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Trip Report
Wine and food tour through Tuscany
Exploring Tuscan villages, amazing food and different local wines. From the medieval towers of San Gimignano to the bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence, Tuscany has got to offer it all.
+ 5
EuropeItaly5 days / July 2021
Highs & Lows
Renting scooters and driving down the Chianti route is a must!
Without a drivers license it’s near impossible to visit all the different towns.
Itinerary Overview
The first week of our trip we stayed on a camping near Pisa, since there are numerous campings there located near the sea. In this first week, we visited different villages in Tuscany. If you don’t come to Italy by car, you should rent one there in order to visit al the places! The villages we visited are:
- Pisa
- Lucca
- Volterra
- San Gimignano
- Greve in Chianti
- Livorno
Most villages only take a few hours to explore, so you could visit two a day. I’d highly recommend to discover all the local dishes, since they can differ in every town! The 2 must sees are Lucca and San Gimignano. They are both very pittoreske and relaxing villages in the heart of Tuscany.
For the second week we visited Florence. You should definitely take 3-5 days to explore everything this city has to offer you! It has a very rich history, lots of musea and some amazing restaurants. In Florence, you could very easily rent a Vespa scooter and drive down the Chianti route. On this route, all winery‘s are located and you can taste some of Italy’s best wines (but don’t forget you have to drive back!).
Lucca A beautiful old Italian town with lots of restaurants and shops
1+Lucca is a charming medieval town located in Tuscany, Italy. The town is surrounded by Renaissance-era walls that offer breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. Walking or biking on the walls is a must-do activity in Lucca. The town is also home to several stunning churches, such as the Cathedral of St. Martin and the Church of San Michele in Foro. The Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is another notable attraction, which was once a Roman amphitheater and is now a vibrant square with cafes and shops. Lucca is also famous for its delicious food and wine, such as its renowned olive oil and red wines. A visit to a local trattoria or osteria is a must to try the local specialties. Finally, Lucca is an excellent base for exploring Tuscany, with easy access to cities like Florence, Pisa, and Siena. Overall, Lucca is a charming destination that shouldn't be missed
Florence Florence has got to offer a lot of musea and beautiful gardens.
1+For my time in Florence I actually spent hours just wandering the streets, admiring the architecture and all the boutiques. The art collection at the Uffizi is mind-blowing, with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci. I could have spent days there, but I also wanted to explore the outdoors, so I made my way to the Boboli Gardens. The gardens were breathtaking, with stunning fountains, sculptures, and a magical atmosphere that transported me to another world.
Another highlight of my trip was crossing the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge that spans the Arno River. The bridge is lined with jewelry shops and has a fascinating history (but don’t buy any jewelry there, since most ask way to much!!). I also enjoyed discovering the local cuisine, from gelato to bistecca alla fiorentina, the latter being a local dish that you must try (unless you’re vegetarian). Florence is a city that truly has it all - beauty, history, culture, and a rich culinary scene. For me, it was the place where all highlights of Tuscany come together!
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Next time I’d take another place to go camping, located more in the center of Tuscany. The beaches near Pisa aren’t that nice and I would have liked to visit Sienna, but the drive was to long for now.Anything go wrong during the trip?
nothingRestaurant recommendations?
Trattoria dall’Oste, Florence - this is one of the best steak restaurants in the world and perfect for trying Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Osteria Trattoria La Pace, Volterra - one of my favorite restaurants ever. I visited it when I was a kid, and when I returned I asked for the dish I had when I was there for the first time. It wasn’t on the menu anymore, but they were more than happy to make it for me! Incredible family to host the restaurant and I had the best tiramisu of my life there.Tips you would give a friend?
Definitely try all the different local foods, also if you don’t know them. Italian food always surprises in a positive way, and almost never contains any unexpected ingredients. I’m not really into deserts myself, but in Italy I had tiramisu every single evening. It’s a lot of fun to compare all different tiramisu’s and to become a tiramisu master!Transportation Tips?
As said before, you should really travel by car to be able to get the most out of your stay in Tuscany! Another option would be to do organized day trips by bus. In that case, it would be best to find a hotel in Florence and start from there.Booking details?
old lodgings are best!
Lodging
Palazzo Dipinto
M&B Florence. It’s an AirBnB private room, but there are multiple rooms. The vibe is comparable to a hostel and there is a shared kitchen. The rooms are very nicely decorated and it’s located near the city center. I’d highly recommend this AirBnB if you’re looking for a cheap, but nice option!