The ISI Florence Guide | Listing the Best Picks of the Month to Explore the City at its Best.
DOMENICA AL MUSEO: Free entrance to museums
When: Sunday, November 5 – all day
Where: Galleria degli Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia, Museo delle Cappelle Medicee, Palazzo Pitti, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Palazzo Davanzati, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Casa Martelli, Museo di Orsanmichele, Villa Medicea di Castello, Villa il Ventaglio, Villa Corsini, Villa Medicea della Petraia.
Price: Free
ANISH KAPOOR – UNTRUE UNREAL
Explore the exhibition of Indian artist Anish Kapoor, “Untrue Unreal”. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the works of the artist who has transformed the concept of sculpture in contemporary art.
Where: Palazzo Strozzi – Piazza Strozzi
When: Open Everyday, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Price: € 16,00 (€ 13,00 under 30)
BRICKS IN FLORENCE FESTIVAL 2023
Join ToscanaBricks and over 12,000 guests as they tour the wonderful world of fantastic LEGO constructions. Perfect for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.
Where: Tuscany Hall – Lungarno Aldo Moro, 3
Price: € 10,00
Website (opening times & information): http://www.https://www.toscanabricks.it
ALFONS MUCHA EXHIBITION
For the first time in Florence, experience an exhibition dedicated to Alfons Mucha, the father of the Art Nouveau movement. Explore the art of Mucha with more than 200 works!
When: Open Everyday, 9:30am – 7:00pm
Where: Museo degli Innocenti – Piazza Santissima Annunziata
Price: € 16,00
A.C. FIORENTINA – HOME GAMES
Where: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Viale Manfredo Fanti
When:
Sunday, November 5 – 8:45pm (Fiorentina vs Juventus)
Sunday, November 12 – 3:00pm (Fiorentina vs Bologna)
Thursday, November 30 – 9:00pm * (Fiorentina vs Genk)
*Conference League
Price: Varies
Website: https://www.bigliettifiorentina.com/en/
GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET
The annual German Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas market is here! Over 50 vendors from all over Europe fill Piazza Santa Croce with gastronomical specialties from their country including: vin brulé (hot spiced wine), German wurstel and strudel, and Hungarian kurtoskalacs (rolled sugar coated pastry), just to name a few. Vendors also sell typical products from their country including handmade Christmas ornaments, ceramics, clothes and scarves.
When: From Sunday, November 19 to Monday, December 18, 10:00am – 10:00pm
Where: Piazza Santa Croce
Price: FREE
EAT OUT
RISTORANTE ACCADEMIA
Where: Piazza San Marco, 7r
Traditional thanksgiving meal: pumpkin soup with cornbread, turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce; mashed potatoes and creamed corn; apple strudel or pumpkin pie.
To reserve call: + 39 055 217343 or email [email protected]
PINO’S SANDWICHES
Where: Via Giuseppe Verdi, 36
Thanksgiving dinner in one sandwich? Yes, please.
For more info call: +39 055 244517
LA LOGGIA
Where: Piazzale Michelangelo, 1
The Presidents of the Tuscan American Association are hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
To reserve email: [email protected] or [email protected]
HARD ROCK CAFE’
Where: Via dei Brunelleschi, 1
Enjoy a traditional turkey meal with all the trimmings (available all day long starting from 12:00 PM up to midnight). Main Course: Slow-roasted turkey breast, roasted fresh vegetables, home-style classic stuffing, creamy sweet potato mash, cranberry sauce finished with a traditional turkey gravy. Dessert: pumpkin pie topped with caramel sauce, toasted walnuts, and whipped cream.
To reserve call: + 39 055 277841
DO IT YOURSELF OR TAKE AWAY
VIVI MARKET (Via del Giglio, 8)
– Pumpkin filling
– Cranberry Sauce
– Onion topping
– Cream of mushroom soup
LOCAL SUPERMARKETS (i.e. Conad)
– Spices
– Fresh pumpkin
– Shortcrust Pastry: look for pasta brisé or pasta frolla among the refrigerated or frozen products
SAN LORENZO OR SANT’AMBROGIO MARKETS
– Turkey (go to the butcher’s stand and order your bird!)
If you don’t want to bake your own pumpkin/apple pie… visit these bakeries:
– Sugar & Spice American Bakery
Borgo La Croce, 15r
– Mama’s Bakery
Via della Chiesa, 43r
– Melaleuca*
Lungarno delle Grazie, 18
*Pre-order all or part of your Thanksgiving meal here!
