More than 8,000 people attended the annual Open Day at Four Seasons Florence on December 17, 2017, raising 65,000 euro for charity. The monies will be given to Scuola Secondaria di 1° Grado G. Bartolena and Asilo Montenero, two schools in Livorno that were left in ruins after the cloudburst on September 10, 2017.
The five-star hotel’s Della Gherardesca Gardens opened to the general public from 10am to 4pm with thousands of people generously donating to the charity event, which included music by Radio Toscana, Santas galore thanks to Compagnia di Babbo Natale, a Christmas decoration-making workshop and nativity scenes with Bottega dei Grassi Nesi, the “En Piste” circus school, face painting, giant soap bubbles and balloons, as well as uplifting performances by the Light Gospel Choir and Florence’s flag bearers Bandierai degli Uffizi.
The Fondazione Carnevale di Viareggio took part for the first time, bringing a massive bear papier-mache float to the gardens, which will remain in the green surroundings until mid February.
The focal point for many were the food stands with gourmet delights prepared by Fuor D’Acqua, Buca Lapi, Touch Osteria Contemporanea, Da Burde, Trattoria Mario and Il Palagio of Four Seasons Florence, in addition to a traditional Florentine minestrone by food journalist Aldo Fiordelli, pizza by Associazione Pizza & Peace and a coastal corner with Il Pirata del Polpo from Piombino and Ristorante Oscar from Livorno.
