4 Amazing Day Trips From Florence, Italy

4 Amazing Day Trips From Florence, Italy

Florence is one of the most popular cities in Italy to visit. The small city provides a beautiful and fun way to experience Tuscan city life, as well as being a good base for travels around the country.

To take a break from Florence, explore some areas nearby - there is so much to see in Italy! Here are four amazing day trips from Florence:

Cinque Terre

Translated in English to "five towns," Cinque Terre is that photo you see all over Pinterest of the colorful Italian buildings built into the seaside cliffs. While here, you'll want to devote time to take the trail through all the towns, though if you're more limited on time, head to Monterosso to spend time on the beach.

Need more inspiration? Read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, one of my favorite books of all time, which is set in this part of Italy.

Travel duration from Florence: about 2.5-3 hours by train

Siena

Another Tuscan town just south of Florence, Siena will have you seeing another piece of this gorgeous region. Head to Siena on July 2 or August 16 to catch the famous yearly horse race Il Palio, or go any time of year for winding streets, fresh food, and rolling hills in the distance.

Travel duration from Florence: about 1-1.5 hours

Perugia

Perugia, Italy

This town in Umbria, a neighboring region to Florence's Tuscany, provides a fresh perspective to experiencing Italy. For those with a sweet tooth, go to Perugia during October for the annual chocolate festival.

Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor

Travel duration from Florence: about 1-1.5 hours

Rome

Take the fast train from Florence down to the Lazio region for grand, spectacular Rome. No trip to Italy is complete without seeing this historical city firsthand. While you can spend a day in Rome hitting the hotspots, you may want to extend your time into a few days or long weekend. There is so much to see and do!

9 Reasons to go to Rome During Your Trip To Italy

Travel duration from Florence: 1.5 hours (fast train) or 3 hours (regular train)

Plan Your Trip to Italy!

Traveling to Italy soon? Be sure to check out my Italy Travel Guide!

More helpful resources for planning your Italy trip:

• 10 Tips For Visiting Italy

• The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Italy

• How to Plan a Trip to Europe: Sample Europe Travel Itineraries

• How To Use Travel Adapters

Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor

Rolling hills, cypress trees, and faded yellow homes with red roofs come to mind when you think of Italy - Tuscany, in particular. Tuscany is home to magnificent cities like Florence, Siena, and Bologna, though there is more to Italy than this particular area. Head out to Perugia in Umbria, Tuscany's regional neighbor, for a similar aesthetic to get away from Tuscany's crowds.

Need convincing? Here are 8 photos to do just that.

Perugia Views Italy Umbria

Perugia

Perugia, Italy

Flower Window Boxes Perugia

Perugia Italy Views of Hills

Streets of Perugia

Perguia Italia

Perugia, Umbria, Italy

Mediterranean Musts: Elba Island, Italy

why you should visit elba island, italy

It's been almost a year since I posted about Elba Island, a small island off Italy's Tuscan coast. I was introduced to the island after only a few days of being in Italy when I studied abroad. After a whirlwind of an opening tour in bustling Rome and our first week of classes in Florence, relaxing beach time was exactly what we needed.

If you're headed to the Mediterranean, I definitely recommend it. We stayed in Cavo, a small town where no one spoke English. It was refreshing after being in Rome where walking through a market means dealing with pushy street salespeople shouting "Hello! I'll give you the best price!"

Quick tip: Cavo and other towns on the northern part of the island have rocky beaches, whereas the southern part of the island has sandy beaches. Keep this in mind if you plan on laying out on the beach.

Elba Island Beach

Seagull Italian Coast

Cavo Italy

Cavo Italy from the Ferry

Elba Island

Sign Elba Island

Elba Island Homes

Street Sign Elba Island

Portoferrario, Itlay

Cavo Elba Island

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16 Italian Experiences You Need To Have In Italy

Florence Street Cafe

1. Eat gelato on the triangle bridge in Florence

There's something magical about enjoying your gelato while you lean up against the bridge over the Arno River.

2. Drink wine at Piazza Miniato while you watch the sun set

piazza miniato

Take it a step above Piazzale Michaelangelo - literally - in front of the church that sits higher on the hill.

3. Marvel at the famous duomo in each of these cities: Florence, Milan, Siena

Duomo Florence

4. Hike Mt. Vesuvius and visit the ruins of Pompeii

Pompeii

History class just got much more exciting, now that you're seeing it in person.

5. Eat Italian food...obviously

But this list wouldn't be complete without  it. Carbs don't totally count when you're in Italy. ;)

6. Take a train or bus through the Tuscan countryside

Perugia

Get lost in your thoughts as you stare out the window.

7. Visit the Colosseum in Rome

Colosseum

Perhaps the most iconic structure in Italy, the Colosseum is among many famous, ancient, historical sites that you cannot miss while in the Eternal City.

8. Go on an early morning run along the Tiber River in Rome

a

Take in the popular sights as the town wakes up: Vatican City, Castelo d'Saint Angelo, and maybe even head over to the Roman Forum and Pantheon. It beats the stagnant view out the gym window on the treadmill back home.

