Magnificent Montalcino

Wine lovers the world over visit this terrace overlooking the Val d'Orcia to pay homage to the birthplace of one of the pillars of Italian wine, Brunello di Montalcino. At this time of year in Montalcino, the Sangiovese grapes have been harvested and are quietly transforming into Bacchus' delicious nectar in more than 200 wineries. Both Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino are made with only Sangiovese Grosso grapes according to strict regulations set out by the Consorzio di Brunello di Montalcino. The different microclimates and soil types on the four sides of the hill result in variations on the theme of the Sangiovese. The best way to discover these differences is to swirl, smell and taste. C'e' l'imbarazzo della scelta; you are spoiled for choice with the number of wine shops and bars where you can indulge in a wine tasting. If you would rather see where all the magic happens, book guided tours in advance at your favourite wineries, as some are by appointment only, or catch the Wine Bus.

Leave your car in Montalcino and hop on the Wine Bus so you can spend the day tasting Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino, and such other local wines as Moscadello di Montalcino and Sant'Antimo DOC, without worrying about the effects of Sangiovese behind the wheel. This new service, which conveniently chauffeurs wine enthusiasts to participating wineries, runs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through October, leaving as early as 9am; it follows different itineraries for the morning and afternoon trips. Get your tickets at authorized vendors in the city or contact the Pro Loco (located in the old town hall in the centre) for further information. The Wine Bus makes its last stop of the season at the end of October.

Fortezza

Start your tour of Montalcino with a visit to the Fortress, a fine example of military architecture built in 1381. It is open from 9am to 6pm during winter hours and costs 4 euro (6 euro for both the Fortress and museum visits) to climb up to the ramparts. (Enter through the wine shop located in the far corner of the courtyard.) From the top, the surrounding countryside may seem bare after the various harvests, but the brown shades of the tilled land and the autumn-coloured vines are all part of the breathtaking and iridescent natural patchwork quilt that spreads across the Val d'Orcia.

While admiring the view, you can imagine the number of times this fortress has been under attack. English art historian and part time resident in nearby Sant'Angelo in Scalo, Anabel Thomas, recently published Oscar's Tale, a fantastical story, written in Italian and English, that intertwines facts from the past and fiction from the present about the siege of the Fortress in Montalcino to explain the realities of war to her grandchildren. Refer to the folding map at the back of the book to see the different factions that camped out in their attempts to strike the hilltop stronghold. The Fortress was home to the Republic of Siena from 1555 to 1559 after being defeated by Florence. As such, Siena holds Montalcino in high regard, giving it a place in the historical procession for the Palio.

As you leave the Fortress, walk straight on down via Ricasoli. This street is lined with quaint shops selling wine, souvenirs and honey. Also on the left side of the street, take note of number 32: this is the entrance to Osteria Porta al Cassero, known as ‘da Piero' by the locals.

Siena's traditional pici pasta is called ‘pinci' here in Montalcino. Put your fork-twirling skills to the test with these handmade strings of pasta in battuto, with the traditional meat sauce, all'aglione, a garlic and tomato sauce, or my personal favorite, alle briciole, simply topped with breadcrumbs and olive oil (see page 20 for a recipe!).

The hearty local fare is deliciously authentic, and the prices are reasonable. It is always quite busy, so get there early enough to get a table.

Go further on via Ricasoli and you will find the Museum of Archaeological, Medieval and Modern collections to your right. Use your combined ticket from the Fortress here to see a noteworthy collection of local archaeological finds that recount the life of this territory, which has been inhabited since Etruscan times, in addition to works by such artists as Duccio di Buoninsegna, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Vincenzo Tamagni.

From the museum, go straight on and take the second left up via Spagni following the brown sign to the Cathedral of San Salvatore, which is only open in the morning. Noteworthy are the remnants of the ancient door to the original parish church on this site located to your left on the inside. Most people stop and admire the view from the garden and hang out on the stone benches for a rest. From here, in the distance you can see Montepulciano on the horizon with Pienza and its white bell tower just before it.

