LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
The stress is on the “u” not on the “a” - búl-gah-ry - explains Cristina Maccianti, whose sweet modesty remains in tact despite being in charge of one of Via de’ Tornabuoni’s top luxury jewelry stores, Bulgari. Although Bulgari’
When worldly grandmothers discourage their granddaughters from marrying the men they’ve met while abroad in Italy, the offensive employed is usually a two-tiered one. The first, addressed a couple weeks ago, is that Italian men are not the loyal type. The second contention is that
From the birth of lead singer and composer Chris Martin’s daughter to headlining Live8 in London, it’s hard to escape the shine of Coldplay. In their third album, X and Y, the band savours its talent for capturing emotions so simply, easily relating to most listeners
People keep warning me not to get seriously involved with Italian men; they’re apparently cheaters, as well as jealous and possessive lovers, the lot of them. In his book The Italic British journalist Tobias Jones observes that extramarital affairs are far more frequent and acceptable in Italy
More than a century ago, the glory of the Florentine artistic sights and the breath-taking views of the city and its surroundings were being caught on canvas, in sketchbooks, and in the diaries of foreign travellers during their grand tours of Italy. Their descriptions still remain, attesting to the
How and why did Anakin Skywalker desert the Jedi and go over to the dark side to become Darth Vader? This is the issue central to the third prequel in the Star Wars saga, the one that links to George Lucas’ original mid-sequence space opera from 1977. And
Mid-July. Under the Tuscan sun. Probably a very good reason not to see Audrey Wells’ postcard pretty, clichéd adaptation of Frances Mayes’ bestselling novel about personal reinvention post-divorce. Therapy through scenery for rich American divorcées is ideal chick-flick material, and if
Shakespeare on film always presents difficulties, and it may come as no surprise to learn that this is the first appearance on film of one of Shakespeare’s most ‘difficult’ plays. Officially classed as a comedy, The Merchant of Venice has so many dark undercurrents, not least,
Lightning never strikes in the same place twice. Or does it? H.G. Wells’ visionary 1898 sci-fi novel has had many incarnations – famously on radio by Orson Welles, on film in 1953, on TV and in comics - and now in Steven Spielberg’s contemporary American version
When Inge was struck by Brunelleschi’s sculpted wooden “Crucifix” and Nardo di Cione’s “Last Judgement” in the Strozzi Chapel, and by the magnificently frescoed Spanish Chapel where everything is in the feminine, she saw those raised fingers in the fresco accusing her.&
Late 19th century Florence was filled with English and American expatriates; in fact, 30,000 of the 200,000 residents of Florence were Anglo-Florentines who had adopted the city. There seemed to be a particular lure to Italy for writers and creative intellectuals, especially British poets, such as the
On the hillside behind Palazzo Pitti are the magnificent Boboli Gardens, which are among the most beautiful and best-preserved gardens in Italy. Our second stroll in search of discovery in the wonderful and unusual city of Florence begins from these gardens of paradise, laid out in the 16th century
Lightning never strikes in the same place twice. Or does it? George Orwells visionary 1898 sci-fi novel has had many incarnation famously on radio by Orson Welles, on film in 1953, and on TV and in comics- and now in Steven Spielbergs contemporary American version with man of the
The famously insular little city of Siena is a fascinating place full of beautiful buildings and artistic treasures; it is also home to one of Italy’s most glorious squares, the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo which provides the theatrical backdrop to the annual Palio. Millions of tourists descend
In an old film with a young Vittorio Gasman, the charming Medici Villa of One Hundred Chimneys in Artimino was used to represent the Gonzaga residence located in Mantova. In reality, the villa is in Artimo, in the heart of Tuscany, within the Commune of Carmignano, amidst the hills between
“No, you’re wrong,” a friend recently told me. “Italian girls are easy too.” I countered with a sceptical look. This was news to me. And I’d certainly met un sacco ...
Lightning never strikes in the same place twice. Or does it? George Orwells visionary 1898 sci-fi novel has had many incarnation famously on radio by Orson Welles, on film in 1953, and on TV and in comics- and now in Steven Spielbergs contemporary American version with man of the
How do you make love to a cube? is the question at the centre of the rivalry between the Italian painter (he of the long necks) Amedeo Modigliani, and Pablo Picasso, reigning divo of the Parisian avant-garde circa 1919, and the question is one about style as well as
Famous winner of four Oscars (including Best Picture) Clint Eastwoods latest film is already established as an American classic. Set in the world of womens boxing, but hardly just about that, this is a masterpiece, pure and simple, deep and true (Roger Ebert). Another chance to see probably the best
Imagine Florence during the Renaissance, but not in the full splendour that you see in the tourist guides. Imagine it in the bloody grip of its enemies. On the 17th of February 1520, the Florentines were suffering famine and pestilence, they were under the threat of excommunication from the Church,
You don’t ever own a bicycle in Florence; you just look after it for a while for the bike thieves, the better the bike, the less time you have to look after it. A bicycle shop-owner once told me that there aren’t any second-hand
