CHIANTI NEAR FLORENCE: FOR A CHARMING TRIP
Chianti near Florence is a vast geographic area situated in the heart of Tuscany, between Siena and Florence, bordering on River Ombrone in the north, the Monti del Chianti in the east, River Arno in the south and the Val d’Elsa in the west. With its amazingly beautiful landscapes, neat vineyards and olive groves, quiet villages, excellent accommodation, magnificent churches and castles, not to mention the superlative food and wine, the Chianti region has grown into a magnet for tourists looking for a peaceful holiday away from the more traditional and crowded travel destinations.
Of course, Chianti is the most celebrated for its wine, and many of the region’s wineries are open for a tour and a tasting, and some offer accommodation services as well as part of the growing trend of agritourism (agriturismo in Italian). The Chianti DOCG appellation is divided into seven sub-regions (Classico, Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi, Montalbano and Rùfina), of which Classico is the best known. The wine is made with the Sangiovese grape, and many producers make the dessert wine Vin Santo del Chianti as well as “Super Tuscan” wines that do not adhere to DOC regulations.
Historically, Chianti was the object of numerous battles between Florence and Siena, of which the most famous was the Battle of Montaperti (1260) where Florentine Guelphs and Sienese Ghibellines met in a fierce struggle, which Dante described in Inferno. Today, Via Chiantigiana (SS 222 from Florence to Siena) leads to Chianti near Florence. A few kilometers from the 17th century Villa dell’Ugolino is the entrance to Ugolino Golf Club, an 18-hole course set in beautiful surroundings. Further on is the town of Strada, and you can see the castles of Mugnana and Sezzate.
The principal cities of Chianti are Florence, Siena, Greve in Chianti, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti. Accommodation facilities available in these cities range from the luxury to budget categories, but one of the most charming aspects of a holiday in Chianti is the opportunity to be an agritourist and stay at a typical Tuscan farmhouse away from the main cities, carefully restored to evoke nostalgia and delight in equal measure.
Agritourism accommodation is usually less expensive than hotels or pensiones and gives you a chance to prepare your own meals while participating in the daily life of a farm. But whatever your accommodation preference, you will find it here (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Chianti-near-Florence.htm), so we invite you to take a look. Chianti awaits you.
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TUSCANY VILLAS: YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Tuscany is justly famous for its wine, food, warm and hospitable people, and dazzling natural beauty. However, in our opinion, Tuscany should also be celebrated for its beautiful villas, because the Tuscan countryside is dotted with some of the most superb villas dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and almost all of them are perfectly preserved, so that they can still be inhabited with ease. And guess what? We would like to invite you to stay in one of Tuscany's independent villas, which we have carefully selected for the discerning tourist. We can guarantee you every home comfort that you can ask for, in the luxurious and elegant atmosphere of these beautiful villas.
Without exception, the independent villas of Tuscany that we have chosen for you are located amidst some wonderful natural scenery. Take the Villa Ginestra, situated near the top of a hill in the Tuscan countryside, delighting guests with a magnificent view of the city of Florence. Also within view is the tiny village of Cercina. On a nearby hilltop, you can see the ruins of a great house that once belonged to a medieval bishop. The scenery is, in a word, magnificent. At Villa Ginestra, you will enjoy the best Italy has to offer – the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rural countryside, and quick and easy access to Florence.
An orchard of half-century-old olive trees surrounds Villa Ginestra, providing visitors with a crown of green and silver. To the west is the still deeper green of a forested mountain, webbed with well-marked trails for the adventurous hiker. To the east is a superb view of the medieval town of Fiesole.
And that is just one example of what we can offer you. There are numerous independent villas in Tuscany that find place on our list, spread all across this beautiful region of Italy. Can you actually imagine staying in a place called the Villa Buonaparte? Well, we have it on our list too, and it is situated on San Miniato’s hills, about five km from San Miniato. It is a 16th-century building, carefully renovated and maintained to remind you of the charms of medieval Italy.
As we keep saying, these are mere samples. For a detailed list of independent villas in Tuscany, come to us and we’ll take you on a free and infinitely rewarding tour!
