Social Events
Opening Ceremony on Saturday 13 September 2008.
Welcome Party on Saturday 13 September 2008 at the Fortezza da Basso.
Come and enjoy a drink with your colleagues and friends in the patio facing the Teatrino Lorenese!
Excursions
Excursions will be confirmed if a minimum of 15 participants is met. Full refunds will be made if an
activity is cancelled due to a lack of participants. Meeting point for all tours: entrance of the Main
Pavilion of the Florence Congress Centre. Prices include VAT.
Half-Day Excursion:
An exclusive city tour
Piazza Signoria
An introduction to the history of Florence in Piazza Signoria, political centre of the city since the Middle- Ages. The square, dominated by the imposing fortress– palace of Palazzo Vecchio is famous for being like an open-air museum of sculpture, plenty of statues by the most important artists of the Renaissance, such as the magnificent bronze Perseus by Cellini.
Visit of the external terrace of the Duomo of Florence (external terrace closed to public).
Set in the heart of the city, the Duomo, or cathedral of Florence, produces a memorable effect of
massive grandeur with its enormous dome built by Brunelleschi. Its sheer size was typical of Florentine
determination to lead in all things, and to this day, no other building stands taller in the city.
In addition to the “classic” visit of the main monument of Florence, the group will be allowed to climb
it and have a spectacular walk on the external terrace situated all around the church. From there, it is
possible to have an unusual view of the dome and an extraordinary panorama of the whole city.
EUR 36 per person for all participants, except for accompanying persons' for whom the price is
included in their registration fee
Saturday 13 September 14:00 – 18:00
Monday 15 September ...09:00 – 13:00
Half-Day Excursion:
Tour of Santa Maria Novella church and cloisters
Santa Maria Novella Church
The church was built in Gothic style by the Dominicans between 1279
and 1357, while the façade dating back to the Renaissance period was
designed by the great architect Leon Battista Alberti. Santa Maria Novella
is one of the richest churches of Florence. The huge interior boasts
important fresco cycles by Filippino Lippi and Domenico Ghirlandaio and conserves masterpieces such as the Crucifix by Giotto (1288) and the celebrated Trinity by Masaccio, both recently restored.
Santa Maria Novella great cloister (closed to public)
The largest cloister of Florence, is decorated with a remarkable fresco
cycle by some of the most important Florentine painters of the 16C,
such as Santi di Tito, Poccetti and Alessandro Allori. Upstairs, the graceful
Cappella dei Papi, built in 1515 for pope Leo X, boasts a beautiful fresco of the Veronica by Pontormo. |
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Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella
One of the most refined places in Florence is the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella overlooking the Chiostro Grande of the Dominican convent. The charming chemist’s shop still
produces its own perfumes and soap according to antique recipes. It boasts a collection of antique
pharmacy jars, 17C vases and beautiful 18C and 19C furniture. It will be possible to visit the little
medieval chapel decorated with 14C frescoes which is normally closed to public.
EUR 38 per person for all participants
Monday 15 September 09:00 – 13:00
Half-Day Excursion:
Florentine Craftsmen, a guided tour to the artisan workshops of Oltrarno
(maximum 15 people)
The secrets of many of Florence’s finest artisans have passed down from generation to generation for
hundred of years. This tour will take you into shops that carry on the artisan traditions of Firenze. Begin
at Fratelli Bini Studio workshop of wooden forms and hat blocks located in the artisan heart of
Florence. Here, the original production of milliner’s models is carried on by Luciano and Roberto Bini,
faithful to the original techniques: milliner's blocks made for the famous hat makers such as Borsalino,
Panizza and Barbisio. The blocks are still made entirely by hand. Finally move along to a small
goldsmith bottega (closed to public) to have a demonstration of the casting lost wax process.
EUR 44 per person for all participants
Saturday 13 September 09:00 – 13:00
Half-Day Excursion:
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi is one of the oldest and most famous museums in the world. Founded in 1581 by Francesco
I de Medici, it occupies the top floor of the building designed by Vasari to house the administrative
offices of the state of Tuscany (hence Uffizi). Visiting the rooms of the Uffizi, you discover the roots
of the early Renaissance in works by Giotto and Cimabue, move on to the sublime poetic style of
Botticelli and Filippo Lippi, to Leonardo’s scientific interests in nature and to the High Renaissance with
works by Michelangelo and Raphael.
EUR 49 per person for all participants
Sunday 14 September 09:00 – 13:00
Full Day Excursion:
Siena and S. Gimignano
Departure from Florence; drive along the Chianti wine area in a changing scenery of vine - clad hills, to Siena.
Arrival in Siena and visit of this beautiful medieval town, situated on the hill between the Arbia and Elsa rivers, and
birthplace of S. Catherine and many famous artists. Here it is possible to admire the marvellous Cathedral, the Town
Hall, the churches of San Domenico and S. Francesco.
Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, on the way to Florence, visit of S. Gimignano, a charming
little town situated on a hill top, very well preserved and almost intact since the middle ages; chance to visit the very interesting and characteristic medieval towers. On the way back, it will be possible to stop for wine tasting in a typical castle in the Chianti area. |
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EUR 100 per person for all participants (Lunch not included, typical restaurant available on request)
Monday 15 September 10:00 – 18:00
Oxygen, water and energy are essential for life. Energy is sometimes lacking...
Fighting hospital and community malnutrition is the mission of ESPEN together with partners from all-over the world. |
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