Laura Ratliff

Senior Editorial Director

As we head into the long Memorial Day weekend, I'm prepping myself for a busy summer travel season. My summer dance card is full—and as fellow travelers make up for lost time, I know I'm not alone. I've just returned from New Orleans, where I danced in a Second Line down Royal Street, and am en route to Utah as I type this, where I'll spend a couple of days fly-fishing and hiking. Other planned summer stops: Nantucket, Ibiza, and Kenya (phew!).

This time of the year, I'm often asked for summer travel tips, to which I extoll a laundry list—Book early! Read cancellation policies! Travel on off days and at odd hours!—but this year, there's no more essential tip to share with readers than this: Have a sense of humor.

With inflation, rising gas prices, unpredictable summer weather, and strapped flight crews all in play, this summer will undoubtedly be challenging for travelers. But just remember, travel is an adventure, and when things don't go as planned, you'll be surprised what a smile and a laugh can accomplish.

On Our Radar

How a Fourth-Generation Bootmaker Aims to Upend the Hiking Boot Market

Noah Swartz dropped out of Harvard to found Erem.

Celebrities Are Rocking Vintage Travel Merch—Here Are Some of Our Favorites

Joe Alwyn is the latest celebrity to bust out a hard-to-find travel tee.

Duolingo Just Opened a Taqueria to Help You Practice Your Spanish

Helmed by chef Marcella Ogrodnik, Duo Taqueria will open in Pittsburgh.

Destination of the Day

Florence, Italy

Florence is a must-see destination for first-time and repeat visitors to Italy. The capital city of the Tuscany region is known for its Renaissance-era artistic treasures, world-class art museums, and the colorful history that unfolded here over the centuries. A model Italian city and a very popular one with tourists, Florence is a delight to visit.

Things to Do

Plan to visit Florence's massive Duomo, perhaps opting to climb either the dome or the neighboring Bell Tower. See the history-filled Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio before walking across Florence's oldest bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, to explore the colorful neighborhoods of Oltrarno, "the other side of the Arno." Art lovers will not want to miss the Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," among thousands of famous works. The Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo's sculpture of David, one of the most iconic in the world. For leather goods, the San Lorenzo Outdoor Market is the place to shop and haggle a bit, while the adjacent Mercato Centrale offers a dazzling array of shops selling produce, meats, cheeses, and everything edible.

Where to Eat and Drink

As the capital of Tuscany, Florence benefits from the region's agricultural riches, making it an excellent destination for food. Meals are typically meat-heavy, with Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick T-bone steak, occupying the top of the food chain. Cured meats like prosciutto and mortadella appear on platters of mixed appetizers, called tagliere, along with regional cheeses, olives, and bread. Tuscany is also famous for its red wines, which naturally make their way into Florence's wine bars, enotecas, and restaurants. Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Chianti are among the region's most famous varieties.

Where to Stay

Despite the glut of hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and Airbnb rentals in Florence, the city fills up in peak periods. So it's never a good idea to arrive in Florence without a room reserved. Budget hotels are clustered around the Santa Maria Novella train station and the adjacent San Lorenzo area. Prices, though not necessarily quality, go up the closer one gets to the Duomo. Luxury properties are all over the city, especially around Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria. Visitors seeking a more local feel might want to head to Oltrarno, south of the Arno River, for apartment rentals and B&Bs. Consider our recommendations for the best hotels in Florence,

Vacation Like a Pro

If you are set on visiting Florence's most famous museums, you should reserve your tickets in advance; otherwise, you could spend hours waiting in line. For visiting the Duomo, including climbing to the dome or up Giotto's Bell Tower, plan to arrive first thing in the morning to beat both the heat and crowds.

Elizabeth Heath
Contributing Writer

Your Packing List

If you're traveling over the summer, fill your suitcase with T-shirts, shorts, or sundresses made of cotton, sweat-wicking microfibers, or other natural fibers.

Be sure to carry a light wrap to cover bare shoulders when entering churches.

Wear sturdy and comfortable sandals for all the walking you'll do.

Trending in Travel

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument: The Complete Guide

The Best US Cities for a Quickie Vacay

Why Buddymoons Are Becoming the Biggest Travel Trend

Get Inspired

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, located in the King Country area of the Waikato, are one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand's North Island. An extensive network of more than 300 caves, the cave complex invites visitors to explore caverns, sinkholes, and underground rivers and see thousands of glowworms lighting up the darkness like stars in the sky. As well as regular, relatively sedate cave tours, adventurous travelers can also try "black-water rafting" at Waitomo, where visitors will crawl, swim, and float through the caves using a rubber tube on the rivers.

Got Any Tips?

Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve?
Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter!