Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Italy's Cultural Gem of Florence

Why you should visit Florence, Italy:

Florence is one of the best cities in Italy, known for its food, art galleries, architecture, and more. Whether you come to Florence for day trip from Rome or spend multiple days there, it is a stunning city that I highly recommend visiting.

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence offers an abundance of remarkable experiences for travelers. In this travel blog post, I will unveil the top 10 must-do activities in Florence, ensuring that you immerse yourself in the essence of this extraordinary city and create memories to last a lifetime.

Where to stay in Florence, italy:

The best place to stay in Florence, Italy is Hotel Villa Olmi Firenze.

Villa Olmi Firenze offers rural luxury in an 18th-century farmhouse in Florence. It features a gourmet restaurant, an ancient vaulted wine cellar, and elegant rooms with a spa bath. Highly recommend staying here for a great location and excellent stay when visiting Florence.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Florence, Italy:

1. Take a day trip to Tuscany with Fun In Tuscany Wine Tour (highly recommend this experience as you get to experience the beautiful Tuscan countryside but get picked up and dropped off in Florence)

2. Enjoy the BEST dinner at Trattoria ZaZa (I recommend the truffle bolognese pasta- make sure you make a reservation in advance!)

3. Visit the Duomo (one of the most beautiful places in the city). I highly recommend starting your Florence adventure by marveling at the Duomo. Climb to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome for panoramic views of the city or explore the grand interior, adorned with stunning frescoes and intricate marble work.

4. Explore the Uffizi Gallery (one of the most famous art galleries in the world). Home to a vast collection of masterpieces, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, this museum is a true cultural treasure.

5. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio (this is a beautiful bridge that has some stalls on it, highly recommend catching sunset near the bridge)

6. Climb to the top of the Palazzo Vecchio (for a beautiful view of the entire city)

7. Explore the Boboli Gardens

8. Wander through the San Lorenzo Market (for the best leather shopping)

9. Walk around Piazza della Signoria

10. Try the famous sandwich at All’Antico Vinaio. I stood in line for an hour for the sandwich and highly recommend it!

Overall, Florence is a gorgeous city worth visiting in Italy. I would recommend around 3 days here to explore everything that Florence offers!

Top 10 Things To Do in the Puglia Region, Italy

Puglia is one of the most beautiful and unique regions in all of Italy!

Why you should visit the Puglia Region:

Welcome to the enchanting region of Puglia, Italy, where centuries-old traditions blend harmoniously with stunning landscapes and delectable cuisine. In this travel blog post, I will take you on a journey through the top 10 must-do activities in Puglia, uncovering the region's hidden gems and immersing ourselves in the authentic Italian culture.

Puglia is considered the southern boot of Italy, and has some of the most amazing sites to see and food to try. It was one of my favorite regions of Italy and I think it is very underrated. I enjoyed it because it was less touristy than other areas of Italy and also had some of the most beautiful towns.

Best hotels in the puglia region:

Wondering what the best hotels are in the Puglia region?

I stayed in Ostuni and Monopoli and split my time between the two cities to get the most out of my Puglia experience!

• In Ostuni, we stayed at B&B Casa d'Autore which was perfect as a base location to get to all of the amazing locations around the Puglia region. The breakfast was amazing and the accommodations were so lovely and cozy.

• In Monopoli, we stayed at the Don Ferrante Hotel. This hotel was magnificent and really unique. Once an ancient fortress, Don Ferrante offers luxury accommodations in a panoramic location on the cliffs of Monopoli. It has a pool and is also centrally located to all of the shops and restaurants around the area. ThLinked here is a review of my experience staying there.

Here are the top 10 things to do in the Puglia region:

1. Go to Matera for a day and enjoy the most amazing ancient city

2. See the Trulli houses in Alberbello

Step into a fairytale as you explore the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, famous for its unique conical-roofed houses known as trulli. Wander through the labyrinthine streets, snap Instagram-worthy pictures, and learn about the fascinating history of these ancient structures.

3. Visit Polignano A Mare and soak up the beautiful beach views

4. Go to a traditional cheese farm and make your own cheese at Masseria Cappella which is in the Martina Franca countryside (contact them at: masseriacappella@gmail.com )

5. Explore the unique white-washed town of Ostuni

Stroll through the winding alleys of Ostuni, the "White City," characterized by its whitewashed buildings and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Discover charming piazzas, historic churches, and boutique shops. This was the main city we based ourselves in to explore the Puglia region.

6. Visit an olive oil farm and do tastings at Masseria Brancati which is in the Ostuni countryside (contact them at info@masseriabrancati.com )

7. Visit the seaside town of Monopoli

If you decide to stay here, Don Ferrante Hotel is an amazing choice!

8. See the capital Bari and visit the and try the famous focaccia bread at Panificio Fiore. Also visit the famous church San Nicola

9. Visit the ancient town of Lecce and walk around the beautiful city

Immerse yourself in the Baroque splendor of Lecce, known as the "Florence of the South." Admire the intricate facades, visit the impressive Basilica di Santa Croce, and soak in the lively atmosphere of this cultural gem.

