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Event Planningin Florenceand Tuscany
Being the only theatre company/ travel agency in Europe means that Walking Tours of Florence is superbly placed to arrange just about anything.
Have a look at an event we had three weeks to organize!
The Request; Money is no object, organize the best you can for a surprise birthday party for a group of sixteen tourists holidaying in Umbria
The Limitations; the special event/party had to be in Umbria, Italy, close to where the group was holidaying
The Result: Over sixty people involved in a magnificent interactive performance in full Renaissance costume with Italy's best Renaissance dance group, spectacular fireworks, Perugias' best cook creating a marvelous Renaissance feast, a team of twenty medieval flag wavers, a comedy troupe of court jesters, actors, musicians and soprano singers.
Behind The Scenes: Our first task was to locate a suitable setting. We settled on a superb Renaissance villa and garden set in deepest Umbria and owned by the descendants of Dante Alighieri.
The party was to be costume only so the grounds and villa being walled suited the special dreamy atmosphere we wanted to create. No one was allowed in the grounds without Renaissance costume during the event.
Secretly we then liaised with the group's guides (they were on holiday bicycling around Umbria) to find out the sizes and personalities of the group. We organized high quality authentic Renaissance costumes for the group and all involved in the interactive performance. We also researched and allocated famous persons from Renaissance history to each of the guests depending on their personalities....for fun, one was Fillipo Lippi a mad sex manic artist monk! Another was Christopher Columbus, another Michelangelo, to name a few…
The costumes with labels carefully attached were placed in the guests' rooms while they had a lecture from our historian in the lounge of the hotel on Renaissance customs, he also carefully mentioned each of the characters they would be playing. The guests were still not aware of the surprise party, they were then told to go to their rooms where they found the costumes in their sizes with the characters described that they were playing and were told to meet downstairs at a fleet of limousines which would whisk them away to their mystery destination…
Scene 1 The guests arrive at the mystery location to see grand old gates and a high old stone wall. Suddenly the gates open to reveal a magnificent courtyard lined with twenty flag throwers and trumpeters dressed in traditional Umbrian costume. Flower girls present the women guests with bouquets and the trumpets begin.
Scene 2 The historian leaps out of the bushes. Like everyone else he is now in costume and is there to answer any questions the guests might have regarding their characters and the mystery villa.
Scene 3 Whilst the guests are relaxing in the beautiful formal Italian gardens suddenly, from afar appears a strange monster chasing a frightened maiden…
Scene 4 The guests enjoy a spectacular Renaissance feast presented and designed by Perugias' best cook (see the menu and wine list) For added atmosphere, a soprano singer strums a lute softly in the background and sings Renaissance songs, while the historian helps the characters play their parts…
Scene 5 The party moves again to the garden where they watch a band of musicians and Italy's best Renaissance dance group perform under the stars
Scene 6 The joking begins with a troupe of jesters and fire throwers making the most of the most important guests
Scene 7 A huge birthday cake is proudly presented and toasts are made
Scene 8 Grand Finale: Suddenly fireworks begin to sound and the group rushes over to the gardens' edge to gaze at truly spectacular fireworks that go on forever, back lit by the beautiful Umbrian countryside. Champagne is passed to the guests as they toast the wonderful evening, the guest of honor and the generous host
Email Rose at rose@artviva.com for more information
The best tours, guides and services in Italy with an ASTA approved company.
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Italy pre-production, production, production logistics, location managers, location scouting, high quality reasonably priced renaissance and medieval costumes, costumes, make up, lighting and equipment rental, sound equipment, location permits, fixing, props, on site translators, research, historian research services, highly regarded historians and art historians expert on the art and history of Italy, drivers, transport, actors, extras, flag throwers, musicians, accommodation booking, phone rentals, catering services, and research assistance ensuring costumes, props and locations are historically correct. Guided tours and museum bookings also available.