Just along via Spagni, you may find Carlotta Parisi in front of her colourful shop working on her latest project. This young local artist creates papier-mâché sculptures, clay figurines, traditional clay whistles and more.

From the cathedral, head down the two steep blocks of Costa Spagni and turn right to the main square. Piazza del Popolo is the heart of Montalcino for both young and old. Children still play football and ride their bikes in the piazza while the old-timers argue about the latest political scandal under the portico. You may notice the unique clock on the bell tower that only has one hand. Try guessing the time before the bell tolls the hour!

Take via Matteotti to the left of the old city hall until you can turn left down via Donnoli all the way to the end for one of the best views of town itself. Make your way back to the ancient Palazzo Comunale and admire the tiles that are located on the side of the building, near Piazza Garibaldi. Each tile represents a Brunello vintage and indicates the number of stars for that year. On your walk, look carefully at the house numbers to see the colours and names of the four quarters of Montalcino.

Sagra del Tordo

Step back in time on the last weekend of October for the Sagra del Tordo, the Thrush Festival. Food, wine and archery are the focus of this annual event based on past traditions of Montalcino when the four neighbourhoods, or quartieri, battle it out on the archery field for the silver arrow and the glory of victory. Archers are real heroes around here, and children, draped in their quartieri's colours, tinker with plastic bows and arrows or bang on toy drums in the crowd that follows the historical procession to make offerings to the Lord and Lady of the Fortress. The four quarters set up food stands on both the Saturday and Sunday for lunch in the garden near the Fortress, each with a separate menu of traditional local dishes. There is so much to choose from that you won't even notice that tordi are not on the menus. It is also possible to feast on their specialities in their halls. This is the biggest event of the year in Montalcino, so book your accommodations and lunch reservations early. Information and schedule of events are available on the Pro Loco website.

Sant'Antimo

Leave some time for a quick trip to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, located  just 9km from the Bacchus roundabout near the stadium. Legend has it that this abbey was built where Charlemagne once lit a votive candle in thanksgiving. There are many legends, but one thing is certain: Sant'Antimo is stunning in all of its simplicity, as it soars up from the valley surrounded by cultivated fields and olive groves. The schedule for the prayer times in Gregorian chant is available at www.antimo.it.




HOW TO GET THERE

Montalcino is just over 40km south of Siena. Take the SR2 to Buonconvento and then turn right and head up the hill 9 km. Do not enter at the first gate where you see the white Montalcino 564 sign. Instead, continue on and shortly after on the left, there are some free parking spaces. Some other free spots are located down viale Roma or behind the city hall on viale Postierla. These free spots may involve a bit of a walk before you start your tour, but they might be worth your while. I have overheard tourists from Rome exclaiming how parking isn't even as expensive at the Vatican!

Tuscany's truffle heartland

San Miniato and its white treasure

The pretty hilltop town of San Miniato, situated halfway between Pisa and Florence, is tied so closely to its food that even a mention of its name will spark the imagination of those who know it for its rare delicacy, the tartufo bianco, or white truffle.

San Miniato made its mark in the Middle Ages as a strategic rest stop along the via Francigena, the pilgrim's route than connected Canterbury to Rome. Much of the city layout that you see today has not changed since the twelfth-century walls were built, and many of its medieval stones still hold their place. The charming historic centre is a true medieval town of steep, narrow streets leading to the thirteenth-century Frederick tower, La Rocca, that identifies San Miniato from miles away. Although it was destroyed in World War II, the 1958 version is a faithful reconstruction.

From almost anywhere in the town, even along the main street, via 4 Novembre, which winds its way along the ridge of the town's hill, a panoramic view of the surrounding valley opens up and reveals what San Miniato is really all about. For centuries, farmers have tended, shaped and worked the land; the result is a painterly combination of perfectly combed vineyards, olive groves and a dense forest of oak, willow and poplar trees that mysteriously guards the secrets of San Miniato's famously fragrant white truffles.

