(Italiano) Italiano in ferie in Italia?
April 28, 2009
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Donnini Caffé. you don’t pay the seat
April 28, 2009
Are you tired and want to drink or eat something sit down at a table without spending a fortune?
If you’re in the Uffizi area, there is the Caffé Donnini in Piazza della Repubblica, between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria.
This is a place where if you want to seat you are not paying the table service.
This is valid only for the inside but I swear that the place is nice: the wall is covered with old pictures of Florence, mirrors and a long wooden counter and moreover the coffee costs still € 0, 85!
I suggest this nice coffee shop for sandwiches, pastries and drinks. Cappuccino is very good.
PS: If you want to use the toilet without buying something you can do it: just enter and go at the end of the black &white corridor. And this service is rare to find in touristy areas like this.
Rainy day
April 26, 2009
Rainy day in Florence… Had to take the raincoat and dress a pair or socks.
Forget sandals 
But: tomorrow will be another day.
About “Arts&Crafts” Fair 4/25-05/03
April 26, 2009
As I told you I wouldn’t miss the Arts&Crafts Fair, and yesterday we took a break and went to the Fortezza da Basso for the opening day of ART. The weather was good and lots of people were there, but it was fun.
Here are some pictures I made; the Fair worth a visit, if you are curious travellers interested in art, ecology, home design, and… food 
Obviously I went up to the first floor and visit “Gusto”, full of stands where you can taste cheeses, wines, special “prosciutti” (ham) from Tuscany, Sardegna, Emilia-Romagna, sword fish and tuna fish cream from Sicily, typical “arancini” from south Italy (arancini is a fried small ball that south italians eat as “street food”: rice+tomato+mozzarella).
I love cakes and biscuits from Sicily and obviously I had my “cannolo”, which is a fragrant roll with “ricotta cream” and slices of almonds and organic orange candies (ricotta is a fresh cheese that we use for savoury dishes like ravioli and home-made cackes too).
There are stands of organic beer (we bought a bottle of beer made from chesnuts which is fab!), chocolate, and typical egyptian pralines.
Also, you can stay there and have your lunch/dinner, since there are areas with typical restaurants and bar, or stands where you can find japanes food, panino with tripe, fried fish, grilled meat…
A nice experience you can’t miss to understand italian way of life.
A present to me…
April 22, 2009
The bouquet that you see here is a present of a couple of guests (Colette and Serge); they spent a week by us for the 35 anniversary, and this was their first time in Florence.
It seems he spent a week to see all the accomodations in Florence, and then he decided to stay with us!
I can say that Colette husband’s is a romantic man who loves flowers, and she’s a very charming woman; he asked us to prepare for his wife a magnificent big bouquet upon arrival, and we personally found gorgeus white roses and lillà flowers inside the San Lorenzo Market, which is one of the best places for everything must be fresh.
We also had an aperitiv together and talk about France, Corse, and the beauty of Florence, where they falled in love especially with our ancient palazzo doors, and asked for artisans shop to find an ancient restored door for their home in France (there is one just between our Relais Grand Tour B&B and Mr My Resort).
… Flowers are girls best friends
San Miniato Church
April 22, 2009
Everyone loves to go above Piazzale Michelangelo and have Florence at its own feet, it is marvelous!
But, there is a place I love at the Piazzale, San Miniato church far from the noise of cars, bus and motor scooter, not very far away from the Iris garden.
You can reach it in a few minutes from the fake David, after have climbed a double stone stair; once you get over there you will soon realize that I was right: the view is more natural and not so postcard view like.
The church is one of the most beautiful we do have in Tuscany and it hosts gold mosaics and masterpieces of 1300; inside the church the floor is completely decorated in marble with the Zodiac signs; I also suggest to give a look to the crypt that is dated back to the XI century: a very suggestive and mysterious place.
If you like the Gregorian chorus this is the right place: in winter at 4,30pm, in summer at 5,30pm.
Church of San Miniato al Monte
Via delle Porte Sante 34
+39 055 2342731
Free entrance
Bus 12 or 13 from the Railway station
Walk about 1 hour 30 minutes from the B&B
04/27-05/20 The Iris Garden in Florence
April 22, 2009
I think that a city like Florence can be understood and appreciated not only for its monuments but also trough its gardens, parks and flowers…
For flowers lovers I suggest The Iris Garden on the east side of Piazzale Michelangelo: such a perfect and romantic place where you can have an absolute stunning view of the city (even if prefer the one seen from the church of San Miniato al Monte from steps away).
You can reach it from the B&B in an hour and half of walking; Giuseppe and I love to walk up but I understand that taking a bus would be easier. Take number 12 or 13 from the Railway station (12-15 minutes from the Mr My Resort).
Why should you visit the Iris garden? Because this flower is the symbol of Florence and because in this garden there are hundreds and all of different variety: from Japanese, sibirica and luoisiana to those who spontaneously grow.
Every year there is the International Iris prize “City of Florence” (this year it is from May 4-9)won in the past years from USA, France, Australia, Italy and…Uzbekistan.
The perfume is magnificent and the garden is worth a visit: it looks like to be in the open countryside among olive trees, a lake and thousands of colorful Iris. And then, it is free! (Few steps away I suggest a visit to San Miniato al Monte)
Iris Garden
Visits from April 27th to May 20th
Everyday including holidays
10.00am-12.30pm
3, 00pm -7,00pm
April 25-May03 “Arts & Crafts Fair”
April 15, 2009
At the Fortezza da Basso, located 3 minutes walk from Mr My Resort, there is the annual Fair called “Florence for ART“, with about 750 exhibitors.
Why to go? Because it’s one of the most important European events for arts&crafts, with various kind of stands: jewellery, clothing and accessories, home forniture… But, I especially go to the Fair for Taste, the italian and international food stand, which is simply gorgeus!
ART in Fortezza da Basso
10am-11pm
entrance: euros 5,00
See my report about the Fair
Yes, Spring is here!
April 13, 2009
Yesterday afternoon, patio Mr My Resort.
The first strawberries, the silence of the garden, a guest sleeping with his newspaper open on the summer table…
Come to Florence, Spring is here!
Free entrance to state museums in Florence
April 13, 2009
APRIL 18-26 free entrance in all the florentine state museums.
Normally the full price is between euros 6,50 and 10,50 and this is a great possibility to enjoy the main attractions in our city for free.
You can always book your tickets in advance, and pay just the reservation cost of euros 4,00 each ticket.
Here is the list of the museums located into the historic center of Florence, close to Mr My Resort:
- Uffizi, Academy Gallery, Bargello Museum, Medici Chapels, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, San Marco Museum.
- In addiction, free of charge: Palazzo Davanzati, Cenacle of Ognissanti, Cenacle of Fuligno, Cenacle of Sant’Apollonia and Chiostro dello Scalzo (both located 2 steps from our B&B).
See also our daily tour in Florence!