In this passion blog, I’ll be covering my short but sweet experiences in Tuscany and Florence. Tuscany is located in central Italy and its capital is Florence. It’s home to famous Renaissance art and architecture, most notably Michelangelo’s David Statue.

In Tuscany, we first stopped by Siena, a beautiful medieval city known for its Gothic architecture and the Palio horse race. This city is located in the heart of Tuscany, full of history and stories. Its city center has even been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Siena, I recommend visiting the Duomo di Siena a stunning cathedral and a prime example of Gothic architecture. Its black and white striped marble walls, intricate sculptures, and stunning glass windows make this worth a visit.

The Palio is a famous horse race that takes place in July and August in the Piazza del Campo (the largest square at the heart of Siena). If you’re in Tuscany during that period, definitely experience this thrilling spectacle! The Piazza del Campo is also worth a visit, it’s a great place to take in the city’s atmosphere and enjoy good food. Some local specialties include pici (a type of thick, hand-rolled spaghetti), ribollita (a hearty vegetable soup), and wine. Its rich history and culture make Siena worth the visit. From art, architecture, or food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

In Tuscany, I’d highly recommend visiting Val d’Orcia. I’d consider it probably one of the most scenic valleys I’ve ever seen. Located in the southern part of Tuscany, its rolling hills, small villages, and historic sites make it a great place to explore. Though we originally didn’t plan on visiting Val d’Orcia and stumbled upon it, it’s worth creating time to visit.

In Florence, a relatively smaller city, we spent the day exploring museums, statues, and restaurants, and taking in the city’s ambiance.

The first destination I recommend visiting is the Duomo, a cathedral known for its magnificent dome. The Duomo is a popular tourist destination, so booking a tour well in advance is important as it’s often sold out or has very long lines.

Another place I loved is the Piazza della Signoria, a square filled with sculptures including a replica of Michelangelo’s David. This square is filled with local shops that sell artwork, jewelry, clothing, and everything in between. In fact, the picture below is the view the square offers.

If you’re planning on traveling to Florence and Italy, my main piece of advice would be to plan. In the summer months, Florence and Italy are very popular tourist destinations. The lines to visit attractions can be very long, and it may be hard to find hotels or places to stay. I’d also recommend learning some Italian because it makes communication so much easier. In Florence, it was particularly hard for us to navigate the city. Looking back, I think if we knew basic Italian phrases it would have been very helpful to navigate the city and its crowds.