Costume parades, joyful music, splendorous masks… Those are no more than just a few of the countless details that make Carnival in Tuscany simply magical.
This festivity usually takes place four Sundays before the Shrove Tuesday, in Italian “Martedi Graso”, and it is an event celebrated like no other, specially in Viareggio. A city located at a relatively short distance from Florence.
Begun in February 1873, Viareggio’s Carnival is considered worldwide to be one of the finest celebrations in all Italy, and its biggest assets are definitely the float parades displaying enormous figures made of papier-mâché, alongside 200 people dressed up in full costume.
Every year thousands of people from all over the world choose Viareggio as a Carnival destination, and many say the major reason to do so is the opportunity to enjoy the parade and see what theme they come up with each year.
Although dressing up in full costume is not strictly required most people choose to do so, while other prefer to keep it simple and just wear a “Burlamacco” mask or put on some fancy make-up. Whatever may the case be, what really matters is enjoying the party atmosphere.
Needless to say that no description could ever match the sensation of being there.
Il Salviatino will be keeping at your disposal a special carnival package, valid every weekend from the 4th of February to the 4th of March.
It includes, besides a 2 nights stay in De Luxe Double Room of our luxury hotel in Florence, a trip to Viareggio with Lunch for two. All of this to let you experience Tuscan’s Carnival at its best.
Without a doubt, the most special and magical moment of the year is New Year’s Eve. As we prepare to bid goodbye to the year full of memories, we also await a new beginning filled with unknown excitement.
If we want to start the year with a positive attitude, we should follow New Year’s Eve traditions. Eating lentils before the clock strikes midnight will bring fortune to the New year. As throwing something old will give us renewed dreams. Let’s not forget about wearing red underwear underneath our best attire. This will bring us good luck as soon as the very first minute of 2012.
For this night, our luxury hotel in Florence Il Salviatino has prepared for you a very special event: “L’Epoca Garbata” (Gracious Years) , linked to the package “An Italian Christmas” . This will make your stay at the the hotel very memorable during the holiday season.
Il Salviatino has taken utmost care in organizing the details of New Year’s Eve celebration. We have prepared an exquisite dinner menu which includes dishes like Scallops with Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus and red prawn cream; Red mullet and hazelnuts with parsley and candied lemon, anchovy crumble… Last but not least, a desert that unites the essence of Christmas season with gastronomy: Christmas cake pudding with exotic fruits and berries, English vanilla sauce. And Holiday pastries.
Dinner will be accompanied by live music and entertainment to enjoy an extraordinary performance that pays tribute to the period when elegance reigned supreme in Italy.
The Roaring Twenties, ladies wrapped in long evening gowns dancing a wild swing and, for the first time, showing off their sensual legs in a stylish – and sometimes cheeky – way. The noir ambience of the Thirties, when cigarettes were taken out of shiny silver cases and smoked in the dim light.
The cheerful gaze of people dreaming of a brighter future in the Fifties, and wearing the first colorful clothing and prints. That is the essence of “L’Epoca Garbata” (Gracious Years), a performance that underlines the special aspects embodied in the first decades of the 20th century in Italy.
Guests only have to worry about enjoying this very special night. Il Salviatino provides you a unique environment to have an unforgettable start of 2012.
Find more information, check us out at: www.averyspecialholiday.com
Christmas, a season for spreading good cheer and spending time with family, is almost upon us. This period casts a particularly strong spell on Florence, where the whole city is all decked out and a number of special activities take place to spread the Christmas spirit both to locals and to tourists taking advantage of the festive period to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Florence Duomo from Il Salviatino
Naturally, Christmas in Florence has something special for the little ones, too. The Christmas Market at Stazione Leopolda features shows and displays that are bound to delight kids. Various other markets also take place, where you’ll find crafts, antiques and Christmas articles, across different parts of the city. Check out this list to find out when and where the most important ones are taking place.
The Parade of the Three Kings of the Orient, on 6 January, is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, running from Piazza Pitti, in the city centre, along to the Cathedral. It begins at 2:30 p.m. and the Three Kings will be happy to welcome any kids interested in coming up to ask them for their presents.
The Christmas spirit can be well and truly felt throughout every inch of the city. Evidence of this comes in the very special Christmas experience that has been put together at Il Salviatino. The hotel has taken care of everything, down to the smallest detail, to make sure you have a totally unforgettable stay in Florence: from 8 December to 8 January the 5 star hotel in Florence Il Salviatino will be offering the “An Italian Christmas” pack, featuring a host of extras that make a real difference, including a surprise gift on the door of your room every morning, a free phone card worth 20 euros to call your loved ones on Christmas or New Year’s Day, plus chocolate tasting sessions taking place every evening and special activities organized for younger and older guests, among many others.
Don’t forget that you can enjoy authentic central and southern Italian cuisine courtesy of chef Carmine Calò, as well as the special gala dinner on New Year’s Eve. Il Salviatino is offering all of this to make sure that, beyond simply having a good stay, your experience in Florence is one to remember.
Find more information at: www.averyspecialholiday.com
