Exploring Italy | Tuscany

 

I just wanted to share some photos from our recent trip to Tuscany. We rented a house about 40 minutes outside of Florence (in Pontassieve) and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Airbnb came through and yet again I stayed in a dream home. I won't travel another way ever again!

I'll be counting the days until we can go back.

 

 

we explored San Gimignano:

And of course...our beloved Florence.

I dream of the truffle fries at Zaza's. Yum.

The best part of the trip was that we got to spend it not only with each other...but with another family that we love dearly.

Many late nights filled with wine, laughter, and so much talking.

It was a beautiful experience.

I know that we need many more trips to Tuscany in the next year an a half. Next I want to visit Lucca, Volterra, San Marino, Saturnia, and Siena. I think Tuscany officially has my heart and wins the "favorite part of Italy" award.

Happy Thursday, y'all!

xoo

Comments

[Linda S.]

I loved Florence. Your pictures are the best, I have saved some for wallpaper on my computer! (I hope you don't mind) Thanks for sharing your adventures, I always enjoy reading about them.

[Stephanie Howell]

I dont mind at all!  So glad you enjoyed it! xo

[Mel]

Just beautiful <3 Your girls are so lucky to have this experience. xxx

[Stephanie Howell]

Thank you Mel! I pinch myself weekly. ;)

[Jetty]

We did go to Tuscany this year for the third time and i want to go there again.
We have been to Lucca two times and to Volterra three times now and every time i found some places i
never saw before. The views, the food, the markets , Tuscany stole my heart.
But Verona is on my wishlist to. There is so much to see, to explore in Italy.

[Bridget Arnold]

your pics are giving me goosebumps!!!!!!!

[sophie]

thank you for this post! my husband and I went to Tuscany on our first ever vacation together 10 Years ago and we went to these places too. It always puts a huge smile on my face. It was probably the best time of my life, like EVER!:

[Candy]

My brother loves Tuscany and seems to go there every year. I suggested he just buy a house there! lol.

[CJ]

Oh it looks divine. But have you visited the Amalfi coast yet..? There might be another favourite waiting to be discovered. I've never been you understand, but I have seen it on television and it looks utterly beautiful. Truffle fries, oh my. Oh my. I would so love to try them. So glad you had such a wonderful break, and with friends as well to make it extra special. It looks very peaceful and relaxing there. CJ xx

[KarenP (kphike)]

Just gorgeous!!! Love your adventurous spirit - your girls are going to have such great memories!! Thanks for posting all your trips - Italy is at the top of my bucket list and Tuscany is a must see!! Your pic of the mountainside is just how I imagine it!! I'm taking notes - so keep travelling ;) (and hey - we are going to a game at West Point this weekend! Go Army - Beat Navy (and Fordham who they are playing this weekend!)

[Ashley]

I cannot even believe how gorgeous Tuscany is. I want to go!

[CarrieH]

Beautiful! And kudos to you for making the most of this amazing time you have been given in such a fantastic part of the world. Life is short, you may as well go ahead and enjoy what you have when you have it, the budget be darned(!)Please continue with the amazing pictures, they are much appreciated.

[Michelle]

Hey Stephanie did you pack your own food or did you go out to eat all the time? And when you do Airbnb do you pay when you get there or do you pay online? Do they charge extra for kids? Cuz when I try looking for places to stay they say on fine print *Extra for my daughter and extra for my son??? I dunno maybe its just other online places and not airbnb. Anyway your pics are beautiful and I am trying to plan as many getaway as I can but since I am new here in Germany I am nervous and a little scared. We haven't done far away vacations yet just in Germany. But soon I hope.

[Dana]

Heaven.
Add Montepulciano to your list.

And go check out Umbria, too.

Tuscany was my favorite part...until I saw lots of the other parts. It is now ONE of my favorite parts :) I do tire of the tourists, wherever I am in Italy. They all seem to flock to Tuscany. Understandably.

Keep living, keep traveling.
d

[Jennifer]

Stunning... keep on going back and explore more.
Bring home new memories!

[Antonia from the UK]

Tuscany is my favourite too. We went there eight years running when our girls (now 22 and 20) were younger. If you can get a bit further south, Siena and Volterra are worth adding to the list. Thanks for sharing pictures that remind me of that beautiful, beautiful countryside.

[Leslee Cotterell-Barrow]

Italy has such special memories for me. I got engaged at a street cafe in Florence. Will never forget. 30 years ago!

[Sue]

On December 24, 1965, I arrived in Florence with several other students from Purdue who were spending the year in Spain. It was dark and all we wanted to do was go to midnight mass in the Cathedral. Sort of a bucket list thing. We groped our way through the dark streets and finally found our selves in the Cathedral wedged in with other visitors. It was wonderful, cozy, and warm. On Christmas morning we went out to get pictures in the daytime -- but our church of the night before didn't look like what we expected. We asked around and suddenly it dawned on us -- we hadn't been at the Cathedral the night before but at a tiny neighborhood church. We couldn't help but laugh at our naiveté. Both churches were lovely, for different reasons.

Your photo is lovely. Thank you for bringing back a fond memory.