Having overindulged in South America, Katia and I pointed our travels towards Europe this winter/spring, and what more prominent European location than the Italian province of Tuscany. Florence, with its Renaissance charm, is spectacular, however, there’s just no getting around the tourist hordes even in February. Don’t be misled by descriptions of “off” or “shoulder” seasons in “La Bella”, but it’s still a must-see.
My Italian favorite was rural Tuscany where crowds were light and it was much easier to experience the life and history of the Tuscans. Empty streets, no-line restaurants, and vacancies at the Inn were characteristic during the winter month. Sienna, San Gimignano, Pisa, and Prato were all as impressive as one had hoped.
Roma and the Vatican, while not Tuscan, were certainly required visits, especially with an outstanding and affordable Italian train network. I thought Rome was crowded, exhausting, and easily covered to my satisfaction in two days. I remember the first time I visited the Roman Colosseum during the early 1980s and could walk in at will. While those days are likely long gone, what remained was the patience and wonderful nature of the Italians throughout the country. Fortunately, my nomad son Frank and his girlfriend Laura joined us and shared a part of our Italian experience. How lucky is that your son wants to spend time with you on the road during retirement?
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