com/worldexhibitions/michelangelo-anatomy-aarchitecture-williamsburg/ Opening this Saturday Feb 20th 2010, "Sguardi Quotidiani" - Daily life, or daily looking... Deaphoto is a local photography association that I met thanks to Barcamp at Le Murate. They specialize in photographic exploration of the changing urban landscape of the city of Florence. Related to this project, in the exhibit ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/photography-exhibit-daily-life-florence/ An issue I often face, that I also find people asking on forums is: "What should I bring people from Florence"? Sometimes I'm just going one or two regions away in Italy, so I need to find things that are not just Italian, but truly Florentine. I am against the purchase ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/what-gift-to-bring-back-from-florence/ [caption id="attachment_2631" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Roberto Capucci, Evening Dress 1989 - Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Roma"][/caption] A Question of Style: From the 14th of January at the Museum of the Roberto Capucci Foundation at Villa Bardini, an exhibit of 23 dresses by the Italian designer. The exhibition explores the relationship between material ... http://www.arttrav.com/museums/question-of-style-high-fashion-exhibit/ [caption id="attachment_2619" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="Design Library, Milano"][/caption] Lately I've noticed a trend that I like very much: the bookshop/library, contemporary design, cafe/restaurant. I mean really, this combines everything I love best! This week I had the fortune of finding two examples of these polyfunctional spaces, and I expect that more will ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/trend-contemporary-design-bookshop-cafe/ The following conference cycle offered by the Italian Dante Society in Florence is free to attend and may be of interest to Italian-speaking readers: Con Dante, Per Dante Conferenze e letture Il ciclo di conferenze si terrà alle ore 16.30 nella Sala Francesco Mazzoni del Palagio dell'Arte della Lana (Firenze) con il seguente calendario: Giovedì ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/italian-dante-society-conference-2010/ I don't normally write reactionary pieces, but this bit of news has me frothing at the mouth. This Prof. Vito Franco from the pathology department in Palermo has taken to diagnosing illnesses in famous Renaissance works of art. He presented his findings at a conference in Florence in early January, ... http://www.arttrav.com/art-history-tools/medical-art-vito-franco/ [caption id="attachment_1789" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cenacolo di San Salvi, Andrea del Sarto"][/caption] I have been tagged in the "My 3 best kept travel secrets game" that Katie from Tripbase started. Not only am I thrilled to have been chosen to contribute secrets, I'm happy that this has led me to read some ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/3-best-art-travel-secrets-florence-italy/ When: Friday 29/01/2010 to 31/01/2010 Where: Galleria Dei Medici - next to Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, via Cavour Who: Fashion students from Florence's high school "Istituto Tornabuoni – Cellini" Students from a local high school that has a fashion program will stun you with their ability to minutely recreate historical fashion from the 13th century ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/history-of-fashion-exhibit/ At a conference on the use of internet by libraries, archives and museums that I attended the other day (live blog here), Elena Farinelli brought up an interesting fact: if you search "Biblioteca Firenze" on google, only the BNCF comes up on the map. This is because Florentine public institutions, ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/library-biblioteca-map/ Here's another pre-trip research post from Robert Kimberly, who likes strange things, and apparently also likes small cars. [caption id="attachment_2569" align="alignleft" width="248" caption="photo cheerfully cribbed from www.500touringclub.com"][/caption] As an American, huge cars are almost a birthright. My first cars were a 1950 Mercury 2-door coupe and 1975 Olds ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/fiat-500-tour-tuscany/ I don't normally post "retweets" as blog posts, but this is the funniest thing I have read in a long time - an article in The Onion about a "mediocre trattoria" in Florence that parodies every trip report on slowtrav or tripadvisor that I have ever read. Published Jan 14 ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/mediocre-trattoria-in-florence-via-the-onion/ Some art has gotten too big to hang on a wall. Perhpas due to a new feeling for nature, some artists prefer the countryside to the city for the display of their works, and fields are becoming populated with masterpieces. This is "Landscape Art", a "field" (pun intended) in which ... http://www.arttrav.com/tuscany/landscape-art-tuscany/ Robert once left a comment on arttrav, and since then we've had a great email correpondence in preparation for his Florence trip later this month. I love his strange blog, Neon Poisoning. He's on the lookout for... strange things, worldwide. The photo to the left is the kind of thing ... http://www.arttrav.com/conversations/strange-eccentric-florence/ Contributed to arttrav by my Mom, Audrey Korey, aka Staff Writer (new hire). [caption id="attachment_2526" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Leonardo Last Supper - Wikimedia Commons"][/caption] It has rained in Florence almost every day since we arrived before Christmas. The weather was so bad we couldn't make many of the day trips we had been ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/milan-day-trip-from-florence/ [caption id="attachment_2518" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Hopper: Morning Sun, Columbus Museum Ohio"][/caption] At Milan's Palazzo Reale is the first major