I feel extraordinarily happy and energized every time I return to Tuscany. Local people are extremely friendly; the centers of the little towns are dotted by a lot of delicious trattorias and fresh markets to try traditional Tuscan cuisine. I find Tuscany always lively and full of hidden places in the countryside; galleries, and museums to discover in the cities. I always get tired, never bored.
There is nothing more magical, however than gazing at the beautiful Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the oldest of the bridges across the River Arno, to reach Florence’s iconic landmark, the Duomo, the backdrop to many movies. The amazing dome is still today the biggest brick dome in the world!
Florence art gallery, the Uffizi, the second most visited museum in Italy, is full to the brim with Renaissance treasures, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, but there are 72 museums to visit around the city! To unwind I take a stroll in the extravagantly landscaped Boboli Gardens.
On the banks of the river Arno, in a quiet street of the center, I love to stay at the Hotel degli Orafi, hosted in a former Augustinian convent where the Academy Award-winning film A Room with a View was shot. This historic building has an ancient medieval tower and 12th-century frescoes. It’s the perfect place to fall in love with Florence.
The romantic terrace on the top floor has a fabulous picture-postcard view of the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Cathedral.
Shopping in the artisanal boutiques of the city is truly a memorable part of the trip! From jewelry, leather, and personalized scents to diaries, albums, and picture frames using the ancient techniques of paper marbling.
Do you know that in Florence it’s possible to eat in the house of locals? Eatwithlocal is the site where to book your great food experience!
After a couple of days in Florence, it’s time to drive around beautiful Tuscany through the Chianti valley and its picturesque hilltop villages – Gaiole, Radda, and Castellina. Stay at Unesco-listed San Gimignano, sky-lined by medieval towers. It’s part of the experience getting lost in the beautiful old center to reach the Antico Pozzo, a lovely small hotel hosted in a historic palazzo.
Then it’s time to visit splendid Siena with the Duomo and the frescoed Piccolomini library. Climbing the ‘Torre del Mangia’ rewards with the beautiful view from above of the shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo.
Before the sunset, it’s a real experience indulging in a quad tour with Georgia and Gionata. The unique adventure brings you into the unspoiled Tuscan countryside along the dirt paths which cross the beautiful rolling hills, far from the tourist roads. The beauty of this tour is not only the ‘quad’ side, which is, of course, cool and fun but also the fine wine and the delicious food tasting at the best producers of local cheese and wine, you would not find otherwise!
Heading then towards the South, the drive goes up and down the hills of Val D’Orcia (this is the Tuscany of the movies!) with several stops at the local cellars to taste fine Montalcino and Montepulciano wines and to Pienza to try the original Pecorino cheese. Elena, the owner of Il Tosco guesthouse warmly greets her guests in the picturesque hill-top Montepulciano with a superb aperitif and a glass of the local Nobile red wine.
The drive goes then towards the west, to explore the coast and the beaches of Tuscan Maremma and to enjoy fabulous glamping at Relais Vedetta near the hill-top Scarlino. This is quite a unique place with views over Elba island, just in front and Anna is a perfect host with a strong Tuscan accent (for those able to understand her!)
It’s a must to climb the leaning tower of Pisa and tour beautiful Lucca before reaching Pisa airport to catch the flight back. Roberta can unlock the secrets of this incredible town, passing through the maze-like streets of the center and the ancient walls in less than 2 hours – it’s really worth it!
Are you ready to start planning your trip to Tuscany? Request now the Tuscany Free mini-Guide or book your travel designer – If you want further tips, need help, or want to share your experience in Italy, please email me at barbara@boutiquehotelitaly.com,
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