I left off with my family and I driving south from Tuscany towards Pienza. Our route was scenic and not direct on purpose. You can take the highways to get places faster but why do so when half the enjoyment in this part of Italy are the drives?

If you haven't, read Part I of this trip report before continuing below. I thought this would be a two-part series, but I underestimated how much I have to say about Tuscany... so lucky you as there will be three installments instead of two. Today, Pienza and the surrounding area.

Two summers ago I spent a month in Italy, primarily on the Adriatic coast, and told you all about it in a series of trip reports:

Trip Report: Puglia (Apulia) Italy Part I 
Trip Report: Puglia (Apulia) Italy Part II
Trip Report: Puglia (Apulia) Italy Part III

The coast of Puglia's stunning waters. Spiaggia de Porto Verde.

I went back to Italy last summer, this time with my boyfriend and parents.

It's time to take that Citi Prestige Card you forgot about out of your sock drawer and put it back in your wallet. I'm sure there are quite a few of you who kept this card around for it's Fourth Hotel Night Free benefit, as those who pay to stay at hotels can save thousands of dollars from it every year that easily make up for the $450 annual fee. That benefit is being devalued later in the year, at which point you may want to reconsider whether keeping the card longterm is worth it.

UPDATE 12/3, 10:25 AM ET: All upgrade codes for existing users have been exhausted. The upgrade code for new users is still active and can be used nine more times. 

At the bottom of this post are 19 free upgrade codes to six months of Award Wallet Plus. 10 are for new users, and nine will work for anyone.

Award Wallet is the free way to track all your miles and points balances and store login information for those programs in one place.