Tuscany

Bumble-zee-boo! I'm actually back on dooyoo! Don't get too scared, I'm just dipping my fat toes into it, see how it goes kinda thing. Tuscany then - me last holiday so far, and the perfect pick-up point for me dooyoo-ing seeing as my earlier dooyoo-days came to an end with that trip. Awwww, what a break that was (Tuscany, that is, not the dooyoo-abstinence). We flew off to Tuscany in early May, when it wasn't yet SO hot as to impede movement. In fact, we got more than we bargained for coz it rained for most of our stay. Having both of us been to Florence before, we opted for the out-in-the-country stay, with a hired car for easy and ...  Read the complete review

8 years ago, at the tender age of 10, I was packed into the family car with my mum and dad, my older sister and a whole lot of luggage. We had never been to Italy before, so it was a new adventure. Living in the north of England, and not flying, we spent an awful lot of time travelling (which I would not recommend!). We eventually arrived at our destination, a beautiful converted farm called 'Fattoria del Colle' in the middle of Tuscany. It was idyllic. About 20 separate apartments, two swimming pools and a tennis court, not to mention the stunning surroundings and spectacular views. In fact we liked it so much, we have been back every year since! ...  Read the complete review

After the best part of a month in Tuscany, I have seen all the frescos, drunk all the chianti and eaten all the pasta I think I can stand. I have marvelled at the amount of hair gel and hairspray that Italian men must use, wondered what it must be like to wear tight trousers, and pretended not to understand English on two separate occasions. I have seen duomos-a-go-go, watched one of the most beautiful modern buildings in the world go up in smoke on a 1970s portable television in a village miles from nowhere (only later discovering the extent of stolen innocent lives), and eaten the most outstanding service station meal I could have imagined. I didn't take ...  Read the complete review

Tuscany is well known for many things. Florence, being the largest city, is the main attraction, but by no means the only draw in a region that, above most in Italy, has a reputation beyond its means. Of course, there is Florence, but there is time enough devoted to her, and the beauty and uniqueness of that city. Pisa as well, has her fans and detractors, but is a worthy enough diversion, and the Tower really is a must-see (as well as the Cathedral which can hold a torch to any in Florence). To get a true taste of Tuscany in her entirity it is necessary to head for the hills, so to speak. The overwhelming sight that will greet you as you ...  Read the complete review

Of the entire length of Italy, my visit to the Tuscan region in April this year, was the absolute highlight. Originally only planning 2 days to rush in, see Dave, drink some wine, eat some pasta - then head further south for the 'real' Italy.... we ended up staying for 5 days, reluctantly leaving, and vowing that we'd be back!! Yeah, we did all the 'tourist things' - walking over the Ponte Vecchio at sunset, the queues at Michalangelo's David, etc etc. Aside from all that - we did one other thing that made it a trip to remember. We cycled for an entire day around and through the Tuscan countryside... through generation's of ...  Read the complete review