Tuscany

The Churches of Florence: a Complete Guide for History & Art Lovers

Like many Italian cities, Florence has hundreds of churches, from the massive Duomo to tiny hidden chapels, and it's hard to know which...

Florence: Street Art & Oddities, pt. 2

Beyond the Duomo and the David, Florence hosts a wealth of surprise street art, fun architectural details, and free art installations....

Tuscany: What's blooming in May?

It's hard to believe we're 3 months into the flowering season here in Tuscany, and after our February magnolias, March cherry trees, and...

On the Road in Southern Tuscany: Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano & Saturnia

Tuscany is so big, there are still places I've never seen in my 25 years of guiding here. So I was thrilled to have the chance to visit...

Spring in Tuscany: Fresh Fava Beans & Pecorino Cheese

Spring in Tuscany means fresh fava beans! Many people think immediately of Hannibal Lecter's famous line from Silence of the Lambs, but I...

Florence: what's blooming in February?

It's still cold outside with nighttime temps around freezing, but the days are getting warmer and the sun is bringing out the first...

Winter in Tuscany: San Gimignano, Volterra & Pisa

Most people think of Italy as a summer destination and come for the beaches and al fresco dining, but that's also when it's hot and...

November in Florence: Fewer Tourists, Cheaper Prices, and a Gentle Sun

Sure, the weather may be risky in November, but it's also a great time to visit the Tuscany. Most of the tourists have gone home, the...

Autumn in Tuscany: Crisp days, Stormy nights

Buongiorno! I can't believe it's been a month since my last post! I've been traveling a lot and actually had one TOUR (Greek Islands...

Hiking near Florence: the Monastery and Nature Reserve of Vallombrosa

The summer sun can be brutal in Florence, and it's often one of the hottest cities in Italy since it's landlocked and in a wide valley,...

The Uffizi Gallery (Florence): Medieval & Renaissance Masterpieces

Italy is opening up again and the museums are finally welcoming visitors after almost 6 months of closed doors. The famed Uffizi Gallery...

A Tour of Florence's "Wine Windows"

[* updated to July 2024; I will add the ones that are open for business at the end of the post.] Everybody's been talking about...