Antonio Davide, an artist with an international exposure, opens the spring season with a course on terracotta pottery creation in Valdambra, Tuscany.

We spoke about Antonio Davide when the opening of his atelier in Tuscany was announced late last year.

The course is on terracotta sculpting and vase creating. Participation is in limited numbers.

The course is an exercise conciliating the body and the mind: the creation of a vase with bare hands as a means to express ones creativity – the opportunity to discover the pleasure of making things with our hands like our ancestors.

A unique experience in the heart of Tuscany, the opportunity to discover the creative side in your character you may not have known existed, the chance to learn more about yourself and your inner child .

For further information on this and other activities of the Atelier call +39.338 4602575

If you are in Tuscany this time of year and enjoy spirits, you should definitely visit “Gocce di Grappa” an event taking place in Colle val D’Elsa near Siena in Tuscany.

Gocce di Grappa takes place tomorrow Saturday March 7, and Sunday starting at 3 PM and will remain open to the public until 11:00 PM

Further information is available (in Italian) at:

http://www.terrediarnolfo.it/grappa/gocce.html

More information on Colle Val d’Elsa here.

On February 13^th the seventh edition of Lucca in Musica was inaugurated. The event is promoted by the Associazione Musicale Lucchese and the Teatro del Giglio, under the patronage of the Commune and Province of Lucca and private sponsors.

For the occasion the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven will be presented in the Basicila of San Frediano in Lucca, by the Orchestra Sinfoica Verdi of Milan and the Coro Sinfonico Verdi of Milan.

The Coro Sinfonico of Milan, the soloists, the orchestra conductor, Tenor and Soprano are all highly acclaimed:

Anna-Katharina Behnke soprano
Annely Peebo mezzosoprano
Jon Ketilsson tenore
Peter Mikulas basso
Erina Gambarini Maestro of the choir

This edition of Lucca in Musica is dedicated to the artist Pompeo Batoni from Lucca.

Photo by Curreyuk on Flickr.

In just a few days at the Museo Stale d’Arte Medievale e moderna in Arezzo, an exhibition named:

“I Della Robbia, il dialogo tra le Arti nel Rinascimento”

will be inaugurated.

Luca Della Robbia was the first of 3 generations of very talented artists covering more than 1 century of intense and innovative sculpting activities in Tuscany. He developed a glazing technique, significantly improving the duration of creations for the outdoors, and the exterior of buildings.

Andrea, Giovanni, Francesco, Marco and Girolamo followed in their predecessor’s footsteps and produced a charming line of creations throughout the 1400s leading into the mid 1500s.

The exhibition features other important artists of the Renaissance:

• Donatello
• Ghiberti
• Andrea del Verrocchio
• Rossellino
• Pisanello
• Filippo Lippi
• Pollaiolo
• Ghirlandaio
• Perugino

Activities for families and children, as well as guided itneraries will enrich your visit.

Arezzo is proud to welcome you. Here you will find both the the city and the beautiful valleys of the Tuscany countryside:

• Valdichiana
• Valtiberina
• Valdarno
• Casentino

The event opens on Feb. 21^st 2009 and will end on June 7^th 2009

More information is available here ( English section of the website is foreseen) .

Hotel Relais looks forward to welcoming you in any on of these fine hotels in the immediate vicinities of Arezzo:

• Castelletto di Montebenichi in Bucine
• Villa Belpoggio in Loro Ciuffenna
• Torre Santa Flora in Subbiano

All amongst the finest and best Luxury Hotels in Tuscany

To those of us who travel very much hotels become a second home. A warm welcome and that special care and attention make a world of difference to those who are constantly on the road.

More often than not, this is true also for the majority of those who travel the world exploring new places: a warm smile upon arrival, a kind word of courtesy make all the difference, break the ice and make Guests feel “at home”.

Hospitality is far more than a warm room and a clean bed, or a deluxe continental breakfast, it’ s about people caring for people.

Hotel Relais is a Consortium of 4 and 5 star hotels in Tuscany, our objective is to exceed your expectations. Luxury Hotels have long since recognized the need for Professionals with special capabilities at the reception: The Concierge.

Many underestimate their role and ignore the existence of this profession and the international association representing them called Clefs d’Or.

