Weekend in Florence with the family: the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio!

Posted on by Betty

The summer offers many good reasons to travel to Florence! One of these, is the visit to the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio!

A summer weekend in Florence with the family will be such a natural thing if you start looking at all the opportunities hidden inside one of the most suggestive and ancient buildings of the city.

weekend in florence with family

Itineraries thought also for kids and children, theatrical and interactive laboratories, spectacular setups and curious activities, are only few of the moments characterizing the initiative for the entire family, through a journey in time, fun and moving.

Discover more about
the program of the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio!

The spectacular scenery of Palazzo Vecchio, dipped in history and in the atmosphere of few centuries’ ago, offers the occasion to learn about the uses and costumes of other times, listening to the master Giorgio Vasari talking about the fresco technique, or the chance of being received by Cosimo I de’ Medici in person, right inside its sixteenth-century mansion!

In this game, where the characters of the historical Florence star into the play, there is space also for a trip in the dungeons of the palace, put on vintage clothes, have fun with team games and visit the Museum of the Civiltà del Rinascimento (Renaissance), period that saw the city at its best.

weekend con famiglia in firenze

For the families with kids and children wanting to spend a vacation in Florence, the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio represents an experience to be remembered, because every second of the visit is able to create a sense of curiosity and the possibility to learn something new.

If we would have to suggest you a moment of your vacation in Florence to share with your kids, one of the best options we can think of is right the one of the visit at this museum, a different way to transmit culture, fun and knowledge.

Write us to get more information
about the visit at the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence!

 

Book your family summer weekend in Florence!

Dedicated to all the travellers looking for romantic hotels in Florence

Posted on by Betty

During these years, many travellers looking for romantic hotels in Florence chose Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco to indulge themselves with an intimate stay to celebrate the important moments of their love story.

For us it is an honour to be considered
romantic from our guests!

In Florence, a real romantic hotel conveys to its guests the emotions they experience in every corner of the city, in the piazzas, peeking at the inside of the historical palaces, admiring the view nearby the Arno river, or dreaming from the terraces and the panoramic areas facing seducing perspectives.

These impressions, gathered from the outside, walking in Florence, naturally reflect also on the inside of our hotel, completing a travel experience precious and evocative, in contact with the true soul of our city.

hotel romantici a firenze

For this reason, the interiors of Il Guelfo Bianco are in full harmony with the aesthetic of Florence, and the interiors of an historical palace, similar to a dream back in time, immersed in the long lost Florentine past.

To be in the very heart of Florence helped a lot this work of philological reconstruction, that has the aim to preserve the most authentic charm of the history of our dwelling, making period details and modern comforts coexist.

The choice of the furniture and decor of Il Guelfo Bianco, is in fact focused towards Italian and French workmanship, made of authentic unique pieces from the 1700s and 1800s, found in peculiar antiques shops.

Every room is decorated in a different way, unique in its style: on the walls a rich art collection of contemporary artists, completed by a set of modern services, guarantee of a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

In this coexistence between history, modern art and love for design, the enchant of a passionate weekend in Florence comes to life, maybe imagining to live for a day the lifestyle of the noble Florentine families that once lived at Il Guelfo Bianco.

We wanted to celebrate romanticism in our hotel, with a journey back in time, because Florence is source of inspiration for these kind of feelings for those travelling in couple, either if they are at their first trip together, or celebrating the anniversary of a long life together.

So, welcome to all the passionate travellers looking for the atmosphere of a romantic hotel in Florence, aiming to be witnesses to a love moment at Il Guelfo Bianco.

For any information write us at info@ilguelfobianco.it or book your room online!

Votre hôtel dans le centre de Florence

Posted on by Betty

Il Guelfo Bianco, hôtel dans le centre de Florence, est la location idéale pour tous ceux qui désirent se trouver dans le coeur de la ville, à deux doigts de toutes les attractions, mais aussi en position stratégique pour tous les moyens de transport qui conduisent en ville.

Entouré par certains des principaux centres d’intérêt florentins, comme le Dôme, la Galerie de l’Académie, Palais Medici Riccardi, les Chappelles Medicées et le Marché de San Lorenzo, pour ne citer qu’eux, l’hôtel Il Guelfo Bianco permet de se déplacer aisément à pied pour se consacrer confortablement aux plus célèbres activités touristiques du coin.

Mais un hôtel dans le centre de Florence ne signifie pas seulement respirer l’histoire et l’art dès que vous sortez de votre chambre, cela signifie aussi pouvoir y arriver rapidement à pied de la gare centrale de Santa Maria Novella, à seulement 10 minutes de distance!

