What can I say that hasn't already been said? It's a historical medieval village that once had 72…read moretowers (now there's 14). Building a taller tower than your neighbor was common in these times. It was a symbol of wealth, status, and power. In some ways, this idealogy is very much like it is today. There's even a pair of twin towers that looks like it may have been the architect's inspiration for the World Trade Center. No one knows for sure. You'll learn about the story of Santa Fina in the chapel at the cathedral. I took a virtual walk through a video guide even before boarding the plane to Italy. It was beautiful! In reality, it turned out to be more of a tourist attraction. Was it a trap? It depends on how much time you are given to explore it. I'll explain later. My impression wasn't as glamorous as my fellow Yelpers. It all started with the public restrooms. People will tell you that paying a euro to use the restroom is normal in Italy. Only people who are not well-travelled will say this. It's absolutely NOT the norm! The situation in San Gimignano is the worse case scenario. I don't mind paying a human attendant who is maintaining the restrooms. That's never an issue for me. These are machines built to accept money (or credit card if the scanner is working) to gain admission into the restroom using a turnstile. Can you imagine using one of these with a full bladder? The person or organization who decided that it was a good idea to use this demeaning restroom design should be asked one simple question. Would you force your grandmother to do this? I mean, really! It's shameful! I would have been better off squatting over a seatless public toilet. To make matters worse, you'll need to touch the rusted turnstile on your way out after washing your hands. It doesn't move easily. It's unsanitary. I just don't like to touch things like that after the pandemic. I was never infected with Covid, and I was not going to let this germy public bathroom defeat me. Just bring lots of hand sanitizer. There's a lot of tourist trappy things like the torture museums. Don't waste any time or money on that. They have them in all the little medieval villages in Tuscany. I just have some advice for anyone booking a guided tour group from Livorno that includes this village and a winery. Be aware that you may have less than an hour to explore it. I recommend having a private guide, your own transportation, or simply staying in a B&B near the village. I would have loved to have more time (at least 4 hours with lunch) in the village versus the winery. Not to take away anything from the winery estate (Tenuta Torciano) because it was awesome. You must try the region's Vernaccia & Chianti wine. It's incredible! Oh, and definitely visit Piazza della Cisterna. You don't want to miss Gelateria Dondoli, and its famous Crema di Sant Fina gelato.

There are lots of historical villages in the Chianti region, and San Gimignano is definitely not…read moreone to overlook. You could spend hours getting lost in the winding streets. There are a plethora of shops and restaurants, selling everything from gifts and clothing to meats and cheese to gelato and pizza. If you are looking for some climbing and adventure there is a large tower that you can climb. We held off because it was a super hot day, but apparently it's a great way to get the best views of the area. We also had some of the best gelato of our trip here. I'm forgetting the name of the shop, but it's right in the center square and you'll know it based off the line. The fig was unforgettable, and I didn't see fig gelato anywhere else during my trip to Italy so that felt unique. Be mindful of parking and walking -- we had to park pretty far away and it was a hefty walk into the center of town. Parking is very limited in the area, and the town is very hilly. Be sure to wear comfy shoes. The brick buildings are gorgeous and there are so many unexpected charming details like ivy covered buildings, brightly colored doors and narrow cobblestone alleyways. It's a great spot to snap a few highly grammable pics! For sure worth a visit.

Location: This pasticcerie is two steps away from the center of town, where the Palio race is run…read moreeach year. If you're standing facing the town hall, it'll be to your right. The goods: When I travel, I like to go as authentic as possible, so when my guide told me about Siena's famous 'Christmas cookies,' I had to see what all the fuss was about. Luckily, she knew just where to send me - Sinatti. Riciarelli are a traditional almond-based cookie made with sugar, honey and egg whites, that date back to the 14th century. But all you need to know is that they are delicious! I'm generally not a big cookie person but one look at these and I couldn't help but buy a package to bring home - and as (more) luck would have it, they had packages that offered the classic version as well as the cioccolato version. YUM. These cookies are slightly crispy on the outside but super moist on the inside. I don't know how they do it - I'm just finishing up a box after buying them 2 weeks ago and they are still perfect! Personally, I enjoy one of these each morning with the coffee I bought in Rome. Sadly, both are nearing the end so I guess I'll just have to go back to Italy to stock up! Service: The clerk was very friendly and happily pointed out the combo package when I panicked at having to choose between the classic and the chocolate. A package of these will run you 7.50 Euro for the medium size. I'd say there are about 10 of each but there might be more. I didn't count because I was too busy eating. Go forth and enjoy!

From the Middle Ages to the present day, Piazza della Signoria, between Piazza del Duomo and the…read moreArno River, is the beating heart of the historic center of Florence with its distinctive L-shape, which my partner, our friends, family member, and I visited in mid-September. Palazzo Vecchio, the traditional seat of the Florentine government, with its distinctive tower, is yet another symbol of the city. In front stands a copy of Michelangelo's David (the original can be seen at the Accademia Gallery). One of the most impressive squares we've ever seen! The piazza looks like an outdoor museum, full of iconic statues and history in every corner. One can't miss the Fountain of Neptune that was commissioned to celebrate a Medici marriage. It is a colossal statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea and the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively with both tourists and locals, perfect to enjoy both during the day and at night. Definitely a must-see in Florence!

Nice gathering place next to Ponte Vecchio. There's a beautiful fountain here and plenty of places…read moreto gather and dine. I love these Italian palazzos!

Heading down the Italian Rivera aka Cinque Terre Riomaggiore is the most southern of the 5 towns…read more Very cute and romantic place with loads of charm, restaurants, bars, goods etc. Great hike from Manarola to Riomaggiore and a amazing but physically challenging hike from Riomaggiore to Portovenere. Here are some great links https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/riomaggiore https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/footpaths-cinqueterre https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-timetable

This was our last stop coming from Monterosso, and we took the train from Manarola since the Blue…read moreTrail between the two towns was closed for renovations. Because of this, Riomaggiore was the only town we didn't get to see from the mountains above. We were at the end of our day and pretty tired, so we only walked through it briefly and treated ourselves to some gelato. I enjoyed the town square and walked up to the castle. The town has a medium grade hill that you have to ascend from the station, so just be sure you can walk that. Originally, I had planned for us to have dinner here because I read that Riomaggiore has many nice restaurants with great views. Our plans changed, but from my research and our quick stop here, I think this town has plenty to offer and explore.

Piazza del Campo is the main public square and heart of Siena, Italy. Renowned for its distinctive…read moreshell shape and gently sloping brick surface, it is one of Europe's most celebrated medieval squares and a centerpiece of Siena's UNESCO‑listed historic center. The square is framed by elegant palaces, including the Palazzo Pubblico and its towering Torre del Mangia, and serves as a gathering place for daily life and civic events. Twice a year, it becomes the dramatic setting for the Palio di Siena, the city's historic horse race that brings Siena's neighborhoods together in a display of tradition and rivalry.

Siena was one of our stops on our all day bus tour through Tuscany and I'm so happy it was!…read more We grabbed aperitivos and enjoyed the sun set while people watching. It's such a vibrant city center. Really fun place to relax after a long day.