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We were in Pisa last week to witness the beautiful  (but very crowded) Luminara along the Arno river and then to attend the late afternoon regatta of San Ranieri. We spent a little more than 24 hours in Pisa. Most everyone who tries to fit Pisa in into an otherwise crammed Tuscany itinerary generally only dedicates a few hours to Pisa. Get in, see the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli (main square where you find the tower, cathedral, baptistery and monumental cemetery) and leave.

Given our plan was to experience first-hand Pisa’s feast day for its patron saint, San Ranieri - we nonetheless wholeheartedly recommend giving Pisa a few more hours of your time next time you visit. In addition to seeing the Leaning Tower, we recommend climbing all 300 steps to the top of it! It is a bit on the expensive side to do so (15 euro), but it surely is a once in a lifetime experience. It is the most incredible sensation - your body’s equilibrium is tested the whole way up!  The stairs going up are all worn down in certain spots where thousands of feet have gravitated to given the tower’s inclination. We bought a cumulative ticket to all of the sights in the Piazza dei Miracoli and spent the day seeing some intriguing frescoes in the Camposanto, experiencing the particular acoustics of the Baptistery, admiring the cathedral’s art at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and just enjoying all of the views of the Leaning Tower every side of the square offers. Since it was the patron saint’s feast day, there were several masses in the Cathedral throughout the day and visitors could only enter about 20 feet in. Sooner or later, we’ll have to go back to admire the cathedral’s treasures up close.

We had a great dinner at Montino’s pizzeria and a delicious lunch at the Osteria dei Cavalieri - I’m working on writing up some reviews for those. In the meantime, I’ve written up articles dedicated to the Luminara and Regatta di San Ranieri and working on others about all the wonderful things to see in Pisa (in addition to the Leaning Tower, of course ).

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Photo by TomStardust

The teams of the Florence’s Calcio Storico (Blues, Whites, Greens and Reds) have faced off over the last two weeks in the semi-finals to decide which two teams compete in the traditional Tournament of St. John in Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce on June 24.

The soccer game played in costume is one of Florence’s main events historically planned for the month of June in the celebrations for San Giovanni, St. John, patron saint for the city. For this special occasion, the large, beautiful square in front of the Church of Santa Croce serves as the playing field. Bleachers are set up for spectators and the stone square is covered with sand.

For the final match, the Reds will face off the Blues on Wednesday June 24 at 5 p.m.

About an hour before the start of the game, the Historical Pageant will start in Piazza Santa Maria Novella and cross through the main streets of Florence’s center until it arrives in Piazza Santa Croce.

The website for the city of Florence indicates tickets can be purchased at the Box Office located in via Alamanni 39, with tickets that go from 15 to 40 euro + presale fees (which I don’t think is exactly cheap). Tickets for the final game will be sold up to a few minutes before the start of the game. You can buy tickets directly in Piazza Santa Croce or, also on the day of the game, at the Teatro Verdi located on Via Ghibellina, about a block north from the square.

The calcio storico is a very “physical” game where the calcianti (literally translated as “kickers” - yep, that is what they are called) play quite violently on the field. The Calcio Fiorentino was an early form of soccer (football) that originated in the 16th century. The official rules of calcio were published for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de’ Bardi, a Florentine count. Just like Roman harpastum, it was played in teams of 27, using both feet and hands. Goals could be scored by throwing the ball over a designated spot on the perimeter of the field. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a goal running the width of each end. There is a main referee, six linesmen and a field master. Each game is played out for 50 minutes with the winner being the team with the most points or “cacce“.

Originally, the game was played only by rich aristocrats who played every night between Epiphany and Lent. In the Vatican, even Popes such as Clement VII, Leo XI and Urban VIII are said to have enjoyed the game. The last few years, however, the game has come under attack because many deem the matches too violent. In 2006, the final match was actually interrupted because of fights that broke out on the playing field. The entire edition for 2007 was canceled as punishment for their behavior.

We hope that in the future the game can continue to be played in the best of spirits. The first two games this year have gone well from this point of view. The Calcio Storico is in the end part of the celebrations for the city’s patron saint and as such, aside from the competitive nature of the sport, should continue to be a fun and entertaining way for all of us to continue a centuries-old tradition of celebrating on June 24. So if you are in Florence this Wednesday and have nothing else to do, consider heading towards Piazza Santa Croce and seeing if you can get a last-minute ticket to attend one of Florence’s most popular annual events! Remember the fireworks display from Piazzale Michelangelo that same night, best seen from the lungarno.

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Article courtesy of I-Florence.com - written by autore
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How do you discover this night life when it isn’t really that evident during the day?