Et si vraiment vous n’aimez pas marcher, ou si vous avez beaucoup de valises avec vous, il y a toujours les classiques Taxis pour venir à votre aide. De la gare des trains à l’hôtel, un tour vous coûtera environ 12 euros et prendra 10 minutes, variables en fonction du trafic. Si vous arrivez de l’aéroport, le tarif en taxi sera fixe et vous coûtera 22 euros plus 1 euro chaque valise, et prendra environ 25 minutes avec trafic régulier.

Dans le cas où vous arriviez avec votre propre voiture, il ne faut pas s’inquiéter, vous pouvez quand même atteindre l’hôtel dans le centre ville, même s’il s’agit d’une zone à circulation limitée (ZCL). Vous pourrez traverser la zone ZCL sans être sanctionnés, il suffit de nous communiquer au moment de votre arrivée le numéro de votre plaque d’immatriculation et c’est nous qu’on s’occupera de tout le reste. Faites attention plutôt à ne pas commettre des infractions pendant vos déplacements en ville, comme par exemple parcourir les bandes destinées exclusivement aux bus et aux véhicules spéciaux…à Florence on fait très attention à cela!

hotel in the centre of florence

Et pour le parking? On sait bien que des fois se garer à Florence peut être une véritable entreprise, mais Il Guelfo Bianco a pensé à cela aussi, et un parking conventionné tout proche est la solution parfaite pour tous ceux qui arrivent à Florence en voiture et veulent garder le véhicule en sécurité pendant le séjour.

Le parking se trouve à une distance de 5 minutes à pied seulement de notre hotel et les tarifs varient de 27, 31 et 33 euros par jour. Une fois arrivés, les gardiens de parking vont s’occuper personnellement de récupérer votre voiture directement à l’hotel à votre arrivée et de vous la rendre avant votre départ.

Dans le cas où la voiture n’est pas à vous, on sera ravis de vous aider à comprendre comment arriver au plus proche point de livraison de location de véhicules: ce n’est pas toujours des locations faciles à atteindre du centre ville!

Pour être honnête, toutefois, on vous conseille de ne pas emmener du tout la voiture en ville! À pied on réussi vraiment à atteindre les centres d’intérêt désirés et avec les taxis on peut arriver aux endroits plus loins. En allant à pied et avec les frais de stationnement économisés, vous pourrez déguster quelques verre de bon vin toscan de plus!

Si vous avez des questions ou des clarifications, on reste à votre disposition pour vous aider à organiser au mieux votre arrivée en ville, en avion, en train ou en voiture. Votre expérience avec Il Guelfo Bianco commence bien avant la véritable arrivée en ville, n’hésitez donc pas à nous demander et ce sera un plaisir pour nous de vous aider!

Contactez-nous à info@ilguelfobianco.it,

On vous attend!

THE WEB SERIES FINALE AWARD

Posted on by Betty

The day has come: the Web Series Finale Award is here! We received so many good stories from your creativity, and it wasn’t easy at all to choose one to be elected as most creative alternative ending of You say love, I say tomato. But we had to, and eventually, we reckon we chose the best one!

We want to share with you the reasons that made us elect Marcel Giebelmann as our Finale Award Winner, and give you the possibility to read his story, well, better to say, web series script, and laugh as much as we did in reading it!

Between the many finales received, this is the one that really got our attention, imagining a new finale that is actually an entire plot for a new web series! We found great creativity, sense of humour and passion reading it. Enjoy!

 

The story begins at the end of episode 6…

 

