Palazzo Litta, one of the most representative Baroque buildings in the centre of Milan, hosted this unique event. Some of the most famous representatives of world’s jet set where present at the dinner, including:

Adrien Brody, Naomi Campbell, Lapo Elkann, Rupert Everett, Adriano Giannini, John Malkovich, Claudia Schiffer, Tilda Swinton, Janet Jackson, and so many more.  Among them, of course, were the fashion designers Giorgio Armani and Donatella Versace, all in line on the red carpet waiting for the celebrations to begin at 8:30. In spite of the extremely hot evening, and the Italy vs. Spain European championship football match, numerous fans and photographers gathered together in front of the main entrance hoping to catch a picture of their favourite star.

As everyone knows, Italians, including VIPs, are mad for football, so for those guests that were anxious to follow the match a big screen was placed in one of the halls. Among the predictable fans were Lapo Elkan, Santo Versace, the brothers Della Valle, even some of elegant ladies in long evening dresses where stuck to the screen, cheering for the Italian team. So in this special atmosphere the aperitivo time grew longer and longer, and the heat was rising from minute to minute, caused not only by the match but also by the hundreds of candles arranged on magnificent tables. And despite Italy’s loss to Spain, the celebration continued late into the night, with guests toasting, dancing, and having fun.

THE EVENT …

“Fattori e il naturalismo in Toscana” is a big exhibition, cured by Francesca Dini.

It has been organized from 19^th of March and it will continue thought all 2008; it’s just one of the many events organized to celebrate Giovanni Fattori, who belongs to the most important painters of Risorgimento.

This frameworks exhibition propose 35 operas: 11 from Giovanni Fattori between these: “Horse branding in Maremma” and “Viale Principe Amedeo”; the others operas are made by Niccolò Cannicci, Eugenio Lecconi, Egisto Ferroni, Francesco Gioli, Luigi Gioli,  Guglielmo Micheli,  Ruggero Panerai,  Ruggero Sorbi,  Adolfo Tommasi e Angiolo Tommasi.

It’s supported by “Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze” with “Soprintendenza per il Patrimonio Storico, Artistico ed Etnoantropologico” and “Galleria d’arte Moderna”.

…THE PAINTER…

Giovanni Fattori is considerate one of the most famous painter of the group known as the Macchiaioli.

He was born in Livorno in 1825 and he decided to move in Florence for studying arts. As others painters, he changed, during the time, the subject of his painting, passing from military and historical subjects to landscapes with figures and rural subjects.

…AND THE LOCATION: VILLA BARDINI

Villa Bardini is situated next to Forte Belvedere in the top of Costa San Giorgio. It was build in 1641 by Silvani Gerardo and the name derives from its panoramic position.

The garden is composed from 3 different placet:  there is a large terraced, an English wood to the west and an agricultural area to the east.  The Villa, as well, has a different functions: in the upper floor there is the Roberto Capucci Fondation and a museum deducated to Pietro Arrigoni; the ground floor is dedicate for exhibitions and meetings.

INFORMATION

TIME TABLE

- every day from 09.00 am to 07.00 p.m.

- Closed on the fist and last Monday of the month

TICKETS

- Full: 6,00 euro

- Reduced : 5,00 euro or 4.00 euro

For more information about the program, tickets and location you can visit the official site www.giovannifattori.it

or call the following number:

0039 055 2638599

Fancy seeing a great view of Siena and some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside from a different perspective? The view from the top of the Torre del Mangia at the Piazza del Campo is surely a sight not to be missed! It is also a fantastic photo opportunity for all those snap happy tourists out there!

You can climb to the top of the tower for a small fee, and there is even a discount for students. The only thing is, if you are claustrophobic or have any fear of heights, then perhaps the tower is not the place for you. There are hundreds of steps, which get narrower towards the top. However, you don’t have to go all the way to the top; there is a space where you can stop and see the views about half way up. If you climb to the top, you may need to put in a bit of effort to climb all those steps but it is definitely worth it when you reach the top of the tower and see Siena from a completely different point of view.

