Magical experiences can happen during a hike or because of a hike. Early last year, I went hiking with three friends and that was how I ended up spending a little over a week in Tuscany, Italy in late November. It was a wonderful experience, my third European country in less than six months, but a very different experience to Sweden and Norway. The moral of the story is, take a hike!

Who hasn’t dreamed of Italy? Wine, pasta, culture, leather, gelato, olive trees, vineyards…

Tuscany was a week of excellent company, wine, breathtaking landscapes, history, wine, great food, many laughs, beautiful sunsets, wine, and much, much more. It wasn’t peak season in November so we didn’t have to deal with big crowds at any of the sites we visited – just how I like it. And we were blessed by the weather gods. This post is mostly about the photos, with a few thoughts and suggestions thrown in for good measure.

Driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart. Also, Shayla has nerves of steel!

Don’t get a parking ticket. It may haunt you for life.

A good deal really could be too good to be true. And it’s okay to admit that, bitch about it, and still enjoy it.

I love books and libraries including libraries that aren’t about books. Enoliteca: A wine “library” built over an archaeological site, with a view (view not shown 😁).

Some structures and institutions last for centuries (even those that lean); some just a few years.

A standpipe across cultures, styles, and miles is still a standpipe.

When I first encountered Bata shoe store as a child, I had no idea I would learn its history as an adult, in Italy.

Choose your second hotel because you liked how it looked as you drove by. Doesn’t matter if it’s only for one night. It’ll be worth it.

I love cheese. And white wine. And chocolate. The order doesn’t matter.

That is my hand! Or, when is my hand not my hand? IYKYK.

I made the pici but had no desire to eat the pici. That’s a story for another time! 😉

Beware of cats. They will storm your castle, subdue your cook, and take over your kitchen. But don’t let that deter you from ordering the pizza at Ristorante Pizzeria Le Macine. It was great 🤩.

Carpe diem because life is unpredictable.

As I write this post, I’m reminded that life is unpredictable. It may not always turn out the way you envision. The journey may have many curves, but the curves allow for more adventurous living. When I was studying for my Bachelor’s, I envisioned travel writing as a career. In the years since finishing that degree, I researched and wrote a lot about tourism, but it wasn’t the type of writing I’d dreamt about, though I enjoyed it and it continues to serve me very, very well. I hope that through that avenue I’ve made valuable contributions to people and communities. Now I blog about whatever I want, but mostly about travel and tourism… One could say that I’m a travel writer. The universe has an interesting sense of humour or time longer than twine.

Today I saw koalas, wombats, penguins, a cassowary, and a spotted-tailed quoll. Will my writing ever catch up with my adventures and non-adventures? Perhaps not. Uh gone!