Are you in Florence and craving a visit to the Cinque Terre but you don’t have time to spend a few days in the area? Perhaps you’re set on day-tripping to the Cinque Terre from Florence but you’re feeling overwhelmed by the transport and planning out your day. Either way – a guided tour from
CINQUE TERRE TOUR FROM FLORENCE – Our Experience Read More »
Are you looking at a map and trying to decide if Radda in Chianti would make a good stop? Perhaps you’ve heard about the ‘Chianti’ villages, but aren’t sure which one (or two, or three…) you should visit. Radda in Chianti is one of five ‘in Chianti’ villages – the others are Greve in Chianti,
RADDA IN CHIANTI – My Guide to the Chianti Hilltop Village Read More »
Forte dei Marmi, Italy has been attracting wealthy Italians and foreigners to its prime seaside location for more than a century. What began as the ‘it’ beach town for the Italian aristocracy is now the place to be seen for Italian and foreign soccer players, movie stars, wealthy businessmen (and women!) and more. You can
FORTE DEI MARMI, ITALY – Planning Your 2026 Visit to the Luxe Seaside Town Read More »
Are you thinking about visiting Montepulciano but aren’t sure if it’s for you? Do you want the inside scoop on what to see, where to eat, and where to stay? In my many years guiding cycling trips in Tuscany, Montepulciano was always a guest favorite and I’ve continued exploring with friends and family who come
MONTEPULCIANO, ITALY – Your Complete Guide To The Hilltop Tuscan Town Read More »
Where should we stay in Florence? This is the question I’m asked most when friends or family are planning a trip to Tuscany’s Renaissance city. The answer almost always is… it depends! You can look at accommodation in Florence in 3 ways: You can skip ahead to my quick list of recommendations for each. Otherwise,
WHERE TO STAY IN FLORENCE IN 2026 – A Local’s Guide to the Best Neighborhoods and Hotels Read More »
Grazie to local Tuscan Suzanne Talenti for this guide to Florence SMN train station! Arriving in Florence by train? Taking the train from Florence to Rome, Venice or Milan? Here is my guide to Florence, Italy’s most important train station: Firenze Santa Maria Novella. I have been taking trains in and out of Santa Maria
FLORENCE TRAIN STATION: All About Firenze Santa Maria Novella Read More »
A local’s guide to packing for Florence in the winter. I’ll walk you through a helpful packing list and give you a printable checklist to make things easier for you! Are you getting ready for your trip to Florence but are stumped about what to pack? Can’t decide which shoes you need for your holiday
PACKING LIST FOR VISITING FLORENCE IN THE WINTER + Printable Checklist! Read More »
Are you planning a visit to the Val d’Orcia (aka Valdorcia, Orcia Valley) on your Tuscany road trip? Perhaps you’ve seen a photo of a cluster of cypress trees and you want to recreate it. Either way, it’s helpful to know some of the basics about traveling to the Val d’Orcia, like: I’m happy to
VISITING THE VAL D’ORCIA IN TUSCANY – Where to Go + Helpful Tips Read More »
Are you visiting the Val d’Orcia and wondering if Monticchiello deserves some of your precious vacation time? Maybe you’re in neighboring Montepulciano and loving it – but are craving a visit to a ‘real’ Tuscan village that isn’t full of souvenir shops. Either way – Monticchiello is worthy of a visit. I’ll admit it –
MONTICCHIELLO – My Guide to the Southern Tuscan Treasure Read More »
Pienza makes an excellent stop on any Southern Tuscany itinerary – but I know that it’s not always possible to spend a few days (or even one night). If you’re anywhere nearby, it would be a mistake to miss out on Pienza. Where else can you find a post-card perfect hilltop town that’s a UNESCO
ONE DAY IN PIENZA – The Best Things to See & Do Read More »
