There’s nothing I love more than having my parents here in Italy. Their visits always remind me just how lucky I am to call this place home and how special it is to be able to share it with the people I love most.
When my parents came to visit this time, it struck me how different my life here looks now. We hardly spent any time in Florence’s historic center, and I realized that my connection to this city has quietly shifted. My days aren’t spent beneath the shadow of the Duomo anymore, but rather in the surrounding hills and hidden corners, the places where Florence and Tuscany still feels like itself.
There’s an undeniable magic to the city, but also an exhaustion in the crowds. Florence has become, to say the least, a bit overrun. More selfie sticks, fewer locals. But if you step just outside the center, the real Tuscany still lives and breathes.
The Florence I've come to know and love isn’t just the postcard-perfect Duomo or Ponte Vecchio, it’s the quiet, everyday rhythm just beyond the crowds. The small family-run trattorias, the countryside drives, and aperitivo in the garden as the sun goes down. There’s so much rich culture outside of Piazza del Duomo, if only you slow down enough to find it. Although, admittedly we ran full steam ahead and covered a lot of ground in their short trip!
Here's what we did...
Lake Como: The Perfect Beginning
My parents found a great deal on flights to Milan, so we decided to start our trip in Lake Como, a place that feels almost unreal in its beauty. We stayed in the town of Tremezzo, a serene spot on the water that felt worlds away from the tourist bustle in some of the other lakeside towns in the area.
I had heard from multiple people to do aperitivo on the terrace at Grand Hotel Tremezzo and the setting was beautiful, but the drinks and service were so so. However, we loved aperitivo at Cantina Follie (a rec by my friend Martina), complete with a cozy aperitivo spread with local cheeses, wine flights and friendly staff. A few meals later, we found ourselves in Bellagio, sipping Franciacorta and eating lake fish with at Ristorante La Punta. The view was unbeatable, but the rest of Bellagio was honestly a bit of a tourist trap. I’d skip it next time. While in Tremezzo we also visited Villa Carlotta and the grounds were mesmerizing and a real treat to walk around and explore.
After two nights by the lake, it was time to head home to Florence.
Back to Florence
After two nights by the lake, we headed home to Florence. That evening, I hosted a garden aperitivo for my parents and friends with good wine and lots of snacks. It was the perfect Tuscan welcome.
The next day we kept things slow. A casual countryside lunch turned into an afternoon at Corzano e Paterno for a wine and cheese pairing. The views were stunning, the wines were exceptional, and the experience was such a great value. It’s one of those places I always recommend to visitors as it captures the essence of Tuscany in a single afternoon. Once back in Florence we walked for a quick aperitivo with great cocktails at Raaro (great spot for cocktails outside of the city center) and then headed back home to grill up some steaks.
Bolgheri
The following morning, we set out early for Bolgheri, one of Italy's most renowned wine regions. We had a private tasting at Le Macchiole and it was everything I’d hoped for. The grounds were stunning, the wines were incredible, and we had a wonderful guide named Veronica who made the experience so personal.
Afterward, we had lunch at Osteria Magona, just down the road, and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip. We strolled through the charming town of Bolgheri afterward, already planning to return to explore more wineries next time. On the drive home, we stopped in Calafuria for a sunset aperitivo by the sea.
My Mom’s Birthday in Florence
The next day was my mom’s birthday and we spent the morning wandering around Florence. Our meandering included shopping for leather and a stop at the Sant'Ambrogio Market for some tasty bites AND cashmere sweaters. One stop shopping!
After that we headed over to San Niccolò for lunch at Formaggioteca Terroir which is one of my favorite spots for a casual lunch or aperitivo. My dad discovered his new favorite Franciacorta there (he brought multiple bottles home, naturally).
That night, we drove to Panzano for dinner at the famous butcher Dario Cecchini’s restaurant. My friend Martina, who happens to be Dario’s stepdaughter, joined us and made sure we were treated like family. It was such a fun, unforgettable evening—if you're reading this Martina, THANK YOU!
Emilia-Romagna
The next morning, we were off again—this time to Emilia-Romagna for a food-filled day. We started with a Parmigiano Reggiano factory tour (one of my personal favorites—so fascinating to see the process start to finish) followed by a balsamic vinegar tasting and lunch at a small, family-run acetaia (a rec by my friend Kacie). It was intimate, authentic, and such a special experience.
A Slow Farewell
For their final day we kept things simple, strolling through Florence, picking up souvenirs, and wandering down unexplored streets of the city. For lunch we stopped at Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori which is one of my favorite spots in the city. You can always count on a delicious meal and a fun time with the staff who treat locals and tourists alike like family.
That evening, we stayed in for dinner and had my boyfriend’s famous carbonara, a bottle of wine, and one last toast to an unforgettable week.
The next morning, we packed up and drove back to Milan for their flight home. It’s been two weeks since they went back to the states. I’m still recovering from the food coma but am so happy I was able to share so much of Italy with my parents. Seeing Florence through my parents’ eyes reminded me how much beauty still lives in the everyday corners of this place I am lucky enough to call home.
