📍 Locations: Florence, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Pisa, Siena, Rome
📅 Travel Date: June 2016 (Luminara di San Ranieri Festival on June 16, 2016)
Florence – Brunelleschi’s Dome, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Uffizi, and strolled the Ponte Vecchio. Arno River view with chianti. Michelangelo’s David—a Renaissance masterpiece and one of the most famous sculptures in the world. Galleria dell’Accademia – The original David (1504), standing 17 feet tall, carved from a single block of Carrara marble.
Cinque Terre – Hiked coastal trails between cliffside villages, swam in Monterosso’s waters, and ate fresh anchovies. Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail is the most famous coastal trail connecting all five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso. Aperol Spritz for the win.
Lucca – Biked along Lucca’s perfectly preserved Renaissance walls, a 4 km (2.5 mi) loop offering a unique perspective of the city. Unlike most historic city walls in Italy, Lucca’s fortifications are wide, tree-lined, and park-like, making them perfect for a relaxing ride with breathtaking views.
Pisa – Leaning Tower, Piazza dei Miracoli, Margherita Pizza.
Luminara di San Ranieri: June 16 (Every Year) A breathtaking candlelit celebration honoring San Ranieri, the patron saint of Pisa. 70,000 Candles Light Up Pisa – At sunset, the streetlights are switched off, and over 70,000 candles illuminate palaces, bridges, and buildings along the Arno River. Fireworks Over the Arno – The night ends with a spectacular fireworks show. Bomboloni – Light, fluffy Italian doughnuts, filled with custard or Nutella and dusted with sugar.
Siena – Medieval charm at Piazza del Campo, home of the legendary Palio di Siena 🏇, a centuries-old horse race where rival contrade (districts) compete in one of Italy’s most thrilling traditions. Even the kids get involved, playing traditional ball games in their contrada’s colors. They roll their collection of balls around a concrete spiral, a feature found in local playgrounds, symbolizing their contrada’s identity and deep-rooted community spirit. Paired our food with Brunello di Montalcino 🍷, Tuscany’s most prestigious full-bodied red wine.
Rome – Walked through history across Rome, covering huge distances on foot to take in the city’s legendary sights. Colosseum & Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain. Tossed a coin into Rome’s most famous fountain, ensuring a return. Vatican City – Explored the world’s smallest country. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums (Gallery of Maps to the Raphael Rooms), and the Sistine Chapel – Stood beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes. Stopped for a Porchetta (slow-roasted, herb-stuffed pork roll, crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside. It’s a staple of Roman street food, often served in a panino sandwich). Trastevere – Wound through Trastevere’s cobbled streets, stopping for carbonara and lasagna. Finished the day with an espresso and gelato, because when in Rome…
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