Five Great Day Trips from Florence Italy

Five Great Day Trips from Florence Italy

Florence is conveniently located in central Tuscany, a city known for millennia as the intersection of great art, history, and food.  The nearby towns and cities, rich with culture and tradition, are great opportunities for easy day trips while staying in Florence. Here are some of our favorites chosen by our Italy travel experts. ... Read More

Favorite month to visit Italy? Our travel experts’ answer might surprise you.

Favorite month to visit Italy? Our travel experts’ answer might surprise you.

November is our favorite month to take advantage of low season rates and fewer crowds. We always go in November, have done for 10 years, and the first part of the month has mild, October-like weather that can last into the latter half of the month. ... Read More

The ZTL – Avoid Restricted Traffic Zones & Fines in Italy

The ZTL – Avoid Restricted Traffic Zones & Fines in Italy

Are you thinking of cruising around in your rental car, pulling up to the doorstep of your vacation rental in the center of Rome or Florence, unloading your bags and then chancing upon a handy parking garage or, better yet, street parking? Think again… Driving in Italy takes some careful planning if your route takes you through ... Read More

Travel Tips for a Do-Able Day Trip to Venice from Florence. And sample itinerary!

Travel Tips for a Do-Able Day Trip to Venice from Florence. And sample itinerary!

Get the most out of a day in Venice. It is a small city with many attractions, so we’ve put together 5 travel tips for vacationers staying in Florence. Some of these tips save you time, some save you money and all of them come from our years of experience in Italy tourism. ... Read More

Take your Children to Florence

Take your Children to Florence

Italy is one of the most child friendly countries in the world. Your precious ‘bambina’ will have her cheeks pinched and your ‘bambino’ will be whisked off to the kitchen to taste some fresh schiacciata.  If you’re travelling with a baby, be ready to get more attention than you’ve ever experienced — from grandmothers and waiters ... Read More

Fiesole, the Crown of Florence

Fiesole, the Crown of Florence

The narrow and crowded streets of Florence are filled with delights but you may find, as we do, four nights into our stay, that we need a respite and Fiesole is the perfect solution. On the heights above Florence, the ancient town of Fiesole welcomes with amazing views, a small historical area with an evocative ... Read More

Florence Mercato Centrale: A Tour of Tastes

Florence Mercato Centrale: A Tour of Tastes

The newly renovated Mercato Centrale [Central Market] is the epicurean center of new and old Florence, a veritable tour of tastes. The ground floor has always offered a wide array of fruit, vegetable, meat and other specialized local vendors. The 140 year-old Mercato Centrale recently celebrated the opening of its new HUB gourmet food hall ... Read More

3 Best Ways to get from the Pisa Airport to Florence

3 Best Ways to get from the Pisa Airport to Florence

To get from the Pisa Airport to Florence, there are three usual ways: by train, by bus and by private car directly to your vacation rental. You don’t need or, probably want, a rental car in Florence, but you could do it all the same. Here is all the information you need to decide on ... Read More

A Moveable Feast Tuscan Style

A Moveable Feast Tuscan Style

Food traditions are a big part of Italian culture so it’s no surprise that eating well is a tradition of our Italy trips! A highlight of a recent trip was a marvelous dinner prepared for us by Chef in Tuscany at our accommodations near Florence. Graziella and her staff arrived cheerful and efficient; settled us ... Read More