Italy's favourite son, finally moving out - The Florentine

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22 Thursday 7 September 2006 Book REVIEWS Travels with Intent Ed Hayes sees Italy through new eyes Nothing can be more depressing… than to encounter a husband who boasts of having seen everything in Rome in three days, while the wife laments that, in recollection she cannot distinguish the Vatican from the Capitol, St Peter’s from St Paul’s. Augustus Hare: Walks in Rome (1893) I am sure many of the visitors to Italy today still come away with that sensation of having seen too much to digest. There is so much to see that without a sense of purpose you can just get swallowed up. Most of us, not being specialists in art history, structure our excursions by following a well-trodden itinerary of the ‘main sights’ – acknowledging the superior wisdom of the guidebook. Tourists have been ‘doing the sites’ in Italy like this for centuries, in search of the curious and the beautiful. But before the tourist came the pilgrim. Long before the grand tour, travellers made a beeline for Italy as the centre of Western Christendom. Lucinda Vardey’s Traveling with the Saints in Italy shows that pilgrimage still has significance to travellers in the 21 st century: “As we require a physical vacation and a rest for our bodies, so too do we need the same for our souls.” Vardey’s book takes us to locations that played a central role in the lives of an eclectic selection of saints – from mystic and hermit to practical church reformer – from Saint Benedict, who first established monasticism in Europe to Saint Francis of Assisi, whom she describes as saving the Church from itself through humility at a time when it had ‘become elitist and removed from the needs of the poor.’ She also treats Mary Jane Cryan lives in a small town nestled between Rome and Tuscany that has been under the protection of the English crown since the time of Henry VIII. Travels to Tuscany and Northern Lazio, the latest addition to her decades of ferreting out hidden history, gives readers a glimpse of 18 th - century travel as experienced by highranking ecclesiastics and nobles. The heart of this thoroughlyresearched and well-documented book is a travel diary kept by Don Giovanni Landò, secretary to Cardinal Henry Stuart, Duke of York, who made three trips to Tuscany and Northern Lazio between 1763 and 1776. The extraordinarily detailed diary records the Cardinal’s daily schedule, habits, dress, health, and social engagements, and we are swept up at once into the bustle of this royal Cardinal’s travels. female saints like Catherine of Siena and Saint Francis’s helpmeet, Saint Clare. The book contains suggestions for meditations and intentions to give further purpose to the pilgrim’s journey, practical information about how to get to the locations, and observations about art and points of local interest. While these itineraries could give an overarching purpose to a journey in Italy, the book does not pretend to be a replacement for a guidebook. The telling of the stories concentrates on reverence rather than historical inquiry. Vardey refuses to go into any News & Views McRae Books, Via Dei Neri 32/R September 19 Lucinda Vardey talks about her new book Traveling with the Saints in Italy (see review). She has guided pilgrimages in Italy for over ten years with her husband and divides her time between Toronto, Canada, and their Tuscan retreat house, Migliara. The British Institute of Florence – Book Group The Harold Acton Library – Lungarno Guicciardini 9 The book group meets at 6pm on the second Monday of the month in the Library. Sept. 11: The Matisse Stories by A.S. Byatt Oct. 9: The Accidental by Ali Smith Nov. 13: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Dec. 11: The Southern Gates of Arabia by Freya Stark All are welcome, the only condition is that you have read the book. What was Florence like in 1764? Students of history will relish the book’s rich documentation, but Travels to Tuscany and Northern Lazio is not just for specialists. It gives a fascinating picture of what life was like in 18 th century Tuscany with detailed descriptions of Florence, Pisa, Bologna and the towns of northern Lazio. Travel times are meticulously noted so that modern travelers can compare how long it took to travel between Tuscan cities 250 years ago. There are minute descriptions of churches visited, and of the treasures and reliquaries they contain, as well as of the sumptuous food served at banquets. In addition to the diary, previously unpublished in any language (the second part of the book contains the full text in Italian), Cryan provides a wealth of historical information to help set the scene–itinerary maps, old prints and period illustrations of vestments and towns