A drive around the hills of San Miniato will reveal some of Tuscany's most picturesque landscapes. Moreover, the area is a food lover's delight, acclaimed not only for its white truffles, but also for its local salumi and wine. A wonderful excuse to taste these delicacies is the San Miniato White Truffle Festival, held every year over three weekends during November. One of the best food festivals in Tuscany, the streets and squares of the historical centre fill extensively with food and wine stands, and the smell of truffle literally emanates from the very pores of the town for the entire month.

A visit to the butcher and norcineria of Sergio Falaschi (on via A. Conti 18/20, San Miniato) is a must for salumi lovers. Only here will you find such tasty delicacies as spuma di gota, a delicious cream made of pig's cheek, and lonzino di San Miniato al vin santo, a pork loin cured in Tuscany's favourite dessert wine. Available only during truffle season, Falaschi's fresh truffled sausages alone are worth the trip.

During the truffle festival, many of the local winemakers offer wine tastings and sell their products at stands. One of the most interesting wines is made by Pietro Beconcini, whose  vineyard is located in the valley of San Miniato (visits and wine tastings can be organized by appointment; email info@pietrobeconcini.com). Beconcini makes Italy's only Temperanillo wine, a Spanish grape that was found on the family-run property, planted by Spanish pilgrims centuries ago as they were passing through on the via Francigena that flanks the vineyard. The result is a wonderfully expressive and uniquely Tuscan wine.

Of course, the highlight of visiting the town at this time of year is choosing your own white truffle (or Tuber Magnatum Pico). Once you have a fresh white truffle in your kitchen, you'll want to use it as soon as you can, when the aroma is strongest. As each day passes, your truffle loses both its aroma and weight. For an item that costs 1,500 to 3,500 euro per kilo (or more), this means you want to use it at its freshest. It will keep well for a maximum of six days, when lovingly wrapped in paper towel and sealed in a glass jar.

White truffles are best served as simply as possible and must absolutely not be cooked; use them raw, freshly sliced over hot food where the heat will release its intense aroma and flavour. White truffles pair perfectly with simple ingredients: fresh egg pasta, polenta or dishes with butter, eggs, potatoes or cheese. The simpler, the better.




Getting to San Miniato
By car: Take the FI-PI-LI superstrada from Florence towards Pisa and exit at San Miniato.

By train: Trains run regularly (usually twice hourly) from Florence SMN station towards Pisa. Get off at the Fucecchio-San Miniato station. At the front of the station, you can catch a bus to take you directly to San Miniato historic centre, which is a few kilometers away. During the truffle festival, a special shuttle bus will be available to take visitors to and from the station to the centre of town. The tourist information centre is located in piazza del Popolo.


Emiko Davies, a photographer, food-blogger and life-long expat, has called Florence her home for over six years. Her ideal dinner companions would be Pellegrino Artusi and Alice B. Toklas, who could battle out a lively discussion on Italian vs French cuisine. Find more of her work at http://www.emikodavies.com.

Christmas Capon recipes

Christmas Capon recipes --the florentine--http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=7374&browse-by=Food-Wine

by Rachel  Priestley  (issue no. 154/2011 / December 15, 2011)

Cappelletti in brodo di cappone and Cappone Bollito

Christmas is a special time to share with friends and family. Here in Italy, whether you are with family, new friends or friends who are now your Florentine family, what's on the table at Christmas Eve, before midnight mass, is a top priority.

Why such a decadent abundance of food at this time of the year? The answer is 'winter.' According to early documents Christ was more likely born in late March, mid-November or early September, some time between what some calendars now call 1 AD and 3 BC.

Pagans held an eight-day festival from December 18 to 25, during which time anything and everything was permitted. The courts would close so no one could be held accountable for his or her actions. There would be widespread drunkenness, singing naked in the streets, sexual indulgences, feasting and human sacrifices. People would devour human-image cookies (the ancestors of gingerbread men, which are now sweetened with spices and sugar frosting.)

As Christianity spread, the church decided that Christians would commemorate Christ's birth on December 25; it was meant to fit in with existing pagan festivities. Over time the wildness and overindulgence of the eight-day pagan festival reduced in magnitude. The part of the tradition that remains is to indulge in the preparing and sharing of a great feast of luxurious food and wine (and, of course, gifts of gingerbread treats!).

