It is very difficult to define the Chianti area in Tuscany: the denomination Chianti refers to the well-known wine, produced in the area between Florence and Siena, and not to a portion of territory defined with real boundaries. Nevertheless, in Chianti there are certainly some of the most beautiful villages to visit in Tuscany.
The map shows you the boundaries of municipalities that are traditionally considered part of Chianti: Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Impruneta, San Casciano val di Pesa, Tavernelle val di Pesa, Barberino Val D’Elsa and Poggibonsi.
Visit Tuscany: Monteriggioni and Chianti
A visit to Chianti will make happy adult and children: for adults, a territory rich in history and culture, including food and wine, while for children all the freedom of the countryside and of the many farms, but also castles that seem coming out from a Princesses and knights’ tale.
Along the famous Strada Statale 222 (also known as Chiantigiana), take Strada del Vino, dell’Olio e dei Sapori di Chianti Classico (= the road of wine, oil and Chianti Classico): a road that leads from Florence to Siena through a wide territory rich in vineyards, olive groves, picturesque towns and many opportunities for wine tasting. The ideal time to visit the area along this road is spring (you can also take advantage of Cantine Aperte, the appointment with wineries held throughout Italy each year during the last weekend of May).
One of the best medieval villages to visit in Tuscany and a starting point to discover the Chianti region is Monteriggioni
Located on the top of a gentle hill, with the slopes cultivated with vineyards and olive groves, Monteriggioni still preserves much of its past: the Castle of Monteriggioni was founded in the Second Decade of the Thirteenth Century by the Republic of Siena, as a defensive outpost against Florence.
For centuries the settlement was the defensive function for which it was created, rejecting many sieges and attacks. Around the middle of the Sixteenth Century its military function became less used because the entire State of Siena was annexed to Florence, ruled by Cosimo I de Medici.
[…] però che, come in su la cerchia tonda
Monteriggion di torri si corona,
così la proda che ‘l pozzo circonda
torregiavan di mezza la persona
li orribili giganti, cui minaccia
Giove del cielo ancora quando tona(Dante Alighieri, Inferno canto XXXI, vv. 40-45)
Monteriggioni is today part of the route of the Via Francigena, which constitutes the stage 32, which runs from Piazza Roma di Monteriggioni to Piazza del Campo di Siena, for a route of 20.6 km (walking!).
Starting from Monteriggioni you can spend a day in Chianti: cross Castellina Scalo, head to Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti and Castelnuovo Berardenga, all beautiful medieval villages of ancient origin connected by highly scenic roads.
Where to stay in Chianti: an oasis of peace, relaxation and charm in Chianti Village
On the beautiful hills of Chianti, the ideal stay to visit the Chianti area and Monteriggioni is Chianti Village Resort, a modern and new structure, immersed in the nature, which opened its doors in the spring of 2012. Located in one of the most exclusive locations in Tuscany, a few steps from the most famous places in the region such as Florence, Siena, Monteriggioni, Volterra and the enchanting San Gimignano, the Resort offers beautiful, comfortable and elegant apartments.
Chianti Village Resort is a true oasis of peace in Chianti: accommodation in Chianti, in the resort’s formula with apartments, allows to the traveler to enjoy a staying in peace, relaxation and, above all, freedom.
The best accommodation to visit Chianti is the apartment formula that allows you to keep your own slow rhythms, to pull late in the evening, to cook a steak of Chianina meat bought in a local farm, to drink the good wine bought in the cellar and waking up late in the morning. The apartments of the Chianti Village are mono, bi or three-roomed, all very bright and furnished with a modern design, elegant and comfortable, all equipped with independent heating and air conditioning, LCD TV Samsung, telephone, safe, microwave and dishwasher.
And if you do not want to cook, Chianti Village has a restaurant and an indoor bar where you can eat breakfast, light lunch and dinner.
The reception is available for the organization of transfers and tours with private chauffeur, guided tours of wineries with wine and olive oil tasting, reservations for restaurants and museums and also SPA!
Chianti Village services offer free Wi-Fi, a large outdoor parking, free and exclusive, a swimming pool with a relax area equipped with sofas and tables where you can enjoy drinks and light meals, a meeting room with all the equipment for business conferences, congresses and any other kind of event.
