Tuscany, the beautiful village of Anghiari keeps all the charm of ancient origins, with its picturesque stone houses that run through alleys and stairs, following the slope of the heights dominating the Tiber valley and Sovara.

“Anghiari at Christmas” is the title of the event that throughout the Christmas period, until January 8, animates the center of various initiatives. If stores compete to show the most beautiful shop window, with lots of competition, the Ronda street welcomes a parade of themed objects and ideas.

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It’s really hard not feel at home at Florence’s J.K. Place, where staff greet you at the front door, the elegant lobby is free of a reception area, and complimentary snacks and drinks are served all day long in a ultra chic lounge area. Continue reading »

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The city at the heart of the Renaissance was founded by the Italics between the X and VIII centuries B.C. In 59 B.C., veterans of Caesar’s army set up camp at a site that is known today as Florence. The name comes from the Ludi Floreales period, which was celebrated in honour of the Goddess Flora.

The city was later invaded by the Barbarians who defeated a somewhat passive Lombard army, whose main interest was protecting Lucca, the capital of Tuscany at the time. Charlemagne re-founded the city and in 854 managed to unite the two counties of Florence and Fiésole, making it the most influential county in the region.

The residence of the Marquis of Tuscany was transferred to Florence, and from 1000 onwards the city flourished economically and demographically.

Autonomous Organisation: While the city maintained its independence from the emperor, its citizens started to become politically organised around 1138. The nobility of the time were all-powerful and decisions made by the twelve consuls were restricted by two assemblies, a sen- ate and a parliament.

From the XIII century onwards the city’s importance within the country grew, rivalling Siena and Pisa and establishing the post of Podestá, which allowed an outsider take control of judicial, executive and military power. Regional clashes continued and the city was razed after a defeat at Montaperti in 1260, at the hands of the army of Siena, which was supported by the gibelinos. Later the gibelinos were defeated by the Florentine güelfos.

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Check Rates at the Villa San Michele in Fiesole Florence.

Portofino World, a World apart.

Hotels in Florence and Versilia.

The days about the famous Pitti Men Fashion Week are the only moments when Florence in Italy becomes the ideal setting for events of all kinds, improvising an occasion race between the curious and/or most glamourous party.

Everything usually begins on Monday evening with the celebration of the publishing house Mondadori – on the old Leopolda Station – dedicated to films that have shaped the history of fashion, but since Tuesday 15 (today) the big parties started, in the really sense of the word.

From the 3.30pm already begins the first DJ set at the Fortezza of Florence – the Convention Centre where usually Pitti Uomo runs – sponsored by Alpha delta Phi brand and then from the rebirth Guru Company - after the bankrupt of the former owner Matteo Cambi - which combines the sound of console with the projection of images arriving from the National Geographic.

In the evening CP Company presents the guitarist Maurizio Solieri’s perfomance. In the same time you can go to have a drink into the Erede Chiarini’s shop in Via Roma, where it is served on the flowered terrace.

The king of vintage A.N.G.E.L.O. proposes drinks in the store in Via dei Cimatori, unlike the less glamourous and more cultural Le Coq Sportif, which sponsors the exhibition of the cycling museum of photography.

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Piazza Duomo at 9.30pm: here we go! The meeting comes a little after the spring break. Farewell spring pub crawl, the call to which 73 Facebook’s buddies have answered. In Piazza Duomo, at 9.30pm, they are some dozen: someone tries to contact the latecomers on Twitter.

The staff leader, who leads a group of 4 who have organized the drinking tour, shouts: «Time’s up, here we go».

Just a bit of walking, while making acquaintance with the group (42 people, numbered) to finally get to the Club House in via Ginori. They get in, pay 15 euro, and get a mark on their hand to stand out from the rest for the next 5 hours and get the drinks included in the price.

They spend there the first hour: one may drink all the sangria (well, something similar) he/she want. Then the next stop, with a free shot drink. The staff guys are like guardian angels: they drink too, but in moderation. They make the boys (especially the girls, who seem a bit unfamiliar with high heels) get on the sidewalk, they choose the most pedestrian path and gather the latecomers.

They shout a lot, too. The group follows them.

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What our Guests say:

1) We have stayed at the following hotels. Both are fabulous in design and in great central locations!
Borghese Hotels in 174r, Via Ghibellina 174r
and the magnificent Hotel Bernini Palace in Piazza San Firenze, 29

2) Villa San Michele is out of Florence in a small place called Fiesole.

3) My favorite boutique hotel in Florence is Jk Place, and then of course there’s the Four Seasons and it is absolutely stunning! My favorite Four Seasons acutally. Definitely worth staying there for a night or two.

4) We use to stay in Savoy hotel, that although is big, has been recently renewed. In this period (October/November) I’m sure you could get a great rate for a deluxe. Another nice hotel is Lungarno, close to Ponte Vecchio. Is cosy and quite; on top floor there are some rooms with a great terrace overlooking the Arno and the Centre.

5) Around Florence 10 min away by taxi from the centre, there’s Torre di Bellosguardo, a magnificent XV cent. Castle , with 10 rooms and an amazing view of the city. It’s more a B&B (no restaurant or TV) but peace full and relaxing place.

6) As boutique hotels go, nothing in Florence is as boutiquy as the Gallery Hotel Art, just in front of Ponte Vecchio.
Check it out!

7) Lungarno suite from Ferragamo Family is wonderful.

8) The Ferragamo Hotel, the Continentale and the Gallery Hotel Art are both cosy and cool.

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