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EUROTRAVEL TIPS: Traveling to Tuscany

April 30, 2015

This is soooo delayed but I’m trying to get some blogging done, while I’m sick in bed with a horrible cough that just wont go away. It’s one of the consequences of the quality of Manila air, especially when you are in the CBD, where it’s so convenient to walk everywhere, but there are so many buildings being built around us.

Okay now, back to Tuscany…

IT’S CHEAPER TO TRAVEL THROUGH PISA

Though Florence is the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany, we found that it is much more affordable to go to Tuscany via the Pisa International Airport than the Florence international Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola and formally Amerigo Vespucci Airport). If you want to save on cost, fly to Pisa instead and go around Tuscany from there.

Pisa International Airport

pisa-international-airport

BUY TICKETS IN THE STATION RIGHT BEFORE YOU LEAVE

TDWinFlorence-trains

Our host recommended this and I can agree that it was the least stressful option for us. Normally I like to plan ahead and book my tickets online, but the information on google maps and trenitalia don’t match and I couldn’t rely on the train schedule to be accurate.

This gave us flexibility and we avoided getting stressed out about missing our train. We bought the train tickets in the station and this gave us enough time to catch the next one going to our destination. They came at regular intervals between Pisa, Florence and Siena so it was never a long wait.

EVALUATE THE RISKS BEFORE RENTING A CAR

Initially, I wanted to rent a car so that we could easily get around Tuscany until I remembered how crazy driving can be in Italy. The roads are narrow, twisting and Italian drivers are fast, aggressive and skillful.

 via

Parking is also a headache. I heard that it’s not really a big deal in Italy when they scratch their cars while parking and it’s sort of inevitable because of such tight parking spaces.  This is so the opposite for Germans who are quite particular about their cars. I am the same way, so I’m glad I avoided the hassle of taking care of a rented car. After seeing all the scratched and dented cars in Tuscany, I know we made the right choice.

If you end up renting, make sure to spring for insurance so you don’t get stressed when the rental gets damaged.

A safer option (and cost-efficient if you are in a group) is to rent a car with a driver who is already familiar with the roads and driving etiquette. Read more about driving in Italy here.

TAKE NAUSEA MEDS OR USE SEA-BANDS

Be warned, TMI coming up.

I am prone to car sickness so I took (pregnancy-approved) nausea meds, but it didn’t prevent me from getting sick. Even TD – who never gets car sick – was not spared from dizziness and the urge to purge after we were driven from Chiusdino to Siena. We both looked terrible despite the luxe limousine service from Chiusdino.

Personally, we were less nauseous taking the bus. I think is because the bus is larger, it cannot take the curves as fast as a car. Being in a car was like getting my insides shaken. I’m not sure I would go back, only to avoid those roads.

YOU CAN’T HAIL CABS FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

Get the number of a cab company so you can call for one when you need it.  There is extra cost when you call for one.

via

The other option is to look for a taxi rank (pictured) and take a cab from there. Sometimes this is not so convenient because taxi ranks seem few and far between. So there were times, like going to the airport with luggage, that paying extra to get picked up by a cab was the simplest solution.

BUY BUS TICKETS FROM A TABACCHI

TDWinFlorence-tabacchi

You cannot buy bus tickets on the bus itself. We made sure to buy bus tickets from a Tabacchi and had them with us, just in case we needed them. 

They are cheaper when you buy them in a bundle of 4 instead of individually, then validate them as you use them. We didn’t take the bus often, because the bus schedule was not reliable and many times it was faster to walk, but it was good to have bus tickets ready, just in case you are tired and would rather use the bus than walk back to your accommodations.

Once you validate your ticket, you can use it as much as you want for 90 minutes, then it expires.

BRING AN ADAPTER FOR ITALIAN SOCKETS

Since we have electronics and chargers that were purchased in Asia, not all of them are compliant with the EU standard.

diplo-travel-tips-italy-adapter

socket | 3-prong adapter

Italy has some sockets that have 3 holes, but the EU 2 prong plugs are compatible. It is case to case when you have a round base plug. The simple and inexpensive adaptor above was sufficient for us.

AVOID TOURIST TRAPS & TACKY SOUVENIRS

TDWtraveldiaries-florence-italy-tourist-traps

There are a lot of tourist traps with super tacky souvenirs. I would avoid those because you spend a lot for something ugly. In reality there are so many beautiful artisanal shops for food, stationery, leather bags… things that would truly give you joy or that you can use for a long time. I recommend buying those instead so that you aren’t just adding to the clutter in your home.