9. Head down to Sicily for a more unique feel for Italy

10. Set sail for the sea and dock at beautiful Italian islands

DSC_0012

Elba, Capri, and Sardinia are a few of many Mediterranean musts.

11. Visit Venice during Carnivale (February)

This festival is sure to be worth the trip!

12. Go to Lake Como, a lake in Northern Italy near the Swiss border

Bellagio Lake Como

Not just because George Clooney has a house there.

13. Taste a massive variety of gelato flavors at the Florence Gelato Festival (June)

Everything from red wine gelato to sushi-flavored is served, including original favorites such as ciocolatto, straciatella, and fragola.

14. For another festival to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to Perugia for the annual Chocolate Festival (October)

perugia chocolate festival

If they still play that dreaded "Cioooo--cooo---latte!" theme song on repeat...so help me God...

15. Go wine tasting in Tuscany

Boboli Gardens

Where better to sample wine than in Italy's finest wine region?!

16. Have warm, fresh pastries from a Secret Bakery in Florence

Secret-Bakery-Florence

Because Nutella croissants just taste way better at 2 am.

Mediterranean Musts: 17 Reasons Why You Should Visit Italy's Amalfi Coast

17 Reasons Why You Should Visit Italy’s Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is out of this world in terms of beauty. Rome, Florence, and Milan are great, but Amalfi is simply in its own class. There's a reason why it has become such a popular vacation spot over the years, and it is still totally worth visiting, despite the growing number of tourists.

Here's why:

1. You've got to see the iconic photo of Positano in person.

Positano, Italy

If you've seen photos of the Amalfi Coast, chances are you've seen this snap of the cliffside homes and buildings by the beach. If a picture tells a thousand words, those thousand words are sure to include, "You need to see this for yourself!"

2. ...And there are similar views all over.

Amalfi Coast

Travel during the daytime for at least one leg of your trip so you can stare out the window at views like this.

3. You'll want to look down, because you'll see this:

Blue Water Amalfi Coast

Fifty shades of blue (and some boats, too).

4. You'll be amazed at how incredible it all looks up close.

Beachside Positano Italy

Especially from the beach.

5. Amalfi likes to show off, especially when you're out on the water.

Boat Cruise in Amalfi Coast

This place is meant for boats. The smell of the sea and the ocean breeze only add to it all.

6. You might see this guy around town.

Dog in Amalfi Coast Italy

Straight chillin', because that's what a dog's life is like by the beach.

7. You can hike or take a cable car to the top of the mountain from Anacapri.

Capri Cable Car

The island of Capri is worth the ferry ride over, and so is getting to the top of Monte Solaro, the highest peak on the island.

8. Once you're at the top, you'll look around and see something like this:

Capri zoom

Stunning.

9. As you climb higher, you'll find yourself among the fog.

Foggy Capri

It's pretty cool.

10. Flowers are another reason to love the Amalfi Coast.

Flowers in Amalfi Coast Italy

Yet another thing to add to the list of why this place is absolutely gorgeous.

11. You'll see flower canopies like this:

Canopy of Purple Flowers

12. Actually, purple flowers are everywhere.

Purple Flowers Amalfi

13. Seriously, they're everywhere.

Purple Flowers Amalfi Coast

And we're not complaining about it.

14. There's also a little something called the Blue Grotto you may have heard of.

Blue Grotto Entrance

It looks like a simple small cave from the outside, but once you go in, you'll find the cavern illuminated with a bright blue light. The only way in is by a rowboat where you have to duck/lean back since the entrance is so small.

15. You can spend your few minutes inside the Blue Grotto in the rowboat, but sometimes they'll let you swim.

Swimming in Blue Grotto

You might have to persuade 'em with a few euros.

16.  You can find lemon groves in Sorrento.

Lemon Groves Amalfi

Follow your nose - you'll be able to smell the sweet scent as you inch closer. The Amalfi Coast is where limoncello, the sugary Italian liqueur, comes from.

17. Because once you've been, nowhere else will compare.

The Beautiful Amalfi Coast, Italy

Amalfi has ruined you for life. In a good way.

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7 Things I Learned From Italians

Florence Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo

One of the benefits of living abroad or traveling slow is that you typically understand the culture of the country and the people more than if you were just passing through. After studying abroad in Italy and living there after college, I've learned a thing or two from these gorgeous, animated Europeans.

7 Things I Learned From Italians

Purple Flowers in Sorrento

1. Stop and smell the roses

Time is different in Italy. Have a meeting at work? It's okay if you strolled in a five (or forty) minutes late. Maybe you ran into a friend on the way there, or you stopped to grab a quick espresso. In the summer vacation weeks (August) stores and restaurants have shorter hours. Some close completely and reopen when people come back from vacation. Spending time with friends and family over the summer holidays is more important than turning profit.

