Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World
Yes, it’s that time of year again; the run up to Easter or Pasqua as we say here in Italy. Florence has experienced a big increase in tourist bookings for the Easter holidays so you can guarantee the city will be heaving. But don’t worry about that, it’s all part of the Florence experience at this time of year! Park your car south of the river and walk or telephone Taxi Firenze on 055 4390 and they will pick you up in no time! The shops are full of giant chocolate eggs and it will be a weekend of family festivities whether you are religious or not. In the foto you will see an advertisement for Quinoa Gluten Free Restaurant, which is my absolute favourite place to eat. Don’t be put off by the ‘gluten free’ thing, they cater for all diets and you will love their freshly baked bread. Website
Whilst in or near Florence, there are some really interesting museums and exhibitions to get your teeth into. The Stibbert Museum is one place I will be going to in the next few weeks. I have been promising myself a visit for ages! It is easy to reach on the tram, which you can pick up outside Santa Maria Novella train station. The museum has a vast personal collection of military and lots of other collections, from around the world. Frederick’s English father came to Italy after fighting against Napoleon in Spain. He came to Rome and then Florence where he met and later married Frederick’s Italian mother. After Frederick’s death, his home and museum was opened to the public in 1909. It’s a fascinating story, do read about it and try to visit. Website
Now I love the work of the Italian artist Marcello Scuffi. You would be forgiven for thinking his art was from the art deco period of the 1920’s or 30’s. But no, he was born in 1948 in Pistoia, near Florence and his medium is sometimes described as GrecoArte here in Italy. I am mentioning Marcello because he currently has an exhibition at the Florence Art Gallery, which ends on 27th April. If you like his style, do drop in for a visit. I would love to own one or two of his paintings. Let me know what you think!
Again, on the subject of museum pieces, we may think of Archimedes, his being one of the most famous historical mathematical geniuses of all time. Hang on a minute, I hear you say, but he was Greek not Italian! Yes, yes I know this, I was just testing. Well actually I was leading up to introducing Italy’s very own modern-day Archimedes, eighteen year old Valerio Pagliarino! It is a reminder that many of the most intelligent mathematicians and inventors were Italian. And still are. This is not just a land of wine, olives, pizza and pasta, oh no. Valerio’s innovative new technology, the LaserWan project, is able to transmit data with light and has been recognised as Industrial Patent of Invention! Unsurprisingly he was one of the winners at ‘Intel International Science & Engineering Fair 2017.’ So bravo to Valerio and all the other young brilliant Italian techno designers rising to the surface! Foto La Repubblica magazine.
Now what else did I have to tell you? Oh yes, the Chianti countryside is currently having a deluge of rain. It’s also cold. But the coming week is looking better and I know that many of you will be travelling here during the next couple of weeks and will be glad to know that. I can see the beautiful Hoopoe bird trotting around the wet garden at this moment, easily finding worms that have come up to the surface. There is nothing like spring in Tuscany. Foto Pininterest.
Well enough of that already. Must get the fotos added for you to enjoy and catch up with my Sunday to do list. Have a great week and do drop me a line. By the way, my man says this week’s blog is too much like a travel article. Do you agree? Let me have your views!
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Salute June x
PS The Italians are very active on Facebook and are constantly posting events. Pop in the location you want to visit and hey presto, masses of things come up including concerts, theatre, exhibitions etc! All newspaper extracts from La Repubblica.
Well, it’s April first, yes really and the sun is shining. This morning we drove down to Certaldo for coffee as, quite rightly, La Dispensa in Fiano is taking a couple of days off for an Easter break. Jam Caffe, our favourite bar in Certaldo, was heaving with big family groups, several of which had returned home for the Pasqua (Easter) celebrations. Few Italians can bear to be away from Mama’s or Nonna’s Easter lunch and the traditional gathering of clans. In this picture, the caffe looks quiet, but behind me the bar was chocker! My man waxed lyrical over his pastry, which was freshly baked on the premises, as we met and greeted old friends. What a pleasant start to the day! Foto J Finnigan.
Looking back to Good Friday, we were invited over to our daughter’s lovely home between San Gimignano and Volterra, for a delicious lunch. The desert was my man’s absolute favourite, Strawberry Pavlova and the remaining strawberries were dipped in chocolate! Fortunately our daughter and granddaughter like to cook, so we were extremely happy to be treated. They live in untamed woodland with a view to the distant sea, such a lovely spot to live in. Grazie la Famiglia xx Foto J Finnigan.
Meanwhile, earlier in the week, we were enjoying our morning coffee in Fiano and I found some really nice fashion in La Repubblica for you to enjoy. All made in Italy, of course, and with a wonderful air of Spring about them. For the clothes visit Oltre’s 
It has been a strange time here in Tuscany, the trees are only just in bud and a number of young trees have not survived the terrible unseasonal cold we have suffered over the last couple of months. But the forecast is looking good now, so time to think about the Spring wardrobe at last! I’m going to look through my things tomorrow! For the shoes go to 
Once you have sorted out your Spring wardrobe, you may wish to pop over to Florence for a great Artisan Exhibition. There is nothing like viewing or buying products with the ‘Made in Italy’ label or sticker, so this is something you should try not to miss. This annual, traditional exhibition has been running since 1978 and is to be found in the 16th Century fortress, Fortezza da Basso, in the heart of Florence close to the railway/bus station. There is lots of parking in the area too, but I would always recommend taking a train or bus in if you can. Why not stay in Certaldo and travel from here, we could go together! You have plenty of time to plan for this, as it starts on 21st April. For lots more information go to 
Back at our lovely home, a converted monastery farmhouse, my man has been stacking the latest wood delivery. He also brought in a pile for our inglenook. “Look at this!” He said indicating the most peculiar shaped log. I stared and gasped. “It’s a dinosaur’s foot fossil!” I squealed. “Don’t be daft,” he sighed. “It’s obviously the bottom of a tree, with some of its roots still attached.” “No, no, it’s a fossil with a tree wrapped around it!” I argue. My man goes off to do more useful things. To burn or not to burn? That is the question. What do you think? Foto J Finnigan.
Back again in the coffee bar in Fiano last weekend, I read about the sad loss of a hugely popular TV celebrity, Fabrizio Frizzi. At only sixty, he has left our screens forever, having hosted numerous TV quiz shows; he was always around doing something entertaining. His funeral attracted thousands of fans and many celebrities too. Addio Fabrizio. Article by Di Piero Degli Antoni.
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