Posts Tagged ‘Chianti’

Vitigliano – a unique boutique hotel and spa experience in Tuscany

Vitigliano boutique hotel and spa in Tuscany

Vitigliano is the name of a tiny “borgo“, an ancient farming hamlet, grouped around an ancient watch tower that formed part of the defences of the castle of Panzano in central Chianti. In fact, although the first documentation of Vitigliano dates back to 1085, the original settlement was probably Roman. This year, 2014, the restoration

Corte di Valle, where you can stay in a real Tuscan villa in Chianti

Corte di Valle - stay in a real Tuscan villa in Chianti

On your next visit to Tuscany, if there are not enough of you to rent an entire villa to yourselves, you nevertheless have a chance to experience living in a genuine Tuscan villa, namely at Corte di Valle where you can stay in a real Tuscan villa in Chianti. The villa of Corte di Valle

Spaltenna, the castle and the parish church near Gaiole in Chianti

Pieve di Spaltenna

If you’re in search of great material for scenic photography (plus some history and architecture), pay a visit to Spaltenna, the castle and the parish church near Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany. Spaltenna is a classic example of a Tuscan fortified settlement consisting of a monastery (previously a castle), a parish church and a cluster of

Certaldo Alto, hometown of Boccaccio

Certaldo Alto

When you’re exploring Tuscany to the southwest of Florence, the old town of Certaldo in Tuscany, known as Certaldo Alto, is definitely worth a visit. This is the hometown of Boccaccio, author of the Decameron and contemporary of Petrarch, and it retains much of its mediaeval architecture and charm. Boccaccio’s house for the last years

Best place to stay as a base to explore Tuscany

One of my strongest recommendations for getting the most out of your vacation in Tuscany is to choose a single base and explore Tuscany from there. Why do I say that? I find that many visitors to Tuscany greatly underestimate the amount of time that will be lost each time they change accommodation. That includes

Villa Vignamaggio – NOT where Mona Lisa was born!

Villa Vignamaggio

Lisa del Giocondo, née Gherardini, Mona Lisa, was born on the 15th of June, 1479. On the road between Greve in Chianti and Lamole there is a magnificent Renaissance villa. This is Villa Vignamaggio – NOT where Mona Lisa was born! Lisa was born in Florence on Via Maggio. The family originally lived near Santa Trinita

Castello di Brolio, home of modern Chianti Classico wines

Castello di Brolio

Brolio Castle (Castello di Brolio, home of modern Chianti Classico wines) is located near Gaiole in Chianti and is a major attraction for visitors to the area. Historically, the castle is very famous as the ancestral home of Baron Ricasoli who was an important political figure in the new Italian nation during the late 19

Europe’s most affordable vacation destination could be Tuscany

Europe's most affordable vacation destination Tuscany

Anna Maria Baldini has recently posted that Tuscany could be Europe’s most affordable vacation destination. In terms of value for money, I agree with that 100%. There’s no doubt that Tuscany provides inexpensive, even cheap, options in terms of vacation accommodation, food, wine and transport. Plus, of course, all the things that were always free

Greve in Chianti becomes a flower and shrub market for the Festa dei Fiori

Greve in Chianti transformed for the annual Festa dei Fiori

In early May each year, the main piazza of Greve is transformed into a flower and shrub market for the Festa dei Fiori. The Festa dei Fiori is a commercial market where local people buy shrubs, roses and annuals for their gardens and window boxes. It is also a great moment to visit Greve in

Piazza Matteotti, the main piazza of Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

The main piazza of Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

Greve (pronouced “Greh-veh”) is the market town of the Chianti Classico wine zone and a great base from which to explore this part of Tuscany. Piazza Matteotti, the main piazza of Greve in Chianti, Tuscany is characterised by its unusual triangular shape, the graceful arcades running along the two longer sides and a majestic statue

Travel Guide for Visitors to the Chianti Classico Wine Region of Tuscany, Italy

Travel Guide for Visitors to the Chianti Classico Wine Region of Tuscany, Italy

We’re now nearing the end of a successful first year of on-line publication of our “travel guide for visitors to the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany” and we’re looking forward to year two. As you can see, our posts provide information for travellers not only to the Chianti Classico wine region lying between Florence

Family accommodations in Tuscany – try a Chianti Bed and Breakfast

Family accommodations in Tuscany – try a Chianti Bed and Breakfast

Tuscany, and the Chianti Classico area between Florence and Siena in particular, provide an ideal destination for a family vacation. Both Florence and Siena are readily accessible for day trips to museums, famous architecture and shopping, while at the same time the open spaces, fresh air and swimming pools of rural Chianti vacation accommodations provide

The photogenic Tuscan abbey known as Badia a Passignano

The photogenic abbey known as Badia a Passignano

This is the Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo a Passignano, the photogenic Tuscan abbey known as Badia a Passignana, located on the road from Greve in Chianti to Sambuca in Chianti, Tuscany. It contains a major fresco of the “Last Supper” by the Ghirlandaio brothers and can be visited on the infrequent days when it’s

Great place to stay in Chianti for 2 to 6 persons

A great place to stay in Chianti for 2 to 6 persons

This is Casa Ramoli near Panzano in Chianti, Tuscany, a great place to stay in Chianti for 2 to 6 persons. The views out over the Val di Greve are truly spectacular – and not only from this great terrace! The house has been restored recently and furnished in Tuscan country style. It sleeps 2

Vacation accommodations for 1 to 4 persons on a Chianti vineyard

Vacation accommodation for 1 to 4 persons on a Chianti vineyard

Podere Torre is a small Chianti wine and olive oil producer located high above Greve in Chianti and offering vacation accommodation for 1 to 4 persons in the form of an apartment or B&B rooms with attached shower. The location of Podere Torre is the secret of its success. The vineyard is situated among a

Boutique hotel in the Chianti Classico wine zone

Boutique hotel in the Chianti Classico wine area

Hotel Villa Le Barone is a wonderful four star villa hotel located very near Panzano in Chianti, in central Tuscany. The ancient Tuscan villa that houses this boutique hotel in the Chianti Classico wine zone belonged to the Della Robbia family of Renaissance painted terracotta fame and was converted from a farm into a boutique

Luxury Chianti Classico getaway

Villa Bordoni luxury hotel near Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

Not only out of this world rooms but a gourmet restaurant – not surprisingly since the Villa is owned by David Gardner who owns and manages two excellent restaurants in Florence. Villa Bordoni luxury Chianti Classico getaway, has only 10 rooms and suites, all are furnished with flair and originality with furniture and fabrics of

Villas to rent in Tuscany with private pool

Villas to rent in Tuscany with private pool

One of the great things about renting a Tuscan villa or farmhouse for your vacation in Italy is that an excellent range of villas to rent in Tuscany with private pool is available to choose from. Yes, spending time in the museums and churches of Florence is important, but relaxation also plays a role when

Villa to rent in central Tuscany near Panzano in Chianti

Vacation villa to rent in Tuscany

Most of the vacation rentals in Tuscany that are described as Tuscan vacation villas are in fact not villas at all but rather Tuscan farmhouses. A genuine villa accommodates more than just a small family – that’s the easiest way to distinguish between these two classes of holiday home. Podere Felceto, once a monastery, is

Wine making using terracotta jars

Wine making in terracotta jars

An interesting new winemaking trend – making wine in terracotta jars. Not really new – the Romans used this method to make their wine. Now artisans based in Impruneta in Tuscany are creating terracotta fermentation giare and barriques for wine making. We expect that within two to three years, you will be able to try

Porcini mushrooms in Chianti, Italy

Porcini mushrooms in Chianti

Porcini mushrooms of Chianti are not to be missed. With the exception of morilles, funghi porcini are the most delicious of the mushrooms. Try to find or buy them fresh and cook them sliced in a bit of olive oil with nipitella (a kind of catamint or catnip that grows wild in Chianti). Serve over

Schiacciata con l’uva Tuscan grape bread

Schiacciata con l'uva

Schiacciata (“squashed”) is a flat bread about 2 cm thick that was originally cooked in the embers of the hearth. Variations of schiacciata are made throughout Italy. In Tuscany, it is often simply brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Here in Chianti, we enjoy schiacciata con l’uva, sometimes called focaccia. (In ancient Rome,

Porchetta – Tuscan roast whole pig

Porchetta Tuscan roast pork

To make porchetta in Chianti, you start with a big pig – some say it should be at least 120kg! This is not a suckling pig we’re cooking, it’s the real thing! The pig is carefully deboned and dressed with abundant rosemary, fennel and garlic, and filled with its own minced sweet meats, although the

Montefioralle, a Chianti walled mediaeval village

Montefioralle near Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

Tuscany is famous for its hilltop towns and villages, and, among the latter, one of the best preserved and most photogenic is Montefioralle, a Chianti walled mediaeval village. Montefioralle was once the main inhabited location of this area, at a time when Greve, down in the valley, was no more than a market place. As

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the grilled steak of Tuscany

bistecca alla fiorentina

Before beginning your visit to Tuscany, it will be worthwhile to “bone up” on bistecca alla Fiorentina, the grilled steak of Tuscany – how to select the steak, how to cook it, how to eat it. Not every visitor to Tuscany has heard that steak is a very popular speciality here. The meat classically come

Dario Cecchini, butcher and showman at Panzano in Chianti

Dario Cecchini the butcher of Panzano

Anyone visiting Panzano in Chianti, a pretty town on the via Chiantigiana halfway between Florence and Sienna, should drop in at Dario Cecchini’s butcher’s shop near Piazza Bucciarelli. Here you will see not only excellent cuts of meat and prepared meats, but with a bit of luck, Dario Cecchini himself – probably the most extravert

  • About Us

  • Share our Tuscany Blog with your friends!

  • Sights of Chianti, in Tuscany, Italy. What to see, where to go, places to stay in Chianti. www.greve-in-chianti.com.
    Chianti Travel Guide Copyright 2012 - 2020     ammonet InfoTech for SEO and website promotion