San Valentino at Gioia!
Caffé Florian at Festa Gioia
The Caffé Florian, located in San Marco Square in the center of Venice, Italy, opened its doors in the year 1720 and is thought to be the oldest café in the world today. Take yourself back to the days of the Carnevale in Renaissance times with those in Elizabethan dress mingling with masked actors of the Comedia dell’Arte Theatre. Have a glass of wine or a good Italian coffee and take a glimpse
inside this café during Carnevale.
I love history of these times. San Marco Square is host to several historic cafés’: Caffé Florian, Café Quadri, Café Lavena--all beautifully decorated and architecturally designed
During the Italian Risorgimento the "Senate Hall" in the Caffé Florian was the meeting point for a group of Venetian patriots. This group had a key role in the revolution of 1848, when Venice gained temporary independent from Austria. Inside the Florian, wounded patriots were cared for in a temporary “hospital."
Two other rooms where added to the café: la "Sala degli Uomini Illustri" (the Hall of the Illustrious Men) in 1872
and the "Sala delle Stagioni" (the Hall of the Seasons) in 1891. In 1920 the Liberty Room was added. All the rooms are filled with the finest works of art.
Tour the rooms by clicking this link.
There are
several historic cafés in Italy. Seven of these have served us
un caffe’ over the years. and I hope to see more.
San Valentino
If you look at the list of historical cafés, there is one in Roma, Rhe legend of San Valentino dates back to the time of the Romans (3rd Century AD) when Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for young men of fighting age who were part of the great Roman army of the times. Valentine, a young priest at the time, would marry the young lovers in secret as he knew this was not fair. He was imprisoned and sentenced to death. While in prison he is said to have cured a prison guard’s daughter of blindness. The tradition of giving a Valentine is in remembrance of this priest who wrote letters of kindness and appreciation from his prison cell until he died on the 14 of February.
Join us at Festa Gioia San Valentino Saturday Feb 13th.
What You Can Do to Celebrate
Write a letter: Make a kindness letter or card to a neighbor or friend. Of course if you have a special someone, make it personal and write from the heart. Letter-writing is still part of the culture of Italy and of
creative ideas for Valentine's Day in Verona. and
Liguria. At Gioia we sell many Tuscan stationery sets and home-made cards in the Italian fashion.
Include Italian phrases:
Italian love phrases.
Come to Festa Gioia!
See you at the Festa Gioia Celebration, Feb 13th (Saturday)
February
Festa Gioia!
Join Us to Celebrate!
Date: February 13 (Saturday)
Time: Noon to 6 p.m. and anytime by appointment
Location: Gioia 16395 Roseleaf Court Los Gatos
RSVP: 
408.640.6628
Pasquale Esposito, San Valentino Dinner Concert
Date: February 13 & 14 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Palo Alto Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real,Palo Alto
Reservations:https://www.ticketriver.com/event/18431
Enjoy a stunning Valentine s Day celebration with a 5-star plated Italian dinner by Chef Pino Spatola of Paesano Ristorante of San Jose, followed by a romantic concert by Italian tenor, Pasquale Esposito and his band.
Italian American Heritage Foundation Valentine Luncheon
Date: February 14th (Sunday)
Time: Noon to 3 p.m.
Place: 425 N. Fourth Street San Jose
Reservations: http://www.iahfsj.org/events/
Colombo Club Oakland Carnevale Family Dinner
Date: February 27 (Saturday)
Time: Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m.
Gioia will be there again with masks and other products for sale
Website: http://www.colomboclub.org/
Little Italy San Jose Fundraiser for Cultural Museum
Date: Ongoing
Time: ASAP in order to receive a matching grant $100,000
Place: Little Italy San Jose N. Almaden Blvd between Julian St. and John St.
Website: http://www.littleitalysj.com/cultural-center.html
There will be many fun events coming up. Sign up for their newsletter.
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS always opened by appointment in Los Gatos. Call Kathy
408.640.6628 or Contact
kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com
And always at your disposal online at
www.gioiacompany.com.
CAMPANIA
Thinking of staying in the Vietri sul Mare region? Here is a B & B owned by one of our friends in Italy, check it out.
CASA IDA Historic House Rental & B&B Italy
Campania, near Vietri sul Mari,
Contact Raffealla Baldi
Cava Dei Tirreni, Campania, Italy
508-982-5622
Or on
Facebook
SORRENTO
Sorrento Emotions and Dreams
Italian Specialist and Local Residents
Luxury Tailormade Vacations
Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri and all of Italy
Enjoy holidays, short breaks, weddings, honeymoon, dining, cooking, shopping, scuba diving, water activities, coastal excursions with personal crew.
Contact Signore Tonino Pepe, pepetonino@hotmail.it, and tell him Gioia Co. sent you.
PUGLIA
Puglia, Italy with Valentina
May 9 to May 19, 2016. (She takes groups at this time each year.)
Travel through the Puglia region
A step into real Puglia with Valentina, author, designer, artist and native
For more information,
click here.
UMBRIA/TUSCANY-- Right on the border
Vacation at
Le Selve, an Agriturismo! Contact
info@gioiacompany.com or
408.640.6628 for a special introduction to the owner. Sleeps six or 12. Two stories. Separate units. Beautiful view. Organic olive grove. Walking trails. Full kitchen. Swimming pool.
See you soon...
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS