Italy 2021 was a late‑summer loop through Tuscany and the South, beginning in Florence and rolling to Cinque Terre for cliffside trails and boat days from Monterosso, then pivoting to Napoli and the Amalfi ridge paths above lemon terraces. We drifted south through Agropoli’s broad beaches, Matera’s cave‑cut Sassi, and Taranto’s waterfront before settling into Lecce for Salento hikes and sea swims, then city stretches in Bari and a cliff‑ringed finish around Vieste, with a final hop out through Brussels. It blended trains and ferries with coastal drives, early‑bird starts, and long balcony evenings—pandemic‑era improvisation threaded through Renaissance streets, rugged coastlines, and quiet hill towns.
👉 All the places we’ve visited during this trip are available on Google Maps
Trip Summary
✈ Day 1: travel vs pandemic → Arrival day: navigating pandemic routines, settling in with first walks and meals in Firenze
📷 Day 2: this little piggy didn’t go to the market → wander in Firenze; markets missed, cafés found, and museum‑adjacent streets.
📷 Day 3: the early bird gets the worm… or something better, hopefully → Dawn starts for crowd‑free squares, espresso runs, and art‑rich corners in Firenze.
🚆 Day 4: All aboard! → Train to Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre); seaside check‑in and first cliffside views.
🥾 Day 5: hitting the trail → Coastal hiking between villages; stairs, terraces, and sea‑level recovery.
⛵ Day 6: Cinque Terre by boat → Ferry day along the coast; harbour hops and swims by rocky coves.
🚆 Day 7: the rule is there are no rules → Rail to Napoli; keeping a flexible plan, street energy, and pizza priorities.
🚘 Day 8: when life gives you lemons, go to Amalfi → Amalfi switchbacks; lemon groves, ridge paths, and a slow village dinner near Pianillo.
🥾 Day 9: the way of the mountain → Mountain trail above the coast; stair climbs, viewpoints, and post‑hike gelato and moving to Amalfi.
🚘 Day 10: off the map → Drive further south; broad beaches, quiet promenade, and seafood sampler in Agropoli.
🍷 Day 11: no plan survives contact with reality → Improvised route: buffalo dairy stop, wine tasting, and sunset coast walk.
🏖️ Day 12: sand! sand everywhere → Beach day rhythm: umbrellas up, swim–read–swim, sandy shoes home near Agropoli.
🚘 Day 13: hello Matera → Arrival among the Sassi in Matera; stone steps, cave views, and terrace aperitivo.
📷 Day 14: sassi → Full Sassi circuit; rock‑cut lanes, belvederes, and slow‑shaded lunch.
🚘 Day 15: heading to Taranto → Waterfront arrival in Taranto; lungomare strolls and seafood dinner.
📷 Day 16: this is Sparta! …or not → Taranto’s Museums and fort; harbour loops and market detours.
🚘 Day 17: the road less travelled → Baroque‑fronted streets; settle‑in, evening piazza circuit in Lecce.
📷 Day 18: comfortable seats → Lecce’s comforts day: cafés, shaded benches, and light sightseeing.
🥾 Day 19: you prickly bastard → Salento trail with cactus‑lined paths; coastal scrambles and beach cooldown.
🥾 Day 20: swimming on the trail → Cliff‑trail day with swim stops; turquoise coves and sun‑dry pauses.
🚘 Day 21: I’m touristed out → City reset; Bari old town, focaccia slices, and early lights out.
🥾 Day 22: two steps forward and one step back → On‑again off‑again sightseeing; mixed progress, good coffee.
📷 Day 23: local mating rituals → observing seaside courting and lively piazzas in Bari.
🚘 Day 24: hidden gems → Gargano drive to cliff‑ringed coast; lighthouse views and quiet coves ending in Vieste.
🥾 Day 25: Winter is coming → Windy cliff walk; rough seas, bundled layers, and warm bowls.
🚘 Day 26: sleeping in → Rest day around Vieste; late start, short strolls, gelato, and balcony time.
🏖️ Day 27: brain…washed → Beach + blow‑dry day; choppy surf, salty hair, and sunset lookout with a side of Covid testing
🚘 Day 28: the long way home → Transit through Naples for Pizza; layover logistics and final trip wrap.
