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.

Best Catamaran Tour To See the Na Pali Coast: Kauai, Hawaii

Wondering what a Na Pali coast catamaran tour is like? This review talks about my experience sailing with Captain Andy’s, a popular boat tour excursion in Kauai, Hawaii.

OVERVIEW:

Looking for the best activity to do on the island of Kauai? Look no further! Captain Andy’s Catamaran tour of the Na Pali coast was one of my favorite things I’ve done on the island. It was such a beautiful day and the crew made it an unbelievable experience from start to end. We did the morning Catamaran tour just because in the winter months the mornings are more popular for ideal weather conditions.

THE EXPERIENCE:

Imagine a day packed with viewing wildlife, beautiful cliff landscapes, and turquoise water. That’s exactly what this experience is like. I was worried we wouldn’t be able to go to the coast because we went in January when the tours can sometimes be canceled going to the coast, but it was our lucky day! The day we went to the coast was one of the only days that week they went out, and I couldn’t have felt more lucky hearing that.

THE CREW: 10/10

The crew is one of the reasons why we loved this experience so much. They were so friendly and helpful in every way. The chef was so much fun and our captain was knowledgeable and made the experience so much fun. They always watched for wildlife sightings and made sure everyone was super safe during the entire catamaran ride.

ITINERARY: 10/10

The itinerary probably depends on the weather conditions and the day, but this is what our day looked like when we went in January of 2023.

The first stop was at a snorkeling spot with crystal clear, deep blue water. We saw a bunch of turtles from the boat and I also ended up swimming right next to one! There were some beautiful fish as well.

Then we saw a pod of about 50+ wild spinner dolphins, which was incredible. The captain knew the right spot to see these dolphins, and along the way to the coast, we also saw multiple whale sightings, including a baby and mom whale!

Then, of course, the Na Pali coast. We cruised by the coast and even got to get up close to one of the waterfalls coming off the cliff. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Overall, the itinerary was perfect and everything was timed out just right. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 10/10

I loved my experience with Captain Andy’s! It was a day I will never forget and I hope this blog post was helpful for anyone who comes across it.

Discover Paradise: The Top 10 Things To Do In Kauai, Hawaii

Why you should visit Kauai, Hawaii:

Kauai is one of my favorite places I have ever been to. The nature, waterfalls, and beaches are incredible, and the entire time I felt like I was in a rainforest paradise. It truly is a magical place to see nature in its truest form.

WHERE TO STAY IN KAUAI, HAWAII:

Depending on what area of the island you would like to be on and your budget, there are a great variety of options when staying on Kauai.

• Luxury: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. If you want to be on the north end of Kauai, this is the hotel for you. Just opened in 2023, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is paradise!

• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa: if you’re looking for a hotel that is located on the south side of the island, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa has everything you could ask for and then some. The resort has a golf course, restaurants, tennis courts, pools, and a spa.

Top 10 Things To Do In Kauai, Hawaii:

Click here for a video that sums up the best things to do.

1) Hike the first portion of the Kalalau Trail to the beach where you will see amazing views and it will easily become one of your favorite hikes. This hike is rated as moderate and according to my Fitbit, was 6 miles long roundtrip.

Note- you need to make a reservation/permit on the website linked here to be able to enter the park. The reservation is super important because it also decides if you have to take a shuttle into the park or can park your car. I would suggest making your reservation 4 days in advance for the shuttle, and up to 30 days in advance for the car option.

2) Hike to Hanakapaii Falls (the tallest waterfall in Kauai… and the best one I have ever seen)—- you need the same permit/reservation for this hike as the one above, which I will link again here. Also disclaimer, this is a difficult hike where you have to cross multiple rivers and climb rocks, so make sure you are prepared. It’s around 11 miles roundtrip total as well, so bring lots of water, food, and shoes that can get wet.

3) Explore the scenic viewpoints and do the Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls hike at Waimea Canyon (which is called the Grand Canyon of the pacific). This is a beautiful hike where you get to hike to the top of a waterfall that goes into the canyon. If you have time after your hike and are hungry, grab food at the historic Kōkeʻe Lodge which is a really cool spot that transports you out of Hawaii.

4) Visit the famous Hanalei Bay and get Pink’s Hanalei original grilled cheese for lunch (pro tip- bring your lunch onto the beach and have a picnic when looking at the incredible views). Make sure to also walk around this cute surf town and stop at the famous Wishing Well for shave ice before leaving town.

5) Do a Na Pali Coast boat tour with Captain Andy’s (this is weather dependent, but if you go in the summer months you have a much better chance of being able to go out). I highly recommend the Catamaran tour for a smoother ride, but if you are up to the adventure, book a raft tour with Captain Andy’s!

6) Do an ATV tour with Kipu Ranch Adventures. I specifically did the Triple Trail Expedition and it was wonderful. The waterfall at the end was gorgeous too!

7) Visit Poipu Beach (to see the turtles and sometimes seals on the beach). Pro tip- near sunset is a great time to get a chance to see the turtles laying on the beach.

8) Do a kayak and hike tour on the Wailua River to Secret Falls with Kayak Wailua. This was such a wonderful activity and took about 5 hours total. The kayaking along the river is gorgeous and so is the hike to the waterfall.

9) Visit Kilauea Lighthouse (you might even see some whales and definitely will see some goats on the way!) You don’t need too much time here but it is a great place to learn about the different types of animals on Kauai!

10) Do a helicopter tour over the island to see waterfalls, valleys, and the Na Pali Coast by air. This is something I haven’t done yet but everyone says is amazing. I’ve heard Wings Over Kauai is a great option!

Overall, you can’t go wrong with what you do on Kauai. I highly recommend though spending less time laying on the beaches and more time exploring all of the different things that the island has to offer!