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A Family of Travelers Turned Boundless Explorers

Estefania (Stef) and her husband Rob were no strangers to exploring the world even before joining the Boundless Life program. This globetrotting background gave them motivation and confidence to sign up for Boundless Life’s Tuscany, Italy cohort with their twin girls.

Having visited Italy briefly as tourists in the past, the family was excited to return in a more immersive way. “Signing up for the Italy cohort was very exciting because we already had an idea of what it would be like,” she says, noting that this time would be different from a short holiday.

Through Boundless Life they wanted to experience Italy not as tourists, but instead as temporary locals.

If you’re considering an Italian Boundless Life experience you need to read Stef’s story! Full of travel tips, recommendations and Tuscan inspiration to get you planning your visit.

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On Choosing Pistoia

For Stef’s family, the choice of this lesser-known Tuscan city, Pistoia, was very intentional. “We knew Tuscany would be a beautiful setting, and we thought in the fall, it’s going to be absolutely gorgeous,” Stef explains.

Autumn in Tuscany promised mild weather ideal for family adventures. It also meant fewer crowds. “It’s low season as far as travel goes, so there’s not as many tourists. In a town like Pistoia, it’s not that touristy anyways.” She notes, “but you can take a train to Florence in 30 minutes, and it’s not going to be as packed during the months of October and November.” This balance – an authentic Italian town with easy access to popular destinations – was a big draw.

Being self-proclaimed foodies, the family was also drawn to Pistoia’s culinary prospects. Tuscany’s reputation for delicious cuisine and quality ingredients aligned with their passions. Equally they were very curious about seeing and experiencing the Italian lifestyle in more depth.

In short, Pistoia offered the scenic backdrop, seasonal timing, cultural immersion, and food experience they were looking for – an ideal match for their family’s goals.

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From Tourists to Temporary Locals: Embracing Slow Travel

Having traveled extensively, Stef’s family was eager to shift from fast-paced tourism to a slower style of travel in Pistoia. Living in one place for an extended period would allow them to delve deeper into local life. Stef reflects on the difference:

“It’s absolutely different because when you’re traveling… you’re on the fly. Versus slow travel. You pass by the same shops, you start going to the butcher, you start going to the same coffee shop. And then that’s when you start truly building rapport with locals and making relationships,” she says.

In their past short visits, they would rush from place to place, snapping photos and moving on. In Pistoia, by contrast, they intended to settle into a routine and live in the moment.

Over the weeks, the family indeed found themselves “getting local.” By staying put in Pistoia, they could form real connections – something a quick trip seldom allows. This mindset shift from tourists to temporary residents set the tone for their Italian adventure.

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Settling into Daily Life in Pistoia

In Pistoia, Stef’s family developed comforting daily rhythms. Mornings began with a stroll through the historic streets as they walked their twin girls to the Boundless Life Education Center.

On the way, they often stopped for breakfast at a local cafe run by a friendly barista named Max. The girls would grab a hot chocolate or croissant, and the family would exchange greetings with familiar faces they saw each day. “We would start recognizing similar faces and then start with a ciao, and they’d say, ‘ah, bambini!’… slowly but surely you develop these friendships,” Stef says of those morning encounters.

This simple ritual of greeting neighbors and local shopkeepers made them feel a part of the community.

After dropping the girls off at school, Stef and her husband carved out a bit of adult time. With the children happily in class, the couple could enjoy a workout and a leisurely lunch. They found their afternoons pleasantly unhurried. Pistoia’s compact city center is charming, so simply wandering its lanes or lingering in the piazza became a favorite pastime.

Come late afternoon, they reunited with their daughters outside the school. Evenings were family-oriented and social. Some days they would stop by a gelateria for an after-school treat, or browse small shops on the walk home. Other times, spontaneous community happenings would keep them out a bit longer.

“Sometimes there’ll be… things going on in the square, or we would go hang out, or meet up with another family in the park or for pizza night or something,” Stef recalls. These moments helped them form close bonds and feel at home.

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The Twins’ Educational Journey and Growth

Enrolled in Boundless Life’s learning program, the girls joined a small class of international children following a global education curriculum. The intimate class size was perfect for their learning and development. “They really got to build strong relationships with their teacher,” she explains. The twins absolutely adored their Pistoia teacher and learning setting and environment.

In fact Stef credits the Boundless Life education approach and staff for nurturing her children’s confidence during their time there. “The teacher Zac was so supportive, giving them a lot of confidence.” Stef observes. With a teacher who made them feel safe and motivated, the girls blossomed academically and socially.

The experience also fostered independence in the children. Boundless Life incorporated field trips, for example, they organized a supervised day trip by train to Florence for the students – no parents, just children and educators. “I think that made the kids more confident in themselves because they left town without mom and dad,” she recalls. Completing a field trip on their own was a huge milestone for the seven-year-old twins.

Indeed, living in Pistoia gave the girls a chance to spread their wings in a safe, nurturing environment.

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Community and Cultural Experiences

While the family certainly built connections on their own in Pistoia, the Boundless Life community and programming added another layer of support. Being part of a cohort of like-minded traveling families meant instant community.

They stayed in a centrally located Boundless Life apartment (the Madonna 2) just a short walk from Pistoia’s main piazza. This was convenient for daily life and meet-ups. The apartment’s location was ideal – tucked down a little alley near the Duomo – giving them both privacy and proximity.

They could easily bump into other Boundless families around town, but also retreat for quality time as a family of four. And the support network of the Boundless community was always there when needed, from playdates in the park to group dinners in the piazza.