Well, all you have to do is take a walk after dark.

The first place to head to is the Santa Novella Maria area. La Rotonda may seem like just a pizzeria, but what you will find is that it is a hangout and a place for live music.

Cappocaccia is another hot spot when you want some amazing cocktails. You’ll find it in the Duomo right along the river. This is a place where you can dress to impress and take a look at some of the best looking locals you can lay your eyes on. Overall, however, it is rather laid back.

If you want something with more of a Moroccan fusion style, Sesamie is a great place to go. You can lounge around and have a great time. The Rex Café is also a great place to hang out and enjoy its mosaic walls.

But if you really want to get into the contemporary nightlife of Florence, you will have to visit the area of the city where tourists don’t tend to go. This means going to an area where famous attractions such as the Uffizi are not around. If you go further down the river, you will find such hotspots as the Rifrullo Terrace bar. Club Montecarla is also a hot spot that consists of three whole floors.

So make sure you take advantage of all that Florence has to offer during the day and night.

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However, there are times that you do need to use public transportation, so it is good to know what is available to you and what isn’t available to you so that you can plan your trip accordingly. It’s good to have a plan, especially in a place such as Florence that has a lot of activities that you can enjoy.

When arriving in Florence by plane, you may arrive at the Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport. If you do, you do have a shuttle service that will take you into Florence and drop you at the Santa Maria Novella train station. Luckily, between 6 am and 11 pm, the shuttles leave every 30 minutes so that you don’t have to wait long periods of time. You can expect a 15 to 20 minute journey into Florence.

Another airport you could possibly fly into is the Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport. It is further away than Florence Amerigo. A train into Pisa results in a quick transfer to Florence and takes a little over an hour to get to Florence. You do see more this way, but it depends on what you wish to do. You will find yourself ending at the Santa Maria Novella train station.

Make note of where the Santa Maria Novella train station is so that you can utilize it to come and go from the city. There are trains departing every hour to Rome, Venice, Milan, and Bologna so that you can experience other parts of Italy while you are visiting Florence.

If you are unable to travel by foot once you’re in Florence, you can elect to take a taxi. You can also hire a car, but parking is less than plentiful in the city. You may have difficulty finding a place to park, which is why individuals opt for public transportation. The city is grand, but it is also considered small, so you will be able to take in the scenery and the many activities better if you walk.

Nevertheless, you have transportation methods that you can enjoy so that you can see everything Florence has to offer.

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Luxurious wines and cheeses specially selected by our Sommelier and matched by the most traditional flavors of the Tuscan countryside.

Tasting in a typical wine bar located in the heart of Florence. Also included is a detailed explanation of the various flavors and background of the history. Enjoy some of the many delicious tastes of the Tuscany region.

Price: only 29 euros per person

Duration: 1h30min

Available: All days at 5pm

Inclusions:
• a glass of white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano accompanied by Brie and Acacia’s honey
• a glass of red wine Chianti colli Senesi DOCG accompanied by Pecorino di Fossa Cheese and strawberry aromatic vinegar.
• a glass of red wine Brunello di Montalcino Tiezzi accompanied by Pecorino Cheese and figs
• a glass of red wine SuperTuscan Noir accompanied by fruits of the forest and goat cheese.

These menus offered are only examples of the quality of the products, which can be changed with seasonal food

Exclusions: Souvenirs and Gratuities

Available Language: English, Italian and French

If you desire more informations about Cheese and wine tasting in the historical centre of Florence please fill the following form:

With the bicycles we can reach and visit the Florence, where the Florentines really live and work, not the touristic area of Florence. In this way you can easily comprehend and see the everyday side of this beautiful city.

The Cruiser bikes are very comfortable and there is the possibility to stop wherever you want to have a break and take gorgeous pictures!

We limit group sizes to a maximum of 10 cyclists per group, ensuring safety and personal attention. All our Cruiser Bikes have V-brakes to stop quickly and multiple speeds to choose your level of pedal-pushing effort.

For groups bigger than 10 people we would like to invite you to contact us.

SELF-GUIDED BIKE TOUR
WITH AUDIO-GUIDE

The Self Guided Tour is recommended for expert riders who would like to discover Florence at own pace.

Prices: 19 euros per person

Minimum required: 1 person

Duration: 3 hours

Languages: English and Italian

We will meet your party to provide you a reliable map, an audio-guide MP3 player and safety orientation before your departure. Then off you go for a lovely, independent Tour!

We’ll be happy to provide a Helmet for you and your child too and We also will offer a complementary bottle of water to refresh you during your bike tour.