USE A STRUCTURED CROSSBODY BAG

When travelling I recommend a bag with…

  • Sturdy shoulder straps which allow you to keep your bag securely in front of you, when you need to use your hands for taking public transport, paying, taking pictures, etc.
  • A structured shape that easily lets you know when it’s being opened. Soft slouchy bags are easier for pickpockets to slip their hand into without you noticing.
  • A zipper that closes it all the way.

To avoid becoming an easy target for theft. Wherever you are in the world, crowded touristy areas like Loggia dei Lanzi below are places where thieves prowl for easy targets, knowing that tourists usually bring a lot of cash with them.

Loggia dei Lanzi

TDWtraveldiaries-florence-loggia-dei-lanzi

#DiploTips: Always have the bag slung across your body in front of you. NEVER on the side of your hips or behind you. This makes you an easier target.

Also if someone is close to you in a crowded area or transport, don’t allow them to drape their coat, shawl, etc on top of your bag and block your vision of your bag. If you are in a crowded place or in a situation where you need to keep your eyes elsewhere (i.e. train or bus signs), have your hand draped over the closure for extra security.

If you are getting jossled, pushed, shaken, chances are you are already being robbed. They are just distracting you with the physical altercation so they can grab your watch, jewelry or bag.

WEAR CLOSED SHOES

Florence, like the rest of Italy, has small roads and sidewalks.  And there is inevitably dog poop (massive ones!) that aren’t picked up by their owners. The hard Italian stone surfaces do not allow the poop to biodegrade into the soil, so we saw a lot of stepped-on dog poo and had to be extra careful.  I can’t imagine having to navigate those streets with flip-flops or sandals. The thought of poop accidentally touching my feet sends shivers up my spine.

TDW-florence-spring

WEAR ORTHOPEDIC SHOES

Florence is definitely a walking city. It’s faster and more convenient to walk, than to wait for the bus, but Italian streets are hard and made of stone. Standing and walking on them takes a terrible toll on feet. Stone is unyielding and feet need flexibility because arches collapse while walking/standing. It’s especially important to wear shoes with:

  1. Arch support and soft insole to support a collapsing arch
  2. Soles with enough cushion to absorb the impact of hard flooring.
  3. 0.5-2 inch wedged heels.
  4. Proper fit – not too small/large, too pointy nor too wide/narrow.

Fashion shoes that are too pointed or too high may cause your feet muscles to cramp up, spasm and puts pressure on the balls of your feet.

I think this says it all: When Your Feet Hurt, Everything Hurts. Go for comfort and support to enjoy your days walking under the Tuscan sun!

Enjoy your time in Tuscany!

P.S. Isn’t pregnancy hair just glorious? I miss mine now that I have super short hair, but it’s just too hot in Manila for long hair IMO.

TDWinFlorence-travel-diaries

Read more about my fabulous Florentine finds, tips and tricks here. Hopefully, I will have time to add posts on our luxury escape in Tuscany too.

READ: Other memorable experiences in Florence & Pisa

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @UNDIPLOMATICWIFE

I love Halloween because it’s super fun for @dip I love Halloween because it’s super fun for @diplobaby. I love how his eyes light up. Before I was a parent, there was no reason to decorate.

Glad there is now a @gifi.ch near us with affordable HALLOWEEN DECOR & COSTUMES. 🧛‍♂️ 

I hope you enjoy seeing what they have in this short video! 👻 

It’s not lost on me how much plastic is used during Halloween, from the polyester costumes to the decor elements. 

ECO TIPS:

🎃 I usually slowly built up my Halloween decor. I buy 2-4 pieces each year

🎃 I take good care of them & store properly so I can reuse for years to come. It’s never singe use!

🎃 I also don’t throw away as much as possible. If there is damage, I repair.

🎃 If i dont use something anymore, I pass them on to others by selling it for a fraction of the price on Marketplace.

🎃 If it doesn’t sell, I pass them on the Pay it Forward Nyon group or place them in the donation pile in our dechetterie where others can take them.

🎃 if it’s not repairable, I take it apart so that the materials can be recycled.

🍭 As for TREATS, I hate the PLASTIC wrapped candy 🍬 so we usually give PAPER wrapped mini chocolate bars.

⛑️ HEALTH TIP:

If a piece of decor or costume SMELLS STRONGLY OF PLASTIC, DO NOT BUY IT! That’s toxic VOCs leaching into the air. It’s not good for you!

What about you? How do you try to have a sustainable Healthy-ish Halloween?🤪

I usually go in the same costume every year. Change is overrated lol. What about you? Do you know what your wearing this year?

#UDWinGeneva #udwholidays #udwhalloween
HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
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