Tanning Under the Tuscan Sun
Why do vacations make us think that all 24 hours of the day need to be filled doing things. I propose a new way of travel – one that involves tossing the itinerary and melting into a pool lounger, Aperol spritz in hand.
I admit, in the past I have been the enforcer of a strict timetable. I’ve been known to map out itineraries to the hour, working in items like, “2:00-3:30pm: Relax at hotel.” This level of neuroticism has had its benefits, to be sure, but it also makes travel so much more stressful than it needs to be. Why do I suddenly become a militant project manager the minute I start writing up a travel plan?
On a recent trip to Florence, Italy, I decided to take a different approach to planning. Ahead of my trip, I did my usual manic doomscroll of every article and account I could find. I felt overwhelmed by all there was to do, but instead of trying to cram every last activity into my one-week itinerary, I listened to my gut and only booked the things I really wanted to do. Art museums? Check. Galileo’s birthplace? I’ll pass. Winery tour? Yes! Italian cooking class? Not this time. By only booking in advance the things that really spoke to me, I went into the week with a structured, yet open, schedule. Although there were a lot more activities I could do, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything, or wasted my time on something I didn’t really care about.
I also applied this logic to restaurants. Instead of making sure I made a reservation at only the most recommended places, I saved options in different areas around the city. When I found myself wanting a panini outside the Uffizi Gallery, I quickly saw that I Fratellini was about 10 steps away. On the Oltrarno side of the river and needing a sweet treat, I quickly decided on Gelateria La Carraia. I found this method much more fluid and enjoyable, and I was also able to go into a restaurant without high expectations based on reviews. And, let’s be honest, basically anywhere you go in Florence is going to serve top-notch food, so I wasn’t worried about finding myself in a dud.
When, on the final days of my trip, I found myself at a beautiful Agriturismo just an hour outside of Florence, I followed the same guidance I’d given myself before. What do I really want to do? This resort had a slew of activities – e-bike rentals, spa services, wine tastings, truffle hunting, helicopter tours – but after a week of walking around Florence’s historic streets, what I really wanted to do was…nothing. I wanted to sit in a pool chair by the infinity pool, overlooking the gorgeous, flowing vineyard with an Aperol spritz in hand. I wanted to enjoy a Caprese salad and listen to the sounds of nature by the outdoor bistro. I wanted to lay in my big, canopied bed in my plush hotel robe and reminisce on the days before. And so, I did just that.
I know ‘Just do what you want to do’ isn’t a revolutionary thought. But for me, it allowed me to let go of the pressure to have a perfect vacation. What’s wrong with sitting around in your hotel room, or taking a long walk with nowhere to go in a place you’ve never been? Why not lounge for hours poolside, tanning under the Tuscan sun? From now on, that's how I’ll be vacationing.