One of the things we value most at Telamon Travel is experiencing destinations firsthand.
No amount of research, supplier training, photos, or videos can fully replace being there. Walking through a city, staying in a hotel, navigating unfamiliar streets, and experiencing the atmosphere for yourself provides insights that simply can’t be gained any other way.
This month, I traveled to Italy for a friend’s wedding in Tuscany. Before heading into the countryside, I spent a brief stop in Florence. With only one full day to explore, I knew I wouldn’t come close to seeing everything the city has to offer. Still, that short visit was enough to make me wish I had more time.
Founder, Telamon Travel
Certified Travel Advisor
Luxury + Wellness Travel Specialist
A First Impression of Florence
I stayed near Piazza della Repubblica, which turned out to be an excellent base for exploring on foot. One of the first things I noticed about Florence was how manageable it felt. Many of the city’s most recognizable landmarks are located within a relatively compact historic center, making it easy to spend the day walking from one area to another. Even with limited time, I never felt rushed trying to get from place to place.
From my hotel, it was easy to make my way to the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, and other sites throughout the historic center. What I enjoyed most, however, was simply exploring between destinations. I often found myself turning down streets that looked interesting, stopping to admire architecture, or just seeing where the next street would lead. The city has an energy that feels both vibrant and welcoming, with locals and visitors sharing the streets, cafés, and public squares throughout the day.
History, Art, and Unexpected Connections
Knowing I only had one full day, I had to be selective about what I wanted to see. There was no chance I would fit everything into a single visit, so I focused on a few sites that interested me most and accepted that there would be plenty left for another trip. One of those stops was Palazzo Medici Riccardi. I’ve always enjoyed learning about the history behind the places I visit, and the Medici family’s influence on Florence is impossible to ignore. Walking through the palace provided a deeper understanding of the family whose wealth and patronage helped shape the city during the Renaissance. It was one of those visits that added context to everything else I would see throughout Florence.
I also spent part of the day at the Uffizi Gallery, which ended up being one of the most meaningful experiences of the trip. Many years ago, while I was in college, I wrote a paper about Artemisia Gentileschi. I became fascinated by both her work and her story. As a female artist working during the Baroque period, she achieved success at a time when opportunities for women in the arts were extremely limited. I had once planned to visit an exhibition of her work in London, but those plans never came to fruition. Seeing one of her paintings at the Uffizi brought all of that back unexpectedly. I hadn’t thought much about that paper in years, yet standing in front of her work felt surprisingly emotional. It wasn’t something I expected to feel emotional about, but it ended up being one of the moments I remember most from Florence.
The Joy of Wandering
As memorable as Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the Uffizi were, my favorite part of Florence was simply wandering the city. During my final evening and again the following morning, I put away the map and started walking. I’d pick a street that looked interesting and follow it until something else caught my attention. Sometimes that led me to a piazza, sometimes to a café, and occasionally to a part of the city I hadn’t intended to visit at all.
Those hours ended up being some of my favorite of the trip. Without constantly checking directions or watching the clock, I found myself noticing details I might otherwise have missed. Florence is a city that’s easy to explore on foot, and some of my best memories came from the time spent between the places I had originally planned to visit.
Those hours ended up being some of my favorite of the trip. Without constantly checking directions or watching the clock, I found myself noticing details I might otherwise have missed. Florence is a city that’s easy to explore on foot, and some of my best memories came from the time spent between the places I had originally planned to visit.
From Florence to the Tuscan Countryside
After Florence, I made my way into the Tuscan countryside to join friends at Castello di Ristonchi, where the wedding celebrations would take place throughout the week. The contrast between Florence and Tuscany was immediate. Within a relatively short drive, city streets gave way to rolling hills, forests, olive groves, and winding country roads. The landscape looked very much like the Tuscany people imagine when planning a trip to the region, and arriving at the castle felt like stepping into an entirely different experience.
Experiencing Castello di Ristonchi
Castello di Ristonchi sits among the hills of Tuscany and dates back nearly 1,000 years. The property serves as a venue for destination weddings, retreats, and private gatherings, and after spending several days there, it’s easy to understand why. The estate is spread across a large property with historic stone buildings, beautiful views, and plenty of space for guests to gather. Olive groves surround the castle, the estate produces its own olive oil and honey, and reminders of the property’s long history can be found throughout the grounds.
Because I was attending a wedding, I had the opportunity to experience the property as a guest rather than simply touring it for an hour or two. Over the course of several days, I saw how the venue functioned during a multi-day celebration and how guests interacted with the space. The owners and staff were exceptional throughout the week, creating an atmosphere that felt welcoming, personal, and genuinely memorable. By the end of my stay, it was easy to understand why so many couples choose the property for destination weddings and why guests leave with such fond memories of their time there.
Because I was there for a wedding, I experienced the property very differently than I would have during a site visit. Over the course of the week, guests spread out across the estate, gathering for meals, celebrations, and conversations between events. By the end of the stay, it was easy to understand why people become so attached to the property and return with such fond memories of their time there.
Reflections on Two Very Different Experiences
As the week went on, I found myself thinking about how different the two parts of the trip had been. Florence was fast-paced and energetic, filled with museums, history, and endless opportunities to explore on foot. Tuscany was slower, centered around gathering with friends and spending time at a single property. Both experiences were completely different, yet each helped me understand the destination in a deeper way.
As a traveler, those experiences created memories I’ll carry with me. As a travel advisor, they also provided firsthand insight that will help me better guide future clients considering Florence, Tuscany, or destination weddings in Italy.
Why Firsthand Experience Matters
One of the reasons firsthand travel remains so important is that it answers questions you didn’t know to ask before you arrived. Research can tell you where a destination is located, what attractions to visit, and where to stay. Being there reveals how a place feels, how travelers move through it, and what parts of the experience tend to stay with you afterward.
Florence and Tuscany offered very different experiences, but both reinforced why firsthand knowledge matters. It’s one thing to recommend a destination based on research. It’s another to have walked the streets yourself, stayed at the property, and experienced it from the perspective of a traveler.
That’s knowledge we bring back with us, and ultimately, it’s what helps us create better experiences for our clients.