controversies over the saints’ lives and works. Much of the art that makes Italy a remarkable destination is religious, so why not acknowledge that? At least spare us from ‘doing the sights’ in the manner of a tourist my father-in-law overheard in the Uffizi. Passing his umpteenth Madonna and Child, the tourist commented to his companion, “Don’t you think it’s sinister, don’t you think it’s a bit sexist – the way the baby in these paintings is always a boy?” Lucinda Vardey will be coming to speak about her book on Sept. 19 at McRae books. by L. Lappin visited, a bill for carriage repair, the members of the traveling party, and even a list of prices at a local grocer. These practical details are the stuff of historical reconstruction which allow the reader to understand the daily life of a bygone era. A brief chapter on other travelers to the area, along with current descriptions of the places visited on the Cardinal’s three journeys, completes the volume. The finely-done illustrations and art work by Justin Bradshaw make for a handsome book. In retracing the steps of travelers throughout history, Cryan has helped fill in a blank space on the map of the Grand Tour, for much documentation still lies buried in archives. Her books are a mine of information, anecdotes, and curiosities for all those interested in delving deeper into the history of central Italy. Signed copies are available at www.elegantetruria.com or may be ordered at BM bookshop on Borgo Ognissanti. www.theflorentine.net Florence Business Cards Periodontics, Esthetic Dentistry, Oral Implants, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Hygiene, Whitening. viale Gramsci 12 FLORENCE 055 241208 - 2480082 EMERGENCY 24 hrs / 365 day 335 8366567 www.studipaoleschi.it
www.theflorentine.net Useful Numbers and Classifi ed Ads 23 Thursday 7 September 2006 Classifi ed ADS Housing For Sale/Immobili Vendita Castelnuovo del Abate, Tuscany. 9klm Montalcino. Mansard 34msq apartment/studio. Requires minimal restoration. Euro 55.000,00 as is. Campiglia d’Orcia, Tuscany. 18klm Pienza, 30 klm Montalcino. Apartment 78msq. Ground fl oor, spacious open plan living/dining, grotto cellar at rear. Upstairs 2 bedrooms, bathroom. Euro 140.000,00 completely restored. Photos, descriptions both properties www.montalcinotuscany.com/property.htm. Private sale. Luigi 348 2422509 Located in the Municipality of Lamporecchio, (Pistoia) in the heart of the Montalbano hills. Colonial house includes 3 units plus 2 independent units. 32-acre lot with 4,000 olive trees, vineyards and woods. Beautiful hilly location with view of the valley. For information contact bardazzisnc@tin.it Loft For Sale in Prato. 2 lofts near historic centre, each 137 sq. m., ideal for home offi ce. We can show layout and location. For information, e-mail marco@agilelogica.it For sale: Own your own piece of Chianti. 3 Fabulous apartments restored in Tuscan Tradition. 20km from Florence, swimming poo. Judieanne +39.335.839-0712, info@coloursoftuscany.com, www.coloursoftuscany.com Housing for Rent/Immobili in Affi tto Florentineflats.com offers quality apartments in Florence city centre at affordable prices, short and long term rentals, minimum 5 days. Call Rachel 348.0457857 / 055.685661, rach@dada.it Two female suitemates wanted to share beautiful penthouse apartment in palazzo on Via Pietrapiana Oct 10-Nov 3. Fifty euro/person/night. All or part, seven night minimum. Wonderful views, modern kitchen, recently renovated, tastefully furnished, friendly and safe neighbourhood. Contact via e-mail: lbh1066@yahoo.com Resident accommodations in the San Frediano neighbourhood. Independent building with 31 rooms complete with bathroom, air-conditioning, electronic entrance keys, winter and summer courtyard, small car park. Also guests universities and colleges for both brief and long periods. For more information write to scatizzi@dada.it or send a fax to 055/2336990 A large room with private bathroom with use of kitchen & sitting room in a large & bright fl at equipped with every comfort (also for very short period, close to piazza Gavinana), write to elia.dellachiesa@dada.it Large 1 bedroom apartment for rent, on quiet street between the Duomo and Piazza Signoria. Renovated, lovely hardwood fl oors. Large kitchen. Can sleep up to 4 people. 1,100 per month. Short or long term. Available May 1. Caterina 347.3737616 or 055.583406 Two large, bright rooms, in a fl at equipped with every comfort, for rent in via Mariti, 100 m. from University (Novoli area), also for short periods. Non smokers only. Tel. 055.353425 Near Piazzale Michelangelo secretly hidden wih private garden and only 15 minute walk to center. 