Choir singers in Florence © Simone Caioni

Top Reasons Why Florence Is the Best Destination for Your Choir Trip

Florence is unique — there is simply no other city like it in the world!

ON STAGE

With a UNESCO protected historic centre and more art masterpieces per square mile than any other place the world, it is no wonder why Florence is in everyone’s bucket list. The city practised art and civilized living back when the rest of Europe was still rural and crude, so there is definitely a lot this city has to teach the world.

If you are already planning your choir trip for 2022, make good use of your time and budget by taking in all the tips we have listed to make your choral experience an unforgettable one.

Use your choir trip to socialize with choirs from all over the world

As Europe’s Cultural Capital and among the world’s most creative cities, Florence is a mecca for artists of all kinds, hence also for lots and lots of choral music lovers. Florence ranks high among choral destinations around the world, so you are bound to find many other like-minded souls.

Not only will you meet many other choirs during your own festival, but as you stroll the charming Florentine streets and piazzas, you will inevitably come across more choirs. Say hello, stop for a chat, compliment their singing and make some new friends.

Use your choir trip to immerse yourself in art

As the home of the Renaissance, Florence houses one of the most famous art galleries in the world, the Uffizi, with masterpieces by Raphael, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, Giotto and Titian, just to name a few.

But in Florence every street, every corner, and every building is filled with history and dazzling works of art. Take a stroll, enjoy the beauty that surrounds your every step and do your best not to fall prey to the famous Stendhal syndrome, also called Florence syndrome, according to which the presence of a beautiful piece of work or architecture causes tachycardia, chest pains and loss of consciousness. Stendhal, who is said to have coined the phrase, would have echoed from his grave “I told you so!”. For the major museums, make sure to plan in advance to avoid lines longer than you’ve ever imagined.

Bonus hint: Everything in Florence is within a 20-minute walk of the train station, cathedral, or Ponte Vecchio. Lace up your trainers and walk on!

Use your choir trip for a side tour to dreamy Tuscany

Tuscany is our romantic image of Italy.

The enchanting Tuscan countryside with its famous cypress trees, rolling hills, vineyards and delicious food is only an hour drive from the city. Why would you ever do such a thing as miss it?

From taking the public bus to Chianti to booking a guided tour, this option is possible for all budgets. And the reward is an immense satisfaction and joy that your self will thank you for.

You can go wine tasting, explore medieval hilltop towns, enjoy the scenery, take a cooking class at a gorgeous villa or help harvest the fruits of the season. In any case, you don’t want to miss this one!

Use your choir trip for some high-quality shopping

Did you know that Hollywood divas from Ingrid Bergman to Marilyn Monroe had their shoes made to order in Florence? Well, now you do!

Actually, Florence invented Italian haute couture before Milan took over the role in the 1970s. Even today, expensive made-to-measure fashion is established in Florence with all the major fashion houses such as Bulgari, Prada or Armani, located in the shopping street Via de’ Tornabuoni.

If you’d like to take your curiosity further, go ahead and visit Italy's only state fashion museum located in a wing of the Palazzo Pitti, called "Galleria del Costume". It shows unique treasures such as an evening gown inspired by the Renaissance painting "La Primavera" (Spring) by Sandro Botticelli.

Artisan fans? Florence is a heaven for those in love with hand-made products. Since the 12th century the city’s wealth came mostly from wool and silk works. Now, the Florentines also specialize in hand-made shoes, leather goods and jewelry. If you’re curious for more, pay a visit to Scuola del Cuoio, Via S. Giuseppe, 5R, or stroll along Ponte Vecchio for a wooden Pinocchio head from Bartolucci or some exquisite artisan jewelry.

Use your choir trip to enjoy la dolce vita à la fiorentina

Florence gives you a small-town feel in a big city setting. Although it might seem bustling with activity, it actually inspires a relaxed and slow way of living. What you see around is pedestrians having a stroll, enjoying window-shopping, tasting an artisanal gelato or simply having a drink in the many piazzas while chatting and enjoying the view.

Blend in and let your breath relax. Have a delicious coffee in Caffè Scudieri or Caffè Gilli. Florentines love to sip cappuccino for breakfast, and along with it have something sweet. The most famous is called cantuccini or “biscotti di Prato”, which are biscuits with almonds. An ice-cream fan? Florence is known for that, too. Look for shops displaying whipped-up mounds of ice-cream piled high, that’s how you’ll recognize that it’s artisanal ice-cream.

Culinary specialties shouldn’t be missed either. Look for a trattoria or osteria to try the famous tagliatelle with hare ragu, trippa alla fiorentina, or ribollita, the typically thick Florentine vegetable soup. Check out the best places to eat like a local. Remember to sip along a glass of Tuscan Chianti and there you go… living the good life of a Florentine.

If you have already immersed yourself in this fabulous Florentine journey, then you better start planning.

ON STAGE in Florence gives you the opportunity to sing with your choir and make this journey a reality. Scheduled in May 2022 and running from Thursday to Sunday, this international choral festival offers a full-palette of activities such as concerts, singing tours, workshops, celebration dinner and many more additional activities, carefully planned to give you a round experience of the local life and specialties.

That’s a golden ticket to a Florentine choral weekend!

Book your place by November 1 and enjoy our discounts. For more information visit interkultur.com/florence2022.

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