02 Oct Destination Spotlight: Italy
With Italy being the most popular vacation destination, I took a trip back in April to learn all about the newest hotels and tours to spice up your itinerary. And boy was it a wild trip! In just 12 nights I stayed at 6 hotels and toured another dozen! Rome is home to some fabulous hotels, some recently remodeled right in the heart of the gorgeous city. If you want a hotel right next to the iconic Spanish Steps, I’ve got you covered.
I learned that the best way to visit the Vatican is to go on an exclusive tour at the crack of dawn. Trust me, it was worth the early wake-up call. Instead of being crammed in a crowd of tourists, there were only eight of us standing in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. We were even allowed to take a few photos which is typically not allowed!
In Tuscany, I spent two nights at the L’Andana Tenuta La Badiola, a 16th-century building immersed by the vineyard countryside, bordering the Chianti area is within reach of the Tuscan coast. We also enjoyed dinner at the family-owned Osteria del Mare, a traditional Trattoria in a nearby village where it can take a year to get reservations.
Then in Florence, I had the pleasure of staying at Hotel II Salviatino, a palatial 15th-century villa set on the hill of Fissile, yet moments from the city. I would be remiss if I did not tell you about my visit to the Michelangelo Museum where a curator displayed some original works just 3 feet away from me! Can you believe it?! Italy is about the people, the beauty, the food, wine, history, arts, and adventure. Now that I’m back home, it’s hard to give up my eight-course meals and daily wine tastings!
