Why do so many travelers leave Florence saying, “It was beautiful… but I wish we had more time”? In this episode of Mediterranean Diaries, I'll help you understand why Florence can feel unexpectedly overwhelming, and how a simple shift in mindset transforms the experience entirely. With an extraordinary concentration of art and architecture inside the Uffizi Gallery, the Galleria dell'Accademia, the iconic Florence Cathedral, and along the historic Ponte Vecchio, everything feels essential - and easily rushed.

I discuss the most common Florence travel mistakes, the truth about peak season in September and October, the best time of day to explore, and how many days you truly need. More importantly, we reframe Florence as a city of rhythm rather than checklists - one that rewards early mornings, long lunches, and unhurried wandering.

You’ll also discover why Florence serves as an ideal base for Tuscany, with effortless access to destinations like Pisa, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the gastronomic capital, Bologna. Drawing on over a decade of living in Italy, I share how slowing down transforms Florence from overwhelming to unforgettable and how to design a journey that feels seamless, intentional, and deeply personal.

If you are planning a trip to Florence, building an Italy itinerary, considering a Tuscany wine experience, or simply searching for a more refined and authentic way to travel, this episode offers clarity and perspective. And for those seeking a seamless, beautifully curated journey, at Fabulous Vita, we design bespoke experiences across Italy, ensuring each trip unfolds with elegance, balance, and depth: ⁠https://fabulousvita.com

Link to the YouTube video on TUSCANY in FALL: Why It’s the Season EVERYONE Wants to Be Here: https://youtu.be/ttMQo_WaWEk?si=l3r6rMqqD63uJ4RU

Link to the YouTube video on HOW TO TRAVEL TUSCANY: MONTEPULCIANO: https://youtu.be/hntYUkTcasY?si=P0gHAMDp9XcVENFX

Link to the YouTube video on PISA, ITALY - YOUR PERFECT Trip Itinerary: https://youtu.be/vzRcbc8zCfc?si=O2d7tYNR2DNDtJja

Link to the YouTube video on HOW TO SPEND A WEEKEND IN TUSCANY - Pitigliano and Hot Springs in Saturnia: https://youtu.be/gMZViNkW5Go?si=_6A2wQY4SONYtpdu

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0:01 Florence Travel Guide: Why So Many Visitors Feel Overwhelmed

2:30 Rome vs Florence: The Essential Mindset Shift for Italy Travel

3:10 Biggest Florence Travel Mistakes to Avoid

5:39 Best Time of Day to Explore Florence (Avoid Crowds & Heat)

7:56 Is September or October Really Shoulder Season in Italy?

8:45 How to Experience Florence Like a Local: Slow Travel & Rhythm

10:10 Using Florence as a Base: Tuscany Wine Tours & Day Trips

13:33 Designing a Seamless Italy Trip: Luxury & Bespoke Travel Planning

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Connect with me:

Youtube Channel : ⁠https://youtube.com/c/StayFabulousTL⁠

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiya.gorshkova/

Wondering whether spring or summer is the best time to visit Italy? In this episode, I'm breaking down the real differences between traveling to Italy in spring vs summer, including weather, crowds, prices, hotel availability, transportation, and itinerary planning.

You’ll learn how Italy’s peak travel seasons affect destinations like Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia, and Tuscany, and how to choose the right timing based on your travel style, sightseeing goals, and coastal vacation plans.

Discover why May is often considered the best month to visit Italy, how summer heat impacts city travel, and why crowds shift between cultural cities and coastal destinations throughout the year. Whether you’re planning a culture-focused itinerary, a coastal escape, or a bespoke European journey, this episode will help you choose the right season for a seamless and unforgettable trip to Italy.

Link to the YouTube video on Chianti, Tuscany - The Complete Travel Guide to Italy’s Wine Heartland - https://youtu.be/Q0i44FI-b1Y?si=0jvDfP23tcMJAzXT

Link to the YouTube video on Fall in Italy: Why September & October Are the Peak Season - https://youtu.be/oz5ekPARF-E?si=i5cK2CjuUbNfvtL5

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0:00 Italy Spring vs Summer: Choosing the Best Time to Visit Italy

0:59 A Peek Into The Series: Mediterranean Diaries

3:20 Weather in Italy: Spring vs Summer Travel Experience

5:05 Crowds: Cities vs Coastal Destinations by Season

7:01 Italy Travel Costs: Hotels, Availability, and Peak Season Pricing

8:56 Getting Around: Transportation, Ferries, and Summer Logistics

11:42 Why Late Spring (May) Is Ideal to Visit Italy

13:13 Summer Travel in Italy: Coastal Travel, Heat, and Planning Ahead

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Connect with me:

Fabulous Vita Travel Agency : ⁠https://fabulousvita.com

Youtube Channel : ⁠https://youtube.com/c/StayFabulousTL⁠

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiya.gorshkova/

Traveling to Italy now comes with an important change that many visitors, especially Americans - are only discovering upon arrival. In this episode, I share my firsthand experience navigating Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where traditional passport stamping is being replaced by biometric border control technology, including passport scanning, facial recognition, and fingerprint registration. As the European Union rolls out the EES across Schengen borders in 2026, the arrival process in Italy is evolving, and early implementation is already creating longer wait times, technical challenges, and confusion for international travelers.

With this episode, I offer a clear, practical look at what Americans traveling to Italy should expect at airport immigration, how the new EU border control system works, and how to plan your arrival in Rome and other Italian destinations more effectively. Whether you are visiting Italy for the first time or returning to experience la dolce vita again, understanding these new European travel procedures, airport arrival delays, and Schengen entry requirements will help you arrive prepared, confident, and ready to begin your journey.

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0:00 Italy’s New Entry/Exit System (EES): What Changed at Airport Arrival

3:00 Arriving in Rome: Real Experience at Passport Control in Fiumicino

5:40 What American Travelers Should Expect When Entering Italy

6:16 How to Plan Your Italy Arrival Under the New EU Border System

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Connect with me:

Fabulous Vita Travel Agency : ⁠https://fabulousvita.com

Youtube Channel : ⁠https://youtube.com/c/StayFabulousTL⁠

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiya.gorshkova/