Talking with Giulia the lady insists about visiting the farm. Giulia offers to manage the trip for her. She organizes a small car ( an old fiat 500 or Piaggio ape) for the lady. In the next cut you see the lady crazy driving by using a paper map through the surrounding area of Tuscany towards the farm. She nearly loses her way, but then a traffic sign for the farm appears. As she arrives at the farm she gets a very warm welcome by the owner of the farm, Giulia’s sister. The sister is showing the lady around. After all, the lady wants to know from the sister how many people are working at the farm and if she knows all the workers very well ( because she is already looking for her dream man ). The sister told her, that a few family members are working there, but mostly seasonal workers, but due to the end of the season they all left and she has no contact information. The lady is leaving the farm with a warm thanks and begins to feel very very sad and disappointed. How should she ever find her dream man ??? Then she sees a small chapel next to the farm and walks in. In front of the altar she goes down on her knees and starts to pray….”Please, please help me to find the man of my dreams”. Then suddenly somebody puts his hand of her shoulder from behind and she turns around….She is shocked and heavy breathing and nearly crying. The man of her dreams is standing behind her and…. he is A PRIEST (already wearing his priest uniform. ) A PRIEST… HE IS UNREACHABLE FOR HER. Her dream ends and she is very very sad. “Why are you so desperate??”–  asked the priest to the lady. She answers, that her biggest dream died and she was so in love with a man and now she learned that he is unreachable for her. She is totally disappointed. The priest told her, that he feels so sorry for her. But he wants to help her, to forget the bad thoughts. He tells her that there are very seldom visitors in this small village and today is a big party of his family, with all brothers, sisters, relatives etc. He insists that she should join him to this family meeting. At the meeting the whole family welcomes her very warmly. She asks for the restroom because she wants to take a short refreshment. As she came back from the restroom, she was confused and happy to see the man of her dreams without the priest uniform. She asks him..”did you change your clothes ???” He replies with a laugh… “Oh no, you mixed me up with my twin brother, he is a priest… ” The lady starts to be happy again… all the energy comes back to her. “My brother already told me, that he met a nice lady with a desperate love and told me that he invited you to our party”. He is talking with two glasses of red wine and gives her one of them. – “Maybe I can join you at your desperate journey for your great love, since I was also searching…” They cheer and drink the wine.

THE END ( maybe now playing Dean Martins song… “that s amore“

 

How did you like this finale???

Unfortunately nobody guessed the exact ending of the story. The correct answer would have been that Jenny was going to lose her flight back to England, and that she was going to have Italian mama’s trouble…  No, no, no: saying they fell in love is not the correct answer for the finale! That happened the very first moment they met! 🙂

 

Thank you all for playing with us and watching our webseries, You say love, I say tomato. It has been an amazing journey!

 

The Il Guelfo Bianco Team 

GERARDO RUEDA IN FLORENCE: PINTURA VERDE & PINTURA ROJA

Posted on by Betty

Being an art and history lover, sometimes I find myself particularly nostalgic of the good old times. That’s why I decided to talk to you about Gerardo Rueda and of how my wife and I, managed to get in possession of two small but very enjoyable artworks of his, Pintura Verde and Pintura Roja, that our guests at Il Guelfo Bianco can admire while having breakfast.

Rueda’s history ( 1926-1966), artist from Madrid, belonging to the abstractionism, meets ours back in the recent 2002, when the almost forgotten art gallery of Florence, Quadrante, was back in the news again.

Opened in Florence in 1960, by Matilde Giorgini (daughter of Pitti’s creator together with Emilio Pucci, Giovan Battista Giorgini) with the help of her brother Vittorio, famous organicist architect, the Quadrante gallery had a short life, closing shop in 1964, after only 3 years of activity.

Even if for a short time, the gallery saw exposed future big artists such as Vedova, Fontana, Uncini, Scheggi, Rivera, Turcato and Rueda, to give you some names, affirming itself as melting pot of the principal artistic trends of the time.

Despite Matilde’s good intuition tho, her expositions organised in the gallery, were not able to find a collocation in the art market of the time, maybe because those promising artists were of a too premature taste for the period.

All the exposed artworks were thus packed and put in a storage, guarded and forgotten there for almost 40 years, till 2002, when they were retrieved by the Giorginis Descendants and sold, with the names of those forgotten artists, already become important in the world scene.

 

quadrante gallery Gerardo Rueda Florence
The exposition in honour of the Quadrante gallery at Museo del ‘900

 

Before buying a painting, my wife and I follow two precise rules: the first one, is that it has to convince both of us, the second one, is that the artwork must have a story and a profound meaning behind that has to captivate both of us.

No need to say then, that the vicissitudes of the Quadrante and its misfortune hit us deeply inside, moving us towards buying Rueda’s artworks, Pintura Roja and Pintura Verde, recently exposed at Museo del ‘900 as a tribute to the artists of the Quadrante.

This story makes me think of how the time passes by, playing an important role in our destiny, and I can’t help asking myself how things would have gone if the instinctive founder of Quadrante, Matilde, could have had some extra time to make her initiative a success.

As John Dalton said, sometimes:

“It’s the right idea, but not the right time.”

 

Would you like to admire Rueda’s Pintura Roja and Pintura Verde and many other contemporary artworks? Staying with us at Il Guelfo Bianco, it will be my pleasure to show you around at the discovery of the many stories hidden behind our hotel art pieces.

 

Gerardo Rueda Art Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco Firenze

 

Florence is well worth a jump into art, between ancient and contemporary!

 

Choose between our best offers to stay in Florence all year long and reserve your room! 

 

Write us to get more information about our art collection:

info@ilguelfobianco.it

 

See you at the hotel!

Alessandro Bargiacchi