10. Visit the picturesque town of Locorotondo, renowned for its circular layout and charming white houses with sloping roofs. Delight in the local wines, explore the winding streets, and absorb the timeless ambiance.

Overall, Puglia is an amazing region in Italy that is a must-see for any kind of traveler! It has everything, from the best food to the nicest locals, I highly recommend adding Puglia to your Italy bucket list.

The Puglia Region of Italy offers a tapestry of enchanting experiences, from exploring ancient towns to indulging in authentic cuisine and embracing the stunning natural beauty. With its unique cultural heritage and unspoiled charm, Puglia is an ideal destination for travelers seeking an immersive and unforgettable Italian adventure. Plan your journey to this hidden gem, and prepare to be captivated by the essence of Puglia.

Top 10 Things To Do In Santorini, Greece

Why visit Santorini, Greece?

Santorini is a beautiful island with stunning views. It had wonderful shopping, restaurants, and so many fun things to do around the island. My personal favorite thing to do was the catamaran tour I mentioned below. I stayed in Santorini for 3 nights and 4 days, which I felt was the perfect amount of time. See below for the top 10 things you should do during your time in Santorini!

If you’re also wondering what to pack, I have an Amazon storefront Destination: Greece list!

best hotel in Santorini, greece:

• Blue Dolphins Hotel is the best hotel to stay at in Santorini. See here for a blog post about my experience staying at Blue Dolphins Hotel.

Top 10 Things To Do In Santorini, Greece:

1) Sunset catamaran tour with Caldera Yachting

This is the absolute best catamaran tour in Santorini. We had such an amazing time and the sunset was the best we had ever seen. I actually wrote an entire blog post about this experience linked here.

2) Do the iconic flying dress photoshoot with Goddess Santorini

This was something I never expected to do during my time in Santorini but I highly recommend it for such a memorable moment and photos! The photographers were so nice and professional, definitely recommend doing a photoshoot with them if you are planning a trip to Santorini.

3) Have a delicious sunset dinner at Strogili restaurant in Oia

This was a gorgeous place with amazing views in Oia, Santorini. I did a lot of research about which restaurant to go to for the best views, and this one did not dissapoint!

4) Snap pictures of the blue domes in Imerovigli

If you don’t have the town of Imerovigli on your list, you must add it to your Santorini trip!! The blue domes there are gorgeous and it’s actually where a lot of the flying dress photoshoots take their pictures

5) Explore the traditional villages of Pyrgos and Emporio

To do this, you will have to either rent a car (which I don’t recommend) or hire a private driver/guide to take you around the island. It was really cool to see the traditional villages of this touristy island, especially because most people don’t go to them

6) Sunset dinner at Argo restaurant in Fira

7) Go shopping in Oia

When you go to dinner in Oia, make sure to go to all of the shops and walk around. Note— it can get really crowded on the streets of Oia, especially around the time of sunset. I recommend going shopping before or after you have dinner, but most likely after since before it will be very crowded

8) Rent a car or hire a driver for a few hours to explore the island

We did this and it was great to see the island from a different perspective!

9) Get delicious gyros at Why Not! Souvlaki in Firostefani

These were the best gyros I had during our entire trip to Greece!

10) Explore all of the shops of Fira

Overall, Santorini is such a wonderful place to visit and there are endless amazing things to do! I recommend that everyone should go to Santorini, Greece at least once in their lives, so they can take in the amazing sunsets and the caldera views.

Milos, Greece: Top 10 Must-Do Activities for an Unforgettable Trip

Why Visit Milos, Greece?

Milos is an up-and-coming destination in the Greek Islands. It is known for its beautiful turquoise water and stunning coastline. I personally enjoyed Milos even more than Santorini. I stayed in Milos for 4 nights and 5 days and it was the perfect amount of time.

Cave Suites Milos was where I stayed and it was one of my favorite places I have ever stayed due to the amazing service, beauty of the accommodation, and location. If you’re wondering what to pack for Milos, linked here is my Greece packing list!

top 10 things to do in Milos, greece:

1) Catamaran tour around the island with Polco Sailing

2) Kayaking adventure with Milos Water Sports

3) Rent a car or ATV and adventure around the island to the beaches

4) Dinner at the famous and traditional O! Hamos! restaurant

5) Visit the island’s capital Plaka for sunset at the church and dinner at Archontoula

6) Go to the famous Sarankiniko beach for a picnic and swim

7) Visit Mandrakia fishing village and get lunch at the famous Medusa restaurant

8) Spend a beach day at Firopotamos Beach

9) Visit Klima fishing village for colorful houses and the most gorgeous sunset

10) Swim and tan at the undiscovered Alogomandra beach

If this list hasn’t convinced you to travel to Milos, I don’t know what will! Milos was one of my favorite places I have ever traveled to and I would definitely go back again. I hope all of these things to do in Milos, Greece really helps you plan your next incredible trip there.