Day 10

Today’s port was Livorno, Italy, and while most people headed to Florence or Pisa, we decided to try something new since we’ve already explored Florence. Our excursion took us deep into the Tuscan countryside to the medieval villages of San Gimignano and Volterra, with a stop between the two at the beautiful Tenuta Torciano Cantina & Ristorante for an incredible wine tasting and farm‑to‑table multi‑course lunch. We both agreed it was one of the best excursions we’ve ever been on, shared with 12 other sailors who made the day even more fun.

San Gimignano was our first stop, rising out of the hills with its iconic skyline of medieval towers — now 14 remain, earning it the nickname “Medieval Manhattan.” Its stone streets, artisan shops, and sweeping Tuscan views make it feel like a perfectly preserved Renaissance postcard. We did a bit of shopping here, picking up local artisan and regionally made items that we’ll use at home — the kind of pieces that feel special because they carry the spirit of the village.

After exploring San Gimignano, we headed to Tenuta Torciano Cantina & Ristorante, a family‑run winery with more than 300 years of tradition. The estate is surrounded by vineyards, gardens, and rolling hills, and the hospitality was unforgettable — warm, funny, and full of Tuscan personality. Our wine tasting featured Chianti, Super Tuscan blends, Vernaccia, olive oils, and balsamic, all paired with a farm‑to‑table multi‑course lunch made entirely from ingredients grown or produced right on the property. The breads were baked fresh that morning, the cheeses came from the farm’s own milk, and the vegetables, herbs, and olive oils were harvested straight from their gardens. Every dish tasted like sunshine, soil, and tradition — rustic, generous, and absolutely delicious.

Our final stop was Volterra, perched high above the countryside with roots stretching back over 3,000 years. The town is known for its Etruscan walls, alabaster workshops, atmospheric medieval streets, and its newly discovered Roman theater, uncovered only in recent years and revealing an entire ancient entertainment complex beneath the hillside. Volterra also has a long‑standing historic vampire lore, with legends woven into its medieval identity long before Twilight ever existed. And of course, for me — with my love of the Twilight series — getting to stand in the village named as the home of the Volturi was an extra fun bonus. Even though the movie filmed those scenes in another town about 1.5 hours away, the story places the Volturi in Volterra… and honestly, what media specialist wouldn’t love a good book tie‑in 🤪? We also did more shopping here, finding locally crafted pieces that feel like little treasures from the Tuscan hills.

On the drive back, we even passed the Andrea Bocelli family estate, tucked into the countryside — a little unexpected bonus that made the ride home feel even more magical.

It was a day of medieval towers, ancient stones, incredible wine, fresh‑from‑the‑farm food, artisan finds, and countryside magic — easily one of the best excursions of the entire trip.Read more