I’ve wanted to visit Tuscany for the longest time so when I discovered that we’d visit Mugello with the photographer behind Too Much Tuscany (Instagram), I was beyond excited. It certainly was a region quite unlike what I originally expected and with Caleb in tow, travels always take on a different colour. Here’s what we loved doing whilst there…
1. Biking in Vicchio.
As Murphy’s law would have it, the one day we decide we have to go cycling along the river in Vicchio, it decided to rain. Only in Tuscany for three nights, we insisted that a little rain would not stop us so we rented bikes outside of the gorgeous little cafe La Casa del Proscuitto and hit the track. A combination of surreal riverside woodlands with displays of Tuscan paintings, bridge crossings and an easy path to navigate, this was a wonderful way to spend the morning. Younger kids are definitely able to join you on their bikes, but there were no baby seats available so Caleb chilled in the carrier whilst we peddled.
2. Lunch at La Casa del Proscuitto
A pure feast for the eyes before you’ve even taken a sip of your espresso or a bite of your croissant. Walk into a wonderland of locals choosing their supplies from a charming little deli filled with portochino mushrooms, hanging prosciutto and a delightful bakery.
3. Visiting the Chini Museum and Children’s Lab, Borga San Lorenzo
I truly loved the concept of being able to visit a museum whilst your child can play in their very own play land on one side too. Whilst I wondered around the Chini Pottery museum admiring the centuries of masterpiece pottery, tiles, stained-glass windows and floral artwork of Chini, Caleb and Vaughan dove into the many rooms of science and art that awaited them in the children’s lab. Depending on the time, kids can join an art class, read books in little pods, exchange toys, explore wonders of science and experiment with light, sound, shadows, touch and feel within each different room.
4. Staying in the Tuscan Villa of Il Nido Di Gabbiano
This large, yet cosy B&B was exactly what I envisioned in my mind when I thought of the tuscan countryside. The owners were warm and the perfect hosts offering up warm croissants, pastries, breads and cookies in the morning alongside any hot breakfast of our choice and great coffee. Once we opened the shutters, our view swept over the greenest of hillsides housing sheep and endless farmlands. Sitting in the garden in the shade of the tree and enjoying the view is certainly something we enjoyed while Caleb investigated the garden.
5. Lunch at Passaguai Cibo e Vino, Borga San Lorenzo
More than the actual delicious lunch at this restaurant on the square. Strolling around the town/neighbourhood of Borga San Lorenzo was a morning well spent. Admire the tower, the tiny shops and the cobbled stone alleyways.
6. Seeing the Giotto exhibition at the Beato Angelico Museum
Not being the ultimate fan of museums or art exhibitions, I really enjoyed these age-old works of Catholic art by Giotto. Everything from giant frescos to sculptured baptism pillars, relics of gowns, crowns and Priest effects.
7. Pasta Lesson in Vicchio at Antica Porta di Levante
I’ve joined quite a few cooking lessons whilst traveling and our time with legendary chef Christiano was one of my favourite. We all felt completely welcome in his kitchen and he went out of his way to prepare a little cooking station for Caleb to get his hands dirty. Together we kneaded the dough, I attempted to roll it without having any remaining dough on my hands (a sign of well-seasoned chef), cut the pasta into its varying sizes and prepared ourselves to eat. Having worked in America and taught around the world, he was an absolute wealth of knowledge and a joy to learn from.
Caleb loving his cooking class and making pasta.
Chef Christiano teaching me the art of rolling pasta.
8. Shopping at the local fair of Palazzuolo sul Senio, Scarperia
A town which has become known for its artful knives, Scarperia is a charming cobbled-stoned town which truly comes alive when its market time. Vendors selling dolls, antiques, jewelry, toys, knitted gifts and embroidered blankets come out to share their wares. Don't forget to visit the knife shop and take your very own masterpiece home with your initials on it which they will do in the shop within a few minutes.
9. Espresso and Tavolo Conviviale.
It was here at an Espresso Cafe where I learnt the about ‘Tavolo Conviviale’ or as I like to call it, the table of conversation. This is table you sit at when you’re keen to meet others and make conversations with your fellow coffee sippers. Love this idea especially when the coffee and sweet treats are this good.
10. Driving through the Tuscan countryside.
Whether you’re driving in a car, cycling or even doing a trail, this is something worth taking your time with. Some of my favorite drives in tuscany were merely so I can could see the iconic Tuscan trees, marvel at the landscape, villas and farmlands. Be sure to take your camera and head out at best light.
Whether you’re driving in a car, cycling or even doing a trail, this is something worth taking your time with. Some of my favorite drives in tuscany were merely so I can could see the iconic Tuscan trees, marvel at the landscape, villas and farmlands. Be sure to take your camera and head out at best light.
Whether you’re driving in a car, cycling or even doing a trail, this is something worth taking your time with. Some of my favorite drives in tuscany were merely so I can could see the iconic Tuscan trees, marvel at the landscape, villas and farmlands. Be sure to take your camera and head out at best light.
Thank you to the Mugello Tourism Board for hosting us in this incredible region and to Valentina Dainelli (@toomuchtuscany) for being the best guide.