Members of this association are easily recognizable because they wear the Golden Keys on their blazer: 2 crossed keys are the symbol of the Concierges beloging to UIPA – Unione Italiana dei Portieri d’Albergo the national group which in turn is part of the UICH Unione internazionale delle Clefs d’Or ( International Union of the Golden Keys).

The association was founded in 1929 and counts 40 nations worldwide, representing the best professionals in this industry when it comes to welcoming Guests with a smile, courtesy, discretion.

We are proud to have Michele Paonessa, president of Le chiavi d’Oro Toscana with us at Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, a fine hotel in on the Lungarni of Florence and member of our consortium.

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi is a symbol of fine hospitality in Florence since 1860. The hotel is located on the right banks of the Arno river, with a spectacular view of Florence and southern exposure.

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi is a 4 star hotel in central Florence located in the immediate vicinities of Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte, a few steps away from the church of Santa Croce, and Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, just a short walk away from the Duomo (Cathedral), as well as the Accademia where the David by Michelangelo is kept.

Mentioned for over 50 years in the prestigious Michelin Guide, the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi is listed among the finest hotels in Florence in the category Grand Comfort for 2005 and 2006.

It was a pleasure to meet Michele Paonessa in Florence, at the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi.

Hotel Villa San Paolo, a 4 star luxury hotel in Tuscany is offering a unique St. Valentine’s day proposition for you traveling to or visiting Tuscany.

• Saint Valentine’s Day “Delizia a due” February 14^th
  • 5 course Dinner for 2 at Ristorante Lampolla we featured back in November (a romantic dinner for 2 in San Gimignano Tuscany).
  • You’ll receive a free entry for 2 at the irisspa benessere fitness and wellness center, 2 free passes you can use the day after your Saint Valentine’s day dinner until April 7^th – advance booking is required.

Cost per couple: € 150,00

• Saint Valentine’s day “Piccante Cioccolato” (Spicy Chocolate) February 14^th
  • irispa benessere fitness and wellness center entry (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM) with free access to:
    • indoor and outdoor swinning pools both with warm water and hydro massage
    • sauna
    • turkish bath
    • tuscan aromarium
    • rugiade
    • cascades
    • kneipp iteneraries
    • summer storms
    • ice fountain
    • fitness room
  • 2 course lunch for 2 in front of the fireplace at the loliva bar (St. Valentine’s day menu, drinks are not included)
  • 25 minute chocolate massage for 2

Cost per couple: € 140,00

• Saint Valentines Day Piccante Cioccolato evening February 14^th
  • irispa benessere fitness and wellness center entry (6:00 PM to 10:00 PM) with free access to:
    • indoor and outdoor swimming pools both with warm water and hydro massage
    • sauna
    • turkish bath
    • tuscan aromarium
    • rugiade
    • cascades
    • kneipp itineraries
      
    • summer storms
    • ice fountain
    • fitness room
• romantic snack near the fireplace (St. Valentine’s day menu, drinks are not included) at the loliva bar (open until 01:00 AM)

Cost per couple: € 100,00

Carneval is just around the corner, and preparations are well under way to celebrate this cheerful event in Viareggio.

February 8-15-22-24 and March 1, 2009 are dates to keep in mind and visit Viareggio, the well known locality in Tuscany famous for seaside resorts, and home to the famous Carnival of Viareggio first celebrated way back in 1873, and now a popular travel destination for the papier-mâché floats parading along the promenade known as “Passeggiata a mare”

The symbol of the carnival of Viareggio and its official mask is Burlamacco, designed and invented by Uberto Bonetti in 1930.

Enjoy the carnival and your stay in Viareggio, choose a fine hotel while visiting Viareggio in Tuscany:

• Hotel Plaza e de Russie (Viareggio)
• Hotel Byron (Forte dei Marmi)
• Albergo Pietrasanta (Pietrasanta – Lucca)

Official Website: Carnevale di Viareggio (website in Italian).

(Gaming on Flickr by David Ward Photography)

Games have always “played” a significant part in our lives. A definition of a game is “a structured activity usually undertaken for enjoyment and can also be used for educational purposes.

Goals, rules, and interaction are key elements of a game and involve mental and/or physical stimulation.

If you’re visiting Tuscany and love games you’ll want to visit Colle Gioca, an event which takes place in Colle Val d’Elsa.

