We've all seen it: the stereotypical landscape view of Tuscany. The image of rolling hills, vineyards, and Italian Cypress trees dotting pathways to rustic villas instantly comes to mind. Our trip to Tuscany was all of that, and more.
Where we stayed: A converted hayloft airbnb in Tuscany overlooking the Chianti Hills
Where we ate: La Borsa Ristorante, Gino's Bakery, Highway rest stops, Ristorante La Lancia D'Oro Arezzo, Ristorante la Cucina de la Forra
Driving through Tuscany was one of my absolute favorite things about our trip. All of the old cities built into the mountains were so breathtaking. How do they not just fall?! While on our roughly 2 to 3 hour drive from Rome to our place in Tuscany, we stopped at a few highway rest areas. You guys. We had some of the best lasagna and lattes at the rest stops! They were like restaurants, food courts, cafes, and gas stations all in one! We found that we loved stopping there! Such an unexpected surprise! Who knew?!
We arrived at our Airbnb, in the heart of Tuscany. It was the quintessential Tuscany setting, situated on a hill near olive tree groves, with views of vineyards and mountains in the distance. I still remember looking out the windows or sitting on the patio, making the intentional effort to soak in every moment.
We dropped our luggage and drove to the metro station where we headed for Florence.
When we arrived in Florence, we walked the streets to the Ponte Vecchio, where we meandered through jewelry shops and made our way across to the Pitti Palace. We grabbed some quick photos, then headed for a bite to eat. We found ourselves at La Borsa Ristorante, where we enjoyed more bread and pasta. On our walk back to the train station, we stopped at Gino's Bakery and enjoyed some delicious fresh cannolis! I don't think I will be able to enjoy another cannoli after eating them in Italy!
The plan was to head back to Florence the next morning and explore the Accademia Gallery where we would see some favorites like the statue of David. However, still feeling tired from being on the go for the last couple days, we decided to take it easy and spend some time at our beautiful Airbnb.
At the suggestion of my friend Kelly, I brought my wedding dress. I'm so glad I did because the pictures were SO worth it!
When it was time to grab a bite to eat, we got in the car and started driving. Honestly, we had no idea where we were going. A lot of places are closed during our typical lunch time for siesta in Italy, so it become a bigger challenge than expected to find a place to eat! I had noted that Arezzo was the last stop on the metro map, so, we took a chance and headed to Arezzo. We were elated to find ourselves in the most charming Medieval town! We instantly fell in love. We parked near a university and walked the adorable streets toward the Piazza Grande. We enjoyed lunch on the patio at Ristorante La Lancia D'Oro Arezzo. I had the lasagna and Joey had the wild boar, which were both delicious! We loved the thoughtful touches like the bread, soup, and bite-sized desserts they brought throughout the meal. Also - if you find yourself at this restaurant, check out the bathroom! (Spoiler alert: you have to pump the faucet with your foot!)
What I loved most about Arezzo was the authenticity. Rome and Florence were amazing, but Arezzo was something special. It was quaint, but grand. I read an article that described it as, "Florence without all the crowds." Everything felt so fresh and easy. The people there were relaxed and genuine. It couldn't have been more perfect to round out our Tuscany experience.
Later that evening, we took another drive. My husband spotted one of those old towns built up on top of a mountain and decided he was just going to drive to it. Why not, right? So, we drove up and up and through the little town... and then up some more, until we couldn't drive any further. I am so thankful for Joey's adventurous spirit because this little drive led us to the most beautiful gem of the entire trip. We found ourselves on top of a mountain and followed a tree-lined path to a little Inn with a restaurant called La Cucina de la Forra. The sun was setting as we made our way to the restaurant which was just getting ready to open for dinner. Even though we did not have a reservation, we were welcomed in and enjoyed the most delicious spaghetti with homemade noodles, while looking out over the most spectacular views. We felt like we were on top of the world, as if we were above the Tuscan sun.
I often reflect on our short stay in Tuscany and I smile thinking about all of the little unexpected ways God showed His presence while we were there. Experiencing Tuscany is a memory I'll cherish forever.
Up next: Positano!
All photos by Kelly Braman Photography
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