Florence/Rome experiences

For Rome, I recommend the Borghese Gallery, Castel Sant'Angelo, Ostia Antica, and the Protestant Cemetery in Testaccio. We combined the last two since they are in the same general direction when we were in Rome last October.

The best view over the city is from Piazzale Michelangelo, which you can walk up to or take a taxi. The church just above it, San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) has monks singing vespers in early evening.

A Florentine steak, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, is something you won’t get at home, and is the quintessential Florence specialty. Maybe not must-eat, but Tuscan bread doesn’t have salt, so it’s pretty flavorless. Tuscans are also known in Italy the “bean eaters.”

The three towns you mention are all great to visit (and I’ve stayed in Lucca and Siena), but for “real” Tuscany, the town of Fiesole is just a few quick miles outside of Florence.

In Rome, take a morning food tour with Eating Europe. With the Testaccio tour, you’ll visit the Testaccio Market in the former slaughterhouse district and see the manmade hill made 2,000 years ago from ancient Romans dumping used oil vessels into a huge pile. There’s also an ancient marble pyramid in the Testaccio neighborhood (Metro stop Piramide) that was built 2,000 years ago by a big-shot Roman who wanted a tomb like the Pharaohs. The Protestant Cemetery is a block from it.

In Florence there is the steak, although it is really big and may be too much to eat.

In Florence be sure to visit the Opera del Duomo Museum. I also recommend Santa Croce church. There were very small or no lines when we were there ( May 2018 )

How about attending a Puccini concert in Lucca, the composer's birthplace .
Here's a link (disclaimer: I haven't used this link)
https://operaticketsitaly.com/opera-concerts-schedule-lucca/?p=34&l=2&dte=2024-05-01

A food tour in either Florence or Rome, usually 3-4 hours long but a good way to learn about the local cuisine. I loved Lucca, the walled city is interesting as is the walk or bike ride on the walls. Puccini was born in Lucca so you might find a concert of his music but that’s more likely in the evening.
Depending on when you are in Rome, a walk in the Appian Way is interesting. I believe It’s closed to all but local traffic on Sunday, providing a pleasant walk. Also some of the catacombs are along the Way.

Tuscan cuisine- I remember a lovely rabbit dish I had in Lucca; guancale (wild boar) is also good. And shaved truffles with everything, depending on time of year. I was there in October. And of course the wine!

Just a note: the Pantheon is in Rome, the Parthenon is in Athens.

To clear up any confusion…
Guanciale is a cured Italian pork cheek or jowl meat.
Cinghiale is a type of wild boar that roams freely in the forests of Tuscany.

Take a look at these two websites for food to look for in Tuscany:

https://www.tasteatlas.com/tuscany

https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/nazioni-arca/italy-en/?fwp_arca_regione=tuscany-en

For a nice short day trip by train from Florence, we've enjoyed going to Pistoia, about 30 minutes away. Market days are Saturdays and (I'm pretty sure) Wednesdays. Many green and white striped buildings. Not full of other tourists, but plenty to see and to eat:

https://www.vetrina.toscana.it/en/themes/what-to-eat-in-pistoia/

For quirky and off-the-beaten-path destinations, search https://www.atlasobscura.com/

When I think of Florentine food, I think of Lampredotto sandwich from the market or street vendor rather than bistecca. But it’s not everyone’s thing. Tuscany makes me think of farm cooking - “peasant dishes” like braised meats. In Rome, I think of pizza al taglio; a breadier style pizza sold by weight. Or artichokes or specific pasta dishes. But the earth is flat, and therefore regional cuisines are blurred. The food in Italy is almost universally better and much cheaper than you’re used to at home if you’re from the states. There are some exceptions, of course.

Opera in Florence is at https://www.maggiofiorentino.com