Ya, lose weight, eat better, yadda yadda. First off who makes resolutions anymore? Secondly who makes resolutions that actually get played out?

I haven’t made a resolution, huh, probably ever. At least not a serious one with some foresight and drive involved, more like wishful thinking.

My Resolution…

This year  I opened my big mouth on Instagram  and shared my resolution for 2014.

My resolution is to get out of Florence and discover more of Tuscany. Since I like a challenge and since I love to be overly overwhelmed with to-do’s, work, projects, life, etc. I thought why not see more of what’s right in my backyard.

Living in Florence sounds all exciting and romantic, and it is don’t get me wrong, BUT there’s a whole other world just outside. The world that others dream about and swoon over. That is Tuscany.

Now although many tourists have no clue that Tuscany is a region that Florence lives and breaths in, the word ‘Tuscany’ draws up muted hills and Chianti wine more than the duomo. Many times I’ll hear people visiting Florence tell me “I’m going to Tuscany tomorrow!” Huh, well, that’s awesome because you’re already IN Tuscany sweetheart.

I get it, Florence is so famous that people may think that it’s its own thing. So although I live IN Tuscany I want to see more OF Tuscany! Medieval towns, vineyards, storybook landscapes, I want it all.

The Best of Tuscany Resolution

I took myself up on this challenge and just got back from my first adventure!

I went to Certaldo for a night and stayed at Il Castello (loved it!) and then explored Colle Val D’Elsa and Monteriggioni.

Certaldo has been ringing in my ears for a while. I never knew much about it, just that it was a beautiful walled city up in Tuscany. Guess what?! It’s 50 minutes from my house. So hard to believe! My next post will be about that little ‘staycation.’

This weekend I’m off for more exploring…Maremma is next! I’ll be joining Katja—from Map It Out Tuscany, or you may know her as @AnythingTuscan—to take a peek into her life and have some fun trekking through the countryside. Check out her beautiful blog filled with great tips and unbelievable photography!

My #bestoftuscany list

Yup, there’s a hashtag for this resolution of mine, so follow along on Twitter and Instagram. So far here’s my must-see list! What would you recommend? Any specific tips!?

Certaldo
Colle Val D’Elsa
Monteriggioni
Cinigiano, Maremma
Viareggio
Carrara
Lunigiana
Cortona
Barga
Scarlino
Castiglione della Pescaia
Massa Marittima
Manciano
Pitigliano
Sovana
Capalbio
Prato
Pistoia
Volterra
Elba
Poppi
Sansepolcro

I didn’t realize that I’ve already seen a lot of Tuscany, but now it’s time to see the other side of Tuscany! So far I’ve been to Lucca, Pisa, San Miniato, Val D’Orcia, Montalcino, Fiesole, San Gimignano, Castellina in Chianti, San Piero a Sieve, Scarperia, Siena, Arezzo, Carrara, Viareggio, Pietrasanta, Pedona, Forte di Marmi and Grosseto. Who knows, I may repeat a few of these! Any favorites?

Your turn!

So, I challenge you, ya YOU! Get out of your house, get out of your city and explore.

Life’s too short to not wander, to not get lost, to not see things with your own eyes. Tweet it

When people talk about a place something burns inside me and jolts me to see it for myself. I don’t like to read about places, I prefer to feel them and to experience them.

What place are you dying to see this year?

Like this post? Share it! Like the image, pin it!