Italy Week One: Tuscany, Florence, Pisa
Italy Travel Diary, Part 1: Tuscany, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano May 16–24
We kicked off our month-long adventure in Italy with a slow, dreamy first week in Tuscany. Poggio Mori in Sarteano was our home base and eased into vacation mode with sunset dinners, lazy poolside afternoons, and day trips filled with wine, pasta, and iconic sights. Here's where we stayed, what we did, and what made this first week feel like a dream.
Where We Stayed
Sarteano – Poggio Mori This was our home for the month and the perfect peaceful spot to start the trip. It's a villa in the hills of southern Tuscany surrounded by olive trees, vineyards, and the prettiest views. We had a private chef prepare a welcome dinner our first night, and we spent the first couple days sunbathing by the pool, sipping wine, and adjusting to Italian time.
Florence – Hotel Lungarno Vespucci 50 We stayed here for a night during our Florence visit and it was fabulous. The room had the prettiest view of the Arno River, and it was walking distance to everything. Super charming, very romantic, and felt like a little treat after the countryside.
What We Did
Overnight Trip to Florence: We took a day and a half to explore Florence. – Saw Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia – Walked through the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria – Found a couple of the famous “wine windows” and sipped Chianti in the street – Ate way too much pizza (Industria), pasta, and gelato – Stayed overnight at Lungarno Vespucci 50, which was a highlight in itself.
Wine Tasting at Le Buche: We booked a wine tasting at La Buche near Sarteano and it was such a hidden gem. They walked us through their vineyard, then we did a tasting and had an outdoor picnic overseeing sweeping countryside views.
Day Trip to Pisa: We took the train into Pisa for a quick day trip to see the Leaning Tower (and yes, we did the cheesy pose). It was a super easy train ride from Florence and a fun little check off the bucket list.
Day Trip to San Gimignano: We spent an afternoon wandering through this medieval hilltop town and it felt straight out of a storybook. The towers, the views, and the gelato (try Gelateria Dondoli!) were all unreal. It was such a charming and peaceful spot to explore—definitely worth the detour.