On the eve of December 25, a traditional Florentine family's Christmas Eve menu might start with crostini toscani (Tuscan chicken-liver pate crostini), followed by tortellini al brodo or cappelletti in brodo, then bollito misto di carne (boiled meats) or cappone bollito

(boiled capon). Note that the boiled meats traditionally follow the tortellini al brodo (tortellini in meat broth used from the boiled meats but the cappelletti will be in capon broth). Next comes the whole boiled bird, traditionally served upside down so you can see he really is a quality capon (a male chicken castrated young to improve the quality of flesh for eating). The dishes keep coming: the boiled course will usually be followed by a roast such as arista (roasted pork), or roasted game. After that comes panforte or panettone.
With all this in mind I am festively embracing the old pagan ritual of gluttony and giving you two recipes instead of one for Christmas in Florence. Be careful: this grand feast could see you falling asleep during midnight mass on Christmas Eve!

Buon appetito e buon natale!

Festive lights in florence italy 2011

With lights, trees and tinsel, Florence is ringing in the holiday season.  December 8 marked the official start of the season, when Florence mayor Matteo Renzi lit the 16-metre tall pine tree, the city's tallest yet, in piazza Duomo. From the Casentino, the fir tree is decorated in red gigli and shines bright each night with some 25,000 lights. As always, on December 8, hundreds of Santas handed out candies to kids and families in the historic centre, from Palazzo Strozzi to piazza Santissma Annunziata.

The holiday spirit abounds in other areas of Florence: fir trees stand in piazzale Michelangelo, at the Teatro dell'Opera di Firenze, and piazza Santissima Annunziata; every major street in the historic centre and periphery of Florence is lined with lights, as are the historic bridges; shop windows and doorways are dressed for the season; and Santa puppets and red ribbons decorate residential balconies and windows, and shop windows.

A special display lights up via Tornabuoni, where the Consortium for the Protection of Tuscany's Extra Virgin Olive Oil has erected artistic installations of olive trees.

Every year, there is a life-sized Nativity scene inside the Duomo, but this year, for the first time in recent history, there is one on display outside. The Nativity scene in piazza Duomo features handmade figures in terracotta from Impruneta.

So take an evening walk to explore festive Florence: it will no doubt light up your holiday!

Ryanair: prezzi bagagli in aumento nel 2012

FONTE: www.fulltravel.it

Non ci sono più dubbi: Ryanair sta preparando un nuovo tariffario che non andrà ad impattare sul prezzo dei biglietti, quanto sul prezzo delle tasse da pagare per i bagagli da imbarcare.
Nell'azienda basata sul concetto di voli low cost si sta infatti ragionando su un incremento di alcune fee nei periodi ritenuti di alta stagione: nel resto dell'anno, invece, le tariffe resteranno assolutamente invariate.
La decisione è ufficiale: in prossimità del Natale, a giugno, luglio, agosto e settembre, un bagaglio da stiva con Ryanair arriverà a "pesare" - sulle tasche dei viaggiatori - 25 euro invece che 20.
Ancor maggiore sarà l'aumento in caso di acquisto direttamente in aeroporto o tramite call center: invece che 35 euro, si parla di un prezzo di 60 euro.
Stessa politica di aumenti dei prezzi verrà adottata sin dal 15 gennaio 2012 anche a proposito della carta di imbarco: si sa che quest'ultima attualmente deve essere stampata e presentata al check-in. In caso di mancata presentazione del documento o di smarrimento dello stesso, la ri-emissione costerà molto cara: si dovranno pagare 60 euro di penale, invece che 40 euro.
C'è da stare molto attenti d'ora in avanti se si vorrà continuare a volare con Ryanair: una dimenticanza potrà costare ben oltre il prezzo del biglietto.
Sul sito della compagnia aerea low cost sono elencati con precisione limiti di peso e dimensione ai quali attenersi, nel caso si voglia partire con il solo bagaglio a mano.
Diversamente, ricordiamo che anche il bagaglio da stiva è soggetto a limitazioni, da tener ben presenti onde evitare di incorrere in penali.

