Marina Chiaiolella

After arriving at Procida and settling into our apartment, we first headed to the marina with the name that is impossible to pronounce. Chiaiolella harbour is located at the southern end of the island, just opposite from Marina Grande, the main port of Procida.

People say tha...

Marina Grande

Regardless where you are coming from, Napoli, Pozzuoli or Ischia, your ferry or hydrofoil will be arriving at the Marina Grande in Procida, the main hub of the island. During our stay we returned to the marina several times as we really enjoyed the atmosphere.

This tiny island in t...

Procida

I have chosen Procida to be among the first destinations I write about, because it was one of my first trips with my daughter and also our slowest trip ever. L’Isola di Procida had been on my bucket list for many years. In 2007 I was dating a man from the Amalfi coast, so I spent more ti...

Vinci: birthplace of a genius

You all know the name Vinci. But probably many of you don't know that it's not only the name of a Renaissance genius, but it's also a wonderful small town in Tuscany. It's not a coincidence, as Leonardo was born here on April 15, 1452. Most travelers visit Vinci because of the famous polymath, but it's worth visiting the town in its own right. Vinci has a splendid location, surrounded by huge olive fields, and walking around it I can imagine how all this beauty inspired Leonardo.

Pitigliano: the town of tuff

I had been traveling around Tuscany for years, but somehow I never made it to the southern part, close to Lazio. This is a less visited area of Tuscany, quite far from the Florence-Siena-Pisa triangle, so most tourist groups avoid it. This fact makes it wonderfully quiet. Pitigliano perched on top of a volcanic tuff ridge is an absolutely impressive sight, you'll feel the urge to stop and take photos already as you are approaching. It's part of the so-called Borghi del tufo, an area of towns carved out of tuff stone.

Lucca: bikes and arias

Lucca is still overshadowed by other Tuscan towns like Florence, Pisa or Siena, but if you are planning to go beyond the main sights during your Tuscan road trip, make sure you don't miss this gem. It’s worth spending a couple of nights in Lucca, but if you only have a day in the area, you can combine it with a short visit to Pisa.

Volpaia: home of great wines

Volpaia is a charming Tuscan village with just a few inhabitants, another one of my favourites besides Montefioralle. This wine-making hamlet is hiding among the Chianti hills, and it's easy to just drive by. But you shouldn't! Watch out for the signs by the road between Greve and Rhadda in Chianti, you will have to turn off onto a smaller road. Volpaia is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forests, and you can enjoy a great view from the village. The fortified borgo was built in the 11th century on the border of Florence and Siena, and it's one of the best preserved villages in Tuscany.

Monteriggioni: a medieval walled town

I had seen the impressive walled town of Monteriggioni sitting on top of a hill many times while driving on the highway between Florence and Siena. Then one day I finally had the time and made the turn off to see what is hiding behind the medieval walls. I have found a cute village, definitely worth a visit.

Garfagnana: Tuscany in the mountains

If you think of Tuscany, you'll be thinking about green rolling hills, olive groves, cypress lanes and vineyards. Rocky mountain peaks and ski hills will probably not come to your mind, although this is also Tuscany. The splendid Garfagnana valley can be found in the northern part of Tuscany, between the Apennines and the Apuan Alps, so it's a really exciting mix of alpine and Tuscan atmosphere.

Montefioralle: an unspoilt medieval hamlet

I have discovered the tiny village of Montefioralle by accident, when I was driving around aimlessly on the winding Chianti roads, stopping all the time to capture the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with my camera. I have returned several times since then, and while booking an agriturismo for my clients, I always recommend them to go to Montefioralle. Of course my passion for Montefioralle is shared by others as well, it is listed among the most beautiful small villages of Italy. (I borghi piú belli d'Italia).

Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta

When I first visited Tuscany with my friends 20 years ago, we just spent a few days in the northern part. (Little did I know that only a year later, I would be working around Italy as a tour leader, returning to Tuscany over and over again.) During this first visit, I was looking at the postcards showing a beautiful secluded chapel. Yes, postcards, as we are talking about times before social media. So, I really loved this chapel, but I found out it was located further south, nestled among the fields of Val d'Orcia, and we did not have time to see it. I had to wait another year to get a chance to finally see la cappella in person.

Slow travel in Tuscany

While Italy has 20 stunning regions, Under the Tuscan Sun, Stealing Beauty, Tea with Mussilini and other books and movies have made Tuscany one of Italy's most famous regions. Tuscany — or Toscana — is waiting for visitors with a great variety of landscapes and uncountable treasures. Rolling hills with cypresses, vineyards, silver olive groves, poppy fields, sunflowers, medieval villages, stone farmhouses, sandy beaches, small islands, rocky mountain peaks, ski hills, world famous Renaissance pieces of art, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Giotto, simple dishes of the countryside, delicious red wine, golden olive oil. Tuscany is all of this, and so much more.