Andiamo Bellevue Food

2. Appreciate good food

Food is meant to taste good. One time I got take-away pizza from Cento Poveri, a restaurant near my apartment. As I held the boxes with one hand from underneath, they started to tilt a little. All of the servers nearby made audible gasps and lunged toward the pizza. The man who handed me the pizza said, "Ah! No-no-no!" This was all to ensure the cheese wouldn't slide off the perfectly crafted pizza.

3. ... And eat good food

You'll only find the best of the best in Italy, a major food capital of Europe. Daily grocery/market runs mean the freshest ingredients are used in your meals. Meals can drag out for hours, and if you're at a restaurant, you'll never be pushed out, because you're enjoying the meal and conversation.

4. Dress to impress

Italians are always dressed to the nines, even if it is just a simple skinny jeans/sneakers/sweater combination. "Look your best, because you'll never know who you'll run into" aptly applies, as you'll constantly see fabulous fashion from Italian men and women.

5. Quality over quantity

Well-crafted items are better than those made to quickly fall apart. One pair of quality, leather boots to face the cobblestone streets are far more worth it than 10 pairs of H&M sandals that will fall apart within days.

Duomo Florence

6. Art is not dead

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Italy is an art history buff's dream come true. You'll not only museums filled with art; you'll see it everywhere you go: from the ancient wonders of still-standing structures in Rome (Colosseum to name one), to the delectable cuisine, to the designs carved into churches, or the pastel homes decorating the cliffs. Art isn't just in Italy's past - it's in its future. Internationally known fashion powerhouses such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino are Italian, and there are budding artists at local universities studying everything from fine art to fashion to cooking.

7. There is a pretty word for "uhh."

It's allora. :)

Eating Around Europe: What To Try In Turkey, Croatia, Italy

#prost

It wasn't long ago that I was spooning creamy pesto onto my pasta in Italy or nibbling on a bretzel in Austria. The food in Europe is as delicious as it is diverse, and is as diverse as the countries themselves. If you're any sort of a foodie, you'll love trying different foods as you move through Europe. And if you're not a foodie, you'll be surprised how delactable each country's specialties will be. I've rounded up a few European countries with foods you must try while there - think of this as a teaser for your taste buds.

Ireland: Oh goodness, my Guinness!

Guinness is the dark ruby red beer (it's actually not black!) that hails from Ireland. While it's feels filling, it's surprisingly low in calories - only 125 per pint - making it a smart beverage choice when you pair it with heavier foods such as Shepherd's Pie or potatoes. Another staple to try in Ireland? A traditional Irish breakfast. And what's that black pudding stuff? ....Don't ask, just eat.

Germany: Prost!

#prost

You'll find the best brews in the land of Oktoberfest. My preference is Hefeweizen for a wheaty, fruity flavor, which you'll find as well as the bock, pilsner, or alt beers, to name a few. Pair your beer with soft pretzel, bratwurst, or spätzle.

Austria: Soccer-what?

Austria, similar to Germany, has some of the best beers, sausage, and pretzels. You must try sachertorte, a specialty in Austria - it's a slightly dusty chocolate ganache cake that tastes fantastic with espresso. Austrian desserts tend to be lighter and fluffier, so the sachertorte is a slight break from that.

Italy: Where you cut the pizza yourself (and it's way better that way)

Ah, Italy, the food capital of Europe. Fresh tomatoes await, adorned atop Caprese salads or sandwiched between a panini. You'll undoubtedly want to try true Italian pizza, noted by how you slice it yourself. Drizzle olive oil on top after it's served for some extra flavor.

Hand-crafted pasta of all shapes and sizes are another obvious choice for lunch and dinner eats; try different types with new sauces and you'll never be bored with the limitless variations of textures.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and pair your meal with wine. Finally, finish it off with a sweet dessert, either with tiramasu or gelato for something satiating, or with a few sips of often-complimentary limoncello.

Also read: Where to find good food in Florence on a budget and The Best Places in Italy to Eat traditional Italian foods

Turkey: Would you like fries with (in) that?

Besides shepherd's salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers) the food in Turkey tends to be more meat-heavy. Meat and rice make for a tasty and filling combination, so make sure you come hungry. You'll find kebaps all around Europe, and they make for a nice snack after a night out. Though you don't have to save kebaps for just late nights post-party, and in Turkey you'll see them everywhere. Meat, rice, veggies, fries, and yogurt (it's different than American yogurt, more of a garlic-sour cream sauce), are delicious all combined in a wrap.

Have a sweet tooth? Finish your meal with baklava, Turkish tea, or freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.

Croatia: Fish...a whole fish

Croatia Fish

Seeing as the country of Croatia contains so much coastline, it's no surprise that the seafood is out of this world. You'll order fish at a restaurant, and it'll be incredibly fresh - so much so that it comes on a plate complete with the head, skin, and bones. If you haven't eaten fish that way and the thought makes you wary, at least give it a try - once you get past the skin you'll realize it is definitely worth it. And definitely delicious.

Other Croatian food is somewhat Italian inspired (they do share borders, after all), and you'll find variations of pizza, pasta, and gelato, as well as fast food restaurants.