The Florence Dance Festival is an International Contemporary Dance Festival in Florence Italy. Major dance companies from all over the world have been presented at the Festival. Currently in its 22 year of presentation, the Florence Dance Festival 2011 will be held in the picturesque court yard of the Bargello National Museum of Florence.

The Florence Gelato Festival is planned May 25^th to May 29^th 2011.

This award winning event (Best Emotional Response 2010) will take place in:

• Piazza Santissima Annunziata
• Piazza della Repubblica
• Piazza San Giovanni
• Palazzo Strozzi
• Caffè Giubbe Rosse
• Palazzo Vecchio
• Palagio di Parte Guelfa
• Piazzetta Salvemini
• Piazzetta delle Belle Arti
• Piazza de’ Salterelli
• Via del Campanile,
• Lung. Soderini ang. Slargo Nazario Sauro
• Via dei Tavolini

Information (Phone): +39.055 27051

The Florentine is a bi-weekly free newspaper printed in english covering italian news, events, culture, tuscany travel and food, in and around the Florence area – Offers information on:

• Places to Eat (Brunch)
• Cinema
• Culture
• Dance
• Exhibits
• Guided Tours
• Lectures and Conferences
• Markets and Festivals
• Music and Concerts
• Parks
• Theatre

St Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, 13^th and 14^th of February is the perfect occasion for a romantic weekend getaway in Florence, city of art, culture and unique beauty.

Florence has so much to offer: Walks on the famous Ponte Vecchio, Horse and buggy rides, romantic candle light dinners, visit the Uffizi Gallery are just a few of the many interesting, fun and relaxing things you can do only in Florence.

Hotel Relais features selected 4 and 5 star hotels in Florence for an unforgettable St. Valentine’s Day week end.

Lungarno Suites Hotels

Member of the international network Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Lungarno Suites is the place where you can treat yourself to a unique romantic weekend getaway in Florence, experiencing unforgettable moments and panoramas in the intimacy of a home directly facing the Ponte Vecchio.

Hotel Montebello Splendid

A higher level of luxury and elegance, in a peaceful up-scale neighborhood, nestled in an oasis of calm and beauty in central Florence, Hotel Montebello Splendid is an icon to luxury and elegance typical of 5 star and luxury hotels in Florence, within walking distance of Ponte Vecchio.

Hotel Montebello Splendid opens into a courtyard garden with a fountain and a little neoclassic temple that will constantly calm and inspire you during your days in Florence–a corner full of peace and serenity for your afternoon cocktails and Al fresco dinners.

Thinking about things to do in Florence and you have a “sweet tooth” the Fiera del Cioccolato Artigianle is just what you are looking for. Chocolate lovers from all Italy gather in Florence to meet in Piazza di Santa Croce.

This event is home to the most famous chocolate makers in the world – an opportunity to “taste” the best chocolates and chocolate related products.

Tuscany is home to many chocolate artisans as I mentioned in a post last year – Chocolate tasting & Making in Florence Tuscany

Opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and entry is free. Opening date is February 4^th and will remain open to the public until the February 7^th.

Hotel Relais suggests a stay in one of the best hotels in Florence:

• Lungarno Suite
• Hotel Bernini Palace

L’estate porta con sè una ricca offerta musicale per tutti gli amanti dei concerti all’aperto: luglio e agosto sono i momenti migliori per godere appieno delle occasioni di musica dal vivo.

Inaugurata ieri a Siena, con un concerto in Piazza Jacopo della Quercia, con la Nona sinfonia di Beethoven, la 66esima settimana musicale senese durerà fino al 17 luglio 2009.
Nel fine settimana:
- al Teatro dei Rozzi di Siena un grande prima: la rappresentazione italiana L’imbalsamatore di Giorgio Battistelli, al debutto alla regia (venerdì e domenica)
- nella Chiesa di Sant’Agostino l’Orchestre des Champs Elysees e il Collegium Vocale Gent e Accademia Chigiana Siena diretti da Philippe Herreweghe eseguono l’Elias di Mendelssohn (sabato)

La musica prosegue martedì nella Sala del Mappamondo di Palazzo Pubblico, con il concerto della violinista Lisa Batiashvili, vincitrice della 26ª edizione del Premio Internazionale “Accademia Musicale Chigiana” 2008, insieme a Yumiko Urabe al pianoforte.

Mercoledì e giovedì sempre al Teatro dei Rozzi un’opera di Haydn, su libretto di Pietro Metastasio: L’isola disabitata, realizzata dall’Orchestra della Toscana.

L’Accademia Musicale Chigiana sarà di nuovo presente con la 78esima Estate Musicale Chigiana dal 29 luglio al 26 agosto in varie ambientazioni: chiese, abbazie e teatri, e con il programma “Maestri Chigiani in terra di Siena” (20 luglio-23 agosto), con grandi concerti a Chiusi, San Gimignano, San Quirico d’Orcia, Sovicille, Pienza.

