“Gradually and then suddenly” was how Hemingway said one goes bankrupt. It’s also how something far more fun tends to take shape: city Christmas light displays. The first lights I noticed this year in Florence (on the edge of borgo Ognissanti, for the record), were likely not the first to be hung. You may […]
The biggest gift any of us can give is one that makes a difference. Whether it’s a donation to an association, buying presents at a charity bazaar or volunteering our time in a meaningful way, make this Christmas time in Florence a happier one for those in need.
The countdown is on! It’s time to check gifts off the list and start wrapping things up. Whether you’re looking for the latest high-tech devices for your relatives or toys for the little ones, a book is the perfect gift idea (plus it’s budget friendly). Libraries and bookshops are keeping up with the times with […]
A well-known Italian proverb clearly states “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi,” meaning that you should spend Christmas with your folks while you can choose whoever you want to be with for Easter. This simple yet eloquent expression of popular wisdom must have been invented by a fool since it is every Italian […]
Excitement has begun to seep into the air as people gear up for “the most wonderful time of the year”. During the Christmas season, every Tuscan town comes alive, flaunting bright lights, fancy festive décor and trees standing nice and tall. But the highlights are always the holiday markets and mini-villages. Take a walk through these charming […]
Christmas doesn’t have to be a season of slaving away in the kitchen, spending hours basting your bird or slow boiling your stock for cappelletti pasta. What I love about the festive season is the socializing, having folks round for drinks and snacks in ultimate relaxation. So, here are my top Christmas canapés, easy to […]
After a certain age, Christmas can lose a bit of its magic. Fortunately just as the magic begins to vanish, it becomes legal to drink and we can put the sparkle back into the season.
Special sparklings
Italy makes spectacular sparkling wines. Champagne is always a delight, as delicious
It’s finally that time of year when shop windows begin to glisten, fireplaces start to glow, and holiday cards from back home start filling up your mailbox. But if you are far away from familiar traditions this Christmas, you need not feel nostalgic about the festivities you may
Christmas carols have always been an important part of the holiday season. They have the power to fill our hearts with festive glee and clog up the airwaves, as well as to become a total nuisance. Nevertheless, we never manage to hate them really deeply to-the-core or get rid of them altogether. There’s some strange […]
