My return to Florence after 20 years allowed me to revisit one of Italy's most beautiful cities. However, it was only a prelude to the main event: a one-week walking tour in Tuscany along the Via Francigena. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route that runs from Canterbury, England through France, Switzerland, and Italy. The journey ends in Rome. Tuscany is home … [Read more...] about Via Francigena: The Ultimate Walking Tour in Tuscany
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Revisiting Florence: Highlights from a Return Trip 20 Years Later
Twenty years ago this past July, I arrived in Florence by train with three of my best friends from college. We were 21-year-old fresh-faced backpackers, a fairly clueless, but innocent group of American guys bumbling our way across the European continent. It was in Florence, about 10 days into our two-month backpacking trip, that it became clear we had different … [Read more...] about Revisiting Florence: Highlights from a Return Trip 20 Years Later
Losing My Travel Training Wheels in Florence
Editor's Note: This is the latest in a series of sponsored posts by Oh-Holidays.com based on my first backpacking trip to Europe. It was in Florence, Italy that my travel training wheels came off for the first time. I'd left the US for a Summer in Europe with four friends after college, and less than a week into the trip, there were already hints that several would be … [Read more...] about Losing My Travel Training Wheels in Florence
Becoming an Italian Daughter While Studying Abroad in Florence
This is a guest post by Suzy Guese. If you want to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here. As the van screeches to a halt, the driver forcefully launches my bags on the sidewalk. I am far from the familiar. One-way Via Della Vigna Nuova in Florence fills with people and light. I yell back at the driver, " Che numero e?"? in a shaky, uncertain voice. " Tre!"? she … [Read more...] about Becoming an Italian Daughter While Studying Abroad in Florence
Forget a Guide, a Book… and Even a Map
I know, I know, this is all very unexpected. Why would a book reviewer, and travel book reviewer at that, suggest not to bring along those books on my own trips? And, my gosh, let's not even begin questioning why on earth she would think it sound advice to tell me not to bring a guide. Or even a map. Ha! Well, I'm not exactly telling you that you should or shouldn't do … [Read more...] about Forget a Guide, a Book… and Even a Map