Another place you can go to get a bird’s eye view of Siena is at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, near to the Duomo, where there is an outdoor walkway, offering a panoramic view of the city. There are not as many steps as at the tower, but there are still narrow stairwells and again, worth the effort for the view. You can see the centre of Siena and the campo in all their glory from the top of the walkway.

Both of these tourist hotspots are not to be missed on a trip to Siena. A great way to see Siena, at a small price! Don’t forget your camera!!

If you consider this to be a good idea, think that summer is the best period of the year to enjoy a holiday in Italy. In June and July especially, you will find beautiful sunny weather, with bright days lasting until 9/10 p.m., and at the same time, temperatures never are too hot for visiting, walking and travelling.

In order to encourage foreign students to join and appreciate the “Bel Paese” (’Beautiful Country’, as Italy is used to be named abroad), for third consecutive year and following the success of the previous Special Offers in 2006 and 2007, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci - one of the most important Italy’s providers of in-country Italian language schools in Italy - is featuring again, last minute language travel packages in all its Italian language school centers, located in some of the most beautiful and attractive Italian cities, such as Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena.

The “last minute offer to study abroad in Italy” is a package that includes a 2 week language and culture course and accomodation in shared apartment or hosting family, for students who wish to enjoy Italian culture by living and stuying in Italy.

Italian language and culture courses offered by Scuola Leonardo da Vinci have been conceived to help foreign students in a fast development of their Italian language skills and their knowledge of Italian current culture.

In addition, after their lessons in class, they will have the possibility to attend cultural and leisure activities, enjoy their free time by visiting the city and its surroundings, or have fun during the night with their new school mates in the numerous nightclubs (bars, pubs, discos) of the city. Activities, excursions and nights out are usually organized with the school staff.

If you feel tempted by the idea of having a different, interesting holiday this year, here you will find some last minute offers to come to Italy, to study Italian language in one of the Leonardo da Vinci school centers in Florence, Milan, Rome or Siena. We promise you will have a very good time in our Leonardo da Vinci schools!

Discover our special price for a special offer so, what are you waiting for? Enroll now!
Carpe diem! Cogli l’attimo!
We are waiting for you!

Immagine a lovely place, 10 minutes away from the Colosseum, in the very heart of Rome, but surprisingly very quiet - far from the crazy traffic! Each summer at Villa Celimontanta, an enchanted park situated on top of the Celio hill, takes place the “Villa Celimontana jazz festival”. American, French, and of course Italian jazz-players meet together at moonlight between old pines. For approccimately two months, from 15th June until 15th August every night, celebrating the “hotests” nights in Rome.

The place is absolutely magical, and the music is great. The atmosphere is very relaxed - as in all respected jazz clubs, you can drink beer or taste fine local wines and not to forget to mention that the food served at the restaurant is undoubtly one the best in town.

Do not miss this opportunity, come and visit Rome this summer!

For more information on this years’ program see: www.villacelimontanajazz.com

In the past, the ARCI clubs were above all else thought of as places where it was possible to drink and eat at a very good price. Today, however, they are evolving, becoming more rich and diverse in their offerings.

The several Milan ARCI clubs promote different cultural activities, such as theatre performances, exhibitions, and musical performances.

In fact, the Milan ARCI associations have become one of the most important ways for young Italian and international artists to enter the music scene.

ARCI Club “Casa 139”, located in via Ripamonti, is the place where this international music scene is best represented. “Casa 139” organizes many interesting concerts. Its stage has hosted bands from Europe, Asia and Africa. Particular attention is dedicated to contemporary Italian songwriters that unfortunately are still having trouble obtaining the recognition that they deserve. At “Casa 139” the air that you breathe is of complete relaxation; the feeling is of being in a small, intimate club.

The atmosphere of ARCI “Bitte” in Via Watt is completely different. Here, it’s possible to pass wild evenings singing and dancing until 4 am. Every weekend a new DJ plays a mix of alternative electronic music, something which is difficult to find in any other club in the city.

