Tuscany: Basilica di Santa Maria

August 14, 2013August 14, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

“The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (English: Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower) is the main church of Florence, Italy. Il Duomo di Firenze, as it is ordinarily called, was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th-century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris.” In other words, that place is wonderful and very emotional! The ornaments, forms… I love it! And what’s more it’s super inspiring!

Tuscany: -PN\P

August 14, 2013July 29, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Piedi Nudi Nel Parco, in shorter version known as -PN\P, these two dark places in Florence are the coolest conceptual fashion stores in the city! First you need to know, that here you won’t find Givenchy and Dolce & Gabbana. For this you can go to shitty Luisa Via Roma, that is really poor. The -PN\P store is for individuals, that simply love dark, luxury clothes. Here you will find Alaia and labels that reassemble Rick Owens. In both boutiques, women’s and men’s, the interior is very artistic! In the first one you walk on a glass floor through which you see ancient catacombs, and on the second one it’s all about modern fabrics and metallic details… If you are into this style and going to visit Florence soon, this place is right for you!

Tuscany: Prada x Holiday Browns

August 13, 2013January 6, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Prada AW13 collection is very beautiful and chic, with all these boots and sexy dresses. But I didn’t know that the Florence boutique of main Miuccia Prada fashion line has so much secrets! Did you know anything about Prada X Holiday & Browns London collaboration? It’s a 2013 remake from the past and is inspired with influential wallpaper of that British label for furnishing… The prints are on everything of that capsule collection- bags, shirts, dresses…

Tuscany: Manganice Dinner

August 12, 2013February 2, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Living in Villa Manganice is like visiting a paradise. Everything here is perfect and beautiful. So, no wonder, the restaurant Manganice has a unforgettable taste with it’s traditional Tuscan dishes! Of course accompanied with the wine from hotel winery, the beef tatar and the filet Mignon with truffle fondue tastes very delicate and smooth. Everything is very fresh and totally hand-made! So no pasta from a shop or olive oil with chemical toxins. The dessert is of course the classical chocolate sufflet… Nothing better in the world!

Tuscany: Villa Mangiacane

August 12, 2013February 2, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Derived from its ancient name meaning “great dog”, the Mangiacane Estate has been producing wine for centuries, and making the visitors feel like in paradise for years! Here I am for some vacations in warm Tuscany in Italy! The Villa Mangiacane is located in a small town 20 minutes away from Florence, in an amazing place, from where you see even the Basilica of St. Peter! From my huge, huge, huge balcony I see a large Italian forest, whole olive farm and grape orchard, that are used everyday in producing best quality olive oil and wine! Of course the very local wine can be tasted in the Villa’s restaurant and I assure you- it’s delicious.
This magnificent hotel has two beautiful pools, one in a Byzantine style, and other much more modern; there is the main building and the second, one much more beautiful and luxurious, the Villa, that contains of around 10 suites and few penthouses… It’s all a real Dolce Vita, having in mind that you have Portofino, Sienna, Florence and Bologna all in your are!