How We Spent Four Days in Tuscany and Rome

This trip to Tuscany was my third, although apart from when I visited the sunflower fields, this recent trip was the most memorable one. J and I travelled with my niece Farrah and her friends, and we had a fantastic time. 

We left London via London City Airport. It was my first time to fly from there and I must say, I preferred it because it was less crowded. The view from the plane was also more beautiful, in my opinion. We landed in Florence in the late afternoon, and by the time we arrived at our Air BnB and settled in, it was dark. However, this didn't prevent us from exploring the city at night. It turned out to be a beautiful autumn evening walk. Our accommodation was a few minutes walk to the city centre, so it was very convenient.

We commenced our adventure properly the day after, and this was how we spent four days in Tuscany (and then Rome):

Day 1 - Florence and Pisa

Our first itinerary of the day was Galleria dell'Accademia to see David. We opted for the 0930 tour as we were heading to Pisa afterwards. I must say, going early was the best idea. Although we had pre-booked tickets, we still had to queue, albeit only for a short while.  

And then I saw David for the second time. I remember that photos were prohibited inside the Accademia when I visited in 2006, so it was especially nice to have been able to take photos and videos this time. 

We spent more or less than an hour exploring  the museum, admiring not only David but also other works by Michelangel0 and his contemporaries. Then it was time to leave for Pisa.

It was an easy drive to Pisa and took us only about an hour and a half. Parking is just a few minutes' walk away from the main attraction - the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Piazza dei Miracoli- home to the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

With J's persistence, we climbed up the tower. I was hesitant the first time I visited because of the height but this time, I was brave enough- and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit scared. The narrow, spiral staircase of nearly 294 steps curves up to the tower, and I actually felt the lean as we went higher. The centuries-old marble was slippery in some parts which made it more challenging for me. Despite that, it was a good experience and I am really glad I did it this time.

We ended the day with a special dinner to celebrate our dear H's 40th birthday.

Day 2- San Gimignano and Siena

My most anticipated stop of this trip was San Gimignano as it was the only place in our itinerary that I hadn't visited before.  I had also heard so many wonderful things about this medieval hill town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive took around an hour and half, passing through Tuscany's scenic rolling hills and beautiful countryside.

We arrived in San Gimignano just after 9am, and it was still very quiet. I really enjoyed this because we were able to wander around the streets with ease. The impressive 14 surviving towers dominate San Gimignano's skyline. Built centuries ago by weathly families, they were symbols of wealth and power.

Unfortunately we weren't able to climb up to any of the towers, but we did explore Parco della Rocca which offers stunning panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside,  vineyards and the town's iconic towers. 

Apparently, San Gimignano is also known for having some of the best gelato in the world. Sadly, we didn't get to try any. J, however, had pizza from Riccapizza (for breakfast) which he enjoyed so much that he went back for it twice.

Next on our itinerary was a wine tasting at the charming La Marronnaia. Located just outside San Gimignano, this family-run organic winery produces some of the best wines, extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars I have tasted. I particulary loved the Mosto Cotto balsamic vinegar. Although we had our wine tasting experience indoors, it was still a lovely experience, and we had the opportunity to explore the grounds afterwards. Our host Riccardo, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. 

Then it was time to drive about 47 minutes to Siena, where we would stay the night. I remembered from our trip from 10 years earlier that Siena is a relatively small city and easy to get around so we decided not to stay there long. 

Our Air BnB was conveniently located in Piazza del Campo, overlooking Torre del Mangia. We did a lot of people watching and chatting on the balcony whislt enjoying the beautiful sunset. 

3. Day 3 - Siena

Before we drove to Rome, Farrah, Iza and I went for a morning walk to explore Siena a bit more. I loved the narrow stone streets and the charming covered alleys whose arches often perfectly frame views of the Torre del Mangia and Piazza del Campo. It was beautiful to see the Piazza almost empty- so different from how it usually is later in the day, when it's filled with locals and tourists alike. The calmness and serenity gave it an intimate feeling, like we were seeing a quieter, more personal side of the city.

Via di Citta, one of the three main streets in Siena is a beautiful uphill street that leads toward Piazza del Campo and continues on to the stunning Duomo di Siena. The views along the way were incredible. We then made our way to the Cathedral, where the tranquility of the square allowed us to admire the intricate details of the marbled facade without interruption. The soft morning light made it especially perfect for photography. 

We left for Rome mid-morning, and on the way, dropped by Val d'Orcia for some cypress trees photos. The Tuscan countryside here is so beautiful that it's not to be missed. If only we were not driving for over three hours to Rome, I would have convinced J to drive a little farther so we could see more of the winding roads lined with cypress trees. I suppose a reason to go back one day.

4. Day 4 - Rome

J and I have been to Rome before, both together and separately, hence we planned to do something different on this trip. While the girls visited the Vatican Museum, we decided to cycle along the oldest road in Rome- the Appian Way. This was a memorable experience for me because I had never known about this road before, and to be able to cycle through it was surreal. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun. I might write a separate blog post about this experience.

After cycling for almost three hours, we headed to Trastevere for a late lunch. Trastevere is a charming neighbourhood that exudes a bohemian vibe. The colourful buildings, beautiful murals and endless array of traditional trattorias make it popular with both tourists and locals. 

Then it was time to meet the girls for dinner near Campo di Fiori. From Trastevere, we walked for more or less than an hour, passing by the Colosseum. It was a beautiful evening stroll to say the least.

We ended the day (and this trip) with  some delicious pasta and a glass of wine.

Despite a few mishaps, mainly due to my rather poor sense of direction, this trip has become my second favourite Italian adventure, just behind our unforgettable  Amalfi Coast trip a few years ago. 

This trip was indeed full of exploration, laughter and memories that will stay with me for a long time.

Tintin x