Central Tuscany: A Wine Lovers Paradise
Rich culture, infamous wine, and delicious food have long contributed to Tuscany's charm. This isn't just a region, it's an experience! This is one of those destinations that will exceed the expectations of all visitors, whether your focus is history, culture, or food and wine. If the latter is your primary interest, as it was ours, rest assured that Tuscany easily lives up to its reputation.
Our Tuscan road trip was divided into two sections based on our adoration of wine varietal. My bride, Chanel, loves Chianti because of its earthy profile, so we'll begin between Florence and Siena, or Central Tuscany. Here we can unwind, hike a bit, and hit the road to visit local vineyards.
Spending just a few days here is certainly not enough. We blocked a full week, and we still felt it wasn't enough to cover all that the magnificent region has to offer. It did, however, set the tone for a very relaxing and fulfilling holiday!
Related Posts
San Gimignano ⋆ What to Do in Lucca ⋆ Visiting Pisa Italy ⋆ Staying at Casa Buonocore in Positano ⋆ A Visit to Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and Naples ⋆ The Naples Pizza Battle ⋆ The Path of the Gods ⋆ Gastronomic Trekking on the Amalfi Coast ⋆ Exploring the Cinque Terre with a Local ⋆ Portofino ⋆ The Italian Riviera ⋆ Parma ⋆ Modena ⋆ Bologna
How to Get Here
For us, this adventure is a road trip from Basel, Switzerland, but most people to visit here fly into Florence. Exploring Tuscany in a car offers far more flexibility, and you can better flex your schedule as a result. With the many options of places to see, it's quite lovely to be able to change your plans. We typically fly to destinations, so this was a pleasant change of pace. We even took the opportunity to bring our Schnauzer, Wrigley, along for the ride!
If you don't want to tackle the drive and want to hit the primary locations, most are reachable by railway.
Livorno, on the Tuscan Coastline
What To See and Do
If you simply want to unwind, Tuscany can undoubtedly provide that opportunity! Relax with amazing views with a glass in hand until you are content! If you're going to explore, there's no shortage of places to visit!
Below are just a few from what we were able to accomplish in the week!
Pisa
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Strolling through Italian streets and villages can be a relaxing and calming activity. Then there's Pisa! The city itself can be calm. If visiting the Piazza dei Miracoli, formerly the Piazza del Duomo, expect a crowd! It's for a good reason, and you should most definitely visit if you have the opportunity! It's totally worth it.
There is a large parking lot near the entrance to the Piazza dei Miracoli so swinging into Pisa was incredibly easy. It was roughly a ten-minute walk to the main entrance. You'll know you've arrived because of the flood of sellers of tchotchke items and faux designer handbags! Pets are allowed, so we brought our favorite furry travel mate, Wrigley, along with us!
If you a history aficionado and want to see one of the worlds finest architectural complexes, this is your thing. The Piazza dei Miracoli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you don't leave home without your selfie-stick and need a shot of you' holding up the tower', this is also your thing. I had a bit of enjoyment just watching that entire scene unfold.
San Gimignano
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San Gimignano, the Town of Fine Towers, is everything you'd want from a small Tuscan village! It can easily be experienced in a day, but it is a beautiful destination for a relaxing weekend trip!
Most of the classic structures in San Gimignano back to the 11th to 13th Century. I'm a big fan of medieval architecture, and San Gimignano is such a beautiful example from that period.
Walking through the many alleys quickly transport you to a time long ago. These grounds have been used as a city since the 3rd century BC. The name was changed from Silvia to San Gimignano in 450 AD. Knowing that these grounds have evolved from these times and through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era is mind-blowing.
Lucca
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This small Italian city is home to one hundred and one churches and 16th-century walls designed by the great Leonardo Da Vinci. Whether you are here for a day or a weekend and dining or exploring, you'll quickly fall in love with the city.
Visit St. Martin Cathedral, the Guinigi Tower, or take a relaxing walk around the city walls! Lucca is well known for its beauty and design. Grab a sandwich from Pan di Strada and relax in one of the many parks!
Radda in Chianti
In the heart of Chianti, you'll find this lovely medieval town. Between vineyard stops, it provides a beautiful location for lunch or just a break with a magnificent view.
Volterra
If the streets of these other villages don't feel quite old enough, this village certainly will. Roman baths from the 3rd Century are still present in this 8th Century BC - that's right BC -mountaintop town. The Etruscan Museum, the Piazza dei Priori, and Cathedral are a must!
Getting here is accessible by train or car. The last few kilometers are quite curvy and steep!
Wineries to Visit
Central Tuscany is between Florence and Siena, and well known for their red wines, but also have many white wines that you'll want to try! This region is the home to Chianti Classico. The Sangiovese grape in these soils creates a very earthy and rustic profile. It smells of berries, but the age of the wine brings the soil flavors back out. These pair incredibly well with the many delicious foods that are of the region.
Antinori
Website | via Cassia per Siena, 133, Loc. Bargino, 50026
This isn't just a vineyard. It's an experience. It's art. It's an example of extravagance yet also of wisdom and a model of sustainability. A visit to Tuscany without experiencing this is unacceptable.
I have a passion for wine but also far art. I fell in love with Antinori because Tuscan reds are one of my favorite varietals, but even more so for the masterful design of the structure itself. The cost was $100M+ to create this masterpiece, but it's not only a fully functioning vineyard, but it also produces some of the most exceptional wines in Tuscany. They removed 35 acres of the hillside to build Antinori only to top it back off with soil and new vines. This resulted in a naturally cooled interior, natural lighting thanks to circular holes from the surface, and a structure that will last long into the future. The lines and architecture of it are simply brilliant.
With it's proximity to Florence, it should be on everyone's Tuscany to-do list!
Castello di Ama
Website | Località Ama, 55, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti
In what feels like it's own little village, you'll find the next can't-miss winery. Castello di Ama is located in Chianti in Radda and features the tasting room, an incredible restaurant, and even it's own small church. Artists from the region were commissioned to install modern art on the grounds.
The wines are lovely, and I would highly recommend reservations to the restaurant. We enjoyed a beautiful lunch there when visiting!
Fontodi
Website | Località San Leolino, 89, 50022 Greve in Chianti
Lovers of Chianti Classico will recognize this champion wine producer. Don't drive by too quick or you'll miss it atop the hill! Fontodi was established in 1968 and has been producing some of the great Sangiovese wines. They have removed the cabernet sauvignon grape from the production for a purer organic Sangiovese yield.
Where To Stay
Toscana Resort Castelfalfi
Website | Località Castelfalfi, 50050 Montaione
Week one of our Tuscan road trip has an emphasis on relaxation with a little exploring and a healthy dose of food and wine! Villas and Apartments are available as an alternative from the usual resort experience. These are far from rustic, however, as they have been renovated with modern technology and efficiencies.
Castelfalfi was once a dilapidated village that has been recently transformed into a new and vibrant town. The resort features multiple pools, a 27-hole golf course, and spa. In the resorts connected town are two Michelin rated restaurants and shops that offer biking tours, gelato, a small cafe/tavern, and more.
We opted for an apartment which was perfect for Wrigley and us! This area is quiet in the earlier half of the year, but it comes alive for summer!
I'm a US expat, blogging photographer and world-traveler who may or may not like tequila a bit too much.