An October Wine Tour Through Tuscany (from Florence!).

The vineyards at Poggio al Sole in Tuscany

We took our second Tuscan wine tour from Florence in October 2024. Our first Tuscan wine tour was back in 2016 and we had so much fun, we booked another when in Florence last October (2024). This year’s wine tour was similar to the 2016 tour but with some notable differences, which I will explain in this article. There are many, many wine tours from Florence through Tuscany at varying price points, so do your research before booking. I highly recommend a Tuscan wine tour from Florence if you have the time, and Grape Tours is a decent outfit offering such tours.

Fattoria Corzano e Paterno in Tuscany, photographed on our first wine tour in 2016

On our wine tour back at Fattoria Corzano e Paterno in 2016.

Like our 2016 tour, we met our tour guide and group in Oltrarno outside Grape Tours’ shop and wine bar, only about a 10 minute walk from our hotel in Santo Spirito and 20 minutes from the Duomo area. We arrived right on time, so we only had time to climb into the van before departing Florence for the Tuscan countryside. I suggest leaving extra time walking to the tour, as there are many beautiful panoramas to photo graph en route along the Arno River. Our first stop was about 30 minutes from Florence proper, at Fattoria Corzano e Paterno. This was also our first stop back in 2016! Our guide provided some information on Tuscany during our drive, but most people “shut their eyes” for the drive.

Everyone woke up as we pulled into the rocky driveway of Fattoria Crozano e Paterno. Fattoria means “farm” in Italian, and Fattoria Corzano e Paterno is a winery as well as a farm producing delicious cheese and olive oil. We began our visit at Corzano e Paterno with a walk to the edge of the vineyards. We didn’t go in as it had recently rained (and the ground was muddy), and it was harvest season, so workers were busy harvesting the grapes. It was cool to see large grapes on the vines and employees working with the grapes. We also walked through the barrel room and saw more grape harvesting in action after visiting the vineyards.

The rocky driveway at Fattoria Corzano e Paterno, San Casciano in Val di Pesa

Arriving at Fattoria Crozano e Paterno.

Our tour group ready for the tasting at Fattoria Corzano e Paterno, Tuscany

We’re ready to taste the wine.

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A Quick 24 Hours in Milan Hitting The Highlights!

Milano, Italia. 2024.

Our big Italian vacation with Dan’s Uncle and Aunt ended with a fast 24 hours in Milan. We ended in Milan solely because we flew out of Milan on Emirates’ MXP – JFK evening flight. This post explains what we did in those quick 24 hours!

ARRIVAL TO MILAN VIA TRAIN

We trained from Florence to Rome on Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa train in Business Class mid-morning. The train ride was less than 2 hours – much faster than driving. The Business Class seats were spacious and super comfortable, and we received complimentary wifi (that actually worked), as well as a snack box and a non-alcoholic beverage of our choice. Needless to say, we loved the train. It’s the best and quickest way to get between Florence and Milan.

Dan's uncle and aunt seated in Business Class aboard a Trenitalia Frecciarossa train

Dan’s Uncle & Aunt in Business Class on the Frecciarossa.

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Airport Lounge Review: Sala Montale, Milan Malpensa, Terminal 1

Milan, Italy.

On our way out of Milan in October 2024, after a fabulous trip to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Florence & Milan, we spent 90 minutes in the Sala Montale lounge in Milan Malpensa’s Terminal 1. This post reviews our time at the Sala Montale. In sum, Sala Montale was much nicer than I expected, especially for a lounge on Priority Pass, and we had an enjoyable experience. I would certainly return, but I would not leave extra early to visit the Sala Montale Lounge. There is better food and drink to be had in Milan!

Our travel group at the end of the Italy trip, Milan Malpensa Terminal 1

Here is the group on our trip to Italy!

THE SALA MONTALE LOUNGE

The Sala Montale Lounge is one of five “Vip lounges” (that is a brand, not description) in Milan Malpensa’s airport. As of October 2024, it was not associated or run by any particular airline. Rather, any person flying can purchase lounge access online. Sala Montale is also on Priority Pass, which is how we accessed the lounge.

The Sala Montale Lounge is located in Malpensa’s Terminal 1, post-security in Boarding Area B. Sala Montale is only open to Non-Schengen flights. There is a maximum stay of 2 hours per both its website and a sign on checkin.  I would note, however, I am not sure who this policy could be actually enforced given the size of the lounge.

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Eating around San Spirito in the Fall!

Gnudi, the spinach and ricotta dumplings served at Trattoria Da Ginone 1949 in Florence

You probably already know that Dan and I love a food tour. This post details the food tour that we took with Eating Europe in Florence. It was quite good, and we were successful in trying delicious food, getting a bit off the insanely crowded tourist path and ordering from a wine window!

Dan and me inside DiVin Boccone, a wine, meat and cheese shop in Florence

Dan and I in DiVin Boccone on the tour.

STOP 1: PROSECCO IN PIAZZA SANTO SPIRITO

Our tour began right in Piazza Santo Spirito.  Piazza Santo Spirito is a well-known Florentine square in the Oltrarno neighborhood (i.e. just across the Arno from the main tourist sites). The piazza dates back to the 1200s and it is still a popular square for both locals and tourists. You’ll find a handicraft market on certain weekends and local children often play soccer in this square. The piazza is also ringed by restaurants, bars and cafes, making it an interesting stop in Florence. We started our tour with introductions and a glass of dry Italian Prosecco.

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Restaurant Review: Osteria Miranda, Lucca, Tuscany

Cheese-stuffed tortellini with pancetta and peas, the pasta course at Osteria Miranda, Lucca

This post reviews our dinner at Osteria Miranda in Lucca, Tuscany in September 2024. We highly recommend this tasty restaurant!

Lucca, Tuscany, seen from the walkway on top of the old town walls

Lucca. Late September 2024.

OSTERIA MIRANDA

I found Osteria Miranda when trying to make a dinner reservation at Osteria Cantine Bernardini in Lucca – a restaurant that we dined at and looooved in 2015. Osteria Cantine Bernardini remains open but was temporarily closed during our visit due to a “water issue” according to staff (and I hope that is all it was!). Osteria Cantine Bernardini suggested its sister restaurant, Osteria Miranda, instead and made us a reservation. Done.

Osteria Miranda seen from the top of Lucca's old town walls

Osteria Miranda from Lucca’s town walls.

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