Siena is arguably Italy’s most beautifully preserved medieval city. It is built on three hills and you should expect steep walks down ancient vicoli surrounded by massive buildings. It’s one of the first things we noticed when we arrived. All of Siena’s structures are bigger than any others that we have encountered in a city its size in Italy. It seems all of Siena’s buildings are imposing whether it’s the local tourist office, the buildings in the piazza del Campo (the hear

Truly, Lucca is magnificent. We adored the people, the landscape, the history, the food, the exhausting climb in 35° temps up Torre Guinigi, and the five room hotel we stayed at, the lovely and highly recommended, Il Pozzo di Santa Zita. It’s brilliant in every way except that it’s, and this is the -1, landlocked. Perhaps it was more noticeable after leaving Como, Portofino, & Rapallo but water (any water - river, lake, sea, ocean) is what we are used to in Boston. This sh

Rapallo. Dear Rapallo. I am sorry that you were a dubious choice for our 25 for 25 Tour. I will never doubt you again. Though Rapallo was not at its best, the victim of a once in a lifetime storm that took place in October 2018, it still shined brightly through their harbor side rebuild and deep harbor dredging. At first glance, Rapallo has a gritty look and feel to it but its pedestrian-only centro storico Is a gem. Throughout the narrow vicoli, there are caffès, tavernas,

Varenna is the jewel of Lake Como but please, don’t tell anyone!