Anonimo asked 10 anni ago
Hi Elena
First off thank you for such a winfer fully awesome blog! Your suggestions are excellent and descriptive. My wife and I are traveling to Rome tomorrow and then heading up to Florence on the 21st where we will stay at the Hotel Brunelleschi for 3 nights. I surprised her with this last minute trip to celebrate our anniversary!
It is our first visit to Florence and Tuscany so wanted to get your advice on best small villages and wineries to visit as we have booked a driver for a full day tour from from Florence. We travel extensively and are in our early thirties so looking for some unique places off the normal tourist route. I\’ve heard wonderful things about Siena but it also seems like such a tourist hub I was wondering if we should just stick around san gimignano area to better explore the region and have more time in towns and wineries than just in a car to Sienna. Or is Sienna something we should not miss?
I didn\’t know who else to ask and have been getting so much info from your site!
John
elena nacci Staff answered 10 anni ago
Sounds like you will pass a great anniversary! A trip to Italy is an amazing surprise
I love Hotel Brunelleschi! It’s beautiful! and with a perfect location in the town’s center. Here are some tips on visiting Florence.
There are so many wonderful small villages and wineries to visit across Tuscany that I would consider 2 day tours from Florence.
The first destination I recommend is Chianti, leaving Florence and heading south you’ll be in this famous area producing great wines, especially reds. There are many lovely villages to explore, notably Montefioralle, Gaiole in Chianti, and Castellina in Chianti. In Montefioralle, very characteristic little village, I suggest a visit to the Montefioralle Winery, a small and very good family-run winery, where you could enjoy wine tastings. Other great wineries in Chianti, that also enjoys stunning scenery, are Badia a Passignano and Badia a Coltibuono. You may have your lunch in one of the 2 last wineries as they also boast great restaurants.
Another recommended area for its superb wines is the Val d’Orcia, characterized by breathtaking landscapes and fairytale hill villages, like Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. My favorite wineries in the area, are:Ciacci Piccolomini, that has a beautiful panoramic terrace for wine tastings, and the smaller family-run Fattoria Poggio Grande. We are in the south of Siena, in my opinion one of the most beautiful and fascinating towns in Italy. I suggest you visit it, as Siena has much of the small medieval town atmosphere!
San Gimignano and its towers are another must see! This village is incredible, a real gem. I suggest you visit it on the day out to Chianti. In the hills surrounding San Gimignano is produced the famous Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a delicious white wine I suggest you try!
Do contact me again for any other suggestions,
Enjoy your trip to Italy!
Ciao from Florence
elena
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