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
More about ‘Chianti, Italy’
Tuscan terracotta olive oil jars – orci
If you’re interested in terracotta, a visit to Impruneta, the home of terracotta in Tuscany, is well worth it. The artisans of Impruneta are producing more and more hand-painted terracotta in addition to their traditional raw clay ceramics. However, in addition to floor and roof tiles, the terracotta manufacturers of Impruneta and nearby Ferrone have
The Chianti hamlet of San Leolino in Tuscany, Italy
The hamlet of San Leolino very near Panzano in Chianti is home to the parish church of the same name. The Pieve di San Leolino is first recorded in the year 982, under the name of San Leolino in Flacciano in a parchment held in the Abbey of Passignano, but two sculptural fragments housed in
Spaltenna, the castle and the parish church near Gaiole in Chianti
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
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!
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
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
A Tuscan farmhouse – the beauty of a Tuscan casa colonica
The Tuscan farmhouse is among the most attractive of all forms of vernacular architecture, perhaps equalled in aesthetic appeal only by the villages of the M’zab in the Algerian Sahara. In contrast to the M’zab, Tuscany is, of course, easily accessible to all and a great many of these beautiful Tuscan farmhouses have been sensitively
Europe’s most affordable vacation destination could be 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
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
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
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
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
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
A Tuscan salumi selection as antipasto
The word salumi is a collective term for dried and cured meats such as prosciutto and sausages of the salami family, among others. It’s very similar but not identical in meaning to the French expression charcuterie. Lardo, cured lard, is an exotic type of salumi. A Tuscan salumi selection as antipasto is typical fare in
Vacation accommodations 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
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
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
Villa to rent in central Tuscany near Panzano in Chianti
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
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 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 (“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
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
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
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
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