MUSEO STIBBERT
The museum contains over 36,000 artifacts, including a vast collection of armour from Eastern and Western civilizations. The villa, which was once Stibbert’s home, has 57 rooms that exhibit all of his collections from around the world.
Most of the walls are covered in leather and tapestries and the rooms are filled with artifacts. Paintings are displayed throughout every room, including still lifes and portraits. There is also valuable furniture, porcelains, Tuscan crucifixes, Etruscan artifacts, and an outfit worn by Napoleon I of France.
Where: Via Federico Stibbert, 26
Opening Hours: Mon to Wed, 10:00am – 2:00pm / Fri & Sat, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Price: € 8,00
LUCCA COMICS & GAMES 2023
When: From Wednesday, November 1 to Sunday, November 5
Where: Lucca
Price: Tickets start at € 22
Website: https://www.ticketone.it/en/artist/lucca-comics-games/
Experience Italy’s biggest and most famous comic, gaming, and cosplay convention, Lucca Comics & Games! It takes place every year at the end of October and beginning of November, spanning the entirety of the town. Lucca’s picturesque medieval streets provide the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind event. Whether you’re a die-hard comic book aficionado, a dedicated gamer, or a fantasy enthusiast, there’s something for everyone at Lucca Comics & Games. The event boasts a vast exhibition area, where you can immerse yourself in the world of comics, manga, and graphic novels.
Getting there: There are frequent regional trains from Florence SMN station to Lucca throughout the day (about 1.5 hr. ride)
TRIESTE
Trieste, an alluring city on Italy’s northeastern coast, boasts a captivating blend of Italian, Slavic, and Austrian influences. Steeped in history, its Old Town showcases a unique mix of Austro-Hungarian and Roman architecture, while Piazza Unità d’Italia, Europe’s largest seaside square, buzzes with life, neoclassical buildings and cozy cafes. Visitors can explore the James Joyce Museum, paying homage to the renowned author, and enjoy panoramic views from the cliff-perched Miramare Castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
MURANO & BURANO
Murano, located in the Venetian Lagoon, is renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking heritage. The island’s glassblowing workshops offer a glimpse into this intricate craft, where skilled artisans transform molten glass into exquisite creations. Murano’s narrow streets are dotted with glass stores displaying a wide array of colorful glassware, from delicate figurines to elaborate chandeliers. Visitors can witness live demonstrations, gaining insight into the meticulous techniques passed down through generations.
Burano, a short boat ride from Murano, is celebrated for its charming, vibrant houses that line the canals. Each building boasts a unique, lively color, creating a picturesque setting against the backdrop of the tranquil waterways. Beyond its colorful facade, Burano is known for its lace-making tradition, showcased in local boutiques. The island’s relaxed atmosphere and small-town charm make it an ideal spot for leisurely strolls along the canals.
CROSTINI TOSCANI
There are many types of “crostino” in Italy, stemmed from the Roman tradition of using bread to gather oils and sauces from communal plates on which food was served. A known example is a “bruschetta”: seasoned diced tomatoes on toasted bread. “crostino toscano” is a typical starter made of pâté of chicken liver, olive oil, capers, anchovies, and onions, and spread on toasted bread. Sometimes called “fegatini” from the Italian word for liver (fegato), they are served in all Tuscan restaurants. The original recipe comes from Medieval peasants that would find creative ways to reduce food waste by using every part of the animal, and in this case, the liver.
Where to eat it: We suggest Antico Ristoro Cambi (Via Sant’Onofrio, 17r) and Il Bufalone Trippone (Via dell’Anguillara, 48r)
RIBOLLITA
The “ribollita”, also known as minestra di pane (“bread soup”), is a hearty soup prepared mainly in colder months. Ribollita is made from stale bread that is soaked in water to make it soft again. Peasants cooked it on Fridays, in anticipation of the coming week. The name comes from the fact that people used to reheat it multiple times during the week. The peculiarity of ribollita is that it must be boiled at least twice, which helps to make it firmer, instead of being a simple soup made of bread, legumes, and vegetables.
Since it was – and still is – a very popular dish and easy to make, there are many different versions of it. However, the main ingredients in any version are bread, black cabbage, and beans, all ingredients that even the poorest peasants could afford. Beans especially are a staple in Tuscan cuisine, so much so that Tuscans were often called “mangia fagioli” (bean eaters) by people from other regions.
Where to eat it: We recommend Il Cibreo Trattoria (Via de’ Macci, 122r) – Mario (Via Rosina, 5r) – La Casalinga (Via dei Michelozzi, 9r)