Kate Mani

Kate Mani is a student of journalism, law and Italian from Melbourne, Australia who is passionate about languages, travel and history. She balances study with freelance writing and is relishing the opportunity to do both during a winter sojourn in Florence.

Articles by the author

THINGS TO DO

For a break from Florence nightlife, Bologna beckons

Searching for a big sabato sera?  Only 35 minutes from Florence by Freccia lies a city of towers and tortellini, home to the oldest university in Europe. Whether you still ...

FOOD + WINE

Lessons from eating at an Italian table

My introduction to cucina casalinga begins in a small sunny kitchen in Santa Croce, with a view of the Palazzo Vecchio just behind my shoulder. Polenta and polpettine are nearly ...

ART + CULTURE

“My beautiful San Giovanni”: Florence Baptistery

In his ‘Divine Comedy’, Dante described the building as “my beautiful San Giovanni,” yet he was not the only famous Florentine to be baptised here.

ART + CULTURE

A less rosy Renaissance: grim Florence

Remove your Renaissance rose-coloured glasses and consider some of these grim yet intriguing sites from Florence’s prettiest period.

THINGS TO DO

Favourite study spots in Florence

Reality has to hit eventually. You have spent days wandering Florence in awe of Santa Croce’s frescoes and Ghiberti’s golden gates, snapping pictures of the Vasari Corridor and Botticelli’s Primavera. ...

COMMUNITY

How learning Italian made me “pazza”

It is not just the Italian language that has made me crazy: some responsibility has to go to Florence.

ART + CULTURE

Why Renaissance Studies will always need Florence

What does being on-site in Florence still offer to a budding Renaissance student? Sensory appreciation of the space itself.

ART + CULTURE

A futile slaughter: Florence remembers World War I

“Under the line of enemy fire, minus 15 degrees, and {the soldiers} have to advance. Thousands die frozen…the most courageous officers burst out crying at the futility of the efforts, ...

NEWS

Urs Fischer to exhibit in piazza Signoria

Swiss artist Urs Fischer is expected to leave his contemporary artistic mark on Florence's piazza della Signoria this September.

THINGS TO DO

Top Carnevale celebrations near Florence for 2017

While Florence’s forecast may not be warming up anytime soon, festivities are in the air again as Tuscany prepares for its annual Carnevale celebrations. Spanning throughout February, Carnevale signifies the ...

COMMUNITY

Australian hot chocolate and other lessons from Prato

Siamo in arrivo a Firenze Santa Maria Novella.   A new month, a new station, a new city.   Just like the train from Prato Porto Al Serraglio that pulls ...

NEWS

Pistoia’s oldest church to be restored

Ires spa di Firenze to carry out the project

NEWS

Piazza del Carmine: the new plan by residents

Residents of piazza del Carmine present a citizen-designed plan for its reconstruction to the city council.

ART + CULTURE

Florentine drawing discoveries to hit New York

Two fourth-generation Florentine art dealers are bringing drawings to New York to be displayed as part of the 2017 Master Drawings New York.

NEWS

Rivoire opens first cafe’ outside Florence

Favourite Florentine cafe' Rivoire has set up a store outside of its home in piazza della Signoria for the first time in its 145 years of history.

LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE