Yes, Florence is crowded. Yes, it's overwhelming. But here's how to find the authentic experiences hiding in plain sight. First Impressions: The Florence Reality Check Let's be honest about Florence. When you first arrive, it can feel overwhelming. This isn't a quaint Italian village—it's a ...

Tuscany is known for its food and wine—and for good reason. We spent time doing both, and it absolutely lived up to expectations. But what stood out just as much was everything outside of the tastings. Some of the best moments came when we stepped away from the table and into the countryside. ...

Bologna: The Italian City Not Many People Talk About (And now we wll be talking about it) I'm going to be honest with you. Bologna wasn't even on our radar as a must-do when we started planning this trip. I had heard of it, but it wasn't on our list of places to visit in Italy. I had heard that ...

We recently spent a night in Pisa before starting our Macs Adventure Relaxed Trails of Tuscany trip—and it gave us a completely different perspective on a destination that’s often treated as a quick stop. Back in 2019, we had the opportunity to visit Pisa during a Mediterranean cruise. At the ti...

The Lake Como area is one of those places that feels effortlessly elegant. Set against the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, the lake is known for its deep blue water, dramatic mountains, and pastel-colored towns that seem to tumble right into the lake. What really makes Lake Como special...

Rome’s main airport, Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), is about 16 miles southwest of the city. Landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport feels exciting… and a little chaotic. You’ve just crossed an ocean, you’re tired, and suddenly you’re standing in a busy airport trying to figure out trains, buses, taxi...

Rome, the Eternal City! Full of ancient wonders, unforgettable pasta, and yes… a few pitfalls if you’re not prepared. On our recent trip, we made a handful of avoidable mistakes that we do not want you to repeat.   1. Don’t Stay Too Far from the City Center Left is the view from our room on ...

If you’re planning to travel by train in Italy (which we highly recommend since it’s fast, scenic, and efficient), there are a few things you definitely want to avoid. We’ve learned these lessons the hard way, sprinting down platforms, hauling too many bags, and getting lost in massive train stat...

written by Melissa Barronton I should title this post, How to Design a Lifestyle that Allows You to _____________. (Fill in the blank with travel more, live where you want to, be able to take time off for appointments, homeschool your kids, or whatever it is that you wish you could do right now....

Packing can be tough, and it is WAY more than just packing your clothes. As a matter of fact, the other things you need may be more important than what you wear.  We recently did a three-week trip to Europe (3 countries) and then straight to South America (also three countries) with just one medi...