Ever since I shared a glimpse into my Tuscany vaca on my instagram, you guys had such good feedback, so I had to share a bit more detail on the blog! A bit of background on the trip… my husband and I never took a honeymoon because I got pregnant precisely one week after our wedding (no joke!). We decided to postpone which then turned into one year, two years, which eventually turned into four years later! This summer we celebrated our four year wedding anniversary, the kids were three and a half and two, and with a small lull in work, we made the commitment to plan our dream trip. My brother had won a three night stay at a bed and breakfast in Tuscany through a charity auction and asked that we join them, so we kicked off the trip with them. Then we broke off on our own heading to to Porto Ercole where we stayed at the Hotel il Pellicano, a true dream hotel, for the remainder of the trip.

When traveling I always like to have my hands free for picture taking and of course, gelato, so I was dead set on finding the perfect cross-body bag for our trip. So I headed to Neiman Marcus to find the perfect designer handbag. When I came across the Balenciaga Paper Zip-Around Triple Bag in bright blue, I knew it was the one. The perfect pop color for summer, ideal travel size {big enough to carry everything from my wallet, phone, passport, and chapstick, while appearing slim and compact}, and chic enough to work day-to-night! It was a home run! Now on to my itinerary for those of you looking to plan an insta-worthy Tuscany trip!

FH Tuscany Itinerary:

Day 1: We arrived in Florence in the late afternoon where we stayed at the St. Regis Hotel {I recommend a drink at the garden bar!}. We walked and shopped a bit and then ate dinner at a small quaint candle lit restaurant called La Giostra.

Day 2: We wandered Florence, walking the Ponte Vecchio, and visiting the Il Duomo di Firenze {a must see!}. Then we rented a car and drove to our bed and breakfast in wine country Tuscany, Podere Ciona.

Day 3: W headed to the very small town of Panzano where we ate with the most famous Butcher in all of Italy, Dario Cecchini – it was copious amounts of beef and all you can drink red wine.

Day 4: We rented vespas and rode to San Gimignano where we got gelato and had a wine tasting at a local vineyard. We finished off the day with the fanciest dinner from the entire trip, an eight course tasting menu at Michelin rated restaurant, Arnolfo.

Day 5: We drove the rental car to Porto Ercole where we stayed at the Hotel il Pellicano {the most beautiful hotel I have ever been to!}, where we tanned and relaxed by the pool or ocean. That night we dined at the hotel restaurant, Pelligrill.

Day 6: We enjoyed spa treatments, followed by a day at the pool. That night we ventured into the town {which doesn’t have much going on} and ate at a local seafood restaurant.

Day 7: More pool time {I actually never wanted to leave the resort it was so beautiful!}. That night we ate the hotel’s Michelin restaurant, Pellicano Restaurant, with Michelin starred chef Sebastian Lombardia. Sad to say goodbye this stunning place, we cheersed one last time with a dinner over-looking the water!

Day 8: Headed home.

Thank you to Neiman Marcus for partnering on this post.