Florence is a charming city and is a popular
destination for newly wed couples on their honeymoon in Florence.
The Hotel San Giorgio is the choice hotel for many such couples
who are looking for a Romantic Hotel in Florence offering quality honeymoon accommodation. Our hotel's central
location in Firenze means that you can easily view an abundance
of works of art, beautiful architecture and cultural heritage.
The Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's
David, Chianti Wine, Fireworks
on June 24, The Scoppio del Carro on
Easter Sunday plus many more. From the Hotel San Giorgio Florence
you can enjoy all of these spectacles as the Hotel is located
near all of the city's of Firenze's major cultural attractions.
Galileo Galilei Exhibition
Palazzo Strozzi: from 13-03-2009 to 30-08-2009
The Scoppio del Carro
The Scoppio del Carro or Doves of Peace Cart Explosion is the highlight of Florence's Easter celebrations. Every Easter Sunday a huge crowd gathers outsie the Duomo to witness the event. Spectators are kept at a safe distance and the event is thoroughly enjoyable. The origins of the Scoppio del Carro go back to the times of the Crusades when as legend has it in 1099 a young Florentine Captain by the name of Pazzino dei Pazzi was first over the wall in Jerusalem. To reward him for his bravery he was awarded special status and many presents including a cart. For information on the best vantage points to view the procession and spectacular finale please the reception staff of the Hotel San Giorgio and Olimpic Florence.
St John's Day - June 24
San Giovanni is the patron saint of Florence and every June 24 the city have a national holiday and everyone gathers on the banks of the Arno and Piazzale Michelangelo to view the spectacular fireworks display. The show starts approximately at 10 p.m. and lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes. For information on the best vantage places to view the San Giovanni fireworks please do not hesitate to contact any of our concierge staff here at the Hotel Rex in Florence.
Uffizi Gallery
One of the world's most prestigious art collections is held at the Uffizi gallery in Florence which is near and very easy to reach from the Hotel Rex. The Uffizi houses many paintings in particular those from the Renaissance period which began in Florence with painters like Cimabue, Giotto and Massaccio being instrumental in starting the whole Renaissance period. Later other painters like Botticelli and Raffaello were involved. Absolute must sees in the gallery are The Battle of San Romano by Paolo Uccello - this painting depicts a battle between two rival towns in Tuscany and was the first painting to employ the revolutionary concepts of Perspective and Foreshortening - click on the image above to see the enlarged image. Other important paintings are of course Botticelli's Spring although perhaps the most important paintings are held near the entrance to the Uffizi in the Room of the Madonna and Child - when these paintings were made in the 11th century many locals were near terrified and thought Cimabue had murdered somone, dried them out, flattend them and put them on the canvas.... remember people at the time were just coming out of the dark ages and not too much had happened in the 7 centuries that proceeded the "Renaissance" or "Rebirth". Ask at the reception of Hotel Rex Florence for information on how to get advance tickets for the Uffizi and avoid the lengthy queues which snake outside and around the Uffizi art gallery - this way you can walk straight in thus adding to the enjoyment of your romantic weekend break in Florence.
Michelangelo's David Galleria dell'Accademia
David has just had a bath and is looking better than ever. Initially commissioned as a buttress for the Duomo David was then used as a symbol for the Florentine republic. For many years David stood outside the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria (a replica now stands in the original spot) Standing outside in all sorts of weather he began to deteriorate and was subsequently moved to the Galleria dell' Accademia. He wasn't guaranteed safety even inside the gallery as in 1990 a madman from nearby Prato hacked off his big toe with a hammer. The statue itself is amazing and there are no less than 5 lifesize replicas dotted all over Florence. Go and see the original and marvel at the sense of moral power and tense energy conveyed not only through his body language but also through the concentrated gaze of the Biblical hero.The slingshot is held over his shoulder while the other over-sized hand holds the rock. Unlike Donatello, who depicted the heroic David with Goliath's head at his feet, Michelangelo selected the nervous and tense moment before the battle. For information on how to obtain tickets for entrance to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David please the see our concierge staff at the Hotel Rex Florence.
Food and Wine Festivals Florence
There are many food and wine festivals in Florence particularly in the Summer months. June sees a food festival almost every weekend where locals celebrate their own regional specialities like Nocino - an after dinner digestif made from unripe green walnuts or the local Funghi Porcini i.e. wild musrooms which are among the best in Italy. Look out for the word Sagra as this means food festival and generally you will see it in papers on walls. Details of the next food festival or wine festival (Florence is the home to world famous Chianti wine) are also available from our hotel reception staff here at the Rex Hotel Florence. |