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Facebook Users Reviews
On
2011/12/09
John Brade said:
cooking class
I took the Cooking Class and Market tour (in San Lorenzo Market). It was awesome! The market had the most incredible fresh ingredients, and the most amazing seafood selection I have ever seen. The cooking class was extremely professional, and the lunch afterwards was great! I recommend this class for anyone.Mark
On
2011/12/07
Aurelija Dugnaite said:
A truly life changing experience
Absolutely amazing.Words can hardly express how much we enjoyed our experience with ArtViva! From the minute we stepped in their lovely office, we felt attended, looked after and taken care of. The friendly staff advised us in detail of what would suit our tastes and knowledge best, and as they have so many beautiful tours to choose from, that help was very appreciated. Florence's cultural richness can be overwhelming, but relying on ArtViva made everything easy and utterly enjoyable for us.The small group walking tour of Florence exceeded all expectations. Our guide Paul was tremedous: a true Florence insider, with amazing knowledge of arts and culture, engaging story telling and great local tips you won't find in a guide book. The memories of the tour will stay with me and my sister for many many years. Booking with ArtViva is the best single thing you could do to have the ultimate Florence experience.Thank you, ArtViva.
On
2011/11/29
Sepideh Emami said:
On
2011/11/24
Eddi Frantz said:
Friendly and Knowledgable.
An essential part of visiting such an historical city as Florence is a smart, knowledgeable tour guide. Artvivas guides are fun, friendly and really know their stuff. Plus they know all those great places not on most guidebooks that only a passionate local world know. Dont even contemplate a visit to the Uffizi or Michaelangelos David without one!
On
2011/11/24
Kathleen Marriott said:
Hightlight of Italian Trip
Thanks so much for the great walking tour we did in Florence in May. It was fun, informative and we were treated like VIPS! The guide made us feel welcome and got to know exactly what we were interested in seeing to make sure all was covered. If we had tried to do everything we did on the tour on our own, we would have spent days getting hopelessly lost! I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in the art, architecture, history and the culture of Florence.
On
2011/11/22
Caroline Beck said:
Feels like you have hired a first-class guide from a first-class outfit – at a fraction of the price.
If you are the type to shy away from “packaged” tours, preferring to go it alone in a brand new city, Art Viva might just be your new BFF (best friend forever) when on tour in Florence. Comfortably small groups - instead of large crowds moving en-masse. Personalized insights by well-educated guides – instead of canned presentations. ArtViva’s walking tours are the next best thing to hiring a private art historian to walk you around this fabulous city – at a fraction of the price. Their 3-hour walking introduction to Florence’s history and a follow-up tour of the Uffizi dispelled all my preconceptions that tour groups were not for me. Even if you’ve been to Florence before, start your vacation off right in 3 quick hours. It will set the stage for a perfect stay.
On
2011/11/22
Brigitte Reynolds said:
Incredible!
My husband and I had the good fortune of taking ArtViva tours of Florence while on our honeymoon. We started with the walking tour, followed by the David tour. We were so impressed we immediately signed up for the Uffizi tour the next day. The guides we had (Sasha/Sylvia & Brenda) were all amazing; they were incredibly knowledgable, friendly and spoke perfect English. What was best was their genuine enthusiam and love of the arts and history of Florence; their excitment was contagious and inspired us to want to know and learn more! I couldn't have asked for a better experience.Brigitte Reynolds
On
2011/11/22
Nadia LaMantia said:
a wonderful experience!
I loved my tour, and the artviva staff were so great and extremely helpful!!
On
2011/11/16
Jade Farley said:
GREAT Tours!
Best tours I have ever been on! The guide's knowledge was just incredible, and I can't wait to come back to do more tours.
On
2011/11/09
Alexandra Buscaino said:
Educational and entertaining!
Our tour was great - very informative, and the guide just fabulous! He not only knew so much about the history, but also had a knack for storytelling that kept us all fascinated.
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