Welcome Reception, Wednesday evening, 12 July 2007
Download PDF (245 Kb)

Cultural Programme, Friday afternoon, July 13, 2007
Download PDF (114 Kb)

Gala Dinner, Saturday evening, 14 July 2007
Download PDF (698 Kb)

WELCOME RECEPTION
Wednesday 11 July 2007

Emperor’s Castle
Piazza delle Carceri
Prato

The Emperor’s Castle is the most significant example in Central Italy of the architectural school that developed around the fascinating personality of Frederick II (1194-1250), Holy Roman Emperor, from the Hohenstaufen family of Swabia. Its most interesting characteristic is its superb Swabian style, unique in Central Italy; in fact, its normal geographical location would be in Southern Italy, together with the masterpieces of fortified architecture like Castel del Monte or Lagopesole.

Construction started in 1248 on the orders of Frederick II of Swabia with the aim of bringing the main communication routes from the South of Italy to Germany under military control, in particular the road from the mountain pass of Montepiano through the Bisenzio valley into the heart of Tuscany.

SOCIAL & CULTURAL PROGRAMME
Friday, 13 July 2007 – From 15.00 to 20.00

Chianti Tour: Wine & Olive Oil Tasting

Tasting wine and olive oil in the Chianti Classico area in the heart of Tuscany.Tour the area that produces one of the most famous wines in the world, and stay in one of its oldest buildings.A guided tour of the wine cellars will show and explain all the phases of wine-making. A guided tour of the "Orciaia", the olive oil cellar, will show you how the oil is produced. Taste some wines and oil with Tuscan salami, ham and bruschetta (toasted bread). You will receive a brochure with detailed information about the products.

Florence Tour

Florence!Visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world in the heart of Tuscany. Stroll through an ambiance of culture, history and the Renaissance, led by professional guides who will show you some of the finest art and the most interesting places.

Tour of the historical centre of Florence, including:

Duomo and Campanile di Giotto

The District of Dante

Ponte Vecchio

Piazza Signoria

Palazzo Vecchio

Chiesa di S. Croce and S. Croce square.

It’s a fascinating tour of this wonderful city!

Montecatini Tour

Located in the heart of Tuscany, near Florence, Pisa and Siena, Montecatini Terme is the most prestigious spa town in Italy, famous for its thermal baths and the healing properties of its waters. In Montecatini, the stress of daily life will become a distant memory.Visit the oldest thermal building, the “Tettuccio”, which is such a concentration of beauty that it is called the “Temple of European spas”. The majesty of the building and richness of the interior decoration make it the finest expression of spa architecture. Enjoy a walk through the park or have a drink in the historical bar, Europe’s oldest example of a Liberty bar that’s still intact. Inside, you can do some shopping, have a beauty treatment (not included in the price) or enjoy the music while you relax and drink the waters.

GALA DINNER
Saturday 14 July 2007

Palazzo Corsini
Lungarno Corsini
Florence

The Palazzo Corsini is situated in the heart of Florence on the Lungarno between the two bridges, Ponte alla Carraia and Ponte S. Trinità.

The palace was purchased in1649 by Maria Maddalena Macchiavelli (wife of the Marquis Filippo Corsini) from the Grand Duke Ferdinando II de Medici.

Initially, it was a small house in a large garden which spread as far as the banks of the river Arno where the Lungarno Corsini begins. It belonged to the Ardinghelli family, then to the Medici family, and ultimately to the present owners.

The Corsini family home is a building in late baroque style. This can be seen in the terra cotta statues and vases on the roofs - a novelty for Renaissance Florence – and in the main courtyard which is built in a "U" shape opening out towards the Lungarno.