by Penny | 28 Aug, 2013 | News, Opera, theatre, Tuscan gardens
Opera and more at St Mark’s Church – and Beyond! La Traviata got a standing ovation last night – roll on Rigoletto tomorrow! One of my favourite things to do in the evening in Florence is to take visiting friends to the little opera production in...
by Penny | 22 Jul, 2013 | Florentine restaurants, News, Tuscan gardens
Almost since the inception of my business in 2009 my website as been supported by another ex-Bupa colleague Tina Bykowski , who at my request has kindly made urgent changes in the middle of the night, and of her own volition checks almost daily to ensure that my...
by Penny | 14 Jul, 2013 | Architecture, Books, Religious History, Social History, theatre, Tuscan gardens, WW2
Villa La Pietra – Home of Bankers -Various! This villa , with it’s extensive gardens, is one that we regularly go to on our garden tours in Tuscany. It is not only beautiful – but also quirky with so many diverse statues dotted around – and...
by Penny | 10 Jul, 2013 | Architecture, Books, Social History, Tuscan gardens
The Last Grand-Duke of Florence – Leoplold II – an Italian Duke exiled to Austria Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany was born and raised as an Italian speaker in Florence. He lived and worked as an Italian ruler in the Italian State of Tuscany – even...
by Penny | 28 May, 2013 | Architecture, Books, Garden tours, Icons, Italian language, Tuscan gardens, Wine tasting, WW2
My first disclaimer – this is not an attempt to completely rewrite Katie’s enjoyable presentation on Monday night – my hope is solely to stimulate readers sufficiently to find out more about this fascinating women and her extraordinary garden , shown...
by Penny | 12 May, 2013 | News, Sport, Tuscan gardens
Giro di Italia – Stage 9 was hard work in the rain Today started bright and sunny but by the time we got to Piazzale Michelangelo to get a good place to see the race the skies had darkened and a relentless rain was pouring down on cyclists and spectators alike....