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Olive Harvest Excursion

Boundless Life also organized special outings and cultural experiences for the cohort, which became some of the highlights of the family’s time in Pistoia. One standout was an olive harvest excursion in the Tuscan countryside. “I think my favorite was the olive harvest,” Stef says.

The group visited a local family’s olive farm during harvest season. “We helped pick olives. And it was just so wholesome,” she recalls. The day became an authentic cultural exchange. “It was their own farm with their kids and the grandpa, and our children were playing with their children, kicking the soccer ball,” Stef describes.

“They made fresh pressed olive oil, so we got to try it and eat it with some bread that they char-grilled outside and had some wine that someone in their family made in a carafe,” Stef says, painting a picture of the rustic bliss.

“It was just… the whole experience. You felt like you were just going to your neighbor’s house and just hanging out,” she adds. This genuine hospitality and cross-cultural friendship left a deep impression.

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Tuscan Pasta-Making Class

Food and culture continued to intertwine in other activities. Stef took part in a Tuscan pasta-making class arranged by Boundless Life. Under the guidance of a local chef, she learned the art of making fresh pasta from scratch.

The class taught her subtle tricks – “tips from someone who is born and raised there, telling you the hand temperature matters, the temperature outside matters… even though [it’s just] two ingredients,” Stef shares, clearly delighted by this deep dive into tradition. “It spoke to my foodie heart for sure,” she says.

Wine Tasting

Meanwhile, her husband enjoyed the wine tasting at a family-run vineyard outside Florence – yet another authentic local experience. “We really loved that because again, it was another local family,” Stef notes about the vineyard visit.

Through these activities, the family not only had fun but also gained a richer understanding of Italian life. “What I love is that Boundless finds these off the beaten path experiences that are actual locals doing things from their home.” Stef says. “I think because Italy is so rich in… tradition and old culture it’s nice to learn and be a part of that,” she reflects.

Indeed, by the end of their stay, the Arias family had pressed olives, kneaded pasta dough, sipped homemade wine, and celebrated life with Italian neighbors – experiences they never would have had as ordinary tourists.

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Weekend Adventures in Tuscany and Beyond

One major advantage of Pistoia’s location is its proximity to so many of Italy’s treasures. Stef’s family took full advantage of free weekends to embark on mini-adventures around the region (and beyond).

From charming Tuscan towns to famous Italian cities, their mini-getaways are enough to make any traveler jealous.

Some weekends the family kept it local with easy train rides. They frequented Lucca, a beautifully preserved walled town in Tuscany just a short trip from Pistoia, as well as made repeat visits to Florence (only 30 minutes by train). Other weekends, they ventured further. “We went to Lucca, we went to Cinque Terre. We even went to Rome,” Stef lists.

The family even took a trip up north to the Dolomites in the Italian Alps, where they went hiking – quite a change of pace from Tuscany’s rolling hills! On another occasion they journeyed to Venice, introducing the twins to the magic of canal streets and gondolas.

Traveling from a home-base in Pistoia, they could pack lightly, explore at their own pace, and return to their cozy apartment with stories to tell.

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Discovering Pistoia’s Pilgrimage Connection

One special surprise that deeply touched Stef’s family was learning about Pistoia’s link to the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. On one of their very first days in town – something familiar caught their eye: a small symbol of a scallop shell. The official emblem reserved for the destinations and towns along the Camino de Santiago trek.

For her husband especially, who had a deep interest in the Camino, it felt serendipitous. They hadn’t realized before arriving that Pistoia sat on this pilgrimage path. “When we saw the shell, we were very excited,” Estefania remembers of that moment.

The family followed the shell markers to a local church, where they learned more about Pistoia’s role in the pilgrimage. Stef recommends keeping an eye out for the scallop shell positioned on many of the historical buildings within Pistoia!

Tips for Future Boundless Families in Pistoia

After three months of living la dolce vita in Pistoia, Stef and her family have plenty of wisdom to share. For parents considering Pistoia as their Boundless Life destination, here are Stef’s top tips and recommendations:

Savor the local pizza: You can’t miss the pizzerias right by the Boundless Life hub in Pistoia – they became a staple for many families. “Definitely eat at the pizza places right by the hub,” Stef insists. Italy’s pizza never disappoints, and having a great pizzeria a stone’s throw from home is a perk you’ll enjoy often.

Try the quirky pasta spot: Pistoia has a beloved pasta restaurant that every local seems to know – Locanda del Capitano del Popolo. Stef fell in love with this trattoria decorated with vintage musical instruments and curios all over the walls

Plan small weekend adventures: Don’t stay in Pistoia every weekend – take advantage of its prime location to explore Tuscany and beyond. “definitely plan for small weekend trips like going to Lucca or just exploring the local Tuscan towns,” Stef recommends. Pistoia is an ideal home base for seeing a variety of Italian landscapes, so make a wishlist and go for it.

Dive in wholeheartedly: Pistoia is a city that rewards curiosity and slow exploration. Strike up conversations with shopkeepers, learn some of the language where you can, attend the local festivals if you catch one, and let your kids play with local children in the piazza.

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Kindness at the Heart of Pistoia

Stef and her family are proof that by the end of a Boundless Life experience in Tuscany, you won’t just have visited Pistoia; you’ll have lived there and become part of its story.

Ultimately, what stayed with Stef most was the people. “I would definitely recommend for families, to put themselves out there with the locals because they’re curious about us.” As she put it, “They’re patient and kind and if you put a little effort into learning their language and the way they do things, they’ll really embrace you.”

It’s a simple recipe – show up, be curious, learn a few phrases – and Pistoia meets you with warmth you’ll remember long after you leave.

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