scritto su fulltravel da Maria Stefania Bochicchio 09 dicembre 2011

Ryanair: nuovi voli da Pisa per cinque destinazioni europee

Cinque nuove destinazioni europee saranno raggiungibili con i nuovi voli da Pisa di Ryanair: a partire dal mese di aprile 2012, dunque con l'entrata in vigore del prossimo nuovo orario estivo, Pisa sarà collegata con le isole greche di Cefalonia, Creta e Kos; inoltre saranno disponibili anche i voli per Malmö e i voli per Cork.
Grecia, Svezia e Irlanda sono i paesi che saranno direttamente collegati con le piste dell'aeroporto Galileo Galilei.
Se il solo sapere dell'introduzione di nuovi voli low cost per le isole greche fa già pensare a vacanze assolutamente low cost in estate, è tuttavia opportuno ricordare che solo qualche giorno fa Ryanair ha comunicato le nuove tariffe bagagli in alta stagione: aumenti in vista per chi sceglie di imbarcare una valigia proprio in concomitanza dei mesi estivi.
Una misura da tener bene in conto prima di partire e prima ancora di procedere a prenotazione, onde evitare di spendere più del previsto per il solo volo

beruby...sito per guadgnare on-line

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Bric, dal 2006 al 2010 interesse per Italia cresce del 21%

Cresce l’interesse dei paesi del Bric nei confronti della destinazione Italia, con un aumento dal 2006 al 2010 pari al 21%.
Brasile, Russia, India e Cina, caratterizzati da una forte crescita del Pil negli ultimi anni secondo le previsioni, sono destinati sempre più a imporsi nello scenario economico mondiale futuro.
La recente indagine commissionata da Bto Buy Tourism Online mette in risalto alcune tendenze.
Il viaggiatore proveniente da Brasile, Russia, India e Cina punta essenzialmente sul patrimonio storico-artistico del nostro paese, pernotta almeno 1 notte (91%), ha un notevole potere d’acquisto ed è giovane (età media 35-36 anni). Si tratta per la maggior parte di turisti che prenotano all inclusive, che preferiscono viaggiare in gruppo e guardano con attenzione alla qualità del servizio offerto in rapporto al prezzo.
Le aree più richieste del Bel Paese sono Toscana, Veneto, Lazio e Emilia Romagna, ma è necessario investire su tutta la destinazione Italia, cercando di evidenziare i punti di forza. Ogni area di provenienza infatti ha le proprie caratteristiche ed è fondamentale puntare sulla formazione per poter rispondere al meglio alle diverse richieste.

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المغرب يراهن على السياحة الداخلية

قال المدير العام للمكتب الوطني المغربي للسياحة حميد عدو، إن السياحة الداخلية، باعتبارها السوق الثانية بعد نظيرتها الفرنسية، تظل "مهمة للغاية" من أجل الحفاظ على توازن القطاع.

وأكد عدو، في حوار نشرته يومية "ليكونوميست" اليوم الأربعاء، أن "تركيزنا الرئيسي سينصب في الوقت الراهن على السياحة الداخلية"، موضحا أن المكتب الوطني المغربي للسياحة اختار هذه السنة "تواصلا حول تجربة" الفاعلين.

وأعرب، في هذا الصدد، عن أسفه لكون "المنتوج السياحي المتوفر حاليا، ولاسيما الفندقي، لا يلائم أغلبية الزبائن، ذلك أن الميزانية اللازمة المتعلقة بالسفر باهظة"، مع العلم أنه تم تطوير طاقات استيعابية وأصناف جديدة من الإيواء للاستجابة للطلب المتزايد.

