Things to do in Florence/ MAY

SPORT
A.C. FIORENTINA SOCCER
Fiorentina vs. Lazio, May 13, 6pm
Fiorentina vs. Pescara, May 28, 3pm
Stadio Comunale A. Franchi, Viale Manfredo Fanti
Buy tickets from the Fiorentina store inside the Mercato Centrale. Take
ATAF bus 7, 17, or 20 to stadium from SMN station. Buy bus ticket from the
station or tabaccheria (tobacco shop).

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Bill Viola ELECTRONIC RENAISSANCE, Open all May, 10am-8pm;
Thursdays until 11pm
Museo Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza Strozzi
Euros 4,00
Bill Viola, the unchallenged master of video art, in Florence with a unique exhibition
Exploring spirituality, experience and perception, Viola probes humanity: people, bodies and faces are the
leading players in his work with its poetic and strongly symbolic style in which man interacts with the forces
and energies of nature such as water and fire, light and dark, the cycle of life and rebirth.

European Night at the Museum, May 20, 9-11pm

Various museums throughout Florence
Join Florentines and Europeans alike for an evening out at the museum!
This special Europe-wide event will leave many museums across the city
open for extended hours, with an entrance fee of a symbolic 1.00 euro. See
http://en.comune.fi.it for upcoming list of participating museums.

Artisans in the Square, May 18-21, 10am-8pm

Giardino Corsini, Via della Scala, 115
Euros 8,00
Over 80 artisanal exhibitors will take over the beautiful Corsini Gardens this
month, all centered around the theme “Fiori d’Arancio”, “Orange Blossoms”.
Come for workshops, live demonstrations, conferences, and food tastings.
For full program of events visit: www.artigianatoepalazzo.it

MUSIC
Sounds of Europe, May 18, 8pm
Le Murate Literary Café, Piazza delle Murate
Free entrance
2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the
Treaty of Rome, which created the EEC
(European Economic Community). To
celebrate this event the European
University Institute (EUI) is happy to bring
a broad program of initiatives to Florence,
including the Sounds of Europe 2017 concerts in the city. The sixth concert
will take place at Le Murate Literary Café and will feature the Datura Brass Quartet playing famous pieces by
Verdi and Puccini, among others.
CEREMONIES
Corteo Storico/ Traditional Florentine Parade, May 23, 9:45am
Piazza Signoria
The Florentine corteo storico will walk through the streets of the city, in
honor of the death of Frà Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican Friar hanged
and burnt at the stake on May 23, 1498 in Piazza Signoria. Famous for his
preaching against vanity and politics, he quickly became an enemy of the
ruling Medici family after refusing to stop his sermons. The corteo will start at
the Piazzetta di Parte Guelfa, stop in Piazza Signoria for a flower ceremony,
and end at the Arno, where his remains were left.
MEMORIAL DAY, May 29, 11am
American Cemetery, Via Cassia S.N. Tavarnuzze Impruneta
Celebrate the American holiday in Italy at the American Cemetery in
Florence. The cemetery, located just a short bus ride from the city, holds the
headstones of 4,401 American soldiers who died in Italy during WWII. It
covers over 70 acres, and is officially American soil. Take the SITA bus 365A
from Florence SITA station (Via Santa Caterina da Siena, 15/17) towards
Ferruzzi, get off at the stop “Cimitero degli Americani”.

MARKETS & GARDENS

0-Mile Market
May 13-14, 8:30am-7:30pm
Piazza Repubblica
A 0 mile market guarantees all produce comes from a local farm within close
proximity to the sale point, ensuring all produce is fresh, locally grown, and
seasonal. Stroll through the stalls of this pop-up market, sample and splurge
on local wine, olive oil, seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as Italian cured
meats and cheese.

Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio
Monday-Saturday, 7am- 2pm
Piazza Ghiberti
Designed by Giuseppe Mengoni in 1873, the market offers stalls selling clothing,
fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and other food products as well as various
restaurants.

Iris Garden
Open until May 20, Monday-Friday 10-1pm, 3-7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10-
7:30pm
Located on the right side of Piazzale Michelangelo
Free Entrance
The iris, commonly called the giglio, is the symbol of Florence. With over 200
species, the Iris Garden offers the chance to view thousands of them as they
bloom in spring.

