“The Tuscans have the faculty of making much of common things, and converting small occasions into great pleasures.”
-Henry James-
As do so many romantics, I’ve often dreamt of lazy days in Tuscany, Italy. Hot, sunny afternoons spent cruising narrow, winding roads, lines of cypress trees and rolling wine fields around every curve. Tuscany is a movie scene of epic proportion, a life size canvas set to inspire best selling novels. Quite simply, Tuscany is art.
While Tuscany is vast, and broken into smaller regions, we had the pleasure of immersing ourselves in the Chianti Region between Florence and Siena. Villas of the Renaissance overlooking perfectly formed rows of grapes, bottled and sold as world famous Chianti and Chianti Classico, stamped by the official Gallo Nero. An expensive glass of Brunello, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the stone of medieval castles, hairpin turns and candles melting down the sides of a long emptied bottle. With exquisite wines and incredible dishes overlooking postcard views, Tuscany is a place that will enhance your appreciation for life.
WHERE WE STAYED
I literally can’t say enough about Residence Rocca del Palazzaccio, and blogged about it previously in Local is the New Lux. Being based in Tavarnuzze, just 10 minutes south of Florence, and situated perfectly for experiencing all the region has to offer, was a location win. Francesco and Jennifer are the type of hosts that will forever change the way you view travel. While RRDP will never be the same without them, we wish them huge success as they move onwards and upwards. We can hardly wait to have them tailor an Italian adventure for us in the future!
Do yourself a favor and stay with locals of the area. This is where you learn about the true Italian ways, where you can experience authenticity at it’s finest. And if they have an ancient cellar with wine and food….by all means, JOIN THEM.
WE DROVE IN ITALY…AND LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT…
Renting a car and driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart, but if there was anywhere we figured we could do it (and were more than determined) it was along the country roads of Tuscany. We so desperately wanted to throw away the schedules and the planned routes, and I am fortunate that Sam is a confident driver who convinced me that we could actually make this happen. We rented a Fiat 500 (of course!) from Maggiore at the location on via Maso Finiguerra. This location worked perfectly for dropping off and heading to the nearby train station at the end of our stay. We grabbed a map, wove our way down the narrow streets of Florence, and set out to explore the amazing towns and stunning scenery the good old fashioned way, by getting lost and making spontaneous stops!
WE DEVOURED A 3 LB STEAK:
Spontaneous stop number one was an early lunch, and we happened upon an amazing little restaurant with views to equal the food and wine. Oltre il Giardino in Panzano in Chianti, is one of those places you could stay all day, sitting beneath the vine covered roof, glass of wine in hand, enjoying the stunning panorama. Coming from Alberta, Canada, known for it’s amazing beef, I was excited to check out this impressive piece of meat. We talked with the gentleman who delivered and carved our meal, and he informed us that it’s delicious flavor is no secret. No combinations or blends, no spices, no generational recipes. Just meat in it’s simplest form. It was absolutely amazing.
SAN GIMIGNANO
Legend dates San Gimignano, Italy, as far back as the arrival of the two brothers, Muzio and Silvio, who fled Rome in 63 BC. In the province of Siena, and set upon a hill at 334 meters above sea level, San Gimignano is as rich in history as it is in beauty. The historical center is registered as a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. At one time boasting 72 towers, one built by each wealthy family as a power symbol, visitors today can enjoy the remaining 13. We paid for parking outside the walls, and ventured in thru the historical Porta San Giovanni. (Only local traffic may enter the walls of the city, so avoid a fine and park outside!) We enjoyed viewing the specialty shops thru glass windows lining the narrow street, offering ceramics, saffron, wines and oils. We followed narrow alleys to the outer edges of the town for sweeping views of Tuscany.
We then wound our way towards the Piazza della Cisterna. Here, the girls tossed wished upon coins into the ancient well and enjoyed gelato at world renowned Gelateria Dondoli. Gelato here is a MUST, and hopefully you will have the chance to meet Sergio, with his telltale eclectic glasses and a smile as award winning as his icy dessert! The town offers endless opportunities for every taste, with towers, churches, wine tasting, cooking, art and even a museum of torture. It is beautiful and large, so take the time to stroll thru history and enjoy all San Gimignano has to offer.
SIENA
If medieval cities are your thing, then look no further than Siena, Italy. Roots rich in history and legend, it is said to be founded by Senius, son of Remus, one of the legendary founders of Rome. Read more about the legend here.
One event that makes Siena so popular is il Palio, a horse race that occurs every year on July 2nd, to honor the Madonna of Provenzano, and August 16th, in honor of the Assumption of Mary. It is a grand affair, with celebrations, costumes, music, flags, food and qualifying races going on 4 days prior. The grounds of Piazza del Campo, where the race takes place, is covered in a dirt race track. On the big day, over 30,000 people jam themselves into stands and spaces to watch the final ten bareback riders circle the piazza three times in a 90 second frenzy of excitement. While we didn’t attend the Palio itself, it was exciting to see the track setup in the days before!
In the heart of the Piazza del Campo sits the 13th century medieval and slightly gothic, Palazzo Pubblico. Climbing the Mangia Tower, designed to be taller that it’s rival in Florence, is a must. The views are absolutely spectacular.
