Detours Gay Travel Blog
ITALIAN SUMMER: NEED WE SAY MORE?
- Detours
- Feb 21, 2025
You just can’t go wrong with an Italian summer. 🤌
With a rich history, stunning and diverse landscapes, world class cuisine (and of course, wine) — it’s no surprise people keep coming back to Italy again and again. There’s something special about la dolce vita, especially in the iconic province of Tuscany.
Our Italian adventure kicks off on July 22 and again on September 5 with a start amidst the hustle and bustle of Rome (or maybe a couple days sooner if you add one of our Italian extensions), and wraps up in Tuscany 8 days later.
Following our Roman rendezvous together, we’ll spend the duration of our trip in beautiful Tuscany. We can’t predict the weather, but we do anticipate a lot of sunshine, and clear blue skies... ☀️😎
If you’ve ever seen Call Me by Your Name, you’ll get to experience the film’s idyllic locations with your own eyes. Tuscany is film-worthy (and Instagram-able) for a reason, because it’s just that pretty! Once you go, you’ll understand why…
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of waking up inside an 800-year-old castle in a quaint Italian village overlooking Tuscan vineyards… well, we’ve got that covered too!
The best part? You get to share your experiences with other Detours travelers. The social opportunities are endless; whether it’s poolside during the day, or on the terrazza over a glass (or bottle) of Chianti in the evening. 🍷
Our small groups (max 30 on this particular trip) make it easy to socialize and we encourage a laid-back travel experience through each day. 😌
A bit of a disclaimer, which probably goes without saying, but Italians know how to dress well! So maybe take extra care planning those outfits before you pack your bags... 🧳🤵♂️ 😉
Let’s get into what to expect from our Italian escapade…
ROME
Rome, known as the eternal city, hardly needs an introduction. But for formality’s sake, we’ll touch on what to expect for our short stay in the Italian capital.
Once we get the group together, your two trip leaders will kick things off with a traditional Italian experience: a delicious meal surrounded by good company. 🍝🫒
Followed by a night on the town in Rome’s gayborhood, Via San Giovanni in Laterano.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it certainly can’t be seen in a day, so we encourage you to arrive a few days early to experience what the city has to offer (or shake off the jetlag) before we kick things off.
PISA AND LUCCA
Once we’ve settled into our castle compound, we’ll take a short day trip to Pisa (and neighboring Lucca) with our local Italian tour guide.
You’ll get to check off an iconic Italian building with a peculiar slant off your bucket list. I think you know the one we’re referring to: the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Our group won’t be the only ones looking for a photo. So, if you need some inspo to spice things up, we’ve got you covered! 🤳
We’ll explore the 3,000-year-old city centre of Pisa, an ancient hub for arts and maritime culture that still maintains this distinction (despite being potentially overshadowed by its tower). Pisa is also the birthplace of the scientist Galileo Galilei.
We’ll spend the afternoon in the city of Lucca, a medieval walled city nestled beneath the Apuan Alps and the Pisan Mountain Range. Lucca is another fairytale-like Tuscan city, and maybe a lesser-known Italian cultural hub (and a highlight of the region).
SIENA AND FLORENCE
After enjoying a little rest and relaxation at our castle, and probably plenty of cheese, meat, and wine on our free day, we’ll take a short drive to the city of Siena, formally a wealthy independent city-state in medieval times, that descended into poverty.
Luckily, the neglect allowed the city to maintain its Medieval buildings and rustic charm, and its iconic square, Piazza del Campo. Sienese are proud of their medieval heritage, which allows events like the ancient Palio di Siena to run from the 11th century to this day. This isn’t your average horse race (think fist fights, flag throwing, and impressive outfits)!
Our local gay tour guide will provide plenty of historical context on this unique city, followed by another delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
The next day we’ll take a trip to Florence, the epicenter of Renaissance culture and soak in the many sights it has to offer. Even making a visit to Michelangelo’s Statue of David while we’re at it…
Florence is undeniably beautiful and may be the most-culturally rich city in the entire world. Opera, the piano, gelato, banking, the printing press, and Italian language all have their ties to "Firenze" (What the Italians call Florence). Making it a hotbed for invention and creativity, and likely the cradle of Italian civilization (despite what the Romans might say).
The city also screams romance, as you’ve probably seen before with the city’s beautiful bridge and viewpoint, Ponte Vecchio. Or looking down on Florence from atop the Piazzale Michelangelo.
And don’t worry, of course there will be another delicious meal in the evening before we get back to our villa.
After Florence, we’ll have one more day at the castle, with plenty of time to take a ride through the surrounding villages on bike, or visit the many wineries close by. We’ll top things off with, you guessed it, another unforgettable meal with good company! You’re picking up on the trend, right? 😋
This time, there will probably be a bit more reminiscing involved before we head back to Rome the following day…
And remember, if you didn’t get enough of Italy, you can always spend a few extra nights in Venice for good measure…
FUN UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
There’s an Italian expression: La Vita È Come Una Fotografia. Se Sorridi, Viene Meglio. For non-Italian speakers, it translates to: “Life is like a photograph. If you smile, it’s better.”
We don’t doubt this short Italian excursion will leave you grinning from ear to ear, with plenty of amazing photos, and unforgettable experiences. More importantly, it’s a chance to live the sweet life in Tuscany (even if it’s for a short time).
We figured we’d leave you with another Italian expression for good measure (last one, we promise) … Meglio tardi che mai; or “Better late than never”…
So, if you haven’t experienced an Italian summer before, click here to learn more about our itinerary. We hope you can join us and experience the charms of gay group travel in elegant Tuscany!
Who knows, maybe after your visit, you’ll find yourself back again for a longer stay. Or pulling an Under the Tuscan Sun-like move, and packing your bags for good…