Rose Garden
All May, from 8am-8pm
Located on the left side of Piazzale Michelangelo
Free Entrance
This garden has over 350 varieties of roses, including lemon trees, a Japanese
garden, and 12 sculptures by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. If you want to take
a break from city life, take a walk up to the Piazzale and enjoy the beautiful
panoramic view of Florence below.
 Bardini Garden
All May, Sunday-Saturday, 8:15am-6:30pm
Main entrance on Costa San Giorgio, 2
Euros 7,00
A terraced garden dating back to the 13th century, this garden offers arguably
better views of Florence than from Piazzale Michelangelo.

FOOD/ Our Choice for…

PIZZA
Pizzeria O’Scugnizzo
Via dell’Orto, 25r
Try the pizza margherita (plain cheese pizza).

PANINI
All’ Antico Vinaio
Via dei Neri, 74r
Giant sandwiches for just 5,00 euros made with traditional Italian ingredients.

CROSTINI
Le Volpi e L’Uva
Piazza dei Rossi, 1
A variety of delicious crostini featuring classic Tuscan and Italian ingredient
combinations
DESSERT
Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo
Via Sant’Antonino 23r
Handmade traditional cantuccini and other Italian desserts

APERITIVO/ Around the City

What is aperitivo? It’s an Italian ritual of going out for a pre-dinner drink and bite to eat. Everyday between
6:30pm and 8:30pm around the city you will see bars and restaurants displaying buffets of food on their
counters. This is the time for aperitivo. The price includes one drink, alcoholic or non, and includes unlimited
access to the food displayed. Prices range depending on where your eating and how much food is included,
expect to pay around 10 Euros for an aperitivo, also called apericena. This is a fun Italian custom you’ll want
to experience while in Florence!

Our Choice for Aperitivo…

Moyo / Via dei Benci, 23r
Kitsch / Viale Gramsci, 1/5r
Pop Cafè / Piazza Santo Spirito, 18r
Oibò / Borgo dei Greci, 1
 OUT OF TOWN IDEAS

Day Trip/ Bologna

Bologna hosts the oldest university in the world, the University of
Bologna, which has thousands of students every year. Bologna is an
example of careful preservation and restoration methods, making it one
of the biggest historical centers in Italy. Having experienced rule under
the Etruscans, Romans, and Celtics, this city is composed of thousands
of years of history, architecture, and art available for public viewing!
Climb 498 wooden stairs to reach the top of Asinelli’s Tower where you
can witness a beautiful view of Bologna’s red roofs. On a clear day, you
can even see the sea and the Alps!
Getting there: TRAIN/ You can catch a high-speed train (a Trenitalia Frecciarossa or Frecciargento)
twice an hour at Florence SMN (to Bologna Centrale). It’s about 35min. You can also take the Italo train
to/from Florence SMN (also ca. 35min).

Overnight Trip/ Naples-Pompeii-Amalfi

From the ruins of Pompeii, the cozy bustle of Naples (one of the
oldest inhabited cities in the world) or the magnificent views of the
Amalfi Coast, there’s truly something for everyone. From Naples
take a day trip to Pompeii: explore an entire Roman city preserved
by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79
AD. You’ll walk the same streets that were
walked 2000 years ago. Enjoy the amazing
views of the UNESCO listed Amalfi Coast,
stretching out from Sorrento to Vietri sul Mare.
Getting there: TRAIN/ Every hour, a Trenitalia Frecciarossa high-speed train
runs to Naples Central Station (Napoli Centrale) from Florence SMN (ca. 3h).
You can also take the Italo train (9 times a day, ca. 2h30min). From the train
station, you can take a bus to Pompeii and a bus or boat to the Amalfi Coast.
You can also get there by train.

Overnight Trip/ Sardinia

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The magical
mixture of tropical beaches, crystal water, white sand, and gorgeous
architecture beguile every visitor. Holidays in Sardinia are truly a
unique experience. Occupied by the Romans, Genoese, and
Catalonians in turn, Sardinia’s major towns are sprinkled with Italian,
Spanish, and Baroque treasures. This island has prospered in recent
time due to its success as a great tourist destination. Visit one of the
7000 Nuraghi, an ancient megalithic edifice that you can only find in
Sardinia.
Getting there: PLANE/ You can fly with Ryanair from Pisa Airport (take a
bus or train to get to the airport, it’s about 1h) to Cagliari (1h20min) or
Alghero (1h).
BOAT/ Take a ferry from Livorno to Olbia (about 6h). Take a train from Florence SMN to Livorno
Centrale (ca. 1h30min).