I am a huge Italy lover and I think that Italy’s culture is very close to my own. I have been to Italy many times as I really enjoy it there and I think that its a very welcoming and beautiful place. One of the most memorable times i visited Italy is the tour I made of Tuscany 3 years ago. I will try my hardest to take you through my experience in Tuscany and give you the best recommendations if you ever wish to visit.
We flew from Stansted airport to Pisa. We had to rent a car to take us to Sienna the location we would be staying at for the next couple of days. Sienna is gorgeous, one of the most beautiful cities (if not the most beautiful) in Italy. It’s a medieval city known for its art, museums and of course Palio, a horse race which was held during the time that we visited in August. It’s really very festive during the period Palio is taking place.
The hotel that we stayed in is this http://www.gardenhotel.it/
We really enjoyed out time there, very nice rooms, amazing food and there was also an outside pool which we used a lot during the hot summer days.
But the most amazing highlights about Sienna were the small narrow streets, the architecture of the buildings and of course the amazing Italian food. All the restaurants we went were phenomenal. The city was always welcoming, it was filled with independent shops which is very different in England. The views from sienna are amazing as sienna is on an hill and there are specific spots where you can have a nice view from above.
Close to sienna one of the places that you must visit is San Gimignano.
It’s so picturesque, it’s an old town with many castles and you have the feeling that you are back in time. San Gimigniano is very busy and there is no access for cars inside the town. You will need to park your car just outside the town, so be prepared for a bit of walking! Of course there are plenty of shops where you can buy souvenirs and local Italian foods. You can find leather bags to nice wooden decorations and jewellery. Ice cream in Italy is definitely a must! you cannot go without having at least one scoop of ice cream. Its so different to the ones you would usually have. Anywhere you go in Italy I guarantee the ice cream will be delicious.
After 4 days in Sienna we went to the town of Lucca. It’s a nice Italian town but not the place that I would like to visit again the highlight was the hotel that we stayed, http://www.lacappellalucca.com
It was an old monastery that was converted in to a nice hotel, it is slightly isolated but it definitely gives you very quite and peaceful nights. We had quite an adventure to find it but once you reach it you will find a garden full of flowers where you can have your have your breakfast freshly made by the owner of the hotel.
Of Course Florence is a part of Tuscany and we made a quick stop there. Very busy for my likings but again the history around it is so big that you need to visit. The Cathedral , the Uffizi museum, Ponte Vecchio, and many other places to visit there. Of course if you are a fashion lover you can find all the latest designer brands.
All in all if you go to Italy try to enjoy food, wine, coffee, art , nights out , walking in the streets and seize the moments as Italians would do. Salute!
