After an absence of many months it takes me a week or so to get in sync with the local customs & surroundings to develop my Florentine routine. For those of you coming for the first time or coming again and again (UNDERSTANDABLE!), allow me to share my strategies for getting the most of a visit.
Walking through the city to check out what is new and/or which of your favorite stores or restaurants are still open helps to reacquaint you with the city.
Visiting neighborhood essential shops such as favorite food market stands or the local pharmacy to greet the shop owners and hear the wonderful phrase, “ben tornata”, (welcome back) gives you a warm fuzzy feel.
Whether you are visiting for a few days, weeks or months obtaining a copy of the English-speaking news magazine, The Florentine, will keep you informed as to the latest cultural happenings in the city. http://www.theflorentine.net as well as the monthly magazine Firenze Spettacolo. I also make a habit of stopping at the local newsstand, “edicola” every Saturday to pick up the newspaper Corriere Della Sera which contains the Saturday magazine “Io Donna”. Not only does it cover some of the cultural events in some of the major cities of Italy, It is all about the fashion “La moda” and we want to be up to the latest trends so we can make the most of our shopping trips. 😉
Once I have my overview and I am on italian time I am ready to go experience La Dolce Vita!
On these first walks through the city you can’t help noticing the onslaught of tourists…making up for lost time during the height of the pandemic. One soon discovers the less traveled side streets to get around.
You will be tempted to walk into every store you pass as the window displays are so artfully done.
The surprise of catching outdoor installations confirming the fact that Florence itself is an outdoor museum. Love to see the mixing of contemporary art in the middle of all the Renaissance architecture.
At the San Lorenzo basilica complex there is a temporary outdoor exhibit on show until October 31 created by the artist Emanuele Gianelli. These resin, hand painted statues are creating quite a stir. It is a not to be missed photo op. The white statue, called Mr. Arbitrium, looks as if he is holding up the wall of the church or doing a stretch before he takes a run.
In the cloister of the complex the artist’s work, The Suspended, “I Sospesi” features resin figures hanging from their ankles. There are many interpretations of the the meaning including the a possible statement of the condition of todays society…at any rate food for thought.
I was motivated to visit the contemporary museum Novecento in Piazza Santa Maria Novella after viewing the San Lorenzo exhibit. As some of you might recall the last post I wrote during my last visit to Florence featured the Novecento. One of the current exhibits highlights the British artist Tony Cragg and his sculptures. Another show not to be missed and it’s on till Jan. 15, 2023.
As we navigated new neighborhoods we came across the restaurant Gervis. In ten days we have been there twice. A great find. https://gervis-bistro.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Do plan your adventure around Florence by doing a bit of scouting. It will serve you well and make your visit all the more meaningful. Happy Travels and “A Presto”.
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