Inclusions: CRUISER BIKE rental, helmet, audio-guide MP3, cycling map, Liability insurance  and safety lights

Exclusions: we do not visit the inside of monuments and museums, beverages, souvenirs and gratuities

PERSONAL GUIDED BIKE TOUR

The Personal Guided Bike Tour is very fun for the whole family, individual and groups who would like to discover Florence with an expert personal guideindividual and groups who would like to discover Florence with an expert personal guide.

Price: 39 euros per person

Minimum required: 2 people

Duration: 3 hours

Languages: English and Italian

This Tour offer all the benefits of self-guided audio bike tours with one major bonus: an English or Italian-speaking personal guide

Our knowledgeable personal guide will share the diverse history of the area as you pedal along the historic center of Florence and you will be given the opportunity to take pictures.

Inclusions: Personal guide, CRUISER BIKE rental, Headphones, Liability insurance , helmet and safety lights

Exclusions: we do not visit the inside of monuments and museums, beverages, souvenirs and gratuities

AVAILABILITY

15th of January - 31st of  March: Available only the morning tours
1st of April - 31st of October: Available the morning and the afternoon tours
1st of November - 15th of December: Available only the morning tours
16th of December - 15th January: Not Available

During our extraordinary and unique bike tour you will visit all the most important places of the  Florence:

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Piazza Santa Trinita
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Piazza S.S. Annunziata
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Palazzo Strozzi
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Il Duomo
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Santa Croce
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Piazza della Signoria
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Piazza della Repubblica
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from the Arno you will be able to admire the sequence of bridges that embellish the Florentine scene
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and much more!

The route are carefully chosen and consist - when possible - on the cycle lanes. We tend to keep you as far away from car traffic as possible.

If you desire more informations about Bike tours in the historic centre of Florence please fill the following form:

Have fun gliding through the timeless streets of the Renaissance Pearl that is Florence and discover all her wonders on the coolest ride of the 21st century!

Our 3 hours tours are limited to 8 and a minimum of 2 clients, so we guarantee an intimate and unique experience. Discover what it’s like to be a celebrity as everyone, and we mean everyone, turns to watch you glide by.

Our Segway Experience Tour starts with a 30min orientation session at our premises. Once you feel comfortable ridin

g the Segway we will start our journey to the Historic Centre of town, here you will have the opportunity to visit all the important areas of our City.

SEGWAY TOUR WITH PERSONAL GUIDE (90 euros per person): All of our guides are professionals majored

in Art, History and Languages so we guarantee they will delight you with their never-ending knowledge and brilliant anecdotes. We will provide you with a set of headphones so you can comfortably listen to your guide.

SEGWAY TOUR WITH AUDIO-GUIDE AND TOUR LEADER (75 euros per person): T

heir available even for those who would like to hear a recorded explanation but will be accompanied by a person from our staff.

PRIVATE SEGWAY TOUR WITH PERSONAL GUIDE: Make the Segway experience the highlight of your next company outing in Florence! Several languages to choose from. A minimum of 5 days prior notice is required to better serve your needs.

AVAILABLE from Monday to Saturday
The Morning Tour Starts at 10:00 am, given in English
The Afternoon Tour Starts at 3:00 pm, given in English

15th of January - 31st of March: Available only the morning tours

1st of April - 31st of October: Available the morning and the afternoon tours
1st of November - 15th of December: Available only the morning tours
16th of December - 15th January: Not Available

For groups bigger than 6 people just contact us.

If you desire more informations about Segway in Florence tours and fun please fill the following form:

Experience a wonderful adventure on Quads (ATV) offering you a unique opportunity to explore Tuscany.

Drive a professional Quad through the Chianti region featuring vineyards, woods and olive groves. Before exploring the landscape surrounding the spectacular Villa where we depart, you will receive instruction on how to safely operate the vehicle by the English speaking specialized Quad guide who will also accompany the group during the excursion. After the drive you can relax with a cool drink and fresh fruit by the pool. Following the refreshing swim, you will then be served a Tuscan meal accompanied by a selection of fine Chianti wines in the welcoming and comfortable restaurant of the Villa. So bring your swimsuit if you like to go for a swim!

In the way back we stop to visit a 13th century castle in the nearby.

Daily departure from Florence at 9.30 AM. The price is 140 Euro per person and the tour lasts up to 6 hours including: Roundtrip transportation in private air-conditioned van, English speaking professional guide, 2 hours with Quad bikes, helmet, insurance, lunch with a “Chianti” wine selection, swimming pool, drinks and a visit to a medieval castle of the 13th century.

We provide impermeable coats in case of rain and this tour is lot of fun, even when it rains or wet!

If you desire more informations about Quad tours in Florence please fill the following form: