Day 7 - On to Florence
Tuscany is known for its rolling hills, gorgeous landscapes, and delicious food, including its world-renowned olive oil. We toured a family-owned olive oil farm in Tuscany, experiencing the magic of this ancient craft firsthand.
The family's passion for their work was evident from the moment we arrived. They shared their knowledge of the olive oil production process, from the care and harvesting of the olive trees to the pressing and bottling of the oil.
The family's passion for their work was evident from the moment we arrived. They shared their knowledge of the olive oil production process, from the care and harvesting of the olive trees to the pressing and bottling of the oil.
After we were treated to a demonstration of how olive oil was made, we were invited into an old farmhouse where we were served lunch. You have not tasted olive oil until you have tasted it in Italy fresh at the farm. The olive oil was bursting with flavor almost buttery. Whether drizzled over fresh bruschetta or dipping crusty bread in it, the farm's olive oil is a true taste of Tuscany.
Florence - Our final destination city
After enjoying our tasty farm lunch it was time to head into Florence or as the locals would say, Firenze. As a first-time visitor, the experience can be overwhelming, but also incredibly exciting. The city's cobbled streets are lined with beautiful Renaissance buildings, piazzas filled with locals and tourists alike, and the famous Arno river winding through the center.
The city is home to some of the world's most famous museums and art galleries, including the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia, where we saw masterpieces like Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus.
But Florence is not just a city of art and history. It's also a place where we indulged in incredible cuisine, including local specialties like hearty Tuscan soups, grilled meats, and decadent gelato, maybe more than once.
The city is home to some of the world's most famous museums and art galleries, including the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia, where we saw masterpieces like Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus.
But Florence is not just a city of art and history. It's also a place where we indulged in incredible cuisine, including local specialties like hearty Tuscan soups, grilled meats, and decadent gelato, maybe more than once.
Travel Tip: Some times you have to put the camera away and just look around and enjoy the stroll! I am definitely the pot calling the kettle black here. I wanted to snap a picture of everything. You will miss a lot around the edges if always trying to get that perfect picture. Take that time and grab the photos, then put the camera away and soak it all up. The photos you burn into memory will last just as long!
Once we got settled in our hotel, we set out on a walking tour of historic Florence.
In the heart of Florence stands a remarkable column that has been a prominent landmark in the city for centuries.
At the top of the column stands a statue of a Medici, likely Cosimo I, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany. The statue, which is over six feet tall, was added in the 16th century and reflects the family's power and influence in the city. Today, the column and its Medici statue remain an important symbol of Florence's history and culture. |
The Piazza della Signoria is one of the most iconic and historic public squares in Europe. Surrounded by beautiful Renaissance buildings, statues, and fountains, the square has been the heart of the city's political and social life for centuries.
One of the most famous landmarks in the square is the Palazzo Vecchio, an impressive fortress-like palace that has served as Florence's town hall for over 700 years. A visit to Florence is not complete without a stop at the Piazza della Signoria, where the beauty of the city's past and present converge in a brilliant display of art and architecture.
One of the most famous landmarks in the square is the Palazzo Vecchio, an impressive fortress-like palace that has served as Florence's town hall for over 700 years. A visit to Florence is not complete without a stop at the Piazza della Signoria, where the beauty of the city's past and present converge in a brilliant display of art and architecture.
The Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. Its construction began in 1296 and it took over 140 years to complete, making it a magnificent example of Gothic architecture blended with Renaissance style.
Seeing Michelangelo's David for the first time was an unforgettable experience. This spectacular sculpture is located in the Accademia Gallery and he did not disappoint. The towering statue, which stands over 17 feet tall is carved from a single block of white marble. David's muscular frame, intense gaze, and lifelike expression make it one of the most remarkable works of art ever created. Seeing it in person should be on everyone's bucket list.
Travel Tip: Make Friends on the Tour. We did not know how we would mesh with the other people on the tour. We ended up making friends for life. It was very unexpected and made the tour so much more enjoyable. Get out of your comfort zone and extend an invitation early in your tour. You might just end up making a really memorable connection.
We ended the evening with our friends sitting down for a meal with an incredible backdrop. The name of the restaurant was Osteria dell'Orcagna. The feast started outside, but mother nature had other ideas and a sudden downpour moved us indoors. The osteria's adept staff quickly moved us inside and brought us some incredible food!
Day 8 - The last full day of the tour
Today we visit the Uffizi Galleries and finish the day with our last group meal as we say goodbye to new friends and leave with fond memories.
