Author: Lourdes Flores

An American living in Florence for over 10 years, Lourdes continues to explore and discover new places in Tuscany with the eyes of a tourist but with the experience of living in Italy. She shares her experiences on this blog and website, particularly offering lots of travel planning help on the Forum!

Hands Off, Literally!

August 6, 2013

Yesterday afternoon, an American tourist visiting the Opera del Duomo museum in Florence damaged, apparently by accident, the right hand of the statue of the Virgin in the Annunciation group made by Giovanni D’Ambrogio. Personnel from the museum intervened immediately and the tourist excused himself for the damage – the little finger cracked but did…

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A Night at the Museum Starts this Saturday

July 26, 2013

Starting July 27, three of Florence’s main museums will open late one Saturday a month. This will allow visitors to enjoy a special visit to the collections of the Uffizi, Accademia and Medici Chapels between 7pm and 11pm on the last Saturday of the month from now until the end of 2013. For now the…

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Steve McCurry, Journey Around Man

July 16, 2013

If you’re in Siena this summer or fall, one of your stops should be at the Museum Complex Santa Maria della Scala to see the exhibition dedicated to Steve McCurry, one of the grand masters of photography of our time. Who hasn’t seen at least one of the shots featured here?

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Forte di Belvedere Reopens After 5 years

July 8, 2013

The Forte di Belvedere has finally reopened its doors today with a special exhibit dedicated to Zhang Huan, a Chinese artist prominently present in today’s contemporary art world. The exhibit is actually divided in two of the main symbols of the city: Palazzo Vecchio and the Forte Belvedere. The pieces on display showcase the artist’s…

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A Special View of Magnificent Art

June 6, 2013

Want to see something truly special during your time in Florence, that you will never get the chance to see again? Then head to the church of Santa Croce! The main altar has been under restoration by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure with scaffolding all the way up for a few years now. While the…

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Aperitifs in Museums Makes a Comeback

June 1, 2013

Last spring and summer, the experiment of opening up popular museums in Florence once a week to enjoy “Art with a Cocktail” in hand was hugely successful with over 10,000 visitors and is thus making a comeback this summer starting this coming week. From the terrace of the Uffizi Gallery overlooking Piazza della Signoria (starting…

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A Trip into the Middle Ages

May 29, 2013

The summer season in Tuscany is the start of many events, particularly medieval fairs! The weather has been a little too wet for May so far, but if it turns out sunny and you’re wondering where to head off to this coming weekend, I recommed heading to Castiglion Fiorentino near Arezzo or Malmantile near Florence!

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Night at the Museum 2013

May 15, 2013

Saturday, May 18 is the Night at the Museum, an initiative taking place across all of Europe – and which means free entrance into many, many museums and special events! What’s Happening in Florence In Florence, Palazzo Vecchio will be open for free visits from 6pm to midnight, including the walk around the patrol paths…

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The Giro di’Italia is coming to Tuscany and Florence!

May 8, 2013

Whether you’re a cyclist aficionado or not, prepare yourselves for an exciting Sunday as the Giro d’Italia passes through Tuscany and Florence this weekend! Sunday, May 12 marks Day 9 of the cycling race across Italy. The day will start in Sansepolcro in southeastern Tuscany, about 40km to the east of Arezzo, and pass through…

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Count Silvio, the Last Count of Pienza

May 3, 2013

If you’re headed to the Val d’Orcia and to Pienza in particular, we highly recommend you visit the beautiful Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza‘s central piazza. Home to the Piccolomini family and to Pope Pius II, the palazzo conserves the history of the noble family that shaped the town of Pienza into what it is today….

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