Italy

Eating around Santo Spirito in the Fall!

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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

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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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The Perfect Itinerary for a Day Trip to Lucca, Italy!

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A street in the historic centre of Lucca, Tuscany

We made our second trip to Lucca in September, having first visited in 2015. While we stayed for two days on both visits, many visitors spend only 1 day, or even a half-day, visiting from Florence and other parts of Tuscany. I still recommend staying at least a night to get the full Lucca experience, but if you only have a few hours (or 1 day) to see Lucca, this is what you should see and do!

In Lucca's old town, Tuscany, where walking shoes are recommended for the day

In Lucca!  Walking shoes are recommended.

ARRIVAL IN LUCCA

Most people will arrive in Lucca via its only train station. The train station is small and located a short 5-minute walk from Lucca’s old town, which is the heart of the city and where you want to be!  Once you get off the train, follow signs for the exit and leave the train station (there is a ramp to the right side of the station if you need it). Walk to the left side of the train station (with your back to the station) and you can literally walk a straight line to Lucca’s town walls. If you make this straight walk, there is an entry into the old town here. I do not think most people need a taxi, as the walk is short and easy.

Arriving at Lucca train station, with the main station building straight ahead

Arriving in Lucca. The main station building is straight ahead. It’s safe and there is assistance inside the main building if you need help.  To access the main station building, there is an underground walkway.

Lucca's old town walls, with the walkway from the train station to the right

Lucca’s incredible old town walls. The little walkway to the right is the walkway I mentioned to the train station.

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2 Days Exploring Lucca, Tuscany!

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Dan and his wife in Lucca, Tuscany, on their 2024 visit

This post reviews Dan and my two-day visit to Lucca in September 2024. This was our second visit to Lucca  (read about the first here) and as expected, we had a wonderful time.

Lucca's medieval towers, built by wealthy families to display their status

Lucca’s famous towers, which were formerly owned by wealthy families showing off.

LUCCA, TUSCANY

Lucca is a small city in Tuscany – about an hour inland from the Ligurian Sea and about an hour west of Florence. Lucca is a popular day trip from Florence, and its known for its well-preserved historic center that is surrounded by amazing town walls that you can walk or bike along. Lucca is also the birthplace of several famous composers, including Puccini (the most famous), Catalani and Boccherini.

The old town of Lucca, Tuscany, inside its historic walls

Lucca, Italy.

Aside from being generally popular with tourists, Lucca is also the hometown of Dan’s great-grandmother, Ida Poli. We first visited back in 2015 and returned in 2024 with Dan’s uncle and aunt. We really like Lucca. While it can be touristy, it is still a real Italian town and it’s not nearly as touristy or crowded as Florence or Cinque Terre. We stayed overnight both visits, which I recommended over a day trip to fully enjoy the city.

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Restaurant Review: Cantina di Miky, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre

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Pesto pasta at Cantina di Miky, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre

After booking other people at Cantina di Miky in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre for literally years, I finally dined here myself on a late September Monday evening! My dinner was wonderful and I will absolutely return (and continue to book others there!). This post reviews my delicious dinner at Cantina di Miky in Cinque Terre, Italia!

Monterosso al Mare seen at sunset, Cinque Terre

Monterosso al Mare at sunset (note – this is not from Cantina di Miky).

CANTINA DI MIKY RESTAURANT IN MONTEROSSO AL MARE

Cantina di Miky is a seafood restaurant in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre. Owned by locals, Cantina di Miky has been around for at least a decade. My in laws dined there waaaaay back in 2015, and I don’t think it was a new restaurant then… Cantina di Miky’s philosophy is “Il Km 0,” meaning that all of its ingredients are sourced from the hyper local area of the restaurant, here Cinque Terre! This philosophy is quite popular in Italy, and it always makes for delicious, local dishes that change with the season. In fact, you cannot find a “standard” menu for Cantina di Miky online because it changes so frequently.

The Cantina di Miky logo, a small diver, in Monterosso al Mare

Cantina di Miky logo. I love this little diver.

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