2 bedroom, 2 bath. Fully furnished, long term rental only. 2,000 euro/month. Judieanne Colusso + 39.335.839-0712, info@coloursoftuscany.com, www.coloursoftuscany.com Lungarno Torrigiani-imagine living with views of the Arno and a small park at your doorstep, but in the centre of Florence. A very large 4 bedroom apartment, 190sq m, 1st fl oor, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, lounge-dining room, partially furnished, long term rental only. 2,700 euro. Judieanne +39.335.839- 0712, info@coloursoftuscany.com Business for Sale/Attività Commerciali Children’s clothing manufacturer looking to sell business. Thirty-yearold establishment produces clothing for children from ages 1 to 12 and is equipped with the necessary equipment for production. The company has a large client portfolio with buyers in Italy and abroad. For more information send an email to gio.giu@gmail.com Jobs Wanted/Cerco lavoro Experienced young woman (30) would take care of your children. French mother tongue, very good Italian, very good English. Available full time from October 1st. Camille 347.6048907 Help Wanted/Offerte di lavoro Bed and breakfast hotel in central Florence looks to employ additional staff. Hours negotiable. For job description e-mail: peter@bnb.it Seeking TEFL Certified mother tongue teachers for academic year 2006/2007. Please send CV asap to our Institute in Florence at: didattica@liveinstitute.it Private Lessons/Lezioni Private Italian individual lessons in Florence. Sharpen your grammar to enjoy conversation. Fluent English, Japanese, French spoken. Call Alberto and his Japanese wife Fumiko, tel. 055-475152, www.azlanguage.it - info@azlanguage.it Private oil painting lessons in English near Teatro Goldoni. Still life subject, canvas, paints and easel supplied. All levels welcome. For more information please contact Cathy at 055.2207171/ 338.1499392 Expert craftsman offers individual or group classes in English or Italian. Introduction to chiselling and embossing-theory and practice. Introduction to technical design. Call Fabrizio 338.5060720 or write acquafresca69@hotmail.com Leather Crafting Classes. Scuola del Cuoio offers short-term (3 hours/1-2 days) & long-term (1 wk to 10 mths) individual courses and classes under a Master Leather Craftsman inside the Monastery of Santa Croce, via San Giuseppe 5 (thru the garden). Enquiries: tel. 055.244.533 or info@leatherschool.com. For more info. visit: www.leatherschool.com Leisure & Vacation/ Tempo libero e vacanze B&B in Poggio al Vento. Located in a splendid nineteenth century villa. Includes two master bedrooms and a welcoming double bedroom. Poggio al Veneto is a small company that deals in organic agriculture, in the hills of Scandicci, in Casignano, just a few kilometres from Florence. For information and reservations call: +39.055.7309861 or +39.328.3876663 or write to info@casignano.it Panoramic colonial house in the hills of Chianti, only 15 km from Florence. Surrounded by a large park and olive grove, swimming pool. 4-6 person fl ats for rent for brief periods, completely furnished. Quiet, family-style atmosphere. Landlords available on site for any needs. Tel. 333.2203265, e-mail femanesc@tin.it Services/Servizi Thai temptations. Are you looking for a healthy alternative to your regular dinner parties? Creating elegant banquet style, Thai and fusion catering. Ph. 347.5199440; e-mail thaitemptations@hotmail.com Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow Yoga taught in English and Italian inside a beautiful Contemporary Art Gallery in the heart of Florence. Privates available upon request. VIANUOVA, Via del Porcellana 1R (near the corner of Borgo Ognissanti). Mon. Wed. Thu. from 7.00 to 8.30 p.m. - Call Bobby or Michela at 338.7874720. info@yogafl orence.com - www.yogafl orence.com Body Language Pilates and Yoga Studio. An intimate studio near Centro offers many level specifi c classes daily of group Yoga and Pilates mats taught in English with private apparatus sessions available. Call D. Clark at 335.790.4029 Do you have difficulties putting together your resume and cover letter? I am a graduate of Cambridge University, UK, and have helped numerous people get interviews for jobs with the help of a well-written resume and cover letter. For 50 euro, I will meet with you, and write a resume and cover letter. Contact Cassie at cassielbrown@hotmail.com Personals/Personali Reliable, 31-year-old Australian looking for English teaching, babysitting, waitressing or computer assistance work during July and August in Florence. Tel. 055 420 1948 / 339 168 4177 French young woman offers babysitting and help for homework. Available nights after 19:00, mornings until 10:00 and week ends. Please contact Camille: 347 604 8907
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Italy's favourite son, finally moving out - The Florentine

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