Christmas is over, a new year has begun and yet we still don’t have flying cars, darn! In Italy, too many meals have been scarfed and Befana will visit kids and adults alike on the 6th,  handing out candy and carbone {coal}. If the coal is made of candy, I’ll happily take it. While I know all too well how depressing of a month January can be, my advice to everyone is – don’t let that happen. Take advantage of what there is to do and enjoy exploring Florence, Italy without the crowds because if one thing is true, its that fewer people will be pushing you off the sidewalks to get that ‘perfect’ shot. Hoorah for us all!

But first, enjoy this awesome photo taken by one very talented photographer and my Bostonian friend Erin Duffy

I started writing this blog really in January 2012 and honestly, it’s shocking even to myself that I have managed to keep it up and share my “Florence” {and travels, food and thoughts} with the public. My goal was and still is to show english speakers (or Italiani) all of the various options there are in this tiny yet “big-feeling” town. Florence is a city for us all. Viva Firenze! Happy January to you all and here is my January 2013 list of events :).

• SPORT/ Ride bikes with Bici Firenze on January 5th. I just happened to come across the below poster on FB advertising the opportunity to anyone to come ride bikes all-together this saturday. Sounds to me like a pretty fun thing to do and I would definitely go if I was in town. The starting point is Piazzale Michelangelo at 9:30am. Make sure to let them know by commenting on the photo here, if you plan on going!

• HISTORICAL PARADE/ For the Epiphany this January 6th, the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore is organizing a historical renactment {parade} of the arrival of the three wise men. The parade will be made up of 800 people (including members of the immigrant communities) and includes figures from the Old Florentine Republic. It starts in Piazza Pitti at 2pm and travels through Florence, reaching Piazza Duomo at 3:30pm. Here the Three Wise Men leave their gifts for Baby Jesus at the living Nativity Scene. Official Site

• STEAM TRAIN/ Epiphany ‘befana’ train in San Pier0 a Sieve. January 6th. Now part of a tradition, why not join the special steam-vapor train traveling through the province of Florence to San Piero a Sieve. The train departs from Firenze Santa Maria Novella central station at 9:03am carrying the epiphany. The arrival in San Piero is scheduled for 10:55, when the “Dixie Train” Marching Band will accompany the travelers from the station to the municipal gymnasium of Trifilò Street, where a party will follow with refreshments, games and many surprises. Around 12:30, the Befana will restart with the steam train to resume its long journey. At 3pm the festivities will conclude with a traditional ” Befana Bingo”, with great prizes and lots of fun. Official Site. 

• OUTDOOR LIBRARY/ “Firenze & Fashion” January 9th – special outdoor library dedicated to special masterpieces in Piazza della Repubblica (Florence – historical center). check it out!

• LECTURE/ “Arab Spring” lecture (in Italian). January 9th at 5pm at Palazzo Capponi {via de’bardi 36, Florence} – Stanford University by Imam Elzir Izzedin and other experts in the field. Very interesting!

• SEMINAR/ “Hope Summit” open to the public {at payment} – a special seminar to show you what’s possible next after you’ve met with adversity in your life. Don’t miss it. A year where things change for the better! January 12, 2-6.30pm, Hotel Helvetia & Bristol, via dei Pescioni 2. Florence center. Register here

• THEATER & MUSIC/ Jan 1 – 31. Verdi Theater, Pergola Theatre and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino all have some interesting january lines ups so I recommend checking out their official sites above to get official times & shows.

• ART SHOW/ Starting point 2013 – art show by those who study at the Accademia di belli arti – Until January 12. Art, photography & installations await you at the SUC of Murate {sala delle colonne} so check it out!

• MUSEUM/ Aperitivo ad Arte at Palazzo Davanzati: Valid until February 1, every Friday at 7pm why not visit the museum and  enjoy a special aperitivo in the courtyard. Palazzo Davanzati {via Porta Rossa 13, Florence} reservation required at Tel. 055/294883.

• TOURS/ “So you think you know Florence?”. The Florentine has teamed up with Alexandra Lawrence – Licensed Guide to offer affordable and unique tours to visitors, students and expats (and even Florentines!). In January there are three great options. One on the 19th – visiting the Museum of the Opera del Duomo, which for only 20 euros, you can discover what inspired Brunelleschi and see the newly restored “Gates of paradise”. Well worth a look!  On the 25th of January, you can join ME, yes I will be finally visiting the Vasari Corridor! I am super excited and thrilled since I have heard nothing but good things about this tour. From 3-5 pm, 60 euros includes the entrance ticket and a copy of the book “Art by Women in Florence“. On the 26th, there will be a “charitable” Florence tour from 11am-1pm for only 15 euros. This tour offers the chance to explore the headquarters of two medieval institutions, this looks absolutely divine as well. I wish I could go on all three, really. I applaud them to offering affordable and interesting options for those of us to learn about our own city on a budget! bravo! More info on The Florentine site, here.

• CHOCOLATE FAIR/ Dolcissimi: A chocolate lovers fair dedicated to artisan-made chocolate, you can even win your weight in chocolate via a special competition. Activities for kids all in a great space. January 26-27 at the Firenze ObiHall. Saturday 11am – 11pm, Sunday 11am – 7pm. 5 euro entrance.

• ROLLER SHOW/ WORLD ROLLER SKATING GRAND PRIX is back this January 26-27th at the Mandela forum. This is one spectacular show that you won’t want to miss.

• FASHION/Vintage Selection at Stazione Leopolda. January 23-  27th. Fashionista’s get ready for another edition of Vintage Selection and this year’s theme is  “Missione Futuro – Mission: The Future”: focusing on science fiction and retro-futurism, the image of the future we thought would develop starting from the 1950s-60s. Very cool and I am excited to see what designs will be showcased this year. Look forward to workshops, events, photo exhibitions, Miss & Mister Vintage contest, projects such as Tag-Automatica, concerts and happy hours with dj sets. I will write more about it later in the month Official site. Stazione Leopolda, address; Viale F.lli Rosselli, 5-Firenze. 23 – 27 gennaio 2013. Hours: 10-9pm. Entrance & cost : open to the public, 5,00 euro. FB fan page: www.vintageselection.it e facebook.com/vintageselection . Tel. +39/055/212622      

I am going to add to this list as often as I see cool events so if you know of one not on this list, please do let me know in the comments so I can add it. I didn’t mention Pitti Uomo etc. because as far as I know, they aren’t open to the public so what’s the point of adding them ;). Happy January 2013 everyone!

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