The cerimony began in “Sala Luca Giordano” (Palazzo Medici Riccardi), with greetings and presentations of the authorities and the official signatures of the Memorandum.

In the afternoon, at the Auditorium al Duomo, there was the presentation of the new portal (forthcoming in January …). Follow us because there will be some good news …

All the information and some videos on facebook and here!

Post by Maddalena Mancini

We have just returned from Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism, appointment that promotes situated and archaeological destinations creating integration between various cultures. It took place in Paestum (Italy) from November 17th to November 20th.
In the occasion of the Exchange, we were there with a stand. We presented Life Beyond Tourism® (LBT) No-Profit Portal, our platform that aims to communicate and put in evidence the specific characteristics of various areas by living shifts in time.

You can revive with us the Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism with some videos and photos here and follow us on facebook!

For more information about LBT visit www.lifebeyondtourism.org
Or for more information about Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism visit http://www.borsaturismo.com/

Post by Maddalena Mancini

Hi everybody,

We have the pleasure to announce that, on the occasion of the meeting on December 14th, the Provincial Government of Florence has approved and signed our “Memorandum d’intesa” between Provincia di Firenze and Del Bianco Foundation as part of the Life Beyond Tourism project. That’s very important for us because this is a way to show our ethos about tourism and cultural heritage all over the Florentine Province.

We are ready to celebrate on December 14^th in Sala Luca Giordano, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, in Florence!

If you want more info click on those links and read the subscription made by Provincia di Firenze in Italian and Russian translation!!

this is a letter we received a few days ago: 

I write in fact not as a president of an association that deals with the social hardships of human beings and animals, but as a citizen who does not like injustice in general. Injustice, especially to those who have difficulty defending their own condition of discomfort also including animals, who like children, constantly remain by human beings, yet are very often underestimated in their abilities of love and contact.  Due to this category described above of living beings, through their love and great sensitivity, are able to disarm and impress those who live by prejudices, those who are unable to be sensitive and therefore I would consider them “Different”.
It should be made known of a situation that affects most importantly southern Italy, including Sicily, where I live now (an area well known for turmoil).
I was born and lived in Milan until almost 9 years ago, when I transferred to Sicily for my husband’s job.
I have always traveled a lot, a bit for work, some for pleasure, both in Europe and the United States. These trips were to help me understand the gap that exists between certain countries highly advanced and many more in development, especially with regard to tourist reception.
Southern Italy is wonderful, yet so full of contradictions. I need not delve into the countless issues that plague the south; rather, I would like to focus on an array of problems that have to do with tourism, which have been neglected and cause many problems for the economy, not only locally, but nationally.
I am referring to the accommodations for people with disabilities, the elderly and last but not least, the tourism that takes into account our four-legged friends, which fortunately, is increasing more and more.
I do not want to seem biased, but I feel the need to report this huge gap between the regions of northern Italy, which have understood the importance of giving more space and attention to this slice of tourism, and the regions of southern Italy, which have yet to realize the importance of investing in this sector.
I believe the importance of accommodation of some services illustrates the degree of civilization and sensitivity of a region and municipalities. This increases a sector of the tourist market, waiting to be considered as a common tourist belt.
When dealing with your important association, which is already interested in divulging tourism through the image of the territory, I will therefore be focusing on widening the horizons on tourism. At times it is unknown, but full of wonders, in fact, of these wonders, it must necessarily enjoy even those who belong to that segment which tourism left aside (animals, and those with limiting handicaps), instead would give to our Italy a highly qualified and different image.
I hope these considerations will shake the sensitivity of those who have the right to organize a tourism industry that is about t o fall asleep on the now usual routes. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to explain to people the importance of this problem I have written about.

Emanuela Incorvaia Pitrelli

President Association “The Refuge of the Heart”
Single seat Giardini Naxos – Taormina (Me)

 What Do you think about it? Tell us your opnion!

But pivotal events within the Festival will also be three photo-exhibitions planned to stay with us until Sunday, 11th. As an example, the Life Beyond Tourism® Caffè Astra al Duomo in Via de’ Cerretani 56r will be hosting Fotoracconto Fiorentino, picturing the intercultural face of the city of Florence as it has been experienced by students during the Festival’s Photography Workshops held on last April. Moreover, due to a close collaboration between the 2011 Travel Festival and Life Beyond Tourism® (LBT), you can find some of this photo-works into the travel-images-collection by the LBT® Photoblog.

More information can be found at www.festivaldelviaggio.it.

- Post by Alessandra Brignola -

Today, Paul updated us on the Grizzly’s progresses, and we are thus happy to share them with you below.
After the accurate and relevant researches to be undertaken, the ranch construction began 4 month ago: “The site for Phase 1, our VORWERK – or Caretaker’s Cabin – has been excavated. The foundation has been poured and we will begin the actual construction next week. At the same time, we have approximately 45 woodworkers/carvers working on the architectural accoutrements in Java, Indonesia, and we have 4 containers of antique temple/village stone on the water for the flooring and patio works. German windows are in production, and we are now building our true Zakopane jewel box.

Shutters, fascia, doors, okhlupen, and other architectural accoutrements have been hand-carved in true European style.”

According to the decision of taking and following the true Zakopane Style and adding details to it, 500 years old Chinese Temple stones will be shipped from China, in order to be used for the floors. Moreover, Paul explains that “from Gol, Hallingdal, Telemark, and the Viking lands we will incorporate window carvings and door portals similar to the ancient Stave Churches; as well as rosemaling in the interiors.  From the far north, the land of the Dvina River in NorthWest Russia, we will add peasant roof details such as Okhlupen and roof ridges carved doors as seen in the Baltic [...] painted ceilings from the Ukraine, the basic style of  Zakopane for the house, and many very subtle details from Mecklanburg/Prussia/Bohemia…” from where Paul’s  family originates.

Well, thank you Paul for your updates! We wish you and your team all the best, and we will be looking forward to see the Grizzly Ranch’s progresses. As a matter of fact, according to the Life Beyond Tourism Manifesto, it is particularly interesting to observe intercultural dialogue among architectural planning and heritage preservation.

- Article by Alessandra Brignola -

As wished and suggested by the principles of the Life Beyond Tourism® Manifesto, this initiative testifies the  possibility and the importance for a city of  hosting companies  involved and committed into the valorization and the preservation of the city’s cultural and urban heritage, which each company is deeply rooted into.

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