وأكد عدو أنه "في انتظار ذلك، فنحن مضطرون لتقديم المنتوج الحالي بأسعار تنافسية، ويجب علينا أيضا تقديم الوجهات الرائدة في بلادنا، بطريقة تحفز السياح على زيارتها"، مذكرا بأن دراسة أجريت مؤخرا حول السياحة الداخلية مكنت من "إبراز توزيع ديناميكي للمستهلكين وإقامة محاور للتواصل بهدف إقناع المغاربة بالسفر في بلادهم".

وفي معرض حديثه عن عملية "كنوز بلادي"، لاحظ عدو أن "هذه العلامة"، الموجودة منذ 2003، عرفت تطورا بانتقالها من "عرض يرتكز على الأسعار فقط إلى غاية 2008، إلى عرض يناوب بين الأسعار التشجيعية والخبرة منذ 2009".

وأشار، في هذا الصدد، إلى أن المكتب الوطني المغربي للسياحة يضع حملاته المتعلقة بالسياحة الداخلية حسب توفر عرض "قابل للتسويق"، موضحا أنه "كلما كانت هذه العروض غنية من حيث الكمية والأسعار، كلما ارتكزت على محور منتوج-سعر".

وقال "لقد اخترنا هذه السنة تواصلا يرتكز على الخبرة فقط دون إبراز الأسعار، بالنظر إلى أن أغلب الفنادق ووكالات الأسفار اختارت استراتيجيات للسعر خاصة بكل مؤسسة عوض سعر موحد حسب كل صنف من الإيواء على غرار عام 2009".

وأعلن عدو، من جهة أخرى، أن المكتب الوطني المغربي للسياحة أعد مخططا "مكثفا" خلال الأشهر الستة المقبلة، كما توقع إطلاق حملة جديدة للتواصل حول علامة المغرب وبعض الوجهات، موضحا أن هذه الأخيرة ستكون "مجددة بما فيه الكفاية لتميزنا عن منافسينا، وسيرافقها عند انطلاقها برنامج وفاء لوجهات وكلاء الأسفار".

توقعات متشائمة بشأن مستقبل السياحة المغربية على المدى القصي

انخفاض الليالي السياحية الإجمالية بنسبة 12,8٪ وتراجع عدد السياح الأجانب بنسبة 7,9٪ خلال الفصل الثاني من السنة الجارية
ذكرت المندوبية السامية للتخطيط أنه في مقابل استمرار السياحة العالمية في انتعاشها، على الرغم من تأثير الأحداث الأخيرة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا على القطاع، شهدت السياحة الوطنية بعض التباطؤ في أوائل هذه السنة، حيث حققت المبيتات السياحية، باستثناء الآثار الموسمية، زيادة ب 0,4 ٪ فقط مقارنة بالفصل الرابع 2010 عوض 1,7٪ في الفصل السابق. وبالتالي، انخفض المعدل المتوسط لإشغال الغرف بـ 2,8 نقطة. كما انخفض عدد السياح الوافدين بنسبة 0,8٪، حسب التغير الفصلي، متأثرا من تراجع عدد الوافدين المغاربة المقيمين في الخارج بنسبة 0,4٪ وكذلك السياح الأجانب بـ 1,1٪. فيما ارتفع عدد السياح على الصعيد العالمي خلال الفصل الأول 2011، بحوالي 3,9٪ على أساس التغير السنوي. وقد عرفت معظم مناطق العالم نموا إيجابيا باستثناء منطقة الشرق الأوسط.
وإذ تتوقع منظمة السياحة العالمية في نهاية السنة الجارية 2011، نموا يقدر ما بين 4 و5٪ لعدد السياح الدوليين، أي أقل بقليل من المتوسط على المدى الطويل حسب موجز الظرفية لشهر يوليوز 2011 الصادر عن المندوبية السامية للتخطيط، تبدو آفاق نمو السياحة الوطنية متشائمة بعض الشيء على المدى القصير، علاقة بموجة الاحتجاجات في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا، موضحة أن الليالي السياحية الإجمالية قد انخفضت بنسبة 12,8٪ في الفصل الثاني، حسب التغير الفصلي، وتراجع عدد السياح الأجانب بنسبة 7,9٪ خلال نفس الفترة. مع الأخذ بعين الاعتبار هذه التطورات، فإن القيمة المضافة للقطاع قد انخفضت بنسبة 1,6٪.
ويجدر التذكير أن استراتيجية تنمية القطاع السياحي "رؤية 2020"، التي أعلن عنها خلال المناظرة الوطنية العاشرة للسياحة المنعقدة بمراكش نهاية شهر نونبر 2010، تروم بالأساس مضاعفة حجم القطاع السياحي من خلال إحداث ست وجهات سياحية جديدة وتوفير 200 ألف سرير سياحي جديد في مختلف ربوع المملكة، ومضاعفة عدد السياح الوافدين إلى المملكة مرتين وعدد المسافرين الدوليين ثلاث مرات، وكذا رفع العائدات السياحية إلى 140 مليار درهم في أفق سنة 2020.

