Helen Farrell is editor-in-chief of The Florentine. She is also a freelance contributor to Decanter. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Instagram @helencfarrell.
Once a grain store, then an army barracks and now a thriving co-working hub, conference centre, bar and restaurant, Florence’s Granaio dell’Abbondanza is abuzz with ideas and innovation managed by the Nana Bianca network. The fort-like building perched on piazza di Cestello and lungarno Soderini was built in 1695 by architect Giovan […]
Now that the summer fun is over, we’re all craving wellbeing and company to tackle the shorter days ahead. This autumn, inspiring women from the US, Turkey and the Far East have boldly opened fitness spaces in Florence that strike a balance between wholesomeness and community. The22: inspiring a new lifestyle […]
Freshly baked challah has been carefully wrapped in individual paper packages and arranged in a wicker basket by the entrance into the Jewish Community of Florence. While the copper dome of the Synagogue stands out on the city’s skyline, the community remains relatively little known locally and yet it offers a lifelong commitment […]
You never forget your first Spoon Dinner. Or the most recent one. All the guests at the Spoon night in June 2021 One torrid late June night, I got dressed up to the nines only to eagerly top my party frock with a chef’s jacket for a photo call as […]
There’s something innately inspiring about Coverciano: the light breeze, rolling hills and silver-green countryside. This is the setting where Italy’s victorious Euro 2020 squad trained at every stage of the tournament under the watchful eye of Roberto Mancini. Nestled beside the Florentine hills that lead up to Fiesole and Settignano, it would be fair to […]
After a sold-out August, Florence is embracing the end of the summer with a flurry of hotel openings destined to turn heads through daring design and playful concepts. The elegant one (with a garden): Dimora Palanca A discreet entrance and cicada chorus greet travellers to Dimora Palanca, which is […]
The policy makers are coming to town. On September 17-18, G20’s agriculture ministers will meet in Florence. People, planet and prosperity are the three interconnected pillars of action as ministers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK […]
Beach ball: check. Bikini: check. A good book: not yet. Here’s our pick of Italy-centric reads for the summer months ahead, wherever you plan to spend the dog days. SAVOUR / Still Life by Sarah Winman Tuscany, 1944: As Allied troops advance and bombs fall around deserted villages, a […]
Depending on where you go this summer, wearing last year’s swimsuit might not cut the mustard as we discard our pandemic past. Here are a couple of Florentine beachwear designers to update your summer look locally. Emanuela Biffoli zooms in on our inner determination with feminine looks of resilience. Pair a striped, […]
Maurizio is putting down his well-leafed copy of today’s La Nazione. He’s spotted us under our ombrellone and he’s determined to have a chat. I have nothing against some good old Tuscan chin wagging; it’s just that a conversation with the sun-worshipping retired electrician is destined to occupy much of the morning. […]