Biglietti in vendita online sul sito dell’Accademia Chigiana >>

Per un soggiorno in provincia di Siena vi suggeriamo:

- Relais Villa Arceno (San Gusmè – Siena)
- Hotel Borgo Pretale (Sovicille – Siena)
- Castello di Velona (Montalcino – Siena)
- Castelbigozzi (Monteriggioni – Siena)
- Hotel Certosa di Maggiano (Siena)
- Tenuta di Ricavo (Castellina – Siena)
- Castello Banfi il Borgo (Montalcino – Siena)
- Relais il Vignale (Radda in Chianti – Siena)
- Villa San Paolo (San Gimignano – Siena)
- Relais della Rovere (Colle val D’Elsa – Siena)
- Borgo Scopeto Relais (Siena)
- Hotel Relais La Suvera (Casole d’Elsa – Siena)
- Villa Poggiano (Montepulciano – Siena)
- Campo Regio Relais (Siena)

There is excitement in the air and great expectations from the forthcoming Opera festival 2009 which will soon take place in some of the most beautiful and exclusive locations in Florence, Tuscany. The festival blends ballet and music at the highest levels and a breath taking location: Giardino di Boboli with a privileged access from Palazzo Pitti.

Here are highlights of the most important events for you to review and attend while visiting Florence:

Aida – Giuseppe Verdi

• Monday June 15, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM
• Thursday June 25, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM
• Thursday July 9, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM
• Tuesday July 21, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM

MaggioDanza

• Wednesday July 1, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM in the framework of the 72^nd edition of Maggio Musical Fiorentino

ZUBIN MEHTA, Messa da Requiem di G. Verdi

• Thursday July 2, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM

Carmina Burana di C. Orff – di M.Ravel

• Tuesday July 14, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM

Roberto Bolle and Friends

• Wednesday July 29, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM
• Thursday July 30, Florence, Giardino di Boboli begins at 9:15 PM

More information on Opera Festival can be found here.

Here are some of our fine Hotels in Florence to make your stay both comfortable and enjoyable at competitive rates !

- Montebello Splendid, offers private parking near porta a Prato
- Lungarno Suites at Ponte Vecchio
- Hotel Bernini Palace near Palazzo Vecchio
- Plaza Hotel Lucchesi on the lungarni.

If you are visiting Tuscany and seeking tips on things to do in and around Florence, Il Genio Fiorentino is an initiative you won’t want to miss.

Genio Fiorentino started this past week end and will continue until may 24^th

Events organized for this edition of Il Genio Fiorentino are listed here.

(Italian Chocolate on Flickr by Soundless Space)

Like Chocolate ? Can’t resist sweets ? If you’re in Tuscany visit the Fiera del Cioccolato in Florence starting next week. From January 22^nd Florence celebrates chocolate for 3 days in Piazza di Santa Croce from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Fiera del Cioccolato offers free chocolate tasting along with the opportunity to learn how to make chocolate.

Another event featuring chocolate made in Tuscany is CIOCCOLOSITÀ in Monsummano Terme, Pistoia organized by Slow Food Tuscany. This year CIOCCOLOSITÀ hosts artisans from other regions and celebrates it’s 10^th birthday (January 30, 2009 – February 1, 2009).

The traditional appointment known as “cioccolatiere in cucina” this year features Corrado Assenza from Caffè Sicilia a Noto on January 30, and Roberto Catinari, Master Chocolate Maker, and Chef Giuseppe Argentino.

During the holiday season, Hotel Montebello Splendid, in the heart of Florence, is organizing a new year’s eve dinner in the heart of Florence. Hotel Montebello Splendid is a 5 star hotel with a higher level of luxury and elegance, located in a peaceful yet central up-scale neighbourhood in downtown Florence, within walking distance of Ponte Vecchio.

Hotel Montebello Splendid is an icon to Florentine luxury and elegance.

Located in the area of embassies and the Florence Opera theatre, this 19th-century villa has repeatedly hosted international ambassadors, opera singers, artists and intellectuals, and this year offers an exclusive event on new year’s eve:

Awaiting midnight in the magic atmosphere of Florence

To celebrate the new year Hotel Montebello Splendid is hosting a new year’s eve dinner, a heart warming moment of relaxation and intimacy, away from the confusion.

Here you’ll enjoy aperitifs and fine foods:

• Al caminetto” Ilvano’s cocktails and the Chef’s appetizers
• Crispy artichoke
• Artichoke and pistachio with steamed prawn and aromatic herbs sauce and pistachio with steamed prawn and aromatic herbs sauce
• Chicken liver strudel with selection of salads and mustard zabaglione
• White Tuscan beans soup with mussel, hand made pasta topped with dried tomatoes and basil
• Champagne risotto topped with fillet mignon and Brunello wine sauce
• Fillet of beef topped with citrus and chicory sauce with thyme flavoured potatoes pie
• Panettone and Pandoro, typical Italian yeast cake, with hot chocolate and vanilla sauce
• Cup of Spumante
• Coffee with chocolate cookies

from 20:45 to 21:15 aperitif near the Fireplace in the lounge

Cable radio music

€ 110,00 per person.

Beverages are not included

For further information and bookings:

Hotel Montebello Splendid, 5 star hotel in Florence
50123 Firenze, via Garibaldi 14 – Tel. +39 055 2747.1 – Fax +39 055 2747700
Email: info@montebellosplendid.com – www.montebellosplendid.com