Drastico taglio alle Bancarelle di San Lorenzo. Una operazione di facciata

Il Mercato del Porcellino con i suoi ambulanti stipati e pressati sotto la loggia non subirà variazioni perché il contesto offre la possibilità di contenere l'impatto scenografico sulla città votata sempre più al "bello e possibile".

"Impossibile" invece sembra il dover accettare da parte della categoria questo taglio netto prospettato dal Comune che si riserva di non rinnovare le licenze che arrivano a scadenza naturale. Gli ambulanti non ci stanno a fare la parte degli "insozzatori". "Come se la mancanza di decoro dipendesse dalla nostra presenza" ribattono.
Ad onor del vero, basta farsi un giro per via della Stufa ed aree limitrofe per rendersi conto che le stradine strette del centro storico che si snodano a pochi passi dalla Basilica fiorentina dei Medici non offrono un grande spettacolo da cartolina.

Qui e là piccoli magazzini di pelletteria, una o due mercerie ed un ferramenta che con la loro presenza riescono a "presidiare" la cantonata spettante e creare in un certo senso il passaggio residenziale (poco) e turistico che altrimenti mal si inserirebbe nei vicoli che ricordano la Genova dei raggi del buon Dio.

L'accusa di Palazzo Vecchio oltre al fatto della scarsa qualità della merce esposta, resta quella della dilagante irregolarità sul pagamento delle tasse spettanti al comparto degli ambulanti e non da ultimo il fatto che se è vero che ci sono famiglie dietro ad ogni banco, pare che i banchi in questione siano più di uno con il risultato di avere in strada piccole "aziende" che fanno perdere la caratteristica dell'artigianalità individuale.

Nelle ultime ore i rappresentanti dei commercianti esterni tentavano di capire quale sarebbe stato il lato del Mercato da liberare e quali le soluzioni alternative, tanto che qualcuno di loro ha ribadito "Se ci dividono ci uccidono commercialmente". L'intenzione del Comune di Firenze non è dividere, ma eliminare.

"Questo sindaco intende dividere il bello dal brutto - ha sottolineato il rappresentante degli esercenti esterni di San Lorenzo - senza guardare all'interno delle cose. Ha applicato il concetto di bellezza e non ne esce. Io vedo tutti i giorni i commercianti e credetemi che se potessero diversificare la tipologia di merce lo farebbero. Noi avevamo chi vendeva i dischi.. ora, secondo voi, poteva quella persona continuare a campare con i dischi? Avevamo chi vendeva gli occhiali, ma adesso sono talmente tanti i prodotti low cost che non c'era concorrenza. Avevamo anche chi cuciva e rammendava.. seguitemi bene Cuciva e Rammendava.. e secondo voi che fine avrebbero fatto? Non è solo bello o brutto, c'è il mercato ed il mercato significa offrire quel che il turista vuol vedere e comprare, nelle svariate forme che offre un contesto chiamato non a caso "Mercato" che non vuol dire imporre la merce a chi compra, ma l'esatto contrario.."