After touring the Uffizi, we headed off for the Ponte Vecchio. This iconic bridge spans the Arno River and is unique in that it is lined with shops and houses, a tradition that dates back to medieval times.
Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or simply a fan of beautiful scenery, the Ponte Vecchio is a must-see attraction in Florence.
Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or simply a fan of beautiful scenery, the Ponte Vecchio is a must-see attraction in Florence.
For lunch we visited the Mercato Centrale or Central Market. It was bustling with both locals buying their daily needs and tourists like us taking in the sights and grabbing a bite to eat. People watching here and sampling the local cuisine is a great way to spend your lunch.
This was the view from the top of our hotel. There was a tower you could climb to get these gorgeous views.
Our Must-Do's in Florence
Amy's : Do some shopping. Buy all those last minute items for family and friends. Take the time to have a great meal with friends from the tour.
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Rick's: Take a walk along the Arno to Ponte Vecchio. From there make your way to the Mercado Centrale for lunch. Take the time to look at all the options before making a choice. The variety is incredible.
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For one last unexpected treat we were taken to a local artists studio where we were given wine and treated to a demonstration of her painting style. That's her in the door on the right.
The night ended with our last meal together as a group at Ristorante Boccadama. The group put together a card for Andrea to thank him for his incredible stewardship of our group through Italy. It was at this point that we found out it was his first time leading this tour. You would have not known it. He was a seasoned professional. The card was just a simple gesture of thanks but the way he read it, you could tell it moved him deeply. And by deeply I mean, he cried. Unflappable Andrea turned on the water works and it was special to see.
There was time for one last photo of the entire group.
Dan got a little grabby here. I think he knew he was really gonna miss me. At least the ladies kept it cordial.
Day 9 - Time to head home
Sadly, it was time to leave and head back to Indiana, but this trip reinvigorated a desire in us to travel again. We are already planning our next adventure! We had such a connection with our new friends that we plan to travel together again in the future. Amsterdam, Paris or Spain? What's it going to be guys?
Final Thoughts
This was the first time we had went on a tour. We were not sure what to expect. The end result was eye opening. Rick has spoiled us. We think we will let Rick do the planning for us on future trips! This was our second trip to Europe. The first time we went, I planned the entire trip. I used Rick's books to pick the places to go. I spent about a year researching the places we would go. Finding places to stay. Getting reservations, rebooking reservations when places cancelled. Planning out the hour-by-hour places to visit each day. Putting together maps and arranging transportation. I even put together a printed itinerary with all kinds of information we would need. It worked great and we really enjoyed the trip, but it required countless hours making that happen.
When we decided to go to Europe again, I started thinking about a tour. Once we decided to give the tour a try, I got on Rick's website, found the tour we wanted to do, picked a date, put in about 5 minutes of information and booked it. The only other thing I needed to do was book airfare and that was accomplished in about 30 minutes. After that, I did very little other than wait several months for the time to head to Italy to arrive. There was no other planning needed, no countless hours spent looking up all the specific details needed to plan the trip. This actually led me to be very panicked in the weeks leading up to when we left. I felt like I had not prepared for the trip! There was this impending sense of doom.
Two days into the tour, I had this strange feeling. I can vividly remember turning to Amy and saying. "You know what? I am relaxed!". On our previous tour, I never felt this. I was the navigator, tour guide, problem solver, and general keep everyone on track guy. I was never able to just sit back and enjoy the trip. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed our first trip, I just was never able to wind down. On this trip, once I let our guide Andrea take the reins, I was able to sit back and enjoy the La Dolce Vita!
When we decided to go to Europe again, I started thinking about a tour. Once we decided to give the tour a try, I got on Rick's website, found the tour we wanted to do, picked a date, put in about 5 minutes of information and booked it. The only other thing I needed to do was book airfare and that was accomplished in about 30 minutes. After that, I did very little other than wait several months for the time to head to Italy to arrive. There was no other planning needed, no countless hours spent looking up all the specific details needed to plan the trip. This actually led me to be very panicked in the weeks leading up to when we left. I felt like I had not prepared for the trip! There was this impending sense of doom.
Two days into the tour, I had this strange feeling. I can vividly remember turning to Amy and saying. "You know what? I am relaxed!". On our previous tour, I never felt this. I was the navigator, tour guide, problem solver, and general keep everyone on track guy. I was never able to just sit back and enjoy the trip. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed our first trip, I just was never able to wind down. On this trip, once I let our guide Andrea take the reins, I was able to sit back and enjoy the La Dolce Vita!