1. A CHRISTMAS DAY IN FLORENCE
ALESSIO SPEAKS’ CORNER
December 24th 2011
My itinerar y
WINES
Art
From
Masaccio to
FRATELLI
Giotto
Starting from Ognissanti Church and
finishing with Santa Felicita Church a
full journey in the Renaissance is the
best way to get ready for Christmas and
not only..and it takes only few hours..
Coffee
helangel o view
Piazzale Mic Caffé Gilli
In Piazza Repubblica you can find Gilli,
one of the oldest Italian Coffee room,
founded in 1733. Every time I get in I
feel like to be in a timline machine,
A rt, D in i n g & r e l a x i n g i n Flo r e nc e overwhelmed by a classy, elegant
ambinece.
every time I come back Chapel ornamented with 15th
E from my monthly Indian
trip I always need one full
day of relax but this time being in
centuries frescos painted by
Masaccio, Masolino and Filippino
Lippi. I forgot about my coffe and
Quick Lunch
Procacci
India up to December 22nd I was decided to see the birth of An Historical Florentine
feeling the need to breath some Renaissance painitng. Tuscan Panini corner,
Christmas air also that is why I founded in 1887 is located in via
decided to spend one full day in Tornabuoni just in the heart of
Florence. Florentine shopping area. A warm
panino filled with Tuscan Ham and
I live in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, a
truffles sipping a glass of Chianti
nice village on the Chianti hills 20
Classico Casa Sola 2008 is a perfect
minutes from downtown Florence
break for a quick lunch
by car. December 24th I drove to
Florence and parked my car in
Piazza del Carmine a 16th century
Shopping
square along the south bank of the
Shopping in Florence is always relaxing
Arno river. Being 9.15 a.m.I did have
becasue everything is at walking distance
the intention to have a quick
and you can find a different array of
Espresso but as soon as I locked my
stores from Italian & International
car I realized that I was in front of
brand stores to artisan ones.
Santa Maria del Carmine church
famous for hosting the Brancacci

2. M asaccio painted The Tribute
in 1425 in “32 working
days”. This fresco has
established new patterns in history
of art and painting, introducing for
the very first time the use of three
dimensional perspective, realistic
faces and an innovative use of light
and colors. Michelangelo copied
Jesus central figure and used it as an
inspiring model. I have spent one
hour contemplating all these
awsome freascos, with their bright
colors, imaging Masaccio making
them. I felt lucky to be there and
live deep emotions in looking at
them. Art is like wine, it is
sincere,personal and leaves a
pleasant trace in you.
Masaccio, The Tribute , 1425 dc 2.55mt x 5.98mt Brancacci Chapel, Santa
Maria del Carmine - Firenze
After Masaccio, coffee was needed googling in their smartphones.
and I’ve walked up to Piazza While I was sipping my nice
Repubblica where you can find Gi!i, macchiato, looking outside I could
one of the oldest Italian Coffee imagine Miss Ninalee Craig, walking
room, founded in 1733. Every time I at Gilli corner in August 22nd 1951
get in I feel like to be in a timline while Ruth Orkin clicked the
machine, overwhelmed by a classy, famous picture An American Girl in
elegant ambinece you realize to be Italy an iconic photo of the 50s.
in 2012 only looking at people
Caffé Gilly in Florence since 1733
Ruth Orkin, An American Girl in Italy, 22 August 1951 - Gilli Cafe -
Florence

3. fter a nice Macchiato I’ve (1296-1436) and Giotto Bell tower
A kept walking around
downtown Florence
searching for some nice
(1300/1340) I’ve stopped at the
bottom of Giotto’s bell tower
staring at Giotto’s “formelle” a
Christmas presents. Shopping in series of sculptured marble
Florence is always relaxing becasue medaillons representing human arts.
everything is at walking distance My favourite is the one dedicated to
and you can find a different array of wine-making representing a lying
stores from Italian & International man just in front of a big oak barrel
brand stores to artisan ones. Via and beneath a vine plant. Vine
Tornabuoni, known as “ the plants in the ancient world were
shopping road of Florence” is always grown very big, same as a tree
crowded, and Christmas different from nowadays cordon or
decorations make it absolutely guyot system and Giotto represents
amazing. I’ve stopped in front of exactly a 13th vineplant size. When
Tiffany becasue I couldn’t beleive I look into this fomrella I realize
what I was looking at.There was a what an inheritance we do have our
long line of people waiting to get nowadays wine producers, and how
in..reason of it is the last “must much changed the world is, not only
have” Tiffany silver braclet that it so we’re still making wine in Chianti,
much in fashion here that Tuscany and Italy but also in
everybody wants to have it.. not India..wow!!!
only Mac products are iconic..
Lunch time in Florence can be a
Once you reach end of via surprise. I did want to have a quick
Tornabuoni, looking on your right bite and a glass of wine. No doubt
Panini Tartufati Procacci Giotto, Forme!a del Vino, 1305,
you have the breathless view of
firenze
Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral
P r o c acc i Pani ni T ar tuf at i
My L u n c h
1. Panino Ham &
Fresh Truffle
1. Panino Butter &
Fresh
“ Panini tartufati Truffle
Procacci served in a 1. Panino Butter &
An chovy
professional and 1. Glass of Chardo
nnay 2008 truffle. Butter & anch
Castello di Ama ovy was
gentle manner in a perfect for the butte
ry Chardonnay
from Castello di Am
vintage atmosphere 1. Glass of Chianti
Classico 2008 Fresh truffles were
a, instead
Casa Sola beautifully
that touches your paired with Chianti
Classico Casa
Once you seat at Pr Sola 2008
heart” ocacci you
must order some pa
Sara Pizzi nini with
VOGUE ITALIA

4. had to be my destination. This 18th was open and I couldn’t resist to
century grocery store is well known come in and stare at Pontormo
in Florence for its Panini with fresh masterpiece, Jesus Christ deposition
truffles. I’ve chosen 3 different types 1525 Florence. This piece of art is
of truffled panini pairing a glass of a diffucult to describe with words
nice buttery Chardonnay 2008 of becasue of the elegance beauty and
Castello di Ama with the nicly colors that Pontormo has chosen to
butter and anchovy panino, followed describe one of the most dramatic
by a glass of red wine Chianti event of Jesus christ life, his
Classico Casa Sola 2008 to be paried deposition from the cross. Still
with Fresh truffles and ham. Wine impressed by Pontomro colors
and Panini Procacci a triumph for walking out of the church I’ve seen
your palate.. an unbeievable pink sky at sunset
covering downtown Florence..maybe
it was a similar sky to have inspired
Pontormo to use his breathtaking
pink color..no more words are
With my senses still pleased by my
needed it was just time to come
quick but tasty lunch at Procacci
back home...
I’ve decided to go to a very nice Art Pontormo, La Deposizione, 1528
Exhibit taking place in Palazzo Santa Felicita Church , Florence
Strozzi titeld “Beauty and Money”
an impressing intinerary into
Florence during the Renaissance.
After my 2 hours tour during this
surprising exhibit, it was already
6.oop.m. and while I was walking
back to my car I realized that Santa
Felicita Church, founded in 300ac