Even the busiest agents know that some good R&R is essential for staying sane. PHG agent Rachel Shaw and her husband packed their bags and met up with friends (who also happen to be PHG clients!) for a 10-day magical trip to Italy. Although Rachel is already back in Philly diving into real estate, we managed to catch up with her for the scoop on her adventure!
Itinerary of the trip
We planned the trip for June, knowing that the weather and crowds would be manageable. Florence served as our base of operations. We flew in and out of the city, rented a car for a round trip to Tuscany, and took trains back and forth from Florence to Cinque Terre. A word of caution: be aware of train strikes! They’re advertised in advance, but it’s not always clear which lines will be affected. We experienced some delays between Cinque Terre and Florence.
2 Days in Florence
Where We Stayed
Hotel Torre Guelfa – This charming hotel featured a lovely rooftop with views, a historic room with high ceilings and architectural details, and included an excellent breakfast.
Hot Tip
I wasn’t prepared for the Florence museum scene. If you want to visit the Uffizi Gallery or see Michelangelo’s David, book your tickets well in advance!
What We Did
Day 1: After arriving in the afternoon, we settled into our hotel and put on our walking shoes. We headed to Ponte Vecchio, enjoyed gelato (a must in the first 24 hours!), and strolled past the sculptures in Piazza della Signoria.
Day 2: We had a 3-hour food walking tour scheduled. We got to know the area and learned about local dishes. Our guide, a local resident, was fun and incredibly knowledgeable. We visited local businesses, peeped into shop windows, saw some sights, and shopped at the San Lorenzo Market (similar to Reading Terminal Market).
In the evening, we had afternoon cocktails at Loggia Rooftop. What a way to be welcomed to Florence! The rooftop deck was breezy and scenic, and the staff were lovely. We played cards, sipped spritzes, and enjoyed the views. We then scooted over to Konubio for dinner. A friend recommended it and we saw why as soon as we stepped foot inside. The vibes were snazzy and the food was creative with an absolutely beautiful presentation.
5 Days in Tuscany
Where We Stayed
We decided to indulge and stayed at a luxurious agriturismo – a working farm that welcomes guests for meals and stays. Our jaws dropped when we arrived at the vineyard that would be our home for the next five days.
All 5 Days: We spent our time relaxing by the pool with cabanas and stunning sunsets. It felt like we had everything we needed, starting with delicious food. All the food was grown on-site, and we sampled the entire menu between the four of us. The wine was also from their vineyard. With sweeping views and kind staff ensuring everything was perfect, it was a dream come true!
What We Did
We ventured out for a wine tour at a nearby vineyard, but it turned out to be one of the trip’s disappointments. The guide was unprepared and lacked knowledge, making the tour lackluster. With so many tours available, we might have just picked the wrong one. Next time, we’ll try a different tour and hope for a better experience.
My husband and I took a dreamy 1.5-hour horseback ride through the vineyards and olive groves. The scenery was breathtaking, and I highly recommend it.
We also took a day trip to Siena. The city’s beautiful brown buildings in the sunlight, laundry drying in backyards, and rolling hills were just as picturesque as the Siena crayon’s inspiration. Although the famous Palio di Siena horse race wasn’t happening during our visit, the piazza was still a beautiful place to explore.
3 Days in Cinque Terre
Where We Stayed
A centrally located Airbnb apartment in Riomaggiore, featuring a balcony with views of the dock and the Mediterranean Sea. It was the perfect spot for exploring all the nearby towns.
What we did
My husband and I started our first day with an early hike. Since the easier trail was closed, we tackled the very steep trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola. The views were worth the effort! We had the trail almost to ourselves and rewarded our hike with a quiet breakfast in Manarola before the crowds arrived. We also did a longer hike between Vernazza and Corniglia, which offered stunning views and a pleasant way to explore the towns. Each town had its own unique vibe. Corniglia was probably our favorite, though it’s perched on a hill and lacks water access.
We played out our Italian Beach movie dreams and enjoyed a relaxing beach day at Monterosso. We rented loungers with umbrellas and spent the day lounging, having breakfast, lunch, and cocktails right from our beach chairs!
No visit to Cinque Terre is complete without a little water time. We signed up for a sunset boat cruise from Riomaggiore. It was a small Italian boat with 12 people, and it was a fantastic way to see all five towns from the water. The boat operator provided the wine and focaccia, which everyone enjoyed. He also played photographer and insisted on getting “the perfect shot” in Vernazza. The water was a bit choppy, and while I had a blast, some others in the group felt a bit seasick.
Day 10: Back to Florence
We returned to Florence to bid farewell to Italy (for now). We wrapped up the trip with a visit to the Instagram-famous Osteria Pasatella, where we had to see the flaming cheese!
Italy offers so much to experience. We’re already looking forward to our next trip. One surprising thing was that despite all the spritzes, wine, and Italian cocktails we enjoyed, I never had a… hangover. Perhaps those early morning hikes were the secret! Either way, I’m ready to pack my suitcase for the next adventure. See you out there!
With its current moniker of Philadelphia’s “Little Italy”, Bella Vista prides itself on celebrating the best of Italian history and culture. In recent years, the neighborhood has become even more diverse, with growing Vietnamese and Mexican immigrant populations. The history of Bella Vista is vast, and one of the neighborhood’s modern highlights is the availability of different cuisine options.