retrospective in Italy dedicated to the American artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967), the famous realist painter. This show moves to Rome in February so if you cannot see it in Milan, you have plenty ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/edward-hopper-exhibit-in-milan/ This Saturday Jan 16 2010 is a very special PREVIEW night at Le Murate. If you're in or near Florence, plan to swing by and check out this new space. Well, not so new space... let me explain. Le Murate was, back in the Quattrocento, a nunnery for nuns under clausura ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/saturday-night-at-le-murate/ A look back at 2009 through arttrav - how the most significant moments in my year turned into posts. We started off 2009 with a guided visit of Lucca in early January by new friends Fabio and Laura from FlorenceIN. We have since become close friends, in touch weekly if not ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/year-of-posts-2009/ We have a new guideline for accomodation when traveling: stay where you eat. This differs from "eat where you stay" in a clever inversion that fully excludes the dreaded hotel restaurant. A few months ago we were in Maremma for the weekend at the beach, and wished to find a new ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/stay-where-you-eat/ This video was made by a Syracuse University Florence student, Remi Evans. It was her final project for a course called Masterpieces of Renaissance Art, a favourite of students for many years, taught by the legendary Prof. Rab Hatfield. I was teaching assistant for this course back in 2000 and ... http://www.arttrav.com/travpod/history-palazzo-vecchio-video/ I've been meaning to go check out this place in the Florentine hills called Dulcamara where you can cook your own meal OR hire a caterer. It's the same place that Chef Paula Carrier has been using for her British Empire lunches. This guest article submitted by Suzi Jenkins has ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/rent-tuscan-villa-restaurant/ I noticed with growing anticipation last week that a NEW ART BOOKSTORE was opening on via dei Servi (no. 52/54r). Libreria de'Servi is big, modern, and specialized in... art, literature, and history books!! I went in to check it out and wish the folks good luck -- hey, not to ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/art-literature-history-bookstore/ This weekend Florence was graced with a slight dumping of snow and the coldest temperatures we've had here in years. The city was spared the most of it, while in the hills people have been sledding! This morning I was driving over to the Virgin Mega-Gym to take a hot shower, ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/frozen-folon-sculpture-florence/ I recently met Jody Mattioli, a young artist who designs and hand-makes the most exceptional metal objects. I was struck by the originality of his sole wine rack in particular (see photo), and think it would make an excellent last minute Christmas gift. You can buy his pieces in the ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/jody-mattioli/ [caption id="attachment_2445" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Fabulous costume display in loggia"][/caption] The Biblioteca delle Oblate has it ALL this December! This recently restored public space was already a great place to hang out and study, meet friends or colleagues, and eat lunch or snack. Now, this December, it's even better. WHY? 1) The Oblate ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/oblate-december-open/ This Fall (until late Jan 2010), Palazzo Strozzi offers two important exhibits on realism and art. The major show “Art and Illusions - Masterpieces of Trompe l’Oeil” has received a lot of attention from the press, including a long review in the New York Times. The show “Manipulating Reality” in ... http://www.arttrav.com/museums/manipulating-reality-review-strozzi-florence/ [caption id="attachment_2457" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Me with author Jane Fortune at her book launch"][/caption] Folks! my comprehensive book review of Jane Fortune's "Invisible Women" is now online and in the paper! Read the article in The Florentine and see below to win your own copy! Short summary: Invisible Women is an expression of ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/book-review-jane-fortune-invisible-women/ Opening today: German photographer Candida Höfer's monumental photographs of some of Florence's most impressive interiors on display at Palazzo Medici Riccardi, under the auspices of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi. Photo: Candida Höfer: "Biblioteca Marucelliana Firenze I 2008", used by permission. from 11 December 2009 to 24 January 2010 Open daily 9-19, closed Wednesday FREE ... http://www.arttrav.com/museums/candida-hofer-in-florence/ Last night I attended the opening of ARTour, which can best be described as a Tuscan artisans' itinerary. Work in various media by contemporary artisans is displayed in unusual locations: an antique carpet dealer, a restaurant, an enoteca, and a gourmet panino shop. The opening was attended mostly by members ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/artour-artisan/ People often ask me where "real" Florentines go shopping. The answer is that we do shop downtown, and at outlet malls. But in town, via Gioberti (map!) is one of my favourite streets for a stroll, especially around Christmastime. On Sundays in December the street is pedestrian-only (which is a ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/real-florentine-christmas-shopping-via-gioberti/ The other day I got to meet Karen Bryan, a full time online information specialist (ok, that's "blogger") who brings us Europe a la Carte blog and Top Travel Content Europe, an aggregator website. Europe alla Carte is a multi-author blog. Karen has arranged for a really talented and diverse ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/best-europe-travel-tips/ The initiative called ARTour is an opportunity to see (and purchase, if you wish) unique handcrafted objects by Tuscan artisans. I am going to the opening on December 9th and you are welcome to come; the invitation is the photo in this post or download a pdf here - please rsvp ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/artour-tuscan-artisan-itinerary/ OK, I admit that I've never been to Sardinia. We considered it last summer, but ended up closer to home, in Elba. So when Paolo from Charming Sardinia contacted me and offered a guest post, I was happy to accept... also because I saw the beautiful properties he offers, and ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/sardinia-mines-montevecchio-ingurtosu/ Traditional Christmas Roast and Fundraiser for Groups December 13, 2009 The Phantom Christmas Starter: Welcome of mulled wine, cheese straws, blue cheese & walnut paté with port jelly Main: Roast stuffed goose with prunes & cognac served with roast potatoes, braised red cabbage, carrot & celeriac purée OR Vegetarian option of red onion tarte-tatin Dessert: ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/english-christmas-dinner-2009/ I have recently received news of the Happy New Tuscany contest from the Regione Toscana. You can WIN a super duper luxury week in Tuscany between Christmas and New Years (flight included), or New Years' Eve in Florence, Siena, Lucca, or Pisa! This contest is open to everyone worldwide except residents ... http://www.arttrav.com/tuscany/win-tuscany/ The city of Florence now offers free wi-fi internet in 12 piazze or parks. Access is via password in compliance with Italian laws, and limited to one hour a day. Hopefully in time, service will be extended for more time and to more areas. Unfortunately, to get the password you'll ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/free-wi-fi-internet/ Last night Florence hosted the first night-time opening/ music event in a museum. The event, called Dj al Museo, was organized by the Regione Toscana and promoted by the Social Media Team Voglio Vivere Cosi. Entry to the event was free to those who signed up online and filled out ... http://www.arttrav.com/museums/dj-al-museo-stibbert-review/ This news just in via press release from the Regione Toscana: The city of Florence and council for the Church of San Lorenzo announced today the ambitious project to finish the facade of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, left incomplete by Brunelleschi in the 15th century. The project, due to start ... http://www.arttrav.com/tuscany/san-lorenzo-facade-firenze2059/ This essay by Gorky Tyagi of India has me floored. This young man (a university student) has never been to Italy, but wrote this excellent essay about the history and architecture of the Colosseum through accurate research. He wins saffron from San Gimignano and his essay is the winner in the ... http://www.arttrav.com/rome/colosseum/ This invitation is to a conference in Italian, at which I will be speaking. It's for the Tuscany/USA womens' professional networking association and will be of interest to those operating in the tourism sector or wishing to network in Florence.  Lunedì 30 Novembre 2009 Palagio di Parte Guelfa Salone Brunelleschi Piazzetta di Parte Guelfa, ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/invito-conferenza-sul-turismo/ I was recently contacted by artist Patricia Abramovich who will be participating in the Florence Biennale '09 at the Fortezza da Basso December 5-13. French by birth, she now resides in Israel. She has generously conceded an interview for arttrav. Please tell us a little about yourself: I am a self-taught artist who ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/florence-biennale-patricia-abramovich/ This is the contest winner in the Student category. Garret won a copy of The Food Lover's Guide to Florence so that he can get in a good meal every once and a while! Hello, my name is Garret Tufte. I recently came to Florence to study creative writing, and, having ... http://www.arttrav.com/students/student-piazza-signoria-sculpture/ A special invite from the Tuscan-American Association, FlorenceIN, and Friends of the American community. As this is a FUNDRAISER, please mention which of these groups you belong to and we'll donate 10% to them! Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday November 26 from 8pm MENU: Roast turkey with all the trimmings and more! (Vegetarian option on ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/thanksgiving-2009/ You're still in time to sign up for the Florence marathon that takes place on Sunday November 29th 2009. Or, more likely you might go out to cheer on these brave runners. This important international sports event is also a great opportunity to visit the city - not just while you ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/florence-marathon-2009/ This winning entry from Pamela Marasco is a mouth-watering and inspiring account of travel in Tuscany. I awarded her a beautiful photo album from Abacus, an artisanal bookbinder in Florence. This is a timely article since November is host to the truffle festival in San Giovanni d'Asso, which is discussed ... http://www.arttrav.com/day-trips/truffles-and-terme/ Arttrav has been nominated by the BTO for the "best touristic blog" prize!! Please take 30 seconds to vote here (no registration required). Click the red "vota il blog" text, then select arttrav from the list with the black background and click "submit" (you may select more than one contestant if ... http://www.arttrav.com/florence/buy-tourism-online-conference/  De Gustibus is pleased to present a special event and the first in a new series of collaborations with Villa Caruso Bellosguardo, an amazing historic home not far from Lastra a Signa. You're invited to dinner with music: Sunday November 15, from 19:30 onwards, at VILLA CARUSO BELLOSGUARDO The name Villa Caruso ... http://www.arttrav.com/arttrav-news/degustando-caruso-degustibus/