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What to Do in Florence When It Rains: Best Rainy-Day Activities
There’s nothing quite like planning a trip to Italy with visions of sunny piazzas and leisurely walks through Florence…only to wake up to pouring rain. Fortunately, it only rained one day during my trip to Florence—but when it rained, it poured. I’ve somehow developed a habit of encountering rainy days on my travels (Tokyo and Paris, I’m looking at you), so I’ve become pretty good at finding ways to enjoy a city when the weather refuses to cooperate. And Florence is actually a pretty easy city to enjoy in the rain. I spent my rainy day exploring places like the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo, with strategic café stops thrown…
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St. Regis Florence Review: What It’s Really Like to Stay Here
I recently stayed at the St. Regis Florence to celebrate a milestone birthday, and if you’re looking for a truly luxurious place to stay in Florence, it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful setting. Housed in a historic palazzo overlooking the Arno River, the St. Regis combines old-world Florentine elegance with modern luxury. And yes, the property is every bit as gorgeous as you’d expect from the photos. But is the St. Regis Florence worth the splurge? And what is it actually like to stay there? After my stay, I’m sharing my honest take on the rooms (beautiful), location (ideal), service (top notch), amenities (thoughtful), and the little things I…
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Where to Park in Lucca: Parking, ZTL Rules & Avoiding a Fine
Can You Drive Inside Lucca’s City Walls? Can you and should you are two very different questions. Yes, it is physically possible to drive inside Lucca’s historic city walls. But the majority of the historic center is a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), which means access is restricted to residents and authorized vehicles. So the short answer for tourists? Don’t drive inside Lucca’s city walls unless your hotel has specifically arranged authorized ZTL access for you. And honestly, you probably don’t want to anyway. Lucca is wonderfully walkable, and one of the best things about visiting is wandering through the narrow medieval streets without worrying about traffic. Park your rental…
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How to Get to Lucca: From Florence, Pisa & Pisa Airport
Lucca may be a little less famous than Florence or Pisa, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s difficult to get to. In fact, it’s pretty easy. Whether you’re arriving from Florence, already exploring Pisa, or flying into Pisa International Airport, getting to Lucca is pretty straightforward. And because Lucca Station / Stazione di Lucca is just outside the historic city walls, you can be wandering through the medieval streets before you know it. I’ve broken down the easiest ways to get from Florence, Pisa, and Pisa Airport to Lucca, including trains, buses, rental cars, private transfers, and day tours. Quick Answer: What’s the Best Way to Get…
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Lucca Italian School Review: What It’s Really Like to Learn Italian in Italy
Lucca Italian School Review: What It’s Really Like to Learn Italian in Italy Have you ever dreamed about learning Italian in Italy? I have. Actually, I’ve been trying to learn Italian for a while, and I’ve discovered something about myself along the way: I don’t love learning a language online. Don’t get me wrong. My online Italian teacher was great, and I learned a lot. But there’s only so much immersion you can get when you’re sitting in front of a computer with 15 people on a Zoom call. So when I had the opportunity to spend a week at Lucca Italian School in Tuscany, I jumped at it. And…
