summer

ART + CULTURE

Argiano Baroque Music Festival: a melodic mix in the Montalcino countryside

Glasses chink as the concert bell chimes and the centuries-old gates peel back into the terracotta-tiled courtyard. It’s a magical introduction to the evening of music that awaits at the ...

ART + CULTURE

Summer reading list about Italy

Beach ball: check. Bikini: check. A good book: not yet. Here’s our pick of Italy-centric reads for the summer months ahead, wherever you plan to spend the dog days.   ...

THINGS TO DO

What to do this August in Florence

August 1 / You have until September 1 to avail of the summer sales, so now’s the time to stock up on the bits you need before the good stuff ...

COMMUNITY

The “bagno” community

Maurizio is putting down his well-leafed copy of today’s La Nazione. He’s spotted us under our ombrellone and he’s determined to have a chat. I have nothing against some good ...

THINGS TO DO

Estate Fiorentina 2021

Four months of fun make up this year’s Estate Fiorentina programme of cultural allsorts, setting us up for a memorable summer. With 15 festivals, 146 projects and a countless number ...

THINGS TO DO

Best events this summer, 2021

Summer is finally here and we’ve never been in more need of sun and fun. While it might be tempting to loll about with buckets of ice and savour the ...

THINGS TO DO

Where to savour the summer in Florence

Florence sure knows how to do summer. It’s as intrinsic to the city character as knowing how to tie a scarf. Here’s our guide to Florence’s hottest hangouts this summer.  ...

THINGS TO DO

Places to picnic

We’ve always been fans of picking up a panino and chowing down on the nearest panchina (bench). Now our need for nature is stronger than ever as spring fills the ...

THINGS TO DO

Your Thursday Forecast: best events in Florence

CINEMA/ River to River Florence Indian Film Festival 20th anniversary May 14-15       The River to River Florence Indian Film Festival marks its 20th anniversary with a special ...

THINGS TO DO

Ferragosto in Florence: what to do

There’s plenty planned for Ferragosto in Florence, the main August 15 holiday.         Free music in the Giardino dell’ArteCultura     Head to the Giardino dell’ArteCultura (via ...

THINGS TO DO

Ambling this August

Your day-by-day guide to spending the hottest and (usually) quietest month in Florence.         1 Saldi (sales) season is different this year, starting on August 1. Snap ...

THINGS TO DO

Summer music festivals in Tuscany

It wouldn’t be summer without a marvellous music festival or two. Let spectacular sights and sounds surround you at one of these tuneful events set in the most stunning locations ...

THINGS TO DO

Best Events in Summer 2020

CHARITY/ Run for Meyer Virtual Challenge July 9-12       Get moving for Meyer! The challenge is to run 5km, whenever and wherever you want, with every step supporting ...

THINGS TO DO

Thought for food

Leading environmentalists and journalists visited Castello di Potentino, in the Maremma, for an international symposium about food and the environment between June 6 to 11.   The London-based journalism pioneer ...

COMMUNITY

How to survive the summer with kids

What do you do when you’re hot, your kids are hot, and things are going to explode into a fiery argument if you don’t cool down pronto? Never fear, solutions ...

THINGS TO DO

Summer events at Belmond Villa San Michele

  There’s something extraordinary about this hotel on the hill.     Belmond Villa San Michele has an allure all of its own. Vaunting singular views over Florence from its ...

THINGS TO DO

Summer sights in Florence: towers, fortresses and gates

A number of guided tours, organized by the Mus.e Association, are available this summer around the city’s towers, fortresses and gates.             Forte Belvedere   ...

THINGS TO DO

Summer hotspots in Florence 2019

For music lovers and boogie aficionados, there’s a plethora of spots, old and new, that open during the summer months. Most of these places offer more than just tunes and ...

THINGS TO DO

Hot town, summer in the city

  “Hot town, summer in the city”: these classic Lovin’ Spoonful lyrics are sure to spring to mind if you’re spending the warmer months in the Tuscan capital. But blazing ...

THINGS TO DO

Summer camps for kids in Florence and Tuscany

As the school year winds down, what better way to spend the holidays than at summer camp, where kids can explore their potential with a variety of English activities?   ...

COMMUNITY

Signs of the times at the Italian seaside

Not so long ago, the family seaside vacation was a time to relax, unwind and reset, a total detachment from work, regular habits and daily hangouts. It was a switch ...

THINGS TO DO

Day-by-day ideas for August in Florence

First August in Florence? This is the month of shop closures and “chiuso per ferie” signs as most residents run for the beach. Outdoor cinema and cultural events are still ...

THINGS TO DO

Theatre, music and entertainment at Petra

For many of us it’s just a given that in summertime, everything is more enjoyable, and it’s even more so when you have green vineyards of the Tuscan coast as ...

THINGS TO DO

Picnicking in and around Florence

Beaches and bathing suits aside, nothing signals the imminent arrival of summer quite like the art of eating all’aperto. Seeing and being seen dining outdoors – whether hunched over tiny ...

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