The Benefits of Revisiting Your Favorite International Destinations

Florence 2025

I know it feels counterproductive to revisit the same place again and again because there are so many other places to see. But there is some real freedom to be had by going back to a place you love. Freedom to explore more. Freedom to relax. Freedom to going off the beaten path.

We visited Florence, Italy again in order to visit Elaine who is studying abroad. And while she considers Florence home now, we were anxious to "live" there for a few days. Since we had seen the traditional sites, we were able to relax and enjoy some new spots more like a local.

Florence, 2022; read about it HERE.

Freedom to Explore More

This time we enjoyed visiting neighborhood markets. On our first night, we visited the ceramics festival in Piazza di Santa Croce, a piazza we had never seen before. Wandering the stalls and sipping local wine made for the perfect welcome back to Florence.

On day 2, before we went to Tuscany (another new activity for Campbell and Robert), we strolled just behind our apartment to Piazza Santo Spirito to shop at the their weekly vintage market. This day was mostly about clothes, and I was so excited to snag a Henry Christ cashmere sweater. And that sweater came in so handy the rest of the time we were in Italy. Those nights were cool.

Now, for Tuscany, Mom and I had enjoyed San Gimignano and a Tuscan winery before, but this trip was a new winery. Seeing the hillsides of Tuscany never gets old. And while in San Gimignano, I finally experienced Gelateria Dondoli for the first time. Known as the worlds most famous gelato and Tuscany's best gelato, it was worth the line.

Another day trip we enjoyed, and something I often schedule for my clients, was to Pisa and Lucca. It's just an easy trip by train. Our stop in Pisa was for one thing only, the famous leaning tower. Then we hoped back on the train to stroll the beautiful streets of Lucca. Lucca is a medieval town dating as far back as the 1st century. The walls of the city are still fully in tact, so walking them was a must-do. The views were stunning. We loved it.

Guess what else returning to Florence allowed us to do? We actually slept in most days. So our trip became more of a vacation. Having the ability to have leisurely mornings was so nice. Our earliest day was going back to the top of Piazza del Michelangelo.

We found new local shops, too. I even got to visit Giuliano Ricchi, who has been a jeweler in Florence for over 50 years. As one of the last remaining artisans who use ancient Florentine techniques to create jewelry, Ricchi creates each piece by hand. This may have been my favorite experience of the whole trip.

Having the freedom to just be casual allowed us to wander and find things we would have never experienced before. From little cafés to local artisans, each moment was extra special.

Another big advantage of coming back to a placed is knowing exactly where to stay. I knew we wanted to be on the alto Arno (the other side) since its more neighborhood driven and where people live more than around all of the tourist spots. When I found the apartment next to Babae's wine window, I knew I found the perfect spot. Babae's window was the first window to open after decades of these pieces of history being unused. My favorite night was when we stayed out late and had an evening drink in the streets watching the people walk by. Then we just scanned our key and walked up to our apartment--just like we lived there.

All in all, this trip to Florence and Tuscany was a delightful mix of old favorites and new discoveries. From the vibrant neighborhood markets to the stunning landscapes of Tuscany, every moment felt like a little gift. It's amazing how much joy can come from simply wandering around, sipping wine, and soaking in the local culture.

Returning to familiar places gave us the chance to relax and truly enjoy our time, making it feel less like a whirlwind vacation and more like a leisurely retreat. Finding that perfect apartment on the alto Arno added a special touch, allowing us to feel like locals for a while. And who can forget those magical evenings spent sipping drinks in the streets, feeling right at home?

Until next time, Florence!