Tour of Italy: Florence, Sienna and Pisa are fantastico
Roger Simmons,
We make a welcomed return to Italy in late September and early October thinking it would be a slow time for visitors. It turns out there is no slow time for Italian tourism anymore.
But, hey, it’s Italy – so how can you complain about that?
Florence is one of our favorite Italian cities, and we made it our basecamp for our stay. But we also took day trips to Sienna and Pisa. And we walked and walked and walked and walked all over the place.
The food was fabulous, the wine was delicious and the towns were amazing.
Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno, Florence, Italy, September 2025.View of Florence at sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy, September 2025.View of Florence at sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy, September 2025.Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka Duomo, Florence, Italy, October 2025. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka Duomo, Florence, Italy, October 2025. King of Cheese, Florence, Italy, October 2025.Anyone for a little pork? Porchetteria in Florence, Italy, September 2025.Little piggy outside restaurant in Sienna, Italy, October 2025.Street scene in Sienna, Italy, October 2025.Piazza del Campo (site of the famous Palio di Siena horse races, Siena, Italy, October 2025.Piazza del Campo (site of the famous Palio di Siena horse races, Siena, Italy, October 2025.Duomo di Siena, Sienna, Italy, October 2025.Inside Duomo di Siena, Sienna, Italy, October 2025.Inside Duomo di Siena, Sienna, Italy, October 2025.Inside Duomo di Siena, Sienna, Italy, October 2025.Bell Tower of the Pisa Cathedral (aka the Leaning Tower of Pisa), Italy, October 2025.Bell Tower of the Pisa Cathedral (aka the Leaning Tower of Pisa), Italy, October 2025.Bell Tower of the Pisa Cathedral (aka the Leaning Tower of Pisa), Italy, October 2025.Ponte alle Grazie over the Arno, Florence, Italy, September 2025.David at Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy, September 2025.Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy, September 2025Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy, September 2025Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy, September 2025.Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy, October 2025.Top of tower at Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy, September 2025.Neptune’s Fountain at Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy, September 2025.Neptune’s Fountain at Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy, September 2025. Statue called “Common Man” on Ponte alle Grazie, Florence Italy, September 2025.Florence, Italy, October 2025.Flying over the Alps en route to Italy, September 2025.
Between clouds and rain showers, I was able to visit my three go-to spots for birding – Orlando Wetlands, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – in the first two weeks of January.
While the birds seemed to be preparing for some upcoming stormy weather, I found out that others at the UCF Arboretum were going about their usual routines.
