Florence Awaits!
In Ali’s mind, there’s no better city than Florence, Italy. It was in Florence that in her Junior year of college she found wine, she found prosciutto (the best in all of Italy), she found tagliatelle and tobacco-colored leather and fresco-freckled ceilings.
An entirely walkable city with history packed into every block, it’s hard to fit in everything that you’ll want to do.
We’ll be taking care of your entertainment on Tuesday and Wednesday but in case you decide to arrive a little early (and we hope you do), we wanted to give you a few recommendations to revel in the center of the renaissance!
Wine Tasting
A Coffee Education
There are so many different wine tasting classes to do; either enjoy an experience in a city winery, or if you're feeling adventurous, try out this wine tour that we've had recommended to us!
Tuscan Wine Tours with Angie:
http://www.angelapersonaltuscantour.com/tours_monday.html
• Kick off your special journey with an intro to this country’s gifts from the earth, VINO!
• Florence is perfectly situated in a valley with the hills rising around it – it’s a quick in and out for a day for you to get to journey the beauty of the countryside and catch a few medieval villages along the way.
Seattle may purport to be the dominant force in worldwide coffee, but we have a secret – Italy is!
You’ll notice that there are no Starbucks surrounding you in any of the cities that we’ll visit, or any that you’ll see before coming. Italy is coffee-chain free. But, they’re chain-drinkers of this popular beverage.
We encourage you to become coffee conoisseurs, learning the fine variations between a “latte,” “macchiato,” and a “lungo.” Don’t refer back to your Starbucks glossary - it’s not precise.
Cook Away!
Well...you cannot come to Italy and NOT learn about this wonderful thing that we Americans call ‘food.’
You have not tasted food until you reach Italy, and we would like to teach you all to ‘fish,’ getting to take this precious Tuscan skill home with you to enjoy with your families forever!
Yes…Everything in Italy revolves around food - try this place for a start: http://www.cookeatitalian.com/
Restaurants...
Oh, the Restaurants
Il Gatto e La Volpe: A casual little trattoria, and, the most decadently amazing pizza (and gnocchi!) that you’ll ever eat. Get lunch here and get ready for a food coma.
All Antico Vinaio: Yep, get in line for a lunch on-the-go for better sandwiches than even Subway or Quiznos could ever imagine up…
La Giostra: Hey fancy pants! You can’t go wrong at this lovely restaurant filled with authentic Tuscan favorites. It’s a little bit more formal than the others, but still in keeping with the classic Italian style.
Caffe Gilli: Location, location, location! Situated on the Piazza della Repubblica, this gorgeous café will take you back in time and let you experience Florence as it swirls in around you in bikes, carousels, and chocolate sundaes.
Bring On The Beach!
Santa Margherita Ligure, Ravello, Portofino
Welcome to heaven!
This gorgeous set of seaside towns will welcome you with open, colorful umbrellas as you swing through its curvy roads.
Liguria is one of the smallest regions of Italy but it packs a big punch, offering sea-faring activities, hiking trails, the freshest fish of the Mediterranean, crystal turquoise waters, and since you’re in Italy, food, too.
Hike Away!
Cinque Terre Awaits
The magic of Cinque Terre is globally renowned - it's a "must do". We're planning on an adventure there on Friday, but if you choose to make it on your own time to spend more time there, good work!
These ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow.
The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled - do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Be careful, and bring your camera!
Scuba in Marine Park
What could be more fun than seeing the sea? Going underneath the sea!
Enjoy a ‘behind the scenes’ peek at Portofino’s finest and flashiest underwater vixens.
Tour of San Fruttuoso
This is also a must do if staying in the Italian Riviera.
San Fruttuoso is a medieval village surrounded by a lovely beach which is the home of the Benedictine Abbey a beautiful building built in the early 13th century.
The walk from Portofino is steep and difficult but it offers hikers fantastic views of the coastline and sea. There are a few little fishing villages you can visit on the route San Niccolo, San Rocco and Puta Chiappa.
