10 Days in Umbria and Tuscany

via Lufthansa First Class

September 2025

Two Days in Florence

After a wonderful week in Umbria and Tuscany, we head north to spend a couple of days in beautiful Florence before flying home. It was a 90 minute drive from our Passagnano sul Trasemino villa to Florence airport, where we dropped of our rental car and took taxi into the city.

Our home for the next two nights was Il Tornabuoni, a Hyatt property.

Small hotel with small rooms although I did manage to secure a Globalist "suite" upgrade for our stay.

With a nice city view.

Pleasant roof top terrace bar just down the hall from our room.

While Mrs. SFO777 relaxed in our suite, I headed out to explore the neighborhood.

Two blocks away from our hotel is the Arno.

Lunchtime a short 3 minute walk from the hotel, at Ristorante Enoteca Strozzi. Great food, ambience and wonderful service.

Beautiful sunset from our rooftop terrace.

My Instagram video of our first day in Florence.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPo52DnD968

Exploring Florence

Exploring Florence

Our last full day in Tuscany started with a leisurely walking tour of old Firenze. Then off to a late lunch Caffé dell’Oro in the chic Portrait Firenze hotel And drinks back at hotel's rooftop terrace.

Must be good considering the queue.

Crowded and overrated Ponte Vecchio.

But nice views along the Arno.

For lunch we headed over to the chic Hotel Lungarno.

Only to find out that our resto choice Caffé Dell'Oro was across the Arno at their sister hotel.

Steamed bao, sweet chilli pork belly, daikon and lemongrass.

Asian chicken salad with quinoa, seasonal vegetables, Wonton and sesame dressing

California cobb salad with lobster, blue cheese, bacon, avocado, tomato and french dressing.

And decadent truffle fries.

Another glorious Tuscan sunset.

My Instagram video of our day in Florence.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPuJdJADxxu

Air Dolomiti Florence to Munich

Heading hom to Denver

After 9 wonderful days in Tuscany and Umbria, it’s time to head home. Since someone doesn’t do early mornings well ;), we’re off to Munich this afternoon, an overnight and then back on Lufthansa’s A380 to Denver tomorrow morning. First up, Air Dolomiti to Munich.

Florence FLR to Munich MUC

Air Dolomiti EN 8195

E95

1:35pm-2:50pm (sked)

2:17pm-3:50pm (actual)

October 1, 2025

Cost: 7,500 Aeroplan miles and CAD35 for exit row seats

My United 1K status got us priority boarding which in this case meant the first bus to the plane. Good enough to secure overhead bin space for our bags.

Lots of leg room.

Today's buy on board menu.

Welcome to Munich and another train to baggage claim and the exit.

Andaz Munich

Andaz Munich

Home for our last night is the Andaz Munich, although it was an outrageous 100€ taxi fare for a 25 minute ride.

Rather sterile interior.

But a lovely Andaz suite. Hyatt points and a free Globalist upgrade.

Dinner was 10 minutes away at Freisinger Hof, a Michelin recommended resto.

And one more round of Schnitzel.

Yummy dessert. Complimentary as an apology for dreadful service.

Meal was OK, service terrible and definitely not worth a repeat visit. There is a reason few people anywhere in the world say "let's do German tonight" when thinking of where to dine out.

Lufthansa A380 First Class to Denver

Lufthansa A380 First Class Munich to Denver

We arrived back at the airport a little over 2 hours before our 11:15am departure. Very nice First Class check-in, once you navigate the crowds and finally get there. And excellent private security. But things fell apart for me when my passport was rejected at the e-gates. Since there was no priority passport control and no Lufthansa First Class assistance, I had to queue for 15 minutes to clear passport while Mrs. SFO777 relaxed in the lounge.

At T-60, we headed out for the long, long, long walk to the end of the terminal. Walk was even longer since two of the moving walkways weren't working.

Munich MUC to Denver DEN

Lufthansa LH 480

A380-800

11:15am-1:45pm (sked)

12:00pm-2:50pm (actual)

October 2, 2025

Departed 8/8

Cost: 103,000 Miles & More miles each

Another Lufthansa gong show boarding today as we're a gate without an upper deck jetbridge. So down an escalator (which also was working) then up the stairs the upper day. All of which means that 80+ Business Class passengers schlepped their way thru the First Class cabin back to Business.