Finding the magic in Tuscany in just 4 days

It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with Tuscany in Italy – the history, the culture, the sights and don’t even get us started on the food. From pizza to gelato, from the best pasta ever to limoncello… But don’t take our word for it. In the latest in our You’ve Been Where series, avid traveller Rachel Sawyer tells us all about her time in Florence and Tuscany.

In just four days Rachel and her partner, Shane, managed to spend a magical few days taking in the art, history and gelato of Florence as well as exploring quaint regional villages like Pisa and San Gimignano.

And now we’re just itching to get back to Italy, who wants to join us?

We love hearing about the travel experiences of our friends, family and readers of AllAbroad. We pick up so many tips and find out new places to travel. We thought you might like to hear about their adventures too. So in this section we turn the website over to you, our travel family.

Read on for travel tips from the people that help inspire our adventures.

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

I’m Rachel, a freelance creative designer and travel enthusiast from New Zealand. My partner Shane is an architect, and together we share a love of good design, beautiful places, and spontaneous adventures!

Where is home?

Home is Katikati, in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. I’m a wandering Brit, originally from the UK (Read about Rachel’s adventures in the UK here), and after more than 15 years here, I now split my time between two very different worlds: the serenity and wilderness of New Zealand, and the lively buzz of Britain. It suits my all-or-nothing personality perfectly — total tranquillity on one side, full-blown social chaos on the other!

Where have you been? When did you go?

My partner Shane and I travelled to Italy in July 2025. Florence was one of our main stops, and we spent a few magical days exploring the city’s history, art, and gelato scene. We also squeezed in a whirlwind day in Pisa and a beautiful day trip through the Tuscan countryside, visiting hill towns like San Gimignano along the way.

Who did you travel with?

I travelled with Shane, my partner. He usually stays home while I head off on adventures or visit family, but after we lost our beloved cat the year before, he joined me for his first taste of a European summer. Having only ever seen Europe under a blanket of snow, the heat of Italy in mid-July came as something of a shock — to us both!

What were the highlights of your trip?

So many, considering we were only there for four days in total! Seeing Michelangelo’s David was the standout — an incredibly emotional experience. The sheer scale and perfection of the sculpture was quite overwhelming. We also loved exploring the Uffizi and seeing Botticelli’s Birth of Venus in person, wandering through the Duomo, and stepping into the world’s oldest pharmacy at Officina Santa Maria Novella — it felt like breathing in centuries of history. 

Evenings were spent eating at the most incredible little restaurants, with pasta and wine that made us question every life choice that didn’t involve living in Italy. Gelato from La Strega Nocciola, people-watching on Ponte Vecchio, and sunsets from Piazzale Michelangelo rounded off each day perfectly. And our day trip through the Tuscan hills, dotted with vineyards and the medieval towers of San Gimignano, was pure magic.

What did you least like about your trip?

The heat, without question — Florence in July is like living inside a pizza oven. But what really surprised me was how much the travel landscape has changed since I last visited in 2007. The crowds were on another level; at times you could barely move. 

The influence of TikTok has completely reshaped tourism. Every corner seems to have a queue for whatever café or gelato shop has gone viral that week. 

It’s fascinating and a little sad to see people racing to capture the same photo instead of actually enjoying the experience. Some equally lovely places were sitting almost empty, with staff out front trying to draw people in. 

The perfect example was the restaurant Stanley Tucci once recommended — brilliant food, busy but not packed, perhaps because it hasn’t had its fifteen seconds of TikTok fame yet. It does make you wonder how Italy will cope in the future, balancing its timeless beauty with the new realities of modern tourism.

Do you have any funny stories from your travels?

We took a taxi ride up to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset (criminal, I know, but we’d walked 30,000 steps the day before). Our driver had been the picture of politeness, gliding us through Florence to the sound of gentle classical music. 

Then, as we crossed the bridge opposite Ponte Vecchio, an Audi driver cut him off, and suddenly the serene soundtrack gave way to a passionate Italian outburst that could probably be heard in Pisa. We didn’t need to speak the language to understand the sentiment, but the dramatic shift from peaceful sunset to operatic fury was pure cinematic perfection.

What were the locals like?

Warm, expressive, and wonderfully proud of their city. Even with our clumsy Italian, people were quick to help. The guy at our hotel was the ultimate Italian host; within five minutes he’d declared, “This is your home!” and meant it. 

Restaurant staff were unpretentious and relaxed, and while you do occasionally spot someone looking mildly exasperated by the endless wave of tourists, it’s hard to blame them.

What was the food like?

There’s a reason Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and that reason is the food. Four days wasn’t nearly enough — honestly, four weeks probably wouldn’t be. Everything you imagine Italian food to be, it is, and so much more. Lasagne, pizza, pasta, wine — all heavenly.

Don’t even think about calories; you’ll burn those off with your daily step count anyway. Our favourite meal was at Osteria Del Cinghiale Bianco, one of Stanley Tucci’s favourites too, where the food was every bit as good as the reputation. A little piece of Tuscan perfection.

Top tip? If you spot a line of influencers making a big noise outside a restaurant, turn around and head to the quieter spot around the corner. Or better yet, follow the locals — they know where the real gems are, and they’re not always on Google Maps. 

And whatever you do, take your time. Italians don’t rush their food. Book a table, clear your schedule, and savour it all.

Did you learn anything about yourself or the world on this trip?

I usually schedule any trip to within an inch of its life, but this time I just booked the flights and the hotel. Because I wasn’t sure how we’d cope with the heat, I left everything in between up to fate and feeling. Each evening we’d decide what we fancied doing the next day and booked things accordingly.

It taught me that not everything needs a plan. Some of the best memories came from the moments when we simply stopped, took our time, and lived right in the centre of whatever was happening.

I’d also spent a lot of time before the trip trying to create that perfect “Tuscan dream” I’d had in my head — the kind of cinematic, sun-drenched scene you see in films. But travel has a way of showing you that those moments can’t be manufactured. What matters more are the spontaneous moments, the feelings, and taking the pressure off trying to make it all perfect. 

And seeing how social media has reshaped the way people travel, chasing those picture-perfect scenes, really brought that home.

Would you recommend others travel here? Why/Why not?

Absolutely, but timing is everything. The heat in the height of summer can be almost unbearable, and coupled with the huge mass of tourists, Florence can feel a little daunting. Head there out of season — September, October, or much earlier in the year — and you’ll see a completely different side to the city.

If you can, book at least a two-week trip so you have time to really immerse yourself. Florence is incredible: bursting with history, culture, and culinary adventure at every turn. Pair the energy and bustle of this ancient city with a few days in the rolling hills of Tuscany and you’ve got the dream combination.

Do you have any tips for people thinking of travelling here?

Head out early — if you can be out before 9 am, you’ll find most of the big outdoor sights blissfully empty, and the temperature far more manageable in summer. Florence is a compact city, so you can cover a surprising distance before the crowds descend. 

Comfortable shoes are a must. Stay central if you don’t mind being in the thick of the action — it makes those early starts much easier. Book museums and galleries (like the Uffizi and Accademia) well in advance so you can fast- track the queues, and if you’re travelling by train, always remember to validate your ticket before boarding — it’ll save you an awkward fine.

And above all, be prepared to slow down. The heat means you have to take your time, and that’s no bad thing. There’s no rushing in Italy — it’s a country best enjoyed at its own pace.

Been somewhere interesting lately? Drop  us a line, we’d love to share your tips.

Read more reader adventures in our  You’ve Been Where? series here.

Read about our adventures in  Italy here.

Join @AllabroadAU on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube for more travel inspiration.