Are you planning your Tuscany itinerary and want to make sure it includes the some of the best gelaterie? Or maybe you’re already on your Tuscany road trip and you want to stop for gelato – but not ‘so-so’ gelato. The good news is that there are so many incredible gelato shops in Tuscany, so
BEST GELATO IN TUSCANY – I’ve Done the Research (& I Didn’t Mind) Read More »
Updated on January 19, 2024 Ciao! Florence in December is a time of chilly weather, twinkling lights, and festive holiday spirit. While Florence definitely sees the majority of its international visitors in the spring, summer, and fall, those who are okay with bundling up and adjusting their itineraries to include indoor activities will find a
FLORENCE IN DECEMBER – Complete Guide By a Local + Printable Packing List Read More »
Are you planning to visit Tuscany’s Tarot Garden (a.k.a. the Giardino dei Tarocchi)? If you’re anywhere close by, you should! The colorful sculptures entrance the young and the old and will brighten everyone’s day (literally and figuratively). We’re a family who lives in Tuscany who recently visited the Tarot Garden while on a long weekend
TUSCANY’S GIARDINO DEI TAROCCHI (Tarot Garden) – Quick Guide + 2 Mistakes We Made Read More »
If you’re flying to Italy to visit Florence (David! Uffizi! Gelato! Michelangelo! Ponte Vecchio!) or other destinations in Tuscany, chances are you’ve looked at using the Florence International Airport. In general, it’s an easy and stress-free airport to use if you’re visiting Florence and the Tuscan countryside. It’s small, close to Florence, and easily connected
FLORENCE (ITALY) AIRPORT – 2026 Quick Guide Read More »
Updated June 10, 2026 Ciao! If you’re here, you’ve either: Either way, I’ve got answers for you! I’m a Tuscan local with 2+ decades of experience renting cars in Italy and driving all over the Italian peninsula (and the islands!). I also help travelers plan trips to Italy and I often get questions about Florence
FLORENCE (ITALY) AIRPORT CAR RENTAL IN 2026 – Step-By-Step (+ Helpful Tips) Read More »
Grazie to local Tuscan Suzanne Talenti for this guide to the Tuscan Coast! Did you know that Tuscany has almost 300 km of coastline, and 7 islands? Tuscany isn’t just Renaissance art, picturesque countryside, and wine towns (though we’ll take that too)! Here are my top picks for the Tuscan coast. I’ve chosen beautiful beaches
THE TUSCAN COAST – A Local’s Guide Read More »
Grazie to local Tuscan Suzanne Talenti for this guide to the Etruscan coast! Tuscany’s Etruscan coast is where Florentines and Tuscan locals go to the beach for the weekend. Close to Pisa and Florence, it offers dramatic coastline, convenient and clean beaches, great food and ancient ruins! Here are my personal top picks on the
THE ETRUSCAN COAST – A Local’s Top Towns & Beaches Read More »
Are you thinking about adding Gaiole in Chianti to your itinerary but aren’t sure if there’s enough in the village to make it worth the trip? Gaiole in Chianti is a very small village, but I think it’s worth a quick stop if you’re in the area. There are a few things in and (especially)
GAIOLE IN CHIANTI – My Complete Guide to the Tiny Tuscan Village Read More »
Question: What’s more incredible than drinking Chianti Classico wine? Answer: Drinking Chianti Classico wine at a winery in Chianti during the grape harvest! Chianti during the harvest is full of energy and beautiful colors. It’s one of my favorite times of year to be here and I encourage our friends and family to visit during the
VISITING CHIANTI DURING THE GRAPE HARVEST Read More »
When you think of Tuscany, one of the first images that pops into your head is probably a dirt road lined with cypress trees. Tuscany has some iconic trees – the cypress, the olive tree, the umbrella pine, and the fig tree are just a few of them. If you’re coming to Tuscany, you’ll see
ICONIC TREES IN TUSCANY + Where to Photograph Them Read More »