Especially active during the summer, ARCI “Magnolia”, situated just a few minutes outside Milan, is a favourite place for many young people to hang out, drink popular cocktails, and listen to some good music.

The newest member of the Milan ARCI clubs is ARCI “Biko”, which opened just few months ago. If you are addicted to reggae and funk, this is the place for you.

We also need to mention the historic club “ARCI Bellezza” that is located just a few steps from Bocconi University. When you enter here your impression may be that you have returned to another era. While you are dreaming a timeless dream, you will feel so far removed from the city rush. During the warmer months it is possible to sit in the garden, sip a cup of white wine, and eat a typical fried fish dish, all at a very popular prices.

In conclusion, it’s obvious that ARCI clubs are continuing to grow, both in strength and in their diversity, and that they represent an important part of Milan’s night life, introducing new music, and making possible more open communication between different groups and cultures.

…THE EVENT….

The “Maggio Musicale Fiorentino” was founded in 1933 on initiative of Luigi Ridolfi and master Vittorio Gui, with the successive contribution of Alexander Pavolini successor of Ridolfi in the role of Florence’s Federal.

It is an annual festival, organized by Florence, where are performing grand operas, concerts, ballets and theatre performances.

Besides it’s considerate one of the most prestigious artistic festivals to world-wide level and the company of dance of the Theatre (called Maggio Danza) is one of the main active formations in Italy.

Usually, the “Maggio Musicale Fiorentino” takes place in the beginning of June, in the Teatro Comunale (Town Theatre).

From 1986 the main director of the “Maggio Musicale Fiorentino” Orchestra is Zubin Mehta, who, in 2006, became honorary director to life. In 2001, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award. In September, 2006 the Kennedy Center announced Maestro Mehta as one of the receipients of that year’s Kennedy Center Honors. These were presented on December the 2^nd, 2006. In the final, on February the 3^rd, 2007, Zubin Mehta received of the Second Annual Bridgebuilder Award at Loyola Marymount University.

…CURIOSITY….

The event has ancient origins; it descends from the spring celebration Calendimaggio so we can say the Musical May Fiorentino is like a modern representation of that festival.

The Calendimaggio was a spring festivity, celebrated, in fact, the first day of May - calende di Maggio - with celebrations which prolonged practically for all the month.

It was a tradition of all Tuscany and interests other regions (Appennino of Emilia Romagna, Four province, Oltrepò Pavian, marginal zones from Liguria, etc).

In Florence, “flower’s city”, the festivity began with the suspension of every activity and with the organisation of a long parade on the principal streets and the windows and the balconies were adorns for the occasion with tapestries and flags.

It started on 26^th of April and will finish on 1^st of July…This is the 71^st edition and like always it’s rich of initiatives!!!!

For any information about the program, tickets and location you can visit the official site

www.maggiofiorentino.com

or call the following numbers:

Box Office - TEATRO COMUNALE

Corso Italia, 16

fax + 39 (055) 287222

From tuesday to friday : from 10.00 a.m. to 04.30 p.m.

Saturday from 10.00 to 01.00 p.m.

INFORMATION E CALL CENTER

055 2779350

every day from 10 a.m. to 06 p.m.

tickets@maggiofiorentino.com

BOX OFFICE FLORENCE

Via Alamanni, 39

tel. + 39 055 210804

Timetable:

From tuesday to Saturday : from 10.00 a.m. to 07.30 p.m.

Monday from 03.30 p.m. to 07.30 p.m.

These shops will charge you nearly double the price for the same food and drink you can buy in the supermarket. Likewise, with restaurants, the more they cater for tourists, the more expensive they will be, especially in Piazza del Campo.
It’s worth hunting for the restaurants that cater more for locals. Bearing in mind that the locals, like all Italians, are serious about their food, you tend to find that the food served in these less touristy restaurants is of better quality!

