In this guide, we cover what to expect on a Doubtful Sound day trip, including photos, a map, tour options, tips to have the best experience, and whether or not it is worth it. Doubtful Sound is a fiord in southwest New Zealand. It’s a neighbor of the more popular Milford Sound. A visit to […]
Monteriggioni looks almost too perfect to be real. Perched on a rounded hilltop in the Chianti countryside, its ring of medieval walls and 14 towers appears almost exactly as it did in the 13th century, a complete, intact fortification unlike almost anything else in Tuscany. We visited on a day trip from Siena, just a […]
Matera is one of the most photogenic cities in Italy. One of the best things to do in Matera is to stroll along the city streets and visit the viewpoints of the stone dwellings and churches that cover its hillsides. In this guide, we cover where you can get the best views of Matera with […]
From world-famous cities like Florence and Siena to quiet hill towns and scenic drives through vineyard-covered hills, Tuscany offers a wide range of experiences, but deciding what to do (and what to skip) can be overwhelming. We’ve explored Tuscany on two very different trips: a one-week highlights tour with our kids and a longer 10-day […]
With one day in Rome, it’s possible to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, and the historic heart of the city, but only if you have a plan. Timed tickets sell out, the security line at St. Peter’s Basilica can take an hour or more by mid-morning, and the order you visit the […]
The best things to do in Sorrento include clifftop viewpoints over the Bay of Naples, beach clubs built out over the water, and easy day trips to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii, making Sorrento one of the best home bases in this part of Italy. We’ve been to Sorrento on two different trips: a […]
Discover the best things to do in Chamonix, France in the summer. This guide covers the top cable cars, hiking trails, glaciers, and adventures in Chamonix, based on our firsthand experience hiking and exploring the area. Chamonix is one of the most spectacular mountain destinations in Europe, and in the summer, it’s an outdoor playground […]
Visits to beautiful coastal towns, wine tastings, dinner and drinks with a view, shopping, boat tours, relaxing on the beach…these are all the wonderful experiences you can have on the Amalfi Coast. The itinerary that works best for you comes down to one key decision: do you stay in Sorrento, or in a town right […]
One day in Florence is enough to see the best of this city, if you plan it right. With a well-planned day, you can visit Florence’s top sights, including the Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio. Watch the sunset over the rooftops, stroll through Florence’s scenic streets, and end the day with […]
Windsor Castle is one of the residences of the British royal family. This castle is located just outside of London, so it is easy to get to and well worth the visit. In fact, Windsor Castle is one of the best day trips from London. A visit to Windsor Castle takes about half of a […]
The Grand Balcon Nord is one of the best hikes in Chamonix. This trail runs above the valley, offering sweeping views of Mont Blanc at one end and Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier, at the other. Tim, Tyler, Kara, and I hiked it in July as part of a five-day visit to Chamonix before […]
This southern Italy itinerary includes some of Italy’s most popular places to visit as well as some hidden gems. Spend your first few days on the Amalfi Coast, visiting Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and several Amalfi Coast towns. From here, visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. You may not have heard of these towns before, but they could […]
Visit the Colosseum, stroll through the historic heart of Rome, tour the Vatican Museums, climb to the top of the dome on St. Peters’ Basilica, cycle the Appian Way, have an aperitivo with a spectacular view of Rome, dine on gelato and pizza by the slice…these are all things you can with 3 days in […]
Some cities in Italy overwhelm you with options. Siena does the opposite, and that’s exactly what we loved about it. The historic center is compact and entirely walkable, the main sights are clustered within easy reach of each other, and the city has a pace that makes it easy to slow down. The things to […]
One of the best things to do in Vieste is to take a boat tour of the Gargano Peninsula. There is no better way to see the coastal cliffs and explore the Gargano sea caves than by boat. To cruise along the Gargano Peninsula, you have several options. Which one you choose comes down to […]
Pisa and Lucca are two popular day trip destinations from Florence. Their close proximity to one another, small sizes, and handy train stations make them very easy to combine into one amazing day trip from Florence. We’ve visited both cities on separate trips to Italy. We stopped in Pisa while traveling by train from Florence […]
Two days in Florence is the sweet spot for a first visit. It’s enough time to see everything that matters, without the feeling that you’re sprinting from one landmark to the next. With two days, you can climb the dome of the Florence Cathedral, stand in front of Michelangelo’s David, spend a proper morning in […]
Lucca is one of Tuscany’s most rewarding cities to visit. While Florence gets the crowds and Pisa gets the selfies, Lucca has a charm that’s entirely its own: Renaissance city walls you can walk or bike, medieval towers rising above the rooftops, and a piazza built inside a Roman amphitheater. What we loved most was […]