Indulge Your Senses at Florence’s WineTown 2013
From 17-18 May 2013 in Florence will take place Wine Town, an event that not only celebrates wonderful wines but indulges all the senses, and opens the city’s palazzos up in the most delightful of celebration.
From 17-18 May 2013 in Florence will take place Wine Town, an event that not only celebrates wonderful wines but indulges all the senses, and opens the city’s palazzos up in the most delightful of celebration.
What could be more exciting for a gastronomic tourist than a trip to Florence, capital of Tuscany, a region rich in food, wine and culture? How about a visit that coincides with WineTown, one of the city’s premier festivals, where you can experience everything that the region has to offer right along with a walking tour of Florence? From 17-18 May 2013, that’s exactly what visitors will be able to do, taking part in an event that not only celebrates wonderful wines but indulges all the senses, and opens the city’s palazzos up in the most delightful of celebrations.
WineTown brings together a series of events – concerts, demonstrations and tastings – that will delight any visitor. Much of the festival is free, but to make the most of your time there, you may wish to buy a WineCard, which can be purchased for €15 and recharged with points, allowing you to taste on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis. It also gives entrance to the day’s events, and free car parking. It’s available in advance online, or to buy from any of the palaces on the day. You’ll receive a wine goblet to take with you, and can visit the exhibitors’ stands. Serious wine connoisseurs can also book themselves on to one of the seminars taking place, examining wines from Sangiovese and beyond.
For most visitors, a visit to WineTown (and to Florence) begins at the Santa Maria Novella rail station, a short walk from the historic city centre. walking in Florence is the easiest way to get around, and a means of ensuring that you don’t miss any of the architectural gems hiding around every corner. The WineTown events and tastings take place in and around the historic buildings themselves, allowing you to mix sightseeing with the festival activities. There are four different zones to explore, but if possible, a combined wine-drinking and walking tour of Florence should include:
Palazzo Pitti: a vast Renaissance palace, former home to the Medici family and now the largest museum complex in Florence. A number of cellars will be exhibiting here (try Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino), and the palace will also play host to evening concerts as well as a feast of international street food in the outside piazza.
Palazzo Vecchio: one of Florence’s most recognisable buildings, the Palazzo Vecchio is a must-visit for most tourists and during WineTown will play host (in the Sala d’Arme) to producers of Chianti Classico, one of the regions most memorable wines. At various intervals, you can catch performances of dance and street theatre.
The Bargello: this popular sculptural museum close to the Uffizi has works by Donatello, Michelangelo and Cellini, but during festival evenings, all eyes will be on the jazz greats playing in the courtyard. Wines from around Italy will be tasted here, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
More than a fun way to pound some grape, WineTown allows you to pound the streets and experience Florence in a unique way. Cin Cin!