As with food, the Italians savour their alcohol, so tend to drink little and often; unlike us Brits! Good wine can be found anywhere, found most cheaply in Conad. Bars, like restaurants, are more expensive in Piazza del Campo, but you can save your pennies if you are willing to walk a bit further out!

On most evenings, the campo is the place to be, and on the weekends can be heaving with people until the last bars close at 3am! The best way to do it is to buy a bottle of cheap but great wine and take it with you to the campo and enjoy the atmosphere.

Even in the autumn and winter months you can sit in the campo at night, as long as you take a jacket! Come to Siena and have a new drinking experience! Salute!

One of the most important monuments from Medici era in Florence is the Fortezza da Basso. It was build in the first half of the 1500s, between 1534and 1537, and it’s dislocated nearby the Central Railway Station of Santa Maria Novella.
It was designes by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, on commission from Alessandro de’ Medici. The complex extends over an area of almost 100,000 square metres (55.000) of indoor); the number and variety of its rooms and spaces make it be an ideal setting for the conferences and trade faires.
The Fortezza da Basso is now the main exhibition centre in Florence, where lot of the most important trade faires and shows are held, one of these is the Handicraft Trade Fair.

….AND NOW ABOUT THE FAIR!

If you are in Florence in this period you can visit the interesting exhibition at Fortezza da Basso: the 72° International handicrafts Trade Fair, that will have place from April 25th to May 4th.
Here you can find more than 700 stands showing theire goods; for example you can find frames sellers, jewelery, clothes etc… .
At the Fortezza you can also find a special floor assigned at the international trade, where are sellers from all over the world.
Mostra dell’Artigianto is not only a trade exhibition, nor also a celebration of creativity and arts because you can admire lot of handemade and artistic goods.

The past is a very important argument for Florence and its culture, but in those days you will breath a peculiar atmospheare of “future”; therefore there will be new materials, new colours and new shapes which, however, are still keeping on the traditional refinement.

So, if we convinced you to visit it, we give you the details.

Time table

• every day from 10:00 am to 23:00
• last day from 10:00 am to 20:00

Tickets

• Full: 5,00 euro
• Not full (ridotto) : 4,00 euro

How to find it
It is at 250 meter to the central Railway Station S. Maria Novella (every bus can stop you there).

For more information: Events in Florence by About Florence

Handicraft Trade Fair official website

NOTE: all the images are taken from the Handicrafts Trade Fair Photo Gallery published in the official website.

While you are in Siena, it is a great idea to make the most of being in Tuscany and perhaps take a few day trips to nearby towns. There are many beautiful places in the region and in neighbouring regions that are worth visiting.
The two most popular nearby cities that are worth seeing are Florence and Pisa.

Florence is the closer of the two and is easy to get to by train or bus, at prices that you won’t be able to get over, being used to British public transport prices! Florence is a tourist hotspot that is bursting with culture; there are plenty of things to do and see there. Must visits include the duomo, Ponte Vecchio (a bridge that crosses the river) and the Uffizi gallery. It is worth considering booking tickets in advance for the gallery since it is often heaving with visitors.

Pisa is slightly further afield, but you can get there by train or bus as well. Besides the baptistery, the museums, the duomo and the churches, it is worth the trip to at least see the leaning tower! Don’t forget to pack your camera!
Regular buses run from the main bus station in Siena to a number of towns in the surrounding area, which include San Gimignano, Assisi, Chianti and Montepulciano.
San Gimignano is a quaint little town that is famous for its towers; it has 14! There are great views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside from the Rocca, what remains of the town’s old fortress. Assisi is known for its quaintness and tranquillity, and is a big hit with the tourists. If you’re a wine drinker, then Montepulciano could be the place for you, as some of the regions finest wines are produced there. The Chianti region is nearby too… worth a trip for the views and the wine!
There’s lots to explore and enjoy spending a period of time in Tuscany!

And don’t forget that our Italian language school in Siena organize a lot of excursions and guided visits in Siena and in Tuscany!

More information: Visiting Tuscany, visiting Siena, visiting Florence, visiting Pisa