Madonna in Florence

Madonna, the lady of Pop has joint the big names to perform in Florence as well! Seems like the fans here are going to go mad and the so is the city! The organizers are planning out in advance to avoid blockage of traffic and most certainly of where the concert will be held. The dates are still to be organized as well since Radiohead performs on the 1st and Bruce Springsteen on the 10th! Although in most cases it should be the 12th, 13 or the 15th. Rumors presume there is a chance the performance will be in Fiorentina’s  Artemio Franchi stadium.

The sexy musical icon will be performing in Milan on the 14th and then continuing her world tour. She always has that lovely smile of hers and that unlimited energy everywhere she goes. The charm of Florence has struck her as well :) Get ready coz as the date will be decided I will update it and don’t be surprised if everything will be sold out in a week!

Thanks to candidphotos

Radio Head

July is a big month with big names talking about live music here in Florence. Its just best way to organize a trip, to follow your idol and visit one of the most artistic places in the world! Now let me have the honor to present to you RADIOHEAD! Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood , Ed O’Brien, Fred Selway and Thom Yorke open their 2012 Euro tour right here in Florence. Just to think that one of the top bands ranked in the Rolling Stone’s list is gonna share a moment of their lives here is enough to get in a pair of jeans and head straight to the ticket counter. Rumors already say that the tickets have been sold out. So do your final researches on trustable sites like Craigslist. For now there are still a few on ticketone as well.

The grand occasion will be in the huge Cascine parks which is the best spot the organizers could opt, with plenty of space for car parks and to hold a huge crowd at the same time. In case you are on foot it is a 15 minute walk from the station which I suggest at
least for that night you must do. There will be lot of traffic so even if the bus number 17 takes you there it might take more time. For the number 17 bus timings click here. Take the bus where the massive steps are on the right of the main Santa Maria Novella exit.
Event: Radiohead live
When: 1st July at 2130
Where: Cascine Park, Florence

Volterra

Volterra, located very close to San Gimignano was known to be a very important town for the Etruscans. It rises on a hilly ridge between the valleys of the Era and Cecina, surrounded by two defensive walls. You will witness a completely different lifestyle. A very calm,relaxing ambience and thanks to its geographic location, a very green environment as well. The art and history is is of the typical medieval age with lots of Etruscan architecture until now.

The Cathedral, the Medician fortress, the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum and the walls surrounding the town are the main sights of the place.

 

How to reach Read the rest of this entry »

Ice Skating in Florence

“Pattinaggio su ghiaccio” is how i its said around here in Florence and its about time to taste the track :) To find the track take the bus number 1, 7 or 20 from the station just where the external Mc Donald is located and stop at Piazza Libertà. From there just ask for the Parterre which is a minutes walk and is located behind the palace opposite to the Principe cinema.  It is circular in form and measures approximately 20 x 30m completely in the open. Skates are hired at the counter or one can bring their own too.

With just 6€ per hour, one can make a decent get toghether for a couple of hours. The track will be open during the whole month of December from 9:00-23:30; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays unti 1:00 am

This year skating classes for adults and children have been organized along with representations of figure skating in the presence of sport experts!
Incase any one who wants to go a little bit further away from Florence maybe with a big group to orgnize a birthday party or something more private apart from generally going fro one then I would suggest the skating ring in Sesto Fiorentino.

The structure is fed from a system with low environmental impact which has a pvc cover to shelter itself from rain and wind. The track has been built and managed by the association Fantastighiaccio thanks to a contribution of the City municipality and pretty much the same size of the Parterre. It can take about two hundred skaters at a time. The track is open every day from 10am to 8pm (Friday and Saturday until midnight while Sunday upto 10pm).

The location is Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Sesto Fiorentino and the number is  055/4496357. Please find out the timings directly from them since here the opening hours could vary.  Opening hours is at 10:am

Have fun!

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Language exchange

Florence being so diverse has brought many different languages into circulation. Tourists are always a bigger number and students from abroad opting for Florence for their exchange experience is not very uncommon. This calls for some need for tips.

There have been some difficulties for people here on exchange, in learning Italian and this comes firstly because of not being able to interact and mix up with the people of the place. On the other hand English is becoming ever more important for the Italians to find a job. This has finally brought out a common necessity for both sides. Plus of course this will help to finally bring Americans, English and the Italians more closer to each other and understand one another.

As a first suggestion to improve your language I suggest you to add the Group Language Exchange – Pepperdine University Program on Facebook. Each semester the Pepperdine University, a prestigious part of the U.S. University based in Malibu, organizes Language Exchange nights. This is a weekly organized event that helps people to communicate with each other and make new friends. Here a person gets to have several conversations in English or Italian. Every Monday night at Via Landoni 15 there will be a wonderful experience waiting for you. Read the rest of this entry »

IKEA:household accessories

Moving to Florence will need some changes in you new home I presume! For a vast and diverse collection of accessories be it sheets, cutlery, paintingr or furniture, Ikea is a multistore that offers every possible solution with very reasonable prices! Just  20 minutes from the city center. There is a regular bus service that stops right infront of the complex, the number 29. Even the number 30 stops 200 meters away. On holdays and on weekends there is a free shuttle service that leaves from the SMN station.
Ikea designs and sells their own products. Their products are ready to assemble and does bring the articles on request rightoutside your door as well. Ikea is open everyday from 10 am to 8 pm and for any questions contact this number 199 114646

Here is the location of Ikea and in case you want to reach by car from Florence follow this route. There is great bar and restaurant service as well as a chidrens play ground.  I assure you you will not remain unsatisfied :)