Il Vice sindaco, a margine di una conferenza stampa odierna, torna a spiegare le intenzioni del Comune: "Noi non possiamo permettere la privatizzazione del suolo pubblico. Esiste chi si trova comodamente a casa e da anni percepisce un affitto per la licenza e relativa bancarella, magari anche più di una. La Legge parla chiaro, la licenza è temporanea. Adesso noi con l'occasione azzeriamo tutto al 31 di dicembre e poi ridistribuiremo le licenze privilegiando i giovani e la qualità della merce venduta. Siamo disponibili a ricevere una proposta su eventuali spostamenti, non escludiamo nulla a priori, se non il diritto del Comune di riordinare il settore"

Su San Lorenzo l'operazione di riqualificazione si delinea con maggiore chiarezza ed accanto al lavoro svolto dal vice sindaco Dario Nardella, si unisce la dichiarata intenzione di dotare la facciata della Basilica dell'incompiuta opera michelangiolesca con la riproduzione fittizia del rivestimento marmoreo che l'artista aveva disegnato e che mai fu realizzato.

250 mila euro il costo dell'opera proposta e sostenuta dal presidente di Casa Buonarroti e del Consiglio comunale, Eugenio Giani, che ha già pensato all'installazione dell'apparato plastico che sormonterebbe l'attuale facciata. Una ''copertura'' che poi si prevede di poter collocare, dopo alcuni mesi, all'ingresso di Firenze, magari lato Peretola, come cartello di "Benvenuto".

Una scelta che ha fatto subito discutere i fiorentini e che come spesso capita per i fatti che riguardano Firenze, ha suscitato la curiosità del mondo dell'arte, più di quanto non faccia discutere la riduzione dei banchi del Mercato.

articolo publicato da NOVE DI FIRENZE.

anniuncio affitto camera singola.

ANNUNCI: CAMERA SINGOLA A SOLO DONNE.

Se affitta camera singola libera dalla prima settimana di Agosto, la camera se trova nella Zona Stazione Rifredi, e ben collegata con i mezzi publici a pocco passi passa la linea: 20-28-02.

La camera se trova in un bel palazzo moderno con ascensore, e offre uso Cucina, Bagno, Lavatrice, Utensile, Connessione Internet, Tv, Digitale Terrestre.

Il prezzo della camere e di 350 euro tutto incluso, e se affitta solo a donne lavoratrice.
per informazione scrivere a dario-work@tiscali.it

Sfilata di auto d'epoca in Santa Croce.

La sera di giovedì 14 Luglio una carovana di circa cento splendide auto d’epoca, dai primi anni del secolo scorso fino agli anni ’70, partirà verso le 19.00 dall’Hotel Villa Olmi a Bagno a Ripoli e, dopo una passeggiata sulle colline intorno a Firenze, raggiungerà Piazza Santa Croce dove le vetture resteranno esposte fino a verso Mezzanotte. Non sarà una competizione e neppure un semplice raduno, bensì una sorta di “museo dinamico” quello che attraverserà la città. Una carrellata sui modelli più significativi o, più semplicemente, quelli che maggiormente appartengono alla memoria collettiva degli Italiani. Le vetture più anziane saranno due OM del 1918 e del 1926. Seguiranno poi le auto anteguerra, con le Balilla – a tre e quattro marce – primi esempi della motorizzazione di massa in Italia, le Topolino a rappresentare l’avvio della moderna produzione in serie e la Lancia Augusta, simbolo del lusso e della classe della industria Italiana. Gli anni del dopoguerra, della difficile rinascita, saranno invece dedicati al fascino delle corse su strada, come la mitica Mille Miglia.

Durante la serata verrà assegnato il “Trofeo Firenze Sotto le Stelle 2011” alla vettura più significativa tra quelle esposte. Non mancherà un furgoncino Volkswagen attrezzato a gelateria mobile, anch’esso rigorosamente d’epoca. Ingresso libero.

La manifestazione, giunta alla terza edizione, è organizzata dal CAMET, Club Auto Moto d’Epoca Toscano, insieme ai “Ragazzi di Sipario”, fondazione ONLUS, con il patrocinio del Comune di Firenze, della Provincia di Firenze, del CONI e del Quartiere 1 e il contributo della Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena