- Florence: Experience the Renaissance in Florence, with more great art per square mile in its original location than just about anywhere else in the world. One of the great cities of the world, it has a great vibe of preserving the past for all to see and yet is still a vibrant city. It may be crazy busy in the summer months packed with tourists, all the more reason to go in the Spring and Fall, when the crowds die down.
- Wine Tasting: Let’s face it, Chianti has great soil and climate for growing great red wines, the same way Napa Valley is blessed with a great climate. See how the wines are made by visiting wineries, taste the differences between the Chianti Classico and the Super Tuscans. Have a robust debate over which you like better during long dinners at your villa!
- Siena: A wonderful hilltop city, a powerhouse in the region known for its banking in medieval and Renaissance times. A great walking city (although a bit hilly) with great public spaces and a Duomo to beat the band. It also hosts the Palio horse races twice each summer in the main square, one of life’s great “bucket list” events.
- Olive Oil: Just as the people from Florence and Siena battled for geographic supremacy over the ages, there are still deeply divided opinions about which part of Italy (forget about the rest of the world!) makes the best olive oil. We can arrange tastings so you can understand the peppery taste of oil from southern Italy, versus the lighter oils of Tuscany. And from within Tuscany, those from Lucca say they have the best oil in the world, but those from the Valdarno area seem to be winning all the medals these days!
- Exploring hilltop villages: Grab a map and drive around Chianti. Park the car and walk through many of the hilltop villages. Head to their local markets and see how things haven’t changed much in ages. Then grab a cup of espresso, or sit on a terrace for lunch admiring the views and soak up the sweet life: La Dolce Vita!
- Great food: What can we say except that Tuscan food is simple, farm-fresh and delicious. And Chianti is blessed with many wonderful restaurants. It is hard to have a bad meal here. Try the Florentine steak!
- Shopping: OK, we’re the first to admit that there are few “bargains” in Tuscany when shopping, yet there are two wonderful designer clothing outlet malls, usually showing last year’s fashions. (And yes, many of the sizes are for people pencil-thin!) There are also many specialty shops in Florence where the craftsmanship is still superb.
- Truffle Hunting: In the fall and winter months we can arrange for you to go out with a trufalaio (truffle hunter) and his dog to try to scare up some of these earthy, black nuggets!
- Singing butcher of Panzano: This guy really does exist. Now Dario doesn’t sing all the time. Sometimes he recites poetry. Recently he opened a place to eat next door to his butcher shop called McDarios. Check it out.
- San Gimignano: Called the Manhattan of Tuscany because of all of its towers, it is a great place to visit to understand how towns fortified themselves during periods of siege, and for a characteristic look at a medieval hilltop town.
Back to Chianti Articles