Cruising the winding roads of Tuscany is a bucket list adventure and stopping for a glass of chianti in the region itself, it’s the very definition of a dream. Have a conversation with the locals, pull into a winery, and take advantage of an opportunity to be schedule free in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
From Tuscany with love,
Amy
PIN FOR LATER:
Tuscany looks absolutely beautiful! I was only in Florence for a day, but was lucky to see the countryside on my train ride there. Thanks for sharing your time in such a beautiful and delicious place!
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop in! We also spent a single day in Florence on our first trip to Italy (as a day trip from Rome), but this time we had a week in the area, so we spent as much time as we could exploring. I wanted to see if it was truly like the photos….and it really is! You must go if you ever have the chance to return! Cheers!
Such an awesome post! Pictures are amazing and I love that quote!!
Thank you for stopping in! I’m a sucker for quotes! And an even bigger sucker for wine, steak and anything Italian! Cheers!
Love all those things!! Can’t wait to travel and see these places in person!
Tuscany looks amazing, Beautiful photos! I’ll be in Italy this summer, hopefully I’ll have time to visit Tuscany!
Oh, I’m envious! In a perfect life I’d just live in Italy, eating pasta and drinking wine and writing novels….and eating pizza…and drinking wine.. There is simply never enough time for such an amazing country. Even a month was not nearly enough! Hope you get to see Tuscany when you go, thanks for taking the time to read! Cheers!
Beautiful photos! We have taken our girls to Tuscany the past two summers and sadly not returning this year. The one town we were really mad at ourselves for not making enough time to see was San Gimignano. Can see from here we most certainly missed out!
Thank you! And yes, San Gimignano was beautiful. I think I loved it most because it was a little more quiet than Florence had been the day before!
The always beautiful Tuscany. Can we ever get enough?
No. We absolutely cannot. Not with all that wine to drink! Thanks for stopping in!
San Gimignano and Siena are two of my favorite places in Italy and that says a lot since there are so many to rival it. If I counted, I probably would have more wine from this region alone than any other. You got the typical Tuscan sun too!! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, just wow! This post has got me so excited about Italy! We are moving to Rome next year and cant wait to explore this beautiful country. I’m worried about driving though, we have a huge motorhome. Im dreading the narrow streets, maybe we will have to hire a Fiat like you guys.
Thanks for reading! And there are no words for how envious I am of your move to Rome!!! It’s hands down my favorite place on earth, and at least 3 times a week I make the attempt to convince my husband to move there!
This is a stunning part of Italy, I never tire to go: I’m not from Tuscany but my dad lived in Florence for years and my parents got married in San Gimignano, so it’s also emotionally charged for me 🙂 Your experience driving cracked me up: I am a Rome driver so am pretty used to it, but I know it can be daunting – I should send you my post about driving near Florence… I did NOT enjoy it!!
If it were not for the encouragement of our amazing hosts, and my husband’s courage, it would never have happened! I’ll never forget my first trip to Rome. It was my dream to ride a moped around the streets of the city, cute little helmet, wind in my face. After we arrived, I spent 5 minutes in traffic, and said “Nope. Sooo not happening.”
haha absolutely! Not half as romantic as it seems in the photos!! Roman traffic for me is also the fastest way to get into terrible road rage: I am very Italian in that sense – don’t mess with be behind the wheel 😉
I love Italy. So much of it we haven’t seen yet but omg the bus ride there was scary, along steep cliff edges. Hard to relax during that part of our visit hehe
Thanks for stopping in Holly! And yes, we’ve absolutely white knuckled a few rides in our travels as well!
Thank you for taking me back to Italy with this article. What a wonderful opportunity for you and your kids to go and visit this region! Love that you rented a car and got lost…. You haven’t visited Italy unless you’ve been lost.
Thanks for stopping in! And I have a ton more coming up about the rest of this amazing country!
Wow Amy, you made me tempt to travel Italy !
It is so beautiful, and I can’t begin to imagine the photographs you would take in a place where every corner offers new inspiration!
Yeah it must be!! Now I am eager to travel around the world, including Italy! Well where are you based?
I love your passion in everything you blog about! And there’s certainly a lot to romanticise about Tuscany! You know anything with wine has me sold, I too dream of a long lazy summer there
Thank you Keri! That means a lot and I truly appreciate it! Cheers!
Tuscany looks so beautiful. We went through Italy too fast, only hitting the major points off the cruise.
We did that as well the first trip! An absolute whirlwind. But it was amazing, and if offered us the opportunity to learn where we wanted to focus our time for this trip 🙂
This looks so amazing. I haven’t been to Tuscany yet but it is high on my wish list…. all that fabulous food and wine.. yes please 🙂
Thank you! I hope you get to go someday!
Looks like heaven. One of my dream trips. Thanks for sharing your experience.
And thank you for reading! It truly is a dream experience 🙂
I went there with my husband about three years ago, and it was definitely the best trip we ever had! Tuscany is so romantic and beautiful. I am dreaming about visiting Sicily someday, too. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and these beautiful photos! I feel like I relived out trip again:)
Yuliannova
I would love to see Sicily as well!! Thanks so much for stopping in!
I’m dying to go to Tuscany! This is giving me serious travel envy and motivation to get there 🙂
It is probably my favorite place on earth, be prepared to fall in love!
Hi Amy!
What great photos! Tuscany is on my list of dream places to visit and thanks to your post I’ve got some great ideas 🙂
xo Gennifer
http://www.GenniferRose.com
Thank you Gennifer! I hope you get to go someday….you will LOVE the inspiration your inner foodie will find! Cheers!