The event takes place on February 1^st and features all sorts of games and tournaments – a complete list is available online.

February 1st is a Sunday – spend a relaxing and interesting week end in Colle val d’Elsa at Relais della Rovere member of the Horel Relais Consortium.

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The Holidays are over and 2009 is here for (just about) 1 year !

This year will be just like the last one: more and more complicated as time progresses, so many events and appointments make our days intense and at time difficult to handle.

Gone are the days when families would pack up and leave for weeks at a time and forget everything, only to make a return completely re-generated after a long and peaceful break: today we are confronted with less and less time to ourselves and for our loved ones and subject to continuous disruptions coming from a mobile phone, Twitter, Facebook, and many other applications the web has to offer every single day under the sun.

But we need a break, we need breaks during the year to ease the tension and spend some quality time with wifes, husbands or “friends” …

Tuscany can offer the best in top quality and luxury accommodation and as my first post for 2009 I’d like to introduce you to the Hotel Byron, a 5 star luxury hotel in Tuscany a member of the Hotel Relais Consortium.

Whether it be a romantic week end for 2, or a relaxing break for singles, or just some time together with family, this is the place you want to be. Flying into Tuscany is a matter of a few hours from most European Capitals.

With 29 rooms, Hotel Byron is a refined and luxurious 5 star hotel in Tuscany located in Forte dei Marmi, in Versilia, on the coast. A unique hotel obtained by the combination of 2 liberty villas, decorated with style and taste by the owners with a typical Italian touch.

Open spaces, and liberty style decor set Hotel Byron in Versilia apart from other hotels.

To start the year, Hotel Byron is offering a travel to Tuscany week-end break, arrival Friday, departure Sunday valid until April 9, 2009.

The Travel to Tuscany week-end Package features a double room with the possibility of an upgrade (if available) to junior suite, including breakfast and process welcoming drink served in your room.

The program features:

• Breakfast served (both Saturday and Sunday)
• Dinner “A la Carte” on Friday evening – dose not include drinks
• Access to the Fitness and wellness centre ” The Green Park Resort” where swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and turkish bath are available along with aroma therapy and fitness centre

Guests are entitled to a 10% discount on all beauty treatments (travel to and from beauty center is not included).

On Saturday evening, after an intense day on the Versilia Coast or relaxing in the fitness and wellness center, you’ll enjoy an exclusive dinner prepared by the Chef Andera Mattei, starting at 20:00 with a Menu Degustazione based on traditional tuscan cuisine accompanied by selected wines carefully chosen by the Maitre (wines are not included).

Departure scheduled for 12:00 PM Sunday

Book your stay at the Hotel Byron now and take advantage of this wek end package to visit Forte dei Marmi in Versilia, Tuscany.

Cost: € 900,00 (does not include wines and drinks)

Supplement additional person: € 165,00

Nativity sparks creativity and inspires some of the best talents in Tuscany.

Visiting Tuscany for Christmas is the occasion to visit places putting on display original and creative presepi – here are other locations with unique nativity scenes:

• Cigoli, San Minato (Pisa), an 80 square meter presepe visitors walk through reaching the cave of the nativity scene.
  Open during festivities from 9:00 to 20:30 – info +39.0571.49442
• Manarola, cinque terre, located between Tuscany and Liguria, is home to a unique ecological presepe powered by solar energy – 300 characters using 15.000 lights: a project developed by a retired railroad worker.
• Borro di San Giuliano Valdarno – a mechanical representation of nativity built by Don Pasquale Mencattini in the 1940s
• Rampolano Terme, close to Siena, home to the Museo Nazionale del Presepe in Santa Maria Assunta, a church in the town center: every year a group of people called “friends of the presepio” choose a different location to set it up
  info: +39.0577 723213
• Bientina, in the province of Pisa, hosts the electronic multimedia presepe attracting large crowds. Free entrance from 16:00 to 19:30 – remains open until January 11^th 2009
• Other places in Tuscany featuring presepi and nativity events:
  • Bettolle, città dei Presepi
  • Veragio, nativity amongst chestnut trees
  • Palazzuolo sul Senio, Mugello
  • Santa Brigida near Pontassieve where a live representation takes place with 50 people in costume re-enacting nativity